CHAMBERSVILLE
(north of McKinney, south of Weston)
CHAMBERSVILLE - 1847 - 1919
by Mae Beth Bryan White
Chambersville is 126 years old. In 1847 Elisha and Margaret
Chambers, along with six of their children left their home in Indiana and came
to Texas. Elisha found the place where he wanted to buy his land and establish
his home. It was near the East Fork Creek. He bought several sections of land in
Collin and Dallas Counties, and built his home just east of he present church
and cemetery. They had seven more children after coming to Texas. One of their
babies lived only a few months and they buried him on their own land. Elisha
then drew up a deed giving the land around the baby's grave to be used for a
cemetery and a school "forever and ever." So you will find the oldest grave in
the cemetery right in the middle of it - Lewis Case Chambers - 1852. Some of the
land that Elisha bought is still in the same family.
The community was first called Chambers. In 1881 Mr. Moore,
Mrs. Harold Frazier's grandfather, wrote in his diary that he was keeping the
baby while Mary, his wife, went to "The Christmas Tree Show" at Chambers school.
There was a post office here for several years, located in the
store.
In preparing this brief history, many questions came to mind
in regard to the early days of this community. I found nothing, except the
information I have given that gave any history prior to the 1880's. It would
have been interesting to know something of the community during the Civil War
days. I do know that my grandfather, J. M. Bryan, came here in 1859; served in
Co. C, 9th Tex. Infantry, was wounded and taken prisoner for five months. He
returned home to recuperate, then enlisted again and served on the frontier of
Texas until the Civil War ended. He returned home and married Elizabeth
Chambers, daughter of Elisha, in 1866. These blank places in our history made me
realize the importance of compiling all the information we can. Most of my
record has to do with Chambersville in the early 1900's. We moved away in 1919.
Two families who moved into this neighborhood several years
ago said when they were making plans to buy their farms and build their homes
here, that every where they went in Dallas, Richardson, or Plano there was
always someone who said "I'm from Chambersville!" These new families said "We're
going to change the trend. We're going to start them coming to instead of going
from Chambersville!"
Mr. Moore left us another bit of information about the early
school. His little daughter, Linnet: (Mrs. Frazier's mother) started to school
at Chambers in 1888, along with her cousin, Laura, who came to spend the winter
with them. Mr. Moore built a stable at the school so that Linnet's horse would
have shelter through the day, but Mr. Moore said that the mare refused to go in
the stable. He recorded that there were 50 pupils in 1889.
There was no church building prior to 1905; services were held
in the school and on the school lawn.
In 1905 the land that the church stands on today was acquired
from J. M. Bryan for the purpose of building a church. The ones who represented
the church in the transaction were Mr. Rivers, Mr. Priest and Mr. Close. The
Burton family came here earlier that year and some of them remember when the
church was built. Bernice Chandler recalls that Mr. Sam Harris told her that the
day the church was dedicated the roads were so muddy, the main road to the south
was impassable. They went to the road which comes in in front of Tommy
Thompson's house and were able to get here.
I recall that at one time there were 13 homes on Main Street
(the road running north and south in front of the church). This didn't include
those near the road - just the houses on it. Many of you recall one of those
houses as your home. These families lived off of the land, but there were
industries here, also, in the early 1900's.
There was a cotton gin which employed several people. Back of
the gin was a saw mill. Hazel Jordan reminded me that the saw mill was also an
ice storage plant, the ice being covered with the saw dust would keep for a long
period of time. The threshing machine kept several people busy and away from
home during harvest time. At one time there was a millinery store (in the
teacherage) where we bought our Easter hats. Also there was a sorghum mill.
