Diamond Grove Academy

COLORADO COUNTY, TEXAS SCHOOLS

Rophila Elizabeth English Wade

Deborah Smith has transcribed a handwritten (undated, though circa 1950) note written by her great-grandmother, Rophila Elizabeth English Wade, about the students of Diamond Grove Academy.

Rophila Elizabeth English was born in 1869, the daughter of Sarah Whittington and her second husband, James Samuel English. Her father died when she was two years old, and her mother never remarried. They lived on Honey Creek, near Shimek and attended the County Line Methodist Church, along with some of the Rees family.

She said that she first attended Diamond Grove Academy when she was seven years old. A number of the children attending the school were related to her. The children of John Wesley Rees were her cousins. The Houchins children were cousins also, as their mother was Sarah Rees, John Wesley Rees' sister. The Styers children also were cousins, children of another Rees daughter.

Deborah Smith and others have added biographical information about some of the Diamond Grove students. This information appears in brackets after the student's name. Thanks to Charles Sherman we have pictures of some of these students as adults. To view these pictures, go to Diamond Grove Academy Former Students.

"These are some of the children I went to school with at Diamond Grove Acadamy [sic] when I was a little girl. J. P. Woolsey was the teacher; Alice Woolsey was assistant.

Names of Boyes

Edd. Allen [Edmond Allen, born Nov 7, 1864; died Nov 13, 1948 in AZ; parents - Matthew Robinson Allen & Martha Thomas Woolsey; married Mary Irene Olivette Wallace on Mar 12,1887 in White Oaks NM (3)]

Mon. Allen [Monroe R. Allen, born 7 Jan 1860 in Georgia; died 12 Sep 1918 in Weimar, TX; parents - Matthew Robinson Allen & Martha Thomas Woolsey; married Mollie A McMurrey 7 Nov 1896 (2)]

Will. Allen

John Allen

Jack Allen [maybe Thomas Jackson Allen; twin to Lee Allen (2)]

Lee Allen [born 1868; died Pearsall, TX; married Annie L Rhode; twin brother to Thomas J. Allen; parents - John L. Allen and Eliza Franklin Woolsey (2)]

Ernest Eason [born 1866 in Georgia - D. Aug 1945 in California; parents - James Rice & Margaret Eason; married Elizabeth J. (Lizzie) Little (2)]

Will Eason

Nim [?] Eason

Flem Rees [Asa Fleming Rees, born 1867, son of John Wesley and Rophila Smith Rees (1); Obit]

John Rees [Thomas John Rees, or Thomas Jasper Rees, born 1870, son of John Wesley and Rophila Smith Rees (1)]

Lesly Rees [Leslie Wilkinson Rees, born 1873, son of John Wesley and Rophila Smith Rees (1); Obit]

Floyd Rees [born 1878, son of John Wesley and Rophila Smith Rees (1)]

Robert Boeth

Gus Grobe

Frank Grobe

August Boeth

John Myers [John Henry Myers, born 14 Oct 1872; died 18 Jul 1952; buried Wilson County, TX; parents - Henry B Myers and Camilla P. Allen; played on University Of Texas' first football team - nicknamed 'Babe' (2)]

Bruce Myers [could be Charles Bruce Myers born 1880; died 1952; parents - Henry B Myers and Camilla P. Allen; married Lina McAda (2)]

John Wadsworth

Henry Wadsworth

Budy Styers [Budah Styers (not sure of pronunciation), born circa 1868, son of James Marion and Nancy Rees Styers (1)]

Jim Styers [James Marion, Jr., born circa 1869, son of James Marion and Nancy Rees Styers ](1)

Kin Houchins [Kinion Washington Houchins, born 1867, son of George Washington and Sarah Rees Houchins (1)]

Jene Houchins [Eugene Henry Houchins, born 1871, son of George Washington and Sarah Rees Houchins, later Sheriff of Lavaca County (1)]

Dock Houchins [Buhler William Houchins, born 1874, son of George Washington and Sarah Rees Houchins (1)]

Tom Townsend

Web Townsend [Web Townsend, born circa 1865, son of William Wallace and Adeline Woolsey Townsend (1)]

Everett Townsend [Everett Ewing Townsend, born 1871, son of William Wallace and Margaret Long Townsend (1)]

Tom Bell

Web Smith

Willie Smith

Jody Sheffield

Warren Griffith

Warwick Griffith

Tom Washington

Willie Washington

Tom Woolsey [Robert Thomas Woolsey, born 1860, son of John Monroe and Matilda Blount Woolsey (1); married Mina Grobe (2)]

Edd Woolsey [Edmond Franklin Woolsey, born 1858, son of John Monroe and Matilda Blount Woolsey (1); married Virgie Griffith (2)]

George Woolsey [George Monroe Woolsey, born 1866, son of John Monroe and Matilda Blount Woolsey (1); married Willie Elizabeth Frazer (2)]

Charles McFall [son of Robert and Mary Ann Woolsey McFall ](1)

Charley Austin [Son of William Austin and Blanche Elizabeth Woolsey Austin. Blanche was the daughter of John M. Woolsey and Phoebe Castleberry Woolsey (1)Deborah Smith writes, "I think the land for the County Line School and Church was donated by Blanche Woolsey Austin."]

