Back row: Earl Hill, Lawrence Hill, Luther Hill
Middle row: Bessie Hill Sidney J. Hill, George Alice Hill, George Hill, Ben Hill
Front row: Mary Jane Hill, Robert "Bob" Hill
 

Sidney Johnson (1863-1947) & George Alice Boyd (1863-1935)

My name is Eleanor Katherine Mathis nee White. I am the granddaughter of Sidney J. And George Alice Hill. My mother was their oldest daughter, Nora Alice White nee Hill. I have many fond memories of going to Grandpa and Grandma’s for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sidney J. Hill and his brother Jim, left Georgia after the Civil War. Their family plantation was burned to the ground during the war. They came to North Texas. Sidney J. married George Alice Boyd. Jim Hill stayed in North Texas. Sidney, with his family, moved to the coast. They first lived on the Ward Ranch a few miles west of Palacios. One day when my Mom (Nora) was about 10, she and friend Eleanor Ward went swimming in the bay near the Ranch. While they were swimming, a wagon full of people came to fish. Eleanor grabbed their clothes and ran. Nora (my Mom) had to find a way to get away. My father, Mark A. White was a ten year old boy. He always teased Mother about seeing her “skinny dipping” in the bay. Grandma and Grandpa Hill had ten children; Nora Alice and Lawrence were the oldest and twins, George, Luther, Earl, Bessie (her twin died at birth), Ben, Robert and Mary Jane. My Grandpa wanted all his children to have a good education. So they moved from the Ranch to Palacios. Mother was the first to go to San Marcos Academy in 1903. Mother taught school in Palacios until she married Mark Anderson White in 1911. Grandma and Grandpa moved to their farm on the Tres Palacios River. That is where I remember all the wonderful holidays with everyone and all their families coming for the holidays. Grandpa farmed cotton, corn, and grain until the work was too much. Mom and Dad bought the farm from them and they continued to live there. I graduated from Palacios High School in 1935. Grandma died that same year. We leased the farm out and moved to Kingsville. Grandpa lived with us until he passed away in 1947. My oldest daughter at the age of three would sit on the porch with her Great Grandpa and have buttermilk and corn bread. Grandpa and Grandma are buried here as are many other relatives. Margaret Lynn nee Hill and Eldon Hill were the children of Luther and Donnie Ellis Hill. Many of you know the family. Margaret has been very active in church, school and politics. -- Palacios Cemetery Tour
 

Palacios Cemetery - Photo courtesy of Renee Huff

Sidney Johnson Hill

Mr. Sidney Johnson Hill died Easter Sunday at the home of his daughter in Bay City where he was visiting.

Mr. Hill was born Dec. 10, 1863, son of William Costello and Rebecca A. Orr Hill in Columbus, Ga. He came to Texas and was married to George Alice Boyd in June, 1885 in Jones County. He and his family came to this section in 1895, settling on the B. Q. Ward Ranch.

His wife preceded him Feb. 8, 1935. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living. A great part of his life was spent in frontier country and he took part in organizing seven churches, including Five Mile, Hawley and Markham. He joined the Baptist Church in early life, and was ever true to the Bible ideals. Affectionately known everywhere as “Grandpa Hill” his passing brings sadness to a large circle of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Palacios Funeral Home, with Rev. Rayford Harris officiating, and burial was made in the Palacios cemetery. Messrs. R. J. Sisson, R. L. Price, J. F. Barnett, J. W. Bolling, John Bowden and Guy Johnson were pallbearers.

Survivors are five sons, W. L. Hill, Citrus Grove; G. J. Hill, Pearland; L. O. Hill, Palacios; C. B. Hill, Monroe, La.; R. S. Hill, San Antonio; three daughters, Mrs. M. A. White, Kingsville, Mrs. G. H. Jones, Winnsboro, and Mrs. R. L. Horn, Bay City; sixteen grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Palacios Beacon,  April 10, 1947

Mrs. Alice Boyd Hill

Mrs. Alice Boyd Hill was born February 8, 1863 in Navarro County, Texas. In June of 1885 she was united in marriage to Sidney J. Hill in Jones County, to this union were born ten children.

When just a girl she accepted Christ as her Saviour and became a member of a Baptist Church. She with her husband has taken part in the organization of seven Baptist Churches, living a great part of the time in frontier country.

The family moved to this section of the country in 1895, and have resided at the present homestead twenty years.

Her time was devoted to her home which she dearly loved, and in the rearing of a large family she was ever true to the Bible ideals. She was plain, modest and retiring. Her children declare that she was a perfect mother, giving her entire life to her family.

Her influence spread out from the home into the community and into adjoining communities. She was known everywhere affectionately as Mother Hill. During the past few years she has been practically an invalid and therefore confined to her home.

Friday, February 8, on her seventy-second birthday, after a long and useful life, her Saviour called her and she went to be with him in the heavenly home. There she now with Him, awaits the coming of her loved ones and friends.

There survive her husband, nine children, six sons; W. L. Hill, Citrus Grove; G. J. Hill, Collegeport; L. O. Hill, Dunbar; E. E. Hill, Simpsonville; C. B. Hill, Dequincy, La.; and R. S. Hill, San Antonio; and three daughters; Mrs. M. A. White, Dunbar; Mrs. R. L. Horn?, Bay City; Mrs. G. H. Jones of Collegeport; also three half brothers; Thomas H. Boyd of Lamesa, Lynn Boyd of Lamesa and Me___ Boyd of Jones County, a half sister, Mrs. Ben F. Hodges, San Antonio, and 17 grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted from the Palacios Funeral Home, by Rev. Geo. D. McClelland, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Special music was furnished by the ladies quartette of the First Baptist Church. Pallbearers were, Messrs. A. M. Stadig, M. Lipscomb, E. C. Pasal, F. R. Lane, Duncan Ruthven, J. K. Darnall. Interment was made in the Palacios cemetery under direction of Palacios Funeral Home.

