JOHN R. ALFORD, SR

The following bio was taken from page 90 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

John Alford, Sr. oldest son of E. B. and Ella Overton Alford, was born at Overton, but moved to Henderson with his parents when he was five years old. John Alford gained early knowledge of farming and raising dairy cattle. These interests were fostered by his father, E. B. Alford, Sr.

At fourteen years of age, John became an inspector and salesman of tomatoes, peaches, and watermelons. He represented the East Texas Fruit and Truck Growers Association of Jacksonville at the eastern markets. From this beginning his interest in livestock, dairying, forestry, and crimson clover began a life-long association with agriculture. He owned a large Jersey cattle herd, and he was often quoted as saying "Jerseys have personality."

John’s business interests varied from a bookkeeping job with the Farmers and Merchants National Bank to the Chairman of the Board of the Citizens National Bank and to which the Farmers and Merchants National Bank had evolved.

One of his long-time business associations was with the Mayfield-Alford Company, a general mercantile firm. The Alford Brothers Motor Company, Ford dealership, with his brothers Jesse, Benson, and Dick was also part of his interests. He had a long-time business connection with the Oil Mill and Fertilizer Works, was an original stockholder and director of Henderson Clay Products, and with many other enterprises.

In May, 1927, John Alford received an invitation from J. W. Fitzgerald of Tyler to attend a Texas A & M short course at that city. This was a fateful meeting for John Alford because the course included as a speaker Miss Susan Landon of the Texas Cooperative Cotton Association. She was from North Carolina and had been a Home Demonstration Agent in that state prior to her association with the cotton association. John Alford was enamored with Susan Landon and pursued her on her speaking tour in order to press his proposal of marriage. On September 5, 1927, Susan Landon became Mrs. John Alford, Sr.

Mrs. Alford carried on her interest with those of her husband. Most important of all was the rearing of their three children: John R., Jr., Ella and Landon.

John and Susan Alford and other members of the family have given generously to the city of Henderson and to Rusk County. Among these are the Lake Forest Park, John R. Alford Armory, to name a few. Many scholarships were given by the Alfords to young people of the county who were engaged in agricultural pursuits. John was on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank, District 11, President of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, and creator of the John R. and Susan Alford Foundation that is restricted to the benefit of the people of Rusk County. The president of the latter is the youngest son, Landon. John and Susan were faithful members of the First United Methodist Church, and John served on the Church Board for many years.

The Alford children carry on the family traditions. John R., Jr. is married to Margie Stewart and lives in Austin. By a former marriage John, Jr. had two children: Elizabeth, who graduated from St. Stephens College, Austin, 1982, and John R. III, who was killed in an accident. John, Jr. has two step-sons, Stewart and Marshall. Ella Alford McDonald lives at Brixey, Missouri, on land purchased many years ago by John R. Alford, Sr. Ella has three children: Susan, Margaret, and Allen. Landon Alford (see Landon Alford family).

Although John and Susan Alford are gone, their influence will always be felt by the people of Rusk County.

Submitted by Virginia Knapp.