Freestone County, Texas Towns Brewer/Brewer's Prairie Location: In western Freestone County, Brewer appears on a 1919-20 map by the Corp of Engineers (that shows the area east of Mexia). This 1919/20 map of the Mexia Quadrant by the US Army Corp of Engineers shows the old community of Brewer located southwest of Teague a little southeast of Burleson Creek which flows into Big Buffalo Creek. Brewer is shown with only two buildings remaining in 1919. Brewer was directly east of the intersection of Lake Creek from Limestone County, Burleson Creek following from the opposite side which Brewer is closest to, and Patton Creek that all meet to form Big Buffalo Creek. Brewer was located on an old road running from Cotton Gin southward following Burleson Creek. Brewer's former schoolhouse appears to on the other side of Burleson Creek from the town. History: Green Berry Brewer was granted a league (4,455 acres) of land on October 26th, 1835, after whom the community was eventually named. It is not known whether Green Berry Brewer ever resided in the community. The area was first settled around the time of the Civil War. A small community known as Brewer, grew up at the site. The first school ever taught on Brewer prairie was in a little log house southwest of Brewer by Henry Louis in 1872-1873. The people funding the school met near Carley's mill and decided to build a building that would serve as a church and a school. Henry Louis began teaching in a house belonging to George Anderson while construction was underway. By the early part of 1873, the building was complete. In April 1886, a resident wrote that all they needed was a jeweler and shoemaker. The resident went on to inventory all the businesses they had such as a good dry goods and grocery store, a blacksmith and wood shop, and a barber. Later in 1886, a gin was to open. The 1895 Rand McNally atlas shows Brewer with a post office and no express office or railroad. Also, the same year, 1895, Brewer Baptist Church ministered by A. B. Tedder had 109 members. A 1900 map shows Brewer west of Fairfield and just east of a river that flows out of Limestone County. Eventually the railroad arrived in the area and the residents eventually moved creating a the new town of Teague in 1906. Post Office: Opened: 30 Jun 1880 as Brewer. On April 20, 1906, the name of the post office was officially changed to Teague. (The post office was at Dr. Emmet Headlee's home when he was postmaster. People dropped letters into the front room through a hole in the front wall of the house.) Post Masters: Headlee, Dr. Emmet - 30 Jun 1880 Herring, W. G. - 5 Dec 1882 Headlee, Dr. Emmet - 2 Jan 1883 Thomas, Jerome E. - 18 Jun 1883 Sawyer, James D. - 26 May 1884 King, Gordon - 8 Jan 1892 Newspaper: "Brewer Courier" "Brewer Chronicle" - (known to exist in March 9, 1906 when the Fairfield Recorder refers to it on page 4) Schools: Brewer Prairie School Listed as a free public school for the county on Jan. 1872 taught by Henry C. Lewis/Louis in a little log house southwest of Brewer. wooden lumber school house built in 1873 in Brewer the original 1873 trustees were T.S. Gatling, John Williamson, and W.D. Williamson. some early teachers of the school (from 1873 to 1906): W.C. Day, W. D. Williamson, A.B. Carley, Miss Terrell, Miss Harris, J.C. Hendrix, Miss Coleman, Miss Allison, J.A. Childress, Rome Headlee, Miss Lyon, and Dave Peevy. Brewer Prairie Colored School Had 27 pupils in 1887 Brewer School Had 99 students in 1886. Had 86 students in 1887. Churches: Church of Christ at Brewer Prairie Brewer Baptist (started Oct 13, 1877) 34 members led by A.P. Perry/Peary in 1878 24 members led by J.L. Blackwell in 1879 Bro. A. B. Carley ordained at Brewer Prairie on 2 Nov 1879. 63 members led by W. B. Childs in 1889 (Had 109 members in 1895 with A.B. Tedder as pastor, who also had Hick Springs and N. Providence on his route.) 1895 - 1st Sunday was Missionary Baptist, 2nd Sunday Methodist Protestant, 3rd Sunday Methodist Episcopal, 4th Christian, and 5th Primitive Baptist. *B1* Nearby Churches: Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church (at Hopewell community to the northwest) Social Organizations: Brewers Farmers Alliance #574 (at Brewer) Businesses: Parker-Blackmon Hardware Co. Carley's Mill *B1* two dry goods and general stores (one owned by Dr. Emmett Headlee) *B1* two blacksmith and wood shops *B1* wholesale furniture and sewing machine store (across the ravine) (E. S. Herring, manager) (with devliery wagon) *B1* cotton gin (existed 1895, boiler blew up and killed John Herring in 1901) *B1* two practicing physicians, doctors Headlee and Driver *B1* a vet (Dr. Scott) *B1* a tree nusery focusing on fruit trees and grapevines (L. R. Tilley) *B1* Known people of Brewer were: Allison, Miss ??? Anderson, George Beaver, Henry F. Brewer, William & Mary Bryant, Alman Bryant, A. B. Bryant, Mrs. California (Howes) Bryant, Jacob Bryant, Lee Bryant, Mary Bryant, Samuel Lee Jr. Bryant, Rev. Samuel Sr. Butler, G. W. Carley, Brother A. B. (preacher) Carley, R. E. Carroll, J. R. Carroll, John H. Carroll, Joseph Carroll, Thomas S. Childress, J. A. Chumbley, Mr. Clabough, Rev. John Clark, George Compton, Nancy Theodosia (Jones) Cox, Tom Curtis, J. P. David, Jim C. Jr. David, Jim C. Sr. Deloach, F. W. Dies, Dr. (teaching school Nov 1886) (closed July 1887) Evans, Mrs. J. B. (moved from Butler in 