Palacios Beacon, February 14, 1935
 

Luther Hill, fourth child of George Alice Boyd and Sidney Johnson Hill, came with his family to Cash's Creek, near the town of Blessing, in 1898. They came from Hamlin, Texas, by way of the B. Q. Ward Ranch in Jackson County. Luther was nine years old at the time. After about two years the family moved to Markham where they began farming rice. When Luther was thirteen or fourteen years old, his family moved to Palacios where they operated a road and street draining business known first as "Yeamans and Hill" and later as "Hill and Son." Their business laid out the roads in the City of Palacios and the surrounding area. Luther attended the Palacios Academy

At the age of twenty-three, Luther Hill married Donie Ellis, age sixteen, the fourth child of Margaret Wilson and William L. Ellis, who came by covered wagon from Little Rock, Arkansas. Luther and Donie lived in Palacios until after their first child Margaret was born in 1914, and then moved to the Spencer place in Prairie Center, Dunbar Community. Four years later Eldon Luther was born on the Monoger place. Luther continued to farm rice, bought the Lee Place on the Tres Palacios River, and the children attended the Prairie Center School. Donie served as first President of the Home Demonstration Club. The family migrated to Citrus Grove during rice planting and harvesting, as it was necessary at that time to move to new fields often.

Margaret and four other girls drove a Model T Ford ten miles to attend school in Palacios where she was graduated in 1931 She attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College for nine months, and then started teaching in the Prairie Center School, at a salary of eighty dollars per month for a seven months period.

Eldon attended high school for two years in Collegeport, by riding a horse to Tintop where he caught the school bus--he never missed a day of school. Eldon completed his high school work in Palacios, and  attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College, where he was graduated in 1939. No jobs were available, so he transferred to A & M and later went to work under Lyndon Baines Johnson teaching shop to NY A boys in Livingston, Texas. He served in the United States Air Force during World War II.

Margaret taught school for four years at Prairie Center, and three years at Collegeport. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949, and went to Boling-Newgulf where she taught art- the best paying job in Texas- $120.00 per month with a dormitory to live in.

Margaret married J. Sewell Lawson of Houston and they had one daughter, Peggy. Eldon married Mary Ann Alexander of Seymore, Texas, and they had one daughter, Jane Ann.

Luther and Donie Hill were busy with community work, boarding and rooming Camp Hulen workers, and grandparenting for the war effort. In 1953 Luther retired from rice farming , and he and Donie moved to the Rockport area. In 1959 Luther received a plaque for fifty years of rice farming from the Bay City Chamber of Commerce.

Margaret, Sewell, and Peggy moved to Houston, Sewell to the home office; Margaret to get another degree from the University of Houston. One year later they moved to Bay City, where Margaret spent the next twenty-three years in the school system, and Sewell with his insurance business until his death in 1971

Luther and Donie could not stay retired . They entered into the real estate business and developed Hill's Village near Rockport. In 1959 Luther was killed in a car accident and was buried in the Palacios Cemetery. Donie continued with the business; and later married Floyd Williams, and moved back to Palacios. In 1984, at the age of eighty-eight, she still drove to the Presbyterian Church.

Peggy Lawson married Charlie Pittman in 1966, and they had two children, Charles Luther and Peggy Juanice and lived in Bay City

Margaret retired and moved back to Palacios in 1976 where she operated the Pittman Variety Store until 1982. In 1980 she married Dick McElrath who died in 1984, and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery. Eldon's daughter Jane married Parks Bell and they had one son, Joshua Hill, and lived in Dallas.

Luther and Donie lived during a great "changing times" period in history--from the rub board to the electric washer and dryer; from farming with oxen to modern combines and dryers; from the horse and buggy honeymoon trip to flying by jet.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, pages 242-243
 

Public invited to 100^th birthday celebration for Margaret Lynn on Tuesday

Family and friends of Margaret McElrath Lynn, longtime resident of Palacios, would like to extend an invitation to Lynn’s 100^th Birthday party.

Lynn has been an active participant in city and county government since 1984 and is well known for her life-long contributions to the Palacios area. This celebration will be held on Sat. (Jan. 18) from 1-4 p.m. at the Texas Baptist Encampment Cafeteria located at 100 First St.

Lynn is a retired educator and businesswoman and was first elected to the Palacios City Council in 1984. At the April 18, 1985 Council meeting Lynn was nominated by John Sardelich (now Mayor of Palacios) and was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem.

Lynn was the first woman in Palacios to be elected Mayor Pro Tem and served in this capacity until May 1987. Lynn also served on the Board of Equalization Committee for the City Council alongside Sardelich.

Alongside Man of the Year John Toellner, Lynn was selected Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1985.

Additional terms re-elected to Council were in 1986 and 1988.

At age 75, Lynn resigned as councilwoman on April 24, 1989 to accept the appointment to the office of Justice of Peace Precinct 3, an unexpired term by the Matagorda County Court of Commissioners. At this time the Palacios Beacon recounts Lynn expressing her tenure as councilwoman “As one of the happiest times of my life.” Lynn resignation was in effect for December 31, 1990.

Life of service continued for Lynn as she was sworn in on November 18, 1993 to fill the vacancy of Vernon “Butch” Bowers as Municipal Judge, position which he had held for 24 years. Lynn remained as Municipal Judge until 2001.

