Hopkins Co., TX - Obit - J. A. Brewer 1923 ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: June E. Tuck USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** BREWER, J. A. - Cumby, Hopkins Co., Texas. Mar. 28, 1923 - Funeral services for J. A. Brewer, 76 years old, for many years a prominent banker and merchant of this place, were held at the family residence Wednesday morning. The Rev. H. M. Cowling, pastor of the Methodist Church of this place, conducted the services. Burial was in the Cumby Cemetery under the auspices of the local Masonic Lodge. Mr. Brewer died at his home here at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon, following an illness of several weeks. He had lived in Hopkins County for 74 years and Cumby since 1878, and had long been prominent in business and financial circles. He was one of the organizers and first president of the First National Bank when it was established here in 1901. He continued with the institution when it was changed the State Bank and later became the Guaranty State Bank and was its president and one of the principal stockholders at his death. He was identified with various other business interests here and was one of the largest property owners in Hopkins County. He is survived by one son, W. E. Brewer, and two daughters, Mrs. S. D. Greaves and Mrs. C. M. Patton, all of Cumby. Mr. Brewer was born near Murfreesboro, in Pike County, Ark., Jan. 18, 1847. His parents moved to Hopkins County in 1848 and located on a farm a few miles south of this place. In 1848, his father, in company with other men, started to California overland to seek gold. They were attacked by Indians near El Paso and the father of Mr. Brewer was killed. Mr. Brewer and his mother then went to live with the father of his mother, who resided in the same community where Mr. Brewer grew to manhood. In 1878, he moved to this place, then known as Black Jack Grove, and had lived here ever since. (Dallas Morning News, Mar. 29, 1923)