JOEL RICHMOND

The following bio was taken from page 362 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of TX

The family of my husband, Joel Burt, and me, Mary Lou (Lane) Richmond, goes back in time. The nostalgia of the story brings much joy and pride to our children and grandchildren.

The earliest time I have knowledge of begins with my mother’s family. Data regarding the Keeling family indicate it to be English in origin but I believe it to be Irish. There is a coat-of-arms in ancient heraldic archives. I have not seen it but have read a description of it. The only thing I remember is that it contains scaling ladders as a symbol of courage and fierceness in battle.

The earliest record in America that we have is that of Ensign Thomas Keeling born in 1608 in England. He came to Norfolk County, Virginia in 1628. He married Ann Bolling. Mary Keeling, born in 1668, is said to be the first female child born in South Carolina. She was the wife of Thomas Burton, and died at the age of eighty-two in 1750. The will of Johnathan Keeling probated in June 11, 1729 is listed in the history of the family name Keeling in Antigua, West Indies. Keelings were in the Columbia-Richmond County area of Georgia in 1803, with six listed in the Virginia Revolutionary Forces. The second census of 1800 for Washington County, Kentucky lists four Keeling families. The wife of Colonel Richard Keeling, said to be the promoter of Transylvania, Kentucky, was Elizabeth Keeling. Keelings were also on Mansker Creek in Sumner County, Tennessee. The town of Keeling, Tennessee is near the Haywood and Tipton County line. Elzy Keeling is listed in Sabine County, Texas in 1835. Another Texas Keeling was William M. Keeling, who came to Nacogdoches County, Texas September 1, 1836 and died there in 1840. His heirs were situated in Mississippi.

My great-great-grandfather, Leonard Sanford Keeling, was born July 13, 1775. His wife, Elizabeth Haynes, born October 23, 1783, was the daughter of Reverend Sol Moses Haynes and his wife, Sarah, married April 1, 1799. They had four children. The fourth Leonard Worthy Keeling, my great-grandfather, born August 3, 1805, married Mary "Polly" Davidson, born August 25, 1819, on January 1, 1842. Their family of three children appears in the 1850 census in Union County, Arkansas. They went to Elbert County, Georgia, later to the Shreveport, Louisiana area, and then to Arkansas.

I have the record of nine children born to my great-grandparents. One of these was Grandfather David Pierce Keeling, born July 29, 1859 and died March 28, 1934.

A Leonard Keeling married Ursula Rolfe, and one researcher says her parents were Pocahontas (Indian maiden of Jamestown fame) and her husband John Rolfe.

My grandfather, David Pierce Keeling, married Mary Frances "Molly" Crutchfield, May 13, 1865. He died October 12, 1945. Grandmother Molly came from Owensboro, Kentucky. Her history was not so complete as Grandpa’s. Grandma’s family residence was near Franklin, Texas. There were nine children born to this marriage, the third being my mother, Ruth Addie Keeling, born September 22, 1897. They moved to Hearne, Texas in 1908.

Home and family were extremely important to our grandparents. They were rewarded with love and respect that lingers, in the memories of all those family members still among the living. Grandpa’s contemporaries portray him as Irish. His biography is related in the book "Hearne on the Brazos" by McCarley. With his Irish wit, he could do an Irish jig at the drop of a hat. His transportation was a horse-drawn vehicle. Later, he obtained a Model T Ford.

By my time Grandpa’s office was in his home and included a roll-top desk with pigeon holes. Should children stray too far into his domain, "take care" was the expression not only used to caution but to instruct us to remove ourselves from his chair or from "underfoot".

The special privilege of accompanying Grandpa on the streets of Hearne where he conducted his business affairs was indeed a joy. He was well known, and I do not to this day believe he had a single enemy. He "tipped" his derby to greet ladies, as he was extremely polite and very friendly. As a Singer Service Machine agent, he was made welcome wherever his travels took him. My cousin was with him and tells of his calling on a Negro "sharecropper" in a cottonfield on the Brazos River. They reached there about noon and "took dinner."

He was a true democrat, and to be present when he conversed on affairs of politics and government was not dull even to the youngest grandchild. He was a devoted Christian and reflected the courage of his convictions. I cannot remember being present at mealtime that he did not return thanks. I believe at times he allowed concern but never fear.

Grandma’s family left little time for "outside interests". Grandma "recruited" help from children and grandchildren alike. Discipline was with love and a cedar paddle, used at other times to mold butter from the churn. "Mindful manner" seldom needed repeating. She was beloved by her grandchildren who knew her as well as her children did.

