Typed by: Phyllis Seeley


CHATMAS, JAMES C. SR.

Surnames: CHATMAS, XYDIAS, GILLEY, WHITTEN, WIGGINS

James C. CHATMAS, Sr., b December 7, 1885 in Athens, Greece, d August 13, 1966 in Marlin, Falls
County, Texas and buried in Calvary Cemetery - immigrated to Chicago, Illinois, having sailed from
Greece in April 1899. Later he moved to Clarksville, Texas where he had some friends. When James
settled in Marlin, His two brothers, John and George CHATMAS, left Greece for Marlin, Texas.

James C. CHATMAS, (called “Pops”) soon owned three motion picture theaters in Marlin, plus a theater
at Hearne, Texas, and a drive-in theater, while John and George established a confectionery.

In the meantime, Savas XYDIAS, b July 22, 1861, d April 30, 1910, had immigrated from
Constantinople, Turkey. He and a nephew, Anthony XYDIAS, b November 23, 1893, d July 6, 1925 -
and both are buried in Calvary Cemetery, had settled in Marlin.

In 1908, two nieces of Savas XYDIAS, Merope XYDIAS and Marcia XYDIAS, b May 25, 1887 in
Turkey, d November 21, 1955 in Marlin and buried in Calvary Cemetery, came to Marlin where their
uncle lived. ON November 24, 1909 Marcia XYDIAS was married in Falls County, Texas to James C.
CHATMAS.

Mr. and Mrs. CHATMAS made a contribution to their vast theater audience that will never be forgotten.
It was the culture of the times, when every man, woman, and child saw movies develop from silent to
sound, and from black to color film - a time when a child saw a movie for a dime, and an adult for
twenty-five cents and later fifty cents.

The CHATMAS family affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Marlin, where two of their
children have reared their families and been active in all church affairs.

Three children were born to James C. and Marcia (XYDIAS) CHATMAS:

Evangeline CHATMAS, b ca 1912 - married Ray Gilley, b 1913 d 1964 in Houston, Texas and buried in
Calvary Cemetery in Marlin. She continues to reside in Houston, where they made their home.

James C. CHATMAS, Jr. b June 9, 1916 married Maxine WHITTEN of Alvarado, Texas.

John CHATMAS, II b ca 1918 - married Frances WIGGINS of Marlin, Texas.

The CHATMAS family still have descendants who reside in Marlin, Falls County, Texas.

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 74 Column 2 and page 75 Column 1
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.