Family Histories of Coleman County, Texas

ROBERT DAVISON KINNEY
by Faye Kinney Lewis, Alma Williams Kinney and Dixie Kinney Henry

From A History of Coleman County and Its People, 1985 
edited by Judia and Ralph Terry, and Vena Bob Gates - used by permission
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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


 
Families History Index
Coleman County Index
Please send additional links, comments or suggestions for articles to:
The Coleman County Historian

 
This page last updated February 6, 2006
© 1982 - 2006 Ralph Terry.  All rights reserved.