Family Histories of Coleman County, Texas

The Burroughs Family
by Maurine Burroughs

From A History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985 
edited by Judia and Ralph Terry, and Vena Bob Gates - used by permission
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      D. R. Burroughs (1834-1908) and his wife, Eva C (June 25, 1851-1921) born in Wilkerson County, Georgia, lived in Stephenville until 1888 when they came to Coleman County, settling on a farm south of Silver Valley.  They had five sons when they came to the county: Walter (November 7, 1872-June 30, 1934); Pelham (1874-1939); Beall (1876-1917); Dillard M. (March 6, 1881-February 11, 1964); Eugene K. (1883-1944); Willston T. "Babe"' (August 7, 1888 in Coleman County-December 24, 1936).  The family became active members of the community.  Two sons, Walter and Pelham, were engaged in the draying business, working for Hall and Harriman hauling freight between Coleman and Baird.  About 1900, they bought a tract of land from the Tidsell family, later selling part of it to the Western Land Corporation for the development of the town of Silver Valley when the Santa Fe Railway came through the county.  After this sale, the two split their holdings, each building a new house for their growing families.

     (1) Walter married Mary Anderson (February 7, 1875 - February 7, 1963) January 5, 1897. They had seven children, two of whom, J. D. and Kate, died at an early age.  They are:

       (1a) Randolph (August 14, 1899 - May 17 1958) married Ruby Gillaspy (April 14, 1901-May 29 1975) June 20, 1920.  Three children: Jocille, Glen and Mazine.  (See Gillaspy);

       (1b) Eva (November 1902) married (1) Fred Gipson, who was later killed in a car wreck (See Franklin Gipson).  Eva married (2) Cecil Stovall, they had one daughter, Shirley, who married Max Eubank.  Three children: David, Don and Leisha. (See Stovall Family);

       (1c) Mike (September 17, 1903-April 16, 1981) married Leacy Wright (May 6, 1904-August 14, 1981); one son, Morris Wade. (See Valentine Livingston);

       (1d) Polly (July 5, 1905-1972) married Dee Smith (February 20, 1895-January 24, 1976), three sons,

         (a) Charles Walter (March 24, 1933-March 25, 1933),

         (b) Don L., who married Mary Emma Walkup, three children,

           (1) Carl B. W., (October 24, 1977-April 9, 1978),

           (2) Adelia (May 29, 1975),

           (3) Kent (April 22, 1981),

         (c) James D., who married Linda Caruthers, two children (see Caruthers-Tolar);

       (le) Joe (March 28, 1912) married Maurine Jameson (March 30, 1910) August 17, 1935 (see Effie Saunders Jameson). 

     Walter was a public-spirited man, always involved in community affairs. He served twenty-two years on the school board. He was a farmer and operated a gin until he had to retire because of poor health.

     (2) Pelham married Minnie Birdwell (March 25, 1880-1971) January 22, 1898 at Rough Creek, daughter of E.A. and Lou Ella Birdwell (see J.A. Mitchell).  Their children:

       (2a) Quinton (April 2, 1899-December 21, 1978) married Beulah Jameson (March 30, 1907-January 20, 1967) February 27, 1927 (see Effie Saunders Jameson);

       (2b) Clifford July 20, 1900-June 11, 1956) married Edith Popnoe.  They had no children.

       (2c) Raymond (December 2, 1903-July 22 1963) married Juanita Rhodes, one daughter, Jay Lee;

       (2d) Irene (June 13, 1905) married Worth Gafford, two children, Louise and Buddy;

       (2e) Monterey (April 20, 1914) married Brice Farmer. They had one daughter, Montie Jean, (July 15, 1952) married Gaylon Mankin, two children, Steven and Jennifer.  Montie Jean died in June 1982, as the result of an automobile accident.


 
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