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It was in the summer of 1927 that a young man with a brown brief case with gold stamped letters "R. P. N." came to Palacios to take over the duties of Superintendent of Schools. Special half-time ceremonies at the homecoming game last Friday night between the Sweeny Bulldogs and the Palacios Sharks honored Superintendent Ralph P. Newsom on his thirty-first year as superintendent of the local schools. Dr. John W. Hart, president of the Palacios School Board of Trustees, presented him with a plaque with the following inscription: "Awarded to Ralph P. Newsom, Palacios, Texas -- In appreciation for 30 years of outstanding service to his schools and community." Little did he know in 1927 that he would help chart the course for the expansion of the then small school district of 22.9 square miles to the present school system that has 438.75 square miles with five school campuses. Stage by stage Supt. Newsom has taken steps with members of the numerous school boards he has served under to improve the system. All of the present buildings have been built since his administration began. Among the numerous curriculum improvements added since he took over the realm as superintendent include a vocational agriculture department, commercial department, music department, department of special education, an accredited Junior High School, the Negro school, courses in biology, chemistry, science, 4th year mathematics, social science, Latin-American history, sociology, drivers' education and physical education. He was instrumental in adding an elaborate testing program which has been copied in great parts by state authorities. He also added special library supervision. The school has grown from an enrollment of 342 with 12 teachers to approximately 1400 with 63 teachers and 30 auxiliary employees--five janitors, two maintenance men, 10 bus drivers, nine cafeteria workers and three secretaries and a tax assessor and collector for the schools. The transportation facilities have grown from two routes with no equipment belonging to the school to 10 routes with 18 vehicles belonging to the school. His first year as a teacher was in Weeden School, Brown Co. in 1916-1917. From their he went to Deer Plain, in Callahan Co. until the 7th of March, 1917, when he enlisted in the Army where he served until his discharge on December 21, 1918. He began teaching the Blessing school as a seventh grade teacher on January 2, 1919, and the following year was elected superintendent of the Blessing Schools. He remained in Blessing for 6 years and then moved to Stockdale as teacher and superintendent for one year. From there he went to Rio Vista for two years, and from there he moved to Palacios. He is one of the three oldest in the tenure of superintendency in the state. Besides his superintendent's activities he has served as an officer in District and State Teacher's Associations; on the board of the Gilmer-Aiken committee; chairman of Curriculum Committee of Texas Association of School Administrators; Board of Directors in the Brazos-Colorado Superintendent's Association. He is a life member of the Texas State Teacher's Association; a life member of National Education Association; and a Life member of the Department of Superintendents of National Education Association. He is a Master Mason and Shriner and has helped many Texas school children obtain medical attention through the help of the Shriners. He is on the official Board of Stewards of the Methodist Church, a director of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce for 26 years and has served as its president on two occasions. A charter member of the Palacios Rotary Club, he has served 18 years as a director and one year as president. In 1926 only seven members of Kappa Delta Pi were elected to membership in Texas and Supt. Newsom was one of the seven. He is also a member of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority. Supt. Newsom attended Howard Payne College, where his mother was a member of its first graduating class. He also attended North Texas State Teachers College, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas, and Greeley Colorado Teachers College. He holds B. S. and M. A. Degrees, and completed all of Ph. D. except Dissertation from Greeley Teachers College, Colorado. State school authorities have visited his office on many occasions studying his method of bookkeeping and the method he has formulated in keeping of school records. In 1922 he was married to Miss Nellie Hutson and to this union one daughter, Anita Carol, was born. Anita is a graduate nurse and at present is nursing in the Presbyterian Hospital, Hollywood, California. His first wife died in 1939 and in 1942 he married Miss Vivian Johnson, who came to Palacios in 1940 to teach in the Palacios High School. With Ralph, as superintendent, and Vivian, as teacher, they are working together with their fellow teachers to make the Palacios School System a bigger, better institution for the children of the parents whom they taught so well. Palacios Beacon, November 21, 1957
Article and photo courtesy of the Holsworth
Family Archives. |
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Services will be held for Ralph P. Newsom, 84, of Palacios, 11 a.m., Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios. Officiating at the services will be the Reverends Barry Bauerschlog and J. R. Gwinn. Newsom died February 14, 1983 at Wagner General Hospital in Palacios. Survivors include wife, Vivian Newsom of Palacios. Newsom was a past superintendent of the Palacios School District, a veteran of WWI and a Shriner. Masonic graveside services will be held at the Palacios Cemetery. Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Palacios.
