Submitted by Carolyn Allen

Written by family and passed down through the years.

A similar biography may be found in A History of Central and Western Texas Vol. II compiled under supervision of Captain B. B. Paddock  The Lewis Publishing Company  1911

James Edward Tarver

     James E. Tarver (better known as Jim) was for many years identified with the handling of cotton in Rosebud, both in the capacity of proprieter of cotton yards and buyer.  He began this business in 1897 managing the Union Cotton Yard in which he was a stockholder.  Later, he established his own cotton yard and was elected Public Weigher of Precinct Seven.  Two thirds to three fourths of the staple marketed at Rosebud passed through yards under his control.

     Mr. Tarver came to Texas in 1871 and to Falls county in 1874.  He was born in Lee County, * Mississippi  on March 7, 1867.  His father, Albert G. Tarver, was born in the same commonwealth. The latter was the son of another Albert Tarver who came from Georgia and whose forefathers claimed descent from English blood.  Tradition has it two brothers from the British Isles came here in early years of our national history and founded the family on the Atlantic coast.

     Albert G. Tarver was a Confederate captain during the Civil War.  As a civilian he devoted himself to farming.  He was for a brief time a resident of Upshur County, Texas, this being upon his advent to the state.  Just following he prospected for a few months in West Texas and finally stopped in Falls County.  He passed the remaining years of his life on a farm on the west bank of Pond Creek near where Rosebud was subsequently located.  He bought land for fifty cents an acre, cutting the trees and hauling the logs to a saw mill and back, many miles away.  The he erected had the first brick fireplace and glass windows in this part of the country.  People came from miles around to see them.

     A small group of settlers took up residence near the Tarvers and for many years this settlement was known as Pool's Crossing or Greers Horse Pen.  The settlement grew and a gin and blacksmith's shop were built by Albert G. Tarver.  He later built a small store and a post office was established with Albert G. Tarver as postmaster.  The community then was given the name of Mormon.  The gin and blacksmith shop were destroyed by fire and this calamity practically obliterated the place as a community center.

     Albert G. Tarver married Bettie Sinclair and by this union the children were Ben C., who was killed by train robbers in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma), John D., Ida, and Betty.  His wife died and later he married Sarah Jones.  The children of this marriage were James E. (Jim) and Thomas A.

     On May 30, 1889, Jim Tarver married Ollie Stark, daughter of James Stark of Missouri.  The children of this marriage are Leslie, Neoma, Victor, Ollie(deceased), LaVelle and Kathryn Lee.

     James E. (Jim) was a property owner for many years in Rosebud, having built the first residence in what is termed North Rosebud.  This house was built on the lot now owned by Mrs. Rose Cruvand.  The Tarver family lived in three houses in the block.  In 1909 the George Roper was purchased by the Tarver family and was known as the "Jim Tarver Home."  Here Mr. and Mrs. Tarver reared their family consisting of three daughters and two sons.  Mrs. Tarver passed away February 1939 and Mr. Tarver April 1950.

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Notes from Carolyn Allen:

     Subsequent Tarver research has revealed that the birthplace for James Edward Tarver and his brother Thomas A. Tarver was Leake County, Mississippi.