Frederick Belo Glass
Frederick Belo Glass b November 30, 1892 in Lott, Falls County, Texas, d September 9, 1963 in Marlin, Texas - a son of Thomas Franklin and Alice (Hodges) Glass, attended school in Marlin. During World War I, he joined the U.S. Army in 1917, and at- tended Officer's Training School - serving two years in the military. Following military service, he was an appraiser for the J. E. Harrott Mortgage Company in San Antonio, and began his study of law. Returning to Marlin, he read law in the office of his brother, Cecil R. Glass, and then became interested in county politics. In 1936, he was elected Falls County Tax Collector, serving 1936-1940. In 1947, he was elected Falls County Judge, and served in this office until his death in 1963.On June 19, 1917 in Dallas, Texas, Fred married Gladys Bassett - a daughter of Jay C. and Jonnie ("Mud" Wingate) Bassett. They had no children.
During his tenure as Falls County Judge, Fred instituted the unit system for county roads, and almost every major farm road in the county had been hard surfaced, with many bridges built - including a million dollar bridge over the Brazos River. Working together with County Judge McIvers of Centerville, and with the help of an old friend, Sanford Quay Garrett, Sr. of the Stranger Community (who volunteered his time and expenses to obtain right-of-ways and move fences back), Highway 7 was built through Falls County to East Texas. Fred was elected in 1947 as secretary to the President of the State Association of County Judges and Commissioners, and served as president of the National Association of County Judges and Com- missioners in 1954. During World War II, he volunteered for service, but although commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he was never called to active duty. He was active in the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, and the Lions Club.
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.
