From Wolf to Wolfwood: A Genealogical and Historical Study of the Mcmillans and the African American Communities of Emory, Texas

By Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe

Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe was born in Emory, Texas, (in the Wolf Community) the only daughter of A.C. and Modis McMillan. She attended Sand Flat School (in Emory, Texas), St. Paul High School (in Hunt County), and graduated from Rains High School (in Emory). Among the first of Sand Flat (a Rosenwald school) students to graduate from Rains High School (the countys only white high school), she graduated third in her class. Her favorite teacher, Mrs.Audie Shiflet, taught her shorthand. Because of Mrs. Shiflet, she pursued a career in teachingmajoring in business and teaching shorthand and typing.
From Rains High School, Gwendolyn attended and graduated from Henderson County Junior College and East Texas State University where she received a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe became a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District at Hillcrest High School. She later transferred to Thomas Jefferson High School, where she is today. Being a teacher is paramount in the writers professional career; however, she co-founded and served as director of College Bound Tours. She conducted workshops and tours to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for young people interested in attending college (1989-2003). She also co-founded the A.C. McMillan African American Museum where she serves as the director. Her volunteer work with several organizations is extensive. In 2003, she received a fellowship to study at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. While at the Smithsonian, in her spare time she researched her familys history and the history of African American educators in her hometown. Her assignment at the Smithsonian was to research the United States Supreme Court Decision Brown v Board of Education for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration and exhibit (2004).
Most recently, the writer has dedicated her time to documenting the history of the education of African Americans in Rains County and researching Rosenwald Schools in Texas and throughout the South. She has first-hand knowledge of the importance of the Rosenwald Schools in the education of African Americans prior to the desegregation of the schools. She attended two. Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe documents the advantages and disadvantages of growing up in a segregated southern East Texas town and being a part of the desegregation and integration of many institutions and organizations. In this book, she describes her travels from Wolf to Wolfwood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456726553

Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe

Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe is also the author of From Wolf to Wolfwood, and she has written many articles on various topics. She was born in Emory, Texas. After graduating from Rains High School, she attended and graduated from Henderson County Junior College (now Trinity Valley Community College). She continued her education at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) where she received a bachelors degree in business education and a masters degree in guidance. Following in her fathers footsteps, Gwendolyn became a teacher in the Dallas Independent School District, where she retired in 2011. Teaching was paramount in the writers professional career; however, she also cofounded and served as director of College Bound Tours. In addition, she is cofounder of the A. C. McMillan Scholarship Fund (in memory of her father), which annually awards scholarships at Rains High School, and cofounder of the A. C. McMillan African American Museum, where she serves as its director. Her organizational affiliations include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Dallas Theater Center Guild, the African American Museum, New Hope Baptist Church, American Baptist Women, South Dallas Business and Professional Womens Club, the Rains County Genealogical Association, the East Texas Historical Association, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Her volunteer work with these organizations and others is extensive. Her awards and recognitions include winner of the NAACP Juanita Craft Award for Community Service, the Elks Award for Community Service, and Outstanding Ex-Student/Trinity Valley Community College. In 2000, she won the Women of Wonder, a national award for community service presented by the Quaker Oats Company. She received a Visiting Professional Fellowship from the prestigious Smithsonian Institution and studied at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, during the summer of 2003. In 2004 and 2005, she was awarded scholarships to attend the National Trust for Historic Preservation conferences in Louisville, Kentucky, and Portland, Oregon, respectively. She was recognized in 2007 as a role model by the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and in 2010 by the South Dallas Business and Professional Womens Club during Womens History Month (March). In 2016, she was recognized with the We Speak Your Name award at the South Central Districts 54th Annual Conference in Addison, Texas. Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe is a retired business education teacher. She lives in Dallas, Texas, where she continues to be active in many civic organizations. She has a daughter, Sylvia Lawe Williams, and two grandsons, Preston Lawe and Blair Williams.

Book preview

© 2011 Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 2/11/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2654-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2655-3 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-2656-0 (dj)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011901885

Printed in the United States of America

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

This book is dedicated to my parents, A. C. and Modis McMillan, who always supported me in all of my endeavors and gave me a rich heritage worthy of writing about and to all of the role models at each stage of my life.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 Where Is Emory, Texas?

