By
Norman Lowell McCarver, Sr. & Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr. Used with permission of Norman Lowell McCarver, Jr. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format by other organizations or individuals. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the written consent of McCarver family relatives or contact William Kent Brunette, Robertson County TXGenWeb coordinator.
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Biographical Sketches - T
TANNER, BENJAMIN LAYFETTE,
son of Pleasant Tanner and Mary Jane Hare Tanner' was born March 29, 1868 at
Coleta, Polk County, Texas. He attended the small rural school at Coleta, this
school being located near Livingston, Texas.
During his young manhood he farmed
in the Kickapoo community in Polk County. He was married to Ellen Benjamin
Hickman, daughter of Jesse E. Hickman and Mary Ann Overton Hickman, February 17,
1891 in the Hickman home at Carlisle, Texas. Six children were born to Benjamin
Layfette Tanner and Ellen Benjamin Hickman Tanner: Burl H. Tanner, Olive Tanner
Nelson, Glynn H. Tanner, Daphne 0. Tanner, Sherman E. Tanner, and Harvey Lee
Tanner.
Ellen Benjamin Hickman Tanner
lived in the Hickman Survey in East Texas, this land being granted to her
father, Jessie E. Hickman from the State of Texas.
Benjamin Layfette Tanner and his
family moved to Trinity, Texas in 1909. He began work with the Beaumont & Great
Northern Railroad and worked for this company until 1919 when he and his family
moved to Hearne, Texas. In 1919 he worked for the H. & T. C. Railroad Company
at Hearne. In 1922 most of the workmen in the Hearne repair yards went out on
general strike and Benjamin Layfette Tanner did not return to his job after the
strike. He was employed in general carpenter work until his retirement.
Benjamin Layfette Tanner was a
member of the Woodmen of the World and the Baptist Church. Ellen B. Tanner was
a member of Grace Methodist Church of Hearne.
TAYLOR, EFFIE LUTHER,
daughter of Luther Calvin Taylor and Caroline Margaret Taylor, was born at
Hearne, Texas, September 4, 1884. She attended the rural school at Henry
Prairie in Robertson County and also the Hearne public schools. She was
graduated from Hearne High School with the Class of 1902.
After completing high school, she
attended Baylor College where she received her B. L. and B. A. Degrees. She
also attended the University of Chicago, the University of California, and
Columbia University. She received her Masters Degree from Columbia University.
She also did considerable work toward her doctorate in English.
Miss Effie, as she was
affectionately known to everyone, began her school teaching career in 1904 in
the Cole Branch school. Later she taught for eight years in the Hearne public
schools and was principal of Hearne High School for two years. She left Hearne
in 1915 and taught English in Franklin High School for four years; taught at
Marlin High School for four years; taught at Bonham High School for four years;
and in 1927 she accepted a position with the East Texas State College in
Commerce, Texas where she taught English for 25 years.
In 1954 she retired from the
teaching profession and ended a career in the teaching field that lasted over 50
years.
Miss Effie endeared herself to the
school children of Hearne during the years she taught in the Hearne public
schools. She is listed in two nationally known organizations: "Who's Who In
American Education," and "Who's Who In America." In 1958, fifty years since she
began her teaching career, Miss Effie makes her home in Commerce, Texas, but
throughout the years has kept in touch with her many friends in Hearne and has
continued to maintain her interest in Hearne and her many former students.
Other children
born to Luther Calvin Taylor and Caroline Margaret Taylor are: Lula Taylor (Mrs.
M. L. Donnell of Fort Worth, Texas); Lizzie Taylor (Mrs. R. W. Cole of Franklin,
Texas); Willie Taylor (Mrs. G. P. Dickson of Dallas, Texas); Agnes Taylor of
Dallas, Texas; Verna Taylor (Mrs. G. 0. Wilson of Houston, Texas); and a
brother, Alfred E. Taylor of Baytown, Texas.
Her mother, Caroline Margaret
Taylor, was born at Beaumont, Texas and her father, Luther Calvin Taylor, was
born at Jackson, Mississippi.
TEELING,
JOHN
was born at Hearne, Texas, October 6, 1877 and was the son of John Teeling and
Mary Teeling. He attended schools
in Hearne and Temple, Texas.
On November 15, 1908 he was married
to Miss Sadie McGrew. For several
years he operated a grocery store at the corner of Fourth and Cedar Streets in
Hearne and later took over the management of the Exchange Hotel on San Gabriel
Street. This hotel had been
operated for many years by his parents. He was widely known in this section of the state and made
many friends of the traveling public in his days of operating the hotel.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Mrs. Teeling was born in Hearne,
November 27, 1877 and made her home in Hearne throughout her life.
