JAMES NEWTON WALDROP

The following bio was taken from page 422 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, Rusk County TX Coordinator

James N. Waldrop was the son of Alfred W. Waldrop, who, as a young man, came from Tennessee to Texas with his parents, James C. Waldrop and Lucretia Harris Waldrop, who settled in Panola County. A.W. Waldrop married Martha M. Lowrie, January 18, 1872 and settled in the Chapman Community. To this union were born two boys and four girls who lived to adulthood.

James Newton, a son of A.W. and Martha Waldrop, married Gertrude Sharp Lowrie. Gertrude was first married to Dr. John Lowrie. They lived together three days. Dr. Lowrie was shot and killed by another Rusk Countian. After the death of Dr. Lowrie, J.N. Waldrop and Gertrude were married December 30, 1903. Gertrude’s father and mother were Henry Sharp and Cora Hall Wills Sharp of Panola County. To Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Waldrop were born two sons and one daughter.

Alfred Hall married Catherine Olivia Walker, a teacher, May 29, 1927. Catherine’s parents were W. H. Walker and Martha Talley Walker, of Laneville, Texas. They have one daughter, Catherine Janez, who married W. J. Nelms. She and her husband have four children: Cindy Lock, Joe Nelms, Toby Nelms, and William (Chuck) Nelms.

A.H. Waldrop taught school for seven years, beginning when he was nineteen. He secured a license to practice law in 1931 and has been in active practice in Henderson where he and his wife live.

Lorene Waldrop married Rayford Belk, October 12, 1935. Rayford’s parents were L.S. Belk and Affie Leslie Belk. His father moved to Glenfawn, Texas, when he was twelve. His mother was born in Glenfawn and lived her entire life there.

Rayford and Lorene lived for ten years in the colonial house that had been his grandfather’s home. In 1945 this house was moved to Henderson where it was made into two residences. Rayford, Lorene and their nine-year-old son, Ray Don, moved into the one on Smith Street and have continued to live there since 1945.

Ray Don spent three years in the U.S. Army. After returning home, he completed work at Stephen F. Austin for a degree in business. On June 30, 1962, he and Carolyn Wilson of Dayton, Texas, were married. They live in Houston where Ray is supervisor at Texaco. They have three children: Stephen, Shelby, and Paul.

Lorene is retired after teaching forty-four years in the public schools. Rayford has worked as a meat cutter and rancher.

Reuel Waldrop married Elizabeth Maddox, May 5, 1935. Their children are: Robert A. Waldrop, Mrs. Luan McCasland, and Mary Waldrop.

Reuel taught school in Rusk County for several years. After getting a Master’s Degree at the University of Texas, he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the Public Health Corps of the Armed Services of the U.S. A. and was with such services until his retirement. He and Elizabeth reside at their ranch home in Liberty Hills, Texas.

The Waldrop families have been active church workers and have been interested in promoting civic and community projects throughout the years.

Submitted by A.H. Waldrop and Lorene Belk.