Chapter 2 The Early Years

Chapter 3 About The McMillans

Chapter 4 The Genealogy Of The McMillan Family Of Emory, Texas

Chapter 5 The Jacksons Of Emory, Texas

Chapter 6 The Robinsons Of Emory, Texas

Chapter 7 Making A Connection

Chapter 8 A Legacy

Chapter 9 Education In Rains County (Prior To 1965)

Chapter 10 Transitions

Chapter 11 A Family Of My Own

Chapter 12 Living Life To The Fullest

Chapter 13 The Farmer’s Daughter Arrives On Wolfwood

Chapter 14 The A.C. McMillan African American Museum

Chapter 15 McMillans In The 2000’S

Chapter 16 Living On Wolfwood

Conclusion

Appendix A 1897 County Treasurer’s School Account Register

Appendix B: Teaching Certificates, Early 1900s

Appendix C Some Of The Recorded Deaths In The Early McMillan Family In The 1800’S And Early 1900’S*

Acknowledgments

There were many people who helped me in my efforts to write the manuscript for this book. Initially, it was to be just the history of the McMillans. Thanks to the guidance of Dr. James Conrad of Texas A & M University-Commerce, I expanded my research and my genealogical study became a historical study of the individuals whom I credit for my successful journey From Wolf to Wolfwood. I was inspired by many people—some living and some I never knew—such as my great-grandparents, Alfred and Dora McMillan, Mrs. Doris Washington and Mrs. Audie Shiflet (my favorite teachers), and my inspiration for everything that I do—my husband, Theodore M. Lawe.

Foreword

From Wolf to Wolfwood chronicles the history of a family and the education of a community prior to the desegregation of schools and public facilities. More specifically, Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe, an educator reflects on her growing up in rural Emory, Texas and transitioning from a totally segregated childhood environment, and because of Brown v Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, her becoming a student in the first integrated graduation class of her high school and then becoming a teacher in a totally integrated school district. Her educational experiences and her first teaching assignment could not have been more different. Being educated in East Texas in Rains County for an African American in the middle of the 20th Century meant attending a very small rural elementary school (a Rosenwald School) and commuting over 40 miles one-way daily to St. Paul High School, a similar Rosenwald high school in Hunt County in order to attend and graduate from high school. However, in her senior year, she attended and graduated from Rains High School in her hometown after attending only one year (1965-1966). Attending Henderson County Junior College and later receiving a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from East Texas State University did not prepare her for her first job—teaching in the second largest school district in the state of Texas and teaching some of the most affluent children in the city of Dallas. However, just as she had adapted to all of her previous new challenges, it did not take long to find her place at her new place of employment—Hillcrest High School.

Through her research, the author validated how her family, the McMillans of Rains County, had been instrumental in the education of African Americans starting in the late 1800s through the desegregation of the schools in 1965. She discusses many of the firsts that she was a part of throughout her educational experiences, as well as some of the advantages and disadvantages of attending the segregated schools in her early years.

Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe chronicles how her great-grandparents, A.C. McMillan and Dora McMillan, were the first African American teachers in Emory, Texas. Her father, A.C. McMillan (named after his grandfather) was the last principal of the then all-African American school before its closing in 1969. Being born in 1948, this teacher recalls how education had always been important to her family and to the community in which she lived. It was not simply a birthright; it was something that required much effort on the part of the student as well as the community.

This publication will serve as a reminder of the days of segregation in this country, and east Texas in particular. The readers will also be able to reflect on some of the precious memories in their childhood, as well as all of the transitions made in their lives as a result of the desegregation of the schools and public facilities and the lifetime changes as a result. For the genealogists and historians, they are reminded how the study of family history is important in our lives. Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe describes how knowing her history has enhanced her appreciation of her rural upbringing and the many individuals that influenced her to become the successful, accomplished individual that she is today. She tells her story from a front row seat.

Harry Robinson, Jr., President and CEO

African American Museum, Dallas, Texas

Introduction

This history was compiled by Gwendolyn McMillan Lawe, daughter of the late A.C. McMillan and Modis McMillan (to whom this history is dedicated), of Emory Texas. I have always felt that if one’s history is to be written accurately, one has to take part in the writing of that history.

Over the past several years, I have asked family members to assist me in this endeavor. However, I must say, I have been able to gain little information from family members. Therefore, you will see that there is more information on the A.C. McMillan Family than there is on other families (for obvious reasons). After all, this is my story. I have also included family genealogy information in Chapter 4.

Initially, my intent was to compile this history and publish it for other family members. I felt that this would be a worthwhile fundraiser for the A.C. McMillan Scholarship Fund and that family members could purchase copies at the McMillan Reunion. Because of an apparent lack of interest (and because my original draft was lost), the process of writing was slowed down. This simply meant that my efforts were stalled—not stopped. I continually gather information; and I feel that at the time of this publication, I will still be gathering information—perhaps for another edition.

