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John Rupert Elliott Family
James Franklin Ayres was born January 8, 1843, in Tippah County, Mississippi. He grew up in Alcorn County where he enlisted as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. In 1868 he came to Texas and lived in Fayette County where he married Mary Elizabeth Criswell in 1871. She was the granddaughter of John Yancey Criswell who came to Texas in 1831, after having received a Spanish land grant just south of the present site of the South Texas Nuclear Energy Project in Matagorda County.
About 1891, James F. Ayres moved his family, which then included five sons and daughters, to a farm in Matagorda County on the west side of Caney Creek. The oldest son, John, taught the first school in that location. They established a business which made syrup from sugar cane. The syrup was sold by the barrel to customers who came in small boats and barges to the location on Caney Creek. An accident caused by runaway horses left James badly injured, and he died in 1901. He was buried in a small cemetery near the home of the Phillips family.
In the fall of 1903, Mrs. Ayres moved to Bay City where she was living when her daughter Mary Emma “Mamie” married. Mamie had taught the first school in Palacios, and lived there after she married Doctor John Rupert Elliott on March 21, 1906.
John Rupert Elliott was born in Ireland on July 29, 1877 [to John Clark Elliott and Madge Ellen Lloyd Elliott], and was about fifteen years old when his family moved to Abilene, Texas. During the Spanish-American War he enlisted and served as a medical corpsman. Later, he attended The University of Texas Medical School, and after graduating, he interned at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston. In 1904 he began practicing medicine in Markham, Texas, and the next year moved to Palacios where he bought a drug store and became the first doctor in Palacios. Except for the period when he served as a medical officer in the United States Army during World War I, Dr. Elliott continued to practice medicine in Palacios until his death on February 10, 1934. Mamie Elliott died on June 22, 1941. She was active in the First Baptist Church in Palacios where Dr. Elliott was a charter member, and for many years, a deacon.
Their son, Rupert Ayres Elliott, was born on February 10, 1908. He taught school in Palacios after graduating from Baylor University, and then continued to teach and attend school until he earned his Master’s Degree from Baylor. He taught in Midfield and Wadsworth before moving from Matagorda County. In 1963 he retired from the Air Force as a Colonel.
Mary Alleen Elliott, who married Galen Westwick of Corpus Christi, was born August 21, 1912. She was also a graduate of Baylor University, and taught school in Matagorda County before moving to Corpus Christi, where she continued to teach until she retired.
Nannette Irene Elliott, born April 25, 1923, married Francis Lauren Mickle, and lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, page 143
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Dr. J. R. Elliott was the first physician in Palacios. He graduated from the Medical Branch of the Texas University at Galveston in June of 1902 and located first in Markham forming a partnership with Dr. Clay Moore in both his practice and drug business, but two years later he was invited to move to Palacios. He sold out his business interest to Dr. Moore and located in Palacios in the autumn of 1904. He opened an office and drug store in a small building between the Bakery, owned by Charles Axburg and the grocery store owned by Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Montgomery. A dry goods store owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Hill was also in that group of stores all located on the south side of the block directly back of the home now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ben Ehlers. In the spring of 1906 Dr. Elliott built a new store building up the street two blocks west and moved his office and drug establishment there and called it Palacios Pharmacy. In 1911 he sold out his drug business in order to give all his time to his private practice. the stock of drugs was sold to Jim Pridgen of Cuero, who moved the stock into a building several doors to the west, this being the building Jno. Bowden just vacated. Mr. Pridgen did a very profitable business until he sold out in 1916 to Mr. McKinnon, who later sold to Mr. C. W. Nester. The Pharmacy building was sold to Mr. J. R. Wylie who moved it to the eastern part of town and turned it into a residence. It is now a part of the John Partain and Arnold Burton home. Dr. Elliott moved his office up stairs in the Ruthven building and continued his practice here in Palacios until his death February 10, 1934, excepting for eighteen months that he served his country in the World War, and was located in New York City and six months he spent with his family in Europe. People of Palacios and surrounding country suffered a great loss at his passing. His kindliness sympathy and understanding as their family physician was trusted and honored both for his integrity and also for his scientific skill.
