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Eliza Anna Ray Williams MRS.
ELIZA A. WILLIAMS, who is held in the
highest respect for what she has accomplished in the business world
since the
death of her husband [1888], is now conducting an insurance and
real-estate
office in Denison. A native of West Virginia, she is a daughter of Luke
E. and Marietta (Drown) Ray. Her father removed from West Virginia to
Jefferson City, Missouri, when the daughter was nine years of age and
there [Eliza]
spent her girlhood days and in 1861 gave her hand in marriage to Dr.
George W. Williams, who for a
number of years occupied a prominent position professionally and
socially in
Denison. He was born in Tennessee and with his father went to Missouri
in his
youth. He pursued his professional education in St. Louis (Missouri)
Medical
College and in Hahneman Medical College, Philadelphia, being a graduate
of both
institutions. He entered upon the practice of his chosen calling in
southwestern Missouri and in 1873 came to Denison, where he remained
until his
death, which occurred on the 2nd of August, 1888. He was one of the
first
physicians of this city and was very active at the time of the cholera
epidemic, giving valuable assistance in checking the ravages of that
disease
and in impending its further progress. He was an earnest and
conscientious
practitioner, careful in the diagnosis of a case and at all times put
forth his
best effort to alleviate human suffering and restore health. He studied
the
principles and theories of medicine and was practical in his
application of his
knowledge to the needs of his patients. He commanded the respect of his
fellowmen both as a physician and as a citizen, and he represented the
second
ward in the city council as a Republican member.
Stone on front of building She
has met with success in its conduct and has secured a good clientage in
both departments. Well informed concerning realty values, she has
negotiated some important property transfers and her earnest efforts
directed by sound judgment and executive ability have brought her a
good financial return. Her husband was an exemplary member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic and Mrs.
Williams now belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Women's
Relief Corps, the two ladies' auxiliaries of the above named
organizations. She is likewise a member of the Presbyterian church and
in Denison, where she has made her home for a third of a century, she
is held in the highest esteem by reason of what she has accomplished
and her admirable womanly qualities manifest in her social relations. 1880
U.S. Census Eliza
and husband Dr. George W. Williams living in
Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas. 1896 Denison City Directory:
Williams
E A & Co (E A and G G Williams), real
estate, insurance, loans, 110 N Rusk Avenue. Williams
Eliza A, widow Dr. G. W. (E A Williams
& Co), residence at 311 W Woodard. Williams
G Gordon (E A Williams & Co), residence
at 311 W Woodard. 1901
Denison City Directory: Williams
Eliza A. (widow of George W.) (E. A.
Williams & Co.), residence over 311 W. Woodard. Phone 148-2. Williams
E. A. & Co. (Eliza A. Williams, — Co.),
insurance, loans, real estate, 114 N. Rusk Ave. Phone 148-2. 1907
Denison City Directory: Williams Eliza A. (widow of George W.), real estate 114 N Rusk Ave; residence at 311-1/2 W Woodard.
Post
card showing 300 block of West Woodard Street, north side
1909
Denison City Directory No listing for Eliza A. Williams.
John Joseph Fairbanks LATER LIFE After operating a successful business for some years, Eliza seems to have married John Joseph Fairbanks around 1910. He was a divorced real estate investor known for gambling. Born in Mountain View, New Jersey on January 1, 1840, "J. J." lived in Brooklyn, New York and Meriden, Connecticut as a young man. He, then, moved to Kansas and founded the town of Colony in Anderson County. From Colony he moved to Denison, Grayson County, Texas, where he engaged in the real estate business. He founded the town of Fairbanks in Harris County, Texas in July 1895. In Kokomo, Indiana on January 1, 1867, John married Edith Kirk, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Kirk, of Kirklin, Indiana. They had three children ~ Kirk Brooks (1860 - 1953); May (1873 - 1875); and Loleta Maud (1876 - 1920). In 1895, around the time he was founding the town in South Texas named after himself, John built an imposing home on the south edge of Denison. He was said to host illegal activities. The Sunday
Gazetteer
"Residence
of J. J. Fairbanks, Real Estate Dealer" Situated on
640 acres at the edge of town, this 110-year-old landmark of Denison
was built
on a high hill. Rumor has it that Fairbanks built the home to
accommodate his
gambling pursuits. There is a widow's walk on the rooftop. The story
goes that
he kept a sentry posted on the widow's walk to keep watch for sheriffs
and
wives. The house features four fireplaces, 12-foot ceilings, 10-foot stained-glass doors, and stained-glass windows throughout the home. Each room was built with a different wood—mahogany, pecan, cherry, and (now extinct to Texas) tiger oak. Even the wood on the 200-pound pocket doors corresponds to the room—e.g., mahogany on one side, tiger oak on the other. The house has a grand staircase and amazingly detailed woodwork throughout the home.
J.
J. Fairbanks Residence In 1980, the house was moved one block west, from its original site at 1700 South Austin Avenue to 200 West Prospect. Ruel Golden of Coalgate, Oklahoma, was able to move the house downhill despite being told that it could not be done! It took five seven-ton flatbed trailers to move the 250,000-pound house over 200 yards straight downhill. Later it was renovated and served as Molly Cherry Bed & Breakfast, 200 Molly Cherry Lane. This explains why the Molly Cherry is uniquely located on seven wooded acres in a busy area of Denison. The house went through several owners. In 1979, the house was going to be demolished to make way for Harold Haddock's car dealership at 1801 South Austin Avenue. However, the wife of the car dealer would not hear of it being destroyed and insisted that it be saved to serve as the Haddock family residence. By 1900, John's marriage to Edith seems to have fallen apart, with her taking Loleta to live in Kansas City. The 1910 census reported him divorced, 70 years old, and living in Denison with his son, Kirk, who had a family of his own. Around this time, John seems to have established a home with Eliza A. Williams. John died in Denison on April 15, 1923 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery. According to official Texas death records, Eliza A. Fairbanks passed away on June 7, 1924. John's son, Kirk Fairbanks, died in 1953 and also was buried in Fairview. In 2008, Walter and Lynn Marrable purchase the Molly Cherry Bed and Breakfast.
ca. 2010
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