James Gerden Barganier

Surnames: BARGANIER, KIRKPATRICK, DAVISON, LOEFFLER, MICHALSKYS, CLARK, CLARKSON, ROBINSON, DELAHIDE, WOMACK, ALLEN, BREIHAN, BARNETT, DAVIDSON, ROGERS, LEACH

James Gerden Barganier, b August 15, 1872 in Ft. Deposit, Alabama, d March 14, 1953 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - was a son of Hillary Herbert and Mary Ellen (Kirkpatrick) Barganier. He was educated in the public schools, and reared in the Presbyterian faith. At the age of 19 years, he came to Texas where his older brothers, Oliver and Alonzo Barganier, had previously settled. James Gerden acquired extensive land holdings in the vicinity of Reagan Community - having approximately forty tenant houses on the Reagan prairie and in the Brazos Bottom Lands, which he improved for the planting of cotton. He was president of the First National Bank in Reagan, and was also in the lumber business.

In December 1914, James Gerden Barganier called "Jim" was married to Verna Davison, b August 119, 1881 in Falls County, Texas, d January 13, 1969 and buried by her husband in Calvary Cemetery - the first child of Dr. Stephen Decatur Davison and his second wife, Sarah (always called "Sallie" Tankersley) Davison, who were married in Falls County in 1880.

Known throughout the community as "Miss Verna" Mrs. Barganier was a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in the Class of 1898, where she majored in music and art. She also attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music, where she studied piano. Until her marriage, she taught piano in East Falls County, with many students in the Blue Ridge Community. She was a devoted Christian, and very active in the Baptist Churches of Reagan, and subsequently of Marlin. The great loves of her life were her family, her music, and teen-age boys. "Miss Verna" started teaching teen-age boys in the Reagan Baptist Church when only sixteen years of age, and continued this work in the Marlin Baptist Church until her retirement sixty-seven years later, at age 83 years. The fruits of her labors and the influence on the lives of some of these boys was lasting.

In the summer of 1924, Mr. Barganier bought Highlands - a turrn-of-the-century mansion, east of Marlin, which is now owned by Thomas and Naomi Michalsky. It was completely restored to its original beauty by Mr. and Mrs. Lee Loeffler, of Houston, Texas. The Loefflers sold it to the Michalskys, who continue to maintain it in excellent condition, and have added additional furnishings of the correct period to enhance its beauty. It is open for tours, year-round. Highlands Mansion was originally built by Mr. B. C. Clark for his bride, Sarah ("Sally" Clarkson) Robinson - widow of Austin Robinson, and daughter of B. B. and Mary Clarkson - natives of Kentucky and Mississippi, respectively. Mr. Clark was a Marlin banker, who died in 1915. The Barganiers moved into Highlands in January 1925, and this remained their family until, due to failing health, Mrs. Barganier moved to the Falls Hotel in 1962, and Highlands Mansion was given to a Mrs. Delahide, of Houston, by the Barganier fam-ily, with the condition that it be restored and opened to the public. Mrs. Delahide paid for the yard fence; but she subsequently sold the mansion to the Loefflers. During their years in the lovely home, the Barganiers used it extensively for the entertainment of friends and relatives.

Mr. Barganier served as a member of the Marlin School Board for many years - his chief interests throughout the years remaining his family and his land. In October 1935, James Gerden Barganier suffered a stroke, and for the rest of his life (eighteen years), he was an invalid. "Miss Verna" was an active member of the Wednesday Matinee Musical Club in Marlin, and the Women's Study Club.

James Gerden and Verna (Davison) Barganier were the parents of two children, and reared her niece, Doris Davison - a daughter of her brother, Clinton Gordon Davison and his first wife, Eloise Womack, who asked them to take her month-old baby, when she died. The children were:
Virginia Barganier - attended Baylor University in Waco, and graduated from The University of Texas, Austin. She married December 17, 1938 in Marlin to Bolivar Lea Allen, who graduated from The University of Texas and Harvard Law School - a son of Dr. Walter Hanz and Nettie (Falconer) Allen. Their daughter was Virginia Allen (called "Ginny"), who married Edward Breihan, and had Julie Breihan, b July 29, 1968, and David Allen Breihan, b October 4, 1973. Their son was Richard Lang Allen.
Hillary H. Barganier, b December 12, 1918 in Falls County, Texas, d July 12, 1985 in Marlin and buried in Calvary Cemetery - married Joni Dell Barnett, b September 9, 1922 in Marlin - a daughter of Dr. John Houston and Dell Ann (Davidson) Barnett. They had four children.

Doris Davison-Barganier, b December 26, 1922 - a daughter of Clinton Gordon and Eloise (Womack) Davison, was reared by her father's sister and her husband. She married Cullen James Rogers, b May 29, 1921 - a son of John Harvey and Mary Elizabeth (Leach) Rogers, of Limestone County, Texas. They had thee children.

Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.