Jodie Allen

Robert Little [born 20 Mar 1870; died 2 Nov 1931; buried Weimar, TX; parents - Joseph McCreary Little & Mary Jane Purvis; married Georgia Ann Culpepper 1898 (2); Obit]

Everett Little [born 5 Mar 1885; died 11 Dec 1915; buried at Weimar, TX; parents - Joseph McCreary Little & Mary Jane Purvis; Married Ada Wright (2); Obit]

Tom Garner

Robert Bobolink [spelling?]

Fritz Bobolink

Herman Harmon [spelling?]

Jack Montgomery

James English [James L. English, born 1871, died 1895, brother of Rophila Elizabeth English and son of James Samuel and Sarah E. Whittington English (1); obit]

Walter Long [James Walter Long, born October 26, 1868 in Texas, died December 4, 1932 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas; married Emma King in 1900; buried Hondo, Medina County, Texas; as an adult, he lived in Medina, Frio, and Gonzales Counties; parents Henry Long and Martha Eliza Allen (1); Obit]

John Woolsey [John Fleming Woolsey, born 1857, son of William Sidney and Martha E. Rees Woolsey (1)]

Jeff Woolsey [Jefferson Davis Woolsey, born 1861, son of William Sidney and Martha E. Rees Woolsey (1)]

Clay Nickles [Clayton Nichols was the son of William Alexander Nichols and Helen Woolsey Nichols. Helen was the daughter of John Moroe Woolsey and Matilda Blount Woolsey. (1)]

John Simmons [spelling?] [born 1879; parents - James Calvin Simmons and Christian Eason]

Will Simmons [born 1871; parents - James Calvin Simmons and Christian Eason]

K---- Laging [very unsure of this name]

Girls that went to school at Diamond Grove Acadamy [sic.] in Colorado Co. Texas

Nelly Allen [born ca 1870 - Parents Mathew Robinson and Martha Thomas Woolsey Allen (4)]

Minnie Allen [parents - Matthew Robinson Allen & Martha Thomas Woolsey; married Josephus Barnette (2); born Sep 1, 1868; died Apr 17, 1955 in Wickenburg AZ, married in 1895 (3)]

Jody Allen

Maggie Long [Margaret Lee Long, born September, 1870, in Texas; parents Henry Long and Martha Eliza Allen (1)]

Callie Long [born 1873, in Texas; parents Henry Long and Martha Eliza Allen (1)]

Sallie Lowery [parents - John A Lowery & Mollie Little (2)]

Maggie Lowery [parents - John A Lowery & Mollie Little (2)]

Laura Nickles [daughter of William Alexander Nichols and his wife Helen Woolsey. Helen was the daughter of John Monroe Woolsey and Matilda Blount Woolsey (1)]

Birdie Nickles [daughter of William Alexander Nichols and his wife Helen Woolsey. (1)]

Allura Rees [born 1875, daughter of John Wesley and Rophila Smith Rees (1)]

Eunice Styers [born 1871[1874], daughter of James Marion and Nancy Rees Styers (1)]

Johanna Grobe

Lizzy Little [Elizabeth J Little, born 1869; died 1963 - Buried - Weimar, TX; parents - Joseph McCreary Little & Mary Jane Purvis; married Ernest Lloyd Eason - (2)]

Susie Little [Susan Martha Little, born 11 Sep 1874 in County Line; died 17 Jul 1963; buried Wilson County, TX; parents - Joseph McCreary Little & Mary Jane Purvis; married John Henry Myers 28 Sep 1898 (2)]

Lula Little [parents - Joseph McCreary Little & Mary Jane Purvis; married Shelby Marvin Eason (2)]

Mittie McFall [daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Woolsey McFall (1)]

Addie Eason [daughter of John T Eason & Olive Glenn Woolsey (2)]

Mattie Eason [probably Martha Eason - daughter of James Rice & Martha Eason (2)]

Georgia Houchins [born 1864; daughter of George Washington and Sarah Rees Houchins (1)]

Mickie Houchins [Mickey Sarah Houchins, born: Feb 14, 1869; died: Oct 10, 1921; daughter of George Washington and Sarah Rees Houchins (1); married John M. Berthold; see Miller Creek Cemetery listing. (4)]

Rophila English [born 1869, daughter of James Samuel and Sarah E. Whittington English, and author of this list (1)]

Nora Boeth

Sopha Bock

Ophelia Bock

Nora Briton

Lena Tooke

Ida Tooke

Mary Simmons [born 1873; parents - James Calvin Simmons and Christian Eason]

Kate Simmons [born 1877; parents - James Calvin Simmons and Christian Eason]

Lillie Sheffield

Della Sheffield

Kate Wadsworth

Bettie Bobolink

Anna Boblink

Lizzie Selph

Lizzie Bowen

Meda Bowen

 

I think all those girls I have mentioned are gone on, mabe 2 living.

