Martha Laura Jane "Mattie" Barber, 1873-1948
Mattie Barber was born November 29th, 1873, in Chambers County, Texas. See the Barber family's contribution to history in the Condensed History of Chambers County.
Mattie's father was Joseph Addison BARBER, born October 27, 1824. Joseph's parents were Samuel Barber (born around 1790) and Elizabeth Barrow. Elizabeth was the daughter of Rueban Barrow Sr. and Mary Jane Johnson. Samuel's parents were Samuel Barber (Sr.) and Elizabeth Burroughs. See Alan Barber's excellent Barber Family History page for extensive information about the Barber side of our family.
Mattie's mother was Emmaline Francis JACKSON, born December 29, 1837. Emmaline seems to have been born in Alabama and was the daughter of Bill & Polly Jackson (Polly's maiden name unknown).
Mattie married Theodore Priour (see Theodore's page for a listing of their children).
In 1944, during World War II, Mattie's grandson, Julius Petrus, wrote to her in Skidmore.
War & Navy Departments V-Mail Service -
Official Business
(postmark) U.S. Postal Services Sep 4, 4 AM, 1944.
To: Mrs Theo Priour, Skidmore, TexasDear Granny: Hello you ole darlin, Just how is this old world treating you? This finds me well and happy as ever. Just a few minor ailments but nothin' bad. Just rec - a V-mail from Mr Cunningham(?) He's a swell guy. Just how are the Cattle(?) doing, fine I do hope, Granny for today I must close. Remember I love and think of you very often. Yours, son Julius Petrus.
Mattie died March 25, 1948 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore, Texas.
Obituary - Martha Laura Barber/Priour Funeral Services for Mrs. Martha Priour Are Held March 26 (1948)
Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Laura Priour, 75, were held in the Immaculate Conception church at Skidmore on March 26, at 4 p.m. with Rev. Leonard Petrykus conducting the rites. Internment was in Evergreen cemetery near Skidmore. Funeral arrangements were under the direction fo Galloway Mortuary.
Mrs. Priour died at 2 p.m. March 25 in a Beeville hospital. She had been ill for only two weeks.
A daughter of Addison and Emily (Jackson) Barber, Mrs. Priour was born November 27, 1873. She married Theodore Priour at Corpus Christi in 1888 and their union was blessed with 12 children, seven of whom - five girls and two boys - survive. They are Mrs. Oscar Smith, Rockport; Mrs. Ella Petrus, Odem; Mrs Henry Faktor and Mrs. Anna Belle Thiele, Skidmore, and Mrs. H.T. McDonald, L?ing. The two surviving sons are Frank and Richard Priour, both of Skidmore.
Other survivors are three sisters Mrs. Annie Williams, Victoria; Mrs. August Barber, Tivoli; and Mrs. Ruby Barrow, Goose Creek. One brother, Henry Barber, resides at Robstown.
Mrs Priour had been a prominent resident of the Skidmore... (cut off)
Email comments and suggestions to Keith Petrus at ckpetrus@mac.com