His mother was born in Poland and came to the United States in 1869 and
settled in Hearne in 1872. She was
married to John Teeling Sr. in 1874. After
his death, she became the wife of Owen Nestor in 1888.
After the death of Owen Nestor she became the wife of E. B. Harris in
1915.
John Teeling Jr. died June 29, 1949
and his wife Sadie McGrew died December 9, 1951.
TEELING,
PHIL E.
was born at Hearne, Texas, December 3, 1880.
His parents were John and Mary Teeling, pioneer residents of Hearne who
were married in 1874. Mrs. Teeling
was a native of Poland and came to the United States in 1869 and to Hearne in
1872.
Phil E. Teeling received his
education in the public schools of Hearne.
After finishing his schooling he engaged in railroading in train service,
and when he left this work he was one of the most widely known railroad
employees in the state, universally loved by his fellow workmen and held the
respect and esteem of the officials of the railroad he served.
He preferred a business career, and
decided to open a tailoring and gent's furnishing business.
Starting with borrowed capital secured for him by loyal friends, he built
up one of the most successful, widely advertised, and popular businesses in
Central Texas. If there were those
in other towns who did not know of Hearne's businessmen and institutions, it was
rare to find one who had not heard of Phil Teeling, "The Honest
Tailor" and wholesale houses all over the United States knew of his
business and of his unique trade name.
If a stranger came to town, knowing
no one, it was but a short time until Phil, as his friends knew him, had formed
the acquaintance of the stranger and when he went away, it was with a fine
conception of the "splendid town," its "hospitable people,"
its "present greatness" and "future prospects," and
especially of his new found friend.
Hearne has had many distinguished
professional men, eminently successful business men, educators of state wide
reputation, financiers, known in the financial circles of this and other states,
but none of them were more widely known than Phil Teeling.
"The Honest Tailor."
If the Hearne Band went anywhere,
Phil was there in style and state to help boost his town.
If the baseball team played a game in the neighboring towns the party was
not complete if it was not headed by Phil.
With show people over the state, in all the different lines of amusement
enterprises, he was a boon-companion, and knew more "player folk" than
many who had spent a life in the business.
Failing health cut short his
business career almost at its inception, but he was on his way to becoming one
of the large businessmen of the state. He had made enough money, had it been hoarded instead of
distributed to those in need, to have constituted a small fortune.
He was a "friend-indeed" to many of the
"down-and-outs" whose unworthiness of help never caused Phil to close
his palm.
He was reared in the Catholic faith,
but was a loyal friend of all churches and he was always ready to help in any
religious movement for the betterment of his town.
Mr. and Mrs. Teeling had two
children: a daughter, Elizabeth Teeling who married Dr. A. S. Lang of Baylor
University in Waco, and a son, Phil E. Teeling Jr., a prominent Waco attorney.
He was a member of the Bryan Lodges
of Elks and Moose, of the Hearne Lodges of the Woodmen of the World, and Yoemen,
and of the Ennis Lodge of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen.
With the passing of Phil E. Teeling,
"The Honest Tailor," November 26, 1914, Hearne lost one of the most
unique and original characters and one of the most beloved young men who ever
lived in Hearne.
TERRY,
WILLIAM DAVID
was born in Kentucky in 1859 and came to Hearne in 1884.
Here he met Miss Lily Ayres to whom he was married in 1885.
Mr. Terry, known in railroad circles
as "Baldy" Terry, began his railroad career in Hearne in the early
days when wood was used as engine fuel. He
was first engaged as a "hostler" at the round house of the H. & T. C.
Railroad and following this was in turn a fireman and locomotive engineer.
He was engineer for the Hearne & Brazos Valley Railroad running from
Hearne to Stone City for many years and during the latter years of his railroad
service he had a run from Hearne to Giddings on the Dalsa.
For a number of years, Mr. Terry
served on the local school board and was actively identified with the Baptist
Church all of his adult life. He
was a charter member of the Hearne Camp of Woodmen of the World and a member of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
After he retired from railroad
service in 1922, he spent some time in Houston but maintained property interest
in Hearne which brought him back often to visit with his many friends.
Mrs. Terry was born in Mississippi
and moved to Hearne in early girlhood to make her home with her brother Jim
Ayres. Mr. Ayres owned and operated
a variety store in Hearne and later served as town photographer.
