Arthur and Aileen Edwards Family- Family Histories

     In the summer of 1897, Arthur Irvin, the first born son of Andrew Jackson and Minnie (Kirkland) Edwards, was born on July 24. His early years were spent in Millican, Texas, under the care of his nannies, Kathy and Aunt Nan Hacknee. His parents were kept busy in their stores, one in Millican and one in the "Brazos Bottom." Arthur spent his time much as other youngsters in his era until the age of 15, when he decided it was time to strike out on his own. Upon leaving home he managed to support himself with odd jobs. The trail led him to College Station, where he finished high school. Always a determined young man, he entered A&M, with the assistance of Casey, a close friend, who operated the college "store." He worked his way through college and graduated in the spring of 1919.

     In the meantime, Frank Anthony and Mary (Miller) Dibrell were raising their own family in Coleman (see William Carter Dibrell). Their fifth child, Aileen, was born on December 1, 1898. After growing up in Coleman, she was sent to Mary Baylor in Waco to study methods of teaching kindergarten. Upon completion of her education, she returned to Coleman, where she proudly held her first kindergarten class in her mother's home.

     About this time, it was determined that Coleman's high school needed a teacher for its new department of vocational agriculture. Mr. C. A. Hufford went to College Station to select a teacher for the department where he hired Arthur Edwards as ag teacher, science teacher, and football coach. And so, in the fall of 1919, Arthur made the trip to Coleman, arriving by train. Mrs. J. A. B. Miller allowed him to room and board with her family. Shortly after his arrival, he met Aileen Dibrell, and on April 14, 1920, they were married. He continued to teach in Coleman for two more years. During that time their son, Arthur Irvin, Jr., was born October 22, 1921. Two years later, the family moved to Matador, to begin a new agriculture department. Their second child, Charlotte, was born November 19, 1923. After two more years in Matador, they decided to make their home in Coleman. In 1925, they moved back to Coleman where Arthur taught for two more years. They then moved to the farm, where their third child, Mary, was born December 19, 1927. They continued to farm, but in 1930, Arthur went back to teaching in Rae, a school about five miles from the farm. He continued teaching during the depression, while he and Aileen worked the farm. After seven years in Rae an opportunity came to begin a new vocational a department in Burkett. He taught until 1948, when he retired from teaching, but he soon found himself teaching in a school for young G.I.'s back from the war. This gave him more time to devote to farming, since he taught night classes. After this he worked for Farm Home Administration for several years. During these years, while Arthur was teaching, Aileen stayed home, helping to work the farm, raising a family, running a home, and supporting Arthur as much as possible. Their children married and left home, as children do.

       (1) Arthur, Jr. married Jane Perry and moved to Port Arthur, where he is a chemist for Gulf Oil Company. Their son, William Irvin, is attending Lamar Tech.

       (2) Charlotte began teaching school in Coleman in 1954, after graduating from Howard Payne College. Her son, Anthony, graduated from Coleman High School in 1965, married Dinah Decker of Talpa in 1971, and they have two girls, Johna (7) and Jeffi (4).

       (3) Mary married Lawrence Allen of Voss in 1947, and had two children, Mary Aileen and Arthur Lee. Mary Aileen married William L. Reed, an Air Force officer. They have three children: Kerri, Billy, and David. Arthur Lee married Jane Lunz, and they have one son, Charlie. Lawrence and Mary make their home in La Pryor (see G. R. Allen).

     On September 24, 1971, Aileen (Dibrell) Edwards died, and Arthur Irvin Edwards, December 19, 1976.