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Biographical Sketches - R
RASCO, BELTON D. SR.,
son of Joe Cyrus Rasco and Edna Phifer Rasco, was born November 15, 1877 in
Robertson County, Texas.
He attended the rural school at Heads
Prairie and farmed with his father. During his early years, he engaged in
the cattle and horse business. In the early days of Robertson County,
there were large herds of wild horses running loose and Belton D. Rasco engaged
in the business of catching these wild horses, breaking them, and selling them
to the farmers and ranchers. He was quite a bronc rider in his early days
and an old story has it that two five dollar gold pieces were put in the
stirrups when young Rasco would ride a bronc and he was so good at bronc riding
that he could keep the gold pieces from dropping from the stirrups while he was
riding the bronc. He also rode in the tournaments that were so popular in
his early days. Belton D. Rasco learned to barber in his early days by
cutting the neighbors children's hair and he later moved to Kosse, Texas where
he became a full time barber.
He moved to Hearne, Texas in September
1906 and established Rasco's Barber Shop. By good business management,
Belton D. Rasco became a wealthy man.
He married Jim Lou Ayres, daughter of
Jim P. Ayres and Loula Adelia Jennings Ayres of Hearne, Texas in 1909. Jim
Lou Ayres Rasco was born in Hearne, Texas, October 27, 1893. She attended
the public schools of Hearne. Her father, Jim P. Ayres, was a building
contractor and later owned and operated the 5- and 10-Cent Store and a
photographer's studio in Hearne. One child, Belton James Rasco, was born
December 8, 1910 to Belton D. Rasco and Jim Lou Ayres Rasco. Belton James
Rasco married Willie Mae Morgan, daughter of William Loran Morgan and Minnie
Bell Guynes Morgan, of Calvert, Texas. The following children were born to
Belton James Rasco and Willie Mae Morgan Rasco: Billy James Rasco, Jimmie
Lou Rasco, who married David R. Breeding, and Belton D. Rasco II.
During his early days in Hearne, Belton
D. Rasco was a star baseball player and managed the Hearne Semi-Pro Baseball
Team for several years.
Belton D. Rasco died May 13, 1926 and
Jim Lou Ayres Rasco died July 7, 1911.
RAMSEY, JACK KENNETH,
son of Warren Alfred Ramsay and Nora Carter Ramsay, was born July 21, 1931 at
Fordyce, Arkansas. He attended the public schools in Fordyce, Arkansas and
later moved to Henderson, Texas where he was graduated from Henderson High
School with the Class of 1949.
Upon completing his high school
work he entered Texas Christian University at Fort Worth, Texas where he was a
member of the football team for four years. He earned his freshman letter in
football in 1949 and lettered three years on the T. C, U. Horned Frog varsity
football team. He was an outstanding guard on the Frog team during the seasons
of 1950-51-52 and played in the Cotton Bowl Game January 1, 1953 at Dallas,
Texas. While attending T. C. U. he was a member of the "T" Association and the
Bryson Club. He was graduated from Texas Christian University with the Class of
1953 with a B. S. Degree.
After completing his college
education, he served as assistant coach at Odessa High School at Odessa, Texas
during the school year 1953-54. During 1954-1955 he served as a Corporal in the
U. S. Army stationed at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. He received his discharge from
military service December 16, 1955 and moved to Hearne, Texas to make his home
January 1, 1956. He is associated with the Citizens Ice Company of Hearne.
He was married to Claudia Ann
McCollum, daughter of Oscar Horace McCollum and Aba Mae McMordie McCollum of
Hearne, Texas on August 24, 1952. Claudia Ann McCollum Ramsay was born in
Hearne, Texas and attended the Hearne public schools, graduating from Hearne
High School with the Class of 1949. She attended Texas Christian University and
was graduated with the Class of 1953 with a B. S. Degree in Education. While
attending T. C. U. she was a member of the Bryson Club; the American Child
Education; and the American Association of University Women.
