Rice in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Fortson Family

Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021

1. The Fortson Family Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Members of the Fortson family came to Texas from Mississippi and settled in Navarro County in the 1840s. Civil War veteran James T. Fortson wed Ida Clayton, daughter of another pioneer area family, in 1867, and they moved to the Rice area in 1872. Their son, Joseph Benjamin (Joe B.), and his wife Lyda built their home at this site in 1904. Joe B. and brother John acquired large landholdings in the area for farming and ranching, and established a cotton gin operation and a mercantile. They also opened the First State Bank of Rice and began levee improvement districts to aid local farming. In addition, Joe B. served on the school board. The family is remembered for its lasting contributions to the area's history.

Erected 2005 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 15116.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 32° 14.452′ N, 96° 29.997′ W. Marker is in Rice, Texas, in Navarro County

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. Marker is at the intersection of Austin Street and Marshall Street, on the right when traveling south on Austin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Austin Street, Rice TX 75155, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Baptist Church of Rice (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rice (approx. ¼ mile away); Haynes Memorial Methodist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Rice Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); Alma (approx. 4.1 miles away); General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. (approx. 5.2 miles away); Francis Marion Martin (approx. 5.2 miles away); Baptist General Association of Texas (approx. 5.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rice.

The Fortson Family House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, January 11, 2021

2. The Fortson Family House and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 194 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.