The William Henry Tipton Family

Facts by Julanne Tipton Emerson

William Henry Tipton, known to his friends as Billie Tipton, was born July 22, 1857, in Georgia. He came to Texas in 1875 and married Sally Anne Rogers on November 15, 1877. They lived on a farm west of New Summer-field, but moved to Jacksonville in 1879, acquiring property on East Commerce Street from where the city hall now stands through Gray Electric.

This was the Rogers homestead, and as early as 1879, Billie and Sally Tipton began to add to the old house, making it into a two-story building and thus establishing Tipton House, a rooming and boarding house. Facing Commerce Street, the building occupied lots where Hugghins Studio and Gray Electric now are located. A livery stable was directly across the street where the Stone law offices now are situated. This was "the house by the side of the road" from 1879 to 1943 to all who knew and loved Billie and Sally Tipton.

Sally Ann Rogers Tipton died in 1940 and Billie Tipton in 1943.

Six children were born to Billie and Sally Tipton.

William Dellis Tipton was born October 22, 1878, at Lone Star, southeast of New Summerfield. He moved to Jacksonville as a young boy and worked for Norton's Tombstone Company. On November 2, 1896, Dellis rode horseback to Dona Stewart's home. She was 14. They eloped, were married and settled on a farm east of Jacksonville, where they reared seven daughters and three sons. On November 2, 1967, Dona and Dellis celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary, with all ten of their children present. Dona Tipton died February 10, 1968, while Dellis, now 93, still resides at his home near New Summerfield.

Dellis recalls riding horseback to a one-room school, and taking his lunch in a syrup pail, packing such delicacies as a sausage, biscuit and baked sweet potato. He also has vivid memories of the growls of bobcats as they followed him and his brother, Ed, along a narrow path through the woods as they returned home from school.

Edward Baxter Tipton was born November 27, 1881, at Lone Star. As a young man, he went to school and became a registered pharmacist. He married Margaret Hodnett, and they were parents of four children. Ed, as he was well known, owned and operated Tipton Drug, which first was located on West Commerce were Perry Bros, variety store now is situated. Later it was moved to the corner of Commerce and Bolton and, finally, to the corner of North Bolton and Wood-row streets, where Ed remained until his retirement in 1958. Tipton Drug, however, still operates, now being owned and managed by Henry Lindner. Ed died November 29, 1963, Mrs. Tipton still resides on Pineda Street.

Howard Lee Tipton was born September 11, 1884, in Jacksonville, and was agent for the T. & N. O. Railroad. He died in 1910.

Seaborn Rogers Tipton was born January 6, 1890, in Jacksonville and was employed by the I. & G. N. Railroad. He was killed in France during World War I at age 28.

Bennie Tipton, a daughter, was born September 14, 1892. She married Enoch Herrington and they had two children. Bennie Tipton still resides in Kilgore.

Bessie Tipton was born February 17, 1895, in Jacksonville and married Jim Goodson, prominent businessman. They had a daughter. Mr. Goodson preceded his wife in death. Bessie died in 1928 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Mrs. W. H. Tipton and granddaughter, Avis Herrington, in 1914.