There was a blacksmith shop just north of the store. When the water line was
laid a few years ago a number of horse shoes were unearthed at that spot. Also,
in that shop, Mr. Tom Robison and his father-in-law made caskets and lined them
with brocade. Mr. Robison also made the benches for the church. There was the
store; there were two stores here at one time, Lucille Drury Anderson, operating
one here for a few years. But the store on the corner is the one that the
"old-timers" recall. All of us have happy memories connected with the store
which was run at different periods of time by J. M. Bryan, Jim Thompson, W. R.
Brimer, Charlie Nixon, Ben Giles, Trab Burton and Butch Burton. All this on Main
Street-Chambersville.
Most of the entertainment was centered around the school. The
school was originally a one room building Some of the early teachers were
Florence Chambers, J. H. Hill and W. S. Smith.
Mr. Zollie Taylor was in school here in 1890's. He recalled
that they would always "run off" from school on April Fools' Day and go to the
woods east of here. Those of us who did the same thing 10 or 15 years later
could add that we hunted wild violets and "Johnny jump ups." Mr. Taylor said
that he had been to may "Exhibitations" at the school. That was what they called
the end of the school program. There were two "Elocutionists" who were always on
program -- Wade Jordan and "the Saunders girl." W. P. Lockhart played his
fiddle. He told me how the teacherage got its name. Willie Bob Saunders said "We
say 'Parsonage' where the parson lives. Why not say 'Teacherage' where the
teacher lives?"
Aline Burton Robison recalls that in 1905 - 06 W. S. Smith was
the teacher for about 100 pupils. The older children would help with the little
ones. Many people recall the Chambersville Band which was called on for
entertainment on many occasions, including the numerous picnics in the county.
This band functioned for several years under the leadership of W. S. Smith. Some
of the members were Milt and Lish Chambers, Will and Charlie Bryan, Willie Bob
Saunders, T. J. (Bud) Taylor, George and Neil Close, Gus Giles and Ross Orenduff.
Everyone looked forward to Friday nights. The Exhibitions
changed to Literary Society meetings. There were Box Suppers or Ice Cream
Suppers. Friday afternoon was the time for Spelling matches.
Around 1908 -10 the one room school had a partition installed
and it became a two teacher school. I remember when this school was torn down to
make room for our lovely four room school, but don't remember the date. The new
school had three teachers. One room could be opened up for an auditorium on the
north side of the building or divided into two rooms, one of which was used for
the "Red Cross room" during World War I.
The Sunday night singings led by C. M. Bryan will always be
remembered by those who lived here in the early 1900's. Mr. Taylor said that the
"Singings" were in the school on Sunday afternoon when he was a school boy. W.
S. Smith led them and groups came from Melissa, Weston and other places, the
school always being filled to capacity. Perhaps this background has something to
do with the good singing still heard in the Chambersville Church.
There was the annual Christmas Tree with real candles and
strings of popcorn.
Perhaps revival meetings should not be referred to as
entertainment, but they drew large crowds, not only because of the preaching and
singing but because of the opportunity to see neighbors and friends.
1918 was the year of the flu epidemic that swept the Unite
States and took many lives. Chambersville did not escape. Almost every family
was stricken with the dread disease. There has never been a time when there were
so many funerals in Chambersville in such a short period of time, and most of
those who died were young people. Only a few people were at the funerals,
because most of them were sick or cautious. But when this terrible time is
recalled by those who lived here, they pass hurriedly over the tragedy of it to
the recollection of how neighbors looked after neighbors. There was always some
one who came, perhaps by horseback, to minister to the needs of the family.
If I were to start calling the names of those who gave so much
of themselves to this community, I would certainly leave someone out, so I won't
attempt it. But there was one name that kept coming up as I interviewed several
people. There is no record that he left anything of material value to the
community but his contribution was his total commitment to helping people. W. S.
Smith who taught school for about $40.00 a month; who visited in the homes of
all his pupils; who organized activities. As Mr. Taylor said "He kept the young
people occupied." Three quarters of a century later the influence of this
Christian gentleman is still felt.
