Lea County Families Then and Now Vol 1

Lea County, New Mexico
Genealogy and History

Volunteers Dedicated to Free Genealogy

Biographies
- L - Surnames

LANGLITZ, LOUIS ADAM - "THE HOMESTEAD"
by Cecelia Erwin

In 1908 Louis Adam Langlitz, his wife Laura Alice, and their five children - Mary (Mollie) Elizabeth, Myrtle Vanna, Oliver Louis, Pearl Alice, and Hazel Belle - left their dwelling in Ranger, Texas to homestead in McDonald, New Mexico. The trip from Ranger to McDonald took them three weeks by a mule-drawn covered wagon. They settled on a claim on May ane, 1908 in the vicinity of McDonald. Louis and his family had to get all the style to Lake Arthur, New United mexican states to buy lumber to build a half dugout on the claim. Lake Arthur is a town between Artesia and Hagerman. Information technology took them one week to get to Lake Arthur and come up dorsum. Louis A. and his son, Oliver L., built the half-dugout which they lived in from May 1, 1908 to June 21, 1908. That same one-half-dugout is the one now at the Lea Canton Museum in Lovington. On June 21, 1908 they moved to Artesia where they stayed until the bound. In the jump, Louis and Oliver, who still lived in Lovington, came dorsum to work on the claim. On Dec 24, 1908 they filed on a quarter section of state (160 acres). At that time they had a law that wouldn't let a person claim over 160 acres, merely later in 1909 that police was changed to allow 320 acres - a half department. To keep the claim they had to come back to it every six months. The reason they couldn't file on the claim when they first moved to New Mexico was because the land had been surveyed simply had not been approved. They went back to Artesia to rent a house and to purchase furniture, which was brought to the claim the next fourth dimension they went dorsum. On March twenty, 1909 Louis Adam Langlitz and Oliver Louis Langlitz came back to build a house, while the rest of the family stayed in Artesia. They had to sell a minor farm they had in Ranger, Texas to purchase lumber for the new business firm. They sold the subcontract in the fall of 1908.

On May 21, 1909 they filed on their second quarter department of country. On May 24 they brought the family and new furniture back to the homestead. Louis owned the land for 38 years.

I am the great-granddaughter of Oliver Louis Langlitz. Louis Adam Langlitz was born in Mascoutah, Illinois on September 8, 1859, married Laura Alice Hathcock June 19, 1889, and he died July 10, 1948. Laura Alice Hathcock Langlitz was born in Stanly County, North Carolina October 12, 1860 and died March x, 1912.

Mary (Mollie) Elizabeth Langlitz was born in Ranger April 1, 1890. She married Fifty. A. Spruill January 19, 1913. Mollie and her hubby live in Santa Maria, California.
Myrtle Vanna Langlitz was born at Ranger June 28, 1891, married E. C. Lyon January five, 1913, and died July eighteen, 1973. E. C. Lyon died March 14, 1938.
William Jesse Langlitz was born too at Ranger November 21, 1893 and he died March 13, 1894.
Oliver Louis Langlitz was built-in at Ranger May 10, 1895, married Eva Annie Walker August 13, 1913. Eva was born November 24, 1898 in Memphis, Texas. Oliver and Eva Langlitz even so alive in Lovington.
Pearl Alice Langlitz was built-in at Ranger November 22, 1897, married W. C. McClish July 4, 1916. Mr. McClish died October ten, 1955.
Pearl Alice Langlitz McClish lives in Amarillo, Texas.
Hazel Belle Langlitz was born at Ranger February 10, 1901. She married Barney McClish July 28, 1918. Barney is deceased, and Hazel Bong Langlitz McClish lives in Graham, Texas.  [Source: "Lea County Citizens and History: And then and Now," Vol. Ii, publ. 1984]

LAUGHLIN, DAVID LEE AND MARTHA COKER
Seven children, a hundred head of horses and two covered wagons, the Lauglin'south arrived in New Mexico and settled south of Monument.
Baronial 1902, is not the best time to arrive in New United mexican states. Oklahoma may have seemed like a paradise compared to the bleak dry prairie where David and Martha started homesteading in a dugout but a couple miles south of Monument.
Family picture dated 1895, have these names (moving-picture show not provided): Forepart row Fifty-R: Grace May; Martha Coker Laughlin; Alvin Talmadge in her lap; David Lee; Essie; William Herny. Back row 50-R: Liewella; Lilly Ann and Rosa Viola.
Almost of the Laughlin family had moved out of the Monument area by 1920. The ranch was leased to the Cooper family.
David Lee Laughlin died 27 October 1927 in Roswell and is buried at that place. Martha Coker Laughlin died 19 Sep 1939 in Pensacola Florida and was cached in Roswell.[Source: "Lea County Families and History: And then and Now" Vol. Ii, pub. 1984]

LAUTERMAN, JOHAN P. "Onetime TIMER"
Submitted by: Edith M. Search

My immigrant ancestors, on my father's side, were Johan Peter Lauterman who was born in Weterenberg, Germany, and came to the Colonies from Rotterdam via Dover on the ship "Nancy," xx September 1738, and probably Christopher Search from England. Christopher Search was a surveyor and settled in Hunterdon Canton, New Jersey.