Jack Kenneth Ramsay is a member of
the Hearne Lions Club; President of the Hearne Quarterback Club; a member and
vice president of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Miles
Scriviner American Legion Post of Hearne; a member of the Hearne Volunteer Fire
Department; and a member of Grace Methodist Church where he serves on the Board
of Stewards.
REED, LUCIEN LARKIN, son of Paley Andrew
Reed and Gussie Larkin Reed, was born at the Reed Plantation in the Hearne
Brazos Bottom, January 2, 1908.
He
was reared in the Brazos Bottom country and attended the Hearne Public Schools.
During his young manhood, he was employed for several years with the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company and later entered the automobile business.
His first venture in the automobile business was in Cameron, Texas.
After serving 25 months in the
United States Navy during World War II with overseas duty being served in the
Pacific, he received his discharge in November 1945 and re-entered the
automobile business. He has
operated this type of business in Waco, Bryan, Houston, and Hearne.
He was married to Miss Doris Mangum,
daughter of Eugene Carl Mangum and Oneita McDaniels Mangum, December 25, 1946.
Mr. Mangum was born in Mangum, Texas in Eastland County and Mrs. Mangum
was born at Durant, Oklahoma. Mr.
and Mrs. Reed were married in Hearne and have a daughter Carla Don Reed.
Mrs. Reed attended the Hearne Public Schools and was graduated from
Hearne High School. She attended
Sam Houston State College at Huntsville where she received her B. A. Degree and
the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Masters Degree.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are
members of Grace Methodist Church. Mr.
Reed is a member of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post of Hearne, member
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the Hearne Rotary Club, member of the
Hearne Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Knight of Pythias. He is one of Hearne's most active business men.
REED, PALEY ANDREW JR., son of Paley
Andrew Reed and Gussie Larkin Reed, was born February 3, 1917 at Hearne, Texas.
He
attended the Hearne grade school and Hearne High School, graduating with the
Class of 1934.
In
1936 he moved to Houston to work and attended an embalming school for a period
of four years, returning to Hearne in 1939.
From 1941 to 1943 he worked as a licensed embalmer in Bryan.
On May 1, 1943, he assumed managership of a filling station on Market
Street in Hearne and operated this business until he took over the Ford
dealership on April 24, 1945.
He was married to Miss Iva Lee Moon
of Mart, Texas, June 25, 1937 and three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed:
a daughter, Andra Lee Reed; and two sons, Lucien Ray Reed and Paley Andrew Reed
III.
Mr. Reed has held the following
offices in his many activities in business and civic organizations; President of
the Board of Education of the Hearne Independent School District; President of
the Hearne Rotary Club; President of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; and a
member of Grace Methodist Church.
REED,
PALEY ANDREW SR.
was born in Bryan, Texas, December 12, 1870 and spent his early boyhood and
young manhood in that city.
In
1907 he moved to Hearne and was engaged in farming and ranching and later owned
and operated a meat market on Fourth Street in Hearne. He also served as County Commissioner in Precinct Number Two
of Robertson County for three consecutive terms and was serving in this capacity
when several of the rural roads in the Hearne area were constructed.
He was married to Miss Gussie
Larkin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus M. Larkin of Hearne, March 17, 1907. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed: Lucien Larkin Reed
and Paley Andrew Reed Jr. During the years before his retirement, Mr. Reed owned
and operated a large acreage in the Brazos Bottom where he was a cotton planter.
Paley
Andrew Reed died April 23, 1957.
REED, WALTER LYLE,
son of James Rufus Reed and Susan Elizabeth Hudson Reed, was born October 25,
1904 at Llano, Texas.
He attended grade school at
Gonzales, Texas and was graduated from Odem High School at Odem, Texas with the
Class of 1921. He was employed by the Peterson Garage in Kerrville, Texas from
1929 to 1934. In 1934 he was employed as service manager for the Kerrville Bus
Company and continued in this employment until 1941. He served as service
manager for Normoyle Ordnance Base, San Antonio, Texas during 1941 and 1942.
