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Emmett Essen Syria
is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. The country is
located in the Middle East on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
At the end of World War I when the news article below was
written, modern-day Syria was under the control of France, ending the Ottoman Empire rule of over 400 years.
The first mention of Emmett Essen in local newspapers for Sherman tell of his being a member of a bowling team and participating in bowling tournaments as well as domino tournaments in 1916. In the fall of 1917 Emmett Essen was involved in the capture of an Assyrian in Denison who was wanted on several charges of forgery. Emmett had received a letter enclosing a photograph a man named Abdella from the Sheriff of Oklahoma City. On Monday, September 10, 1917 Emmett was in Denison when he noticed a man resembling the picture he had received. He approached the man and gained his confidence by taking a picture of Abdella and showing him a good time. After being sure that the man he had befriended in Denison was indeed Abdella, Essen turned him over to Deputy Burris who then put him in the Denison jail. There was a $25 reward for Abdella's capture. (The Sherman Courier, Tuesday, September 11, 1917. pg. 8) Sherman Daily Democrat Wednesday evening, March 5, 1919 pg. 1 EMMETT ESSEN GETS LETTER FROM HOME Emmett Essen, a well known young Syrian merchant of this city, was made very happy today by receiving the first news from his mother and other relatives that he has got since coming to America a number of years ago. Although Emmett has written over 200 letters to his old home, these have never been received, and he has had no letter from his relatvies in Syria. Essen's former home in Syria is in the very heart of what is known as the Holy Land. The home of his parents was not far from the grave of Hezekiah, the Biblical prophet. Essen's father died while he was still a young boy, and he was taken by his uncle, Mohammed Seliman to be reared. He has 9 sisters in Syria, all of whom are well, according to the news received this morning. His mother is also well. Essen's family had given him up for dead, and their joy on learning that he is still alive was very great, their celebration lasting for several days. They heard from him through another Syrian of this city and still unable to believe that Emmett was alive his folks wrote to this person, enclosing a letter to be given to Emmett. Emmett plans to make a visit to his old home at as early a date as possible taking his American wife and his baby back with him. He will bring his mother to America if she will come. The people of Syria suffered many hardships under Turkey's rule, according to Emmett's letter. The Turks had a law which gave the Mohammedans the right to possess one-half of whatever the subject races had. Food was very scarce, wheat bringing as high as $35 a bushel at times. Conditions are now much better, thanks to the triumph of the Allied cause in the Holy Land. The many Sherman friends of Emmett will rejoice with him in the receipt of this good news. The 1920 federal census enumerated Emmett Essen and his family who lived on East King Street in Sherman, Grayson County, Texas; he was 26 years of age and listed 1910 as the year he immigrated to the United States. His occupation was that of a traveling merchant. His family members were: Lela, his wife, who was 25 years of age and was a Texas native. Rachel, daughter, who was 4 years of age and born in Texas. An infant son born in May 1920 in Texas. In January 1922 Emitt [sic] Essen filed his declaration of intention to become a United States citizen in the office of Judge J.R. Blades, United States District Clerk. Essen, a native of Deben, Syria, renounced allegiance to the French Republic of which Syria was a possession. He had filed a declaration of intention prior to this one but had allowed the declaration to lapse before securing final papers. (Sherman Daily Democrat, January 4, 1922, pg.5) Emmett and Lela are listed in the 1925 Sherman City Directory as operating a clothing store at 208 W. Houston Street and residing at 603 S. Montgomery Street. By spring 1930 the Essen family of four were still living in Sherman and renting a home at 503 Orange Street; his occupation was a store merchant. According to the 1940 census for Sherman, Grayson County, Texas, Emmett and Lela are living at 800 East Orange Street, next door to their son, Emmett Essen and his wife C. Margaret. Emmett and Lela both worked in their store Emmett's 1955 Texas Death Certificate gives his full name as Emmett M. Essin, born December 27, 1893 in Dabeen, Lebanon to parents, E.M. Essin and Fatima Hassin. His occupation was listed as a clothing merchant. Emmett died on January 31, 1955 at the age of 61 from heart disease and diabetes. He is buried in "Memorial Park", West Hill Cemetery Biography Index Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |