KISSIN’ KUZZINS
Carolyn Ericson
1614 Redbud Street
Nacogdoches, Texas
75965-2936
Kissin Kuzzins is an East Texas query column entering its 43th year. It appears weekly in two East Texas newspapers: The Lufkin Daily News and The Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. Queries are free, but they must pertain to a Texas ancestor. They may be submitted by e-mail, snail mail or by FAX to 936-552-8999. Please remember to include your snail mailing address
May 19, 2013
The following sketch is taken from the four volume Encyclopedia of the Confederacy, published in 1993, page 1346:
LAWRENCE SULLIVAN ROSS (1838 - 1896) Major general and postwar governor of Texas. Born September 27, 1838, in Bretonsport, Iowa, “Sul” Ross moved with his family to the Republic of Texas the following year. He studied at Baylor University in Texas and completed his education at Wesleyan University in Florence, Alabama. As a young man, Ross earned a reputation as a dashing Indian fighter and Texas Ranger captain.
Upon secession Ross volunteer for duty but took time to marry Elizabeth Tinsely of Waco. In the fall of 1861, he became major of the Sixth Texas Cavalry and the next spring participated in the Elkhorn Tavern campaign. On May 24, he became colonel of the regiment. In the fall 1862 campaign for Corinth, Mississippi, Ross distinguished himself on several occasions. The following spring, he was again at the forefront of battle, leading his men at the Battle of Thompson’s Station on March 5, 1863, and earning command of a brigade including the Sixth Texas and First Mississippi cavalries. For the next several months, Boss’s brigade raided Union supply lines in central Tennessee. He was promoted to brigadier general on December 21, his command composed of four Texas cavalries.
In early 1864, Ross and his men again served in Mississippi, resisting William Tecumseh Sherman’s advance on Meridian and engaging in several heated fights. In late spring, Ross and his men returned to Georgia, again to oppose Sherman. The engagement at Rome on May 17 began three months of constant skirmishing for the Texans. Ross narrowly escaped capture at Newman on July 30. He served in Tennessee and Mississippi for the rest of the war, surrendering his command at Jackson on May 13, 1965.
Ross returned to Texas where he served alternately as a sheriff and state senator, and as governor from 1887 to 1891. Afterward he became president of Texas A&M University. Ross died on January 3, 1898.
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Another early Nacogdoches obituary:
Tuesday, August 4, 1908
On July the 5th 1908 at 5 o’clock p.m. the home of Mrs. M. Myatt was saddened by the death angel visiting it and plucking from its midst the fairest flower, little Ray, and bearing safely home to Jesus.
Ray was born January 12, 1899 being 19 years, 5 months, and 23 days of age at the time of her death. She was sick for more than a year, but was up most of the time, and bore this sickness with the patience of a little child. Ray bore affliction all of her life.
Her greatest pleasures and only troubles were her little dolls and toys, and her greatest anticipation was the coming of Santa Claus at Christmas times. The mother and sisters were never tired trying to do for her the things that gave her the most pleasure. It is hard for us to give up the pet and sunshine of our homes, but God knows best and does all things for our good. We cannot call Ray back to us, but we can prepare ourselves so that we may go to her. Weep not dear mamma and sister for she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Will never bear sickness and afflictions any more, for Jesus says, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
A Friend
[no marked grave located.]