1887) Gatling/Gattling, T. S. Geter, S. D. Gibson, J. R. Gipson, Miss Glanton, W. C. Goolsby, W. T. Green, Joseph W. Harris, Ben Harris, Mrs. Betty Harris, Shade Headlee, Alice (Sims) Headlee, E. J. "Rome" Headlee, Dr. Emmett Jr. Headlee, Dr. Emmett Sr. Headlee, Mary M. (Harrison) Hendrix, James C. Herring, E. S. (manager of the wholesale furniture and sewing machine store in 1895) *B1* Herring, John W. & Catherine Butler Herring, W. G. Hogue, Claude Franklin Hogue, Edwin Owen Hogue, Henry Bartow Hogue, James Lee Hogue, Joan Delia (Harper) Hogue, Josiah Franklin Hogue, Lela May Hogue, Lola Esma Hogue, Mary Ellen Hook, A. J. Hook, Ernest B. Hook, Robert G. Howell, William A. Hunt, Mr. Jeter, J. D. Jones, G. W. (left for "Indian Territory" in 1902) Jones, J. C. Jones, Lewis Calloway King, Gordon King, Ira G. Lane, Mrs. Sallie (Hobbs) Lane, Walter Lewis, H. C. Lindsey, B. L. H. Lindsey, J. G. Maddox, R. I. (left for "Indian Territory" in 1902) Measles, Mrs. Betty Measles, Edgar Measles, R. L. Meek, Mrs. Marshall Meek, Marshall Meek, Mrs. Minnie Miller, H. C. Moore, Jim Nicholson, Mrs. J. P. Owens, Frank Owens, Mrs. Jimmie (school teacher 1886) Owens, Leander Owens, Sol G. Owens, Willie Mae (Howell) Owens, William T. Peary, A. F. (pastor) Peevy, Professor Dave D. Picket, Mr. Pye, J. A. Roberts, Verma Sidney (Jones) Sawyer, James D. (grocery & dry goods store) Scott, "Dr." (a vet) *B1* Senter, A. B. Senter, Mrs. Will Senter, Will Senter, Clifton (s/o Mrs. Will) Sims, Alice Sims, G. A. Sims, Sterling Steagall, Leo Strother, Gilley Stuart, Jack Taylor, Mrs. T. J. Tedder, A. B. (pastor) Thomas, Dr. J. E. Thomas, Jerome E. Thomas, Theodore Thomas, T. S. Tiller, L. R. (ran a tree nursery) *B1* Tipps, G. L. Vaughn, Betty Harrison Vernon, Prof. West, William Wheelus, Thomas J. and Dorothy Nancy (Golden) (a.k.a. N. D.) Wheelus, Will Williams, Alvin Williamson, Miss Alma Williamson, A. L. Williamson, Carrol Williamson, Green Williamson, George Williamson, John F. Williamson, Silas Williamson, M. A. Williamson, W. C. Williamson, W. D. Williamson, W. P. Wills, Emily Yerby, John William Yerby, Lucy Yerby, Thomas SOURCES: *B1* = The Fairfield Recorder - Friday, April 5, 1895 Page: 4 ========================================================================= Teague, Texas Population: 4,557 Location: Nine miles southwest of Fairfield in western Freestone County. Teague exploded from a small communities to a large town shortly after the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway was built through the county in 1906, and chosen Teague as the location for its railroad facilities. This guarantee of jobs and being a railroad depot on the railroad line caused an explosion of enthusiasm. Teague incorporated in 1906. Teague was named after the Teague family *1*. The original townsite completely covered the old Brewer community. In 1910, Teague survived a fire that year and had a population of 1,288. The community served as a shipping center for area cotton farmers and grew rapidly. Soon there were churches of all denominations. By 1914, Teague had public schools, waterworks, an electric light plant, an ice plant, three banks, two cotton gins, a cottonseed oil mill, a cotton compress, the Teague Daily News, two weekly newspapers, and a population of 3,300. Also in 1914, Teague's social news was appearing the society columns of the Dallas Morning News. The big news of 1916 was the court proceeding concerning the murder of State Banking and Insurance Commissioner, Mr. Patterson, in Teague who was investigating the F. and M. State Bank of Teague. Teague continued to prosper during the 1920s. Teague was listed as having 3,288 residents in The Great Depression and plummeting cotton prices started a slow decline that continued until the 1980s. The number of businesses dropped from 140 in 1931 to 100 in 1936. After World War II many other stores and businesses closed, and by the early 1980s only forty-six rated businesses remained. The town also witnessed a decline in population during the same period; it reached a low of some 2,800 in 1975. After the mid-1980s, however, the population grew steadily, and in 1990 Teague had 3,268 residents. The area has large coal, lignite, sand, and clay deposits. In recent years natural gas production has become an important industry. Past Businesses: T. J. Alexander & Sons (clothing store with shoes, hats, etc.) American Express Office Amicable Life Insurance Company - C. J. Cobb, General Agent R. J. F. Baker, homopath and medicine Dr. C. Batchelor, physician and surgeon Blue Bonnet Beauty Shoppe (1939) Boyd & Boyd, attorneys-at-law (1909) Boyd & Bell, attorneys-at-law (1919) L. R. Boyd Motor Co. (1951) (sold Ford automobiles) Boyd-Wood Motor Company (existed in 1969 and 1971) (sold Ford automobiles) Caldwell Paint Company (started 1912) Fred Campbell's plumbing and tin work P. P. Carter (dentist, office upstairs over First State Bank, 1921, 1923) Central Tailor Shop Central Texas Ice Company Citizens National Bank City Drug Company (run by James Neale) City Shoe Shop (run by J. T. Jett) D. K. Compton, real estate Connell-Chumney Grocery Company Dr. E. A. Cox (general medical clinic) Dave Alderman Company Inc. (Buick automobile distributor) Davidson Gulf Service station for automobiles Davidson Sanitarium (built in 1924) J. Wed Davis & Company (real estate, insurance, and farm loans) Nell Donaghe's Beauty Shop W. E. Doyle, lawyer J. D. Driver, M. D. Earle's Tailor Shop The Elk Horn Bar (1908, run by C. D. Phillips, Mgr.) Z. R. Emmons Blacksmith Shop (bought out Geo. W. Williamson in May 1908) H. G. Epps, contractor and builder L. A. Fannin's taxi Farmers' Union Cotton Warehouse & Yard (Teague No. 795, Teague No. 998) (existed in 1907,1908,1912,1914,1915,1917) fire department (existed in 1908) First National Bank (?