My father, Warren Ogden Search, was the son of Edward Search and Emma Lauterman straight descendants of Johan Peter Lauterman and Christopher Search.

My grandpa, Edward, served in the Union Army in the Civil War and fought in the Battles of Vicksburg. He died quite immature every bit did his wife Emma. When my father was xvi years of age he left his home in Sparta, New Bailiwick of jersey, and came to Lawrence, Kansas, where he lived with a cousin, Frank Cory and family.

Samuel Miller Rowan, my mother'due south father, was born in Sacketts Harbour, New York, August 4, 1818. He married Maria Celeste Tanner who was born May 28, 1816 in Meadsville, Pennsylvania. They came to De Soto, Kansas, and settled on a claim at that place. They had iv children: Edward, William, Anna May (my mother), and Franklin. My granddad was a carpenter and was away from home a lot, leaving my grandmother solitary with the children. She told many stories of her encounters with the Indians in those early days. She also told how they had to flee their dwelling house and hide in the woods in a ravine to get away from Quantrill's Raiders who sacked and burned Lawrence, Kansas at that time. A human knee injury kept my grandfather out of the regular army.

My begetter, Warren O. Search and my mother Anna May Rowan, were married on May 1, 1890, in Lawrence, Kansas. They went to alive on a farm near De Soto, Kansas. They had ii children: Joseph E. Lord Search, born February eight, 1895, and Edith Marie Search, born November 26, 1904, at De Soto, Kansas. Joseph died when he was four years old.

I attended a one-roomed elementary school called Morning time Star for the get-go eight grades, and then went to loftier schoolhouse at De Soto, Kansas, graduating in iii years. I was salutatorian of my class. Nosotros lived iv miles from the high school and a friend and I drove a horse and buggy to school. Subsequently, when we were old enough, we used the family cars.  I attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kansas, where I received my A. B. degree in 1926. In 1927 I came to New Mexico and taught in the loftier school in Greenville, New Mexico, for half dozen years. Then I was principal of high school in Mountainair, New Mexico before coming to Lovington, New Mexico in the autumn of 1935. I remember very well the condition of the roads in Lea County. The route from Tatum to Lovington was only a trail abreast a fence. Hobbs, New Mexico yet had board sidewalks and unpaved streets.

J. W. Pyburn was the superintendent at that fourth dimension. I taught Spanish, English and Typing and was secretary to the superintendent and I kept the same position. Later during the war I was secretary and bookkeeper full-time and remained with the school until August, 1971.

In 1953 may parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Search left their farm in De Soto, Kansas, and came to live with me in Lovington where they remained until their deaths. They were both xc-v when they died.
Since retirement I have been travelling and doing community piece of work. [Source: "Lea County Families and History, And then and Now," Vol. I, 1979]

THE LEE FAMILY
By Giles M. Lee

The story of the Lee family unit and its exodus to west Texas by the Brooks Williams Lee branch in 1885, and subsequently to what is now Lea Canton, New Mexico, by Richard David Lee, Sr., and his family in 1925, volition begin in Brown County, Texas.

Gresham (Dude) Lee was born in Tennessee in 1819, the son of Ephiraim Lee, of Virginia, a cousin of R. East. Lee. Listed in the census records as a stockman, he besides served several times equally sheriff of Chocolate-brown County, Texas.  He was married three times, the 2d married woman was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian named Aurie Williams and female parent of Brooks Williams Lee, II, born 1851 from this marriage.

A brother of Gresham Lee is worthy of mention here. Brooks Williams Lee, Sr., was a Texas stockman, and prominent citizen of Texas. At the close of the Civil War, when the long trail drivers were on the move, he made ane of the longest cattle drives on record They started the herd from San Antonio in 1867, and some two years subsequently arrived in Bernardino, California. His nephew, Brooks Williams Lee, Two, made this trip at 16 years of age.

As were nearly of the elders before him, Brooks Williams Lee II, was a stockman. Following this trade in Brown County, Texas for a number of years, he several brushes with the Comanche'due south and was listed and recognized on the Texas Rangers roles as an Indian fighter and temporary Ranger. He married Nancy Jenny Millican in 1873, and to this matrimony xiii children were born. The iv older boys, James, Richard, George and Young and the oldest girl, Molly, were born in Brown County.

