Authentic History Spring 1938

Interesting Stories and Events In Honey Grove’s Early History
Honey Grove Signal-Citizen, [specific date unknown; likely Spring, 1938] (F)
Written by H. P. Allen, assisted by W. J. Erwin

Joseph Morrison Family

At the village of Selfs there resides the last member of the Joseph Morrison family. He is 87 years old and was born on the old Morrison farm just a short distance west of the village. We stopped at his home not long age and interviewed him in regard to his long residence in that section. He cheerfully showed me interesting relics that had been his father's and in one or two instances he was not sure but the article had been his grandfather's. He showed us the old family Bible. We made notes to use in writing this sketch, but lost the paper before we were ready to write it and am drawing on our memory and may not get it accurately, but if not mistaken, his father was born in 1819. He produced the land title the state made him to his homestead. It was written on parchment and was signed by Anson Jones, president of the Republic of Texas.

The land titles made to men while Texas was a republic are not dated, but refer the reader to volume so and so in the land office in Austin. A man had to be 21 years old to homestead. So Mr. Joseph Morrison, the father of our James Morrison, must necessarily have been one of the very earliest settlers in that country. James showed us several articles that were of great age; a pair of dog irons which had been in use 90 years; a fire shovel which had been in use most certainly 100 years, and a beautiful walking cane 90 years old. He also has the branding iron with which he killed a bear many years ago. Mr. James Morrison is a man whose character for truth and veracity is above question.

Horace P. Jones

Horace P. Jones was born in Cumberland County, Ky., in 1847. His father was Frank Jones and his mother's maiden name was Julia Allen, an aunt of the writer. After the Civil War was over and his negroes freed. Mr. Jones sold his farm and moved to Missouri. Horace chose to remain in Kentucky for a while. He spent two years with his grandmother in Warren County, then migrated to Missouri and joined his father's family, where he spent two or three years, after which he came to Honey Grove, where he farmed a few years, then acquired an interest in the cotton yard, then was made cotton weigher and sampler. He worked in cotton several years. In the meantime he married Miss Nannie Wall and established a home and reared a family of sons and daughters, and lived to be 80 odd years of age, then passed away. He was an excellent man, a member of the Presbyterian church. His descendants are a son, Joe, and two daughters, Helen and Ruth. Mrs. Jones passed away a few years ago.

L. C. Bryant

L. C. Bryant was born in Mississippi and came to Honey Grove a penniless orphan boy when 14 or 15 years old. He soon found employment among the farmers and was recognized as a dependable, industrious young man. In a few years he married Miss Jennie Hobbs, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hobbs. To this union two sons were born. One died young. Ira, the youngest son, is one of the leading farmers of the country and possessed of many acres of fine black land. His family resides in Honey Grove Mrs. L. C. Bryant passed away about 12 years ago.

There were two brothers of L. C., who came to Texas with him. One of the brothers also chose a wife from the Hobbs Family, but we are not well posted as to names and lives of the other two brothers.

E. D. Avery

E. D. Avery came to the Honey Grove country in 1869. His children were three girls and four boys, but only three of them are now living: J. T. Avery, Snyder, Texas, Mrs. G. W. Floyd and W. M. Avery, Honey Grove. He married Miss Minnie Parham, who passed away in 1924. Their children are five daughters and one son. The first daughter, Matylee Robinson, Honey Grove; the next daughter, Mrs. S. B. Adams, Lubbock; the third daughter is Mrs. Henry Reeves, Pecan Gap; and Miss Lois and Ellen Avery, Honey Grove. The son, William Avery, was married to Miss Bettie Fetter.

There are a few old-timers in Honey Grove we have not mentioned. P. M. Price is a native Texan, born in Lamar County, but has lived in Honey Grove more than 50 years and has always been selling something.

W.T. Clark, the harness and shoe man, has been doing business in Honey Grove a long time. He is from the state of Maryland.

We cannot at this time name all who have been living in Honey Grove a long time.

As we are within a few months of our 89th birthday our eyes are failing so fast we cannot write more than two more letters, which are partly written now. Can write only a little while at the time.