This Tuesday night at the Palacios City Council meeting, Mayor Sardelich presented Margaret McElrath Lynn and the City with a Proclamation declaring Jan. 18th Margaret McElrath Lynn Day in Palacios.
 

Palacios Beacon, January 15, 2014

“What have you done for someone else today?”
The story of Palacios’ own Margaret Edna Lynn
 

BY KACI TAYLOR, Guest Writer, Margaret Lynn’s Great-granddaughter

“What have you done for someone else today?”

That’s what you would be asked if you met Margaret Edna Hill Lawson McElrath Lynn, who turned 100 on January 17, 2014. This is the story of Margaret’s life, everything she has accomplished so far, and everything she has done to inspire so many people.

Margaret began the first of many of her careers as a teacher, in 1932 at Prairie Center School. After going to Texas State Teacher’s College in San Marcos (now Texas State) for nine months, she received her Second Grade teaching certificate and began teaching at age eighteen. She rode to school on horseback each day, and the outhouse, with it’s Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward catalogues, was the only plumbing available.

After teaching at Prairie Center for three years she taught for four years in Collegeport, then went back to college in San Marcos and worked as a dormitory assistant while earning her degree. Upon receiving her degree in 1940, she took a job as an art teacher at Boling-Newgulf Elementary. Back then, Boling-Newgulf was the highest paying school in Texas, offering teachers $120 a month with dormitory living quarters, whereas her previous teaching jobs only paid $80 a month. During  her time spent at college, Margaret had met J. Sewell Lawson, who sold insurance for the Great Southern Life Insurance Co. They secretly married in 1941, because at the time it was against the rules for a Bowling-Newgulf teacher to be married; if the school found out, she would be fired. Margaret resigned from Bowling-Newgulf when she found out she was pregnant, and became a substitute teacher at a school in Houston that allowed married teachers.

When her only daughter, Edna "Peggy" Allene Lawson, was born in 1942, they moved to the country and built a home close to her parents' farm. Prairie Center School hired her soon after Peggy was born, so her mother, Donnie Ellis Hill, would take care of Peggy while Margaret taught, and bring her to the school at noon to be nursed in the car. During that time University of Houston brought classes to Palacios each week, to make it possible for teachers to get their degrees, so Margaret became an art teacher at East Side Primary in Palacios. After attending classes on Saturdays and at night, she obtained her second degree in 1953. She then moved to Bay City, taught First Grade for one year, became Pierce Primary School Principal, and remained principal for twenty-three years. Margaret was nominated Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1961, for her volunteer work and community service, re-establishing the local Girl scouts troop, establishing a Special Education program in Pierce Primary, being President of the local chapter of the Texas State Teacher’s Association, and helping establish the new concept of multi-age classrooms. In 1963 she became President of District XII TSTA as well. During those years, her husband Sewell, who was about twenty years her senior, began having multiple strokes and passed away in 1971.

After retiring as Principal of Pierce Primary School in 1976 and moving back to Palacios, everyone assumed she would settle down and live a quiet, retired lifestyle at home on the Bay. They were wrong! Over the next few years Margaret became a Palacios City Councilwoman, Mayor Pro Tem, Board of Equalization  member, Municipal Judge, and Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3. ( I told you she had many careers. Margaret’s daughter, Peggy and her husband, Charlie Dean Pittman, had owned the Pittman Variety Store in Palacios until ’76, then Margaret took over the store until she could sell it for them in ’77, so that her son in-law could continue working elsewhere.

On July 17, 1980, she married Grover Lee "Dick" McElrath, who worked for Groce-Wearden. During that time they were, as she puts it, “involved in everything.” After only four years, Dick McElrath had a heart attack and passed away on May 31, 1984, but Margaret continued volunteering wherever help was needed, doing community and city work, and volunteering at the Palacios Presbyterian Church, and countless other organizations and groups.

She became a Palacios city councilwoman in 1984, a position she kept until 1989, when she was appointed Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace and resigned from her Position 2 seat on the Palacios city council. Margaret served as Justice of the Peace for the last year of the late Jack Dooley’s unexpired term, and was then appointed as a municipal judge and served in that position for over ten years, during which time she helped establish a local teen court. In 1991 she married Bill Lynn, a good friend and Palacios neighbor, and they traveled and continued volunteering for ten years, until Bill became very ill, and Margaret resigned from her many posts to take care of him. Bill passed away in 2001.

Sadly, Margaret’s only daughter, Edna "Peggy" Allene Lawson Pittman, passed away in 2009 with breast cancer. Margaret now has two grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, most likely many extended great-great-grandchildren, and a huge extended family. Her main residence is in Palacios, but she currently spends much of her time in Martindale, living in her own little house on her granddaughter’s ranch, and in Pledger, with her grandson, Charles, and his family.

Margaret considers her greatest accomplishment in life to have been about three or four years ago, when on one of her frequent visits to the local nursing homes, she met a man who had been injured in a motorcycle accident many years before and had lost his ability to speak. Over the years she taught him how to play dominoes, and visited him every week to play. Margaret’s motto is: “Do something for somebody in some way, if nothing but a phone call or a visit or a nice note, every single day.”

Margaret was born in 1914, in her grandmother’s house in Palacios, Texas. She says that when she was born, the midwife took her to a nearby window and showed her the bay, and she has been coming back to the bay ever since.

This report may be slightly biased, as, Margaret is my great-grandmother, but I truly believe that Margaret Edna Hill Lawson McElrath Lynn is an amazing person and an inspiration to everyone who meets her, because when someone meets me who knows her, that is exactly what they tell me.
 

