Eller Chronicles November 1990 p-5

The Eller Chronicles

Vol. IV NO 4. p-5	THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION	NOVEMBER 1990

(Eds. This letter and the following stories, pp.216-223, concerns individuals and families listed as descendants of James Mc. Eller (Jacob/3/, Jacob/2/, Jacob/l/)

pp. 113-123, Vol. IV, No.3, 21 June, 1990

The Eller Chronicles, 4206 Winchester

(Aug. 1990) Odessa, Texas 79762

Mr. J. Gerald Eller
Route 2 Box 145 D
Whittier, NC 28789

Dear Mr. Eller,

Thank you so very much for all the information. This is all so exciting, receiving so much Eller information in such a short time and finding where my Eller family fits into such a large, already researched group. Right at the moment I have my papers divided, part at home and some here at work with me so I may have to wait one more day before I get this in the mail.
I have been working on a stick chart, as suggested by Mr. William Eller and have, after copying it over three times, come to a point that I would like to pull out my hair. I have eleven generations and have again run out of room, this time without a large group of the Hardin double cousins. I can have the chart reproduced, at the cost of about $6.00, but if someone in the Eller Family Association has computer capabilities to produce one of these charts, it will undoubtedly be more legible. It is not the six dollars that I am concerned about, only that anyone can get any use from the information. If it would help the association in any way, someone let me know and I will send a copy for you all to see.
In fact, I have not included all the Hardin double cousins in my Descendant Chart. On page two of the chart you sent me for proof reading, I have several generations more of the families of Annie Elizabeth Eller and Reverend William Calvin Hardin. Mrs. Alvin Annie Hardin produced a small family history book entitled, Eller, Hardin Family several years ago and then in 1989 The Hardin Heritage. I have copies of both books if anyone is interested in this amount of information on this branch of the family. I have enclosed a copy of one story in the Hardin Heritage, since it's subject is Annie Elizabeth Eller. I do not know if the Eller family association is aware of the relationship with Dolly Madison and George Washington, but one of the enclosed stories will explain this. My line of Eller's is not related to Charles Holbert Eller or his mother, Eleanor Cole, but the story is very interesting and well worth saving. I have received family rumors that Charles Holbert Eller was noted as the "Grand nephew to Daniel Boone." I have no proof, but feel it must have been through his mother's line that he was related as I have never heard that claim of any other in the Eller family.
I do so appreciate the information on the mother of James Mc Eller, now I feel sure he was named for his mother, Mc Carty.
James McCarty Eller married Eleanor Cole on 06 April, 1832, had two children, twins, Charles Holbert Eller and Mary Ellen Eller on 21 September, 1835. About 1852 the widower, Mr. Eller married Serepha Davis, nee Mills. In 1853 the first child of

-214-

this union was born, Madora Josephine Eller, in Missouri and in 1857 the second child, Susanna Eller was born in Kerr County, Texas. The history of Kerr County, Texas states that some of the early settlers in Kerr county were the Eller, Hardin and Joy families. Both James Mc and Charles Holbert Eller were noted to have served in grand juries for the county and were active in the local religious life. James Mc Eller died in New Mexico while he was visiting one of his step sons, John Davis. Most of the family seems to have been very dear to each other, as they lived near each other for many years, or visited each other for extended periods. James Eller was the father of seven children, but only two were males. The elder son, Charles Holbert was the only one of the two that had issue. I have one aunt, Hazel Ruth Mangold Bierschwale, still living and she disagrees with my information that Fines Eller was married. She states that she remembers Fines well and that he did not have the mental capacity to marry. None the less I found the information that he married a Sallie B. Moose.
I am enclosing stories written by various people about the Eller, Hardin, Mangold families and you will find discrepancies in spellings, dates and various other information, but I am sending them to you just as I received them. One of the stories gives the account of how the family got from Texas to the Oklahoma panhandle and became "Sooner's." I have information about various other branches of the family. Let me know how much you would like to have and please feel free to use it in the manner you feel will best serve the family association news letter. Pick out pieces and parts and add them where ever you feel they will fit best.
Is there any chance of me getting a copy of Vol. I No. 1 Nov., 1987 and Vol. II No. 1 Feb., 1988 of The Eller Chronicles. I would like to have copies of as much information as is available. I have already sent in my application for the Eller Family Association. When we received the copy of the last issue and read about the reunion scheduled for 1991 in Colorado, my husband agreed that we would be going to Colorado next summer.
I will gather the rest of the information I intend to enclose with this letter and get it in the mail tomorrow. I am looking forward to receiving more information and hope that the exposure in the Chronicles will aid someone else in their search.