In 1885, Brooks Lee, his married woman, Jenny, and five children left Chocolate-brown Canton for Midland, Texas. Another daughter, Aurie, was born in the carriage, on this trip. The family spent some time in Midland so moved on westward of the present town of Seminole, Texas, settling in a dugout on Seminole Depict. They were located on what was subsequently the M. S. Doss Ranch. Owning and leasing ranches in the West Texas expanse for several years, they eventually located in the city of Midland, Texas and built a dwelling house. Through these years, vii more children were born to them, four girls and 3 boys.

The oldest son of Brooks Lee, Jim, left Texas as a swain and was on a ranch in Southward Dakota until his death in 1926. Brooks Lee, III, served in the Army in World War I and was killed while in Russia afterwards the state of war. Other than these two sons and Richard David Lee, who moved to New Mexico, the other children of Brooks Lee Two, settled permanently in the Midland area.

Richard David Lee, Sr., left the Midland expanse in 1898 and worked for a fourth dimension on the Hat Ranch at Monument Springs, New Mexico. Returning to Texas, he married Sarah Viola Forrestor in 1900. They spent the kickoff few months of their marriage in Indian Territory, Oklahoma on a steer ranch owned by Wilson Connell. Returning to the Midland expanse in 1900, their first kid was born, a daughter, Brookie Wanda Lee. Two years later, a son was born, Roy Raymond Lee. The next child a son, built-in 5 years later on, was Richard David Lee, Jr. in 1922, the concluding child, a son, Giles Milton Lee, was born.

From 1900-1925, Richard David (Dick) Lee was engaged in the cow business organisation in the Midland area, working every bit wagon boss for the "C" Ranch and subsequently for himself own ranches owned and leased.

In 1925, he entered a partnership with the Scharbauer Cattle Company of Midland, Texas, every bit part owner and manager of ranching interest located in Lea County, New United mexican states, moving to the Swamp Angel Ranch, southwest of Lovington in the fall of 1925. This ranch was formerly owned past Rom Holt.

From 1925 until his death in 1940, Dick Lee was actively engaged in the cow business in Lea County. The three sons and daughter of Dick and Viola Lee all settled in Lea County and are, or accept been, ranchers. Brookie Anderson and husband, Due west. A. Anderson, Sr., were in the registered cattle business for many years and are now retired. Roy Lee, owned and operated the Hi Lonesome Ranch due east of Lovington and later on endemic a ranch near Claunch, New Mexico. He is now retired. R. D. Lee and his son, Neb Lee, ain and operate ranches in this area and virtually Caprock, New United mexican states. Bill is at present serving his 2d term as a Country Senator from this area. Giles Lee is in the cow business and lives on the Swamp Angel Ranch southwest of Lovington, New Mexico.[Source: "Lea Canton Families and History, Then and At present," Vol. I, 1979]

LINAM, JAMES VOLENTINE AND ELLIE ELIZABETH THORP
James Volentine Linam was born in Kempers Bluff, Texas, on March 28, 1863, and married Ellie Elizabeth Thorp in May of 1890 at Paint Stone, Texas. Their son James Virgil, was born 22 January 1895. He married Thelma Alta Taylor on Dec. 25, 1921.  During the summertime of 1905, the Linam family unit came to visit Creed Thorp, who had homesteaded three miles southwest of Knowles, New United mexican states. It was a good summer, plenty of grass and lake h2o. New United mexican states was open range so it looked really good to them. They visited several weeks.  So in the spring of 1907 the Linam'due south sold their ranch in Tom Light-green County, Texas, loaded upward all their belongings in wagons and headed due west. They drove their horses and cattle to New United mexican states and settled five miles north of Monument, New Mexico, on a broad draw. They drilled a well at the tiptop of the due north ridge and built a tank on the side of the gradient to the south. A cold northern wind blew in on the 14th of May and it started raining. The next day there was an inch of snow on the ground.

A cold reception for a family living in a tent and their 17th nuptials anniversary! However: the Linam's managed to tough it out. They hauled in lumber from Midland, Texas to build a house, where the Linam Ranch and museum stands today. Their start house was made of adobe bricks and was renovated in 1935. Eventually information technology was the center of a cattle functioning that would comprehend more than 28,000 acres. The Linam's featured Longhorn and Scotch Highland cattle.

Thelma was born in Eddy County, Territory of New Mexico, October vii, 1906, her parents were J. Will Taylor and Nellie Ellen Taylor. They were living in a two room mud business firm which had been built past an earlier settler, John Underwood. She was born without a doctor: At that place was a midwife and her grandmother Eller.