Palacios Beacon, January 29, 2014

Margaret Hill Lawson McElrath Lynn
January 17, 1914 - January 30, 2017

A long, storied, and loving life began its next chapter in the early morning hours of January 30, 2017, when Margaret Edna (nee Hill) Lawson McElrath Lynn crossed the River Jordan, hand-in-hand with her Lord and Savior.

For 103 years and 13 days, “Nanny” held fast to very basic life lessons – Love God, Love Family and Love Learning. Her personal motto, which she embraced until her last moments, was “Do something for somebody in some way, if nothing but a phone call or a visit or a nice note, every single day.” Indeed, having donated her body to science, to help advance research in aging, she embodied that message to her last breath. Her wish, had she been given one, would be that each and every one of us had a life so long, and so well-lived.

Born on January 17, 1914, Margaret was the only daughter of Luther Orr Hill and Donie Edna (Ellis) Hill. Of strong stock, she was the first daughter of Texas pioneers, who traveled by covered wagon from Little Rock, Ark., to the family homeplace in Palacios, Texas, a place that Margaret embraced as home even at her last holiday season.

Margaret began the first of many of her careers as a teacher, in 1932 at Prairie Center School. After going to Texas State Teacher’s College in San Marcos (now Texas State University) for nine months, she received her Second Grade teaching certificate and began teaching at 18. She rode to school on horseback each day, and the outhouse, with its Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Ward catalogues, was the only plumbing available.

After teaching at Prairie Center for three years, she taught for four years in Collegeport, then went back to college in San Marcos and worked as a dormitory assistant while earning her degree.

Upon receiving her degree in 1940, she took a job as an art teacher at Boling Newgulf Elementary. Back then, Boling Newgulf was the highest-paying school in Texas, offering teachers $120 a month with dormitory living quarters.

During her time spent at college, Margaret met J. Sewell Lawson, who sold insurance for the Great Southern Life Insurance Co. They secretly married in 1941, because at the time it was against the rules for a Boling Newgulf teacher to be married; if the school found out, she would be fired. Margaret resigned from Boling Newgulf when she found out she was pregnant, and became a substitute teacher at a school in Houston that allowed married teachers.

When her only daughter, Edna “Peggy” Allene Lawson, was born in 1942, they moved to the country and built a home close to her parents’ farm. Prairie Center School hired her soon after Peggy’s birth, so Margaret’s mother took care of the baby while she taught, and brought her daughter to the school, to be nursed in the car.

Taking advantage of an outreach program from the University of Houston, Margaret took a job as an art teacher at Palacios Elementary, and eventually earned her second degree in 1953.

Margaret then expanded her influence as the family moved to Bay City, where she was promoted from First Grade Teacher to Pierce Primary principal, after only one year. She continued to serve the youngsters at Pierce for 23 years. There, she was instrumental in establishing a Girl Scout troop and a Special Education program. She was voted president of the local chapter of the Texas State Teachers’ Association, and voted “Outstanding Woman of the Year” in 1961. Two years later, she was voted president of the Texas State Teachers’ Association, District XII, and continued her devotion to the education and excellence of the young people in her community without fail; she lost her first husband in 1971.

In 1976, Margaret “retired,” and returned to her home in Palacios. However, the quiet life of a retired teacher did not sit well with her, and she opted to continue serving her community. Instead, she was voted to the Palacios City Council, held office as Mayor Pro Tem, served on the Board of Equalization, held a municipal judgeship, and eventually earned her legal stripes as a Justice of the Peace.

In the early 1980s, she met and married Richard “Dick” McElrath, a partner in life and in business who left her after four short years, having suffered heart disease. Not faint-of-heart herself, Margaret continued to work, serve and volunteer, wherever and whenever she felt she was needed.

In 1991, at the age of 77 and giving no weight to conventional wisdom, Margaret married Bill Lynn, who she continued to inspire to community service, and with whom she continued to travel, until his health failed in 2001.

She never managed to convince herself to “settle into a quiet life” of retirement; she continued serving, in every way she believed God called her to, until her health prevented her from doing so. She refused to admit, believe, or say out loud that age prevented her from doing anything. Indeed, her age was never an obstacle.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Eldon Hill (who lived to a spry 95), and Jack Regan Hill (who was snatched as an infant, as so many Depression-era children); and her only child, daughter, Peggy Lawson Pittman.

She is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Sissy (Pittman) Taylor and husband Brett, Charles Pittman and wife Rhonda, Rick Daughtery and wife Sharon, and Karen Pierce and husband Eddie; great-grandchildren: Nick, Roxanne and Colton Pittman, and Kaci and Kory Taylor; and the step-children and grandchildren from her second and third marriages, who span the country, but have remained active in her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Margaret’s name to CureJM.org, Martindale Methodist Church, Friends of the Martindale Community Library, Palacios Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.

In keeping with Margaret’s wishes, services for family and close friends will be held at First Presbyterian Church (501 3rd St.) in Palacios, Texas on February 10, 2017 at 3 pm.  She will have a second service in Martindale, Texas at a date to be determined.

As a family, we offer our sincerest thanks to the doctors and nurses who eased Nanny’s last days, to the friends and family who have offered their prayers, love and support in our dark moments, and mostly to those who refused to let Nanny think of herself as “an old lady.”

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Bay City Tribune, February 5, 2017

HILL – ELLIS

Mr. Luther Hill, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Hill and Miss Donnie Edna Ellis, daughter of Mr. W. L. Ellis, both of this city, were married at 6:30 o’clock Tuesday evening at the home of the bride’s father. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. W. Israel, pastor of the Baptist church, in the presence of the relatives and a few immediate friends. The young couple are well known and popular among a large number of our citizens, who extend congratulations, and wish them long years of happiness and prosperity. Mr. and Mrs. Hill will make their home in the city of their choice, that is Palacios.

