MRS. J. E. SECREST
[MARY ELIZABETH "MOLLIE"
(GRAVES) SECREST
MRS. JACOB EDGAR "ED" SECREST]
_____
Mrs. J. E. Secrest, saleswoman in the
G. M. Carlton Bros. & Co. has the distinction of being a
granddaughter and daughter of pioneers and of having married a pioneer’s
son, J. E. Secrest. Her grandfather, Captain F. B. Gentry, was a San
Jacinto veteran and was rewarded for his valiant service in the Army of
the Texas Republic with a grant of land and part of the grant is still in
possession of the heirs. She is the daughter of Marion and Emily (Gentry)
Graves and was born in a log cabin on what is now Rice Street. Her father
built the old mill on Pecan Creek that is now used as the Magnolia
Petroleum warehouse. [Later the old mill building
was used by R.
B. Miller for a Gulf Petroleum warehouse. Now --2002-- it is the Pecan
Creek Park Headquarters.--Elreeta Weathers] He also built the stone
business house on the southwest corner of the square which now houses the
Hamilton Market Place. The first Christmas tree held in town was held
there. He also built his residence of stone which is still in the
possession of the family. These places were built over fifty years ago and
are still substantial buildings. The flour mill was the first one built in
this county and was often visited as a show place by the school children
of the town. Like all early pioneers, Mr. Graves witnessed many stirring
occurrences in the making of Hamilton and the county.
J. E. Secrest was prominent in the affairs of the
county, serving as county clerk three terms and as manager of a mercantile
firm until just before his death in 1914, having resigned to go to Mexico
for his health.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Secrest, better
known as "Miss Mollie," entered the G. M. Carlton Bros. firm and
has sold goods for them ever since. She probably knows every shopper in
Hamilton county and has a wide clientele and many friends in and out of
the county. She is also connected by birth and by marriage to many
prominent families in the county.
The Hamilton County News, Vol. IV, Number
11--Section Two
Historical and Trading Expansion Issue
W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher
Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00
June 29, 1934