Her father J. Volition Taylor was running a practiced size sheep ranch located almost Humble City and was working with several hundred sheep. In the autumn of 1906 he delivered a heard of mutton to the market in Midland, Texas. He had 1 helper named J. P.; the trip would take xviii to 20 days driving the sheep and 5 or half-dozen days coming back with a load of supplies. Thelma married Virgil Linam in 1921. Presently before his passing on xx December 1959, Virgil Linam contributed to the drive led by Dr. B. Clarence Evans, to establish the New Mexico Baptist College.

Max Clampitt a local historian and Thelma Weber were talking ane afternoon, Thelma said in her sweetness way, "The lord has blessed me in giving me heath and a clear mind. It was not my goal to establish a legacy. It was only that during my life, whatever I did, I tried to exercise the best that I could." What a strong, unproblematic pattern for anyone to follow!

Note: Thelma chronicled her life in a book chosen: "Life on the Prairies: Settling the Lano Estacada," at the Linam Ranch, she and Virgil collected and established a museum housing, Indian Artifacts, a covered wagon, ranching tools and a mounted Bison head. The Linam'south had at one time, a herd of 36 buffalo, information technology was not uncommon to pass the ranch and see travelers parked along-side the road watching and photographing the buffalo.

Upon her death on May 14th, 2005, the Linam Ranch museum which she started was given to the New Mexico Junior Higher, where it will be displayed.

Thelma and Virgil are cached at Prairie Haven cemetery in Hobbs, New Mexico. [Source: "Lea County Families and History, And so and Now," Vol. 2, pub. 1984, Extract from Max Clampitt's "Fact, Fantasy & Fiction," printed viii November, Hobbs News Dominicus]

LONG, THOMAS AND SARAH HICKMAN
Submitted by: Ruth Dennis Brown

Will Rodgers said that all he knew was what he read in the papers. I tin can truthfully say, that all I know is what I take been told, and what I have been able to certificate. Delight understand that much of the information is just as valid every bit the retentivity or involvement of the person supplying the information. After New Mexico became the 47th State on January 6, 1912, pioneer families began moving into southeastern New Mexico to file on homesteads under the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862. A homestead consisted of 320 acres. They were to live on the land, edifice homes, out buildings, digging wells, fencing, etc, which would add to or improve the land, earlier the state was officially and legally granted to them by the government of the U.s.. All h2o and mineral rights were included in the Original Homestead Human action. On Dec 29, 1916, legislation was enacted which gave homesteaders the right to file on an boosted 160 acres, however the Federal Authorities retained all mineral rights, giving just the water and the surface rights to the homesteader. Therefore, near homesteads contained 480 acres.

Lea County was not formed from Chaves and Eddy Counties until 1917. My maternal smashing-grandparents moved to Lea County in 1911 - my maternal grandparents in 1914, homesteading and settling southeast of Eunice.

My great grandparents were Thomas and Sarah Elizabeth Hickman Long, known to anybody every bit "Tom and Sally Long." In an article published in the Eunice Star, dateline, Thursday, September 4, 1958, Emerge recalls their arrival to New Mexico, she states: "It was Dec (1911) when the Long'south arrived in New Mexico, having fabricated the trip in a  covered wagon . They lived in a cabin that belonged to "Dry out" Gould in the Nadine area for nearly three months. The cabin was heated past a wood burning stove, and the just fuel was mesquite tree roots and cow fries, consequently they suffered from the cold weather condition, In February, a Mr. White who lived 25 miles south of them, which would exist six miles southeast of Eunice, was forced to give up his homestead because of his married woman'south health. He relinquished his claim to 320 acres of country and gave Mr. Long the correct to file for it. He paid the human being for the improvements that had been made on the land, and they moved into their first home in New Mexico, which was a one-room, dirt floor, lean to cabin. (This was their home until the summer of 1914, when Tom went to Pecos and purchased the lumber to build their get-go habitation). The article continues to tell of the lack of a school and of the men going to Pecos for lumber and supplies. Since the only route to Pecos went past the way of Carlsbad, the altitude was much greater than information technology is, and the road was petty more than than a cattle trail. In places the sand was so deep information technology took ii teams to pull the wagons through.  The first night after the schoolhouse was completed; everyone in the customs met in information technology, put all their children to bed on pallets, and danced all nighttime! Equally the sun came upwardly the next morning, they all started home, merely wore plum out, but the happiest crowd in the community. School was in session. "if and when" there was a teacher. The school business firm was used for school, community functions and church. A preacher, referred to equally a "Circuit Rider" would come by and preach for them occasionally. When asked about denomination of the "Excursion Passenger,", Mrs. Long replied: "Oh, honey, we never idea to enquire, we were and so hungry to hear the word of God, that it fabricated no difference to us." The school became known every bit the "Old White" schoolhouse firm.