Palacios Beacon, December 20, 1920
 

Funeral Services Set For Father Of Local Woman
Luther Orr Hill
June 15, 1888 - April 9, 1959

Funeral services for Luther Orr Hill, 69, of Fulton, a former resident of Matagorda County, will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Rockport Saturday at 10 a. m.

There will be a second service at the Palacios Funeral Home at 3 p. m. Saturday with the Rev. Ward of Rockport officiating. Interment will be in the Palacios Cemetery.

Mr. Hill died Thursday afternoon in a hospital in Corpus Christi as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile collision Monday morning.

Also in the car and sustaining injuries were the wife of Mr. Hill who suffered an injury to her ankle and other bruises; his sister, Mrs. G. H. Jones of Fulton who sustained a broken jaw. Both ladies are still in the Corpus Christi hospital. Mrs. Hill is in a state of shock.

Those surviving Mr. Hill are his wife; one daughter, Mrs. J'Sewell Lawson, principal of Pierce School, Bay City, one son, Eldon L. Hill of Austin; three sisters, Mrs. M. A. White, Kingsville, Mrs. Harris Jones, Rockport and Mrs. R. L. Horn, Bay City; four brothers, W. L. of Palacios, G. J., Pearland, C. B. of St. Louis and R. S. Hill of San Antonio.

Mr. Hill was born June 15, 1888 in Jones County, Texas. A farmer and rancher, before retirement he was a resident of Matagorda County and made his home near Palacios for approximately 60 years where he reared his family. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and at the time of his death was a deacon in the Rockport Church.

Photo courtesy of Renee Huff
 

Donie Ellis Hill Williams

Funeral services for Donie Ellis Hill Williams, 94, of Palacios will be held 11 a. m. Friday with the Rev. W. S. "Doug" Blanton officiating. Burial will follow at Palacios Cemetery.

Mrs. Williams was born Sept. 17, 1895, to William L. and Margaret Wilson Ellis in Little Rock, Ark., and died Sept. 12, 1990 at her home.

A longtime resident of Palacios, she was a member of our First Presbyterian Church in Palacios, the Order of Eastern Star and the Wednesday Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Margaret Lawson McElrath of Palacios; a son, Eldon L. Hill of Austin; five sisters, Beatrice Sanders of Houston, Margaret Tate and Grace Smith of Palacios, Lila Morris of Selma, Ala., and Nalois Gresham of Cleveland, Texas; a brother, W. L. Ellis of Collegeport; two grandchildren, Peggy Lawson Pittman of Palacios and Jane Hill Cook of Dallas; five great-grandchildren, Charles Luther Pittman of Wharton, Sissy Pittman of Austin, Joshua Bell, Colin and Caton Cook, all of Dallas.

Pallbearers are Claire "Bill" Lynn, Robert A. Fiorini, Fred Huitt, Robert Montgomery, Richard Sanders and Leonard Lamar.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios or a favorite charity.

Arrangements are with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home, Palacios.

Daily Tribune, September 13?, 1990

Photo courtesy of Renee Huff
 

Death Claims Noted Countian

J'Sewell Lawson, a resident of Bay City for the past 18 years, died Saturday, May 15, in Matagorda General Hospital after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held today at 4 p. m. at the First Presbyterian Church where Mr. Lawson was so long an active member.

A native of Rosebud, Tex., Mr. Lawson moved to Bay City and became active in the Masons, the Field Trial Association and Shriners.  He was a life underwriter for Great Southern Life Insurance Co. and is remembered as being instrumental in that company's success in the area.

He leaves a widow, Mrs. Margaret Hill Lawson, principal of Pierce Primary School, three daughters, a son and many other relatives and friends.

J'Sewell Lawson

Lawson, J'Sewell, a long-time resident of Bay City, Mason, and member of the First Presbyterian Church, passed away in Matagorda General Hospital on May 15. Services will be held on Monday, May 17 at 4:00 p. m. in the First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. W. D. O'Neal will officiate. Interment will be in Palacios Cemetery. Mr. Lawson is survived by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Hill Lawson, Bay City; three daughters, Mrs. Cynthia Ersher, San Dimas, Calif.; Mrs. Dorothy Whitford, Houston; Mrs. Peggy Pittman, Palacios; one son, J'Sewell Lawson Jr., Houston; and one sister, Mrs. Maud Wilcox of Freeport. Also, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Vernon Harrison, Ralph Newsom, Frank Balusek, Frank Brittain, Frank Buffaloe and Dr. Fred Matthes. Taylor Brothers i charge of arrangements.

Daily Tribune, May 17, 1971
 

Grover Lee "Dick" McElrath

Funeral services for Grover Lee "Dick" McElrath, 68, of Palacios will be held 4 p. m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios with the Rev. D. S. "Doug" Blanton and the Rev. W. D. Baker officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park.

Mr. McElrath was born Nov. 8, 1915, in Hart's Horn, Okla., and died May 31, 1984, at Matagorda General Hospital. He was the son of the last Grover Cleveland McElrath and the former Stella Lee Price.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a resident of Bay City from 1934-80, when he moved to Palacios. He was retired after 47 years with Groce-Wearden. Mr. McElrath was an Army veteran of World War II, a member of the Gulf Coast Shrine in Bay City, chairman of the Palacios Medical Foundation, a member of the Palacios Rotary, a member of the parks and recreation board of Palacios, a member of the Masonic Lodge A. F. & A. M. 865 in Bay City and a member of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Hill Lawson McElrath of Palacios. Other survivors include his mother, Stella Price McElrath of Bay City; three children; three grandchildren; brother, Carl McElrath of Victoria; and several nieces.

