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Eliza Anna Ray
Williams MRS.
ELIZA A. WILLIAMS, who is held in the
highest respect for what she has
accomplished in the business world since the
death of her husband [1888], is now
conducting an insurance and real-estate
office in Denison. A native of West
Virginia, she is a daughter of Luke E. and
Marietta (Drown) Ray. Her father removed
from West Virginia to Jefferson City,
Missouri, when the daughter was nine years
of age and there [Eliza] spent her girlhood
days and in 1861 gave her hand in marriage
to Dr. George W. Williams, who for a number
of years occupied a prominent position
professionally and socially in Denison. He
was born in Tennessee and with his father
went to Missouri in his youth. He pursued
his professional education in St. Louis
(Missouri) Medical College and in Hahneman
Medical College, Philadelphia, being a
graduate of both institutions. He entered
upon the practice of his chosen calling in
southwestern Missouri and in 1873 came to
Denison, where he remained until his death,
which occurred on the 2nd of August, 1888.
He was one of the first physicians of this
city and was very active at the time of the
cholera epidemic, giving valuable assistance
in checking the ravages of that disease and
in impending its further progress. He was an
earnest and conscientious practitioner,
careful in the diagnosis of a case and at
all times put forth his best effort to
alleviate human suffering and restore
health. He studied the principles and
theories of medicine and was practical in
his application of his knowledge to the
needs of his patients. He commanded the
respect of his fellowmen both as a physician
and as a citizen, and he represented the
second ward in the city council as a
Republican member.
Stone
on front of building She has met with success in its conduct
and has secured a good clientage in both
departments. Well informed concerning realty
values, she has negotiated some important
property transfers and her earnest efforts
directed by sound judgment and executive
ability have brought her a good financial
return. Her husband was an exemplary member of
the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army
of the Republic and Mrs. Williams now belongs
to the Order of the Eastern Star and the
Women's Relief Corps, the two ladies'
auxiliaries of the above named organizations.
She is likewise a member of the Presbyterian
church and in Denison, where she has made her
home for a third of a century, she is held in
the highest esteem by reason of what she has
accomplished and her admirable womanly
qualities manifest in her social relations. 1880 U.S. Census Eliza and husband Dr.
George W. Williams living in Gainesville,
Cooke County, Texas. 1896
Denison City Directory: Williams E A & Co
(E A and G G Williams), real estate,
insurance, loans, 110 N Rusk Avenue. Williams Eliza A,
widow Dr. G. W. (E A Williams & Co),
residence at 311 W Woodard. Williams G Gordon (E
A Williams & Co), residence at 311 W
Woodard. 1901 Denison City
Directory: Williams Eliza A.
(widow of George W.) (E. A. Williams &
Co.), residence over 311 W. Woodard. Phone
148-2. Williams E. A. &
Co. (Eliza A. Williams, — Co.), insurance,
loans, real estate, 114 N. Rusk Ave. Phone
148-2. 1907 Denison City
Directory: Williams Eliza A. (widow of George W.), real estate 114 N Rusk Ave; residence at 311-1/2 W Woodard.
Post card
showing 300 block of West Woodard Street,
north side
1909 Denison City
Directory No listing for Eliza A. Williams.
John Joseph Fairbanks LATER LIFE After operating a successful business for some years, Eliza seems to have married John Joseph Fairbanks around 1910. He was a divorced real estate investor known for gambling. Born in Mountain View, New Jersey on January 1, 1840, "J. J." lived in Brooklyn, New York and Meriden, Connecticut as a young man. He, then, moved to Kansas and founded the town of Colony in Anderson County. From Colony he moved to Denison, Grayson County, Texas, where he engaged in the real estate business. He founded the town of Fairbanks in Harris County, Texas in July 1895. In Kokomo, Indiana on January 1, 1867, John married Edith Kirk, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Kirk, of Kirklin, Indiana. They had three children ~ Kirk Brooks (1860 - 1953); May (1873 - 1875); and Loleta Maud (1876 - 1920). In 1895, around the time he was founding the town in South Texas named after himself, John built an imposing home on the south edge of Denison. He was said to host illegal activities. The Sunday Gazetteer
"Residence of J. J. Fairbanks, Real
Estate Dealer" Situated
on 640 acres at the edge of town, this
110-year-old landmark of Denison was built on a
high hill. Rumor has it that Fairbanks built the
home to accommodate his gambling pursuits. There
is a widow's walk on the rooftop. The story goes
that he kept a sentry posted on the widow's walk
to keep watch for sheriffs and wives. The house features four fireplaces, 12-foot ceilings, 10-foot stained-glass doors, and stained-glass windows throughout the home. Each room was built with a different wood—mahogany, pecan, cherry, and (now extinct to Texas) tiger oak. Even the wood on the 200-pound pocket doors corresponds to the room—e.g., mahogany on one side, tiger oak on the other. The house has a grand staircase and amazingly detailed woodwork throughout the home.
J. J. Fairbanks
Residence In 1980, the house was moved one block west, from its original site at 1700 South Austin Avenue to 200 West Prospect. Ruel Golden of Coalgate, Oklahoma, was able to move the house downhill despite being told that it could not be done! It took five seven-ton flatbed trailers to move the 250,000-pound house over 200 yards straight downhill. Later it was renovated and served as Molly Cherry Bed & Breakfast, 200 Molly Cherry Lane. This explains why the Molly Cherry is uniquely located on seven wooded acres in a busy area of Denison. The house went through several owners. In 1979, the house was going to be demolished to make way for Harold Haddock's car dealership at 1801 South Austin Avenue. However, the wife of the car dealer would not hear of it being destroyed and insisted that it be saved to serve as the Haddock family residence. By 1900, John's marriage to Edith seems to have fallen apart, with her taking Loleta to live in Kansas City. The 1910 census reported him divorced, 70 years old, and living in Denison with his son, Kirk, who had a family of his own. Around this time, John seems to have established a home with Eliza A. Williams. John died in Denison on April 15, 1923 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery. According to official Texas death records, Eliza A. Fairbanks passed away on June 7, 1924. John's son, Kirk Fairbanks, died in 1953 and also was buried in Fairview. In 2008, Walter and Lynn Marrable purchase the Molly Cherry Bed and Breakfast.
ca. 2010
 Biography Index Susan Hawkins ©2025 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