He moved to Hearne, Texas in
February 1942 and entered the automobile business, this business being located
on the corner of Fourth & Cedar Streets. This firm was known as the W. L. Reed
Motor Company. In 1943 he moved this business to the corner of Third k Market
Streets. In 1954 he constructed a new garage building at 1208 Market Street and
moved his business to this location.
On August 6, 1937 he was married
to Mary Eleanor Brady, daughter of Peter Louis Brady Jr. and Olive McWilliams
Brady, at Austin, Texas. Eleanor Brady Reed was born February 17, 1915 at
Hearne, Texas. She attended the public schools in Hearne and was graduated from
Hearne High School with the Class of 1932. Later she attended Draughons
Business College in Austin, Texas. Two sons were born to Walter Lyle Reed and
Mary Eleanor Brady Reed: Walter Lyle Reed Jr., born September 2, 1939 and Ronald
Lynn Reed, born December 14, 1944. After the death of her father, Peter Louis
Brady Jr. Eleanor Reed was appointed on February 24, 1957 to serve the unexpired
term of her father as County Commissioner of Precinct No. 2 Robertson County,
Texas. Walter Lyle Reed and Eleanor Brady Reed are members of the First Baptist
Church and Mrs. Reed is a former member of the Hearne Garden Club.
REEVES,
SHERIFF BOB,
colorful Robertson County, Texas sheriff, was well known as a peace officer
Throughout Texas. He was sheriff for nearly 14 years and was a deputy sheriff
five years.
One of his feats which received
statewide attention was a Bremond bank holdup December 23, 1947, which Sheriff
Reeves partially stopped while it was in progress. Sheriff Reeves was in
Bremond, Texas buying a car across the street from the First State Bank when two
bandits entered the bank. When they came out one of them stuck a gun in Reeves
stomach and told him to face the wall. Reeves did so, then whirled and shot one
of the two robbers who was climbing in the get-away car. The bullet hit the
bandit between the eyes.
After retiring from law
enforcement Sheriff Reeves owned and operated an insurance agency, a loan
company, and a hotel and cafe in Franklin, Texas.
Sheriff Reeves was born at Ridge,
Texas in 1895 and died December 1, 1957. He had many friends of all races and
creeds in Hearne and Robertson County.
REINHARDT, MISS BESSIE was born June 7, 1885 at Calvert, Texas, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wiley Reinhardt. She was a sister of Carrie Reinhardt McNeel, Ed Reinhardt, and Jessie Reinhardt, old time residents of Hearne. Although she was in ill health for many years, Miss Bessie made a host of friends in the Hearne area. Other members of the Reinhardt family were: Foster Reinhardt, Martin Reinhardt, Jodie Reinhardt, and Mary Reinhardt.
REISTINO, FRANK,
son of Charlie Reistino and Louise
Loria Restino, was born January 12, 1911 at Marlin, Texas. His father and
mother were born in Italy and came to the United States in 1903 and settled in
St. Louis, Missouri. His father worked in a brick factory at St. Louis for
three years and the family moved to Robertson County, Texas in 1906 and settled
on the White Farm in the Brazos Bottom near Hearne. His father began his
farming career in the Brazos Bottom with one mule and a plow, but as the years
passed he accumulated land of his own and at the time of his death was one of
the largest land owners in the Brazos Bottom.
In 1909 the Reistino family moved
to Falls County, Texas and continued cotton farming and cattle raising. Charlie
Reistino purchased 75 acres of bottom land in Falls County and later increased
his land holdings to 660 acres in that area. In 1928 Charlie Reistino sold his
land in Falls County and purchased the Wood Place on Little Brazos near Hearne,
this farm consisting of 630 acres. He moved into Hearne in his declining years
and purchased several town lots and houses. At the time of his death in 1953 he
still owned the Wood Place farm in the Brazos Bottom.
The following children were born
to Charlie Reistino and Louise Loria Reistino: Joe Reistino, Sam Reistino, Lena
Reistino Campise, Tony Reistino, Frank Reistino, Phil Reistino, Mary Reistino
Biamonte, johnie Reistino, and Josephine Reistino Nigliazzo.