Daily Tribune, February 15, 1983 |
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It becomes our sad duty this week to chronicle the death of one of our most loved and highly esteemed women, Nellie Mae Newsom, who passed away in the hospital at El Campo, Monday evening, December 18, 1939. Stricken with a serious malady last May she was given every aid specialists and medical science could command, as well as the loving care of her family and friends, but without avail--the Father of us all seeing fit to call her to her eternal home. Nellie was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oren Hutson, and was born in Urban, Ill., June 19, 1901. Her parents were among the early settlers of Blessing and here she grew to womanhood. In 1922, she was married to Ralph P. Newsom, and to this union was born one daughter, Anita Carol. Since coming to Palacios when Mr. Newsom was elected superintendent of our schools, she found a place in the Church and social circles of our city to give of her time and talent unstintingly and was ever ready to do her part, and more, whenever called upon. She was a devoted wife and mother and her service in her home was one of her greatest joys. She was thoughtful of neighbor and friend and the true Christian character was exemplified in her everyday life, in such a way as to be a loving memory to all with whom she associated. Besides the husband and daughter, she is survived by five brothers, Roy, Ralph, Raymond and Winifred Hutson, of Houston, Glenn Hutson, Palacios; three sisters, Mrs. A. W. Phillips, Corrigan, Texas, Mrs. J. P. Thompson and Miss Lula Hutson, of Houston, one uncle, Mr. Arle Peters, St. Joseph, Ill., two nieces, Elsie Hutson, Palacios, Marylin Phillips, Corrigan, one nephew, Lynn E. Hutson, Houston, and a host of friends with whom we join in extending deepest sympathy to the bereaved. Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church, Wednesday at 3 p. m. with Rev. J. G. M. Ramsey and Rev. L. W. Crouch officiating. Burial was made in the Palacios Cemetery under the direction of the Palacios Funeral Home, with the Palacios. O. E. S. Chapter, of which the deceased was Worthy Matron, holding a beautiful and impressive service at the grave. A large concourse of friends from here and near-by towns attended the services and the large array of beautiful floral tributes attested in a measure the love and high esteem held for the departed one. Casket bearers were E. H. Wehmeyer, W. E. Sullivan, Glenn Claybourn, H. C. Campbell, T. W. Caffall, and J. B. Feather.
Palacios Beacon, December 21, 1939 |
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Vivian Johnson Newsom, 92, of Palacios passed away Feb. 13, 1997 at Palacios Bay Nursing Rehab Center. She was born March 7, 1904 in Louise, Texas to Albert Sidney and Nellie Hughes Johnson. She graduated from Louise High School, and at Sam Houston State University earned a bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics, and a Masters Degree in Administration from the University of Houston. She was a dedicated professional educator and served as the principal and teacher at the Pierce School in Pierce, Texas. During the war years of 1942 through 1946 she served as the first principal of Palacios Junior Hugh School and also as the librarian. Her leadership in education endured 34 years upon her retirements in 1964. The retired teacher was a life member of Texas Retired Teachers' Association, The Texas State Teachers' Association, The Retired Teachers of Matagorda County, The Athena Club, Eastern Star, Delta Kappa Gamma, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Palacios. She is survived by two sisters, Nellie Johnson Slone of Palacios and Mary Johnson Barnett of Victoria and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph P. Newsom; daughter, Anita Newsom; sisters Ruth Johnson Boland and Alma Johnson Stockton; brothers, Albert "Son" Johnson, Herbert Johnson and Harvey Johnson. Funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Sunday Feb. 16, 1997 at the First United Methodist Church of Palacios with Rev. Ross Taylor officiating. Burial will follow at Palacios Cemetery in Palacios. Pallbearers include, Bill Miller, Bill Sanders, Clayton Claybourn, John Harrison, Johnnie Ruy Gresham, and Kent Mayfield. Honorary pallbearers include, George Holst, Carl Crowell, Eli Mayfield, John Baker, Lyle Pryor, Fred Huitt and the former Palacios ISD Teachers. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Palacios or Charity of Choice. Arrangements by Taylor Bros. Funeral Home of Palacios.
Daily Tribune, February 16, 1997 |
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Funeral services for Anita Carrol Newsom,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph P. Newsom, were held at 2 p. m.
Monday, January 24 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev.
Carl L. W. Israel and Rev J. R. Gwin officiating. Interment was in
the Palacios Cemetery.
A native of Palacios, she was born on September
5, 1932, graduated from Palacios High School in 1950, then studied
to become a nurse. She was employed as a registered nurse by Dr.
Alvin Beyers of Houston. She passed away Saturday, January 22, in
Twelve Oaks Hospital in Houston after a short illness.
She is survived by her parents.
Palacios Beacon, January 27, 1977 |
Forty-two
years of school teaching and never missed a day due to sickness is
quite a record...