This page is a part of the Gregg County, TXGenWeb project and all of the information here is
FREE  for you to use. If you are being charged to view/use any of this  information, please contact Elaine & Etta










Gregg County
Biographies

If you have any Gregg County biographies you would like to see added, or information to add to the current biographies, please email:Etta, Sheila, & Elaine. NOTE: Click on a picture to see the full size.

J

Jennings - M.C. Jennings, Jr. was a native of Shelby County, Texas. He was a minister by profession and was the minister for the St. John Baptist Church for many years. He received his formal education from Bishop College of Marshall, Texas and Butler College of Tyler, Texas. Being very active in civic and religious events, he served as President of the Mt. Zion Baptist District Sunday School Congress, President of the Northeast Congress, Delegate to the State Convention, was a member of the Longview Voter's League, and was Chairman of the Youth Council of the area National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

 
JOHNSTON - O.G. "Ogie" Johnston was an orphan (born 1859 and died 1924) raised by his grandfather. He married Della Armstrong (born 1866 and died 1945) whose parents were John Kittle & Sarah Armstrong. They married in 1881, just one day after Della was 15 years old. Ogie & Della built a house just east of Gladewater, off Hwy 80, in 1882. This is where their children Augusta (1883), Charlie (1885-1889) and Bert (1890-1956) were born. Ogie was the 3rd Justice of the Peace for his precinct for many years and the 2nd County Commissioner.

 



K
Kay - Francis Luther Kay and his wife Mary Wallace came to Kilgore form Starrville, Smith County, Texas. They were one of the early pioneers and Kay Street is named after Francis. Their children were: Maggie Kay (married to ? Caswell), Wallace Kay, Peck Kay, Lee Kay (married Cora Erwin), Lem Kay (married Leta Erwin, Mabel Kay (married Phillip Erwin Barton) and Luther Kay. (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

 
Keener - Lawson Jefferson Keener came to Rusk County, Texas with his parents in 1854. He married Alcesta Benson Carter and moved from Harmony Hill, Rusk County, to Earpville, Gregg County for a short time. They soon moved to Kilgore in 1881 for their 5 children to attend school at the Alexander Institute. On December 15, 1882, Lawson Jefferson Keener bought 17 acres of land near the town of Kilgore, on the Dunn homestead in VanWinkle survey on Old Hagan's Ferry Rd. On January 16, 1885 L.J. Keener bought 3/4 of an acre in the Mary VanWinkle survey near Kilgore. Here Lawson and Alcesta built a home to raise their children.

In 1884 Lawson bought a cotton gin and grist mill from A.D. Darden, but after his wife's death he lost interest and sold them to John Alexander Northcutt. Later, John Northcutt sold them to James Butts. At the time of Lawson's death in 1902 he was Superintendent of the Presbyterian Church in Kilgore. Alcesta moved to Longview after Lawson's death and died there in 1922. 

Their children were: Kate Kenner (married John Henry Reynolds), Lelia Kenner (married Edd B. Fisher), Durstine Kenner (married H.G. Abernathe in 1897) Allie Keener (married Alex Pittman Pegues), Reube Kenner (married Jere Clemens Turner) and Lawson Kenner (married Rogers Lacy). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)


 
Keith - W. Keith was manager of one of the largest establishments of its kind in East Texas and easily handled the task of starting such a store in Longview. He brought a more modern conception to the variety store business with the M.E. Moses Co. variety store. He made an outstanding success of the variety store business and was held in high esteem, not only in the Longview area but in the Moses group of people.

