Typed by Lena Stone Criswell
Marlin Democrat (no date)
PIONEER DIES AT AGE OF 96
Related by Marriage to Many Falls Countians
James Monroe Chisum, known to his many Falls County friends as "Whiteoak"
Chisum, died at his in the Dixie Community near Whitesboro in Grayson
County, October 22. His wife was a sister of the late T. L. Criswell and J.
C. Criswell.
According to a clipping from the Whitesboro Democrat, Mr. Chisum was the
oldest native Texan in Grayson county, being 96 at the time of his death. He
first went there in 1865, driving a herd of 600 cattle.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dixie Baptist Church
with interment in the Dixie cemetery directed by Summy.
Until several years ago, Mr. Chisum could sit before the fire with his
books, a hobby pursued over a period of many years, and dream of the days in
Whitesboro that no other citizens could remember. He was born Feb. 23, 1846,
in Nacogdoches county, a son of Madison and Margaret Nesbit Chisum and one of
five children. His early education was received at a subscription school, to
which he walked three miles three months out of the year.
Enlisted in the Confederate army at the age of 16, Mr. Chisum served two
years in Walker's division, trans-Mississippi department. He fought in a few
skirmishes in Louisana and Arkansas where his company was stationed. He was
discharged at Hempstead in May, 1865.
It was too late to make a crop so he drove some cattle to Whitesboro and
was given a gin stand as pay. He sold the stand for $5 and after farming a
year went to Limestone county, settling at Thornton to farm in the spring and
(winter). He married Miss Josephine Criswell of Falls county Feb. 18, 1873,
and they bought a farm in Limestone county and remained there until her death
in 1879.
Mr. Chisum went to Whitesboro for the second time in November 1881, and
had lived there since. He had been a member of the Shady Grove Methodist
church since 1894, and was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. He retired in
1931 and spent his time reading, fishing and hunting.
Surviving are three daughters, Miss Jodie Chisum at home, Mrs. Leah
Boston of Lubbock and Mrs. Almedia Jackson of Sadler; a son, William, of
Dixie; 2 grandchildren including Francis Jackson of the army air forces, and
10 great grandchildren.
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Note:
James Monroe Chisum was born Feb 23, 1846 and died Oct. 22, 1942 - family
records - typed and submitted by Lena Stone Criswell from the TMC Collection.
