THE WETSEL RE-UNION
Courier Gazette
August 1904
A pleasant affair was the
family reunion held by James Wetsel and wife at their beautiful home near Allen
on last Thursday, Aug. 11.
Among the few remaining
pioneers of Collin county are James Wetsel and wife, who reside in the Allen
community, where they have lived since before the civil war. They have lived
useful and honorable lives, and few old people enjoy life better than they, or
have more friends to comfort them in their declining years. Mr. Wetsel is the
son of Henry Wetsel and Nancy (Nelson) Wetsel, who were born in Delaware, but
moved thence to Danville, Vermillion county, Illinois, where James Wetsel was
born. From there he came to Arkansas, where he owned and run a mill for some
years before he moved to Texas in February, 1848(?) and settled in Collin
county, where he died in the year 1880 at the age of 89 years. His wife died in
1861 at the age of 67.
Henry Wetsel will be
remembered by the old settlers as the owner, at one time, of the old Wetsel
mill, afterward known as the Watts mill, and once located on Short's hill in
McKinney, not far from where ex-county Superintendent Tom A. Coleman now lives.
Here James learned his trade, and was for years a miller by trade. He finally
decided to be a farmer, and when time to sow wheat arrived his father wanted him
to get some one to sow down the wheat, as he had never done such work, but Jim
said "No. If I am going to be a farmer I must learn to work for myself." He got
a fine stand, and since that time many acres have been made to glisten in the
green from seed sown by his hands. He had long been one of Collin's successful
farmers. He has not only been a farmer, but a stockraiser, and was for a long
time a leading dealer in improved hogs, sheep and cattle. In this way he has
done much towards bringing Collin county to the front as a fine stock country.
James Wetsel is one of the two surviving members of a family of thirteen
children, and was born the 18th day of September, 1828, and will be 76 in next
month. His sister, Mrs. Taylor, the other surviving member, was born in 1824,
and is now in her 80th year. Another sister, Mrs. Sallie Parker, who died in
1898, was about 80. When Jim Wetsel was 25 years old, he began to feel lonely,
and concluded to get married, and so wooed and won the daughter of Wiley Dugger,
another old pioneer, who had settled east from McKinney. She was a daughter of
Mr. Dugger by his first wife, and was not quite 15 years old when she was
married, which fact afterward became a potent argument with her own girls when
they received the attention of young men too early to suit Mrs. Wetsel. She
would say to them: "You are too young to receive company." They would reply:
"Ma, how old was you when you married?" This is said to have quieted her. To
this union there were born fourteen children. One died at birth, and thirteen
still live, and are all married. There are at present forty-six grandchildren
living, making a colony of seventy-six, counting those who have entered the
family by marriage. This does not include those married to grandchildren. These
were all present, and happy to be together again.
Mr. Wetsel's family have
scattered, as the following record will show. Of his sons: W. W., A. C.,
Merrill, A. G., and Homer live in Collin, the last named living with his
parents. These sons, Jim, Pete and Ben, live in Clay county. Of his daughters,
Mrs. Gabe Lucas lives in Sherman. Mrs. Bob January in Denton county. Mesdames
John Kerby and R. A. Simmons live in Clay county, while Mrs. Charles Lewis lives
in Collin. In addition to these, many of his nephews and nieces, with their
families were present, and all seemed filled with joy in being permitted to meet
again. They played and wrestled like children, while the real children had a
splendid day together. Among the friends present on this occasion were many of
Mr. Wetsel's old and tried friends, who realize that, perhaps, this is the last
reunion of this kind that they will attend on this side "that mystic river."
Mr. Wetsel served for about
three years in the civil war and was enlisted in Capt. Dave Haynes' company,
Martin's regiment. Both the colonel and captain were McKinney men, while the
lieutenant-colonel, M. W. Weaver, of Plano, then lived near Allen. Of Mr.
Wetsel's old company, four were present, including himself, to-wit: Joseph S.
Wilson of Allen, an old mess-mate; James M. Snider of Grove and R. C. Horn of
McKinney. Mr. Wilson is one day older than Mr. Wetsel and came to Texas about
1856. Mr. Snider is 74 years old, and came in 1845. R. C. Horn is 60 years old,
and came in 1858. All four have lived in Collin, where they now reside, for the
whole time.
