The Henry Morris Jarratt Family

By Maxcia D. Jarratt Wallner

In 1850, Devereux and Polly Ann Jarratt of Virginia came to Texas in covered wagons with their five sons and a few slaves. A cousin, Mirabeau B. Lamar, famed in Texas history, had written them of the state's merits. They settled five miles south of Jacksonville in what later was known as Jarratt Community. This section was always referred to as "the garden spot of East Texas."

Only two sons, Henry Morris and Jesse Wade, remained here. Devereux, Jr., went to the gold rush in California and never returned; John Calvin was killed early in the Civil War, and Robert went to West Texas cattle country.

Henry Morris Jarratt was a school teacher in Virginia, and when he arrived in Texas was wearing the accepted dress of teachers, including a frock-tail coat and derby hat. This created much laughter among local citizens. However, they soon learned to respect his strong intellect, uprightness and generosity. For many years people, some could not read or write, came to his home to hear him read and tell about happenings of the time, which included the slavery question.

He and his brother, Jesse Wade, acquired a sizeable tract of land and engaged in extensive farming operations and raising of livestock. So much was grown and raised, very little was needed to supply food needs except staples.

In 1858, the brothers set aside the original plot for family and public burial and named it "Jarratt Cemetery." In 1971, an historical marker was erected here, made possible by children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sam Houston Jarratt, as a memorial to the founders.

In 1897, S. H. Jarratt and C. D. Jarratt, grower and shipper, sons of Henry Morris Jarratt, pioneered and developed the tomato industry in East Texas and acquired for them the title "Fathers of the Tomato Industry." The former led the way by applying a scientific zeal, soil potentialities, courageous experimentation and leadership in agriculture. Others followed the Jarratts' example and soon East Texas proved the tomato as a main crop. By stressing high quality, scientific fertilization, disease and insect control and proper packing, they made East Texas famous. S. H. Jarratt's counsel was constantly sought by his co-workers and fellow growers. C. D. Jarratt became one of the leading fruit and vegetable shippers and marketing agents of the nation.

In 1936, Jacksonville had a pageant, "Romance of the Love Apple" honoring the tomato industry. Janice Jarratt, sweetheart of the Texas Centennial, daughter of C. D. Jarratt, was the star. She then was a movie actress, listed as one of the nation's most beautiful women and for three consecutive years was the Number One Photographers Model in the United States.

A number of descendants are successful in their chosen fields, including a son and two grandsons of S. H. Jarratt.

Dr. Henry Morris Jarratt of Big Spring, is a prominent dentist, retired Lt. Colonel, United States Army Dental Corps, and business man. He is active in many civic organizations and clubs, holding positions in local, county and adjoining-area endeavors. He is a churchman and religious leader, being chairman of deacons, teacher, leader in organizing and financing new churches, member of Texas Baptist Men's Executive Board, and member of the executive and finance committee of that Board, member of executive board, Texas Baptist General Convention, and for past six years has been the only state member on the Southern Baptist Convention Christian Life Commission.

Siegfried (Jon) Wallner is senior vice-president of hosiery manufacturing for Kayser-Roth, Burlington, N. C, manufacturer of ladies' and men's hosiery. He is a member of Women's Hosiery Advisory Committee of the National Association of Hosiery Manufacturers and is an enthusiastic civic worker and churchman, holding key positions in these activities.

Jack D. Wallner of Houston, has been chief geophysicist for nine years for Tenneco Oil Company, and travels world-wide. He is secretary-treasurer of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, which has 7,500 members in 70 countries, and is president of the Houston section. He is active in civic work.

The mother of Jon and Jack is Marcia D. Jarratt (Wallner), lives here.

S. H. Jarratt in 1898.

Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Jarratt and their sons, Wade, Archie, Morris and Dub in their Model-T Ford, vintage 1915.

Buyers, shippers and others interested in the tomato deal pose about 1910 for this picture inside the bank where Perry Bros, now is located.