Mr. Ayres was married to Miss Lula Jennings and thee daughters were born
to this couple: Lillie Belle Ayres Delhome, Marvel Ayres Ferney, and Jimmie Lou
Ayres Rasco. Mrs. Ayres was a
sister to Mrs. J. H. Jett, and their father was Professor Jennings, a
schoolmaster in Hearne in the early days.
William David Terry and Lily Ayres
Terry had eight children: Charles B. Terry, Dwight L. Terry, Eli B. Terry, Ted
Terry, Willie Terry, Clifford Terry, Lougenia Terry, and Helen Terry.
Mr. Terry died March 27, 1935
and Mrs. Terry died March 26, 1936.
THAMES,
CLEMENT BEAL,
son of Joseph Walton Thames and Emma Lou Hodges Thames, was born in Gonzales,
Texas, October 30, 1901.
He
attended grade school and high school in Smithville, Texas, graduating from that
high school with the Class of 1919. Upon
completing his high school education, he enrolled at the University of Texas in
1920 and received his B. S. Degree in Civil Engineering in 1924.
While attending the University of Texas he was a member of Theta Xi and
Sigma Delta Psi fraternities. He
was also a member of the University of Texas varsity track team winning his
letters in 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924. He
was a charter member of the Texas Cowboys, member of Student Assembly College of
Engineering, President of the Senior Class of the College of Engineering, and
President of the Engineering College of the University of Texas in 1924.
Upon
receiving his college degree, he began his employment with the Texas Highway
Department in 1924 and worked at LaGrange in Fayette County, Texas.
He was made a resident engineer with the Texas Highway Department in
1926. He moved to Hearne, Texas,
May 7, 1927 as Resident Engineer.
On
April 20, 1929 he was married to Miss Katy Ely, daughter of William Henry Ely
and Myra Abigail Walker Ely, pioneer residents of Hearne. Mrs. Thames graduated from Hearne High School and enrolled at
Baylor University where she was graduated with a B. A. Degree in 1928.
Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thames: Clement Beal Thames Jr.,
who was born March 29, 1931 and Elsa Carolyn Thames who was born June 28, 1935.
C. B. Thames Jr. was graduated from Hearne High School and received his
B. S. Degree in 1954 and his M. A. Degree in 1957 from the University of Texas.
Elsa Thames graduated from Hearne High School and received her B. B. A.
Degree from Baylor University in 1958. C.
B. Thames Jr. was married to Miss Carolyn Bratton of Austin, Texas and they have
three children: Joseph Walton Thames II, born May 6, 1954; William Henry Thames,
born December 21, 1958; and Lisa Anne Thames, born December 21, 1958.
Elsa Thames was married to William Bruce Sanders, a graduate of Baylor
University with a B. S. Degree in 1955, of Greenwood, Mississippi.
A daughter, Barbara Lynne Sanders, was born to William Bruce Sanders and
Elsa Thames Sanders, September 8, 1955.
Clement
Beal Thames was commissioned a Captain in the Corps of Engineers in the U. S.
Army June 1, 1942 and assigned to the District Engineer's Office, Fort Sam
Houston, Texas during World War II. He
was separated from military service June 5, 1946 with the rank of Major.
He returned to Hearne after his military service was completed to
continue as Resident Engineer for the Texas Highway Department.
He continued his reserve status in the U. S. Army and is serving as Lt.
Colonel, Corps of Engineers Reserve, 4992 Control Group, College Station, Texas.
On
May 1, 1953 he was promoted to Assistant District Engineer of the Texas Highway
Department with his office being located in Bryan, Texas.
On February 11, 1957 he was appointed District Engineer of the Texas
Highway Department.
Mr.
and Mrs. Thames are active members of the First Baptist Church of Hearne.
He is a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Shriner; a member of Texas
Society of Professional Engineers; a member of the National Society of
Professional Engineers; Registered Engineer No. 892 Texas; and was acclaimed
"Engineer of the Year" by the Brazos Chapter of the Texas Society of
Professional Engineers on February 20, 1958.
He
is a former member of the Hearne City Council; a former member of the Board of
Education of the Hearne Independent School District; a Director of the Hearne
Chamber of Commerce; a former member of the Hearne Rotary Club; a member and
former president of the Hearne Golfer's Association; and a Director of the
Planters and Merchants State Bank of Hearne, Texas.
THEISS, RAYMOND LOUIS, son of Robert Richard Theiss and Emma Marie Pehrs Theiss, was born August 1, 1927 at Hearne, Texas.
