From Proud Heritage, Vol. 1 by DCPA, not currently in print.
Lewis Martin Taylor Flook came to Texas with his pretty young bride, Mary Catherine Bechtol, from their family homes in the scenic Middletown Valley of the State of Maryland. His ancestors had settled in Maryland prior to the American Revolution, bringing with them the work ethic of their German heritage. Since L.M.T. was the second son in his family and the older son traditionally became the one to oversee the family lands, he was given his inheritance and the opportunity to seek his fortune by going west. In 1875 railroads could carry Lewis and Catherine only part of the way to Texas. The final leg of their journey was by boat.
They landed on the Texas coast south of Victoria, Texas, and for a while they thought they might want to make this part of the state their home. In a day of no credit cards, instant cash meant carrying all of their money on their persons sewed into the linings of their clothes. When they found the place they wanted to purchase, they were able to pay for it without delay. But, for the time being, they kept a low profile by working at various farms, becoming acquainted with the people of the area and the techniques required for successful farming. After many months of searching, Dallas County was their ultimate choice.
Acreage which was later to be increased to more than a section of land on the western side of Garland became known as Flook Farm. A farming and dairy operation was the pride of the family, which grew to include two sons and two daughters. L.M.T. was a shrewd businessman and through the years increased his holdings to include commercial buildings on the Garland City Square, a hotel in Garland, and several lots and houses also in the city limits.
Catherine wrote home to Maryland telling her family about life in Garland, Texas, especially about the ease in “plowing a straight row” versus the difficulty in farming the rolling hills of her childhood home. Her parents, Daniel Bechtol and Mahalia Bisor Bechtol, decided that they, too, would move west. The Bechtol farm in Middletown Valley was sold. Two of the Bechtol sons, Dr. Edward Bechtol and Charles Bechtol, decided to settle in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Another son went to Ohio. Only a daughter was left in Maryland.
It was not easy in post Civil War years to became a part of a southern community when one arrived as a northerner, a Republican, and a Lutheran. But, L.M.T. Flook was of a genial, pleasant disposition and came to be respected as a man of his word, impeccably honest.
Since he came from a musical family, his rich bass voice soon earned him a place in the local Baptist Church choir. Members of his family were baptized into this faith, and many of his descendants have been life-long loyal members of Baptist churches, serving on the boards of Baptist institutions.
His older son, Charles, operated a grocery business in Garland for several years before he became ill. His portion of the family farm was sold for one of the first industrial plants to come into Garland. The younger son, Millard, and his wife lived on the original homeplace and operated their farm until he came to retirement age and sold his portion for additional industry.
The two daughters, Della and Hattie, married and reared families in Garland.
Descendants of Lewis and Mary Catherine Flook still living in Garland include three grandchildren: Dr. Taylor T. Pickett, Maydell Pickett Wyrick, and Mary Beth Watson Smith. Great grandchildren who still have interest in Dallas County are Barbara Pickett Sidner, John A. Pickett, James Pickett, Marilyn Wyrick Ingram, Phyllis Wyrick Patterson, Cynthia Smith Rogers, Dr. Gary J. Smith, Robert A. Smith, Cecil Flook, Bill Flook, Charles Flook, and Dr. Jerry Flook.
By Mrs. Joseph Smith, Garland