Another lifetime friend of
Mr. Wetsel who was present is Elder Jno. M. McKinney, who is 72 years old, and
who came to Texas in 1846. He is held in high esteem by the Wetsel family, and
has officiated at the marriage of nine of the thirteen children. W. D. Kerby of
Grove and Elder J. J. Hall of Allen are also among the honored old men who were
present. But I must not fail to mention the boy who played marbles with Jim
Wetsel among the hills of "Arkansaw" away back in the 40's, when Mr. Wetsel's
father operated a mill. This boy is W. M. Wilmeth of "Poverty Hollow," four
miles west from McKinney, who came to Texas in 1845, and who is 74 years past.
He says that when he went to mill he and Jim would have a few games of marbles,
and to remind him of these boyhood days over sixty years ago, he presented him
on this occasion a set of large marbles. He said he would beat Mr. Wetsel
playing now were it not for Mr. Wetsel being crippled by a recent fall, and that
he was not the man to beat a cripple. Other old men remembered were: J. D.
Yates, a native of Virginia, now nearing 80, and a Texan since 1875, and E. B.
Peters, in his 67th year, and a Texan for forty-five years. Also Robt. Wilson, a
native of England, who came here in 1861, when 2 years old.
While we were all having a
pleasant time conversing, our hostess announced dinner, and requested the writer
to act as master of ceremonies. Twenty-two old people were seated at the long
table, men facing the ladies, except the bride and groom, Mr. and Mrs. Wetsel,
who were seated side by side. After Mr. Bell of McKinney had photographed the
table and its occupants the write, by request of Elder McKinney, asked a
heavenly Father's blessings upon our host and hostess and their families, and
expressed thanks for the bountiful feast before us. We partook of this splendid
dinner, which was enjoyed by more that 150 persons ere the scene closed. I did
not have time to take notice of the varieties of meats, cakes, pies, etc., but
Walter B. Wilson, who happened not to get to the first table because of his age,
stood around eyeing us. I think he can tell you what they had to eat. Walter B.
and I tried to get the names and addresses of all, but had some trouble to get
an accurate list. We did not attempt to get all their ages owing to our regard
for the modesty of the ladies when ages are to be given. When the writer left
about 4 p. m. Bell had the Wetsel family posing for a picture. To the writer
this day will always, while life lasts and memory exists, be remembered with
great pleasure, and his prayers are for peace and plenty to this very
interesting family, and may the parents be long spared to comfort their numerous
offspring, and may they enjoy many reunions here, and a final reunion where
there will be no separations.
R. C. Horn
Those present--A few names
may have been unavoidable missed, but here are those present, as noted by Elder
Horn and the Courier and Democrat scribe, also their several postoffices:
McKinney--Elder Jno. M.
McKinney, Jas. M. Snyder and wife, W. D. Kerby and wife, M. W. Wilmeth and wife,
Mrs. Lucy Fitzhugh, W. O. Kerr, Mrs. Lucinda Taylor, Lee Dugger and wife, Walter
B. Wilson, R. F. Bell, Pete Lucas, M. L. Taylor and wife, Isom H. Younger, Bob
Moore, George and Walter Fitzhugh, J. H. Wetsel, Miss Maggie Younger, Alexander
Campbell Wetsel, Miss Mollie Kerby, Miss Maude Wetsel, Pete Younger, John
Atkinson, M. W. Wetsel, Wiley W. Wetsel and wife, Charlie Lewis, Lucy May Lewis,
Frank Dugger, Essie Atkinson, Mrs. John Atkinson, Roxie Taylor, Nora Taylor,
Nellie Wetsel, Arlie Atkinson, Mrs. C. E. Lewis, Leta Coffee, Homer, Virgil and
Governor Dugger, Edgar Wetsel, Johnnie Morris, Pearl Wetsel, Bet Cook and wife,
Johnnie and Nora May Taylor, Mr. M. W. Wetsel, Glen and Cecil Wetsel.
Allen--Robt. Wilson and wife,
Elder J. J. Hall, James Wetsel and wife, Joseph S. Wilson, W. R. Leach, Harry
Wilson and wife, Elmer Spurgeon, Dr. W. F. Wolford and wife, Mrs. Enos Macy, Ray
Macy, S. W. Butler and wife, Will Wilson and wife, J. G Wetsel, Homer Wetsel,
Fred, Pauline and Mrs. J. G. Wetsel, Frank Clerk, and wife, Walter Scroggins,
Abel Wilson, Wolford and Mrs. Homer Wetsel, Ruby and Lela Wetsel, Mrs. Jas.
Graham, D. E. and J. M. Mayner.
Princeton--John T. Dugger and
wife.
Krum, Tex.--J. D. Yates.
Denton--E. B. Peter and wife.
Dallas-- B. D. Taylor, Mrs.
C. D. Horn, T. P . Williams and wife, J. W. and E. O. Wetsel, Leslie and Daisy
Wetsel.
