Typed By: Jan Shelfer

ROBERT DUDLEY FORBES

Surnames: FORBES, SCOGIN, HOLLINGSWORTH, LONG, SNEAD, SHAW, STEGALL

Robert Dudley Forbes, born February 20, 1875 at Stranger, Falls County, Texas, died July 6, 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts and buried in Stranger Cemetery, was son of Dr. Lycurgus Dudley and Sarah (Sallie Scogin-Hollingsworth) Forbes. Robert's grandfather, Dr. Robert C. Forbes, had settled in the part of Limestone County which became Falls County in early 1850 with his wife Elzira (Long) Forbes and their two children, Lycurgus Dudley and Nancy Exar Forbes.

Robert was the third of six children and the eldest son. The other children were Nannie, Elizabeth, Carrie, Walton and Edwin. Robert was only twelve when his father died so he grew up helping his mother and the tenants manage the family farm. Robert attended the Liberty Baptist Church, the Union Academy Schools at Stranger and Baylor University.

On October 27, 1901 Robert was married to Jessie Snead, b. 1874 in Pineville, Alabama, died February 2, 1955 and buried in Stranger Cemetery. She was the daughter of Charles Henry Dudley and Frances Eugene (Shaw) Snead. She had four brothers. They were Dr. Walter Snead, Dr. Junius Charlesworth Snead, John Snead and Albert H. Snead. Albert lived in Marlin, Walter in Houston and the other brothers moved to California and Oregon.

After the death of Jessie's mother in 1896 she left Alabama and came to Texas to live with an uncle, Dr. John C. Shaw who at that time was living in Stranger where he practiced medicine.

When the estate of Dr. Lycurgus D. Forbes was settled, Robert bought out his siblings who had married and moved away.

After Robert died, his widow, Jessie (Snead) Forbes operated the farm and educated her three daughters. She had been a teacher before her marriage and was a very independent, industrious woman. The daughters studied music and earned their degrees in the field of Education at Baylor University. Jessie worked in the Baptist Church, served as the only female school trustee and was active in all community affairs. Many of the Stranger teachers enjoyed the convenience of boarding in her home during the school terms. She continued to manage the family farm, later leasing it. After her children had left home, Jessie sold the 640 acre Big Creek bottom tract, retaining the land near her home.

Robert and Jessie were the parents of four children: Robert Charlesworth Forbes, born 1902, died 1903, buried at Stranger, Frances Forbes, born June 28, 1904 at Stranger. She began her teaching career as a teacher and principal of the Stranger School in 1926, later teaching in several different locations throughout Texas. When a vacancy occurred at Stranger in January, 1941 Frances returned home to be near her mother and again taught at Stranger until the school was consolidated with the Marlin Independent School District where she taught in the Elementary School until her retirement. She was "drafted" to teach in the private school at St. John's Episcopal Church, and in 1986 is continuing to teach. Frances earned her Master's Degree from Baylor University, is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Baptist Church, and Learners Study Club. She continues to live at Stranger in the home built by her grandparents.

Mildred Forbes, born June 11, 1908 at Stranger, taught school for four years, during which time she met and married Glynn Stegall, of Graham, Texas in 1933. When Glynn became Executive Assistant to Congressman W. D. McFarlane of the Tenth Congressional District of Texas, they moved to Washington, D.C., where both Glynn and Mildred worked in his office until his retirement. Later they both worked for Senator Morris Sheppard and after his death for Lyndon Johnson, each working for him for twenty years. Their careers progressed as Johnson's career advanced as Senator, Vice President and then President. However, Glynn died in 1963 just two months before Johnson was sworn in as president. Mildred continued to work for him and returned to Texas with him in 1969 and now resides in Austin, Texas. She continues to be part of Lady Bird Johnson's staff.

Roberta Forbes, born January 8, 1912 at Stranger, was a Baylor Graduate, a talented pianist, and taught school. She began her career in the Cedar Springs School in Falls County and did secretarial work in Washington during summer vacations. Later she was employed by the Waco Independent School District and then in the Dallas Independent School District until her retirement. She received her Master's Degree from Southern Methodist University while teaching in Dallas where she still resides.

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing these bio of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County," compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 159, column 2.