Ensign, Texas   Ensign, located on Cummins Creek and Ensign Road four miles south of Ennis, was established in 1895 when Albert N. Ellison opened a small general merchandise store. On Jan. 9, 1896, Ensign was officially recognized when its postoffice was established. The store furnished a corner for the office with Ellison the first postmaster. Carney H. Wooten was appointed postmaster on Dec. 19, 1898. Sam McCoy bought the Ellison business, remodeled it and made his son, Richard H. McCoy, general manager. After McCoy went out of business, Dr. Isaac Z. Brown built a store, adding a small line of drugs, and put Orville Brown in charge. Dr. Brown was kept busy with his medical profession and Fred McNeil operated the store from 1900 to 1902. On March 31, 1900, Isaac Z. Brown was appointed postmaster, Richard H. McCoy on Dec. 7, 1901. The office was discontinued March 15, 1904. In 1911, W. A. Mauldin and Fred Sellers were business partners at Ensign and Oak Grove. Their freight wagon, drawn by two miles or more, carried barrels of sugar, dried beans, coffee and other necessities from Ennis over dusty or muddy roads. Robert chandler had an old-fashioned gin below the store which was put out of business by an up-to-date gin located on the Beard place, one-half mile west of the Chandler gin. Bill Munn and John Hatcher each had a blacksmith shop. Munn sold to Alex Champion who sold to Robinson. Madewell bought out Robinson. The only fraternal organization was the Fraternal Union Lodge, which had regular meetings in a one-room house built by the lodge.. Albert Wilson built Antioch Baptist church which was located one-half mile north of the store and shops. Some early preachers were: W. I. Selvidge, McClung,. DuPont and Everett Tiery. The A. E. McNeil family had a farm in the neighborhood. W. B. McNeill recalled the many meals the preachers enjoyed at their home while he, a lad, stood waving the fly-fan over the table so that the good men could enjoy the white meat of the chicken. The gin tank served as the baptismal for the church. Antioch singing school was organized Feb. 19, 1899, with fifty-six members. Officers elected were: C. C. Merritt, president, J. H. Walker, vice-president, J. H. Williams, song leader, T. J. Chandler, assistant song leader, Miss Lizzie Hill, organist. Miss Musa Collins, secretary-treasurer, Miss Laura Hill, assistant secretary. The Antioch church was host to the Eastern Ellis County Auxiliary Singing convention. Officers were: president R. H Cornelius of Italy; vice-president J. H. Williams of Ensign; secretary R. A. Clough of Alma; organists, Misses Lizzie Hill, Musa Collins, Jennie Barnett and Jennie Lemmon. Classes participating were from Telico, Alma, Antioch, Bardwell, Reagor Springs and white League (later Howard). Ensign and all the surrounding communities talked of "The Monster." The creek was the home of this big hairy creature that issued blood-curdling cries. Every evening parents rushed their children into the house and barred the doors for their fears were great. Many claimed to have seen the creature. In recent years (1960-70) there have been reports that "The Monster" has reappeared. In 1933, the community reported one business and an estimated population of twenty. From 1970 to 1990, the population was estimated at ten and the community of Ensign no longer reported a business. References: Hawkins, et al. Ellis County History Workshop. Ellis County History, Waco, Texian Press. 1972. A Memorial and Biographical History of Ellis County, Texas, Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago. 1892. "ENSIGN, TX." The Handbook of Texas Online.   Copyright © 2002-2016, Ellis County TXGenWeb. All Rights Reserved. This page was last modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2021 13:17:04 MDT