He attended Bethany rural school and later attended Hearne High School and was
graduated with the Class of 1944.
Upon completing high school, he was
employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in Hearne as a caller.
he entered military service July 19, 1945 and served in the U. S. Navy.
After completing navy schooling, he served at the U. S. Navy Hospital in San
Diego, California. He received his discharge from military service
February 19, 1947 with a rating of Hospital Apprentice First Class. He
returned to Hearne and was employed as a bookkeeper for the C. & S. Grain &
Lumber Company. In 1948, he went to work for the Planters & Merchants
State Bank of Hearne. He was recalled to military duty January 3, 1951 and
served at the U.S. Navel Training Center in San Diego, California until his
discharge May 1, 1952. At the time of his discharge, he had a rating of
Pharmacist Mate Third Class. After returning to Hearne, he resumed his
duties at the Planters and Merchants State Bank.
Raymond Louis Theiss married Doris
Viola Brewer, daughter of Jack R. Brewer and Ethel Vila Davis Brewer, March 19,
1949. The marriage was performed at Franklin, Texas. Doris Viola
Brewer Theiss attended the rural school in the Elliott community and later
attended Franklin High School where she graduated with the Class of 1948.
A son, Jerry Lynn Theiss, was born to Raymond Louis Theiss and Doris Viola
Brewer Theiss.
Raymond Louis Theiss is a member and
Treasurer of the Robertson County Gun Club; a member of the Miles Scriviner
American Legion Post of Hearne; a member and past Secretary-Treasurer of the
Hearne Lions Club; serves as District Boy Scout Committeeman; has served as
Scout Master; is a member of the Hearne Parent-Teachers' Association; and a
member of the Bethel Luther Church of Bryan, Texas. Doris Viola Brewer
Theiss is a member of the First Baptist Church of Hearne and a member of the
Hearne Parent-Teachers' Association.
TIDEMANN,
FRED E.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. K. Tidemann, was born November 24, 1912 in Fort Worth,
Texas.
He
received his grade school education in Galveston and graduated from Terrill
School in Dallas in 1930. He
received his college education from Oklahoma University from which he graduated
and received his B.S. Degree in 1937. After
completing his college work, he went to work for the Humble Oil & Refining
Company in Baytown, Texas, working in the industrial relations department.
In
1943 he entered the U. S. Army to serve during World War II and received his
discharge from military service in 1946. He
moved to Hearne in 1946 after forming a corporation to purchase and operate the
large Goodland Farms in the Brazos Bottom near Hearne. He is majority stockholder and manager of the Goodland Farms.
He
was married to Miss Mildred McCollum of Pawnee, Oklahoma, February 20, 1939 and
he and Mrs. Tidemann have two children: Robert Tidemann and Katherine Tidemann.
He
is a member and President of the Board of Education of the Hearne Independent
School District; a former member of the Hearne Rotary Club; Secretary and
Director of the Old Cotton Belt Association; and a member of the Hearne Chamber
of Commerce.
Mr.
and Mrs. Tidemann and their family are communicants of St. Philips Episcopal
Church where he has served as a member of the Vestry and also served as Senior
Warden. Mrs. Tidemann is active in
the Women's Auxiliary of St. Philips Church and has served as President of this
religious organization.
Both
Mr. and Mrs. Tidemann take an active interest in the welfare of the children in
the Hearne schools.
TIDWELL, HOUSTON L. "OX" JR.,
son of Houston L. Tidwell and Carrie Reynolds Tidwell, was born at Hearne,
Texas, July 17, 1924. He attended the public schools of Hearne and was
graduated from Hearne High School with the Class of 1941. He lettered at the
center position with the Hearne High School Eagles football team in 1939 and
1940.
In March 1943 he entered the U. S.
Armed Forces and served in Australia, North New Guinea, and the Philippines
during World War I1. He was awarded the CCM, AP Ribbon, 3 Bronze Stars, PL
Ribbon, and Victory Medal. In February 1946 he was discharged from military
service.
After World War II he returned to
his home in Hearne and accepted employment with the Clark Chevrolet Company and
worked for this firm until 1957. During 1957 he was employed by the Lucien Reed
Buick Sales.
He was married to Lucy
Templeton, daughter of Monroe Templeton and Eunice Derrick Templeton of Calvert,
Texas, December 31, 1947. Lucy Templeton Tidwell attended the Calvert public
schools and was graduated from Calvert High School with the Class of 1945.