Thomas Long was the youngest son of John Wesley Long (born May 9, 1829 in Georgia, died July 10, 1912 in Kingsland, Texas) and Francis Elizabeth Ellison (born March 30, 1836, died in Denton Co. Texas). His brothers and sisters were: (i). John D. (Doc) Long, b: Jan seven, 1857; (ii.) James (Jim Buchanan Long b: March 25, 1859) married July 31, 1879 in Llano Co. Texas, Sarah Elizabeth Myers at the old Brantley ranch on the Llano River; (three.) Doke Long b: October ii, 1861, d:1939, married August 17, 1882 in Llano, Texas; Mary Elizabeth Fisher, b: March 29, 1866 in Llano, Texas, died 1937 - both are buried in Llano, Texas; (4). Sarah Elizabeth (Betty) Long, b. October iv, 1854, d: January 4, 1934, married Feb 18, 1873, in Denton County, A. L. Sutton b: January seven, 1852 in Arkansas, Of their seven children, two were John F. Sutton, who became District Gauge of the 51st District Court, San Angelo, Texas and Claude R. Sutton who was the judge of Marfa, Texas.

John Wesley (Jack) Long was a i-eyed man, "having received a musket brawl in the left eye" while serving as a Sergeant with Company C, 21st Texas Regiment Volunteer Infantry, Col. William H. Griffin Commanding, during the Civil War. He endemic a small-scale tract of land on the Llano River. I am told there is a big mountain nearby in Llano County that was named for the Long'south.  Likewise, a spot on the Llano River is called Jack Long Falls, every bit Jack lived at this place many years. Sherman Long (son of Doke Long), now owns his begetter's property and the property endemic by his grandfather Jack.  The old Long home has been incorporated into Sherman's home. Information technology is a very small-scale, semi-two story house, with a fireplace. Jack Long's musket stands by the fireplace. Jack Long was living with his son Doke when he died, beyond the river from Pack Saddle Mountain. There is an old pb mine located in or around Pack Saddle Mountain where they would go to go the lead to brand shot for their muskets. This mine has been looked for by many, but has never been found, obviously lost forever.

Picayune is known of Tom Long's female parent, Francis Elizabeth Allison. Information technology is said that she was injured in an Indian raid in Denton County simply prior to his birth. He was her last child. Afterwards her death, Tom was reared by his sister Betty. Her date and identify of death is unknown but information technology is believed that she died and was buried in Denton County, Texas. About 10 years afterwards her expiry, John Wesley Long married in Rockwall County, Texas, August 21, 1880, Rue Ann Holloway, b: May 16, 1848, d: April twenty, 1945. Children from this marriage were: Will, Andes, Rob, Homer and Molly.

Thomas Long, b: August 9, 1865, Denton County, Texas d: Aug 5, 1951, Eunice, New Mexico, married in Llano Canton, Texas, May 23, 1888, Miss Sarah Elizabeth Hickman b: February 3, 1871, Warren, Arkansas, d: March 7, 1964, Eunice, New Mexico.

Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) Hickman was the girl of John Franklin Hickman, b: Jan 6, 1831, d: Nov. 15, 1906, in Bronte, Texas and Mary Louise Lindsey, b: Aug thirty, 1849 in Arkansas, d: Mar 9, 1918 in Bronte, Texas. They were married November 4, 1865, in Drew County, Arkansas.[Source: "Lea County Families and History: And so and Now," Vol. I, pub. 1979]

Honey, JAMES B. AND MYRTLE WARD
Past Anemone Dear Binkley

James Benjamin Love first rode out to the Llano Estacado in 1890 as a immature cowboy of sixteen or seventeen, working on several ranches in New United mexican states and West Texas. In 1903 he married Mary Myrtle Ward, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William M. (Bill) Ward, early Texas ranchers, then of Swisher Canton.
Mary Myrtle Ward was born at Fort Griffin, Texas north of Albany, where her parents were living in the ranch dwelling house of her uncle Samuel Ward. This old, ii-story stone firm is now headquarters for Fort Griffin Land Park. J. B. (Jim) Dear returned to this surface area with his wife and baby girl and filed a claim bordering the one his brother, R. F. Love, had purchased a little earlier from the original claimant. Moving to Knowles in 1907, R. F. sold his two-room firm to his blood brother, James B. Dear, and sold function of his merits in early on 1908 to Charlie Burks.

