William W. Alley (1849 - 1944)

Born 3 Jan 1849 in Colorado, Texas, United States

Ancestors

Died 14 Jan 1944 at age 95 in Eagle Lake, Colorado, Texas, United States

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Biography

William Alley, son of Abraham Alley and Nancy Millar, was born in 1849. He died in 1944^[1] and is buried in Eagle Lake Masonic Cemetery, Colorado County, Texas.^[2]

Note

Note: Following the death of his mother, Bill moved into the home of his nephew, W.J. Wright in Eagle Lake, TX where he lived unmarried until his death.

Here is his obituary from 1944:

Alley, William W.

DEATH CLAIMS AGED PIONEER WIDELY KNOWN NATIVE TEXAS

Funeral services were held from the Mill Funeral Home Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock for William W. Alley, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Colorado County. The Rev. J. W. Griffin of the Methodist Church officiated at the last sad rites. With Miss Marion Wozencraft presiding at the instrument, Mrs. J. W. Brisbois rendered Rock of Ages. Members of the Masonic Lodge stood as guard of honor, served as casket attendants and conducted their impressive ritualistic service at the grave.

William Alley was very active in Masonry, having joined the local lodge here April 26, 1895, nearly a half century ago. He exemplified the teachings throughout his long and eventful life.

“Uncle Billy, as he was generally known and affectionately called was born at the family home located at the Atascosita crossing of the Colorado River on January 3, 1849, and he had just passed his ninety-fifth birthday anniversary. To live to such a ripe old age is surely living on borrowed time. He passed away distinguished as one of the oldest settlers of this county and was recognized as the oldest member of the Eagle Lake Masonic Lodge.

His parents were Abram and Nancy Millar Alley. Five brothers came to Texas as members of Stephens F. Austin's first colony, referred to as the old Three Hundred, because Austin was given permission by the Mexican government to settle 300 families of immigrants in Texas. Abram was the youngest of the five brothers and the only one to marry and have a family. His wife, Nancy Millar, was the daughter of Dr. John Millar who came to Texas from Alabama in 1831. Abram and Nancy were married in 1835.

Uncle Billy, their son, lived his entire life of 95 years on the same land which was granted to his father by Mexico in 1824. His father passed away in 1862. Uncle Billy never married but lived at home with his mother until her death in 1893. Several years later he moved to the home of his nephew, W. J. Wright, where he continued to reside until the summons came to come over and rest in the shade of the trees.

Uncle Bill was a quiet unassuming person but very industrious. He was the first person in this section of the country to raise fine pecans, which he grafted himself. He won prizes at the Dallas State Fair for a number of years on these pecans. His orchard and berry patch attracted wide attention and he continued to raise a splendid vegetable garden until he was ninety years old.

He came from an illustrious line of forebears. The eldest Alley brother, Rawson, came to Texas from Missouri with Stephen F. Austin in 1822. He was a surveyor and most land in Colorado County was originally surveyed by him. Field notes in his handwriting are to be seen in the State Land Office building in Austin. Rawson took a prominent part in local affairs and one office he held was that a member of the town council of San Felipe. He died in 1833 and is buried in the family cemetery about 3 miles from Alleyton. The other brothers John, Thomas, William and Abram came to Texas in 1823. John was killed by the Indians (shot with an arrow) while riding in a small boat on the river near Egypt. Thomas, a lieutenant in the militia, was drowned while fording the Brazos on a campaign against the Indians. William lived until 1869 but never married.

Abram, Uncle Billy's father, was a member of the jury on the first court to be held in the Republic of Texas under the famous Court Oak in Columbus in 1837. He served the county as commissioner for several terms. He volunteered to fight the Mexicans in 1836 but was not at the Battle of San Jacinto because he was detailed by General Sam Houston to help the women and children flee the Mexicans. They were camped on the Trinity River and could hear the guns of the battle.

The State of Texas and the County of Colorado have said farewell to a picturesque figure of bygone days. One whose memory will be cherished not only by his immediate survivors but by legions of friends whose lives had touched his.

J. W. Wright of Eagle Lake with whom he made his home and Mrs. Green Davidson of Wharton are the closest surviving relatives, but there are many more nieces and nephews extending into the great, great, greats.

The new made mound in the Masonic cemetery was a wealth of beautiful flowers that bore mute testimony to the respect in which he was held. Casket bearers were Mose Thomas, S.O. Boothe, G.A. Seaholm, M.L. Anderson, C. W. Nispel, Edgar Baring, Ernest Seaholm and B. H. McElhinney.

Another pioneer settler of this section has closed a book of service, good fellowship and contribution to the growth of his section. He was known for his friendliness and even during the years when his health and old age prevented his getting about easily, he maintained a cheerful outlook and was always interested in current affairs. He passed away Friday morning, January 14. To the many grieved over his passing the Headlight extends abiding sympathy.

Eagle Lake Headlight, January 21, 1944

Submitted by Laura Ann Rau

Sources

1. ↑ "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBG-ZM5 : 20 February 2021), William W Alley, 14 Jan 1944; citing certificate number 1255, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,701.
2. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVK5-MXDR : 9 June 2021), William W Alley, ; Burial, Eagle Lake, Colorado, Texas, United States of America, Eagle Lake Masonic Cemetery; citing record ID 50966892, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-65Q : 18 February 2021), Wm W Alley in entry for Abram Alley, 1860.

• This person was created through the import of indygrandma.ged on 02 January 2011.