-known to exist in 1940-11/14/1985 when FDIC declared it insolvent) Freestone County Lumber Company (existed in 1908) A. B. Geppert, lawyer H. O. Gossett, real estate and insurance Golden Rule Grocery and service station (on Teague-Mexia road) Charles E. Grayson, real estate and insurance Guggolz and Meier electricity company (1923) Gulf Refining Company Hall-Owens Ford-Mercury (known to exist in 1978) Ham Brothers Insurance Company W. M. Hearne, attorney-at-law Harrott Buick-Pontiac-Chevrolet, Inc. Headlee & Headlee, physicians and surgeons Hendrix & Webb Cotton Gin Hill Motor Company (sold Pontiac automobiles) (1951) Home Oil and Gas Development Company (1914) Hotel Yoakum (existed in 1908) P. L. Hovis, tailor Humble service station (run by Mr. Winningham) Idylwild Theatre Jackson Bros. (cultivators and farm equipment) T. W. Jeanes & Son Lumber Yard (T. W. Jeanes & Son in 1908, T. W. Jeanes in 1914) Jeanes Bros. Steam Laundry Lackey Motor Co. (sold Dodge automobiles) J. R. Lindley (hardware and farm implements, 1923) Long's Star Theatre J. B. Looney, jeweler and optician A. L. Lowry Floral Co. D. B. Martin, contractor and builder Martin's Bakery McMurray Lumber Company (existed in 1908, not in 1914) McVey & McVey, lawyers Modern Cleaners Moore Hotel (existed in 1908, not in 1914) Munger Oil & Cotton Gin (1923) J. R. Neece Lumber Company (Teague's branch organized in 1903) The New York Store (clothing) T. H. Neyland & Co. dry goods Nicholas Grocery and Market Nicholas Dairy opera house (included skating rink in 1908) Palace Drug Company E. J. Parker Hardware Company Parker & Marshall, contractors and builders Philp, Boyd and Company (water company) (1923) Philips Cafe (1939) Pierce-Fordyce Oil Association Pipe Line and Gas Company (natural gas) (1923) Powell Ho. Procter's Millinery (1908, hats) Pure Ice Co. Dr. D. K. Ratliff, dentist and xrays Red Arrow Freight Lines Rhea-Stringer Motor Co. (sold Chevrolet automobiles) Richelieu G&S Riley-Boyd Motor Company (started 1916, automobiles) Riley & Ham general store (established in 1902 by Sidney Ham) The Riley Shop (silks, batiste, and organdies) Robinson & Haddon (sheet metal works, burned down in May 1908) Robinson & Haddon hardware store (1908) E. G. Robinson, second hand furniture (1908) E. H. Robinson, sold Buck's stoves and ranges (1908) E. H. Robinson, plumbing (1909) Dr. A. W. Rogers, dentist B. Saunders' Garage C. L. Saunders & Company (1908, home furnishings) J. J. Seale, M. D. Service Cleaners (clothes cleaners)(1939) Sims & Dunn (1908, general goods) South Texas Lumber Company (1923, Bob Compton, Mgr., at 3rd & Cedar) Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company (telephone) (1923) Spencer-Goodman Company (tires) Spencer Tire Company (1951) The Spot (books, magazines, tobacco, cold drinks, ice cream) (run by Herbert Hardison) Spot Cash Store (groceries, feed, and hardware) (by H. T. McCorkle) A. M. Starkey Shoe Repair Stearns Ice House T. & B.V. Railroad Freight House (existed in 1908) T. & B.V. Railroad Passenger Depot (existed in 1908) Teague Bakery Teague Bar Teague Bottling Works (also bottles found with the name John E. Monk) Teague Chronicle newspaper Teague Compress Company Teague Cotton Pil Co. Teague Electric Light & Power Company (existed in 1908) Teague Furniture Co. (run by C. M. Newton and J. C. Hippel) Teague Lumber Company (existed in 1908) Teague Motor Company (1939) Teague National Bank Teague School Cafeteria Teague Steam Laundry telephone exchange (existed in 1914) Terry and Pyburn Groceries and Feed R. H. Waldrop Groceries R. H. Waldrop (feed and seeds) Walter & Hafner Jewelry Company Waters-Pierce Oil Company Western Union Telegraph Office Whitfield and McSpadden retail grocery Williams & Waldrop (goods) Yoakum Hotel (open in 1969) T. C. Young Planning Mill Funeral Homes: Ham Brothers Funeral Home Schoola: The school census of the Teague independent district counted by Frank Stewart showed 138 white and 64 black children of school age in 1906. 16 pupils (all grades) in 1909. Class of 1909 was taught by Mrs. Maude Smith. "Sheep Shed" (very-long wooden one-story building built in 1907, intended as temporary building, however used until 1910) John H. Reagan Public School - two-story brick building in western part of Teague, built 1909/10 and occupied Feb 1910 O. M. Roberts School - Teague's first high school. built 1909/10 and occupied Feb 1910. Large brick two-story with entry tower. Helen A. Sanders High School - later called Teague high school. Built 1922 and used until May 1975. Large brick three-story building. Horace Mann Public School (built about 1910) Sallie Mounger Elemetary School - built in 1950/51 and occupied Sep 1951 Lindsey School (#55) - small wooden building - (built about 1895/96) [see Lindsey community for more info] Washington School (#108) - built before 1887 - wooden structure. Prior to Booker T. Washington public school. [see Washington community for more info] J. A. Brooks Elemetary