My Reavis grandparents were married in 1865. They and their two children, Mary Edna & Karie Alice, came by wagon from Cherokee County to Williamson Co. in 1873 and settled a few miles west of Florence. They like all early settlers encountered many hard ships. My grandmother cooked on an open fire place at first. My grandfather took corn to Salado about 30 mi. to a mill to have ground into meal. Biscuits were a treat on Sunday. My grandfather operated a grange store in Florence for a while. This building was of stone and was condemed [condemned] & wrecked this year, 1960.
Later he engaged in farming & live stock. Bought land and at one time owned 1200 acres of black land part in Williamson & Burnet Co. The older children attended school at Gum Spring walking some 3 mi. In 1884 a larger house was built on land in Burnet Co. which was nearer Gum Springs & the present town of Briggs. This house still stands and is in Reavis name. After attending school at Gum Spring, the three older children Edna, Karie & Will attended school in San Marcos Tex, where their Aunt Rosa Kendrick taught in a college. After the Gum Spring school ceased to be, a school house was built on the Reavis land where their younger children attended school. My grandparents were members of Prairie View Church -- he a steward and a generous contributor to church. Their home was always open to preachers. He was a good business manager and an up right Christian gentleman. In later years my grandparents passed some of the time fishing in Berrys Creek which ran near by house. Also playing the Domino game.
When a child it was a great thrill to me to go to my grandparents on Christmas Eve and hang up a stocking for Santa Claus' visit.
Many happy memories remain of the past.
The eldest granddaughter,
Mrs. J. A. Kinser
Dear Mr. Langford:
Haven't written a part of a "book" expecting you to print it all. What I've written is for you to select the part you want.
If I can be of further help will be glad to do so. Please note the McGuire grandparents were married at an earlier date than the Reavis grandparents.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Rose McGuire Kinser