Charlie Burks, with Wesley McCallister as surveyor, laid out the boondocks, and J. B. Love was persuaded by Mr. Burks to open the first store. He purchased the outset town lot, building and operating the offset shop, was Lovington'southward first postmaster.

Information technology was McCallister'southward intention when naming the town, that it be named for the owner of the first store, but Burk thought the honor should be shared by the Love brothers.

It was not until after the expiry of these two men that historians have given all the credit for "founding" the boondocks R. F. Honey, who was not living here at the fourth dimension, and whose merely part was in selling land for someone else to build on.

J. B. Love owned concern lots on iii sides of the courthouse, which he purchased from Burke and McCallister. He opened several businesses, as well as renting buildings for other people to open up businesses. The concluding of these lots was sold in the 1920's. He was in business of some kind in Lovington from May vii, 1908 until shortly before his death in 1945. With the opening of the first shop, he was host to Lovington's offset picnic, a tradition that was carried on for many years.

In January 1975 the daughters of J. B. and Myrtle Love donated the house where they had lived, to the Lea County Museum, and information technology now sits on the Museum property. The house was built in 1909 and purchased past the Loves that year, it being Mrs. Love's home for more sixty years.

Children of James B. and Myrtle Ward Love: Emma married Marven L. Hooper, Ruth married Keyton F. Roberts (deceased); Velma married Lee W. Roberts, Jordan (deceased) married Faye Kerley; Kathleen married Gordon 1000. Cone (deceased); Myrtle Jim married Dr. H. W. Gillett; and Anemone married Robert Leon Binkley. Parents of James B. Love were John Dillard and Nancy Jane (Austin) Love. His brothers were George, Jeff, Sam, John, Florence and Albert, and his sister was Willie Howard.[Source: "Lea Canton Families and History: So and Now," Vol.1, transcribed past Jennifer Weatherford]

Dear, ROBERT FLORENCE AND MATILDA GLASCOCK
Submitted by: John Leman Love

My begetter, Robert Florence Honey, was a native Texan, being born April 17, 1870 in Palo Pinto County, Texas, the son of John Dillard Love and Nancy Jane Beloved. The family subsequently moved to Stephens County, Texas, north of where Cisco is shortly located.
In 1890 while yet a immature human of nigh 20, my father had the desire to work on a ranch, and this desire sent him w. He stopped first at the old OTO Ranch, once owned past Joe Allen Browning. Mr. Jerry Dunaway'south daughter, who married who married Mr. Charlie Fairweather, passed this flake of history on to me.

Robert F. Dear connected his westward expedition, moving across the Texas-New Mexico land line to the quondam 196 Ranch, which was owned by Joe Allen Browning, east and slightly north of the present city of Lovington by approximately twenty miles. This was known equally the old William Gardner place. My male parent worked there for a short time in nigh 1890 or 1891. He went from there to the old Mallet Ranch, known now as High-Lonesome, and worked there for a curt fourth dimension. The Mallet's sold out their interest to George Littlefield, known as the LFD, and they ran about 7,000 - viii,000 caput of cattle on the range they bought, with watering places and holdings running from the Loftier-Lonesome Ranch, just north and due west of the Littlefield holdings.

My father'due south path then led him e to Stephens Canton, Texas. He and his one-half brother, George Love, and Mr. Harrell from Stephens County, headed dorsum west up Sulfur Draw about v miles from where the Mallet equus caballus army camp was located. Here they established a ranching business, the name of which was ULU and MHX, near where Plains, Texas is now.

They were told that water could exist found near prairie domestic dog towns, so they set out digging a well by hand. Sure enough they found the needed water. This was around 1893 or 1894.

Upon Mr. Harrell's decision to return to his family unit and abode in Stephens County, the cattle were sold to Northward. B. Brown, possessor of the VVN Outfit. My father worked for the VVN Outfit for a short fourth dimension, then N. B. Brown sold out to the Pembertom brothers, who named it the "E" Outfit. My male parent continued on the ranch with Mr. Brown and the Pemberton brothers, so he returned to Stephens County.  This time his steps turned to Matrion Canton and the boondocks of Stanton, Texas where he met Matilda Glascock, the girl of Leman Pike Glascock, and they exchanged nuptials vows February 4, 1896. My twin sis Mary Bancy, were born of this union on January 18, 1897. A sister Grace Elizabeth was added to the family June ii, 1898 and a brother Robert Eugene on 23 January 1900. There was some other son born to this family in Lovington, Florence Warren Love, born June xx, 1908.