Frank Reistino attended the
country school near his home in Falls County, Texas and worked on his father's
farm. He moved to Hearne in 1928 with his family and continued his association
with his father in farming.
Frank Reistino married Frances
Corona, daughter of Charles Corona and Dorothy Congelosi Corona, at Hearne,
Texas, November 12, 1934. A daughter, Louise Ann Reistino, was born to Mr. and
Mrs. Frank Reistino.
Frank Reistino and his family are
communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and he is a member of the
Knights of Columbus and the Robertson County Farm Bureau. He is one of the
largest farm and ranch operators in the Brazos Bottom area, 6020 acres being
utilized in his operations.
REISTINO, JOE SR., son of Charles Reistino
and Louise Loria Reistino, was born in Italy, May 15, 1902. He came to the
United States when he was five months old. The Reistino family first lived
in St. Louis, Missouri but moved to Hearne, Texas in July 1904. His
father, Charles Reistino, purchased land in the Hearne Brazos Bottom and farmed.
In 1909, the Reistino family moved to Falls
County, Texas and remained there until 1927 when they returned to the Hearne
Brazos Bottom.
In 1925, Joe Reistino began farming and ranching
on his own. His father gave him four mules and he borrowed money to buy
two more mules and some farm equipment. From this humble start, Joe
Reistino has increased his farm and ranch holdings to such an extent that in
1958 he is considered to be the largest farmer and rancher in Central Texas.
He owns over 8,000 acres in Robertson Brazos, Milam, McLennan, Falls, and
Limestone counties, and leases over 10,000 acres. His cotton crops yield
from 2,000 to 4,000 bales per year. In his 33 years of farming and
ranching on his own in the Brazos Bottom area, he has sold cotton for as little
as 4 cents a pound and as much as 43 cents a pound. On his ranch in the
Hearne Brazos Bottom, he raises Black Angus and Hereford cattle. In order
to carry on his farm and ranch operations, it is necessary for him to employ a
foreman at each plantation and ranch. Cotton, cattle, alfalfa, and grain
are raised in large quantities on his farms and ranches.
In addition to his farming and ranching business,
he is the owner of the Plantation Dehydrating Company and the Anderson
Dehydrating Company in the Brazos Bottom. Both of these plants are alfalfa
dehydrating mills. He is a stockholder and President of the Hearne Alfalfa
Milling Company; he is Vice President and stockholder of the Mumford Alfalfa
Milling Company, is a stockholder and Vice President of the Waco Alfalfa Milling
Company; is President of the Farmers Brazos Gin Company; a stockholder and
director of the Hearne Cotton Compress Company; a member of the Southwestern
Cattlemen's Association; a member of the Texas Cattlemen's Association; a member
of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Robertson County Farm Bureau;
a member of the Old Cotton Belt Association; and a communicant of St. Mary's
Catholic Church.
Joe Reistino married Frances Falsone, daughter of
Joe Falsone and Frances Cangelosi Falsone of Highbank in Falls County, Texas,
January 18, 1925. Her parents were born in Italy and settled at Mudville
in the Brazos Bottom when they first came to the United States, later moving to
Highbank in Falls County, Texas. Frances Falsone Reistino was born at
Mumford, Texas, January 3, 1905. After the death of her mother, she was
reared by her two grandmothers. The following children were born to Joe
Reistino and Frances Falsone Reistino: Louise Reistino, who married
Charles Scarpinato; Gathan Reistino, who married Angeline Stratta; Frances
Reistino, who married Vince Corpora; and Joe Reistino Jr. A daughter,
Frances Reistino, was born to Gathan Resitino and Angeline Stratta Reistino.
Two daughters, Sandra Corpora and Bernadette Corpora, were born to Vince Corpora
and Frances Reistino Corpora.
Frances Falsone Reistino is a communicant of St.
Mary's Catholic Church and is a member of St. Mary's Altar Society.
REISTINO, JOHN CHARLES, son of Charles Reistino and Louise Loria Reistino, was born near Marlin in Falls County, Texas,
July 7, 1915. His father and mother were born in Italy. He attended
the Cedar Springs rural school in Falls County.
