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At the outbreak
of the Texas revolution Mrs. Crane's father and three brothers enlisted
in Sam Houston's Army and she became acquainted with General Houston.
Mrs. Crane was
on her way to Texas on "the night the stars fell." She
participated in the "runaway scrape" just before the battle of
San Jacinto; and lived in Texas during five wars and under four
different flags. She was a citizen of this State for more than 85
years.
On May 11th,
1844, Susan B. Winters became the bride of Green B. Crane. Land
was worth practically nothing and they purchased a section for a few
dollars in merchandise. In 1851 the family moved down on the San
Marcos River, where the town of Prairie Lea now stands. In 1852
they moved to Lavaca County near where Moulton now stands. This
was their home for over 60 years and Mr. Crane died here in 1901.
Four- (not legible and resumes with the next words) union. Ten of
whom survive as follows: John Crane, A. J. Crane of Sabina, J. R. Crane
of Kingsville and Mesuamed, (not legible) Lyons, Bernice Dickson, E. J.
Meriam of Shiner, Jane McVea of (not legible), Emeline Ware of (not
legible), N.J. Stewart of San Antonio and Dorcas Thornton of San Marcos.
Mrs. Crane leaves forty-four grandchildren, thirtysix
great-grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Mrs. Crane
was the last of a family of thirteen children, seven lived to over
eighty years of age and three lived to be over ninety. With her
passing a connecting link of pioneer days has been removed. She
was a remarkably well preserved woman, she enjoyed splendid health and
was in possession of all her mental faculties at all times taking great
interest in the events of the day and time and was a very interesting
conversationalist.
She had been a
member of the Church of Christ for sixty years. It can be truly
said of her that one of God's servants has gone to rest. She rests
from her labor and her works do follow her. Her Christian
influence is seen in the noble and consecrated lives of her children and
if they continue faithful 'till death, they have the assurance of
meeting the faithful mother gone on before. Their loved ones
sorrow not as those who have no hope but look forward to that blessed
reunion. Knowing of her devotion as a worshiper while here on
earth, the faithful ones gathered around the open casket on last Sabbath
morning and held devotional services, administering the Holy Sacrement.
Services were led by A. J. Dittmar, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, Rev.
T. F. Young of Runge conducting the funeral services, after which the
procession moved to the family burying plot at the old Moulton cemetery
where she was tenderly laid to rest. The new made mound was banked
high with lovely floral tributes. The grandsons and nephews served
as pallbearers as follows: Edgar and Elmo Merrem, John McVea, Albert
Dittmar, J. F. May and John Crouch. Life's sunset was indeed a
golden one. What a noble heritage she has left her children and
children's children.
The children
from a distance who were here at the funeral of Mrs. Susan B. Crane were
Mrs. Andrew B. Crane of Sebinal, Beal Crane of Kingsville.
Mesdames Jane McBea of Gonzales, Octavia Stewart of San Antonio and
Dorcas Thornton of San Marcos.
The
grandchildren from other points were John McVea and Mr. and Mrs. E. L.
Merrem of (not legible and begins with the next words) and son and Mr..
and Mrs. T. Dickson and family of Yoakum, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith of
Gonzales. The grandchildren in Shiner were Mrs. W. O. Mewes, Mr.
and Mrs. A. J. Dittmar, L. C., W. E., and Mabel Merrem. Other
relatives present were Mr. and Mrs. John Crouch of Alvin, Charles Crouch
of Yoakum and Mrs. L. B. Allen and family of Hallettsville. All of Mrs.
Crane's children were present except one son, John Crane of Richland
Springs and one daughter, Mrs. Ware of New, Mexico.
Bernice
Winters' Parent's Rhoda Creel Beall Winters and James Winters were born
in N.C. came to Texas from Tenn. in 1834. They settled on the San
Jacinto River where the town of Waverly sprung up. Their 13
children were William C., Orin L., Mary (Polly), Caroline, John Frelan,
Nancy, James Washington, Sarah D., Benjamin Franklin, Lillie Ellen,
Willis, Billington Taylor and Susan Bernice. James Sr. fought in
the war of 1812 and with Gen. Sam Houston. His three sons W. C.,
J. F., J.W., fought in the Battle of San Jacinto while he and his son
B.F. hauled supplies. Sgt. W.C. was wounded. In 1901 J. W.
served on a commission of veterans to designate important locations on
the Battle Ground. In 1842 J. W. and B. F. went on the Summerville
Expedition. James M., son of W.C. was killed by Indians in 1861.
The Winters Memorial Assn. has been formed to preserve the family and
the Republic of Texas history. The old family cemetery on F.M. Rd.
# 2778 between Cold Springs and New Waverly in Walker Co. has been
restored and made into a WINTERS MEMORIAL PARK to honor James, Rhoda and
their 13 children. Markers will recite the part the Winters
family played in early Texas history. The following cemeteries
will be marked along the Winters Trek. Winters Memorial Prk where
James, Sr., J. F., Nancy, Willis and Caroline are buried; Delhi where
Orin is buried; Moore, B. T.; Oakville, Rhoda; Lebanon, Lillie Ellen;
and Old Moulton where Susan Bernice and Sarah D. are buried; the
Longview cemetery where W. C. and B. F. are buried and also at Big Foot
in the Brumitt Cemetery where J. W. is buried.
THE TREK OF THE WINTERS FAMILY extended from Old Waverly to Big Foot in
Frio Co. and they branched out from there to every part of the state.
Mrs. Harry Zavisch, Jr. WMA Secy., Tilden, Tex. and Mrs. J J. Head, Rt 4
Box 363 Huntsville, Tex. are contacting descendants of this family.
Mrs. Head is Pres.; Mr. Head, Treas; Mr. Zavisch, Vice
Pres. Plans are being made to hold a family reunion at the Park in
1968. Dedication ceremonies will be held as Markers are erected.
The Winters Trek has been sent to the Texas Travel Trails Assn., as a
week-end tour or Texas Travel Trail. It passed through the Scenic
Hill Country, Brush Country and Pines of East Texas and many historic
towns. Join your family Association by sending your contribution
to J. J. Head, Huntsville. Help preserve the history of your
family and Texas.
By Mrs. Harry Zavisch, Jr.
Clipping loaned by Mrs. Theo Riggs, Pearsall,
Tex. descendant of Orin L.
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