The James C. Earle Family

James Cartney Earle (1829-1908) married Matilda Benge (1826-1905). First born of Elijah and Maxcey Earle, he arrived in Texas in 1846 with his parents. His first and permanent home was in Gum Creek Community (Old Jacksonville). As a youth of 17, it fell his lot to assume many of his father's responsibilities in operation of farms, milling, ginning and sawmilling. As did his father, he began acquiring land. His plans were interrupted four years by the Civil War. He first served under J. G. Maples, Go. K. 18th Texas Infantry, along with Captain W. H. Lovelady. After a six-month furlough granted by the army during the "great drought" of 1862 for men to harvest crops and plant for another year, J. C. Earle served in A. J. Smith Division, stationed at Little Rock, Arkansas, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. He witnessed the wounding of Captain Lovelady as they charged over a hill, resulting in the loss of his leg. Two brothers, Elias and Newton, died of pneumonia in Little Rock.

Matilda Earle made the trip to a soldier camp near New Orleans on horseback, riding side-saddle, to take her husband food, clothing, medicine.

At the wars end, James C. Earle returned home with renewed determination to succeed in reconstruction. He was sensitive to his neighbors needs and entered into money lending (Gum Cleek banking). He kept his money (gold) in a trunk-like cask under his bed. Many present-day families could trace their ancestral business beginnings to a loan from J. C. Earle.

When the old Jacksonville was moved to the new location he lost no time in investing in the new townsite. He was among the first to erect a brick building. Three of his buildings still are serving as business locations. As wedding gifts to his eight children, he presented each with a home and approximately 100 acres of land.

J. G. Earle spent his declining years in New Town in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Amanda Earle Gray, who was the last surviving member of his family and who was blessed with a long and useful life of 99 years and seven months. To the last hour of her life she was active, doing for others, always keenly interested in current happenings as well as being called on daily by friends and family to tell about the days of long ago.

Matilda Benge Earle, daughter of George C. Benge, was noted for her strong character until one day a peddler came by—and among his wares was a beautiful china plate, white with blue fluted edge, rectangular in shape. The price just so happened to be the same as was her price for a bushel of wheat they had grown on the farm. This plate was used for serving meats at her company dinners.

The children of J. C. and Matilda Earle were Margaret Catherine, who married Lewis Gover; Mary Elizabeth, who married W. M. Elliott; Martin Luther, who married Kate Slaughter; Nancy Jane, who married Tom Hensley; Susan Agnes, who married W. J. Trantham; James Newton, who married Althea Templeton; William Thompson, who died young; Amanda Louise, who married T. C. Gray; and Walter Byron, who married Lucy Albritton.

Walter Byron Earle met accidental death soon after the turn of the century while in the process of repairing electric wires in the City Park. He was father of Edwin B. Earle.

Home of James C. and Matilda B. Earle in Earle's Chapel community, where they reared nine children.