We have seen many changes take place over the years, some of
which make the "old timers" feel sad, but we recognize that progress has
broadened our horizons. Without exception, all of you with whom I have talked
recently have said "Those were happy days." We're thankful for the happy
memories that we have of this community and of those who contributed so much.
Chambersville
Weekly
Democrat Gazette, May 11, 1913
contd Helm
I. M.
(Doc) Dyer, late of Valley View, Cook County, but formerly a citizen of Collin,
subscribed for the Best Paper On Earth.
He
moved to Cook County in 1902 where he purchased a farm but sold it last year and
returned to the garden spot of the world. His youngest son, who was maimed for
life in an accident when a child, is a book keeper in the Auditor's department
of the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Company, in Fort Worth.
W. T.
Childs, who is one of this community's best citizens renewed for the Best Paper
On Earth and stated that his alfalfa was almost ready for the first cutting.
Another
good citizen and prosperous farmer, who renewed for The Democrat-Gazette is Ed
Mayes, who in 1906, was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Reeves and there is
just one boy of three years to gladden the home. We knew Mrs. Hayes in her
girlhood, as we often stopped in the home of her deceased father, S. A. Reeves,
on our rounds for The Democrat, before it consolidation with The Gazette.
T. W.
Bigby, who is one of our old and valued readers in this community renews for his
favorite county-seat paper, The Democrat-Gazette., because its the only paper
published in Collin County that stops at the expiration of time paid for. He and
Mrs. Bigby owned a farm in Upsher County, but sold it eight years ago and moved
into Collin County because it contains the richest soil on earth.
J. B.
Burch, who owns one of the best improved farms on the banks of the East Fork,
renews for The Weekly Democrat-Gazette. His splendid farm and happy home are the
just reward of industry, perseverance and kindness.
A. T.
Broyles is a brand new benedict, and a brand new subscriber. Reared in Denton
County, where his well-to-do parents continue to reside, but, falling a victim
to one of Cupid's darts, "put it over" to boys of Collin by appropriating to his
own use, one of its fairest flowers in the person of Miss Barbara Mosely,
daughter of our friend, Esquire Mosely of Weston.
J. J.
McClain, probably the most noted Duroo Jersey hog man of North Texas, was absent
at the time of our call, bit in Mrs. McClain we found a most clever hostess, who
invited us to remain for dinner. It was wash day and Mrs. McClain was profuse in
her apologies for the "short diner" as she called it, but this hungry scribe
made a Villa like dash for a big dish of wilted lettuce, mustard and onions
ending the engagement by capturing a big bowl filled with tomatoes, expressing
our gratitude to the considerate hostess after drinking a full quart of strong,
hot coffee. Our information was that Mr. McClain had sold out everything but his
favorite brood sows and a few male shoats. The demand was far greater than his
supply. One hundred pigs, now only a few weeks old, and others soon to be
farrowed will be on the fall market. Mrs. McClain is a chicken fancier, the
Black Lanshangs being her favorite breed which she says are prolific excellent
table fowls and the hens kind and watchful mothers. She will probably have some
of her fowls at the Poultry Institute in McKinney this fall. The Daily
Courier-Gazette goes regularly into this home, placed there by Miss Nettie
Anderson for a term of two years. Mrs. McClain was Miss Ora Chandler before her
marriage ten years ago and there are only three children -- one young American
with an ambition to be a hog man and two pretty girls. We bade Mrs. McClain and
the children adieu promising to return on a wash day on our next annual round
and to maintain our reputation for the fondness of "short" dinners.
***
contd. Coffman
Chambersville
Daily Courier Gazette, April 13, 1913
J. M. Hume has lived in this community for two years
cultivating one of J. P. Crouch's farms. We are under obligations to Mrs. Hume
for a dinner, and she will read it in the Democrat-Gazette for it has been going
into the home for thirteen years.