Arrangements were made with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home of Palacios.

Daily Tribune, May 31, 1984
 

Clair William Lynn

Clair William Lynn, 81, of Palacios, Texas died Monday, July 2, 2001. He was born November 21, 1919 in Mason City, Ill. to the late Addison Clair and Gladys Riggins Lynn.

He is survived by his wife; Margaret Lynn of Palacios; daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Larry Krup of Peoria, Ill., Elizabeth Lynn and Edward Brown of Houston, Laura Jeanne Van Riper of Peoria, Peggy Pitman and her family; son Clair William and his wife Karen of Jasper, Ill.; sisters, Mary Lou Fehrenhocker, Anna Mae Held and Linda Louise McDaniel; brothers, Walter I. Lynn, Robert R. Lynn, Richard S. Lynn, Kenneth Lynn, and James E. Lynn; three grandchildren, Christopher W. Lynn, Jonothan D. Lynn, and Jennifer Elizabeth Lynn.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jack Cates Lynn and Logan Lynn.

Lynn was a long time farmer, a veteran of WWII, a member of the Elks, American Legion, Palacios Lions Club, N.R.A. and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 5 at the First Presbyterian Church in Palacios, with the Revs. Andy and Janell Blair officiating. Interment will follow at Palacios Cemetery.

The family was to receive visitors from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. Wednesday at Palacios Funeral Home.

Pallbearers, Jim Hampton, Harlin Flower, Earl Scheley, John Tolner, Bob Christiansen, Jack Waeckter, Terry Mosier, and Royce Harvey.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the First Presbyterian Church Landscaping Fund or the Legacy Foundation.

Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, July 5, 2001
 

Peggy Lawson Pittman, 66, of Boling died October 9, 2008.

She was born May 3, 1942 in Houston, Texas to J. Sewell and Margaret Hill Lawson. She attended WCTC A and I in Kingsville; worked as librarian and substitute teacher in Bay City and Van Vleck ISD’s and owned and operated Pittman’s Variety Store in Palacios and Pittman’s Grocery in Boling.

Her father and her husband Charlie D. Pittman both preceded her in death.

Survivors include: her mother, Margaret Lynn of Palacios; daughter, Sissy P. and Brett S. Taylor; son, Charles Luther and wife Rhonda Pittman; grandchildren, Nicklos, Roxanne and Colton Pittman and Kacy and Kory Taylor and step-children, Rick Daughtery and Karen Daughtery Pierce and their families.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Palacios Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev.’s Andy and Janell Blair officiating. Interment will follow at the Palacios Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be John Toellner, Charles Taylor, J. W. Luedcke, Jimmy Neeley, James Janeck and Dan Tucker.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net.

Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home. 361-972-2012.

Bay City Tribune, Published October 12, 2008

Charlie Dean Pittman, 65, of Palacios, Texas died October 12, 2000 at Citizen Medical Center Hospital in Victoria, TX. He was born December 11, 1934 in Lockhart, TX to the late Lenford C. and Lillie Mae Harris Pittman. Mr. Pittman was a resident of Matagorda County the past 34 years, and a member of First Christian Church.

Survivors include: wife, Peggy Pittman of Palacios; two daughters and a son-in-law, Peggy Juanice "Sissy" and Brett Taylor of San Marcus, Karen Pittman of Mt. Belvieu, TX; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Charles Luther and Rhonda Pittman of Pledger, TX, Richard "Rick" Pittman of Baytown, TX; two brothers, Austin and Lonnie Pittman both of Lockhart, TX, 7 grandchildren, Melissa, Kristy, and Richard Daugherty all of Baytown, Nicholas Pittman of Fairchild, Kaci Taylor of San Marcus, Roxanne Pittman of Pledger and Trish of Las Vegas, Nev. He was preceded in death by his sister Lola Mae Reisinger.

Funeral Services will by 2 p.m. Sunday, October 15, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church of Palacios, with Rev. Sam Starks and Rev's Andy and Janell Blair officiating. Interment will follow at Palacios Cemetery. Arrangements are with Palacios Funeral Home. A00011A2000OT13

Daily Tribune, Friday, October 13, 2000
 

Eldon Luther Hill

Eldon Luther Hill, known to most as “El”, passed away peacefully at the age of 95, in Dallas with his daughter Jane at his side, Monday morning, April 21st following a very brief illness. He was born on the river ten miles north of Palacios, Texas, on May 13, 1918, to Donie Ellis and Luther Orr Hill and welcomed by his older sister, Margaret, who would forever be known to him lovingly as “Sis”. In addition to his sister and daughter, other survivors include his grandchildren, Joshua Hill Bell, Colin Alexander Cook and Caton Kathleen Cook, all of Dallas.

Eldon grew up on the family farm and as a teen rode his horse each day to his uncle’s store where he would catch the bus to high school. Upon graduation in 1936, he attended Southwest Texas Teachers College at San Marcus and graduated in 1939. He then went to work for future President Lyndon Baines Johnson, teaching shop to boys in the National Youth Administration in Houston, Texas. Although he was exempt from enlistment, he entered military service in March, 1941, and served in the Army-Air Force. While assigned to Shepherd Field, Wichita Falls, he met his future bride, Mary Ann Alexander, the lovely secretary in the Colonel’s office. They were wed December 1, 1942, in Seymour, Texas, the bride’s home. Eldon was immediately assigned overseas duty and served in the Pacific until beyond the end of the war. He was honorably discharged in February, 1947 at Lackland Air Force Base.