Yours truly,

(signature)

Gayle Berlin
4206 Winchester
Odessa, Texas 79762
915 /368 -7342

P.S. I feel sure these are questions I have not answered. Sorry, ask again if you need more info.

Gayle

-215-

THE MANGOLD STORY
WRITTEN BY OTTO, JR.

John Adam Mangold was born in Switzerland in 1833, came to America with his family, he fought in the Civil War and became a school teacher in Japonica, Texas, which is now Hunt, Texas. 1869 he married one of his students, Madora Josephine Eller, She was born in Missouri in 1853. Her family, the James Eller's moved to Japonica when she was a baby. In 1883, after a family of 6 children and one on the way, Grandpa was persuaded by a colony leader to go with him across the Rio Grande River from Eagle Pass and teach in his new colony and help him start the colony.
He loaded up his family in three wagons, took livestock and headed to Mexico in the spring of 1884. When they arrived at the river, a terrible electrical storm hit and all their live stock scattered and were lost in the storm Grandpa was already sick physically and mentally worried about his move to Mexico. After crossing the Rio Grande at Eagle Pass and making camp, Grandpa became very sick with Bright's Disease and died. (Age 51)

Grandma loaded her belongings and children, came back to the U.S. side and buried Grandpa in Eagle Pass and headed for Hunt, Texas. Upon arrival, she found her livestock all in tact at their farm which was leased out. She camped on Turkey creek where her father and mother lived and on July 22, 1884 my father was born completing her seven children who were:

BORN	CHILDREN	GRANDCHILDREN
1870	Mary Ann Joy, Miller, Short	Clara & Shelly Joy
1874	Henry Mangold	No Marriage
1875	Emma Hale	Billy, Jr., Alma, Nay, Alex,
		and Velma
1877	Curt Mangold	Hazel and Otho
1880	Ed Mangold	Temple, Bonnie, Johnnie
		Jakie and Alice (twins)
1882	Louise Keller	Mable, Mildred, Melba,
		Madaline, Mala,
		Johnny and Jessie
1884	Otto Mangold	Mary Jo, Otto, Jr.
		and Floy Gene

-216-

Grandma had two half brothers, Jim & Charley Eller, who, in 1891 rode horse back to what is known as the Eller Flat (named after them) north west of Durham, Oklahoma. They dug a dugout on what is known today as the John Smith Place, just over the Texas line. They wrote Grandma Mangold and insisted on her coming to this "Land of Milk & Honey" because "you will see the day when this land will be worth a $1.00 an acre."
Grandma's oldest son, Henry, aged 17 rode up from Hunt to see if this was "paradise". He thought it couldn't be beat for a place to live, so he staked off 160 acres, 2 miles east of the Texas and Oklahoma line on what is known as Mangold Creek, 2 miles west and 2 1/2 miles north of Durham, Oklahoma which in 1892 was Antelope, Indian Territory.
Henry rode back in January of 1892 and on April lst the 5 month trek to Grandma's homestead started. All seven children including Aunt Mary Joy and her two girls Clara and Shelly came with her.
“Note" Aunt Mary's husband, Mr. Joy, had been killed by his relative, named Jolly over a "religious difference". Point of interest - "Jolly Killed Joy".
My father was 8 years old and Aunt Louise was 10, they would ride the coupling Poles under the wagon, find all kinds of bird nests, even wild turkey eggs, good to eat. They picked wild fruit and learned to eat possum and other animals too numerous to mention.
They arrived at the Eller dugout on October lst, 1892 and the next day went over the State line and started a one room log cabin, in which they lived that winter and in the summer of 1893 a one room house was built near the log cabin. In about 1920 a new two room house was built across the front of the original one room'.
Grandmother Mangold never remarried because she was too busy helping other mothers have their children. She was a mid-wife for over 100 children between the Pock-Saddle Bridge on the east to the Canadian River Bridge near Canadian, Texas on the west. Dr. Newman who was the Early Day Doctor at Ale Grand, across from the Antelope hills used Grandma on many occasions to help with a delivery.
Grandma passed from this life at age 92 in 1945. She had been blind for over 20 years.
Curt, Mary and Henry homesteaded west of Grandma and Ed and Otto's homesteaded north and east of Grandma. The only original Mangold homestead still owned by the heirs is Uncle Ed's place.