 
Kennedy - Major Kennedy, (1881-1952), oilman and philanthropist, was born to former slave parents, Dink and Betty (Portley) Kennedy, in Rusk County in 1881. He received his early education at the Star Bailey public school in Rusk County. He was encouraged at an early age to seek higher education in the North, but resolved to make his way with the resources 
available to him in East Texas. He worked at odd jobs for several white families while he was going to school at Star Bailey and is said to have saved nine cents out of every dime he earned. He received a teaching certificate upon graduation and in 1900 began work in Rusk County as the teaching principal at Freeman Ridge School. After two years he moved to 
Possum Trot School and later to Pine Hill School, both in Rusk County. Kennedy left Pine Hill to attend Texas College. He returned to teach in East Texas, but frustration with inequality in distribution of funds and supplies for black schools motivated him to quit teaching. He married Mary E. Britton, of Rusk County, and concentrated on farming. He found work in nearby towns to supplement his income and began investing in land and cattle. He bought whole sections at a time since land was inexpensive. By 1930, when the East Texas oil boom hit, he had acquired substantial land and livestock. The oil discovered on his land brought him greater wealth, and he joined with other East Texas blacks to form the Tiger Oil and Gas Company. Kennedy became a leader among African Americans because of his financial power and built the all-black town of Easton, on the border of Gregg and Rusk counties. He owned a mercantile store, a garment factory, a sawmill, a number of rent houses, and most of the land in the town by the time of his death. He supported the Pirtle Baptist Church in Easton and donated land for its cemetery. He also made generous contributions to Butler College, the Progressive Voters' League, the YMCA, and various civil rights causes. He also constructed churches and schools in East Texas, financed the studies of a number of students, and donated fifty acres of land to the Boy Scouts of America for Camp Kennedy, which included a lake with swimming and fishing facilities. He and Mary had ten children. Kennedy died on July 12, 1952.

 
Kerbel - Sam Kerbel arrived in Longview when the oil boom was just beginning in East Texas. He opened the Kerbel Jewelry Company and carried a complete line of nationally advertised watches, diamonds and jewelry as well as having the largest inventory of luggage in all of East Texas. His store was one that drew customers in from areas other than Longview. He was typical of the aggressive businessman of the time period, not only running a fine jewelry business but by being a valueable asset to his community.

 

Kilgore- Constantine Buckley Kilgore, see link for long bio.

 
(Left Picture: JD Knighton. Right Picture: Longview Drug Company, Inc.)
Knighton - J.D. Knighton was co-owner of the Longview Drug Company, Inc. with Drew Wilson. It was one of the largest and most complete in East Texas carrying one of the largest lines of sundries in Longview. They carried fine lines of cosmetics, the lastest in biological and pharmaceutical supplies, the finest candy, and a complete modern, sanitary foundain & lunch counters. 




L
Lacy - Rogers Lacy was born 1881 in Longview, Texas to John Stephen & Medora Rogers Lacy. John Lacy had arrived in Rusk Co., Texas in 1848 from Tennessee with his family. From Rusk County they moved to Longview in 1873. Rogers married Lawson Keener in 1913 in Longview. 

Rogers first line of work was as a clerk in his brother's hardware and furniture store while he was still a young lad. Later he was a clerk for the Texas & Pacific & Cotton Belt Railway at Big Sandy. There he became interested in telegraphy and worked his way up to being operator for the texas & Pacific at Kilgore. It was in Kilgore that he became interested in the sawmill business, only to return to Longview and run a farm. When the oil boom hit East Texas, Rogers caught the "oil fever" and invested in some land that was to become the world's biggest oil field. By the time of his death in 1947, he had amassed a fortune due to good business investments. He was generous and had a heart as big as all outdoors, donating to church institutions, Buckner Orphan's Home and many other worthy organizations.


