texas women – Page 4 – Texas History Notebook

Mitzi Ann Lucas Riley and Her Rodeo Family

Mitzi Ann Lucas Riley passed away on August 29, 2023 in Fort Worth. Her interesting obituary told of her long career as a trick rider and rodeo performer. Mitzi had a remarkable rodeo heritage. She was born January 10, 1928 and was the daughter of rodeo cowboy James Edward “Buck” Lucas (1894 – 1960) and Barbara Inez “Tad” Barnes (1902 – 1990). Buck and Tad were well known in rodeo circles and were quite successful during the years that they were active.

Juliette Peak Fowler

Juliette Abbey Peak was born May 8, 1837 to Jefferson Peak, Sr. (1801 – 1885) and Martha Mavina Reser (1812 – 1900) in Warsaw, Kentucky. The children of this couple who lived beyond infancy were: Carroll Marion, William Wallace, Sarah Ann, Jefferson Jr., Juliette Abbey, Martha Helen (lived to age 13), Junius W., Worth, Florence, George Victor and Matthias L. The Peak family and their descendants were founding members of the first Christian Church in Dallas County. That early East Dallas congregation has relocated several times since then, but has ties to at least one congregation that continues today.

Willie Newbury Lewis

Willie Newbury Lewis was an author who became known for her work pertaining to the early days of Anglo settlement in North Texas and the Panhandle. Her biographical information has been recounted in numerous newspaper articles, which are the main sources for this brief sketch.

Margaret Owens

Margaret Elizabeth Owens was the oldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson Owens (1896 – 1967) and Mary Ella Bolt Owens (1894 – 1998). Margaret was born March 28, 1922 in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas. Margaret was joined by a sister, Lottie Jo “Sug” Owens (1926 – 2012), some four years later.

Anne W. Marion

Anne Burnett Windfohr Marion (1938 – 2020) was the last Burnett descendant to own the Four Sixes Ranch. Her mother was Anne Valiant Burnett Tandy. Her grandfather was Thomas Loyd Burnett, son of Samuel Burk Burnett and his first wife Ruth Bottom Loyd Burnett.