A History of Texas and Texans (Eugene C. Barker, ed) Vol. 4 p.1957
(C. Avis Catalog entry #241)
American Historical Society, Chicago, 1916
James David Avis
No history of Texas and the men who have contributed to its development would be complete that failed to make extended mention of J. David Avis, who, since 1875 was a participant in the wonderful changes that transformed the great Southwest from a proactically wild and uncivilized section into one of the most prodcutive and valuable stretches of the country. First as a freighter and Indian fighter, later as cattle dealer and breeder, and finally as leading business man and public official, in every capacity Mr. Avis ably discharged the duties of life, and today is recognized as having been one of the prominent and substantial men of Wichita Falls. He was a Texan by birth and training, and was the first child born in the town of Montague, Montague County, August 13, 1861, a son of David and Mahala Katherine (Webb) Avis. David Avis, the father of J. David Avis, was born in the State of Maryland, and as a young man came to Texas, settling at Montague County during the early fifties. Subsequently he removed to Montague, and there, in the later fifties, established himself in a general mercantile business, in which he was engaged during the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1868, when he was fifty-two years of age. During the Indian outrages Mr. Avis built the fort at Montague for the protection of the early settlers, and his military training thus gained served him in good stead when the Civil War broke out and he became a lieutenant in a regiment of Texas volunteer infantry, with which he served until the close of the struggle. His wife, a native of Missouri, came to Texas as a child and settled at Montague County, there being married to Mr. Avis in 1859. After his death she was again married. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Avis, and of these J. David was the oldest.
J. David Avis received his education in the public schools of Montague County, and subsequently attended a provate school under the preceptorship of Colonel Hall; but the early death of his father make ti necessary that he should contribute to the family support, and, accordingly, in 1876, when but fifteen years of age, he left home, built a log cabin on Salt Creek, and there engaged in cattle raising. The long nights were often passed in reading and study by the light of a tallow candle, and thus the youth prepared himself for the duties of after life. He also carried on farming operations, and was engaged in freighting between Denison and Sherman and to the west and had many thrilling experiences in the outlaw-infested country, as well as taking part in numerous encounters with the hostile Indians. In 1880 he sold his outfit to give his entire attention to cattle raising and selling in Montague County, and in 1882, on moving to Wichita County, continued in the same line of business. He had large interests in farming lands and stockraising in various parts of the State, and in this connection was widely know. Mr. Avis entered business life in Wichita Falls in 1891, when he became the proprietor of a grocery establishment, and this he conducted successfully until 1896, when he sold his interests therein and embarked in the hardware business. The Avis Hardware Company was established in September, 1909, and this developed into one of the leading ventures of its kind in that part of the State. He was president of this concern, vice president of the First National Bank, in which he held an interest for upwards of thirty years, director in the Southern Wichita Life Insurance Company, having in addition large interests in various other enterprises. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, in which he was Past Master, Past High Priest and a Shriner, having reached the thirty-third degree of Masonry, and was connected also with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Noble J. David Avis, thirty-third degree I.G.H., was honored as being the third mason to have attained this high honor in North Texas. He was a pioneer of Wichita County. His picture hangs on the walls of the Montague County Courthouse as the first white child born in Montague County. Noble Avis had been active in all Masonic bodies. He was Past Master in Wichita Falls Council No. 140, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Texas, and was on the Board of Directors of the Masonic Home and School. He was a charter member of the Maskat Temple and was one of the two living thirty-third degree I.G.H. Masons belonging to Maskat Temple at the time of his death. He was one of Wichita Falls' most honored and beloved citizens, and was a member of the Texas Legislature for many terms. A stalwart Democrat in his political views, he served as county commissioner from precinct No. 1 and during three terms was a member of the City Council. With his family he attended the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Avis was married March 1, 1885, at Montague, Texas to Miss Minnie Ollie Bush, a native of Virginia, who was brought to Texas as a child by her parents, Isaac and Louisa Bush, pioneers of Grayson County, Texas. She was born near Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1865, and was named for a ship called "Minnie Ola". With her parents she migrated to Texas as a small child, locating at Farmington, Texas (near Sherman, Texas). Her parents had lost their small plantation in Virginia during the Civil War. Isaac Bush met his death in a runaway accident. Louisa Bush died at the age of ninety-one years and was the daughter of John S. and Charity King. She was born in Pennsylvania and at the age of twelve years the family moved to Virginia. One or two years after the close of the Civil War she came to Texas.
Four sons and four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. David Avis: Frank P., born December 27, 1885, at Montague, deceased, was a graduate of Wichita Falls Business College, was in business with his father, was married and had one child; J. David, Jr., deceased, born in Wichita Colunty in 1887, was a ranch owner of Wichita Fals, was married and had two children; Katheryn Lou, born in 1889 in Wichita County, who married W. F. Weeks; Lillian Grace, born in 1892 in Wichita County, who married Harry Baum; A. W. (Jake), born in 1894 at Wichita Falls, was engaged in business with his father; Charles Robert, deceased, born in 1896 at Wichita Falls; Gretchen, deceased, born in 1900 at Wichita Falls, who married William U. McCutchen; and Ruby Cornelia, born in 1902 at Wichita Falls, who married Ralph Dunkelberg.