Died at her home near Columbus, Sunday evening at 7 o'clock. August 6, 1899, Mrs. Mary Young Pinckey Coates, wife of Mr. Caswell Coates. She was born July 17, 1824, near Columbia, Murry County, Tenn. Her childhood days were passed near Bolivar and Whiteville, Tenn. In the bloom of her Girlhood Miss Mary Allen gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Caswell Coates, and for fifty eight years she was a faithful sharer of all cares and troubles, as well as joys.  Mr. and Mrs. Coates moved from Tennessee to Texas in 1851, and lived first on the east side of the Colorado, near what is now the town of Alleyton. In 1853 he purchased his farm, two miles south of Columbus, where they have since resided.  Many of their friends remember the celebration of their golden wedding a few years ago. Mrs. Coates has been in feeble health for several years, but her great energy and wish to share the burdens of life with her companion, she often went beyond her strength.
    She was a woman of strong natural talents and a great reader. She kept up with the events of the world remarkably well for one of her age. She had many friends, and was more esteemed by those who knew her best. She was for many years a member of the Methodist church, and in an impressive manner the funeral services were conducted by the minister of that church at the home and at the Odd Fellows' cemetery, where the remains were laid to rest.
    During her illness she was most tenderly nursed and cared for by her friends and relatives, whom she had often expressed a wish should be with her when she died. Her physician gave her his constant care and did all for her that was in his power.
    We cannot realize what we have lost in this dear old friend: we cannot realize what she has gained.
 Mrs. Coates leaves her husband, one daughter, two grandsons and a little great grand daughter, whose bright face and innocent prattle has added so much joy to her life. But this world is not our home. We are all only pilgrims here we are all only passing through and to the weary traveler nothing is so sweet as rest.  She has laid down the burden entered that rest.
    The shadows are now deep over the pathway of her aged husband, and his only hope can now be in preparing to meet her in a better world. May God's special providence be over him until the night be passed, and the bright day of eternity shall dawn.
A Friend

    Died at her home southeast of Columbus Sunday, August 6, about 7 p.m., Mrs. Mary Coates, aged 75, wife of Mr. Caswell Coates, and mother of Mrs. Jas. R. Pinchback of this city. She had suffered from extreme illness for several days, which skillful and loving ministration failed to relieve. Her demise brought a flood of sorrow to many hearts. A long cortege followed her to the Odd Fellows' Rest last Monday evening at 5 o'clock, when she was interred, Rev. J W McMahon officiating.
 She moved from Columbia, Tennessee, with her husband and child a few years before the war to this vicinity, and soon won the highest esteem for her welcome to new comers as they arrived from the states. Mrs. Coates was an example of noble womanhood. Her sphere would probably seem contracted to those who sigh for the plaudits of an admiring world but it was large enough to admit geniality, generosity and the domestic virtues, and she filled it in full, rich, brimming over measure, forgetful of self, intent only upon giving help where needed, whether that help might be of her sum and substance, or words of cheer. To the memory of her beautiful character we uncover our head with a realization of her mission. The Citizen tenders condolences to the bereaved relatives.
copied by James G. Hopkins, Box 408, Garbed, Texas 77442

 Last Saturday evening Mr. Hester brought in his spring wagon and conveyed the Citizen household to his fine farm on Miller's Lake, five miles below town. His farm is well appointed and everything in place.  He has the finest herd of Durham cattle we have seen in the county, and the largest cow of that breed we ever saw, all well conditioned, and well acclimated. But his trump card is Chester pigs. These are not yet six months old, and were growing finely, their weight being over doubled that of the Berkshire cross of the same age.
 Experiments in the Johnson grass and Milo Maize are proving very satisfactory. The table was loaded with vegetables of every kind, excellently prepared under the skillful superintendence of the hostess, and it was needless to say full justice was done to the viands. Mr. Hester is a model farmer, hospitable to all, and a visit to his house is a pleasure as well as a recreation.
Copied by James G. Hopkins, Box 408, Garwood, Texas 77442

