Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

C. W. Raines

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

1. C. W. Raines Marker

Inscription. A native of Upson County, Georgia, Cadwell Walton Raines (1839-1906) contributed to Texas history as a Methodist preacher, schoolteacher, attorney, newspaper publisher, county official, historian and state librarian. He first came to this state in 1853 with his parents, Thomas and Aletha (McClendon) Raines, and lived in Rockwall and Paris before enlisting in the Confederate army in 1861 under Richard Montgomery Gano.

Following the war, Raines married Mary Bowden in 1871 and, after a period spent as a preacher in Arkansas, he began practicing law in Canton (about 20 mi. SW). There he became acquainted with future governor James Stephen Hogg and entered the newspaper business. Hogg sent him here to Mineola to begin publishing The Mineola Hawkeye in 1880. By 1884, the Raines' lived in Quitman (10 mi. N), where C. W. taught at the Concord Academy. He was elected Wood County Judge in 1886 and served two terms.

Upon taking office as Texas' first native governor in 1891, Jim Hogg appointed C. W. Raines as state librarian. Serving in that capacity from 1891 to 1895 and again from 1899 until his death in 1906, Raines led the state library through a substantial period of growth and began its Texana collection. Among his many and varied accomplishments, Raines also was a historian, the author of numerous reference books and journal

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

articles, and a co-founder of the Texas State Historical Association.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12615.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Communications • Education • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 32° 39.752′ N, 95° 29.389′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is on Commerce Street west of South Johnson Street, on the left when traveling west. Along parking lot fence next to the RR tracks. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Commerce Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Saloons in Mineola (within shouting distance of this marker); Mineola (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Coleman Family Drug Store and Clinic (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Railroads in Mineola (about 300 feet away); Mineola's Jewish Community (about 400 feet away); Mineola Ice, Light and Water Company (about 400 feet away); Mallory Bros. Grocery and Feed Stores (about 400 feet away); First National Bank Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mineola.

Also see . . .

C. W. Raines Marker just to right of green street pole. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019

2. C. W. Raines Marker just to right of green street pole.

Texas State Historical Association on Cadwell Walton Raines. (Submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.