Grayson County TXGenWeb

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, May 26, 1901
pg. 4

Mrs. Sarah Irwin, sister of Mrs. W.B. Borden, died at the family home, 705 W. Munson street, at 6 o'clock Friday morning. Death was the result of a stroke of paralysis and came swiftly, deceased being ill but a short time. Mrs. Irwin was born near Manchester, England, 77 years ago, but had lived in this country many years. She was the widow of Edwin Irwin, a Mexican war veteran who served under Gen. Pike, and had made her home with her sister, Mrs. Borden for a number of years. Up to the time of the summons she was one of the brightest. most active, most geniel old ladies the writer has ever met with.
Other relatives are Mrs. Tom Boldrick and Mrs. Sallie Bray, nieces of Mrs. Irwin. They, with other relatives and friends, saddened that one so gentle and lovable has gone from them will keep the memory of the beautiful life and sorrow sincerely that she walks with them no more.
The funeral service was held at the residence of her nephew, Thomas Boldrick, 630 W. Day street, at 10 o'clock this (Saturday) morning. A long line of sorrowing relatives and friends followed the remains to the last resting place, Fairview cemetery.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, June 9, 1907
pg. 1

OLDEST MAN IN DENISON DEAD
William B. Borden, One of the Landmarks, Passes Peacefully Away at the Ripe Age of 92 Years
William B. Borden, whom the old-timers familiarly addressed as "Judge Borden", died Monday afternoon at the home of his son-in-law, Thomas Boldrick, No. 630 West Gandy street. For a number of years Mr. Borden and wife have made their home with their daughter. If ever a parent received loving and loyal attention, it was Judge Borden. Mr. and Mrs. Boldrick made his surroundings so pleasant there is no doubt it prolonged the old gentleman's life. In health he had everything that heart could wish for, and when smitten with sickness, his every want was administered to.
A number of years ago no one was better known than Judge Borden. He was a familiar figure on our streets. People loved and respected him, and always delighted to give him a friendly greeting. He was for some time engaged in the news business.
Owing to advanced years, Judge Borden retired to the eclusion of a happy home in the eighties and has been seen but little on our streets.
He was a steady attendent of the M.E. church. It was bad weather or something unusual that kept Judge Borden at home.
He was a remarkable man. Even up to the period of his last illness his mind was clear, and he died in possession of all his faculties. While he did not mix much with our people of recent years, he was always interested in what was going on around,
The presence of his children was a great solace to him on his sick bed.
There was an incident in the early lilfe of the Judge in Denison which may have escaped the recollection of the old-timers. A carpet bagger and loud-mouthed fellow got to cursing the Southern Confederacy and Jefferson Davis on Main street. The Judge, a soldier of the Lost cause, resented the insult, and hauled off and gave the fellow a blow over the head, which dazed him and was following the punishment up when parties interferred. During the war he was a quartermaster in the Confederate service and rendered very timely service, keeping the boys in gray in clothing and provisions. He was Mayor of Van Buren,, Arkansas, and also served as Sheriff in that district for several years.
He was a loving and gentle man with a nature as affectionate as a woman. If ever man lived up to the golden rule, that man was Judge William B. Borden.
He was born near Raleigh, N.C., September 26, 1815. In 1836 he moved to Little Rock, Ark. where he lived the greater part of his life. It was here that in 1843 he was happily married to Miss Mary A. Butterworth, an English girl. After the close of the Civil War, in 1873, the family moved to Denison, where they have continuously resided.
Mr. Borden is survived by his aged wife, who is in excellent health for one of her years. Mourning his death are three children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. To Mr. and Mrs. Borden were born seven children. The elder son died in early childhood and is buried in Little Rock, Ark. The other son and daughter, Mrs. Lottie Swain, are buried in Oakwood cemetery. The surviving children are Mrs. Thomas Boldrick of Denison; Mrs. Edward Grier, of Vancouver, B.C.; and Mrs. Sally Bray of Denison. The grandchildren are J.E. George and T.R. Boldrick; E.C. Bray, Walter Bray, Mrs. T.Z. Williams and Mrs. N.B. Kinder, all of this city; William Bray, of Little Rock, Ark., and Harry Bray, of Spokane, Wash., and six children, three girls and three boys of E.C. Grier of Vancouver, B.C.
The great-grandchildren are Masters Roland and Russell Williams, Miss Ruth Williams, children of Mr. and Mrs. T.Z. Williams; and Master Edward Charles Bray, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Bray, all of this city.
The funeral services were held at his late home at 3 o'clock, followed by a public service at the First M.E. church. The pastor, Rev. C.F. McGaha, assisted by Rev. E.L. Egger, pastor of Waples Memorial church, conducted the last sad rites. A large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives followed the cortege to Oakwood cemetery, where the remains were interred beside relatives, neath a mound of flowers. The pallbearers were Messrs. McHale, W. Peel, Tom Wright, Mr. Klein, H. Alexander and Mr. Blackburne.