James Nelson Blevins was born in Georgia on September 27, 1867, the son of Richard Blevins and Mary Elizabeth (Killian). He and his parents came to Texas by wagon train when he was six years old.
He grew up on a farm two miles east of present day Keller, at the intersection of Farm Road 1709 and Keller Smithfield Road North. He attended school at Mt. Gilead.
In his early twenties, he was married to Louvina (Lou) Ladd, the daughter of Watt Ladd. They established their home on a farm at the intersection of Pate Orr Road and Rapp Road. He was a successful farmer and she was an excellent homemaker remembered for her talent in needle work.
During their residence in the Keller community, they became the parents of three children; Charles Ernest, born on October 7, 1891; Mittie Ann, born on
December 27, 1895; and Richard Walter, born on March 10, 1901.
In the early 1900’s, the mother’s failing health caused the family to move to the farming area of Vernon, Texas, in search of a more healthful environment. In the year that followed, her health grew worse. When her youngest child was three years old, Lou Ladd Blevins died and was buried at Vernon.
The father brought his children back to his farm home southeast of Keller. The trip of approximately two hundred miles over unimproved roads was made in a covered wagon and extended over several days. Campsites were chosen near a farm or ranch where clean drinking water was available. Eight year old Mittie’s duty was to go to the near by house to buy a jar of buttermilk for supper. The journey without the wife and mother was a sad experience, compensated to some extent by the return to a host of friends and relatives.
James Nelson Blevins’ second marriage was on October 3, 1909, to Emma Weaver, born in Alabama on February 28, 1880, the daughter of Zachary Taylor Weaver and
Ann (Smith). They became the parents of two children; Joe Bailey Blevins and Vesta Marie Blevins.
The father of these children died on December 24, 1943 and was buried at White’s Chapel. His widow, Emma, spent her remaining years at North Main Street in Keller. She died on November 30, 1960 and was buried at White’s Chapel.
Information and statistics on the descendents of James Nelson Blevins and his first and second wives is as follows;
1) Charles Ernest Blevins, born in Tarrant County on October 7, 1891, died on November 25, 1970. He was married on November 7, 1910, to Sarah Elizabeth (Sadie) Browning, the daughter of Alfred Browning and Annie (Burnett). They established their home near Thalia in Foard County, Texas. Both are buried in the community cemetery at Thalia. They are the parents of eight children; Ruby, Pauline, Annie Lou, James Alfred, Lester W., Helen, Mittie Edith and Flora Bell.
2) Mittie Ann Blevins, born in Tarrant County, on December 27, 1895, was married to Emery White, born at Roanoke, Denton County, Texas on December 22, 1895. Their children are Velma, Oleta, James B. and Imogene.
3) Richard Walter Blevins, born in Tarrant County on March 10, 1901, died on July 11, 1970 and was buried in Bourland Cemetery. He was married to Nina McCain on May 25, 1921. Their children are Frances and Bill McCain.
4) Joe Bailey Blevins, born on January 10, 1911, was married on July 25, 1945 to Argie Mae Quimby, born in Warren, Arkansas on September 8, 1911, the daughter of Tillman Quimby and Susan Emily (Powell).
5) Vesta Marie Blevins, born in Tarrant County on May 30, 1912, was married to M.B. Stephenson, born in Georgia on September 26, 1911. Their children are Martha Jane, Bobbie Jo, and Jimmy Martin.