El and Mary Ann would welcome their daughter Jane Ann on February 21, 1947, in Dallas, Texas, and eventually make their home in Austin. He would remain for the rest of his years a devoted husband and father. This meant staying by Mary Ann’s side throughout her 16 year struggle with Alzheimer’s, which ended her life in 1994. He was, until his dying breath, devoted to his beloved daughter and grandchildren.

El became a partner with his brother-in-law, Bud Smith, in Austin Chemical Company which served businesses throughout the central Texas area. An active member of the community, he belonged to the North Austin Exchange Club and was a longstanding member of the Tarrytown Methodist Church. He was a Mason and a Shriner for over 50 years and worked to help raise funds for their many charities, including Scottish Rite Hospitals; his membership was active at the time of his death. By donating his body to medical science, even in death he found a way to help his fellow man. It is his remarkable life that we celebrate and his absence that we mourn so deeply. Memorials may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital, Alzheimers Association, or an organization of your choice.

Palacios Beacon, July 2, 2014
 

William Lawrence Hill

Funeral services for William Lawrence Hill were held at the Palacios Funeral Home Sunday, March 20, at 3 in the afternoon with the Rev. R. E. Black and Rev. Rayford Harris officiating. Interment was in Hawley Cemetery.
 

A son of the late S. J. and George Alice Boyd Hill, he was born March 17, 1887 and died Saturday. March 29 at Wagner General Hospital after a lingering illness.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lawrence Hill of Citrus Grove; three sisters, Mrs. M. A. White of Kingsville, Mrs. G. H. Jones of Fulton and Mrs. R. L. Horn of Bay City; three brothers, G. J. of Pearland, C. R. of De Quincy, La. and R. S. Hill of San Antonio.--Palacios Beacon, April 3, 1969

William Lawrence Hill

HILL, William Lawrence, 82, died at Wagner General Hospital in Palacios.

Services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Palacios Funeral Home.

Burial was in Hawley Cemetery with the Rev. R. E. Black and the Rev. Rayford Harris officiating.

Hill is survived by his wife, Mrs. W. L. Hill of Palacios; three sisters, Mrs. M. A. White of Kingsville, Mrs. G. S. Jones of Fulton and Mrs. R. L. Horn of Bay City; three brothers, G. J. Hill of Pearland, C. B. Hill of De Quincy, La., and R. S. Hill of San Antonio.

Pallbearers were W. L. Ellis, R. L. Corporon, Jack Bullington, G. D. Fondon, Dean Merck and Gus Franzen.--The Daily Tribune, March 31, 1969

Photo courtesy of Chuck Taylor Find A Grave volunteer # 46593732

SUSIE O. HILL
[November 2, 1898 - December 7, 1978]

Susie O. Hill, 81, of Pearland, died Thursday, December 7 in Alvin. She was born October 2, 1897 in Bastrop County.

Survivors include a sister, Lucille Thames of Bay City, one niece, Marie Thames and a grand-niece Becky Thames of Bastrop and two nephews, Kenneth Thames and Lloyd Thames of Bay City.

Funeral services were held at the Taylor Brothers Chapel, today, Friday at 3 p.m. Interment at Hawley Cemetery.

Pallbearers were W. L. Ellis, Verner Bowers, Jr., Chester Kirby, W. V. Hill, Louis Polensky and Gus Franzen.

Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, December 8, 1978

***************

HILL

Mrs. Susie O. Hill, 80, of Pearland, died today, Thursday, in Alvin.
 

She was born November 2, 1898 in Bastrop County. Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Chester Thames of Bay City and a nephew, W. V. Hill of Pearland. Funeral services will be held at the Taylor Brothers Chapel, Friday, December 8, at 3:00 p.m.

Interment at Hawley Cemetery. Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, Thursday, December 7, 1978

Home of Lawrence and Odean Hill as it appears in 2020
 

Hills in the News

Dunbar Items

Lawrence Hill and wife are visiting with his parents.--Palacios Beacon, January 17, 1919

Lawrence Hill is hauling lumber from Collegeport for a new house.--Palacios Beacon, January 31, 1919

Grandmother Hogan Surprised

Those ladies calling during the day and leaving their gifts and best wishes, but who were unable to remain for Mrs. Hogan’s return and the cutting of the delicious birthday cake were as follows: Mesdames O. D. Shaffer, T. A. Walker, E. A. Campbell, O. W. Ziegenhals, G. H. Hensley, Jeff Mangum, J. P. Dillard, Thelma Williams, Lawrence Hill, Bill Boyd and Mesdames Eddie Long and Ada Altenberg of Newgulf.--The Matagorda County Tribune, April 6, 1933

Mrs. Stanley Coker Honored

Many beautiful and useful gifts were received from the following: Mrs. Dan Meyer, Mrs. Roy Harris, Mrs. C. Laxton, Mrs. Rose Williams, Mrs. Joe Freeman, Mrs. W. V. Rumley, Mrs. E. E. Bond, Mrs. W. L. Hill, Mrs. T. H. Lewis, Mrs. R. A. Garnett, Mrs. E. C. Rodgers,, Mrs. Till Bonds, Mrs. E. Adams, Mrs. R. J. Staffa, Mrs. J. R. Whitaker, Mrs. Oscar Barber, Mrs. Alice Hogan, Mrs. F. Gest, Mrs. Herbert Gusman, Mrs. F. Harrison, Mrs. C. Slater, Mrs. W. H. Altenberg, Mrs. N. Cleveland, Mrs. J. H. Altenburg, Mrs. L. Beall, Mrs. Ben Harrison and Mrs. Will Head.--The Matagorda County Tribune, Thursday, October 26, 1933

Citrus Grove History

In 1940 the schoolhouse was moved to become a community house on land conveyed by Jane Savage to the board of trustees, R. L. Corporon, H. S. Crabill, P. V. Corporon, Lawrence Hill, and A. F. Johnson, for a community center.