F. H. Priest who lives with his widowed mother had us to
enroll him on the Daily Courier-Gazette. He realizes since the death of his
father that the responsibilities of home to some extent, at least, rest upon his
shoulders, and by reading a good daily paper he would be able to cope with any
situation that might confront him.
Another gentleman's subscription which we highly appreciate,
is that of J. W. Anderson, living on the farm of Sam Harris. The Daily
Courier-Gazette is a paper he likes, and we were anxious to unload. He and Miss
Lucinda Putty were united thirty years ago. There are only four children, two
boys and tow girls. This family is from Tennessee, and fifteen years ago came to
Texas.
We stopped for a few minutes with Otho Harris who is
constructing a gasoline traction machine. He has used some wheels taken from old
binders, threshers and odd pieces of rods and other material lying around the
farm, and with his tools and forge, has ready for the road, a machine that will
pull a wagon, furnish the power for operating a hay press or running a wood saw.
The engine is new and made for an automobile which he ordered direct from the
factory. By means of levers and brakes he can start, stop and go either forward
or backward at will. He is not only a machinist., but a genius.
J. L. Hays also came from Middle Tennessee, arriving from the
old Volunteer State in 1901, with his wife and five children, stopping for eight
years on the farm of John Chandler. At present, he is living on the farm of H.
McCormick where he and his two sons cultivate 75 acres of land and will harvest
40 acres of alfalfa. He also has a number of bee hives from which he will soon
begin to extract that purest of sweets-honey. We acknowledge a dollar on
subscription to the Democrat-Gazette which he will find each week brim full of
news and freighted with the latest local happenings.
On this trip of only two days we contracted a severe cold
causing a hoarseness that rendered us unable to make the usual "spiel" so
necessary before a "conversion" to the Democrat-Gazette way can be placed on the
record. We returned to the city early Wednesday morning where our talking
apparatus has been undergoing repairs.
With Buckskin fresh from the Hotel de Skelton after nearly a
week of inactivity, sniffing the smoke of battle afar, we return to the scenes
for former struggles imbued with hope, fired with ambition and a heart
o'erflowing with love and human kindness. "Love," says Ingersoll,"is the perfume
of that wondrous flower, the heart: love is the morning and evening star that
sheds a radiance upon the tomb." The great agnostic could not consistently say
that love was an attribute of the Most High, but hose of us who have embraced
the tenets and teachings of the world's greatest Examplar, believe that love
springs from the great heart of the Father whose breath is the means by which it
comes fro His bosom into the souls of men, bringing to each the assurance of
divine favor and joint heirship with our crucified Savior and risen Lord. "In
essential, unity: and in all thing, charity."
D. W. Leigh
CHAMBERSVILLE JOTTINGS
Daily Courier Gazette, February 1, 1938
by Mrs. O. S. Scott
In a brief visit to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McCormack,
we were most graciously welcomed. This very worthy old couple are the owners of
a well improved farm. Their long life of industry, frugality, honest dealings
and other virtues have resulted in giving them a competence for their latter
days and a host of steadfast, loyal friends. Now in the midst of the
companionship of their only child and grandchildren, they are enjoying the
fruits of their labor and worthy living as they enter deeper and deeper into the
twilight shades of life. Their ages are 80 and 77, respectively. Henry McCormack
is a native of Pennsylvania, whose parents were John and Margaret (Fisher)
McCormack. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, while his mother came from
German ancestry. They came to Texas, in 1861, settling near Weston, in this
county. Mrs. McCormack's maiden name was Celesta Florence Rose. She was born in
the state of Iowa. Her parents were Ezekial and Rachel Rose. Her father was a
native of Indiana, while her mother was born at Belmont, Ohio. Both of these
dear old parents of hers now are peacefully sleeping in the Bell Cemetery in
Lamar County. Celesta Rose and Henry McCormack were united in marriage May 12,
1880. Three children were born to them - two sons died in infancy and one
daughter, Dolly, is now Mrs. S. W. Loftice, who, with her husband, live nearby
her parents, whom she daily visits and helps to look after. Mr. and Mrs.