In 1929, he moved to the Hearne Brazos Bottom
with his parents and attended the Hearne Public Schools. After finishing
his schooling, he farmed with his father in the Brazos Bottom.
He entered the U.S. Army, June 13, 1941, and
served with the Combat Engineers in the Northwest Service Command in Alaska and
Kodiak Island during World War II.
After receiving his discharge from military
service in 1946, he returned to Hearne and began farming on his own in the
Hearne Brazos Bottom. In 1958, he farmed and ranched on 800 acres.
John Charles Reistino married Annie May Lampson,
daughter of Mike Lampson and Minnie Todaro Lampson of Hearne, Texas, June 25,
1944. Her father was born in Italy and her mother was born in Louisiana.
The following children were born to John Charles Reistino and Annie May Lampson
Reistino: Marjorie Anna Reistino, born October 11, 1949, and John Wayne
Reistino, born September 24, 1953.
John Charles Reistino and Annie May Lampson
Reistino are communicants of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She is a member
of St. Mary's Catholic Church Altar Society. He is a member of St. Mary's
Catholic Church Men's Club; a member of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post
of Hearne; a member of the Old Cotton Belt Association; a member of the
Robertson County Farm Bureau; a stockholder in the Hearne Alfalfa Milling
Company; and a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Associations.
REISTINO, TONY CHARLES,
son of Charles Reistino and Louise Loria Reistino, was born in the Hearne Brazos
Bottom in Robertson County, Texas, October 12, 1910. His father and mother were
born in Italy and came to the United States to make their home.
Tony Charles Reistino attended the
Highbank school and the rural school near Marlin in Falls County, Texas. After
finishing his schooling he farmed during 1932, 1933, and 1934 with his father.
In 1929 his father purchased a farm on Little Brazos River near Hearne and Tony
Charles Reistino farmed this place with his father. In 1935 Tony Charles Reistino
began farming in the Hearne Brazos Bottom on his own and in 1958 was farming and
ranching 765 acres.
He was married to Jo An Mancuso,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Mancuso of St. Louis, Missouri, January 11,
1949. A daughter, Gloria Ann Reistino, was born to Tony Charles Reistino and Jo
An Mancuso Reistino.
He is a communicant of St. Mary's
Catholic Church; a stockholder in the Westbrook Valley Gin Company; a member of
the Robertson County Farm Bureau; a member of the Old Cotton Belt Association;
and a stockholder in the Hearne Alfalfa Milling Company.
REYNOLDS,
TOMMY E.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Reynolds, was born in Wheelock, Texas, February 9,
1902.
He
attended school at Wheelock and Hearne and after his school days he farmed for
two years before going to work for the Humble Pipe Line Company in 1920.
He
was married to Miss Zelma Bush, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom L. Bush of Mumford,
Texas, May 5, 1924. Three children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds: Dorothy Jean Reynolds Robertson, Betty Ruth
Reynolds Youngblood, and Tommy E. Reynolds Jr. All of the children of Mr. and
Mrs. Reynolds are graduates of Hearne High School.
He
is a member of the First Baptist Church and for many years was active in Boy
Scout work in this area. He
formerly served on the Board of Education of the Hearne Independent School
District.
RICKENBACHER,
THEODORE,
was born August 22, 1912 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Theodore Frederick
Rickenbacher and Mabel Brintall Rickenbacher.
He
attended the public schools of Topeka, Kansas and was graduated from Topeka High
School. Upon his graduation from
high school, he attended Washburn College at Topeka for two years and then
transferred to the University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas where he was
graduated with a B. S. Degree in Business Administration.
At the University of Kansas he was a member of the Beta Theta fraternity.
He
was married to Miss Lucienne Hudson, daughter of Ben S. Hudson and Verna Russell
Hudson of Fredonia, Kansas, August 18, 1935; the wedding taking place in '"restmoreland,
Kansas. Mrs. Rickenbacher's father,
Ben S. Hudson, was a pioneer Kansas newspaper editor and publisher for many
years before his passing early in 1958. Mrs.