Collegeport

Dr. and Mrs. Durant and son, were visiting Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hill.--The Daily Tribune, October 4, 1940

Mrs. P. V. Corporon Is Hostess For Collegeport Women

...The president extended a welcome to Mrs. Lawrence Hill who was a visitor at the meeting.--Palacios Beacon, March 21, 1957

...The hostess served angel food cake, banana nut cake, salted nuts, Easter egg candies, mints, coffee and cold drinks to the following: Mesdames...Lawrence Hill...--Palacios Beacon April 18, 1957

Collegeport Woman's Union

...The hostess assisted b y her daughter, Miss Constance, served delicious cake, coffee, tea, nuts and mints to the following: ...Mrs. Lawrence Hill.--Palacios Beacon, July 18, 1957

Collegeport News

Fishing around Collegeport hasn't been too good this week. Jack Bullington and Lawrence Hill fished off Coon Island with very little luck.--Palacios Beacon, July 12, 1962

Lawrence Hill is hospitalized with the flu. Hope him a speedy recovery, also Mrs. Hill who is ill at home.--Palacios Beacon, February 21, 1963

Lawrence Hill is home from the hospital after a siege of the flu, also down with the flu are Mr. and Mrs. Vic Gallaher. We hope they are up and about soon.--Palacios Beacon, February 28, 1963

It seems that there is still a lot of flu going around. Those ill in our community this past week were Mrs. Margaret Corporon and children, Mrs. Fred Roesler, Rudy Fink, Lawrence Hill and Mrs. Vick Gallaher.--Palacios Beacon, March 7, 1963

Still have some flu  in the community. Those on the sick list here are Mr. and Mrs. Pat Jenkins, Jack Bullington, Mrs. Lawrence Hill and Liz Roesler.--Palacios Beacon, March 21, 1963

Also on the sick list at Wagner General Hospital are Mrs. Thomas Holsworth and Mrs. Susie Perciville, mother of Mrs. Lawrence Hill. We wish a speedy recovery for both.--Palacios Beacon, April 16, 1964

Mrs. Perciville, mother of Mrs. Lawrence Hill, is doing much better. She spent a few days in the hospital after a fall from which she received a cut requiring several stitches.--Palacios Beacon, May 9, 1963

Our sympathy to the Hill and Thames families as Mrs. Susan Perciville, mother of Mrs. Lawrence Hill of the Citrus Grove community, passed away Monday at Wagner General Hospital after a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City Tuesday.--Palacios Beacon, May 14, 1964

FOR SALE--Ruth-Barry water pump. In good condition. See Lawrence Hill at Citrus Grove.--Palacios Beacon, May 28, 1964

Still on the sick list are Mrs. Grace Smith and Lawrence Hill but both are improving.--Palacios Beacon, March 25, 1965

Dean Merck, Alex Franzen and Lawrence Hill are all still on the sick list, but are all reported to be improving.--Palacios Beacon, April 15, 1965

Prairie Center Women to Hold 'Pot Luck' Supper Friday, Mar. 17

The Prairie Center Women's Club met Friday, March 3, in the home of Mrs. Percy Corporon with thirteen members and three guests, Mrs. E. A. Mixon, Mrs. Annie Lindgrin, and Mrs. Lawrence Hill, present.--Palacios Beacon, March 16, 1967

Collegeport News

Mrs. Annette Teel and daughter of Lake Jackson visited Andy Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hill of Citrus Grove this past Sunday.--Palacios Beacon, April 6, 1967

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Lawrence Hill who was 80 years young on March 17^th.--Palacios Beacon, April 6, 1967

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Hill of Citrus Grove attended the funeral of Mr. Hill’s brother-in-law, Harris Jones was one of the old timers of Collegeport and lived here many years. We extend our sympathy to this family.--Palacios Beacon, June 22, 1967

This reporter and Jackie Morris visited Mrs. Addie Foster and Lawrence Hill at Matagorda General Hospital, also Mr. and Mrs. Lee Slaughter in Bay City, Saturday.--Palacios Beacon, December 5, 1968

Lawrence Hill is still a patient at Wagner General. We wish him and all others who are confined to homes with colds and the flu a speedy recovery.--Palacios Beacon, January 9, 1969

Mrs. Gust Franzen, who has been on the sick list, is feeling much better and appreciated your prayers, cards and visits. We wish her a speedy recovery, also to Lawrence Hill who is still under the weather at his home. Mr. and Mrs. Willie Rapstain visited him and Mrs. Hill Saturday.--Palacios Beacon, January 30, 1969

This reporter visited Lawrence Hill on Saturday, others visiting him were Mrs. Hazel Merck, and Mrs. Eula Watkins of Markham.--Palacios Beacon, March 6, 1969

Happy birthday to the following who celebrated birthdays on St. Patrick's Day:...Lawrence Hill, who was 83...--Palacios Beacon, March 20, 1969

We wish a speedy recovery to Lawrence Hill who is confined to Wagner General Hospital.--Palacios Beacon, March 20, 1969

Lawrence Hill is still confined to Wagner General Hospital where his condition is reported to be in poor condition. We wish him a speedy recovery.--Palacios Beacon, March 27, 1969

Prairie Center Women

The regular meeting of the Prairie Center Women's Club was held at 2:30 Friday afternoon, June 6, at the home of the president, Mrs. Percy Corporon who also presided. Nine members and two guests, Mrs. Lawrence Hill and Mrs. Ted Elder, answered roll call.--Palacios Beacon, June 19, 1969