See the
1988 picture below on this page
Read his autobiography submitted by Rosemary Haden Marcum
Written by Kay Haden
After a year in Grayson County, the Hadens moved to Ben Franklin, then
in Lamar County, now part of Delta County. J. B. first attended school
at Giles, walking the three miles from his home.Like most early schools
there was only one room - it had a puncheon floor, a batten door and a
stick and dirt chimney. In 1869, the family moved east of Ladonia and he
attended the Featherstone school in Ladonia. In 1876, they moved
to Ladonia where he later attended a school taught by Mr. John Clinton.
In 1880, J. B. began clerking in his father's store; in September of that
year his father died, leaving him to carry on the business. In 1882
he opened his own general store in Ladonia. On July 4, of 1882, Mr.
Haden married Miss
Elizabeth Holderness, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Charles Holderness
of Hopkins County.
Mr. and Mrs. Haden had four sons:William F. "Will", Robert Charles "Charlie",J.
B. Jr. "Joe", and Maurice. The sons were all born in the Oakley Home in
Ladonia, built in 1864 and once used to board the students of Featherstone
Institute - a home that is now a Texas Historical Medallion home.
The parents were always grateful that their sons remained citizens of Ladonia.
As the sons grew to maturity they were associated with their father in
the dry goods and grocery business in Ladonia. In 1894, J. B. Haden contracted
with the craftsmen Martin and Krause to build a home for his family —
the Texas Historical Medallion Victorian that still stands on Bonham Street
in Ladonia, is surely one of the most graceful homes of its era. Mr. and
Mrs. Haden celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in this home on July
4th, 1946. Mrs. Haden died in 1950; Mr. Haden followed her in death
in 1953 after his 93rd birthday. They are buried at Ladonia Cemetery near
his parents and other members of the family."
This Photograph is by Stephen C. Mussell
View J.B. Haden Tombstone in the Ladonia Cemetery
Another
Photograph of the Haden House