Rickenbacher graduated from Fredonia, Kansas High School and also attended
Kansas State University at Manhattan, Kansas.
In
1940, Mr. and Mrs. Rickenbacher and their two sons, Ted Rickeiibacher III and
Stephen Jon Rickenbacher, moved to Hearne, Texas to make their home, Mr.
Rickenbacher purchasing the Hearne Democrat which he continues to own and
operate. Another son, William
Hudson Rickenbacher, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Rickenbacher in Hearne.
During
World War II, Mr. Rickenbacher served three years and nine months in the United
States Navy with his overseas duty being in the Pacific area.
He held the rank of Lieutenant.
Upon
his discharge from duty with the U. S. Navy after World War II, he returned to
Hearne to continue the publishing of the Hearne Democrat and the operation of
The Hearne Printing Company.
Both
Mr. and Mrs. Rickenbacher are very active in the business and civic activities
of Hearne. He is a Past President
of the Hearne Rotary Club; Past President of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce;
Past Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Charter member of the Hearne
Golfer's Association; a member of the Hearne Housing Authority; and a member of
Sigma Chi, professional journalistic fraternity.
RIKARD,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Rikard, was born at Liberty, Texas, February 1, 1895.
When
he was a small child the Rikard family moved to Houston County and he attended
several grades in the Pearson Chapel School.
He also attended summer schools and special schools.
He
farmed in Houston County until he entered the U. S. Army in World War I serving
from 1917 until his final discharge in 1920.
From
1920 until 1925 he taught school in Anderson and Houston Counties and also went
to school himself during these years at Texas A&M College.
Several prominent Texas state officials were pupils of his classes when
he was teaching schools in East Texas.
In
1925 he moved to Hearne where he worked for the Humble Pipe Line Company until
he began his employment with the City of Hearne in 1928 as an operator in the
electric power plant. He was
appointed Superintendent of Utilities for the City of Hearne, January 1, 1951.
While
serving in the U. S. Army he was married to Miss Gladys Green, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. R. L. Green, pioneer citizens of Hearne.
The marriage was solemnized September 14, 1919.
The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rikard: Robert Rikard
who was killed in action during World War II while serving in the U. S. Air
Force in Europe; Virginia Rikard Blackmon; Mary Lee Rikard Arrington; Donald
Rikard, and Dolly Ann Rikard Netka.
Benjamin
Franklin Rikard is a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne; a member
and past commander of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post; and Past
President of the Brazos-Colorado Water Association.
ROBINSON,
OSCAR
was born September 22, 1879 at Austin, Texas, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo
Robinson.
In
May 1913, he moved to Hearne and was connected with the Travis Oil Mill Company.
He
was married to Miss Floy Beckham, daughter of Beverley W. Beckham and Sidney
Carr Beckham, pioneer citizens of Hearne, July 22, 1907 and two children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson: Carr Robinson and Floy Robinson Green.
Mr.
Robinson entered the cotton oil business in 1913 and built to ownership of four
mills in the 1920's. He moved to
Austin in August 1921 to make his home and continue his oil mill business.
In 1930, Mr. Robinson and his
associates sold their mills at Hearne, Taylor, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi,
but Mr. Robinson remained in the field as vice president and general manager of
the South Texas Cotton Oil Company.
He also developed farming and other
business interests and operated a ranch in the Hill Country near Johnson City,
Texas.
Mr. Robinson came from a family
interested in ranching and he always maintained his interest in this business.
The best of the oil mill business for him was the selling of livestock
feed because it kept him in working contact with Texas cattlemen.
"It's the last phase of man-to-man dealing," Mr. Robinson said,
"the last field of business in which a man's word is all that is needed.
I've seen my father get 1300 head of cattle together, cut them and send
them to a buyer in the Indian Territory - a man he's never seen and probably
never would see. Two or three
months later, the man's check would arrive in payment.
That's all the paper work there was to it.
Well, things are still pretty much that way among Texas cattlemen and I
like it."