    The community was saddened Friday by the death of Mrs. Alma Pinchback, one of the oldest and most loved pioneers of this section. Funeral services were held at the residence yesterday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. A. Guyon officiating, and interment made in Odd Fellows Rest.
 Active pall bearers were S.A. Harbert, W.A. Mickaw, Frank Averback, O.G. Hoegemeyer, Ned Burford and W.J. Wintz.
 Honorary pallbearers were C.M. Bally, etc. (Time was short and I didn't list names of honorary bearers.)
 Miss Alma Coates was born in Hardeman, County, Tenn, June 1, 1847, and came to Texas in 1851. She married Mr. J.R. Hester on January 6, 1868. Mr. Hester died in Feb., 1889. She was married to Mr. J.R. Pinchback in May, 1893, and was preceded to the grave by her husband in Sept. 1925.
 She is survived by two sons, John E. Hester and Lavo, Hester, both of Columbia, and by four grand children and one great grand child.
 Columbus - Miss Alma Pincback, 83, died at her home here. She had lived here since her childhood and could recount many incidents of pioneer life in Texas. Two sons John and Lavo, Hester, and five grandchildren survived her. The funeral was held at Odd Fellows Rest, Wed. 1/23/29.

 Died, after a lingering illness, at his residence in this city, Thursday last, at 8:20 a.m., Mr. John R. Hester, in the 59th year of his age. At half-past four that afternoon services were performed at the residence by the Rev. M.S. Hotchkiss, pastor in charge of the Columbus Methodist church, amid a large attendance of friends, after which a sorrowing concourse followed his remains to the city cemetery, where with feeling obsequies, the same reverend gentleman committed the "ashes to ashes, and dust unto dust."
 The deceased was a native of North Carolina having been bom in Caswell county May 11, 1831. He came to this county in 1858, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and upon the breaking out of hostilities joined the far famed Texas Rangers, with whom he served with gallantry to the close of the war. Upon his return after peace was declared, he found himself with no fortune save his indomitable energy and perseverance, and few friends to assist him save his health and strength and noble manhood. Commencing at the foot of the ladder, he toiled on step by step till he reached the vantage ground of a landing in prosperity's dominions. In January, 1868, he was happily united to Miss Alma Coates, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Caswell Coates of this vicinity, who proved an invaluable and true "help meet" to him in his struggle against adversity, and for whom he maintained a fond and ever enduring affection. Three sons gladdened their hearts, two of whom remain to comfort their mother in her sore trial.
 In the zenith of his career, when life's shadow had scarcely begun to point backward; when a hard fought for independence invited the grand physique to rest; when all that can render life desirable a loving wife, dutiful children, staunch friends, a cozy home and smiling affluence, made existence a delight from all these and a hundred kindred joys, he was transported to the realms above. The Citizen laments more than words can express his untimely demise. A bond of friendship cemented by his innumerable acts of kindness is lacerated by his removal, and our most tender sympathies are with his bereaved family.
 But, after all, grief is a selfish feeling. It is of nature, and will not be repressed to mourn our irreparable loss, and closely cover our heads with garments of sadness, but his spirit is basking in the sunshine of perfect happiness beyond all that earth affords.

 ‘The night dew that falls, though in silence it weeps.
 Shall brighten with verdure the grave where He sleeps;
 And the tear that we shed, though in secret it shall keep his memory green in our souls.