 
Laird - Born December 15, 1833 and died April 5, 1917, Dickson Henderson Laird of Maury County, Tennessee married Josephine Thompson on January 1, 1871. Josephine was born May 20, 1853 and died December 1, 1921. Their children were: Mollie Laird (married Jim Knowles October 23, 1896), Dick Laird, Ernest Laird (married Mollie Angel), Leslie Laird (married Sally Peterson), Dixie Laird (married Will Lee), John Henry Laird (married Loddie Chandler), Ben Laird (married Kate Chandler), Ira Laird (married Beulah Mulliken), Shirley Shack Laird (married Maude Dickerson), Kirk Laird (married Ivy Melton) and Ruth Laird (married Leslie Oliver). (This information was found in a book titled Early Kilgore Families)

 
LeBus - Frank Lebus, President of the LeBus Rotary Tool Works of Greggton, played a major role in the petroleum world. His company shipped products all over the world where petroleum was produced. His was one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world, which reflects on his resourcefulness and the caliber of his person. He was always ready and willing to help with any civic or city endeavor. 

 
Lee - Charles Henry Lee, Jr. was a native of Texas having been born in Sulphur Springs. He devoted his life to the education of children, having been a mathematics teacher, coach and Principal of the Ned E. Williams Elementary School. He served in the military and then received his formal education at Bishop College. He was a member of the Union Grove Baptist Chruch, a member of the area, state and national Education Associations, an Omega and a 32° mason. 

 
Levy - Richard Butt Levy, Sr  was born October 12, 1835, at Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia. He enlisted in the Confederate States Army of Northern Virginia, and served in the Signal Corps.  His parole was issued April 10, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse. This parole showed that he was with Robert E Lee at surrender.

This family came to Longview in 1871.  Mr Levy was elected the first county and district clerk, he held this office for many years. 

When the T&P Railroad deeded the lots to the four churches of Longview, Mr Levy was one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church. 

The Levy home was on the corner of North Center and West Whaley Streets.  The rock for this house was taken from the Rock Hill, now known as Methvin Hill.

Mr Levy was Secretary of State for several years.  A Very conscientous man who worked very late at night, using poor light from the lights used in those days, his sight was impaired causing blindness before his death.

He died March 6, 1918 at the home of his daughter, "Miss EM", Mrs Gaines B Turner, in Fort Worth, Texas.  He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Longview.

He was the son of John B Levy, who served in Atkinson's Troops 29th Virginia Militia, in the War of 1912.  John B Levy died in Longview, December 29, 1880 and is also buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

This information was submitted by Col Richard M Levy, Washington D C, grandson of R B Levy, Sr to the United Daughter of the Confederacy, and was found in the vertical files of the Longview Library.


 
Lockett - Biven W. Lockett was an Upshur County native, and became one of the outstanding ministers in Longview. He was pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church of Longview, receiving his formal education at Bishop College of Marshall, Texas and Southwestern Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. Biven was President of the Ministerial Association of Longview, a board member of the United Political Organization of Texas, a NAACP member and a member of the Masonic Lodge #278.

 
Loftis - Clayton A. Loftis was President of the First National Bank of Longview. He was very well known in the financial business throughout East Texas. He was Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman and Treasurer of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce Committee, and a member of the Longview Rotary Club.

 



M
Martin - Franklin Martin and his associates erected one of the most modern and one of the largest Coca-Cola plants in Gregg County. He lived in Nugget Hill, one of Longview's most exclusive and prestigious neighborhoods of the 30's. His wife, being an accomplished musician, played an important role in the cultural advancement of Longview.

 
Martin - W. C. Martin came to Longview in 1928 from Greenville, Texas. While in Greenville, he served as manager of the Perkins store for 4 years. When he arrived in Longview, he was the manager of the Perkins Brothers Department Store. He was a Perkins employee for more than 25 years. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

 
Mathis- Bish S. Mathis was the founder of the Bish Mathis Institute of Longview. He was working constantly toward the advancement of the standards of business education and made an outstanding contribution to the community in giving Longview a high class professional school of business. After founding the Longview school, he established another Bish Mathis Institute in Monroe, La. He was a member of the Board of Stewards of the First Methodist Church, a member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce and President of the Junior Chamber, and a member of the Kiwanis Club.