School - (for black students) - built in 1950/51 and occupied 1952 Booker T. Washington Public School (colored) (built in 1909 and occupied in Feb 1909) Churches (in town): Antioch-Asia Primitive Baptist Church Calvary Full Gospel Church Church of Christ Eighth Avenue Baptist Church Faith Baptist Church First Assembly of God First Baptist Church of Teague First Baptist Church - North Teague First Baptist Church - South Teague First Presbyterian Church of Teague First United Methodist Church St. James United Methodist Church St. Mary's Catholic Mission St. Paul A.M.E. Church St. Paul Church of God in Christ Teague Church of Christ Union Primitive Baptist Westside Church of Christ Churches (out of town, but have Teague as their post office): Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Freestone Missionary Baptist Church Grayson Chapel M. B. Church Grove Island AME New Life Tabernacle Salem Missionary Baptist Teague Bible Church Railroads: Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad (later became Burlington-Rock Island, Fort Worth & Denver railroads) Post Office: Opened: 30 Jun 1880 as Brewer. On April 20, 1906, the name of the post office was officially changed. Still Active. The original post office faced North 4th Avenue directly to the rear of King Bros. Store which was on the corner of Cedar Street and North 4th Avenue. Park: Chautauqua Park Banks: Teague National Bank (a.k.a. First National Bank) (started 1906, John Riley, president) F. and M. State Bank of Teague First State Bank (started 1910, R.M. Thompson, president) Bottling: Davis & Shell, Teague Bottling Works Manufacturing: Teague Manufacturing Company (produced pecan nut cracker tools, P.O. Box 27) Teague School District Had 600 white and 124 colored students of students within school age in 1909-1910. Principal J. D. Bramlett oversaw 901 white and 237 colored students in 1918-1919 in the Teague ISD. Booker T Washington School Sallie Mounger Elementary School Teague High School Teague Intermediate School Teague Junior High School Social Organizations: The Ten Thousand Club - a club that functioned as a tourism board, but rather was focused on gaining new residents. Mr. Davis, President and J. H. King, collector-treasurer (until May 1908) then E. W. Herron took King's position. Boggy Lodge A. F. & A. M. No. 720 (some sources say #789), meets in Teague on Saturday night on or before the full moon in each month. In 1909 M. A. Webb, W. M.; Dr. E. Headlee, Secretary. (1892-current) (moved to Teague in 1907) Order of Eastern Star - Teague chapter #408, No U D meets in Masonic hall at 2:30 p.m. the first Tuesday in each month and at 8 p.m. the 3rd Tuesday each month. Mrs. J. Wed Davis, W. M.; Miss Alta Headlee, Secretary. The officers on Jan. 1917 were Carrie Keys, W. M.; W. B. Bell, W. P.; Clara Headlee, Sec. I.O.O.F. [Independent Order of Odd Fellows] Lodge meets every Tuesday night, H. Cohen Noble Grand; J. M. Gordon, Secretary. W.O.W. [Woodmen of the World] Brewer Camp No. 850, meets first and third Friday nights in each month, J.C. Lindsey, Clerk; G. F. Capps, C.C. W.C. Lodge, meets 1st and 3rd Friday afternoon in each month at three o'clock, Mrs. Annie Williamson, Guardian; Mrs. E. C. Foreman, Clerk. Knights of Pythias - Teague Lodge, No. 380, met first and third Monday nights in each month in 1909 but later went to every Tuesday night at 7:30. Leaders in 1909 J. W. Walker, Jr. C.C.; G. F. Dodgen, K. of R S. The leaders in 1917 were T. L. Childs, C. C.; J. E. Glenn, K. R. S. The leaders in 1920 were C. O. Adams, C. C.; Joseph Hodgskins, K. of R S. K & L of H [Knights and Ladies of Honor] Lodge No. 595, meets first and third Tuesday nights in each month, J.A. Buie, Protector; H.W. Harris, Secretary. Teague Hive No 81, L.O.T.M. [Ladies of the Maccabees] meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 2:30 in K of P [Knights of Pythias] Hall. Mrs. J. B. Denison, L.C.; Miss Angie Compton, K.K. Clerks Union No. 1175, meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday nights in K of P Hall. Frazier Hendrix, President. Modern Woodman of America, meets second and fourth Friday nights in each month in O R C Hall. J. Compton, C.C.; A.W. Hubbard, Clerk. Grand Fraternity No. 260 meets first and third Monday nights in each month, C. E. Lockhart, Com.; Mrs. D. L. Peeples, Secretary. Fraternal Brotherhood Lodge meet every Wednesday night. R.E. Chatham, Pres.; Miss Bessie Riley, Secretary. G I A to B of L E [Grand International Auxiliary for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers] meets first and third Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mrs. Ed Looney, Pres.; Mrs. P. F. Farry, Corresponding Secretary. B of L E Lodge meets every Sunday morning at 9 o'clock. G.F. Stillwell, C.E.; Vic L. Plummer, 1st Ass't. Local Union 130, Carpenters and Joiners of America, meet every Tuesday night of each month at K. of P. hall. S.L. Blair, president; C.E. Mattison, secretary. K O T M - meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 8 p.m., K of P Hall. J. E. McQueen, Com; R Y Needham, Recorder. Painters and Paperhangers Union meets every Saturday night in K of P Hall. Jack Prather, Pres; John Rogers, Rec. Secretary. F. O. E. Teague Era No. 1756 meets 2d and 3d Thursday nights in O.R.C. Hall. J.S. Nummy, Pres.; J. H. Daly, sect. B. of L. F. & E [Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen] organized a branch at Teague on May 1 and 2, 1907 with Mr. Loggins as master; Mr. Anderson, secretary; Misters Baker, Johnson, and Fulton as Joint Protective Board members, and Sims, collector. The short name of the lodge was the "Valley Route Lodge". The "No. 702", meets every Saturday night in O R C hall. In 1909, the officers were J. D. Tullis, President; J.E. McQueen, Rec. Secretary. In 1910, the officers were M. W. Barnett, P[resident]; O. F. Johnson, R[ecording] S[ecretary], box 124; W. C. Petts, F S; F. T. Herring, T[reasurer]; L. Reece, C[ollector?]