JOHN ROBERT HESTER  History
1831-1889
 
    John Robert Hester, the son of a Methodist Circuit Rider, was born March 11, 1831 in Carwell County, N.C. He came to Columbus, Texas in 1858 and engaged in agricultural pursuits.
    Upon the reeking out of hostilities, during the war between the States, he joined the 8th Texas Cavalry, Company 7, better known as the far famed Terry's Texas Rangers with whom he served with gallantry until the close of the war.
    On January 6, 1868, John Robert Hester married Miss Alma J. Coates, born in Hardeman County, Tennessee on June 6, 1847, died in Columbus, Texas January 22, 1929, the only daughter of Mary Allen born in Hardeman County, Tennessee on July 17, 1824, died in Columbus Texas August 6, 1899 and Carwell Coates, born in Virginia in 1821, died in Columbus, Texas January 17, 1902. The Coates were married in Tennessee December 30, 1841, and came to Texas in 1851 when their daughter Alma was four years old. They came in a phaeton (a horse drawn four wheel carriage) with a large group of families and lived first on the east side of the Colorado River near Alleyton. In 1853, Mr. Coates purchased a farm two mile south of Columbus and they resided there until Mrs. Coates death in 1899. After that Mr. Coats made his home with his grandson, John E. Hester and his wife, Laura Brooks Hester in Columbus. They married March 2, 1897. John Robert and Alma Coates Hester had three sons, William Allen, who died at the age of nine months; John Ellesworth, born January 1870; and Lavo, born November 1, 1877. He married Jettie McCane April 22, 1903. She was born November 2, 1880 and died August 7, 1939. (Jettie McCane was the second daughter of George and Bettie Archer McCane.)
    John Robert Hester and his wife Alma lived in Columbus for a few years on Front Street adjacent to the Southern Pacific Rail Road track. This is where their two sons John E. and Lavo were born.
    In 1872 Mr. Hester and S.C. McBroom, a friend of many years who had come from N.C. with him, purchased 1050 acres of land from James E. Carlton. This land was an original grant to Benjamin Beason from the Mexican Nation, dated August 7, 1824. It was located on the Colorado River and the purchase price was $10,000. Mr. Hester and Mr. McBrown partitioned this land later and in 1874, Mr. Hester purchased another tract known as the Alley Bottom, on the combined tracts he raised cattle, cotton, corn, hay and pecans.
    In 1872, Mr. Hester and his wife built their home on this farm. They chose a beautiful spot amid large live oak trees. In this home on November 1, 1877 their third son Lavo, was born. He was namely named for a close friend and comrade that Mr. Hester had during his service with Terry's Texas Rangers. The man was a French descent and his surnames was LeVeaux, but Mr. Hester and Alma Americanized the spelling to Lavo. (He died June 15, 1956.)
    John Robert Hester continued to operate this farm with great diligence until the time of his death on February 28, 1889. However, he died at the family residence at the comer of Bowie and Houston Streets, in Columbus. This town home had been purchased from Gus Feist on August 6, 1888, about six months previous to John Robert Hesters death. It was a two story structure built of cypress with ginger bread trim located where the Columbus Elementary School was later built.
    John Robert Hester's land is still owned by his third and fourth generation descendants. In 1974, a certificate of Honor was awarded them for more than a century of continuous ownership and operation as a family agricultural enterprise by the Texas Land Heritage program.

September 10, 1925

    The death of Mr. J. R. Pinchback occurred suddenly last Thursday night at about seven o'clock while he was sitting on the front gallery of his home. Mrs. Pinchback, who had been sifting with him, had gone into the house for some object, and upon returning she addressed a remark to him and being unanswered went to him and discovered that he had passed out of this life.
    Funeral services were held at the residence at four Friday afternoon and interment made in Odd Fellows Rest. Rev. M. L. Darby conducted the service.  Pall bearers were Messrs. E.C. Thrower, Ed. Obenchain, George Martin, O. G. Hoegemeyer, J. O. Tanner and S. A. Harbert. Honorary pall bearers were Messrs. C. R. Kunze, O. A. Zumwalt, C. M. Bailey, S. K. Seymour, R. O. Goldsmith and Carl Obenchain.
    The Knights of the Ku Klux Klan said a service over the grave, robed figures without hoods performing the funeral rites.
Mr. Jas. Richard Pinchback was born in Charleston, S. C. in 1858. He came to this county in early childhood and was reared on the old Pinchback place about seven miles south of town. He removed to North Texas and remained there several years returning here in 1892, in which year he was married to Mrs. Hester. He has lived in this community since that time.
    Mr. Pinchback was a substantial citizen, well liked and respected by all. He had been about his business all day the day of his death, had sold some cotton, attended to the chores about the house and had dried the dishes as Mrs. Pinchback washed them after supper that evening. He was sitting in his customary place on the gallery with his feet on the banister, as friends and neighbors were accustomed to seeing him, when he died.
    He is survived by his wife, one sister, Mrs. W. T. Buford of this city, and two step sons, J. E. Hester and Lavo Hester.
 The Citizen extends sincere sympathy.
 The three children of Alma and John:

     Died in Columbus, on the 7th inst., William Allen, only child of J. R. and A. Hester, aged 9 months and 10 days.
 Willie was a sweet, affectionate child, who gladdened the hearts of his parents and friends for a brief time.

 Died, August 7,1869?, in this city, Willie A. infant son of John R. and Alma Hester.

