RICHARDSON – LOWE HOUSE GLENFAWN, RUSK COUNTY

 The following bio was taken from page 291 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, Cemeteries of Texas

Constructed during the 1850’s, this house displays the classical façade and central hallway that are typical of the Greek Revival style.  Handmade bricks for the foundation and fireplaces were fired at a kiln on the premises.  The structure was first occupied by the family of Dr. Peterson T. Richardson (1809-1870), a pioneer physician and farmer.

 The first record in Rusk County shows that William C. Fitzhugh of Loudoun County, Virginia held the title to the entire Martinez League.  In 1850, Elijah Dodson became the purchaser of the land upon which the house now stands, selling it in 1853 to Julien S. Devereaux, who in turn sold it to Peter (Peterson) T. Richardson on June 6, 1854.  Dr. Richardson was already living on the premises at the time.  The Richardson family lived in the house until 1877, when it was sold to William P. Devereaux.  Devereaux sold it to R. B. Longmire and his wife, Clara, in 1883, and the Longmire's lived in the house some seventeen years.  This ownership accounts for the fact that the house is sometimes called the Longmire house.  The house sold to J. M. Fussell and his wife Sallie in 1899. 

 In 1919, W. R. Lowe purchased the house and the Lowe family has owned it ever since.  The present owner and restorer is J. W. Lowe, Jr. and his wife, Mary.  He is the son of Joe W. Lowe, Sr., and his wife, Katie, who lived in the house some forty years or more.  Mr. Lowe, Sr. is the son of W. R. Lowe, who bought the property in 1919.  The Joe Lowe’s moved to this farm when their son was four years old.

On December 11, 1976, a historical landmark certificate and Texas Historic Medallion were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Lowe, Jr. by Mrs. Carl Jaggers, Chairman of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 The grandchildren, Kay Lowe Keith and Joe Lowe, III, and the great-grandchildren love to come home to the farm.  The great grandchildren are Tim and Susan Keith.

 Joe Lowe, Jr. is now employed by Amlico Oil Company in Tyler.  Joe Lowe, Sr. and Katie are retired and live in Henderson.

Submitted by Katie (Risinger) Lowe