From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, not currently in print.
James Irvin Lavender, son of Archibald McCravy and Sarah L. Duckworth Lavender, was also the great, great, great grandson of Charles Lavender, Sr., an immigrant to Virginia who received a land patent in Albemarle County on the Tye River in 1746. Irvin, as he was generally known, was born on 23 December 1833 in Selma, Lowndes County, Alabama, the eldest child of his parents. In 1845, Texas became a part of the United States and many people were attracted to the section on account of the fertile soil and also because it was cheap. For these reasons, Archibald Lavender moved his family and slaves to Texas by ox wagon and settled near the present town of Red Oak in Ellis County, arriving on Christmas Day, 1846. Irvin had just turned 13 years of age two days before the family landed at their new home. He is listed on the 1850 Ellis County, Texas census – Navarro District in his father’s household.
In December, 1859, Lillis Elender Douglas, daughter of Curtis and Malinda Kendall Douglas, became the bride of Irvin Lavender. They are listed on the 1860 Dallas County census in Lancaster living next door to his parents. They were to have only 8 happy years together before Lillis died of consumption. Of a retiring disposition, plain, with unassuming manners and a loving spirit, she was highly esteemed as an agreeable neighbor and pleasant companion. Entirely devoted to her husband and children, she made their home a happy one. Four children were born to this union before Lillis died on 12 March 1867. They are listed as follows: 1) Ida Florilla born 21 April 1861, died 3 November 1949, buried Edgewood Cemetery, Lancaster, Dallas County, Texas; married December 1880 to William P. Taylor. 2) George Irvin born circa 1862, died age of 11 months, buried Edgewood Cemetery. 3) Mary Rosannah born 19 October 1864, died 10 July 1892, buried Edgewood Cemetery; married October 1885 to Eugene P. Anderson, Sr. 4) Lillis Elender born 3 September 1866, died 23 September 1881, buried Edgewood Cemetery, single.
Irvin joined the Confederacy at Holly Springs, Mississippi as a private on 20 October 1862 in Company F, 6th Regiment, Ross’ Brigade Texas Cavalry, serving throughout the War, being wounded in the left arm at the Seige of Atlanta. His little son, George Irvin, was born while he was away in the cavalry and died before Irvin returned; that he never had the pleasure of seeing his first born son.
When the war was over, Irvin returned to Lancaster, marrying his second wife, Lucy Ann Rawlins Brotherton, a widow, on 14 June 1870 in Dallas County. They were the parents of 8 children: 1) James Alexander born 24 March 1871, married Janie L. Lacey. 2) Lydia Ellafare born 9 January 1873, married John W. Holsapple. 3) Lucy Ruth born 1874, single. 4) Eber Henry born 14 March 1875, married (1) Katie Brawley, married (2) Maude McCall. 5) Mary “Minnie” born 1877, died 1879. 6) Eugene King born 7 April 1882, married (1) Sadie E. Moore, married (2) Louise Banks Dorroh. 7) William Thomas born 7 April 1886, married Lucile Curry. 8) Adda Blanche born 4 November 1887, married Marvin K. Wills.
He supported his large family by being a successful farmer, later moving into the Lancaster township as a merchant, but first of all, Irvin Lavender was a Christian and attended church services no matter what, being one of the signers in the reorganization of the First Christian Church in Lancaster in November, 1880, serving as a deacon. He was especially known as a Prohibitionist, having a reputation as being a great tease – sometimes joking a bit hard. He stood six feet tall, weighed about 225 pounds, was bearded and quite bald in later years, often walking with a limp. The Lancaster community was shocked by the tragedy of the death of James Irvin Lavender on 22 July 1907 when his buggy was hit by a train at the Katy crossing of the MKT RR just south of Captain Rawlins’ home. He is buried in Edgewood Cemetery, south of Lancaster.
June Anderson Shipley is descended from James Irvin and Lillis E. Douglas Lavender. Their daughter, Mary Rosannah, was her grandmother. That line is given: Mary Rosannah Lavender born 1864, died 1892; married Eugene P. Anderson, Sr. born 1858, died 1888, both buried Edgewood Cemetery. Their only child, Eugene P. Anderson, Jr., born 1886, died 1966; married Freda Ileen Winniford born 1895, died 1978, both buried Edgewood Cemtery. Their children: Laura Jean Anderson and June Anderson. June Anderson born 1934, married Wayne Shipley born 1934.
June Anderson Shipley, Dallas