    Lavo Hester, 78 year-old retired farmer and rancher, died, quietly in his sleep last Friday evening at his home south of Columbus even though he had suffered a lingering illness and death had seemed imminent at any time. He died, as he wished, in the same room in which he was born, Nov. 1, 1877. He was a son of a pioneer couple: the late John Robert and Alma Coates Hester.
    Mr. Hester was a breeder of polled Hereford cattle and was especially interested in the Future Farmers of America chapter of Columbus, of which his grandsons are members. He had donated a calf to be raised as a chapter project for the past several years. In 1903 he was married to Jettie McCane. Mrs. Hester died in 1939.
 Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Columbus Funeral home, with Reve. George Ricker of the Methodist church officiating. Burial was in Odd Fellows Rest.
    Mr. Hester is survived by 3 daughters, Mrs. J. W. Schumacher of Houston and Mrs. Robert Potter and Mrs. C.H. Potter of Columbus: one granddaughter, Mrs. J. C. Koch of New Orleans, and 6 grandsons, Henry, Joe, Bobby, Doug, Jeff and Bruce Potter, all of Columbus: one brother, John Hester of Columbus: one niece, Mrs. E.G. Miller of Columbus and one grand-niece, Mrs. Allen Hill of Austin.
    Pallbearers were W.H. Miekow, Jim W. Hims, Marley Giddens, Douglas Hastedt, R. F. Tait, Hollis Massey and Jack Leyendecker of Columbus and Dick Schultz of La Grange.
    Among out-of-town people present for the services were Mr. and Mrs. Ira Broughton and Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Kemp, Wharton; Mrs. Phyrne Tanner, Mrs. W.G. Youens, Mr. and Mrs. James Stephenson, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver  Todd and Mrs. Bill Hoyt, Houston; Mr. and Mrs. Dick Schultz, La Grange; Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Schoellmann, Nada; and T.A. Pinchback, W. H. Abel, Sr. and Lester Bunge, Garwood.
 They had five children.

    The marriage of Mr. John William Schumacher and Miss Margaret Lavo Hester took place at the Methodist church in this city at five o'clock last Saturday evening, Rev. M.L. Darby, local pastor, officiating.
    The church was artistically decorated for the occasion, although only a small number of guest were present at the ceremony. The ring service was used. Miss Patye Mayes at the piano and Mrs. E. G. Miller, violin, furnish*'music.
    The happy couple left on the 5:53 train for their home in Houston.
    The bride is a charming daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lavo Hester of this city and one of our most popular and accomplished young ladies. The groom is a grandson of Mrs. Bertha Wagner of this city and is employed by the Humble Oil Co. in Houston in a lucrative and responsible position.
    The Citizen wishes them much happiness.

    Margaret Lavo Hester Schumacher, 87, of Lufkin, a Columbus native, died Sunday, Aug. 29, 1993.
    Born March 11, 1906 in Columbus, she graduated from Columbus High School before attending Rice University and Southern Methodist University. She resided in Houston for 43 years with her husband, a chief accountant for Exxon. She had also resided in New Braunsfels and Lufkin. Mrs. Schumacher was active in PTA, sports and garden clubs, was a math tutor, and played the piano for various organizations.
    Funeral services are set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, 1993 at Henneke Funeral Home Chapel in Columbus, with John Kock Jr. and Rick McGinnis officiating. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery, Columbus.
    Pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Potter, Doug Potter, Jeff Potter, Bruce Potter, Henry Potter, Joe Potter, Stephen Conway and Horace Oleson. Honorary pallbearer will be Albert Hays.
    Mrs. Schumacher is survived by her daughter, Jetta (Koch) Westerholm and husband Harvey of Lufkin; grandson and wife, John Koch Jr. and Laura of Lufkin; granddaughters and their husbands, Jennifer Conway and Stephen of Lufkin and Jetta Ann McGinniss and Rick of Kansas City, Mo.; sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Bob Potter of Columbus; sister, Eloise Potter of Columbus, brother-in-law and wife, Chuck and Nina Schumacher of Baytown, eight great-grandchildren; six nephews and several cousins.
    She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John W. Schumacher Jr. in 1982; and a son-in-law, Dr. J.C. Koch in 1989.
    Memorials may be made to Hospice in the Pines, 116 S. Raguet, Lufkin, TX 75901 or the American Heart Association.
 