McCormack have been residents on their farm and at present home for forty-eight
years. He owned a mill and a shop located in his yard, being an expert mechanic.
He has gained quite a reputation for his skill in making home-manufactured
pocket knives, some of them the smallest we have ever seen. The McCormack home
has its own orchard, berry vines, grape vineyard and some of the most prolific
apple trees that we know of. Mrs. McCormack is one of the only three children,
who survive out of a family of nine brothers and sisters. One sister, Mrs. May
Pitts, lives at Cain Hill, Arkansas, and a brother, Joe B. Rose, lives at
Winslow, in the same state. Mr. McCormack has two sisters and one brother still
living. They are Mrs. W. R. West of Route 7, Hillsboro, Texas; Mrs. J. W.
Thompson, 99 Vineyard Avenue, Hillsboro, Texas and Alex McCormack of Sulphur
Springs, Missouri.
Another worthy couple of the Chambersville community whom we
visited are Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Robinson. He is a former gin man, widely known
among farmers. He has owned and operated gins at Chambersville, Weston and
Melissa. However, due to ill health, he is now retired and living on their farm
which is chiefly cultivated by a tractor by his son-in-law, Moss Conner. Mr.
Robinson is an Alabaman by birth, having been born near Athens, that state. Mrs.
Robinson was formerly Miss Louise Noblitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M.
Noblitt of Booneville, Tennessee. Her parents moved from Tennessee to Alabama
when she was a little girl. She became the bride of W. T. Robinson in Alabama on
August 11, 1889. The couple came to Texas forty-five years ago. They located at
Melissa, where they spent two years, then moving to Chambersville, about four
miles west of Melissa, where they resided since. They reared a large family of
children to be useful men and women, all now scattered and married and
established in homes of their own. Their children are as follows: Claude
Robinson of Melissa; A. E. Robinson of Prosper; B. D. Robinson of Pampa, Texas;
Mrs. C. R. Dyer, Greenville; Cecil Robinson, Littlefield, West Texas; Mrs. S. T.
Jordan, Route 2, Plano; Mrs. Bennie Love, McKinney; Mrs. R. F. Lawson, 314 North
Fitzhugh, Dallas; Fred Robinson and Oral Robinson, both still living in the
Chambersville community. Two little daughters died while quite young. They were
Nadine and Mary. The latter's death resulted from choking herself on a pecan
kernel, dying before she could be taken to a physician. Sam Robinson, another
son, passed away, two years ago, from injuries sustained in an auto accident
near McKinney. Mrs. W. T. Robinson has one sister living, Mrs. W. E. Stinnett of
Athens, Alabama; and one brother, Wiley Noblitt, who lives in the McDonald
community, southeast of McKinney. Another brother, Clayton Noblitt, passed at
his home in Fort Worth about two years ago.
Crops in the Chambersville community are looking fairly well
and with a little more sunshine and a few warm days, a great improvement will
doubtless take place. Chambersville is rated very highly as a farming community.
For many years, Sam Harris, "the Alfalfa King of Collin County," lived in this
community. His son, O. C. Harris, succeeded to this honor when his father died
and is regarded as one of the most successful farmers in the entire county. He
raises ans saves lots of alfalfa. He usually stores his product and sells it
when the market is up during the late fall, winter, and early spring months. Mr.
Harris is an extensive farmer and landowner, who knows how to manage his
business affairs in a successful way.
JOTTINGS BY THE WAY
Daily Courier Gazette, June 8, 1938
Mrs. O. S. Scott
Friday morning we drove out to Chambersville. Our first stop
was with Mrs. J. R. Frisby, and she gave us a one-dollar bill to have The Weekly
Democrat-Gazette come as a welcome visitor into her home for the ensuing year.