In the home my mother grew up and graduated from Hearne High School and received a scholarship to Southern Methodist University May 18, 1917. She met my father, Ulys Lane, born October 5, 1892, and married him November 17, 1917, and SMU was behind her. Ulys was born in Titus County and graduated from Rice Institute in May, 1914. His mother and my grandmother, Sally Lenora Black, born February 25, 1868, on June 23, 1886 married James Benjamin Lane, born February 18, 1869. My grandparents prospered with cotton, cattle, and peaches. To this union eleven children were born.

Grandfather Lane had beautiful horses, which he took great pride in. When I could spend a few weeks visiting my grandparents, I looked forward to the summers. At every opportunity I rode Grandpa’s favorite horse with instructions not to race him. As I grew older I realized he knew by the condition of the horse whether I rode it hard. He tolerated this act well but never did I examine his Lincoln car. He explained that Mr. Ford had made it perfect in every detail. Usually an uncle of my "old maid" aunt, Tava, was there to help care for us.

We lived on the farm, and I was born October 15, 1919, in Mt. Pleasant, Titus County, Texas. We moved to Houston, Texas in 1920 with my older sister, Marjorie.

The family increased, and one of my gravest concerns was the birth of my sixth brother, Crawford. One of my duties was going to the store for Mother. I always carried five cents extra. Each child was to have a penny’s worth of candy. After Crawford’s birth on July 4, 1927, who was not to get a penny for candy, as there were only five cents in a nickel? My father assured me he would take care of the problem.

My father worked for Shell Oil Company. Times were good. Weekends were spent going in our Model T Ford to the beach in Galveston. A part of our tent was attached to the back of the Model T, and we ate, swam and played.

Soon to come were signs of the Great Depression. We felt it painfully as Daddy only worked three days a week. Soon another sister, Ruth Ann, was born.

In 1931 our family moved to Rusk County. The great East Texas Oil Field was in the making. We moved into a big old home in Overton that was called the "ole Minor Home." Here in August, 1932, my last sister, Lois Evelyn, was born, making complete our family of eight children.

I was very soon to meet my husband, Joel Richmond. He often brought his youngest sister, Allie Dell, to the "county meet" as all Rusk County schools met to compete in sports and scholastic events. He met his sister and me and we went up to the hamburger stand (hamburgers were five cents) and enjoyed the tasty drinks and hamburgers.

Joel lived on a farm north of Overton, with his mother, daddy and younger sister, who was still at home. They farmed cotton and peanuts and raised cows, hogs, chickens, and horses.

I graduated from Overton High School and attended Lon Morris Methodist College in Jacksonville, and then returned to Overton to work for Creath Hardware store.

Joel and his family were natives of Rusk County, and the people who came with the "Oil Boom" felt definite cultural differences. In this farming area, changes came fast. It was most felt by me at the church, as we newcomers, did not sit together. Soon, however, we were all lost in a togetherness as the East Texas Oil field developed.

Joel and I were married November 7, 1938 in Swan, outside Tyler, at the Baptist parsonage. In January the following year, 1939, we moved with his mother, daddy and younger sister to our new home, a farm in the community of Good Springs. Our farm was a part of the John Ashby land.

Electric lights were coming to the community, and a drop electric wire with a bulb adorned each room in our house. We also had a gasoline washing machine that was quite noisy, causing one neighbor to cross the field to check out the unusual noise.

The people were very friendly. Life centered around the church; a big wooden structure, it was heated by a wood stove in winter and cooled by fans in summer. Big hats were in style and worn to church mostly in larger towns, so my hats were soon put away as we became a part of the community. It was not unusual for a chicken coop to be placed in the trunk of a church member’s car in preparation for a "hen drive." Each member participating penned one hen the night before the drive. We prayed for a good price on the hens as the profits helped pay the preacher’s salary.

World War II was upon us and many of the men left, including my three brothers and three of Joel’s. Being able to ride horseback during this period was a big advantage as gasoline, as well as sugar, was rationed.

Our first child, Bobbie Jo, was born August 21, 1940. A beautiful baby, she was loved and cared for by the grandparents as well as by Joel and me. She was christened at Good Springs Methodist Church. Many hours were spent making the christening clothes by hand.

Feeling I should do something to help in the war, I took a course and went to work in New Boston at the Red River Arsenal in the tank shops. My job was grinding the valves out of the engines of tanks that had been damaged in service. Colonel Robert Browning was in charge. I tried to make every valve perfect when tested. My transportation was by bus. I had to catch the bus at 2 a.m. Monday and arrive in time for work, then return to Tyler on Friday at midnight, where I was met by my husband and little girl, Bobbie. Joel had to care for cows and farm and also take care of his father, who had had a stroke in March as the war began December 7, 1941. I worked at the Arsenal until the Japanese surrendered, and I received a commendation of merit for my contribution to the war effort.