With the use of modern technology, the computer—and especially the use of the Internet—my task has been made easier; and at the same time it has made this assignment expand beyond what I imagined a few years ago. Initially, I intended to do just a genealogical study of my family. There were several McMillans in the family history that I wanted to know more about; and thanks to the Internet, I have learned a little about them. The Dallas Morning News has also been an asset in this endeavor. A very interesting article appeared in a special edition during the State Fair of Texas about the McMillans of Dallas. The article was entitled The 20th Century: Through the Eyes of Texas. There was also an exhibit at the State Fair, which included information about the McMillans and the publication.[1]

In the summer of 1999, my husband and I took a most unusual summer vacation. We traveled two weeks and over 3500 miles by car. We visited family members and many educational and cultural sites. We visited numerous museums. Among the museums visited was the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Even though the African Art Museum was one of the highlights of our tour, it was the Beck Cultural Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, which inspired me the most. A very close friend of ours, Avon Rollins, is the Director of the Beck Cultural Center. He gave us a tour of the facility and shared a lot of information about the center and his responsibilities as the director. It was at the Beck Cultural Center that my husband and I decided that we could do something similar to the Beck Center in memory of my father, just as the Beck Center had been established in memory of one of Knoxville’s outstanding citizens. Thus, the idea of the A.C. McMillan African American Museum was conceived. It was then that I decided that it was important to complete the family history that I had started several years earlier.

It was our vision that the Museum would be open in the fall of 1999 and that a grand opening would be held before the Year 2000. The Museum would be the first of its kind in Rains County. It would provide an opportunity for family members and the residents of Rains County to appreciate the accomplishments of African Americans both nationally and locally. The essence of the Museum would be to document and record the history of African Americans in the region around Emory, Texas. To accomplish this task would require investigating local African American family trees, studying their institutions (schools, churches, etc.), and reviewing their social and economic circumstances. Many African American families in the Emory area date back over 150 years. In this publication, I have tried to trace the history of the McMillans, as well as other African American families, in Emory (Rains County) from its earliest beginnings. I feel that knowing some of Emory’s history is necessary to understand how I got from Wolf (the community of my birth) to Wolfwood (the name of my street today).

Chapter 1

Where Is Emory, Texas?

In 1870 by taking off corners of Wood, Van Zandt, Hunt, and Hopkins Counties, Rains County was formed. Emory, the County Seat, received its name from Emory Rains, Republic of Texas leader. Emory Rains was born in Warren County, Tennessee, and moved to Texas in 1817. Emory Rains held many public offices in other Texas counties before coming to Rains County. His life was devoted to that of a public servant. In 1866, Emory Rains rode a mule to Austin, Texas, for the purpose of getting a bill introduced to create Rains County. Rains became a county in 1870.[2]

It is important to point out that there were African Americans in Rains County prior to 1870. Also, it is important to note that an African American, Sol Jackson (my great-grandfather), came to Texas with Emory Rains. At least, that is the way our history has been handed down. The African American community in Emory, Jacksonville, is named after Sol Jackson. There were two other African American communities in Emory—Wolf and Sand Flat.

Pioneer African American families lived in segregated communities, attended segregated schools, and had their own churches and lodges. These institutions played an important role in the livelihood of the African American families. At the time, for many individuals, the church was the only organization that African Americans could be active members and hold positions of leadership. It was the church that would eventually be the model for other organizations to be formed by African Americans. All community meetings were held at the churches or at the schools.

Chapter 2

The Early Years

On February 3, 1948, I was born in Emory, Texas. I was not born in a hospital; I was delivered by my grandmother (a mid-wife, which was the usual method of birth in the community where I was born at that time). I was the second child to be born to Alfred (A.C.) and Modis McMillan. My brother, Alfred, was almost four years old when I was born.

Growing up in Emory, I am sure, was not too different from growing up in other small East Texas towns. However, I have many fond memories of my childhood. Back then, living in a segregated America was just a way of life. I began school at age six in 1954. Ironically, this was the year of the Supreme Court Decision, Brown v Board of Education. Of course, at age six, I did not understand what this meant (or would mean) in the education of African Americans in America and in Rains County specifically. My father and mother did not let us entertain the thought that we were second class, even though we might have been treated as such by the whites during this same time period. It wasn’t that we did not know that segregation was the way of the South, we were just sheltered from it as much as possible. Although African Americans could not use public facilities such as restrooms, drink from public fountains, or eat at restaurants that were available to the general public, we just did not allow ourselves to be subjected to such discrimination when we could avoid it. So, whenever possible, we patronized African American establishments. I do remember the passage of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964, which enabled African Americans to use public facilities. However, I don’t remember that having an immediate direct effect on my life.

My parents would take the family to Dallas for an evening of entertainment. This usually included eating at a drive-in restaurant such as Good Luck’s hamburgers and a movie at the State Theater or the Forest Theater, which were located in the African American parts of town. Since we were not accustomed to eating in restaurants anyway, eating at the Good Luck was something special. At the time, there were many African American movies that were shown at the State and Forest Theaters. There were also concerts that were held