. In 1910 they met in K. of P. hall. (The Brotherhood negotiated the worker rate effective Sept. 1, 1910 at the Teague railroad yard at $4.25/day.) In 1911 a member, R. E. Whitesides, was looking for J. F. Wood who was a former member and left in June 1910 seeking employment in Elk, Nevada. In July 1911, R. O. Beene was a member asking for return of a card case in the Brotherhood pamphlet. In 1913, the officers were M. W. Barnett, Chair; W. A. Minnock, Secretary. Bro. H. Cochran was a member in 1915. In 1922, the 702 was listed as completely organized meaning that every possible member in its jursidiction was a member. Ladies Society of Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen was No. 244 and is known to exist in 1910. The lodge's short name was "Swasitka". Officers in 1910 were Alma Reece, P[resident]; Lella Humphreys, S[ecretary]; Mrs. T. E. McKinley, C[hair]; and Velva Dizard, T[reasurer]. In 1911, Emma Hoblit posted a short status update in the Brotherhood's booklet. In 1912, Emma Hoblit posted a piece about the visit of the Grand President and her daughter in the Brotherhood's booklet. Officers in 1913 were Alma Reece, P[resident], [post office] box 206; Sadie Dodd, S[ecretary], box 206; Bertha Ferguson, C[hair]; Emma Hoblit, T[reasurer], box 121. B R C of A [Brotherhood of Railway Carmen of America] had "Brazos Valley" Lodge No. 306 in Teague, Texas that was organized in Aug. 1907 meets 1st and 3d Monday nights in each month in O R C hall. After only four months in Dec. 1907, the lodge had fifty members with R F Baisden, chief; E Cals, secty. The Carmen's committee of Teague on Nov. 1, 1909 were V. B. Dunkum, Chairman, C. E. Lokey, and L. A. Shackleford. In the Railway Carmen's Journal of 1910, a portrait of member, B. Simms, was taken with members of Pine Bluff, Arkansas whom he helped with a burial. The B. R. C. of A. lodge at Teague had 112 members and were meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays in the K. P. hall in 1910. "Brother" G. T. Meeks of the No. 306 died January 17, 1910. In 1910, the officers were L. A. Shackleford, Pres.; E. W. McCollum, R. S.; C. A. McKinnon, F. S., Box 132. R. H. Martin was a member in 1910. The member M. N. Senter died in Feb. 1911. In 1915, the officers were M. G. Brooks, Pres.; J. A. Brooks, R. S., Box 132; and Chas. McKinnon, F. S., Box 132. The "subordinate lodge" of the Railway Carmen was the lady's "Lone Star" No. 7 lodge led by Mrs. G. P. Camp, Pres., and Mrs. M. J. Brooks, R. B. in 1910. In 1915, the lodge was still lead by the same women. A O U W [Ancient Order of United Workmen] - Teague Lodge No 89 meets at K of P Hall every Thursday at 8 p.m. E D Joost, M W; J E McQueen, Recorder. I.B. of B. & H Brazos Valley Lodge No. 176, meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights in W.O.W. Hall, W. H. Harrison, Pres.; S. B. Pippin, Sect'y. Local No. 3646 of the Farmers Educational & Co-Operative Union meets 1st and 3rd Saturdays. L. N. Riddle, pres.; G. B. Jones, secty. Columbian Woodman meets in Headlee Hall every 1st and 3rd Friday night in each month. P. L. Hovis, Council; J. J. Seale, M. D. Clerk Teague Hook and Ladder Co. No 1 meets each Monday night at 7:30 at City Hall. D. R. Powers, Foreman; D. E. Clifford, Secretary. Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen No. 449 - known to exist by Sept. 1910 In 1908, the Teague Band. John Shupak, president; John King, vice-president; J. W. Rhea, treasurer; G. W. Williamson, secretary; and J. W. Reea, musical director. In 1909, the Thursday Bridge club was run by Mrs. Ottis Cain. In 1909, the Leila Weaver Garden club members included Mrs. C. J. Cobb, Miss Clara Headlee, and Mrs. Homer Tiery. In 1920, the Delphian Club was led by Mrs. T. H. Neyland, President; Mrs. W. H. Sims, secretary. A typical event was when Mrs. W. H. Sims discussed French opera and others discussed literature. In 1920, the A.Y.L.I. was a club led by Miss Addie Woods that included refreshments and games of bridge (played with cards) and 42 (played with dominos). In 1920, La Chappelle Club was a group led by Miss Dymple Campbell that played games such as Bunco (played with dice), listened to music on records played on a victrolla turntable, and enjoyed refreshments. In 1940, the Business and Professional Women's Club was led by Mrs. W. J. Stringer, Virginia Wolfe, and Miss Nell Donaghe. Billie Joe Bonner performed accordion solos. The out-going president was Mrs. Herman Stokes. Miss Alice Ruth Lee served as a delegate. Known people of Teague were: Adams, Charles O Adkins, L. E. Alderman, Dave Alexander, T. J.. Alhands, J. L. Anderson, Johnnie Anderson, Tom Anderson, Zack H. Arledge, J. A. Avery, E. U. Aycock, Oliver Baggett, J. F. Barger, Homer Barger, Rayford Beene, G. A. Benbrook, A. H. Bendy, N. W. Bluie, J. A. Botter, W. J. Jr. Botter, W. J. Sr. Bowers, Edgar