ROGERS, RANDALL JARVIS,
was born September 26, 1913 at
Shawnee, Oklahoma, the son of James Ernest Rogers and Elta Nola McLaughlin
Rogers.
With his family he moved to
Hearne, Texas in September 1922 and attended the Hearne public schools. After
completing his schooling, he enlisted in the U. S. Marines and served during
1933 through 1935. After receiving his discharge from military duty, he
returned to Hearne and worked as an automobile salesman from 1935 to 1937. In
1937 he operated his own service station in Hearne until 1942 when he went to
work for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a clerk in the Hearne yards.
He married Willie Mae Pack,
daughter of William Wilson Pack and Ivy Melinda Barnett Pack, June 6, 1936.
Willie Mae Pack Rogers was born at Franklin, Texas, January 18, 1918 and later
moved to Hearne with her family. She is a graduate of Hearne High School.
Three children were born to Randall Jarvis Rogers and Willie Mae Pack Rogers:
Jimmy Rogers, Carol Ann Rogers, and Randy Rogers. Jimmy Rogers is a graduate of
Hearne High School and is attending the University of Texas.
Randall Jarvis Rogers is a long
time member of the Hearne Volunteer Fire Department and has held various offices
in that organization. He is vice president of the Hearne Public Library; a
member of the Hearne Housing Authority of the City of Hearne; and a member of
the First Baptist Church. Willie Mae Pack Rogers is a member of the First
Baptist Church where she is active in the church choir; is a charter member of
the Hearne Study Club; and a member of the Hearne Music Lovers Club.
ROHDE, BERT EMMETT
was born at Columbus, Texas, March 13, 1873, the son of Henry Rohde and Lee
Carter Rohde. His father came to
the United States from Germany.
The Rohde family moved from Columbus
to Bryan, Texas. Robert Emmett
Rohde and Vida Reynolds were married at Elliott, Texas, September 12, 1894.
Mr. and Mrs. Rohde moved to Hearne that same year and made their home on
Second Street. Mr. Rohde was the
proprietor of Rohde's Saloon which was located on Fourth Street.
In 1901 Mr. and Mrs. Rohde moved to
Bryan and in 1909 they moved back to Hearne where Mr. Rohde engaged in the
furniture business and also sold funeral supplies.
He also was in the farming and ranching business.
He discontinued his furniture business in the early 1920's but continued
to operate his cattle business.
Mrs. Rohde was born at Englewood,
Texas, a small community just east of Franklin on May 18, 1877, the daughter of
Ely Reynolds and Jane Blatherwick Reynolds, pioneer citizens of that section of
the county.
Children born to Mr. and Mrs. Rohde:
Robert E. Rohde Jr., Ronald Rohde, Henry Rohde, and Clyde "Baby"
Rohde. Grandchildren are: Wanda
Rohde Burdick, Henry Rohde Jr., Dolores Rohde, and Gwendolyn Rohde.
ROSE, JUNIOUS RAMSEY,
son of James Woodward Rose and Mary Alice Hammond Rose, was born in Hempstead,
Texas, October 12, 1885. His father
was born in North Carolina and his mother was born in Marlin, Texas.
As
a youth, he attended school in Hempstead and worked on the family farm.
Later he worked as a 'fence rider' on the 7000 acre Ira Camp Farm and
Ranch near Hempstead.
In
1903 he left Hempstead and moved to Houston where he worked for the Magnolia
Brewery until 1907. In July 1907 he
went to work as a locomotive fireman on the Houston East & West Texas
Railroad, beginning a railroad career that continued for 48 years.
On this job he had a run from Houston to Shreveport, Louisiana.
In December 1907 he became a brakeman on the Houston & Texas Central
Railroad on a run from Houston to Hearne. He
also served as a conductor on this same railroad from 1914 to 1917 and also
served as a conductor on the B. & C. T. I. Railroad from Bryan to Whitaker.
