Alvin Asbon James

My maternal grandfather is Alvin Asbon James. He was born 28 December, 1910 in Mead, Bryan County, Oklahoma to his father, Emerson Lee James (who was a full-blooded Chickasaw American Indian) and Annie Gaines Mitchell (who was white). Although Alvin was the 6th child of his parents, he was the first child to live to adulthood. There was only one living child when he was born (Eller Mae James), and she died when Alvin was 10 years old. Four additional children were born after him, and his parents also took in another child and raised her as their own.

Alvin married my grandmother, Texoma Pauline Rains (also called "Oma"), on 11 November, 1928 in Altus, Jackson County, Oklahoma. Then, they lived next door to his parents in Brown Township, Bryan County, Oklahoma (see 1930 Census below).

Here is a photo of Alvin with his wife and 6 of his children. I do not know of any other photos of him, so if anyone has another one, please email me (bsteimle@mwi.com)! This photo was taken not too long before Alvin's death. (The date on the photo is incorrect since Alvin died prior to the date on the photo.)

Alvin Asbon James and wife, Texoma Pauline Rains

Alvin died at the age of 48 as a result of a tragic farming accident (covered in the newspaper clippings below). He died in Lamesa, Dawson County, Texas on 11 April, 1959. He is buried in

Sources (click to open a larger file and save it to your computer):

1930 Census, Alvin and Oma living next to his parents

Alvin's Death Certificate

Alvin's Tombstone--Ackerly Cemetery, TX