Living

Notes:

The American Culinarian
Chef of the Month
Texas Culinary Society
(undated clipping)

Cecil McLemore

American born, "out in the sticks" near Mineral Wells, Texas, Cecil McLeomore (sic) has earned for himself recognition as an accomplished Executive Chef of a resort type operation.

His career in the culinary arts started at the age of 20 in the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells. Since that time he has worked as Sous Chef at the Raleigh and Roosevelt Hotels in Waco, the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, and the Lamar Hotel in Meridian, Mississippi.

He went back to the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells in 1941 and served there as Chef until 1951 when he went to the Plainsmen Hotel in Lubbock.

In 1952, Mr. McLemore leased the Skyline Dining Room from the City of Lubbock and operated it until 1953.

From 1953 until 1957 he served as Executive Chef at Western Hills Hotel in Fort Worth. While on this job he had the privilege of studying for three years under the direction of Matthew Bernatsky, an instructor in foods at at University of Denver.

In February of 1956, Mr. McLemore won the "Gold F" award for serving superly fine foods at Western Hills Hotel.

In 1957, Mr. McLemore transferred to the Western Hills Lodge, his present domain. The Lodge is one of Oklahoma's popular resort places located twelve miles from Wagoner, Oklahoma, on a peninsula overlooking Fort Gibson Lake.

Cecil McLemore attended grade school and graduated from high school in the small town of Millsap, Texas, between Mineral Wells and Weatherford. While workign as a Sous Chef at the Raleigh Hotel in Waco, he married Ruth Shands. They have one son, Donald, who is attending Wagoner High School.

For diversion and entertainment, Cecil has developed three hobbies. He enjoys photography and is a ham radio operator. When those hobbies do not give him the thrill he wants, he can always take to the air, for his has a private pilot's license and likes to fly.

While he does not claim writing as a hobby, he writes a good story. As proof of this, read his story of the Western Hills Lodge operation in this magazine.

Mr. McLemore has developed a high degree of skill in ice carving, food decoration and showmanship. His buffets are outstanding and he has created considerable interest in his Sunday Buffets by having a different ice carving each Sunday. Anyone who thinks that the life of a chef must be dull and routine should spend some time with Chef Cecil McLemore at Western Hills Lodge.

Jessie married Ruth Shands before 1944. Ruth was born on 2 Feb 1919 in Whiteflat, Motley County, Texas; died on 4 Feb 1997 in Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, Texas; was buried in Sturdivant Cemetery, Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From FindAGrave:

Birth: Feb. 2, 1919
Whiteflat
Motley County
Texas, USA
Death: Feb. 4, 1997
Mineral Wells
Palo Pinto County
Texas, USA

father: Nathan Frank Shands; mother: Maude Ethel Rattan; spouses: (1) Jessie Cecil McLemore; md. 6 Nov 1938 in Waco, McLennan, TX; (2) James Barto (Bart) Henderson; md. 27 Nov 1965 in Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, TX

Ruth Henderson, 78, of Mineral Wells

Services for Ruth Henderson, 78, of Mineral Wells will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Chapel with burial in the Sturdivant Cemetery in Parker County. Rev. Raymond Shands witll officiate with Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Henderson died Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997 at a local nursing home. She was born in White Flat, TX on Feb. 2, 1919 to Nathan Frank and Maude Ethel Rattan Shands. She lived in Mineral Wells as an infant and during her school years. Mrs. Henderson then moved away and returned in 1962.

She worked at the Mineral Wells tax office in 1965, then at the Palo Pinto County appraisal office where she worked until her retirement in 1986. Mrs. Henderson was a member of the Parker Street Baptist Church.

Survivors include her son Don McLemore of Boulder, CO; grandchildren Heather McLemore of Spokane, WA and Chris Millard of Oklahoma City, OK; sisters Rebecca Foster of Abilene and Rowena McDonald of Azle; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews including special great-niece Janet Colvin of Santo. She was preceded in death by her first husband Cecil McLemore in May 1962 and her second husband Bart Henderson in March 1984.

Pallbearers will be Eddie Foster, Richard Foster, David Foster, Archie Woods, Kenneth Long, Phil Colvin, Bernie Lopez and Kenneth R. Long.

Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home - obituary

1. Funeral record of husband.
2. Obituary, "Mineral Wells Index," 5 Feb 1997.
3. Personal knowledge of self.

Notes:

At the time of the 1900 Census, he was living with his older brother Felix in Lee County, Texas. He was listed as Rome T. McLemore.

On his FindAGrave memorial page, createdf by Patricia Kemper, he is listed as Thaddus E McLemore. However the photo of his footstone is inscribed as Thaddus R. McLemore.

(Research):

Census Listings:

1920 Census
Texas, Parker County, Garner, Precinct 4
Enumerated 23 and 24 Jan 1920
SD 12 ED 71 Sheets 7B and 8A
141-141
McLemore, Thadeus R Head M W 39 M Tx Tx Tx Farmer
McLemore, Mamie A Wf F W 30 M Ala Ga Ga
McLemore, Audelia M F W 9 S Tx Tx Ala
McLemore, Virgil R Son m W 5 S Tx Tx Ala
McLemore, Cecil J Son M W 3 5/12 S Tx Tx Ala

1930
Family not located

Thaddeus married Mary Almeta "Mamie" Daniel on 21 Feb 1905 in Millsap, Parker County, Texas. Mary was born on 15 Mar 1889 in Alabama; died on 15 Mar 1969 in Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County, Texas; was buried in Newberry Cemetery, Parker County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JD5J-W4M
Name: Mary Almeta Mclemore
Death Date: 23 Mar 1969
Death Place: Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: Caucasian
Death Age: 79 years
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 15 Mar 1889
Birthplace: Alabama
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: William O. Daniel
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Margaret Bradley Daniel
Mother's Birthplace:
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: Minral Wells, Palo Pinto, Texas
Cemetery: Newberry
Burial Place: Parker County, Texas
Burial Date: 25 Mar 1969
Additional Relatives: X
Film Number: 2137518
Digital Film Number: 4029610
Image Number: 321
Reference Number: CN44206
Collection: Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976

Notes:

Appears to have been named in honor of Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the Revolutionary War Patriot from Poland who fought for the American Cause during the Revolution.

