Foshee Family Homestead
Gladewater, Gregg County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built 1890 on site purchased 1884 by William Emmett and Mary R. Foshee. He was a native of Alabama and she was a member of the pioneer Shepperd family of Upshur County. Eight children were born to this couple. Lumber for house was sawed at famous mill of John O'Byrne. Unusual and unique chimney was built of hand-hewn rock which came from banks of stream running through west edge of property. (Family enterprise, Ironrock Oil Company, was named for this special type rock.) Original hallway led from front porch through house to water well, which served family needs. In early 1930's one of first oil wells in the famous East Texas field was brought in here. Ironrock Oil Company is still operating. For many years, William Emmett Foshee served as postmaster. He was also a lumber teaming contractor, farmer and justice of the peace. His wife, Mary, was mother and homemaker to six surviving children. These pioneer parents left rich heritage to succeeding generations who still contribute traditional service to their community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
William Emmett and Mary Foshee bought this Upshur-country land in 1884 and raised their large family in a house built in 1890 from lumber sawn at John O'Byrne's mill, distinguished by a chimney of hand-hewn 'ironrock' from the creek that crossed the property. William wore many hats on the frontier — postmaster, farmer, lumber contractor, and justice of the peace. In the early 1930s one of the first wells of the great East Texas oil field came in on this ground, and the family's Ironrock Oil Company, named for that curious stone, was still operating when the marker was placed.
Why it matters
The homestead ties one pioneer family's story to the East Texas oil boom, one of the largest petroleum discoveries in American history, which transformed the region's economy overnight.
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Related people
- · William Emmett Foshee
- · Mary R. Foshee
Related events
- · East Texas oil boom
Themes & tags
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