Signed:
Otto Mangold, Jr.
2405 Navajo Road
Pampa, Texas 79065
December, 1987

-217-

ANNIE ELIZABETH ELLER
Wife of Rev. William Calvin Hardin

Annie Elizabeth Eller was born April 26, 1869 in Kerrville, Texas. Her father was Charles Holbert Eller born September 21, 1835, Booneville Missouri. Her mother was Martha Jane Snow.

The Ellers had a ranch in Southwest Oklahoma and occasionally they made a trip by covered wagons down into Texas and Mexico and rounded up mustangs. They would drive the mustangs back to Oklahoma Indian Territory. They would break the mustangs for saddle as well as for the Plow. They kept the ones needed for their own use at their ranch and sold the remainder, Possibly to the army. It was on one of these trips, which was possibly 2000 miles round trip, that after arrival at Kerrville, Texas, that Annie Elizabeth was born.

Let's go back a bit in family history! William Temple Cole and his sister, Lucy Cole were Huguenots that sailed from Bristol, England, arrived in America and settled in Virginia in 1750. (Note: "Culpepper and Hanover County, Virginia History”) Also, many references are made in the history of Wythe County, Virginia of the Coles. (I) William Temple Cole's wife was Nellie Boundes. They were parents of three children: (2-1) William Temple Cole who married Hannah Allison; (2-2) Stephen Cole who married Phoebe Allison (sister of Hannah); and (2-3) Rhoda Cole who married Joseph Stephens.

The Coles finally migrated from Virginia to Missouri. Hannah Cole has been designated "Pioneer Mother of Missouri” and there is a monument erected to her memory at Booneville, Missouri.

(2-2) William Temple Cole and his wife were the Parents of nine children: (3-4) Nellie (Eleanor) Cole was their fourth child. She was married on April 1, 1832, to James Eller. They were the parents of twins;

-218-

*(4-1) Charles Holbert Eller, b. 9/21/1835 and m. Martha Jane Snow.

(4-2) Mary Ellen Eller, b. 9/. 21/1835 and m. Marshal Elder.

*(4-1) Charles Holbert Eller and Martha Jane Snow were parents of thirteen childten (5-5) Annie Elizabeth Eller was their fifth child. We are now back to the beginning of our story. This Annie Elizabeth Eller is none other thin the one who married Rev William Calvin Hardin in Kerrville, Texas, June 2, 1886.

It is interesting to note that (II-1) Lucy Cole (sister of William Temple Cole) married John Payne. They were parents of nine children. (2-3) Their third child was Dorothea (Dolly) Payne who in her 2nd ~marriage became the wife of James Madison who later became the fourth president of the United States. One of Dolly's sisters was (2-4) Lucy Payne, m. George Steptoe Washington (nephew of George Washington, First President of the U. S.) Another sister (2-5) Anna Payne, m. Richard Cutts of Massachusetts (House of Representatives). Then there was a sister (2-6) Mary Payne, m. Congressman John C. Jackson of Virginia. Some interesting books to read are: “Dorthea Payne _ Wuakeress” by Ella Kent Banard; also, “Dolly Madison” by Elizabeth Lippincott Dean.