Ponder, Tex.--R. J. Chester,
Emory and Joe D. January, Miss Allie January, Mrs. R. J. January, Pearl and
Haskell January.
Sherman--Cy, Tully, Urban and
Gertrude Lucas, Gabe Lucas, Jr., Florence, Katherine and Pauline Lucas, Mrs.
Gabe Lucas, Sr.
Ennis, Tex.--J. B. Hammock
and wife.
Bellvue, Clay county,
Texas--J. W. Kerby and wife, A. Y. Simmons and wife, Pete Wetsel and wife, B. L.
Wetsel and wife, James Wetsel and wife, Irene, Henry and George Dewey Simmons,
little Bettie Wetsel, Frances D. and Sarah Coline Kerby, Buford, Otto and Leona
Wetsel, Eva and Dessa Wetsel, Paralee Simmons, Tully Wetsel.
Mangum, O. T.--R. B. Wetsel
and wife, Jack, Merrill, Willie, Otis, Virgil and May Wetsel.
Josephine--Clifford Yates.
Celina--C. E. Wilson and
wife, Norma and Estelle Wilson.
Montague--Miss Mollie Gates.
Vashti, Clay County,
Texas--J. J. Wetsel, Hughly Simmons.
Denison--Jack and Mrs. R. H.
Kerr.
Tyler, Tex.--Mrs. Frank
Allen, Frances Nadine and William Gabe Allen.
Wetsel Reunion Notes.
En route to the Wetsel
reunion with Elder John M. McKinney, that old pioneer citizen and minister, as
we were crossing Wilson creek bridge, south of town, remarked: "About 150 yards
above this bridge there, fifty years ago, I was baptized by Elder Frank Wilmeth,
brother of Elder J. B. Wilmeth, deceased. Pete Wetsel and I were led into the
water together and baptized. Wetsel is now dead. He was a brother of James
Wetsel, Sr. Aunt Adeline Stewart, now of Claude, Armstrong county, wife of the
first county clerk of Collin county, was also baptized at the same time. We were
converts of a revival meeting held on the vacant lot adjoining your (Courier and
Democrat) office, on the north, in McKinney. That was in July 1854. Elder
McKinney was then a young man of 22. In 1858 he was elected tax assessor and
collector of Collin county, making an efficient and faithful public servant.
After serving his two-year term out he voluntarily retired to his farm at Forest
Grove, five miles southeast of McKinney, declining ever afterwards to again ask
for public office.
W. D. (Uncle Buck) Kerby, who
was present as a lifelong friend, is living on his father's headwright, where he
has continuously resided for sixty years. Mr. Kerby is the oldest child of the
late Uncle Wess and Aunty Patsy Kerby. A son of his married a daughter of James
Wetsel.
One of the oldest men present was J. D. Yates, who, as stated above by Elder
Horn, is in his 80th year. After coming to Texas in 1875 he lived fourteen years
in Allen, then bought property and moved to Josephine. He makes his home around
with his children. His daughter is the wife of one of Uncle Jim Wetsel's sons.
T. P. Williams and wife of
Dallas were present. Mr. Williams is a prominent drummer. His wife is a daughter
of Andrew Wetsel.
The parents of James Wetsel
were Pennsylvania Dutch, a class of citizens especially noted for their
integrity and thrift wherever found throughout the United States. The father,
Henry Wetsel, was born in Delaware, and died in Collin county in 1880. The
mother, nee Miss Nancy Nelson, was born in the same state in 1794. She died in
this county in 1861. Their children were: Mrs. Dr. Andrew Howe, Mrs. Smith,
Peter, David, Louis and James Wetsel and Mrs. Lucinda Taylor. These children,
now dead except the last two named, have a numerous posterity scattered over
Collin and other parts of Texas. Mrs. Lucinda Taylor is 80 years old, and lives
with her son, M. L. Taylor, near the Wetsel school house. She sat at the right
hand of her brother as they ate their reunion dinner.
Bob Wetsel of Mangum, O. T., presented his uncle with a pair of buffalo horns
and a photo of a real Indian taken in all the gaudy toggery and war paint of the
original but fast disappearing red man of the forest.
Mrs. James Wetsel was born in
Giles county, Tennessee, and came to Collin county, Texas, in 1851 with her
father, Wiley Dugger, who settled four miles east of McKinney, where he died in
1895 at the age of 83. She was his only child by his first wife. She is a half
sister to John T., James L. and Lee Dugger, all living east of McKinney, and of
Mrs. M. W. Younger of near town; Mrs. Thomas Gates of Montague and Mrs. Jennie
Demoree of Cleburne. Mr. and Mrs. Wetsel have resided at their present home for
forty-eight years.
