“ In April of 1906, E. N. MATTOX was appointed Postmaster of Osceola, succeeding William HEARNE. To the care of the post office as well as his own business, he gave close attention and fully demonstrated his capabilities as manger of both” until his death in 1934. After his death, his wife, Mrs. Lela McCRORY MATTOX, became Postmistress and served in that capacity until she retired in 1950. Mrs. MATTOX continued to operate the store, along with her son Marvin and his wife Anita MATTOX, until her death in 1965. Marvin and wife, Anita, continued in business until both retired in 1974 to give full time to their ranch. MATTOX & SON’s business lasted 69 years.
After Mrs. MATTOX’s retirement, Mrs. Hollis POLLARD was appointed Postmistress. A small building was erected and the post office was moved in. She served from January 1, 1950 to January 1, 1953. She was succeeded by Mrs. Harold POLLARD, and the post office was moved from the POLLARD building and housed in a part of a garage which the H. A. POLLARDS operated. After serving one year, she was succeeded by R C PIERCE, who was appointed to serve as Postmaster. He moved the POLLARD building to a site adjoining his home. He served until his death in 1972. There were no other appointments made since the U S Postal Service closed many small post offices throughout the U. S. and Osceola’s post office was one of them. Osceola now receives its mail via Itasca Route # 1.
In the early pioneer days, parents who had children old enough to go to school were determined that their children should have the very best educational advantages here in Osceola. They supported efforts to maintain a first class school.
In the early days, R L WATSON, Dr. G W MCKOWN, J. D. COWAN, and probably others, secured the best available teachers. In the secretary’s records, we find that on October 22, 1906, a meeting was held in the bank building to form a group of seven trustees to serve the Osceola School District. With Dr. G. W. McKOWN as chairman, M T KNOX as secretary, R L WATSON as president, and J D Cowan as treasurer. a drawing occurred. The names for the original trustees were as follows: R L WATSON No. 1, M T KNOX No. 2, Dr. G W McKOWN No. 3, J C MILLS No.4, J D COWAN No. 5, Will GEE No. 6, O K BLACKBURN No. 7 These men did much to organize and get the school District outlined. A petition was submitted to the board by men who were qualified to vote. They desired that their property be annexed to the school district, which was granted. Their lands were surveyed by J F WRIGHT, County Surveyor of Hill County. “Under Election Order, Form 15, December 31, 1906, was the date set to determine of the board of trustees shall have the power to annually collect a taxable property for the support and maintenance of a free public school”. The vote carried.
During the first decade of the 20th Century, the school increased so rapidly in the number of scholastics that an extra room was added to the old school building. Several teachers had served previously, but in 1910 the trustees elected LEON CULBERSON as principal, and 1912, DR. LORENA STRETCH, as assistant, MISS MATTIE ALLEN as grade school teacher, and MISS NULA COWN, who had already been employed as primary teacher for several years. These teachers were very efficient and their fame spread. Even students from Hillsboro and surrounding areas enrolled in the Osceola School to be instructed by them. One of the outstanding influences these teachers had was to encourage the students to become teachers. Many students got certificates to teach by taking examinations, whereas others finished school, went to college and got their degrees and became some of the outstanding teachers in the state of Texas,