 

Modie Bowen

Lula Bowen

Ada Norris [or Morris (1)]

Effie Woolsey [born circa 1875; daughter of William Sidney and Martha E. Rees Woolsey (1)]

Hellen Woolsey [born 1874; daughter of William Sidney and Martha E. Rees Woolsey (1)]

Ada Woolsey [born 1878; daughter of William Sidney and Martha E. Rees Woolsey (1)]

Emma Owen [very unsure of last name (1)]

Mary Letter

Betty Hope

Sallie Eason

Lela Woolsey

Annie Woolsey

Lizzie Woolsey

Callie Sheffield

Mary Laging [very unsure of last name (1)]"

Sources for Additional Information
1. Biographical information provided by Deborah Smith. John Wesley Rees was her first cousin (but much older), and the oldest of several children of Fleming Sanders Rees and Nancy Whittington Rees (parents of Sheriff Sam Houston Rees, shot in Columbus in 1899). John Wesley Rees was the Clerk of Lavaca County for a few years. Doc or Dock Houchins was the informant for some of Sonnischen's info about the Rees family, and the first cousin of the children of Sam Rees.
2. Biographical information provided by Charles Sherman who also provided photographs of some of these students as adults. To view these pictures, go to Diamond Grove Academy Former Students. Sherman's wife's grandfather was John Myers and grandmother was Susie Little, both listed above.
3. Biographical information about Minnie Allen provided by Paul Strain.
4. Biographical information researched by former Colorado County TXGenWeb coordinator, Dorothy Albrecht

Diamond Grove Academy
Oakland, July 17, 1879

Editor Citizen:

We had the pleasure of attending the exercises of this school, which is situated four miles southeast of Oakland, in Colorado county, and under the supervision of J. P. Woolsey. The deport of the scholars was such as to reflect credit upon themselves, and gives evidence of the painstaking spirit of the teacher.

The high appreciation in which the school is held by the community was amply evidenced by the large and attentive audience in attendance. The exercises were continued with interest and profit unti 5 o'clock in the evening, with an interval at noon of about two hours, in which we were feasted most bountifully at a sumptuous repast--the generous gift of the ladies, ever ready to assist in every good work.

The entertainment at night was highly pleasing and amusing, the speeches and dialogues of the little folks were delivered in a style to instruct and amuse in a most pleasing manner. But the crowning effort of the occasion and one involving deep research and careful thought was the original essays of the young ladies and gentlemen.

The teacher had offered a premium for the finest original production, and while the umpires found it difficult to decide, amid the strength, beauty and cultivated taste, so ably displayed by the contestants, they feel that the reward was nobly won by Mr. Thomas Woolsey, whose subject--"Political Ambition,"--was carefully portrayed in the independent manly spirit of the true orator. May success attend teachers and scholars.

Let us not forget our schools, but endeavor by every means in our power to encourage the educators that are in our midst, and may Texas vie with her sister states in educating the youth of the land; and in no other way can this be so successfully accomplished, as by encouraging home efforts.

Yours truly,
J. E. P.
Colorado Citizen, July 24, 1879, page 2
Contributed by Deborah Smith

Diamond Grove Academy
MALE AND FEMALE,
Classes: Elementary, Academic and Commercial, J. P. Woolsey, Principal, Mrs. Bettie Woolsey, Assistant. The Third Annual Session begins September 29, 1879. The scholistic year is composed of Two Session, twenty weeks each.
RATES OF TUITION:
Primary classes...$1.50 per month
Intermediate classes $2.00 per month
Advanced classes 2.50 per month
Commercial Department, in advance, $25.

All Students between the ages of 8 and 14 will be credited for their pro rata of the Public School Funds allowed by law.
Confer with J. P. WOOLSEY,
Oakland, Texas

Colorado Citizen, August 28, 1879

Oakland News
The public school at Diamond Grove, so we learn, closed last Monday. Mrs. Alice Grobe, the teacher, is expected to open a subscription school at the same place.

Colorado Citizen, Oct 7, 1880
DIAMOND INSTITUTE.--Prof. J. P. Woolsey commenced his school on the 27th ult., which we learn is very full. He has alredy established a high reputation as an instructor of youth in his section, and is justly entitled to it, as he has labored faithfully in the cause.
Colorado Citizen, January 21, 1886
Submitted by Deborah Smith

Do you have old school pictures or information you would like to share?
If you find bad or missing links, please notify Rox Ann.

Return to School Index

Return to Colorado County Home Page