It was not too many years until Rev Hardin became known throughout western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle as he had preached and held revivals in many places. Finally he decided to buy a large tent and he went many places holding revivals. By this time his sons were nearly grown and as they had been well trained in running the farm and ranch they could carry on while their father was away in revival. Their mother, Annie, was a good wife, a good mother, and one who could superintend the work and keep law and order among the children in the absence of her husband.

In later years, Rev Hardin was called as a full time pastor for the Baptists in Crawford, Oklahoma. He also put in a general store. As his congregation paid him a salary he put it away separately and finally when enough was accumulated he built a new church building for the Baptists in Crawford, Oklahoma.

The years sped by and all of the children had married and only Reubin, Alvin, Lillian and Hubert remained at home. Rev Hardin decided to move to Texas so he came to Segovia (near Junction) and bought a ranch. They lived on this ranch until the close of World War 1.

Now that his health was failing he decided he needed a warmer climate for his aching bones. After all, Texas Hill Country can get very cold in the wintertime. He went. south of Uvalde, Texas in 1925 and bought a small truck farm at Batesville, Texas. He operated this truck farm as long as he was physically able, He passed away on October 5, 1935, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Batesville, Texas.

He, and his wife Annie, were true pioneers. They lived, loved, brought up their family in the ways of the Lord and brought Jesus Christ into the hearts of many, many people during their nearly 50 years of married life. Rev Hardin could truly say, as did the Apostle Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

-219-

MANGOLD, JAMES CURTIS AND MATILDA (HARDIN)

James Curtis Mangold (b. Dec. 5, 1877, d. Jan. 8, 1974) married Matilda Serena Hardin (b. May 4, 1878, d. Mar. 18, 1954) on Aug. 24, 1902 in Antelope, Oklahoma. He was known as "Curt" and was the fourth of seven children born to John Adam Mangold and Madora Josephine Eller. The John Mangold family had gone to the Oklahoma Territory from Kerr County, Texas before to the time it was opened for settlement, thereby earning the name of "Sooners," meaning they had gone to the area "sooner" than other settlers.

Matilda Serena Hardin, known as Tilda, was the eighth of twelve children born to William Abijah Hardin and Martha York. The Hardin family was among the first settlers in Kerr County, Texas and were active in both civic and religious development of that area.

The fathers of both Curt and Tilda served our country during the Civil War. Curt's father had come to this country from Basil, Switzerland as a "Hessian" (paid soldier) along with his brother. John Adam Mangold served with the Confederate Army, while his brother served with the Union Army. Tild's father and grandfather, whose name was Asher Garner Hardin, both fought with the Confederate Army and were wounded in the service of their country.

The early years of marriage for Curt and Tilda were spent in Oklahoma, where they were to have three children: Emmett Lee (b. July 8, 1903 d. June 28, 1904): Hazel Ruth (b. Jan. 28, 1905), and Otho Curtis (b. October 11, 1908 d. Feb. 14, 1958). The family eventually came back to Texas, farming or ranching in Kerr, Kimble, and Blanco Counties. They once operated the Segovia Store and Post Office in Kimble County, and also briefly operated a cafe in Blanco. They had several setbacks in farming and ranching, due to the depression, and devastating livestock diseases. About 1944 they moved to Harper, their final home. They were active Baptists, very neighborly and loved to play dominoes. The last words of Matilda were indicative of her faith. She awakened in the night, in their home and told Curt, "I know I'm going to die. I'm not afraid, but I hate to leave you!" She died of a heart attack. Curt lived twenty years after his wife's death. He lived several years as an amputee, first having one leg removed, then a few years later, the other leg. Curt remained his jolly self, often joking and laughing and helping others laugh! Family and friends loved to hear him play the harmonica. He was first in a nursing home in Kerville, but later in the Junction Nursing Home where he died. Curt and Matilda are buried in the Harper cemetery.

