Abraham Cewood Williams Jr. was born July 16, 1897 in Seguin, Texas (Guadalupe County). He was the seventh child of Abraham Cewood Williams Sr. and Eliza Durham. As a boy he began working on his father’s farm and eventually he hired-out to contractors as a farm laborer. At the age of 12 he worked as a wheat-thrasher and ditch digger (as well as working on his father's farm), and he was paid a man’s wages.
When his father moved the family to Lampasas, Texas, Abe Jr. met Isabel Lois Borders (b. 2/7/1902) – they were schoolmates. The Williams family would soon move to Terrell, Texas (Kaufman Co.), but Abe & Isabel would continue to stay in touch by writing letters and visiting each other. Abe Jr. asked Isabel’s father – William Borders – for Isabel’s hand in marriage. The two were married on the evening of June 30, 1920 in Lampasas, and the moon shined so bright it looked like day.
The newlyweds first lived in Terrell, Texas where they lived and farmed with Abraham Sr. & Eliza (Abe Jr.’s parents) and Robert Williams (Abe Jr.’s brother). In 1929, small farmers didn’t make much money from their crops, so Abe Jr. & Isabel moved to San Saba, Texas where his uncle, Henry Galloway, and his oldest brother Henry Williams both lived. He began working for the San Saba Hotel for a dollar a day plus tips, until he got a job working for the Santa Fe Railroad RoundHouse in Brownwood, Texas (50 miles away).
He bought property in Brownwood and built his family a home at 509 Bailey Street. Abe Jr. would continue to keep a garden, built bee hives for honey, raised chickens, and planted ten pecan trees and various fruit trees. Isabel was very active in the church and served as a delgate at many church conventions, she was a member of Eastern Star, and handled the daily responsibilites of caring for her husband, children and home.
All of Abe & Isabel’s children attended and graduated from R.F. Hardin High School in Brownwood, Texas - many would become their class valedictorian.
As they grew older, Isabel became ill and Abe would spend the rest of his life caring for his wife. After being persuaded by his children, Abe and Isabel moved to California to live with their daughters and they helped take care of them both. Abe passed away on December 13, 1980 and Isabel passed away on January 22, 1985.
ABE SPEAKS
This recording of Abraham Cewood Williams Jr. was taken on his 81st birthday by his grandson Charles Bell. Click on the below links to download and listen.