Palacios Beacon, October 19, 1939 |
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Dr. J. R. Elliott
The funeral of Dr. J. R. Elliott, prominent Palacios physician, was conducted from the First Baptist Church February 12. Rev. George D. McClelland, pastor of the First Baptist Church officiated, assisted by Rev. Odis Rainer of Bay City. An enormous crowd of friends from every walk of life came to pay their last tribute of respect to this man who had stood by them and their families in times of sickness and distress. John Rupert Elliott was born July 29, 1878, at Rath Kurby, County of Kilkenny, Waterford, Ireland. He went to be with his Heavenly Father, February 10, 1934, at the age of 56 years.
He came to America with his parents when 15 years of age. They located in Abilene where he was graduated from Simmons University. He attended Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College for two years, after which he entered the medical branch of Texas University at Galveston, where he was graduated with highest honors winning the internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston for two years.
Having become a naturalized citizen of the United States, he answered the call of his country in 1898 and served in the hospital corps in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. After his discharge from the army he entered private practice at Markham, two years later he came to Palacios as the pioneer physician and druggist, where he ministered to the needs of the community until the time of his death.
In 1918, he again volunteered his services to his country, he enlisted in the United States army, and was commissioned first lieutenant in the medical corps. He was stationed for almost two years in New York City. After the Armistice he with his family came back to Palacios. He became a member of the American Legion.
In 1906 he was married to Miss Mary Emma Ayres of Bay City, who survives him. Three children were born to this union: Rupert, Mary Alene and Nannette, all of whom are active members of the First Baptist Church. He is also survived by one sister who lives in Ireland and three brothers living in America.
When seventeen years of age he was born again; he accepted Christ as his Savior and took up the cross to follow Him as Lord. He was a charter member and one of the first deacons of the First Baptist Church. He was named one of the trustees of the church upon its incorporation. Having fought a good fight, having finished his course, and having kept the faith, he has now entered into the haven of rest.
The pallbearers were Mr. Oscar Barber, Mr. Lee Davidson, Dr. B. Simons and Dr. J. W. Simons of Bay City; Dr. Richard Elliott of San Diego; and Mr. C. M. Duggers of Edna. Music for the occasion was furnished by the First Baptist quartet composed of Messrs. Arnold Burton, John Richards, T. S. Forehand, and A. M. Stadig, accompanied by Miss Claire Partain.
Originally published in the Palacios Beacon and reprinted in
the Matagorda County Tribune, February 22, 1934 |
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Funeral services for Mary Elliott Simon Westwick, 73, were held May 5 at 1 p. m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi with Rev. Fred Martin of Corpus Christi officiating. Graveside services were held at 4:30 p. m. at the Palacios Cemetery.
Mrs. Westwick, the daughter of Dr. J. R. and Mary Ayres Elliott, was born September 21, 1912 in Palacios and died April 30, 1986 in Corpus Christi.
She was a graduate of Baylor University and taught school in Corpus Christi until her retirement in 1977. She was affiliated with St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Survivors include her husband, Galen Westwick of Corpus Christi; one sister, Mrs. Nannette Elliott Mickle of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one brother, Rupert A. Elliott of San Antonio; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of usual remembrances, donations may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church of Corpus Christi.
Palacios Beacon, May 8, 1986 |
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Waco, Texas, August 10.—Rupert A. Elliott, principal of the Wadsworth, Texas, schools for the past three years, will receive his Master of Arts degree at the summer commencement exercises at Baylor University, August 17.
Elliott’s major subject was education. He took his bachelor of arts degree from Baylor in 1930.
Palacios Beacon, August 11, 1938 |
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Photos courtesy of Matagorda County Museum |