On February 18, 1922, Hazel Mangold married Floyd Bierschwale, a Kimble County rancher. Their story is elsewhere.

Otho Mangold married, first, Ina B. Autrey and had one son, Gene Authrey Mangold (b. Jan. 22, 1935). On June 2, 1940 Otho married Lillie Anita Owens and had one daughter, Anita Gayle Mangold (b. Oct. 11, 1946). In his last years, Otho worked as a machinist in Corsicana and Dallas. Otho was buried in Mesquite, Texas.

2 2 0 -

Gene Authrey Mangold was adopted by his step father and now carries the last name of Chadwell. Gene married, first, Nora Hannah and had one son, Brit Allison Chadwell (b. Feb. 1, 1960 d. March 26, 1970). On Oct. 1, 1966, Gene married Carolyn Jeanne Smith and had one daughter, Ina Shontai Chadwell (b. Nov. 11, 1967). Ina Shontai Chadwell had a son, Brandon Gene Chadwell (b. Sept. 10, 1987). The Chadwell family lives in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Anita Gayle Mangold married James David Thompson and had two children: Linda Gayle Thompson (b. Sept. 18, 1966) and James David Thompson, Jr. (b. Aug. 3, 1971). On June 7, 1985 Anita married Robert Reed Berlin and lives in Odessa, Texas.
Linda Gayle Thompson married Steve Alan Hooper on Dec. 9, 1984 and had one daughter, Brooke Denae Hooper (b. Aug. 9, 1987) The Hooper's live in Crane, Texas.

James,Matilda Hazen Ruth and Otho Curtis Mangold

James,Matilda Hazen Ruth and Otho Curtis Mangold

Jaines Curtis Mangold:b. 05 Dec., 1877
Matilda Serena Hardin Mangold b. 04 May, 1878
Hazel Ruth Mangold Bierschwale b. 20 Jan., 1905
Otho Curtis Mangold b. 11 October, 1908

Picture taken ca. 1912

-221-

29
Floyd Milton Bierschwale

Floyd Bierschwale was born June 27, 1898 at Harper.He married Hazel Mangold [daughter of James C. Mangold, gr. Daughter to Madora Josephine Eller Mangold] in 1922. She was a native of Oklahoma, having lived there for 12 years; then briefly in Oregon; and then Hunt, Texas and Segovia. Her parents at one time operated the Segovia Grocery Store and Post Office.
Floyd and Hazel lived on the ranch about 8 miles from Segovia, which had been part of his father's ranch. Daddy raised purebred Rambouillet sheep and Angora goats which he sold to people over a large area of the Hill Country. I remember when a man from Mexico came to buy some sheep from him.

I remember Daddy playing the guitar and singing a lot when Carlton and I were growing up. But, he did not carry this on into later years. Daddy always liked good singing.

I have memories of the trench silo on the old ranch, having seen the blasting, dirt hauling, and erection of the concrete-caliche walls. It was a long, large hole in the ground, and there was a lot of activity when men were working to bring in the hay, feed it through the silage cutter, and tromp it down. It made excellent feed, but was a job to get out of the silo into a cart and then to put it into feed troughs for sheep.

Daddy and mother sold the old ranch, and bought a ranch 8 miles distance in the Segovia community. It is larger, rougher, and harder to work, but a beautiful place. Mother still lives there today, and Carlton takes care of the ranch.

Daddy served as an Elder for several years in the Presbyterian Church of Junction before his death in 1977.
He seemed to be in his element when talking trade. I have heard him talk several hours at one time, concerning the sale of livestock. He traveled a lot to stock shows, taking rams to show. He always slept on a cot out in the open air to save money when he went to the stock shows.