Hung, along with his brother Wright, by vigilantes in McDade, Texas on Christmas Eve, 1883. The following story about the event was published in the Austin Statesman Newspaper:

Texas, 25 Dec 1883.
HORRIBLE AFFRAY AT McDADE
Three Men Hung, Three Shot and Several Others Wounded McDade - Dec. 25-"Last night about 7:30 o'clock Henry Pfeiffer, Wright McLemore and Thad McLemore were taken out of the saloon here, by masked men, and carried about a mile into the brush and hanged to a tree. Thad McLemore had been arrested late in the evening on a charge of burglary made by S. E Walker of McDade. He was under arrest at the time the masked men took him, while the other two parties happened to be present. Pfeiffer was charged with horse theft in this County. The party who did the hanging was about 40 or 50 men well armed. Today a party of six men, friends and relatives of the men hung, came in town and raised trouble with Tom Bishop and George Milton, a fight with shot guns and pistols took place, in which Jack Batey and Az Batey were killed, Hayward Batey badly wounded, but who escaped. Willie Griffin a very estimable young man of our town, was shot though the head and mortally wounded by Hayward. Griffin was assisting Milton and Bishop in defending themselves.

The five dead bodies of the McLemores, Bateys and Pfeiffer are lying in the Market house, none of their friends having come for them, and it is thought the town will have serious trouble tonight when they do come. It will be several days before the jury of inquest will get through.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~txmdhms/austin_statesman_dec_25th_1883.htm

Further details can be found in "I'LL DIE BEFORE I"LL RUN: The Story of the Great Feuds of Texas" by C.L. Sonnichsen (University of Nebraska Press, c. 1951, 1961), (pp. 178-187).

(Research):
Census Information:

1880 Federal Census
T.R. McLemon Self M M W 33 La Laborer --- MS
Texaner G. McLemon Wife M F W 26 Tx Keeping House Tn Tn
Wm. McLemon Son S M W 8 Tx La Tx
Felix D. McLemon Son S M W 6 Tx La Tx
Keetin J. McLemon Son S M W 4 Tx La Tx
Margaret McLemon Dau S F W 2 Tx La Tx
Precinct 8, Bastrop, TX
FHL Film 1255290 Na Film T9-1290 Page 214A

Thaddeus married Texanna Good Baker on 22 Dec 1870 in McDade, Bastrop County, Texas. Texanna was born on 28 May 1853 in Washington County, Texas; died on 25 Feb 1928 in Ennis, Ellis County, Texas; was buried in Crisp Cemetery, Crisp, Ellis County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Melba Gene shows she was a daugher of Rev. Jesse S. Baker and Lavina Gober. After Thad's death, she married second George C. SMITH (b. Sep 1850 d. 16 Apr 1908). At the time of the 1910 Census, she was living with her son, William Thomas McLemore, and was listed as T.G. Smith, age 56, widowed, and mother of six children in total, all living. She apparently resumed using the McLemore name after George Smith died, however.

Mrs. McLemore Died Saturday; Bury Sunday
Mrs. Texana Good McLemore, 74 years old, a native Texan, died Saturday at 6:30 o'clock at the home of her son, F.D. McLemore, a few miles east of Ennis, after a two week illness. Mrs. McLemore was born in May, 1863 in Washington county, being almost 75 years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Her father and her husband's father were ministers of that church. Her husband died 44 years ago, leaving her with six small children to rear. He was a Confederate soldier and belonged to Allen's Brigade of Louisiana. She was a wonderful mother and was much loved. Mrs. McLemore made her home with two of her sons, T. R. and F. D. McLemore. T. R. McLemore died last July, since when she has been in the home of F. D. McLemore. Surviving are three sons, W. T. McLemore, Hot Springs, N.M.; F.D. of Ennis, and K.J. of Seymour; two daughters, Mrs. E.D. SIMPSON, McDade; Mrs. W. L. MONTGOMERY, near Crisp, a large number of grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. All her childre were at her bedside when she passed away with the exception of W.T. McLemore of Hot Springs, N.M. who was unable to come. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Baptist Church at Crisp with Rev. Keener of Ennis officiating. Burial was made in the cemetery at Crisp under the direction of J.E. Keever.

Funeral services for Mrs. Texana Good McLemore were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Baptist Church in Crisp with Rev. Keener, retired Methodist minister of Ennis officiating. The church was filled with sorrowing friends and relatives. Burial was made in the cemetery at Crisp under the direction of J.E. Keever. The active pallbearers were Will Hendricks, Oscar Colvin, O.B. Carnal, J.A. Goodman, Ed Littleton, Sam Goble.

(Undated, unreferenced clipping courtesy of Melba Gene McLemore)

Jimmy McLemore notes she was buried in an unmarked grave.