 
McClure- Carl S. McClure was the manager of the Hilton Hotel, Longview's finest place to stay, ans said to be one of the finest hotels in Texas. He was an enthusiastic civic and business leader, with a very genial personality. He was active in many different community improvement projects, was a Director of the Longview Chamber of Commerce, President of the East Texas Hotel Men's Association, and was selected to be among the 10 outstanding hotel men in the state of Texas.

 
McCord - Felix J. McCord, a founder of Gregg County. Check link for long bio.

 
McGowen - R.S. McGowen was widely known as one of the premier real estate men in East Texas. He was considered to be an authority on appraisals of real estate and tax evaluations. He was widely known as a one of the key factors in the development and growth of Longview and the surrounding areas in the 1930's. He was a member of the Rotary Club, a member of the Presbyterian Church, Chairman of the Boy Scouts, and a major lender of the area.

 
McKEAN - Jesse Cortena McKean Jr., MD was born October 21, 1891 to Jesse Cortena & Emma Corene Rogers McKean in Lometa, Texas. His education came from West Texas Normal School at Canyon and then on to the Texas Christian University of Ft Worth, Texas where he graduated cum laude from the Medical Department in 1917. He did his internship with St Joseph Hospital of Fort Worth, then on to William Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso for his 4 years of surgical residency. His post graduate work came later in New Orleans, La. at the Tulane University.

Dr. McKean was in the Army Medical Core for about 5 years, then served with the American Red Cross and the Rockefeller Foundation in Greece, Russia and Turkey. In Greece he was on the Typhus Fever Commission, sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation, for the Red Cross. His work with the Typhus Epidemic brought him the honor of being made a Knight of the Order of St. George by King George V of Greece. This honor was the highest award a non-citizen of Greece could be given. Upon completion of his Red Cross work, he was made chief surgeon for the Sinclair Exploration to Portuguese, West Africa and Liberia, West Africa. He was also made the Medical Director to Harvey Firestone, Jr and together they tried to locate good areas for the rubber plantations so that they would be less diseased.

Dr. McKean returned to the US in 1926 and began his private practice in Corsicana, Tx. He remained there until 1928 when he went to Pampa. There he had his own hospital until 1931. Gladewater was his next and final stop in 1931, just as the oil boom began. His destination of Gladewater was probably because the oil companies and insurance companies were pushing him in that direction.

Dr. McKean built a hospital on the now Main St. and served "tent city" well. The town's population had exploded due to the oil boom and Drs were desperately needed. After normal office-hospital hours, Dr. McKean would to to tent city and treat anyone that needed treating. He never asked for a name, kept a record of them or medicines given. When he approached the druggist Mark Day, owner of Day Drug, with the fact that hundreds were going to die from lack of medicine, Mr. Day furnished all the needed medicine. This was crucial during the flu epidemic that hit tent city. Gladewater was a "wild" place during those years with many problems besetting the city due to the sudden explosion of people. Dr. McKean came to the rescue numerous times out of the goodness of his heart.

In April of 1935, Dr. McKean and Amy Smallwood married in Oklahoma City, Ok. Amy, having arrived in Gladewater in 1931, was one of the first licensed pilots of Texas. She had worked for the hospital in Pampa when Dr. McKean was there and was a registered nurse, having completed her training at St Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Ok.

1946 brought a new McKean Hospital on West Upshur St. It had 65 rooms, 23 private rooms, 9 of which had baths. It was one of the finest buildings in the county. The equipment was the periods state of the art, being the most scientific equipment available. Dr. & Mrs. McKean ran the hospital and they were equipped to handle 35-40 patients. In 1949 this hospital was sold to the City of Gladewater and became known as Gladewater Municipal Hospital. It is now owned by a church.

For 35 years Dr. McKean was a member of the Texas Medical Association, through the Navarro County Medical Society, Gray-Wheeler Counties Medical Society and the Gregg County Medical Society. He was also a member of the American Medical Society, the Kiwanis Club and the Gladewater Country Club. Dr McKean spend nearly 40 of his life in medical practice. The McKeans lived on Country Club Road during his lifetime. After the Drs death, Amy married Edwin S. Hartshorn, a retired attorney from Ashville, NC.


