Biography of James P. Cranfill, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: V Richardson Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** "Jim" Cranfill, everybody calls him Jim, is another prosperous planter living a few miles north of Hooks, on what is known as the Old Hubbard farm on Red River. He now owns this splendid old farm of several hundred acres which he has successfully cultivated since his purchase of it a few years ago, and during this time had built a beautiful home on the bluff, over looking the extensive valley farm, where he resided with his small family -wife and two children. Like Mr. Hamby, but unlike many Red River planters, Jim Cranfill does not believe in the "all cotton" policy, but raises grain and alfalfa hay in sufficient quantity to operate his farm. Very naturally, however, from the hundred of fertile acres of his bottom land farm, well stocked with fine, large mules, and a numerous tenantry, Mr. Cranfill annually markets a very large amount of the staple. From her sales of poultry, butter, and eggs, Mrs. Cranfill materially aids in supplying the wants of the family, as shown by her bounteous supply of everything good to eat, and particularly just before Christmas,Sells in Texarkana, often as many as a hundred home raised turkeys. Figure the sum total at present prices, if you are interested in turkeys. Their two children - a boy, Olin, and Lillian, just entering school age, are exceptionally bright, and intelligent, and by early home-training, were prepared to enter the present term of school at Everett, near by, well advanced in the primary grade. Mr. and Mrs. Cranfill manifest deep interest in their children's education, and are strong advocates of rural schools, and believe that the best education and only sure foundation, is proper home training.