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Hilary "Tod" Windham and Lenora Connell Windham
from I Remember Callahan County, History of Callahan County Texas
Copyright 1986, Published by Western Publications, Stillwater, Oklahoma

    Hilary "Tod" Windham, son of Jr. John Darby Windham and Fannie Monteith Windham was born on April 17, 1851 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. They moved to Angelina County then to Brown County near Byrds Store in 1865. Tod came to Callahan County with brothers Cal and Tom in fall of 1874-1875 with a herd of cattle and established an outpost near Tecumseh Peak naming it Tecumseh. The Indians raided them often in Brown County. Their first camp was of pickets and skins until a log cabin was built so Dr. and Mrs. Windham could move to Tecumseh. In 1878 a two story rock home was built where the family lived until Dr. and Mrs. Windham's death.

    On September 28, 1880 Tod married Lenora Connell at Belle Plains. J.P. Jacob Hand officiated. They lived on the Windham ranch on Pecan Bayou until 1888, moving to Tecumseh closer to school. They lived at Tecumseh until Tod's death December 4, 1927.

    Lenora Connell was born November 1, 1864 in Leander, Burnett County, daughter of James Gibbs and Manervia Black Connell. Other children were Mrs. Jim (Bettie) Barton of Tecumseh, Mrs. Will (Ella) Puckett, Lou, and Tom Connell of Lipscomb County. Her parents and brother are buried at Lipscomb Cemetery.

    Tod and Lenora were parents of ten children: Jessie Eli, 1881-1947; Willis 1882-1953; Thomas Jefferson 1884-1955, Forrest 1885-1942, Samuel Grover 1886-1950, Adah 1888-1969, Eula 1889-1978, Myrtle Annie 1892-1968, Hilary 1898-1983, Robert Lee 1904-1907.

    Eli married Sara Willett, children, Ione and Hilary; Willis married Cora Allen, children Fred, Leon, Laura Lee and James Marlin; Tom married Callie Crenshaw, children, Olvena, Dorace, E.C., Cecil, Hollis, and Lois, Fannie Lee deceased. Forrest married Mary Nobles, daughter Hazle; Adah married Will Thompson, children Marlin, Florence, Berniece, and Lenora. Eula married Tom Preslar daughter Billie Burke, deceased; Myrtle married Ernest McIntyre, son Donald; Hilary married Minnie Belle Preston, children Warnie, Monterey and Stanley, infant deceased. Minnie Belle died in 1927. Hilary married Ellen Jones in 1928. She passed away in 1974, buried at Oplin.

    Tod was a rancher, county commissioner of Tecumseh Belle Plain precinct for six years, justice of peace several years, master Mason, and Methodist. He was a brother of Cal, Tom, Dicie Gilliland, Eliza Jones of Callahan County, Sam of Byrds Store, James L. of Big Spring, a half brother, Eli, Willis and Mary deceased.

    Tod and Lenora helped many people in need. They were always ready to help widows, orphans, friends or those just passing their way. Frank Powell was very dear to them living in their home from boyhood until grown. John Clements was very special and loyal to Tod and Lenora. Rev. T.H. Davis was a very respected man sharing the joys and sorrows of the Windham family.

Tod, Lenora, Robert, Forrest, Willis, Eula, and Hilary are buried at Tecumseh. Submitted by: Mrs. R.E. Bohonnan



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