The J. A. Muckleroy Family

Facts by Billy G. Smith

In 1909, when Teddy Roosevelt was President of the United States, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Muckleroy moved to Jacksonville from Lufkin with their children. They made their home on Pine Street at the corner of Texas Street, just across from Jacksonville Baptist College.

J. A. Muckleroy was a carpenter for many years, until he was disabled by a fall. Being innovative and determined to provide for his family, he purchased a pop corn and peanut roasting machine and operated this for many years in front of the Jacksonville Post Office, when it was located at Commerce and Bonner streets.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Muckleroy, four of them making their home in Jacksonville. E. A. Muckleroy married Vera Simmons (both deceased), and they had two children, Mary Belle (Mrs. Fred Spain) of Austin, and Erma, their son, of Alvin. Ruth (Mrs. Edward Chait) lived in Chicago, but returned here after the death of her husband. Dora (Mrs. Ellis Trantham) has four daughters: Elece (Mrs. Jake Stephens) of Troup, Jane (Mrs. Joe Simoneau) of Dallas, Flo (Mrs. A. L. Renta) of Lancaster, and Bobbie (Mrs. Roy Burroughs) of Lufkin. Mattie (Mrs. Tol Smith) has three children: Martha (Mrs. Morrison W. Liston) of McKin-ney; Ruth (Mrs. Allen P. Goforth) and Billy G. Smith, both of Jacksonville. Two other Muckleroy daughters survive: Rachel (Mrs. Otto Skipwith) of Beaumont, and Maud (Mrs. Clarence Green) of Tyler.

Five grandchildren were reared by Mr. and Mrs. Muckleroy. Bernice Spears (Mrs. Elward Hicks) of Lufkin, and her sister, Maurine (Mrs. Jim Smith) of California; and three Chapman brothers, Payne of East Lansing, Michigan, Kermit of Cleveland, Ohio, and Johnny of Liberty, Texas, where their sister, Mattie Dora (Mrs. Jack Leake) also resides.

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Muckleroy, who came to Jacksonville from Lufkin in 1909.

J. A. Muckleroy, a carpenter by trade, sustained a fall which disabled him for life. Undaunted, he got this peanut and popcorn machine and operated it in front of post office, corner Commerce and Bonner, for a number of years, thus supporting his family. Photo, 1912.