This information was found in the vertical files of the Genealogy Department of the Longview Public Library.

THE AVINGER CITIZEN
Sepcial Historical Edition
June 18, 1954

J.C. McCAIN ARRIVES IN 1847

J.C. McCain, the original McCain ancestor to come to Texas, departed his native state of Alabama in 1845. He spent a couple of years in Kentucky and then came on to Texas, arriving here about 1847.

The numbers at his feet in the picture were an itinerant photographers method of identifying his subject. This picture was made after he came to Texas, by a photographer out of Greenville.

When J.C. McCain disembarked at Jefferson, he chose the old Jefferson Coffeville road in lieu of the Clarksville trace when he came to the fork at Kelleyville. Twenty miles farther into the winderness he found what he felt to be a most desirable spot for his future home. The exact site is about one mile north of the old Downey place now known as Clem Ford's store. Nothing remains there now but an old deserted house place and a small family burial plot, hidden among the pines.

J.C. McCain's first wife was Nancy Jones before her marriage. Children born to this union were John R. and Newt McCain. Nancy died in 1898 and her husband later married Sally C. Hargiss. Born into this home was a daughter Lillie, who later became Mrs. W. S. Melton.

The W.S. Welton home was located on a connecting road between the Jefferson Clarksville trace at Hickory Hill and the Mimm's Chapel community. It was located about two miles south of Avinger and was still standing until about five years ago. Mrs. Melton died in San Antonio in 1951 and was buried in the Avinger Cemetery. Her children were Willis Melton, Calvin, Mary (Mrs. Mary Pickford) and Lewis of Houston.

John R. McCain married miss Mattie Lee Armstrong in 1886. A short time afterward, they moved into the Crawford Bruce house, now known as the old Orr Hotel. There was lots doing during the time that the McCains lived there and operated it as a hotel. Train crews and passengers stopped there over night. Jefferson being the end of the line, train crews arrived to eat breakfast and dinner there going and coming because of the good table set by Mrs. McCain. There were times when the train would be parked in front an entire Saturday evening while all of the crew attended a dance in town.

Five children were born into this homes as follows: Robert L., Ray, Ether, Esta and J.F. (Flager). Robert L. and Miss Esta McCain now reside in Avinger. Ray lives in Dallas. The others are now deceased. W.A. McCain (son of R.L.), a grandson, also resides in Avinger.

The J.R. McCain family moved from the hotel in December 1899 to the large house on the hill now known as the old J.R. McCain home. This house was built by Mr. W.B. Duncan in about 1898.