With
his family he moved to Hearne, October 15, 1917, purchased acreage west of
Hearne and established "Rose Hill," the Rose homestead, where his
children and grandchildren were reared. After
moving to Hearne in 1917 he was employed as a switchman in the Hearne yard of
the H. & T. C. Railroad and also owned and operated Rose's Dairy from 1925
through 1927.
He
was married June 24, 1908 to Miss Louise Rindt, daughter of Charles L. Rindt and
Louise Erb Rindt. The following
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rose: Mary Louise Rose Hilburn, Junious R.
Rose Jr., Elbert Rose, Harral Rose, and Doris Rose Bishop.
All of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Rose are graduates of Hearne High
School. The following are
grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Rose: Dorothy Hilburn Franks, Mary Lou Hilburn
Simon, Hazel Rose, Edna Louise Rose, Jimmie Lou Rose, Tommie Sue Rose, William
Edward Bishop, Norman Ray Bishop, and Robert Earl Bishop.
Greatgrandchildren are: Lou Ellen Franks, Barbara Ann Franks, Kathy
Simon, Debbie Simon, and Mark Simon.
Junious
Ramsey Rose and Mrs. Rose are communicants of St. Philips Episcopal Church where
Mr. Rose served for many years as Superintendent of the Church School.
He is also a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
He
retired from active service with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, February
25, 1955 ending a railroad career of 48 years of service. After his retirement he entered the egg and poultry business
on his farm at "Rose Hill." The life and career of Junious Ramsey Rose
is typical of the many men who have served with the railroads in the Hearne
area.
RUIZ,
PAUL RUIZ,
was born January 11, 1912 in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, the son of
Matilde Ruiz and Josefa Rodriquez Ruiz.
In
1921, with his parents he moved to Hearne, Texas and later became a naturalized
citizen. He attended the public
schools in Hearne and accumulated a great number of friends.
Upon
the completion of his schooling he secured employment in local tailor shops
where he learned the trade of tailoring and the cleaning business.
During
World War II, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served two years of active duty
in the United States and overseas, receiving his military discharge in 1945.
He
was married November 20, 1946 to Miss Frances Garcia, daughter of Steve Garcia
and Theresita Lucio Garcia of Orchards, Texas.
The wedding took place in Hearne, Texas. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz: Mary
Lou Ruiz, Josephine Ruiz, and Paul Ruiz Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz are members of St.
Mary's Catholic Church.
He
is a member of the Hearne Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post of
Hearne.
Paul
Ruiz is one of Hearne's most popular young businessmen and often serves as an
interpreter of the Spanish language.
RUSS,
BRYAN F.,
son of Frank E. Russ and Lillian Bryan Russ, was born at Brenham, Texas,
November 17, 1925.
He
attended grade school at Brenham but later moved to Somerville, Texas where he
graduated from high school with the Class of 1941.
Entering
the University of Texas in 1941 his schooling was interrupted by World War II.
He enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served three years active duty.
After being discharged from military service he again took up his studies
at the University of Texas and received a B.B.A. Degree in 1948 and an L.L.B.
Degree in 1950. Prior to receiving
his L.L.B. Degree he was licensed to practice law in 1949. He took his last examination for his L.L.B. Degree January
23, 1950 and opened his law office in Hearne, January 24, 1950.
He
was married to Miss Betty Lunsford of Center, Texas, June 28, 1947 and the
following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Russ: Karen Ann Russ, Ellen Rebecca
Russ, and Bryan F. Russ Jr.
Both
Mr. and Mrs. Russ and their family are members of the First Baptist Church where
Mr. Russ teaches in the Sunday school.
He
is a member of the Lee Scott Masonic Lodge at Somerville, Texas; Past President
of the Hearne Lions Club; a member of the Hearne Rotary Club; a Director of the
Hearne Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Industrial Committee of the Chamber
of Commerce; Director of the Hearne Building & Loan Association; Director
and Attorney for the First State Bank of Hearne; a member of the County and
District Attorneys Association of Texas; and a former City Attorney for the City
of Hearne.
In
addition to his general practice of law in Hearne and Robertson County, Russ has
served as County Attorney for Robertson County, Texas.