Rachel and Reece, as we familiarly know this worthy couple, have lived on the
late Claud White farm, all of their married life. They have reared two lovely
daughters - Miss Margaret, who is now teaching in Ireland, Texas, and Miss
Evelyn, now Mrs. Gardell Chandler. The latter and her husband and sweet little
daughter, Bobbie Jack, live nearby on what was formerly the J. J. Allen farm.
This large farm where the Frisbys live is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Harold
Frazier of Farwell, Texas, the latter being the daughter of the late Claud White
and wife. Mr. Frisby has the management of the entire tract of land. Mr. and
Mrs. Tom W. Jordan and little daughter, Mary Frances, reside in the other
residence on the big farm. This is a modern farm, with many conveniences. We
noted a telephone line connecting the homes of Mr. Frisby and Mr. Chandler. Mrs.
Frisby specializes in raising Narragansett turkeys, raising them for stock
turkeys. She says, "It pays to advertise," since she recently inserted a small
advertisement in our papers, and all of her turkeys have been sold - and still
the orders come in!
Mrs. J. L. Mell was at home, enjoying the beautiful sunshine.
Her sister, Miss Ruby Ivy, who makes her home with Miss Ivy and Mrs Ellington
are twin sisters.
Our next stop was at W. O. Herron's general merchandise store.
Mrs. Herron and her little daughter, Alma Jo, were in charge and very busy they
were, too, waiting on the trade.
Mrs. Everett Burnside was in Alverd visiting her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. T. L. Frost, when this representative called at their home.
We also stopped by the blacksmith shop and corn mill being
operated by J. F. Fuller, formerly of Pike. Mr. Fuller is giving a very much
needed community service. His place of business is located on the Roy C. Roberts
farm.
Mrs. J. R. Close, who owns and operates a general merchandise
store, informs us that they had received news of the death of her aunt, Mrs.
Bettie McGlothlin of Irvington, Kentucky. She was injured in an automobile
collision being thrown from the car to the pavement, causing concussion of the
brain, from which she never recovered. Mrs. McGlothlin was a sister of the late
J. K. Drury. Mrs. Close and her mother, Mrs. J. K. Drury, motored through and
spent several weeks with the deceased last summer.
We visited the Chambersville school at the noon hour. We
slipped up on Mrs. R. R. Littrell as she was playing basketball with the
youngsters and watched her make the goal. "Miss Irma", as she is lovingly called
by everyone, is serving her seventh consecutive year as teacher at Chambersville.
She and Mr Littrell reside in the teacherage. Since the addition of more rooms,
all of the teachers, except Prof. C. D. Taylor, superintendent - live at the
teacherage. It might be of interest to some to know the teachers at the time.
They are: Superintendent, Prof. C. D. Taylor of McKinney, serving his fourth
year. Mrs. R. R. Littrell, seventh year. Miss Loreta Taylor, McKinney, third
year. Miss Ernestine Vernon, Rockwall, fourth year. Miss Lurine Fisk, Fort
Worth. Miss Evelyn Stalls, Deport. Miss Evol Gilmore, McKinney.
Mr. Taylor gave the Honor Roll for this semester. We were
shown the gymnasium where they hold assembly, P. T. A. meetings, present plays,
and all ball games are played. It is really a community center and a valued
adjunct to the school.
When we visited the home of Mrs. G. E. Craft, we found her
absent. She is visiting her children in Dallas. Her son, Floyd Wallen, and wife
have apartments there. We learned that Mrs. Wallen was just recovering from a
severe attack of the influenza. She holds a responsible position with the
McKinney Textile Mills, while Mr. Wallen manages the farm for his mother. Mrs.
Wallen had us enroll her name on our list of new subscribers for the Weekly
Democrat-Gazette for the ensuing year.
cont'd with Weston
Chambersville Cemetery
Communities Index
- Recommended
citation:
"Chambersville
- Collin County Communities," Collin County,
Texas History and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries,
Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13 13:37:28 US/Central 2004 ].
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