When our brother was about 3 months old, the Robert Florence Love family unit trekked w to New United mexican states, arriving late March of 1900, bringing with them their four children and all their worldly possessions in their covered wagon. The trip took well-nigh eight days and they followed the road where they could get water, the Old "C" Ranch, number eight watering hole, the Will Gates' place at Seminole, Texas (where Mr. Bay Robinson had a post function and a small shop), then west to old Bell Well, northward of the Swamp Ranch, where nosotros stopped. A tent was pitched on the open up range about ii and a half miles north of the homestead of Leman Pike Glascock. Here they lived for 4 spring and summer months, virtually the rock house of 50. P. Glascock, which was later sold to Dirt McGonigal.

The desire for farming land, led my female parent's begetter, L. P. Glascock, to motility to Portales, New United mexican states. My family unit moved into my grandfather's rock business firm where we lived until the latter role of 1902. A Mr. Reynolds had a dugout, windmill, tanl, corrals and a minor pasture located on a 40 acre tract, in the SE in the SE ¼ of Section three, Twp. 16S, Range 36E, in late 1902. My male parent bought this tract from Mr. Reynolds, who hadn't made his last proof on this land, but he relinquished it to my father in Jan of 1903. We moved in that location and started a small ranching functioning. A two room framed business firm was constructed due east of the dugout a short time after we moved in that location. This business firm had a double door, information technology could be opened at the tiptop or bottom. This ii room framed house was sold to Robert Florence Love's brother, Jim Love, who moved information technology onto his homestead.

My male parent filed on an boosted 120 acres on land adjoining his twoscore acre tract, beingness the Due north ½ of SW ¼ and the SW ¼ department 3, Twp. 16S, Range 36E, for a total of 160 acres.

He was appointed Deputy Revenue enhancement assessor of Eddy County, New United mexican states, under John Q. Quinn; and Deputy Sheriff under Cicero Stuart, sheriff of Boil Canton. He arrested 1 cow thief one time and brought him home to our place so he could accept him to Carlsbad for trial. It was too far to have him that night, and there were no jails this side of Carlsbad, so he kept him at our home. The thief asked us kids how we liked the looks of a cow thief, we told him we did not like the looks of one.

In the time span of almost 1900 through 1905, some of our neighbors were: John D. Graham, John Anderson, John Lynch, Uncle Joe Graham, Henry Record, Jake Ellar, Jack Russell, Jim Blackwell, J. South. -aves, Seth Alston, Adam Zimmerman, Dow Wood, Mrs. C. C. Medlin, Jimmy Kennum, Militarist Medlin, Pete Etcheverry, a Mr. Stokes, Nat Campsite, Sid Pitts, Louis Dad Taylor, Joe Allen Browning, Charlie Fairweather, Allen Heard, Oscar Thompson, John Garret, and the Crosby family.

My father was nicknamed "Dabble Instance" which fit him, since he played the dabble for many of the new and growing country dances. I tin can recall tunes like, "Sally Goodin," "Turkey in the Straw," "The Waltz y'all Saved for Me," and the haunting strains of "Habitation Sweet Home," and others. I ofttimes wondered if a pocket-size office of Texas and the memory of his younger days were not entwined in the tones that floated out of that erstwhile violin.

Wildlife abounded in this virgin county, including mustang horses. The ground was covered with mesquite, cactus, bear grass, and all the native grasses suitable for grazing livestock. The family diet was limited and consistently included bacon, beans, beef, antelope at times, dried fruit, when available; and coffee, flour, sugar, and Irish potatoes. To become supplies we had to brand a trip to Midland, Texas, taking almost viii or nine days for the round trip, a distance of about 130 miles each way. This was done by horse drawn carriage.

Our doctor in the early days was Dr. A. A. Dearduff who established his showtime office near us at Monument, New Mexico about 1902 or 1903.

The 2 coldest winters I recollect were in the years 1906 and 1918. Many cattle and sheep froze to expiry during these two storms. In 1917 and 1918 a severe drouth acquired fiscal disaster to many of the ranchers, subsequently affecting town concern.

In 1907 afterwards the winter disaster of 1906 our family unit moved to Knowles. My father moved to the John L. Toole new home site of Knowles. He built a 2 story hotel which the family operated until the latter office of 1907. It was and so sold and we returned to the homestead and we continued ranching.

My father sold six and 98/100 acres to C.M. Burks on Feb 23, 1908. On Dec iv, 1908 my father sold Wesley McCallister a 39.two acre tract of land. Te two tracts were surveyed and platted past Wesley McCallister who was a government surveyor at the time. This was filed of record in Plat Book vii, page 13, in the County Clerk's function in Lovington, after which the town of Lovington, New Mexico began to grow and build. The above lands were part of my male parent's homestead.

