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DAISIE WARREN HOME
Daisie Warren Creates A Home Full Of Firsts

Daisie Lee Boren Warren was in many ways a lady of her times, but in other ways an unusually capable businesswoman. It was her inspiration which led to the creation of the Warren-Futrell House, the Connell House, and the development of the homes on what today is called Warren Avenue.

Born August 1, 1868, she married James Rush Warren on December 31, 1886. Her bridegroom was the second of seven children born to Gus and Arietta Rush Warren. His father, G. E. Warren, served as county clerk for many years, and was a founding leader of the First M. E. Church South.

James Rush Warren studied law with his father-in-law, Capt. A. B. Boren, after his marriage, and in 1889 passed the bar examination. 

After 10 years in Albany, Texas, the young couple returned to Gilmer in 1902. In 1905, Daisie Boren Warren used her separate property to purchase 12 acres of the Dobbins Addition on the south side of Gilmer.

With unusual initiative for the time, Daisie began construction on the home in 1912. Consistant with the times, The Gilmer Mirror commented on the progress of "J. R. Warren's home". By this time, the couple had three children: Vera Elizabeth Warren Goodson, James Daniley Warren, and Truman Conner Warren.

Warren was involved in politics, having joined with Tom Briggs in law practice upon his return. Briggs had served as County Judge and at the time of the house construction was Mayor. Warren served as mayor four years and then served on the school board before being elected District Judge.

In 1921, Judge Warren and Daisie had to move to Tyler. By now, Daisie had her husband's name on the deed to the house. They sold the property to Thomas H Glezen for a sum of $10,000.

However, the big home lacked enough bedrooms for the six Glezen children to each have a room, so in 1934, Mr Glezen traded homes with Frank Lee Futrell. The trade was valued at $8,350.

Frank Lee Futrell married Lona Cotton on April 14, 1915. They had three children: Frank D Futrell, Lu Ella Futrell Yarbrough, and Lallie Anna Futrell McClelland.

Upon the death of Lona Futrell in 1980, Loring Futrell Marshall and her husband, William A., bought the house from the estate. 

In 1993, the home was sold to Jim and Sylvia Cline who have completed extensive restoration on the home.

WARREN-FUTRELL HOUSE RECEIVES HISTORICAL MARKER

Jim and Sylvia Cline invited descendants of the Warren and Futrell families and friends of history to their home at 303 Warren Avenue on May 19, 2002 to dedicate the house as a register Texas Historical Landmark. Among those in attendance was Judge Susan Yarbrough, a granddaughter of Frank L and Lona Cotton Futrell.

Dr. Bob Glaze, the State Legislator for this area, not only appreciated the value of the historical marker program, but he remembered Daisie Lee Boren Warren in her later years in Tyler. He delivered telegrams and newspapers during World War II to people living in apartments owned by Mrs. Daisie. He recalled hearing the horn of her Buick sedan signaling it was time to pay the rent. 

Childhood for the Judge, especially Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, meant trips to Gilmer and to gatherings at her grandparents. That also meant the special smells and tastes of those seasons. 

Judge yarbrough recalled what a wonderful place the house was for playing hide-and-seek, and how she dreaded having to sit at the "children's table."

She recalled sleeping on palettes when all the grandchildren came to visit, and of the wonderful smells coming up the stairs from the kitchen below.

Following the dedication, tours of the house were given, conducted by Sylvia Cline's brother. 
With a limit of 10 to a group, it took awhile before all the 80 guests could take advantage of the opportunity. Meanwhile, Futrell relatives gathered on one side of the expansive porch, while 
Warren relatives touched base with one another in a circle on the other side of the front door.

Refreshments including punch, fruit and cheese selections and light sandwiches prepared by the hostess decorated tables on the east end of the wraparound porch.

The citation of the marker reads as follows:
"Warren-Futrell House - Inspired by the Prairie School of Architecture and the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century, this house was constructed in 1912 for Gilmer civic leaders Daisie Lee (Boren) and James R Warren. In 1921, the Warrens sold the house to T. H. Glezen, who traded it to businessman Frank L. and Leona (Cotton) Futrell in 1934. Significant features of the house include its overhanging eaves with exposed rafter ends and short ionic columns on the first floor porch. A Significant piece of Gilmer's architectural history, the house remained in the Futrell family until 1989. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 2001."

Also participating in the program was Boy Scout Troop 498, who led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rev. D. L. Fluellen who led the invocation. Dr. Joe McKnight read the wording of the marker.

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