After completing high school she attended Durham's Business College in Austin,
Texas. She has been active in the business circles of both Hearne and Calvert
having been employed by the Citizens State Bank in Calvert, the Planters &
Merchants State Bank of Hearne, and the Hearne Building & Loan Association. She
is a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Hearne; a member and Past Matron of the
Hearne Chapter No. 722 Order of the Eastern Star; a member of the American
Savings & Loan Institute of Chicago, Illinois; and a former member of the Green
Thumb Garden Club and the Hearne Study Club.
Houston L. "Ox" Tidwell Jr.
is a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Hearne; a member of the Golden Rule
Masonic Lodge; a member of the Miles Scriviner American Legion Post; a member of
the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; and a former member of the Hearne Lions Club.
Other children of Houston L.
Tidwell Jr. and Carrie Reynolds Tidwell are: Elsie Tidwell Ondrej, Billy
Tidwell, Danny Tidwell, and Johnny Lou Tidwell Fitch.
Danny Tidwell played football
with the Hearne High School Eagles and made his letters at the tackle position.
Billy Tidwell also was a football player with the Eagles, lettering in the
backfield and later attended Texas A. & M. College where he was a star. He
earned his freshman numeral and three varsity letters in football with the Texas
Aggies. He later played professional football.
TOMLIN,
LEON J.,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben 0. Tomlin, was born in Smith County, Texas near Tyler,
September 19, 1918. He received his
early schooling there and graduated from the White House High School in 1937. He then went to work at the Rice Hotel in Houston, Texas in
the accounting department.
He enlisted in the U. S. Marines in
1941 and served during World War II, receiving his discharge in 1946.
Upon completing his military duty after the war with the rank of Captain,
he went to work for the Tidewater Associated Oil Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He left this position in September 1947 to enter Texas A.
& M. College where he received his B. S. Degree in 1950.
In 1955 he received his Master of Education degree from Texas A. & M.
College.
He came to Hearne in July 1950 to
teach in the Vocation Agriculture Department of Hearne High School and was later
made head of this department.
He was married to Miss Jimmie Belvin
of Houston, Texas, January 24, 1941 and Mr. and Mrs. Tomlin have two children; a
son, Charles Dean Tomlin; and a daughter, Judy Lorraine Tomlin.
Leon
James Tomlin is a member of Grace Methodist Church; former Secretary-Treasurer
of the Hearne Lions Club; Past Director of
the Hearne Chamber of Commerce; Past President of the Robertson County Teachers
Association; Honorary Lone Star Farmer; Past District President of the
Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; Charter Member of, the Texas
Chapter of Alpha Zeta, a national agriculture society; Member of the State Board
for Vocational Agriculture Instructors; and Sponsor of the National Honor
Society at Hearne High School.
TURNER,
JOSEPH RUFUS JR.,
son of Joseph Rufus Turner and Elmira May Baxter Turner, was born November 14,
1910 at Franklin, Texas. His
parents were pioneer citizens of Robertson County.
He
received his schooling in Franklin and was graduated from Franklin High School
in 1930. He played on the
basketball team while attending Franklin High School.
After
graduating from high school he assisted his parents on their farm north of
Franklin until 1934.
In
1934 he worked in the office and in the field for the Robertson County Farm
Agent and continued this employment until 1936 when he moved to Kermit, Texas
where he operated a service station and later worked at the Kermit post office.
In
1938 he moved to Caldwell, Texas where he was with the post office department as
a Star Route Mail Carrier until 1942. At
this time he went to work for the Gulf Oil Corporation at Port Arthur, Texas in
the refinery, working in the machine department.
In
1944 he returned to his hometown of Franklin where he operated the wholesale
agency for the Gulf Oil Corporation for judge A. G. Scott. In 1945 he moved to Hearne and accepted a position with the
Culpepper Chevrolet Agency as an accountant and remained in this position until
April 5, 1948 when he went to work in a clerical position for the City of
Hearne. He was later appointed City
Secretary for the City of Hearne.
He
was married to Miss Florine Hart of Franklin, November 25, 1934, and he and Mrs.
Turner have a daughter, Cindy Lou Turner, who was born September 14, 1954.
Mrs. Turner is a teacher in the Hearne public schools.
He
is a member of the Board of Stewards of Grace Methodist Church and is also
Church Treasurer and a member of the Finance Committee; a former member of the
Hearne Lions Club; and a member of the Golden Rule Masonic Lodge of Hearne.