All of the children of Mr.
and Mrs. Wetsel are married and scattered but came together on this on this
occasion for a reunion once more with their parents at the old family homestead.
Their names and addresses and order of age are as follows: Wiley W. Wetsel of
McKinney; Mrs. Gabe Lucas, Sherman; Alex C. Wetsel, McKinney; Mrs. R. J.
January, Ponder, Denton county; James J. Wetsel, Jr., Bellvue, Clay county; Pete
Wetsel, Bellvue; Merrill Wetsel, McKinney; Mrs. R. A. Simmons, Bellvue; Ben L.
Wetsel of Bellvue; John G. Wetsel, of Allen; Mrs. J. W. Kerby, Bellvue; Mrs. C.
E. Lewis, McKinney; Homer Wetsel, Allen. All of the sons-in-law except Gabe
Lucas and, all of daughters-in-law except Mrs. James J. Wetsel were present. Ill
health prevented the latter from coming, and Mr. Lucas was called to another art
of the state on business, preventing his presence. All of the forty-six
grandchildren and the two great-grandchildren were present. Only two of the
grandchildren, Mrs. Frank Allen of Tyler and Mrs. J. B. Hammock of Ennis, are
married. They are daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Gabe Lucas. Mr. Hammock, who is an
H. and T. C. engineer, was present, but Mr. Allen, who is in business at Tyler,
could not come. The latter's two children, Frances Nadine and William Gabe, are
the only great-grandchildren, and appear by the side of their great-grandparents
in a group picture, made by R. E. Bell, of this remarkable family gathering.
The Courier and Democrat
extended thanks to Greenwood & Bell of the Blue gallery for a large photo of the
remarkable Wetsel family group, taken at the reunion. Mr. Bell was present with
his camera to aid in perpetuating the memory of the occasion in the most
realistic method possible. We are glad to get such a picture to hang on our
office walls.
Henry Wetsel and son, Louis
and James, built the first mill for grinding flour or corn in McKinney. It was
built in 1848, on the west side of South Tennessee street, at a point nearly
opposite of where the stand pipe of the city waterworks now stands. It was an
incline mile run by six yoke of oxen. They sold out to a man named Wilson, and
the mill, later, fell into the hands of Mr. Short. The Wetsels then (about 1852)
built the first steam flour mill in the city near the old fair grounds. They
also sawed lumber. The mill later became known as the Watts mill.
About the same time (1848)
the Wetsels put in the first mill ever built in McKinney. They also opened up
the first cabinet and furniture making business to be established in the city.
This shop stood on West Virginia street on the site of the present Metz brick
block. Lou and Dave Wetsel devoted most of their attention to the latter
business, while the father and James attended to their milling interests. Lou
Wetsel later associated Isaac Crouch with himself in this little cabinet shop
and prospered. That little, unpretentious business of fifty-six years ago has
grown into the present mammoth Crouch-Saigling company's establishments of
McKinney and Farmersville. Guests at this reunion sat in some of the
split-bottomed chairs which were the first made by the Wetsel brothers after
opening their shop in McKinney. Of course the chairs have been re-bottomed
several times, but the frame work is as sound and well preserved as ever.
Mr. and Mrs. Wetsel made
extensive preparations for the entertainment of their numerous posterity at the
reunion. A beef was barbecued; goat, chicken and ham were served, and the long
table was literally loaded with most tempting viands and good things to eat such
as can only be found at an old-fashioned country dinner. It was a feast fit for
a king which the good old mother, her daughters, daughters-in-law and
grand-daughters spread for the occasion.
One of the several invited
guests present to enjoy the day was the honored family physician, Dr. W. F.
Wolford of Allen. The esteem in which he is held by the children and
grand-children is close akin to that fond affection entertained for the revered
old father and mother of the reunited household. The same tender regard could be
seen to exist for Elders R. C. Horn and Jno. M. McKinney. The ministry and godly
lives of these two old preacher friends of the family had borne fruit. A
generous, sincere welcome greeted them.
PORTRAITS OF
PIONEERS
by Teri Johnson, McKinney Living, Fall 1991
The earliest identified
person to be buried at Pecan Grove was Nancy Wetsel (1794 - 1861) who was
married to Henry Wetsel from whom the Wetsel community (approximately five miles
south of McKinney) is named. Mrs. Wetsel's tombstone bears the earliest
inscription in the park (1791 - 1880) The Wetsels moved to McKinney from
Pennsylvania.
Surname Index
Recommended
Citation:
"The Wetsel Reunion,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
|
