James Russell Scoggins
of Navarro County, Texas


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NAVARRO COUNTY FARMER CELEBRATES 86TH BIRTHDAY

 MR. AND MRS. J. R. SCOGGINS

Mr. J. R. (“Uncle Jim”) Scoggins of Barry celebrated another annual birthday and invited many of his intimate friends to dine with him on his 86th birthday, Sunday, Nov. 14th,.  The following relatives were present:  W. J. Scoggins, John H. Scoggins of Pecan Gap;  J. M. Scoggins of Claude;  T. F. Scoggins of Dorchester, Texas, and Mrs. B. F. Clark, and Frank Gay and family of Roane, Texas, Mrs. B. F. Clark (sister to Uncle Jim) is 89 years old but as spry as a cat and the above sons together with their wives (except W. J. S.) and a gala day, for they entered into their boyhood experiences and told the many funny as well as ridiculous things that had come into the home life of nearly all boys and such another time they had.

Uncle Jim Scoggins moved to Texas from Louisiana in Dec. 1879, and has lived here since.  He came here when Corsicana looked like 30 cents with the figure 3 rubbed off.  Very little farming and no roads as all here then and people went from place to place by direction of following some cow trail.  Land here was then considered worthless except for grazing and although it was rich black soil, they had no tools to work this black land and hence it was cheap then.  Uncle Jim saw through that if the land could be broke and cultivated that it would produce and be bought a good portion of it when it was cheap and still owns one of the best farms in Navarro county.  He does not set the prairie afire by raising all cotton, but he has always believed in and practiced having “hog and hominy” at home and very few years has he ever had to buy bread and meat.  He raised a big family of children and all of them respected and honor him for what he has done for them.

Uncle Jim’s children make it a point to have a “home coming” on the 14th of November each year and honor their father with many gifts and many delicacies and he enjoys it to the fullest extent.  He can hardly wait from one birthday till the next and often speaks of his children and many friends who remember him so kindly from year to year.

Among others present were the following:  Mrs. Ollie rogers and Prof. Hodge and wife and many others too numerous to mention.

A thirty pound turkey was among the many other good things on the table and it is said that Jesse and Prof. Hodge ate so much that they had to take them to the tank and stand them in water for a while.

We trust that Uncle Jim may live many more years and that each year may bring health, wealth and happiness.

A sincere friend,

O. N. NEWBURN.

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OBITUARY

PROMINENT BARRY CITIZEN DIES LAST WEEK AT HOME THERE

Barry, Texas, March 31,--On March 20, 1927, at 12:10 o’clock, the death angel took “Uncle Jim” Scoggins from the walks of man to a better world. “Uncle Jim” had been at death’s door for a number of days, therefore death came as a sweet relief and answer to his prayers. All that relatives and friends could do was of no avail.

Deceased was 86 years of age and had resided in Barry community 51 years. He had been a consistent church member for 72 years. Besides a host of friends and other relatives, “Uncle Jim” is survived by a wife and five sons, namely, W. J. Scoggins, of Barry; J. H. Scoggins of Pecan Gap; J. M. Scoggins of Dorchester and L. I. Scoggins of Tolbert; also a daughter-in-law, Mrs. G. B. Scoggins of Dorchester; a step son, Frank Gay of Roane, and one sister, Miriam Clark, who resides with her daughter, Ms. Ed Spain, near Barry.

To know “Uncle Jim” was to love him. There isn’t a person in Barry who will be missed more than he. He was never too busy nor too tired to greet his friends and neighbors with a kind word and a smile. The Odd Fellows and Masonic Lodges have lost one of their most ardent workers by his death.

The entire community extends his heartfelt sympathy to this bereaved family. Put your trust in Him who knows and does all things best. Could “Uncle Jim” speak, we believe that he would comfort his loved ones by Tennyson’s beautiful poem:

“Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me;
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea,
For such a tide as moving seems asleep
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep,
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark;
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark.

For though from out my bourne of time and place,
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to meet my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock, Friday, April 1 by Rev. Bell, assisted by former pastor, Rev. Darwood and Rev. J. H. McAfee. Interment was at White Church Cemetery.

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BARRY.

Special to the Sun.
Barry, Texas, April 7.—The funeral of the late J. R. Scoggins, which was held in Methodist church Friday, April 1st at 2 o’clock was attended by a large crowd. There were many beautiful flowers. Rev. Darwood of Purdon and McAfee of Waco, former pastors of the deceased, also Rev. Bell present pastor, all dwelling along on the patient virtues, the love and esteem of their subject.

The Masons took charge after church services and laid the body to rest in the White Church Cemetery near Blooming Grove.

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PIONEER RESIDENT OF BARRY DIED NOON WEDNESDAY AT HOME

Special to the Sun.
Barry, Texas, March 31.—Jim Scoggins, aged 86 years died at his home here Wednesday at noon and funeral services will be held Friday afternoon in White Church cemetery. Rev. Mr. Bell assisted by Rev. I. R. Darwood and Rev. J. U. McAfee, will conduct the service.

Uncle Jim as he was known is survived by his wife and five sons, W. J. Scoggins, Barry; J. H. Scoggins, Pecan Gap; J. M. Scoggins, Claud; I. I. Scoggins, Tolbert and T. F. Dorchester. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Mrs. A. B. Scoggins of Dorchester and Step-son, Frank Gay of Roane and one sister, Mrs. Miriam Clark of Barry.

The deceased had resided in Barry 51 years and was one of the leading citizens of the community. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic lodges.

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