-222-

30
Floyd Bierschwale Family
Floyd Milton Bierschwale, b. June 27, 1898 Harper.

Milton Curtis Bierschwale, b. Apr 26, 1924 Segovia
1. William C. Bierschwale, b.9-30 1955 Wharton
2. David Lee Bierschwale, b. 10-31-57 Wharton
3. John Milton Bierschwale, b. 7-2-62 Caldwell.
Carlton Aaron Bierschwale, b. 1-16-26 Segovia,
1. Paul Edgar Bierschwale, b. 5-20-53 Kerrville
2. Joann Ruth Bierschwale, b-5-7-55 Kerrville
3. Shirley Faye Bierschwale, b.9-3-56 Kerrville
4. Robert Carlton Bierschwale, b. 2-l8-63 Kerrville

* = Margin notes: (hard to read but I tried [ADE])

-223-

EDITH D. LYLE
15900 E. 45th STREET PL
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

Eds. Following applies to Vol. IV, No. 3, THE ELLER CHRONICLES, pp. 124-133)

Page. 1 of 3

ADDTTIONs and CORRECTIONS: (ELLER FAMILY OF COOPER CO., MO.)

Gayle Berlin Records:
DELETE: the "George" from name "DAVID GEORGE ELLER", as son of JACOB

ELLER (III) & Susanna McCarty, as they were two separate sons, I.e. "David and George," as will of Jacob Eller III (1847) clearly shows.
***

From: Edith D. Lyle Records:

Page 2.

Under James Mc ELLER.

Ist mrg date to Eleanor COLE.:

(1) 6 Apr 1832, Cooper Co., Mo. Mrg Bonds,

ELEANOR COLE.

Under CHARLES HOLBERT ELLER:

Anne Elizabeth
"Reverend" preceding name of her husband, Wm Calvin Hardin, and these dates after his name (WCH):

“b. 2 Jun 1886 - d. 20 Sep 1946".

***
Page 3.

Under MARY ANN ELLER, (Jacob, Jacob, Jacob). +2. MARY ANN ELLER
3 Dec 1812, N.C.
After 1860 Federal census. Then living Henry Co., Mo.

m. _______________________
HERMAN HUNGERFORD
1851, 15-May. Henry Co., Mo DB E p. 361. (Index)
ELLER, James & Ellen, his wife deed to H-. (HERMAN) HUNGERFORD, of
Cooper Co., Mo.. (Herman Hungerford was a bro/law)
1853, 29 Apr. Henry Co., Mo. DB F, p.67. (Index)
COLE, SAMUEL, & Sally, his wife, deed to HERMAN HUNGERFORD.

1860 Federal Census: Henry Co., Mo.

HUNGERFORD, HERMAN	age	57	b.	Vt. $5.000	$5,585.
MARY A.		47	“	N.C.
LEVI. N.		21	“	Mo.
GEORGE W.		1~6	“	“
LEWIS		11	“	“
JAMES C.		7	“	“
ELLER, HENRIETTA*		11	“	“

*From bible records, appears to be dau of GEORGE N. ELLER, brother to Mary Anne (Eller) Hungerford.

-224-

EDITH D. LYLE
15900 E. 45th STREET PL
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

Page,. 2 of 3

Page 7.
ADD: Under David Eller (Jacob, Jacob, Jacob).
8. MARTHA ELLER (Called "Mattie”).

JOHN S. (SEATON) KNAUS.

Issue:

***

page 7.
ADD: Under David Eller: Put “D" as middle Initial of his son, William (1860-1948)
Also a notation that William D. Eller was "of Howard Co., Mo” at time of David Eller's murder (Wm's father).
***

Page 7.
Under David Eller (additional info on his dau Lucretia):

LUCRETIA

GEORGE HUTCHINS MOORE, (Called "Hutch")

CLAUDIA. m. ____ GOSNOLD. To Los Angeles Calif.
DAISY DEAN m. ____ RUTHERFORD, of Otterville, Mo.
BESSIE m. ____ COLEMAN, of Bunceton, Mo.
MARVIN MOORE Resident of Los Angeles, Calif.
TREVOR H. MOORE. of Cooper Co., Mo.
DELLA "at home with her parents."