On October 18, 1944, our son, Roger Bruce, was born and christened at Good Springs Methodist Church. On September 5, 1947, our last child, Susan Jean, was born, adding much joy to our family. Joel’s father had passed away before our son was born, so Joel felt the need financially to go to work to be able to afford to educate our children, as we had many plans for them. Our lives were filled with dreams for them; and since we knew that a Christian home and a good education were vital to them, we set these two goals.

Joel went to work for the Dresser Engineering Company, which later moved its office. This meant that Joel and I were to be apart many times. Joel’s work carried him many places, giving our children the opportunity to travel and to see much of the United States. Good Springs, however, was home and our roots were there.

In 1954 I went to Vocational Nursing School, then to Austin, where I passed my test to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. My job at Henderson Memorial Hospital was most rewarding since I was able to help many in our community.

The children were growing up. No more short pants for our son, by order of his daddy. Bobbie was playing the piano, and Susan was busy keeping us informed of her older sibling’s activities (with such enthusiasm on her part). Then one by one, they left for college and their own career choices.

In 1968 Bruce graduated from Texas A & M University and one week later left for war service and one year in Vietnam. He served three years in the military. During this time I worked at Henderson Hospital.

One night I came home and was going to open the front door when I noticed a dog. Thinking it was a neighbor’s dog, I told him to "get". Instead he jumped on the porch with his front feet low. Thinking he sure did look mean, I grabbed a metal porch chair and held it between us. I then backed out to my car, threw the chair at him and jumped in. My heart was pounding as I drove back to town. I went to my oldest married daughter, Bobbie Forsythe, and told her what had happened. Her husband, Don, took his gun and drove to the farm and shot the dog as it jumped onto the well. The veterinarian advised him to cut off the dog’s head and sent it to Austin to be examined. The next morning I hear that a lady had been attacked by a wolf in Good Springs. I called the Police Department and told them that it was a dog. They very courteously explained that it was a wolf! Well, let that end the story, but believe me, I have related it to each grandchild more than once.

We have little history of Joel’s ancestors. His grandfather and grandmother lived near Jackson, Mississippi, and had five children. The Civil War began after they had their children. Joel’s grandfather fought and was killed in the Confederate Army, leaving his wife with five children to raise alone-- Joel’s father, Thomas Howell, born September 22, 1865; his brother, John Andrew; and one sister came to Texas and settled in Rusk County. Joel’s father met and married Dora L. Branch, born April 27, 1874. Eleven children were born to this union. They lived and farmed on land where the Leverett’s Chapel School is now. When their eldest son Emmit drowned, they moved to what is now the Red Level area of Rusk County. The influence of Dora Branch causes memories of a kind and lovely lady. Her father, James Burt Branch, born March 9, 1837, married Larue Clemmie Brigham, born January 17, 1847. They were married October 16, 1866 in Starrville in Smith County. They came to the northern part of Rusk County near Overton. To this union eleven children were born. Part of the home place was bought by Walter Moon and is now a part of the Texas A & M Research and Extension Center in Overton.

Grandpa Branch had many friends, was respected in the community, and was prosperous in his farming. One special friend was General Sam Houston, who always stopped by when passing through Rusk County and many times spent the night in Grandpa Branch’s home. Sam Houston was always ready to kick up his heels when the occasion arose, having in him the capacity to enjoy life as well as lead Texas to victory. He later became the first President of Republic of Texas.

Our children and grandchildren will continue to add their story to the past with the pride we have in relating ours. Bobbie Richmond, who married Donald L. Forsythe on November 16, 1960, is the Child Placement Director with the Texas Department of Human Resources and is the mother of Debra Lynn, born April 25, 1965, and Michael Don, born September 27, 1969. Roger Bruce Richmond, who married Rita Little on August 16, 1970, teaches at Panola Junior College and now lives in Good Spring. Their children are: Shirley Mae, born May 13, 1964; Karen Marie, born July 19, 1966; and Aaron John, born September 26, 1968. Susan Jean Richmond married Jerry Glynn Hollister, September 15, 1970. They have one son, Jeremy Richmond Hollister, born December 30, 1975. They live in Wills Point, Van Zandt County, Texas, where Susan teaches in the Wills Point School.

Submitted by Mrs. J. B. Richmond