From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Benjamin J. Prigmore was born 1 August 1830 in Missouri and died 3 October 1901. He was buried in the McCree Cemetery, Dallas County, Texas. He married Nancy Lucinda (Lucy) Jackson born 12 September 1833 in Tennessee and died October 1904. She was buried in the McCree Cemetery. They were married 8 February 1853 by John A. Smith, M.G., in Dallas County, Texas.
Benjamin J. moved to Texas with his parents in 1844. In 1847 he joined the army and served in the Mexican War. After he returned from that war the citizens secured a headright for him. Prior to July 1, 1848 he settled on a company survey in present Dallas County in Peters Colony. He reported to Ward in 1850 and was issued Nacogdoches – Third Class #2163 for 320 acres which he patented in Dallas County, Texas. He was listed on 1850 census of Dallas County, Family #415, as a 19 year old farmer from Missouri. This land lay on Forest Lane just east of LBJ Freeway. In 1849 he improved his claim by fencing 40 acres, built a log cabin and broke out 30 acres of sod. Benjamin and his wife’s brother, J. E. Jackson, owned the land where Richland College is now located.
In 1862 he joined the Confederate Army (Co. B. 19th Texas Cavalry). He was in a number of engagements in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas but was never wounded or captured.
On 26 May 1867 a vicious tornado dipped down, killing his ten year old daughter, Eliza, and destroying his home and other buildings on the farm.
Benjamin gave the land for the Jackson School which was built on the Northwest corner of Audelia Road and Forest Lane before 1890. Some of the teachers were: Sallie Jackson, Amelia Diches, Lena Hoskins, Flo Blank, Minnie Thorp, Mr. Dunlap, Ben Davis, Eva Crosby, Dora Lane Jackson.
A direct quote from his obituary written by his granddaughter, Bertha Prigmore Bowser, described the great individual he was: “It is the will of God, but ’tis hard to give up the grand old Bulworks (sic) of our commonwealth like Uncle Ben (as he was fondly known to others) who gave their vigor of manhood to make out history sublime and the wisdom and prudence of their declining years to the elevation and upbuilding of society.”
Unto them were born six children in Dallas County, Texas: John W., Eliza L., Mahala E., Joseph E., Lucy E., and Texas Anna.
1) John W. Prigmore was born 24 February 1855 and died 2 January 1914. He married Georgia Belle Whitfield born circa 1862, died April 1944. Their only child was Bertha M., born 7 November 1882, died 23 September 1966; married 29 May 1904 Oliver Perry Bowser born 2 February 1885. Bertha and Perry had two sons: Frank born 18 June 1905, died 31 October 1969, married Dorothy Fitzgerald; Perry Hamer born 7 June 1917, married Nancy E. Glasgow born 10 June 1916. Their children were Nancy Diane and David Perry Bowser.
2) Eliza L. Prigmore born 16 April 1857 – killed in tornado 26 May 1867.
3) Mahala E. Prigmore born 11 February 1859, died 11 December 1895; married Daniel McFail Whitfield, born 21 May 1848, died 16 July 1910. Their children were: George, Joe and Walter.
4) Joseph Everts Prigmore born 16 July 1861, died circa 1940; married Margaret Ann “Maggie” Wright, born 10 November 1864, died circa 1941. Their children were: Maude Ella, June and Ollie Lucinda. a) Maude Ella born 26 February 1886, died circa 1968; married 19 June 1910 George Heffington, born 19 March 1885, died 15 December 1963. They had one child, a daughter. b) June born 25 June 1914, married Winston Franklin Gardner 27 October 1940. Winston Franklin was born 13 April 1916. Children: Winston Franklin Jr. born 21 March 1946 and June Ella born 1 October 1951. c) Ollie Lucinda born 3 November 1894; married Roy Chick 31 March 1915. Roy Chick was born 24 May 1894, died 11 May 1971. There were no children in this marriage.
5) Lucy Edmonia “Eddie” Prigmore born 2 September 1864, died 16 August 1947; married in 1885 Jim H. Lawler, born 16 March 1859, died 14 July 1938. Their children were: Oliver Gene 1883-1970 who married Curley Ethel Pierce; Silas Ben 1889 – 16 November 1946; Nell 1892-1967 who married Joel McCallum 1888-1963; Archie Everts born 1 July 1894, died 19 April 1957; married Ora Ethel born 16 March 1896, died 1 April 1970.
6) Texas Anna “Texans” Prigmore born 26 December 1866, died 1 July 1897; married Samuel (Sam) Lain (Lane) born 3 October 1861, Tennessee, died 16 September 1939, Vernon, Wilbarger County, Texas, buried Eastview Cemetery. Their four children, all born in Dallas County, Texas were: Walter, John, Elsie Mae. and Ina Viola.
By Sibyl Moore Skipworth, great-granddaughter, Dallas