M. Sr. Boyd, William Rufus Sr. Boyd, William Rufus Jr. Boykin, Edward Boykin, Hardic Brawner, John Briggs, Ben Jr. Brooks, W. A. Brown, J. S. Bryant, Harvey Butler, W. S. Byrd, Professor V. A. Cabaniss, W.D. Caldwell, J. A. Carley, J. T. Carroll, Virgil Cavanaugh, Pat Childs, Tilden Lafayette Chumney, Bess Clark, Townsend Jr. Cobb, C. J. Cochran, H. E. Collie, N. K. Collins, Cora Compton, Bettie Compton, B. P. Compton, Dewitt Kimble Compton, L. B. Cookly, C. S. Coon, John Coopage, Mr. Cotten, W.B. Covert, Dr. Frank M. III Covert, Martha Covington, Horace Cox, Dr. Jack R. Crittenden, J. R. Curry, Minnie Ellisor Davidson, J. D. Davis, J. Wed Dowlen, F. E. Doyle, W. D. Driver, Dr. J. D. Driver, Levi Driver, T. W. Drumwright, W. R. T. Dunn, C. A. Dunn, Harry Dunn, J. C. Dunn, Roy Easterling, Grace Edwards, Lee C. Elgin, T. A. Ellisor, Florence Epps, H. G. Erwin, J. S. Fetes, May Flag, Emma Foreman, E. C. Forte, G. A. Foster, A. B. Gage, Dr. Maurice Gang, S. Garth, D. T. Goerge, A. L. Geppert, A. B. Gillespie, T. E. Goolsby, Hardy Gordon, Dr. J. B. Gossett, H. O. Graves, Jim Grayson, C. E. Green, D. E. Green, W. E. Guttrey, Harvey Halbert, Dr. Bill L. Hall, Dr. J. G. Hall, T. J. Ham, E. B. Ham, J. P. Ham, Sidney "Sid" Hamilton, J. S. Hamilton, T. F. Hancock, Will and Prudie (moved from Donie to Teague in 1921, town marshall) Hardison, Jimmy Harper, A. J. Harper, Gus Harris, D. W. Harris, J. M. Harris, L.M. Harrison, Dr. W. P. Haynie, H. J. Haynie, S. J. Hays, Nita Beth Headlee, Alta Headlee, Clara Headlee, Dr. Emmett Headlee, E. J. "Rome" Headlee, Dr. Emory V. Hendrix, J. C. T. Hendon, Catherine Hendon, G. B. Sr. Higdon, Victor Hinchcliff, W. W. Hippel, J. C. Hogan, Mr. Hogue, E. H. Houzvicka, F. J. Howell, Willie Howland, T. J. Hubbard, G. W. Huber, P. W. Huckaby, Annette Huckaby, Charlotte Huckaby, Lila Huckaby, Mary Vernon Huckaby, William O. Hullum, W. K. Humphries, W. B. Hunter, G. D. Jackson, W. A. Jackson, W. T. Jarrott, Pearl Jeanes, T. W. Jeanes, W. F. Jenkins, Loraine Harris Jones, Alvie Lee Jones, Mayme Jones, Verma Kallus, Joe Karjeker, Dr. M.. H. Kennedy, Neil King, A. H. King, Goodie King, Gordon Kirgan, L. C. Kuykendalll, E. Lancaster, A. T. Landers, R.J. Lee, Ruth Lee, William H. (arrived in 1907) Lewis, J.H. Lindsay, J. E. Linson, Cora Lipscomb, Mary Livingston, Eva Long, Earle Long, Dr. James Crittenton & Mattie Evelyn Morgan (arrived in March 1909) Looney, Claude Looney, Fred Looney, Hannibal & Margaret Luella Byers (arrived in 1907) Looney, J. B. Looney, James & Effie Guttry Looney, Janie Lott, W. L. Louis/Lewis, Henry C. Lucas, N. A. Maggard, Johnnie Mainard, Elia Malone, William Marsh, Harry Marshall, B. B. Martin, D. B. May, Clarance McFarland, Ike B. McSpadden, Clydell McSpadden, Earle McSpadden, W. H. Middleton,. Burt Mier, W L. Mitchell, Boyd Mixon, W. A. Mooney, J.V. Morris, W. F. Neale, James F. Needham, J. I. Newell, Kelly Newton, C. M. Neyland, Herbert Nicholas, E. O. Nicholas, J. O. Nussbaum, JAmes Oakes, Melvin Oliver, George Owens, Fannie Laura Owens, W. L. Parker, Annette (Huckaby) Parker, Jim E. Parker, John E. Partin, Ike Peevey, D. D. Perry, Pearl Perry, S. D. Petty, R. E. Peyton, Finis G. Philips, C. D. Pickle, G.C. Plummer, Jack Procter, C. E. Quarles, Novell Rawlins, C. E. Reed, Katie Rhea, J. W. Rhodes, Mary Frances Busby Richards, W. E. Riley, Bob Riley, Ed Riley, John Robertson, Pinky Roper, Dan Scott, Roma Scott, S.J. Seabrook, C. H. Senter, Marvin Setzer, E. B. Shadtler, C. H. Sheffield, Rufus Sherfield, Horace Sherman, A. S. Jr. "Art" Sibley, J. D. Silber, Paul G. Sims, Walter Smith, Maude Smith, T. H. Sneed, Dr. Jim St.Clair, E. B. Stevens, Pratt Stewart, J. W. Stringer, Bertha Stringer, J. E. Sr. Stringer, Hazel Stringer, Leo Strother, Oscar (near Brewer) Sweeney, M. Tait, Galen L. Tait, James L. Terrell, W. E. Thompson, L. W. Trayham, Dr. F. G. Trotter, Will Turek, Charles Tyman, G. H. Waldrop, R. H,. Ward, Sam Watson, Ben Watson, J. E. Watson, T. R. Watson, W. R. Weaver, Walter Weeb, M. A. Welch, Leslie Wetherholt, Phil Wheelus, Ethel Wheelus, Pearl Whitaker, Theiranm Williams, Emma Williams, J. C. Williamson, Dr. M. A. Williamson, Sallie Williamson, Walter Wilson, Eugene Roe Sr. Wilson, Margaret Lee (Jones) Withrow, Billy Paul Withrow, Mary Vernon (Huckaby) Wood, Mary Catherine Christopher Wood, Forrest Edwards Sr. (car dealer) Woods, J. E. Wroe, O. M. Yerby, J. W. ------------------------------------------------------- *1* = Submitted by: Richard Teague Date: 24 Dec 2019 A special thanks to Richard Teague for sending me these corrections: "Under your website and articles: Freestone County, TX there is substantial history about Brewer, TX, and renaming Brewer, TX, to Teague, TX, in April 1906. The error under the Teague, TX, reads: 'Teague was named after Betty Teague, niece of railroad magnate, Benjamin Franklin Yoakum. Teague was incorporated in 1906.' I'm a genealogist for the Teague family and Betty Teague was not a niece to B F Yoakum. She was a first cousin. Betty's father, John Fowler Teague, 1828-1880, was a brother to B F Yoakum's mother, Elizabeth Narcissus Teague Yoakum. Narcissus Teague and John Fowler Teague were children of James R Teague a pioneer family of Texas. So the first error is identifying Betty Teague as a niece. The second error is implying the new town was named after Betty Teague. There are at least three sources that