Robert Davison, son of R. D. and Adeline A. Lee Kinney, and wife Clara
F. (Collier) Kinney, married December 25, 1889, moved from Bell County
to Coleman County about 1896 making the move in a covered wagon.
Parents of eight children, the first two died at an early age. The other
six children: Robert Davison II, Annie B., Mary, Harold, Faye, and Howard.
Mr. Kinney was a stock farmer; Chapter Mason; Director of the Central State
Bank; School Trustee for many years; Deacon of the First Baptist Church
at the time the Church was built; Grocery store known as “Kinney and Roach”
- later as “Kinney and Henderson;” elected County Commissioner, Precinct
No. 1 for about ten years. Robert D. was like his father in that
he did everything he could to help advance the city, county, schools and
churches. He died March 2, 1937. Clara was a charter member
of the Eastern Star, charter member of the First Methodist Church.
Although a Methodist, she also took an active interest in the First Baptist
Church, where her husband and children were members. She died April
7, 1964.
Robert Davison, Jr., was born in Coleman October 1, 1900. He attended
Coleman High School, Terrell Academy and Texas Military College, where
he earned his commission as 2nd Lieutenent in the Texas National Guard.
He then completed his college curriculum at Texas University, 1923.
He was employed in banks in Coleman and near communities. He was
elected to the Coleman City Council in 1930 and a member of the Masonic
Lodge No. 496 in Coleman. In June 1942 he was called into active
service and attained the rank of Major prior to his retirement in 1945.
Following World War II, he was employed by an insurance and realtor firm
until his death, September 23, 1966, buried in Fort Worth. In March
1925, he married Alma Williams, a teacher in Coleman from Williamson County.
They had two children: Dixie, born December 1925 and Robert Davison III,
January 1929. Dixie, a graduate of T.C.U., married Robert Gray Henry,
son of Robert L. Henry and Essie Gray, the grandson of Robert E. Lee Henry
and Edna Mae Chandler and Alexander Oscar Gray and Addie Daniel, all former
residents of Coleman (see Robert E. Lee Henry and Alexander Oscar Gray
families). Robert was an accountant at a Fort Worth bank for several
years before being employed by General Dynamics as a Cost Analyst.
Two children: Jeni, (Mrs. Elwood Clay Zipper), and Joni (Mrs. James Patrick
Quinn III). Jeni has one child, Bryan Clay. Robert Davison
III, a Lieutenent in the Air Force married Barbara Lytle, of Riverside,
California in 1954, formerly of Big Spring. Robert is a graduate
of T.C.U. and is a commercial artist having been employed in California
and Houston. Two children, Suzanne, and Robert Thomas. Suzanne
married David William Metcalf, a son, David Ryan.
Annie B., after finishing school in Coleman, attended Baylor College,
Belton. Annie B. had the honor of being “Miss Coleman” about 1923,
West Texas Chamber of Commerce Convention in Brownwood. Annie B.
and Horace Hawkins were married in 1924. In 1945, he was made vice-president
of the Western Cotton Oil Company in Abilene until retirement. Annie
B. was active in work with Red Cross for several years. They retired
in Kingsland in 1969. Annie B. died in 1974 and Horace in 1976.
Mary finished Coleman schools and attended Howard Payne College.
When the R.E.A. Electric Cooperative was organized about 1939 in Coleman
County and adjoining counties, Mary was employed to set up the books and
was head bookkeeper for several years. She enjoyed riding in different
groups and participated in the Coleman Rodeo parades. Mary Kinney
and George Heider united in marriage May 1946, and moved to Des Plaines,
Illinois. Mary died in Des Plaines, Illinois, October 1964; George
died May 16, 1974, Sun City, Arizona, both buried in Coleman.
Harold Allen, born November 22, 1909, in Coleman. Harold developed
a great love for horses and had his own pony at the age of 9. He
attended Coleman schools and began helping his father, R. D. Kinney, take
care of their livestock. Harold, Otto Pnidemore, and Bennett Nance
put on a little rodeo east of Hufford Field in 1935. In 1937 the
Coleman Rodeo Association was organized. Harold worked hard for many
years with the Coleman Rodeo. He belonged to the Coleman Polo Team
including Bennett Nance, Will Gay, Pat Warren, Karl Wallace, Tommy Saunders,
Wade Hemphill, Bill Gniffis, Marcus Durham, Shorty Gillen, and Don Sawyer.
Harold served in the U.S. Army with the Infantry Division and was stationed
at Camp Bowie, Brownwood. He received an honorable discharge from
the service in 1942. Harold met a certain teller, Mildred Simmons,
at the Coleman County State Bank, and married July 30, 1943. They
farmed and ranched and always had a few horses. One son, Harold Alan,
was born August 14, 1945. He attended Coleman schools and graduated
from Hardin Simmons University, Abilene. He became a professional
artist, married the former Bamba Nann Hoggard of Kerrville where they reside.
They have a son, J. Courtney born January 2, 1980. Alan has a son,
Hal Douglas born February 27, 1974, by a previous marriage. Mildred
retired from Coleman Production Credit in 1982.
Faye finished Coleman schools and attended Howard Payne College.
Leaving college, she made a career of doing clerical work several different
places. Faye Kinney and Vernon M. Lewis were married December 1945
after an honorable discharge from the Army. Vernon was a resident
of Utah. “Believe it or not,” Faye and Vernon are living in the same
house she was born in and has never moved! Vernon worked for the
City of Coleman - Electrical Distribution - is a life member of the Coleman
Fire Department. Both Faye and Vernon are members of the First Baptist
Church.
Howard was born in Coleman County and finished Coleman schools - attended
San Angelo Junior College and was employed by Firestone Company for several
years. He then was called into the service with the 8th Air Force
during World War II. Stationed in Florida for training and then serving
three years in England. While working for Stewart Title Company in
Fort Worth he met Helen Gallagher (also employed with the company) and
they were married May 12, 1956. Helen had two children by a previous
marriage. Howard retired from Stewart Title Company in 1980.
(Images to be added)
Robert D. Kinney, Jr.
Kinney Home-South Colorado Street. Built in 1902
Robert and Clara Kinney, December 25, 1889
Howard Kinney
Vernon and Faye (Kinney) Lewis
Harold and Millie Kinney
Mary (Kinney) Heider
Annie B. (Kinney) Hawkins
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