***

-225-

EDITH D. LYLE
15900 E. 45th STREET PL
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

Page 3 of 3

Page 8.
ADD: Under David Eller (additional Info on his dau Mary:
9. MARY ELLER (Called "Mollie”).

WILLIAM JACOB McFARLAND

Clark's Fork, Cooper Co.

a. PERCY ELLER. Died 1908, age 19.
b. WILBUR J. ELLER. Married Chloe HOBRECHT, d. 1919.
c. EULA MARIE ELLER. M. WM. MERSEY (WW I).
d. MARY “at home" in 1919 "Hist of Cooper Co., Mo.".
e. ALICE "At school" in 1919 "Hist of Cooper Co., Mo.".

***

Page 9:
CHANGE: following marriage record from 2 Aug 1911 to 2 Aug 1921.

+ ANNA MAUDE KEPNER. (Living June 1990, Independence, Mo.). Mother of Edith (Dayton) Lyle.
m. 2 Aug 1921, _______ at Clinton,
ROBERT EDWIN DAYTON of Henry Co., Mo.

***

Page 9.
ADD: Under GLENN STERLING KEPNER

***

-End-

-226-

EDITH D. LYLE
15900 E. 45th STREET PL
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

Foll

MRS. MARTHA ELLER; NOBLE LIFE ENDED

***

-227-

EDITH D. LYLE
15900 E. 45th STREET PL
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055

For records of:
DAVID ELLER, (1822-1864) of Cooper Co., Mo.

"DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN"

-228-

David ELLER'S Family
With Names

David ELLER
This Issue's Cover

D. U. HARDIN, one of the best known citizens of the Gem community, twenty-seven miles southeast of Canadian, became a resident of Hemphill county nearly fifty years ago when this section of Texas still was the habitat of Indians and the buffalo. The Hardin family, locating here in 1891, were among the early pioneers who first settled in Hemphill county had an important part in the development of one of the last frontiers of Texas.

D. U. Hardin was born in Rising Star, Texas, on the thirteenth of September, 1889. and is a son of W. C. and Annie (ELLER) Hardin, Both the Hardin and Eller families were prominently identified with many of the stirring events that made up the early-day history of the Texas Panhandle and the community of Eller Flat is named for Mr. Hardin's mother.

Mr. Hardin obtained such education as was possible in the limited school facilities of that early-day period and on the fourteenth of February, 1911, was married to Miss Ada Mathis, member of another well known Hemphill

community family and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathis. Mr. And Mrs. Hardin are the parents of one daughter, Evelyn, now the wife of Claude Cook and also have an interesting grandchild, Reta Beth Cook-.

Mr. Harding has gradually extended his wheat growing and ranching operations until he now owns three and a half sections of land which is devoted to the growing of wheat and raising blooded Hereford cattle. He is an active participant in the civic affairs of the Gem community and for many years has stood ready at all times to do his part in any worthy and worth-while enterprise that had for its objective the betterment of conditions among his friends and neighbors. Mr. Harding's ranch is thoroughly mechanized and the machinery of the ranch equipment affords an excellent outlet for the exercise of his natural mechanical ability.

The New Encyclopedia of Texas
Ellis Arthur Davis c. 1936
Texas Historical Society

-229-

Return to TOP of Page

Return to Nov. 1988 Table of Contents

Previous Page, Gale Honeyman, Letter with Genealogical Notes

Next Page, The Ellers from the Mosel River

BACK to Table of Contents of CHRONICLE ISSUES

	pp. 113-123, Vol. IV, No.3,	21 June, 1990
	The Eller Chronicles,	4206 Winchester
	(Aug. 1990)	Odessa, Texas 79762