    JOHN WILLIAM SCHUMACHER JR., of 1302 Turtle Creek, Lufkin, Texas. Funeral services will be 4 p.m., Friday, in the Henneke Funeral Home Chapel in Columbus, Texas with the burial at Odd-fellow Cemetery, Columbus, Texas. Mr. Schumacher, died Tuesday, born in Navasota, Texas and had been a resident of Houston for 40 years and had resided in Lufkin for the past 16 years. Mr. Schumacher was a retired accountant for the Humble Oil & Refining Company of Houston with 40 years of service. Work War I veteran and member of the Masonic Lodge No. 669, AF & AM of Lufkin, 32 nd Degree Mason and member of the Knights Templar of Houston, Survivors: wife, Margaret Lavo Hester Schumacher; daughter and son-in-law, R. and Mrs. John C. Kock; one grandson; two granddaughters, two great-grandsons; two brothers, one sister and several nieces and nephews. GIPSON FUNERAL HOME, Lufkin, Texas.
 They had one daughter.

 John C. Koch M.D., July 5, 1927 - March 20, 1989. Services for John C. Koch, 61 of Lufkin, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. James Lee Riley and Rev. Tommy Jax officiating and John C. Koch Jr. giving the Eulogy, Interment will be in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Dr. Kock died Monday at a Lufkin hospital. He was an Ophthalmologist and had graduated from Baylor School of Medicine, Dr. Koch is survived by his wife Jetta Schumacher Kock formerly of Houston; three children and eight grandchildren. GIPSON FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1515 South Chestnut, Lufkin, Texas 409/634-4411.
 

 Clarence Henry Potter, 87, of Columbus died Saturday, May 22, 1993, at 4p.m. in the Columbus Community Hospital.
 Born Aug. 20, 1905, in Nada, Texas, he was the son of the late Joseph J. and Annie (Schoellmann) Potter. He and his family moved to Columbus in 1912, when his father assumed the office of Colorado County treasurer.
 On Aug. 9,1936, he and Marjorie Eloise Hester were married in Weimar, TX.
 In the 1920's he was employed by Troxell Motor Company, located in the Stafford Opera House building, as an auto parts salesman. He owned and operated Potter's Texaco Service Station from 1929 to 1952. He was a producer of Stafford Opera House dances from 1929 to 1935 and produced the Potter Rodeos in Columbus from 1942 to 1949.
 He owned and operated Potter's Western Store from 1965 to 1973. After selling the store to his son Henry in the fall of 1973, he devoted himself to full-time cattle ranching until his death. He was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed raccoon hunting during his early years and deer hunting his entire life.
 He was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He was a life member of the Magnolia Homes Tour and a charter member of the Texas Trail Riders Association. He was an honorary member of the Columbus FFA Chapter. As a youth, he was a member of the first Columbus Boy Scout troop.
 In 1973 he served as a director of the Columbus Sesquicentennial Trailride and took part in the Columbus Sesquicentennial Historical Pageant.
 Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Eloise Potter; son Joe Potter; son and daughter-in law Henry and Pamela Potter and grandchildren, Charles, Brian and Amanda Potter, all of Columbus.
 Survivors also include a brother, R.F. (Bob) Potter of Columbus; sisters, Henryetta Chamberlain of Arlington, Lucille Collins of Conroe. Dorothy Chenault of Conroe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
 He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Albena Wendel; and brothers, Ed,Lester and Jesse.
 Funeral services were held under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 1993, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, with burial following in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery. Father Jessie Euresti, Father Eddie Schoellmann and Rev. Scott Herren officiated. Parish rosary was held Monday at 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home.
 Pallbearers were nephews Doug Potter, Dr. R. H. Potter, Steve Potter, Jeff Potter, Bruce Potter, Charles Wendel and Ken Collins.
 Honorary pallbearers were Walter McNutt, Fred Wallace, Dr. Tom Hancher, Frank Wendel, Lee Briscoe, Bruno Burris, Jerald Knigge, Robin Mitchell and Bill Rutta.
 Memorial contributions may be made to Columbus Community Hospital,Columbus Boy Scout Troop 312 or the charity of choice.