This Week in Canton History

Submitted by Canton1 on
By Sibyl Creasey - Van Zandt County Genealogical Society

CANTON HERALD, July 14, 1949: Funeral services for John Rusk Kellis were held last Thursday afternoon at the Colfax Methodist Church. Interment was at the Colfax Cemetery under the direction of Eubank Bros. of Canton. Rev. Hooper Haygood of Canton and Rev. Frank Everett of Colfax conducted the services. Mr. Kellis was born Nov.  1, 1877, in Nacogdoches, one of four children of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Henry Kellis.

His two brothers, Lewis and Ollie Kellis and sister, Mrs. Bud Peel, preceded him in death. Mr. and Mrs. Kellis moved to Canton in 1906 when he was deputy sheriff during the administration of Will Gentry.

He served as deputy sheriff form 1905 through 1909. (More on this lengthy article on microfilm.)

Cpl. Reginald Settles returned home Friday night after being stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, for three years and seven months. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Settles and the grandson of Mrs. Dora Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Rob Callahan. Mrs. Reginald Settles will come to the states in the near future.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Wilhite were honored on their 47th anniversary last week. Six of their children and families visiting in their home were present for the occasion: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hanks and family; Mrs. Aral Jones and children of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. O.H. Hooker and son of Burbank, Calif.; Mrs. Opal Mintz, Jr. and sons; Mr. and Mrs. B.L. Landess of San Diego, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. J. Harder Wilhite and daughter of Canton. Among other guests were Rev. and Mrs. J. Porter Wilhite of Fort Worth, and Mr. and Mrs. Riley Wilhite of Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhite with a large number of guests were served dinner and were presented with a nice gift. During the day many friends and relatives visited the couple and their children.

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Truman Mann, former teacher in various Van Zandt county schools, died in Medical Arts Hospital in Dallas at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning following an illness of several months. His wife, the former Edith Rockenbough, was at his bedside when he passed away. Funeral services will be held this afternoon, (Thursday) at 3 o'clock at the Methodist church in Edgewood.