History of Pillow family of Cass County

Ransome Dock Pillow, son of William Barton and Sarah Whitaker Pillow, was born in Titus County, Texas on May 1, 1842.

As a young man, he joined the Montgomery County Rifle Boys, and at age 19, became a soldier in the 26th Cavalry of the Confederate States of America. He married Josephine T. Lee on November 24,1880 in Washington County, Texas. She was born May 12, 1860 in Montgomery County, Texas and was the daughter of James and Ellen Decker Lee.

The young Pillow family moved to Milam County, Texas and eventually became tenant farmers on the Holtzclaw land grant near Rockdale, Texas.

At the turn of the century, they had saved enough money to make a down payment on their own land. The year of severe flooding was followed by a year of severe drought, therefore, due to crop failure, the payment on the land could not be made.

In December 1901, they chose their most important belongings, put them into a wagon along with the younger children, left their log cabin, and began their 19-day journey to Cass County, Texas.

Their eldest daughter Myrtle May walked all the way. Their neighbor boy Willie Hughes came along to attend the livestock. Family stories indicate they chose the Cass County area because Ransome had served in the Confederate army with a man from Cass County who had become a lasting friend.

Arriving in the area right after the New Year of 1902, the Pillows and their children Myrtle May, Mamie Peachy, Phillip Paten, Sarah E. (Katy), Roy Ray, Homer Lincoln, and Effie R. continued their lives as a farm family. One more child, Evnard Holtzclaw was born in Cass County.

The Pillows owned no land, so they lived in various locations at Douglassville, Cass, and Huffines communities and rented land to farm. Ransome’s brother Andrew, also a Confederate Veteran, came to join the family. He died in 1911 as the result of a broken hip.

On October 14, 1914, pneumonia claimed the life of Ransome. Josephine, 18 years younger and having been the sixth girl in a farm family, knew how to work hard. She was very resourceful, and a good manager. She farmed, raised the younger children, bought land in the Huffines community, and owned one of the early automobiles in Cass County.

Having a strong personality, she became the focal point of the family. Grandchildren frequently spent the night with her, and when tragedy struck, they lived with her. As a result, cousins knew each other well. Much of their social life centered around extended family.

Many Pillow descendants who grew up and made their homes in the area, have strong kinship ties because of this matriarch. She died of pneumonia on December 28, 1926, and is still remembered with colorful family stories. She was buried beside Ransome in Huffines Cemetery, along with Ransome’s brother, Andrew Pillow.

My eldest daughter Myrtle May Pillow was born January 19, 1884 in Milam County, Texas, married Tom Allen Thomas on September 19,1906 in Cass County, Texas. He was a newcomer to this area, coming from the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma Territory. Their children were Raymond Lee, Hazel Edith, James Elvin, Paul E., Irene Gertrude, R. B., William Hayward, Cleo May, and Laura Belle (known as Dadie). Tom worked publicly in the timber industry, owned a saw mill, and farmed. As the boys grew up, they did most of the farming while their father was working away from home. Myrtle May, like her mother, was a good manager of available resources, finances, and the family. Tom is remembered for his wonderful and exciting stories about his life as a young man in the Choctaw Nation.

Mamie Peachey Pillow born March 01,1886 married Willie Robert Hughes, the young man who accompanied the family on the journey from Milam County. Their children were Blanch E., Bernice Lee, Edith May, Lela Verna, Earldon Willie, Earnest T., Ruby Mozelle, Jewel Wayne, Dale Ray, and Lane Neil. The family bought land in the McLeod community, farmed, and raised their family. People in the surrounding area looked forward to Spring vegetables and Summer watermelons delivered personally by Willie Hughes.

Phillip Paten Pillow was born on May 19, 1888 and married Marvin McKnight and their children were Tessibell, Rodney, and Maridel. After Marvin’s death, he married Cora Godwin Cothren and Josephine was born. The family always enjoyed his imaginative stories.

Sarah (known as Katy) Pillow born March 07, 1891 married Will Hogue and their children were Ellis, Horace, Opal, and O.B. Eulalia died as an infant, and Will Hogue died of typhoid fever in 1918. A year later, the baby boy, O.B. died due to diarrhea. Katy and her three remaining children lived with relatives or near them. The boys started farming at a young age. Ten years later, she married Will Butler, and two sons, Clyde and Darrell were born. Katy cooked in a tent at Kilgore during the oil boom.

Roy Ray Pillow was born on April 17, 1893 and married Belle Brown and their children were Hope, Ray, and Margaret (known as Marge). Roy and Belle died in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Homer Lincoln Pillow was born January 27, 1898 married Addie Barrington and their children were Virginia Lee, Betty Jo, and David Kenneth. They were located in the Texarkana, Texas area.

Effie F. Pillow born December 15,1900 married Phay Philpott and lived most of her adult life in the Cass Community. Their children were Eunice Verde, Earnest Gloyd, W. D. (Dub), Mildred Marie, and Margie Mozelle. Phay was successful in the timber business in this area until his death in 1945. In later years Effie married Dee Williams.

Evnard Holtzclaw Pillow was born March 24,1903 married Thelma Louise Lundy and their children were Joyce Marie, Alice Faye, Retha Josephine, Charles Edward, Ransome Aaron, air3 Judy Thelma. The family grew up in the Sweetwater, Texas area.

Many descendants of Ransome and Josephine, who arrived in Cass County shortly after the turn of the century, still live in the area.