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FOLFLoRT-.4:hite Pioneer.
Miss 'ffle Cowan, P. V,
MeLennen County, Texas.
District No, 8
No. of words 500
File, No. £40
Page No. 1
Reference
Interview with Mrs. J. C. Fountain White Pioneer, Merlin, Texas.
"I was born March 27, len, at Pintvillc, Alabama. My parents were
w. end Mary Yetherine Tyner, who came to Texas in 1875. I was reared
in berlin and attended the public schools of Marlin end a college for
young ladies at viinston Salem, ilorth Carolina.
"Oh December 20, 18931 I married Mr. Semen C. Fountain, Jr., who was
born in the vicinity of Reagan, Texas, on October 21, 1871, and is the eon
of Thomas G. Fountain, who became a citizen of Texas about the year 1859.
lie was a descendent of Dossey Fountain of South Caroline, of Scotch ances-
try. Mr. Thomas Fountain was a native Southerrer, was born at Sparta,
fiqebame, in 1839 and spent his youth on a plantation which was tilled bq
slave labor.
"When the war between the States osme on he joined the Confederate
Cavalry and with his brother Henry was enlisted in the cause of the
t'outh until the end of the conflict. He enlisted in 1861 at ;›ineville,
Alsbema, in ,Company F, Fifty-third Cavalry, and was first placed in
General Forrest's command. After the battle of Iuke, the regiment was
ordered to Northern Alabams,, where it joined the army under Can. Roddy
and remained with it until transferred to the command of General Wheeler
a few months later. 1*. Fountain fought in the battle of Lookout Mountain,
:issionAry idge, the defense of Atlanta, the campaign against the 'pavanes
of General Hierman's army, following him through South Carolina.
FOL4,0R1--White Pioneer.
Miss Effie Cowan, P. W..
.MoLennan County, Texas.
District No. 8
File No. 240
Page No. 2
"The last battle that Mr. Fountain fought in was at Statesburg, and
he ley down his arms at Columbia, South Carolina. Ha then resumed the life
of a former and began the labor of rebuilding the family estate. This was
done under the greatest difficulties for the trying days of reconstruction
came on and when he came to Texas in 1689 he had made small progress toward
financial independence. He.oeme by rail 10 Fells County and settled in the
Hog Island community near Reagan with a wife and three children end seventy..
five cents in money. For SOMA years he was a tenant on rented lend but
prosperity finally came his way until he was enabled to move to Reagan,
where he engaged in the lumber business and bought a farm nearby.
"He was named for tax collector and filled this office four years.
His eduostional advantages included the public sohoole of Marlin end a
year in College at Lebanon, Ohio and a course in Eastman's Business College
at Poughkeepsie, New York. His first experience in banking business was
with the Citizens National Bank at Waco, Texas and after a year and a half
there he was transferred to the First National Bank at Marlin, as book-
keeper. He served in this capacity until 1907 having entered this place
of business in 1892, end having been elevated from bookkeeper to cashier.
After having served this time in the bank he was elected city treasurer
of t4mlin and served in this capacity for twelve years. At the time of
his death he was acting as receiver of the Merchants National Bank of
Brownsville, Texas, end died November 25, 1934.
"To my father end mother were born six children, namely; Alva, Ernest,
Jasper C„ Sr., Lula Lee, Ruth end Leah, twin sisters and the youngest in
the family. The oldest married Mrs. R. L. Beard, is now manager of Cox
Dry Goods Co., st,Mnrlin. Ernest married Vera Wiley end is in business
112LEAUE—white Pioneer..
Vies e.ffie Cowan, P. W.
MoLennen County, Texas.
District No. 8
File No. 340
Pegs No. 3
in Marlin. Jasper Jr., married Pearl Paul and lives at Mart, he is manager
of the Texas Utilities Company. Lula Lee married X. Frank Cheevens, s
Baptist minister of Victoria, Texas. Ruth married James F. Patrick end
'lives in Dells'. Leoh married James Parrish end lives at Marlin.
"1 hove resided at the old hone since our marriage and one of my dau-
ghters, Mrs. Parrish is living with me."