The Respess Family and Respess Creek
Carthage, Panola County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In the 1870s Richard Ormand Respess (1839-1906) and his wife Nannie Lois Williams moved here from Harrison County. Respess gave the land and taught at the first school built in the Frog Pond community, known later as Liberty Chapel. His oldest son Charlie O. (1859-1917) lived near this site and operated a general store. During the years that the family allowed free access for perch and cat fishing, the stream became known as "Respess Creek." It is the only reminder of the pioneer family who lived here. Incise in base: Marker Donor: Ethel Respess Duncan
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the 1870s Richard Ormand Respess and his wife Nannie Lois Williams settled here from Harrison County. Respess gave the land for—and taught at—the first school in the Frog Pond community, later known as Liberty Chapel, while his son Charlie ran a nearby general store. The family's open invitation to fish the stream gave "Respess Creek" its enduring name.
Why it matters
The creek's name is a quiet monument to the pioneer families whose schools, stores, and generosity built rural East Texas community from the ground up.
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Related people
- · Richard Ormand Respess
- · Nannie Lois Williams
- · Charlie O. Respess
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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