THOMAS LEROY CRISWELL

 

 

     Thomas Leroy Criswell, b January 18, 1864 in Texas, d November 13, 1934 in The Criswell at Odds, Texas - was a son of William Moore Criswell, b May 4, 1822 in Alabama, d March 7, 1881 in Falls County, Texas, and his wife, Mary Ann (Evans) Criswell, b June 9, 1829 in Alabama, d May 31, 1883 in Falls County, who were married on August 30, 1847 in Cherokee County, Texas.

     Thomas Leroy Criswell came to Falls County with his family after 1870, farming in the East-Central area of the county. He was the ninth of thirteen children: Evans Henry, William Holmes, Nancy Josephine, Viola Vivian, L. Ann, Lodenia Walker, John C. Calhoun, Bower Calloway, Thomas Leroy, Frances Caroline, Udorah Green, Mary Ophelia, and G. Herbert Criswell.

     Thomas Leroy Criswell married first to Mary Magalene Parton, b October 15, 1867, d January 13, 1889 and buried in Stranger Cemetery; and they had one son, Jeffy Criswell, b January 13, 1889 d November 23, 1889 and also buried in Stranger Cemetery. Thomas Leroy Criswell married second to Mary Catherine Durham, b February 9, 1872, d August 15, 1950 - a daughter of Marcus T. Durham, b February 4, 1843 in Georgia, d June 10, 1923, and his wife, Arminda J. (Hopkins) Durham, b July 31, 1843 in Georgia d February 14, 1912, and a granddaughter of Thomas Durham, b March 1811, d March 1873 and his wife, Mary A. Durham, b July 9, 1816, d January 1881 and all buried in Criswell Cemetery in Falls County. The Durhams arrived in Falls County in 1867, and it was Marcus T. Durham who deeded the land for the Criswell School, Church, and Cemetery.

     Thomas Leroy and Mary Catherine (Durham) Criswell had nine children:

     Bessie Criswell, b May 16, 1891, d May 11, 1966 - married Clinton Erskine, b June 23, 1888, d April 9, 1966.

     John Leroy Criswell, b September 25, 1892, d March 16, 1916 - married Mariah Victoria Brown and had Juanita Allene and Pauline Criswell.

     Thomas Elsberry Criswell (later "Sr."), b August 15, 1894, d October 12, 1948 at the Criswell Ranch at Odds, Texas, and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Texas, who married in 1917 to Willie Mae Sparks, b January 31,1899 - a daughter of William J. and Alice (Steele) Sparks - natives of Falls County. They were the parents of two sons: Thomas Elsberry

Criswell, Jr., b November 3,1917 who married first in 1938 to Minnie Melba Nance, b 1920, and they had one son - Thomas Edward Criswell, b August 27, 1939 in Falls County, who married on December 27, 1958 in Clute, Texas to Judith Ann Criswell and had Connie Ann and Terry Edward Criswell. Thomas Elsberry, married second on August 25, 1947 to Carra Mae Fincher, b June 11, 1913 in Shackelford County, Texas and had no issue. The second son of Thomas Elsberry and Willie Mae was William Sparks Criswell, b August 12, 1923 who had children, Martha Susan and James Criswell by a first marriage; and married second to Vlasta Barrows, and reside in Rosenberg, Texas.

     Myrtle Viola Criswell - no information.

     William Mark Criswell - no information.

     Opal Marie Criswell - no information.

     Carl Jackson Criswell - no information.

     Armondia Blanche Criswell, b March 6, 1905 - married Joshua S. ("Jay") Saxon.

     Mary Louise Criswell - no information. Thomas Leroy and Mary Catherine Criswell lived all their lives and farmed in the Odds Community. They were buried in the Criswell Cemetery with members of the Criswell and Durham families. Thomas Leroy Criswell was called "Whitt" by family and many friends throughout his life.

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 102 column 2 and page 103 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.