CA1261

Montague Memorial Memories
Compiled by Vann, Virginia Melson, 1928- ; Romine, Martha Duncan, 1939- ; Montague Cemetery Association (Montague, Texas)
Published by:  V. M. Vann, [Montague, Tex.], [1985]
(C. Avis Catalog entry #1261)

[obvious typographical errors corrected]

p. 2
Some of the earliest settlers were:
…
David Avis
…

p. 3
Some of the early places of business in the town of Montague 
…
Gilmore and Avis, general store 
…

p. 50-51
[The following contribution by Piner Avis is a rearranged version of the biography of J. D. Avis in "A History of Texas and Texans" by Frank W. Johnson published in 1914.  That explains why, of the four children of David & Mahala Avis, only James is discussed. The last paragraph has new information as to the status of the children of James & Minnie Avis and JD's death. - ca]


                AVIS FAMILY 
        By Piner Avis, Great-Grandson 

    David Avis was born, January 14, 1817, 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 February 16, 1868, when he was fifty-two years of age. During the Indian outrages Mr. Avis built the fort at Montague of 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, Mahala Katherine Webb (5-6-1841 - 5-5-1925), 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, and her second husband was C.C. White (4-19-1832 - 9-13-1896). They are all buried in the Montague Cemetery with David Avis being one of the older graves in the Cemetery. 
    Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Avis. Of these J. David is the oldest. He is a Texan by birth and training, and was the first child born in the town of Montague, Montague County, August 13, 1861. He received his education in the public schools of Montague County, and subsequently 
attended a private school under the preceptorship of Colonel Hall; but the early death of his father made it 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 coming to Wichita County, continued in the same line of business. He still has large interests in farming lands and stock raising in various parts of the State, and in this connection was widely known. 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 has since developed into one of the leading ventures of its kind in this part of the State. He continues as president of this concern, is vice president of the First National Bank, in which he held an interest for upwards of thirty years, and was a 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-second degree of Masonry, and was connected also with the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A stalwart Democrat in his political views, he had served as county commissioner from precinct No.1 and during three terms has been 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, native of Virginia, who was brought to Texas as a child by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Bush, pioneers of Grayson County. Mr. Bush met his death in a runaway accident. 
    Five sons and four daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Avis. They were:  Frank Piner Avis, James David Avis III [sic: II], Tommy Avis, Katherine Avis Weeks, Lillian Avis Bourn [sic: Baum], Albert [sic: Alva] W. (Jake) Avis, Robert Avis, Gretchen Avis McCutcheon, Ruby Avis Dunkleburg [sic: Dunkelberg]. James David Avis died in August of 1935. 

p. 173
White's in Montague Cemetery:

White,
C.C.         4-19-1832    9-13-1896 
M.C. Avis     5-6-1841         5-5-1925 

p. 135
Avis' in Montague Cemetery:

Avis,         
Annie S.    7-24-1865    5-7-1925
David    1-14-1817    2-16-1868
Tommy    10-26-1888    5-21-1890    (son of J.D. & Minnie)

p. 20
A BRIEF HlSTORY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN MONTAGUE, TEXAS 1873 to 1984 

According to the oldest record available, The Methodist Church of Montague, Texas, was organized sometime during the year of 1873, as evidenced by the Official Church Register of "The M.E. Church, 
South", Montague, Texas. The records shown in said register consist of the following subdivisions: 
1. REGISTER OF PASTORS (From November 1890 to December 1913) 
2. REGISTER OF MARRIAGES (From October 1897 to November 20, 1912) 
3. REGISTER OF INFANT BAPTISMS, and (From October 18, 1899 to May 25, 1913) 
4. REGISTER OF MEMBERS (From 1873 to September 13, 1913) 

As shown by the above dates, the earliest recorded history is that of 
the register of members. Only four members were united with this church 
during the year of 1873, which were the following: 
1. Frank M. Avis 
2. Jennie K. Adams 
3. Wm. J. Brown 
4. Lizzie Brown 
All of the above named members were united by Certificate.