From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Lafe Nash, the sixth child of Thomas Jefferson and Eliza Floed Nash, was born on September 16, 1842 in Marion County, Kentucky. At age twelve, with his parents and eleven sisters and brothers, he became a part of the westward movement migrating to the. northeast Dallas County area. Upon arrival in 1854 they spent the first winter in camp in White Rock bottom near where Greenville Avenue crosses White Rock Creek. After farming land between that site and Dallas for four years, his father bought farm land four miles south of Garland where Lafe and his sisters and brothers were raised.
In 1861, at age 19, he volunteered to serve in the 6th Texas Cavalry, Company C in the cause of the Civil War between the states. He fought in several battles, returning home with no serious injuries. In later years he enjoyed relating his war-time experiences to his children and grandchildren. To this date several of his descendants are in possession of a copy of a very interesting and articulate letter that he received from his father while he was in the service. A group picture of several Civil War Officers commanded a prominent place on the west wall of his dining room. Lafe was always outspoken in support of the war cause. Visits to the war veteran’s reunion were always a joyous occasion for him. No one could have been a more devoted and patriotic soldier and veteran than Lafe Nash. He was steadfast in his convictions until the day of his death.
Following the war he married Hannah Leonore Jackson, born May 23, 1843, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jackson another pioneer family who had settled near the intersection of Audelia Road and Miller Road about four miles northwest of the Nash homesite.
Mr. and Mrs. Nash owned and operated a farm adjoining his father’s land. It was located immediately north of Groves Road (now Northwest Highway) and adjacent to the Santa Fe Railroad. There they raised their eight children namely: Charlie Nash, Maggie Long, Eliza Motley, Jeff Nash, Lucy Trigg, Will Nash, Betty Gardner, and Ross Nash.
Mr. Nash gave land for the location of the Nash school house on Grove Road. In those days it was customary for a school teacher to room and board in the Nash home. One of these teachers was Dora Alexander Talley, who in later years became the top official of the Woodmen of the World Organization.
Mrs. Nash died at the home of her daughter, Betty Gardner, on June 19, 1926. Mr. Nash died two years later in the home of his son, Jeff, on July 19, 1928. Mr. and Mrs. Nash were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Garland. They are buried in the Garland Cemetery on Miller Road in Garland.
By Joe B. Motley, grandson, Garland