 
Meredith- Judge D.S. Meredith, Jr. was elected to the office of County Judge, to the office of County Attorney, and to the office of District Attorney. He was appointed to the office of District Judgeship by Gov. Javes V. Allred. After that he was elected to a full 4 years term as Judge of the Special District. Judge Meredith was probably the most conscientious publice servant of his time and received more honors at the hands of his fellow citizens than any other. He was an active member and official of the Gregg County Bar Association, and engaged in private practice between terms of public service. He devoted much of his free time to education and religious causes in his community.

 
Miller- M.A. Miller owned and operated the M.A. Miller Floral Company in Longview. It was one of the oldest in Longview, and considered to be one of the finest in East Texas. His business was under constant improvement, which denoted his desire to remain one of the premier florists of the area. The company was a member of the F.T.D. network, one of the few during that time period. M.A. Miller was very active in church and civic organizations, donating his time and efforts often. 

 
Mitchell - Dr. William Mitchell, a native Texan from Daingerfield, he received his formal education at Prairie View College, then on to the University of Texas where he received his M.D. license and a PhD in Psychology. He was a physician and surgeon along with being members of: Gregg County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, Administrator of the Camp Normal Hospital of Longview, member of the staff of Good Shepherd Hospital, member of the NAACP, and a member of the Chruch of Christ. (This information was found among loose papers at the Longview Library in the Genealogy Dept.)

 
Moore- Elvas H. Moore was a native of Longview. His career was in education of youth at Rollins Elementary School of Longview. He received his Masters Degree from Bishop College of Marshall, Texas. His activities included: Membership in the area, state and national Education Association, meritorious service in the 4-H Club, the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Masonic Lodge #169 F&AM and a member of the Royal Arch #70.

 
(Picture: Christopher Columbus & Amanda Frances Mackey Morgan)
Morgan- Christopher and Amanda's families both came to Texas in the early 1850's. They lived in Upshur County near West Mountain the first few years of their married life. They picked up and moved to Longview, like so many others, when the railroad came. They had 4 children, sons: Terrell Crawford (married Muzie Buchanan), Charles Lewis (married Fannie Mae Lacy), Elbert A. (married Vallie McHaney) and his twin Albert E. (married Ada Fisher). 

 
Morton - On January 1, 1849, William Morton went from Tennessee to Rusk County, Texas. In 1852 he moved to the Kilgore area. He was married to Sarah Ellen Wilkins (daughter of James Wilkins & Anna Prothro) on May 20, 1858 by the Methodist Minister, Rev. William Martin. William Morton was a veteran having served his country in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Their children were: Nolie Morton, Ellen Morton (married Johnnie Reynolds), Nora Morton, Mattie Morton (married Okine Hammonds), Lela Morton (married William Edward Compton), Annie Bell Morton (married Clark Dickson), Sam Morton and A.G. Morton.

 
Murphy- John C. Murphy owned and operated the Pittsburgh Paint Store on South Fredonia Street in Longview. He was probably more instrumental in the building of homes in the Longview community than any other. Mr. Murphy was very active in the civic affairs of Longview and was very charitable of his time with numerous building programs.

 


HOME                Biographies Index

Copyright © 2007 - present by TXGenWeb
(Please read our copyright page for a better understanding of our copyright needs.)

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Materials on this site are provided for the free use of persons who are researching their family history. Data may be freely used by non-commercial and/or completely free entities,  as long as this message remains on all copied material. Any commercial use, without the prior consent of the host/author of the materials provided on this site, is prohibited. The electronic pages on this site may not be reproduced in any format for profit.

Notice to Webmasters: You may not copy and paste the information on any of the pages of  this site onto another web page without first obtaining explicit permission to do so and without including the copyright notice.