Johnson Co., TX - Byars Family Reunion ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Debra Roark Hardin USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** NOTE FROM SUBMITTER: My copy has a note that it ran in the Cleburne paper of July 29, 1929. Reporting on the Byars Family reunion of July 25th. I am guessing it is the Cleburne Times Review. BYARS REUNION ATTRACTS MANY One of the greatest family gatherings recorded in this section this year was the reunion of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Byars held at Watts Chapel on Wednesday of the past week at which time over 100 members of that family gathered for a day of visiting and pleasure. Even on Tuesday afternoon some of those who lived at distant points began to arrive, meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Byars a short distance from the beautiful oak grove surrounding the little church where the main event of the occasion was held. Incidentally the day was the 42nd wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Chambers of Somerville. Mrs. Chambers being the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Byars and a sister to G. N. Byars. The day was spent pleasantly in the community visiting at the old homestead of the Byars family which was erected more than 50 years ago and was among the very first “plank” houses to be built in this section of the country. The lumber for the building was hauled on ox wagons from Henderson County, that being the nearest saw mill where pine lumber could be secured. The home is located near the old Grandview road about six miles east of Cleburne and during its time was one of the finest and most palatial homes in this entire section of the country. A most enjoyable day was spent by the many who came from over Texas, Oklahoma and other states of the southeast. MANY ATTEND. A LIST OF THOSE PRESENT FOLLOWS: Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Chambers, Mr. Allen Chambers, Somerville, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas, Miss Rodell Thomas, Frank Lamar and Betty Jane Thomas, Duncan, Okla. Mrs. Alta Phelps, Kansas City, MO. Miss Louise Mason, Douglas, Ariz. Mrs. W. G. Williams, Plainview, Texas. Mr. S. I. Byars, Memphis, Texas Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Copeland and daughter, Miss Ester Copeland, Auburn, Texas Mrs. Ola Selby and daughter, Miss Martha Selby, John and Wallase Byars, Hillsboro, Texas Mrs. Mary Honea, Grandbury, Texas A. J. Ward, Arlington, Texas Miss Maggie Yorbrough, Handley, Texas T. N. Yorbrough, Mr. and Mrs. Ham Odom, Alvarado, Texas Mrs. Fred Hall and children, Lucile, Marshall K., Nathanial J., Marcus and Roy Hall, Mrs. Tom Hall, Parker, Texas Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Kennard and children, Geneva, Vallie and Douglas, Glen Rose, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Livingston and little daughter, Peggy Ruth. Upton Jennings and daughters, Annie, Aldora and Nono Mae Jennings, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Venable, Miss Bernice and James Venable, Mrs. Ruby Pipes and children, Ray and Travis J. Pipes, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Byars and children, Norvelle and Dorothy Nell, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Highaower, Mrs. M. R. Venable, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Rogers, Misses Thelma, Stella Mae, Juaneta, J. P. and Finis Rogers, Grandview, Texas Miss Annie Lee Stoker, Crowley, Texas Mr. and Mrs. Robert Peacock and children, Robbie Mae, Alma Jean & Charlie D., Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Derryberry, Dr. and Mrs. R. A. Wansley and daughter, Betty Ruth, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Freeman, Jr. and children, Bobbie Preston and Bina Lou, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Byars and children, Jewel, Helen and Sam Byars, Mrs. Barney Lee and son, Billie, Mr. and Mrs. Clay Kirkland, Miss Mattie Venable, Mrs. Phee Venable and children, Dorothy Jane and Oza B., Mrs. J. M. Eller and son, Sam Eller, Mrs. R. L. Patterson, Cleburne, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. G. N. Byars, Wyatt W. Byars, Cato Byars, Mrs. Saphronia Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Walraven and son, Robert Garner, Watts Chapel. THESE REPRESENT HEADS OF THE OLDEST FAMILIES: Mrs. Saphronia Rogers, G. N. Byars, S. I. Byars, Mrs. Lizzie Williams, Mrs. J. W. Chambers, Mrs. R. H. Venable, John Byars, Mrs. Frank Lamar Thomas. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: These are my corrections to the names. This was not in the newspaper article. Maggie Yorbrough and T. N. Yorbrough correct last name is Yarbrough. Nono Mae Jennings is Nona Jennings. J. P. Highaower correct last name is Hightower. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------