dispute this assertion. First source is within your own article on your website. If you go to the very bottom of the article about Teague, TX, there is a reprint of a newspaper article, "How a City Grew from a Village, The story of Teague, TX". This article of Jan 7, 1910, Page 6, Supplement (Dallas Morning News), states the town was named in honor of James R Teague, an old resident of the county, and the maternal grandfather of B F Yoakum. Second source is Volume 1 of History of Freestone County Texas, (1978) page 171. Yoakum honored his mother by giving the new townsite her maiden name of Teague. Third source, Betty Teague's obituary in The Teague Chronicle, Volume 5, No. 4, Friday, August 12, 1910. Quoted in her obituary, "the Teague family being pioneer citizens of this place (Teague) and for whom our town was named". Once again, giving credit to the Teague family and not to Betty Teague. Yes, Betty Teague was part of the Teague family but credit should go to Elizabeth Narcissus or Narcissa Teague and her early pioneer family that came to Texas before Texas statehood." ------------------------------------------------------- Interesting Newspaper Article About Teague from the Dallas Morning News Jan. 10, 1909 - Supplement - Page 6: "How a City Grew from a Village" "The Story of Teague, Texas" [Photo of numerous small buildings] [Caption:] "Once a residence in Brewer - A Three Story Brick Building Now Occupies the Site." [Portrait photograph] [Caption:] "His Honor the Mayor of Teague" [Photo of large building] [Caption:] "A Comfortable Little Home" [Photo of large buildings] [Caption:] "New Buildings Are Going Up Everywhere" Once there was, as the story teller would say, a little town in Texas known as Brewer. It was located down in Freestone County, and while it was a good enough town, it was one of the sort that appear on railroad maps as a little dot, surrounded by oceans of pink space. It lay amid the most fertile of fields, and the people who lived there were a happy and prosperous people, despite the fact that they had dreamed of railroad connection for years upon years, and up to March, 1906, were still dreaming. It was one of the oldest towns in the State, containing some the finest people in the State, but its nearest railroad was the town of Wortham, miles upon miles away, and the entire county had but three miles of railroad in it. For years upon years it stood peacefully amid the fertile of fields, where thrifty people grew cotton and cane and other valuable crops year after year. Its buildings grew old gracefully; its fences fell from age and were replaced by newer fences. Its old residents, having as they did, amidst plenty and in the calmness and peace of prosperity, lingered longer than most, and when three years ago things began to happen in Brewer not only were many old residents amazed, but agreeably astonished. In the first place, the Trinity and Brazos Railroad sent a corps of surveyors through the town leaving behind them rumors of things to come and a long row of brand new stakes. Then it became known that Brewer was to have a railroad connection, and the dreams of years, were to be realized. As is usual in an inland town, there was nothing very swift about the town of Brewer. It was a thrifty, healthy, solid town, but it was not growing like the proverbial beanstalk, but lived instead, year after year, about the name as in years gone by. But, as everybody knows when a railroad system takes it into its head to do things, it don’t waste time. Accordingly one day it became known that the Trinity and Brazos Valley would not only run through Brewer, but that the name of the town would be changed to Teague, and that the town would be not only the division point for the divisions leading to Dallas, Fort Worth, and Galveston, but the entire shape of the road would be located in the town. That was three years ago. The town had two general stores and but one brick building. In April 1906, it was incorporated as the city of Teague and proceedings began. The town was named Teague in honor of James Teague, an old resident of the county, and the maternal grandfather of B. F. Yoakum. Mr. Yoakum himself was born near Springfield, in Limestone county, six miles west of Mexia, and always hoped to some day put a railroad through his home county. A grandson of James Teague lives in Dallas bearing the same name. Looking at the town today one is amazed at its signs of progress even if ignorant of its history. Those who three years ago saw it are speechless, for it is another town altogether. You alight from the train at a handsome brick depot. Across the street is a high fence, bearing billboards descriptive of the coming theatrical shows, for all the world like a city ten times the size of Teague. Looking down, the first street encountered you see rows upon rows of substantial brick business houses, a hotel of brick, built along the lines of the most modern agricultural construction. And wherever you turn you see buildings going up. Piles of brick are in the streets, wagons heavily loaded with lumber, and builders’ supplies are seen hurrying out of the lumber yards. In fact, hurry seems a characteristic of the people of Teague. And when people get into the middle of things they are even more astonished. They learn that the town of Teague is one practically conducted by young men. Its merchants, its