Jonah Historical Marker History - Texas - Est. 1857

Population: 60 (1990)

Methodist Church and Percy’s Store (L to R), the 1920s. The store burned down later. The community is known for the Jonah Water Special Utility District, established in 1972, which serves a large rural area.

Courtesy of Harlan Hays

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To inquire about the use or purchase of any of these photographs please contact the museum at (512) 943-1670.
Group of Confederate Veterans, Jonah, Texas , ca. 1898
Sigurd E. Johnson plowing with John Deere tractor, NE of Jonah, Texas ca. 1940.
Rod and Sigurd Johnson, far right, with tractor and [cane] hay binder with cousins, near Jonah, Texas, ca.1951
Rod and Sigurd Johnson, far right, with tractor and [cane] hay binder with cousins, near Jonah, Texas, ca.1951
Hutto Swedish Lutheran Church Sunday School Imagenic on San Gabriel River, just east of Jonah, Texas, on Gattis Gravel Bar, ca. 1944. Larry Rydell [second from left] and Rodney Johnson [third from left]
Swedish Immigrants and Kids on Cotton Bale , Jonah, Texas, ca.1920s
Anna Louise Trowbridge Talbot, wife of R.E. Talbot. She came to the area in 1853 and lived between Circleville and Jonah. Came to the area in 1853. Her husband was the brother of Joseph Talbot of Taylor, Texas and brother of Elias Talbot, merchant in Georgetown, Texas. Who was a friend of Sam Houston, ca.1854
Original Jonah School & Play Yard, ca.1915
Service Station and Garage, built by Homer Hood, ca. 1925, Jonah, Texas
Builders of dam for mill near Jonah, Texas, ca 1895, for water wheel to power grinding wheat for flour mill.
Water dam to power flour mill on hill, burned ca. 1902 or 1903, San Gabriel River, Jonah, Texas
Cotton Wagon on Jonah Bridge over San Gabriel River, bridge washed away in 1921 flood, Jonah , Texas.
Percy's Store & Methodist Church, Jonah, Texas ca. 1910s
Jonah Town Building , Jonah, Texas, ca. 1910s
Jonah Man with dogs on Main Street, Jonah, Texas. ca. 1910s
Jonah Town Building , Jonah, Texas, ca. 1910s
Jonah Gin, Jonah, Texas, ca . 1920s
This is the original bridge over the San Gabriel river at Jonah, before it was washed away in the 1921 flood.
Richard E. Talbot, born in Cambridge, NY, 17 June 1816, of Irish immigrant parents. He came to Texas with his wife and children in 1850s to join brothers Elias and Joseph Talbot. Richard and Joseph Talbot are buried in the IOOF cemetery in Georgetown. Elias Talbot and family buried in the San Gabriel Cemetery. Richard Talbot settled near Jonah before it was named Jonah. See page 292 of "Williamson County, Its History"
Gustaf E. Johnson Family, Swedish Immigrants to WC in 1902, photo ca. 1917, l-r: Sigurd Johnson, Gustaf Johnson, Elvia Johnson, Irma Johnson, Hilma Johnson, Sven Johnson, Hildur Johnson. The family had a farm near Jonah, Texas
Carl Lidell & Son w/ Large Rattlesnake
Carl Lidell in Flight Training in 1945 , Carl was from Jonah, Texas
C.G. Wegstrom Family member on horse ca . 1920s
James Hood, from Jonah, Texas, during the retaking of the Philippine Islands in WWII, ca . 1944
Hot Rod T Model, Bill Bloom & Herbert Swenson, ca. 1920s

Community of Jonah Historical Marker

Marker Text:

On 1820s land grant to Nashville Colony, settled 1851 by wagon train from Arkansas, and called Water Valley. In 1884, repeated ill-luck in selecting an acceptable name for post office led to renaming the town Jonah. This was

site of famed grist mill, 1865 – 1912. (1970)

Jonah_Marker

250 Old Hwy 29 E

Map

View Google Map

GPS coordinates
30.639306, -97.543694

Address: 250 Old Hwy 29 E

Jonah History

Historical Narrative by Mrs. W. H

. Percy

Places, people, and events make history. Old abstracts afford

much interesting reading about people and the early days in Texas.

Texas and Coahuila were still under Mexican rule in 1829. Colonies were

being established, even encouraged.

Moses Austin and Stephen F

. Austin, and others founded colonies.

In 1824 James Warnock was granted a large tract of land. Quote: ''Whereas James Warnock has been received as a colonist in the enterprise of colonization. This

grant was a part of the Nashville Colony.

In 1851 James Madison Burris bought for $500 a large

part of the Nashville Grant. This land lies south of the San Gabriel River at Jonah and extends south and west.

Early colonists tried to choose locations near a stream of water, and the village was originally called ..Water Valley'', a good name and a good location.