The choosing of a name for the new town is quite an interesting story. Mr. Wesley McCallister suggested the proper noun of Beloved. When my father was reluctant to go along with this, the name of Loving was suggested. Upon the discovery that another town, but south of Carlsbad already bore the name, it was agreed by the townspeople to christen this thriving metropolis "Lovington." And and then it is today.

My father bought a store from his brother, Jim B. Beloved, which Jim had endemic and operated. This store was located on the west side of the foursquare. Later my begetter sold an interest in this store to O. N. Blair and J.South. Boyd. They ran this business until July 11, 1910 and sold their interest in the shop to J. D. Hart, Oscar Thompson and G.R. Wright, with all improvements thereon.

In 1909 we bought our commencement automobile, a 1908 cerise Buick. It had wooden wheels, cloth top, and was a four seated touring car. We were proud of that machine and took our neighbors and friends riding a lot.

In 1910 my father bought lots on the town square and built another store building and moved the building from the west of the square, added information technology to the building and used it for a warehouse. He established a general store carrying dry out goods, groceries, and feed. He employed 5 clerks.

In the early part of 1906 I went to my first school, named Thornhill, for a short time. I stayed with Mr. Jake Ellar and his family unit, who lived on his homestead s of the How-do-you-do-Lonesome Ranch and went to school with his 2 boys Emmitt and Bob Ellar. We went part of the time in a buggy.

The next school united states of america kids went to was the J. L. Toole Knowles townsite for a short time when my parents were operating a hotel. Mrs. Emerge K. Ellis taught u.s. at that time. The side by side schoolhouse nosotros attended was in Lovington, our teacher was Mrs. Conley. The first school building was a ane-room frame construction. In 1909 another room was added to this construction. The teachers for the autumn term were Mrs. A. J. Scaff and Ellen Kelly. This was in 1909 and 1910. In the yr 1911 a new school building was built in the northeast part of town, well-nigh where the railroads track is now. This was an adobe construction. Later, more rooms were added to this building. We kids went to school at that place through the years 1911-1915. Our instructor was Mrs. Eiffie Anderson Carter; Mr. R. R. James was the main. Our athletic activities were baseball and basketball. The first baseball squad was organized in 1914.
My father's political career began in 1911 when he was elected to the New Mexico legislature, taking oath of office on Jan half-dozen, 1912 at the time New Mexico was added to the Union. He served as sheriff from 1921-1924 and as legislator from 1925-1930. He served as County Assessor from 1931-1934.
Decease claimed him on March 4, 1944 and he lies in the Lovington cemetery. My mother passed away eight years later, on December 27, 1952, and she lies in the cemetery at Portales, New Mexico. [Source: "Lea Canton Families and History: Then and Now," Vol. I]

LYLES, LEANDER MCBETH (LEE) AND MINNIE MAE STEPHENS
Submitted by: Leon Lyles and Fannie Stallings

As with many of the early settlers of Lea County, our story begins in Texas. Our male parent, Leander McBeth (Lee) Lyles was born January 18, 1871 in Dirt County, Texas, a son of William Thorp and Julia Lyles. He was married to our mother, Minnie Mae Stephens on March 15, 1892, probably in Clay County. Mama was born June 27, 1871 and her parents were Perry and Fannie Durham Stephens. Mama and Papa lived on a subcontract in Clay Canton and raised wheat. In 1899 they decided to try cotton farming and moved to Lockney in Floyd County. The firm was a half dugout 6 miles from boondocks. The cotton made adequately good crops but after four years, they decided to move back to Clay Canton, where they remained until 1915. All of us children were born in Dirt County. There were seven of united states of america, the youngest baby, a male child, died when he was six months old.
On the August 2nd, 1915, Papa filed a claim for land ten miles west of Lovington, in Lea County New United mexican states and we moved here in August 1915. Papa, Mama, Hettie, Bill, Fannie and I made the trip in two covered wagons and it took us two weeks to get here. We lived in the wagons until nosotros could build a business firm, which was but two rooms. It took usa a week to bring the lumber from Artesia, New Mexico, that is why the house wasn't any bigger. When nosotros got here there was only open range, no roads and only viii or ten houses. The girls cried all the way from Texas, wanting to go home and it sure didn't help when they saw the countryside. The people were the friendliest you ever saw and that made information technology better.  After arriving in Lea County, Papa became a rancher instead of a farmer, raising cattle and sheep.
Mama died March 22, 1950 and Papa died July 14, 1958. They are both buried in the Lovington Cemetery.[Source: "Lea Canton Families and History: Then and Now," Vol. 1, pub. 1979]

hillmosiout61.blogspot.com

Source: http://genealogytrails.com/newmex/lea/biosL.html

Share this post