bankers, its officials are young men. The Mayor of Teague is 27 years of age. He is Tilden L. Childs, and though admitting 27 years, looks a year or so older. One Alderman is 41 years of age. He is a very old man, considering the fact that all the others are under 35, and two are under 20. The Town Marshall will be 40 years of age some day, but haven’t reached that age so far, and all the other city officials are young. These young men, however, are young only in the matter of records carried in family Bibles. In three years time they have made their city grow so fast that people familiar with the town of Brewer are still trying to keep up with it, figuratively speaking, trying to keep from their breath from going out. Instead of one brick building three years ago there are now fifty-nine completed and nine more in process of construction. The population is 4,500 and a Ten Thousand Club is working overtime to reach the figure that gives it its name. The city has just sold $42,500 worth of waterworks bonds and expects to complete a waterworks system within ninety days. The Trinity and Brazos Valley shops have a monthly payroll of $75,000 and their employees spend much of this in the town, creating a high-pressure retail business. A proposition is before the City Council to pave ten blocks of the business streets and the city has just purchased and received in part a full set of fire department apparatus-hook and ladder, hose cart, fire engine of late model, fire hose, teams and everything necessary for thorough fire protection. A volunteer fire department, consisting of forty active members, divided into two companies, has been formed. This feature has the full support of the business interests of the city, and great interest has been taken in it. The apparatus is of the latest model, the volunteer firemen selected with care, and further precautions against fire loss taken in the matter of building restrictions. Sidewalks have been built everywhere, and more are to be built during this year. The ordinances call for concrete walks. The ladies, banded together into a civic improvement league, are working industriously, and have among other things had set out a great number of shade trees. The railroad has made an appropriation of $200,000 for additional shop improvement. A social club of young men, formed by the Elks, is in a most prosperous condition, having seventy members and giving full-dress entertainment at regular intervals. The cotton shipments last year were over 8,200 bales, and the truck shipment through the town was three times as great as in the year before, and is expected to be much larger this year. The streets present quite a metropolitan appearance. Everybody seems to have business on his mind. You see no loungers on the corners. Ladies pass through the business district clothed in the up-to-date raiment of Eastern cities. “Yes,” said the Mayor of Teague, “it looks good to me. The banks have doubled their deposits. Residences are going up everywhere and rents are going down to a normal basis. More people are coming in and you don’t find anyone loafing here. “We have just completed a $10,000 Methodist Church and have voted $75,000 for a high school building, but the Supreme Court has decided against us, and we have to wait on the Legislature. Why, we only had three votes against it. “Take a look about here. You cam tell easily whether this is a boom town or not.” He waved a hand toward a group of brick buildings on which men were working like beavers. The streets were full of people, all seeming to have something to do. And when the train pulls out the visitor of today sees on either side the evidences of that which make for greater things and he remembers the parting words of the Mayor of Teague: “Come down and see us in a month or two; we’ll have more to show you.” ------------------------------------------------------- The Dallas Morning News (of Dallas, Texas) - Jan. 7, 1910 - Page: 9 Fire Record Fire Damage at Teague Teague, Freestone County, Tex., Jan. 6 - At 3 o’clock yesterday morning fire was discovered in a frame addition to the blacksmith shop in the main shop building of the Texas and Brazos Valley Railroad. The building caught from a forge in the north end of the frame addition, which was build after the main buildings to accommodate an expansion of the blacksmith department. The strong wind from the north soon whipped the flames across to the main building, which caught on fire and was prevented from complete destruction only by the prompt action of the fire departments of the city and railroad company. The power house with the costly machinery, which has just been installed, seemed to be doomed at one time, but the fire at this point was held in check by chemical fire extinguishers until the hose could be connected and the pressure from the city mains turned on. The fire was extinguished without material damage to this building. The total loss sustained is estimated by local officials of the company at $3,500. Workmen are now clearing away the debris and the shops will be running as usual tomorrow. ------------------------------------------------------- SOURCES: Teague Family Center website Long, Christopher. "Marker Files." Austin: Texas Historical Commission. Rpt. In The New Handbook of Texas. Ed. Ron Tyler. Vol. 6. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1996. 231. .