The land was open prairie with timber

along the streams.

Early important settlers - James Madison and Nancy Burris had six children: William, James H., Mary, Ellie, Bettie, and Clarissa. Each child was given a section of land. James M. Burris is buried in the old family cemetery, just across the river, from Jonah. On his grave

is the following inscription:

James Madison Burris, Born November 25, 1815. Died July 1

, 1900.
Epitaph
''took here, friends as you pass by
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me, "

There are many descendants of James and Nancy Burris .

His great-granddaughter, Mrs. Fannie Gattis, and great-great-grandson

, Leon Gattis, live in Jonah at this time.

Another large tract of land belonged to J. T. and Penelope Mileham. This land was north of the San Gabriel River and along Mileham Branch. Along the branch are many springs that have furnished water in dry years. The Mileham's had a large family, and as each daughter married, they were given a dowry

of horse, mules, and cattle. One dowry consisted of thirty picked mares (colts were thrown in) for $44.00 each, and sixty-one head of cattle for $22.50 each.

Mary Mileham married J. B

. Salyer, and they lived in Jonah for many years.

Much of the land around Jonah was part of the Mileham tract. When Mr. Mileham died, his wife Penelope was appointed administrates. Appraisers for the estate were Thomas Bruce, Martin Magee, and J. R

. Roberts.

East of Jonah w . another large tract known as the Whitley land.

The

late Mrs. J. L. Starnes and Mrs. Bruce Rowlett were heirs to part of this estate.

As the years pass by, a few people lived between the San Gabriel and the Mileham Branch. There were no bridges, and transportation was by mule and

horse. There was a small, one-room schoolhouse, and some people say the first courthouse was in Jonah, near where the gin is now.

By 1884 some of the prairies lands were being put in cultivation, and some fences were built. People raised at home a large part of their food. Hogs were butchered for meat. Fireplaces provided

heat. Most families went to the woods to cut wood for winter use. There was probably more community spirit then than we have now.

In

1884 Mr. John Walker operated a general merchandise store in Jonah, still called 'Water Valley. Mrs. Will Thornton was the daughter of John Walker.

The general merchandise store in 1884 was similar to the first Sears, Roebuck Catalogue of 1897 , but of course on a very limited scale.

On Saturdays, the farmers came to buy the week's groceries, and since there was no need to rush, they would linger to discuss various community affairs. The .hoop cheese was on the counter, and the cracker box open, so a bite

of lunch was available. Flour, sugar, and green coffee came in barrels. People parched coffee at home. The coffee mill hung on the pantry walls.

On one of these occasions, the need for a post office was discussed. So they decided to send the name Water Valley for a name to the Postal Department in Washington. Since there was one other town named Water Valley, it

was not accepted. Other names were sent in, and all were rejected for the same reason. Finally, someone present exclaimed, "It surely is a Jonah" let's call the post office Jonah. So, Jonah, it has been and still Jonah since 1884.

Thanks to the general Services

Administration.

The following persons have served as postmasters at Jonah, Texas

John Walker

March 31, 1884
G . W. Grammor January 14, 1886
Sallie Davidson August 21, 1886
Abraham Bogart November 26, 1890
William G. McDonald June 3, 18535
John Rowlett February 23, 1909
William H. Percy May 14, 1917
Firie Leon Gattis August 11, 1951

By Mrs. W. H. Percy

Historic Jonah

History of "Grist Mill

Covered Wagon Caravan"
Jonah History submitted

J.T

. Mileham, along with the Ake family, moved to Takao from Arkansas in 1851. They came by covered wagon, driving stock, cows, oxen, and hogs, and brought their slaves. They landed in Jonah and Georgetown community.

J.T. Mileham married a Speegle girl on the trip. She died at the birth of

their first child; also, the baby died. J.T. Mileham then married Phenelope Ake.

The Grist Mill was built by J.T. Mlileham on the San Gabriel River, near Water Valley

during the Civil War, 1865, and was in operation, grinding wheat and corn.

J.T. Mileham sold the Mill Rights to J.R. Roberts (whose wife was an Ake).

Roberts sold to Capt. Bruce (Confederate Army) and Will G. Mc Donald. Capt Bruce then sold his

share to Will G. Mc Donald. Will Mc Donald was Capt Bruce's son-in-law.

In later years, J.B. Salyer and Jim Hays owned the Mill when it burned in the summer of

1912.

The

tract of land was from the Mileham and Mc Donald place. The original Post Office is still there, the general merchandise store, the Old Blacksmith Shop. The iron bridge still stands and is usable. The Jonah Citizens are dedicated to their “Historic Jon. Community.

The three sponsors are

all Jonah descendants; their families were early pioneers, with exception of Mrs. W.H. Percy, who moved there in 1908.

Cemeteries