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Photo submitted by Dana
Stubbs
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THE
FORTSON FAMILY
Members of the Fortson family came to Texas from Mississippi and
settled in Navarro County in the 1840s. Civil War veteran James T.
Fortson wed Ida Clayton, Daughter of another pioneer area family, in
1867, and they moved to the Rice area in 1872. Their son, Joseph
Benjamin (Joe B.), and his wife Lyda built their home at this site in
1904. Je B. and Brother John acquired large landholdings in the area for
farming and ranching, and established a cotton gin operation and a
mercantile. They also opened the First State Bank of Rice and Began
levee improvement districts to aid local farming. In
addition, Joe B. served on the school board. The family is remembered
for its lasting contributions to the area's history
The text of the historical markers
have been posted here with the permission of the Texas Historical Commission |
Navarro County TXGenWeb