David Owen Fields1
b. 2 October 1867, d. 12 April 1893
| Father | James Fields1 b. 17 Mar 1820, d. 21 Aug 1896 |
| Mother | Susan Ellen Owen1 b. 27 Sep 1826, d. 21 Jun 1894 |
The following narrative was written and shared by Patricia (Craig) Johnson who has extensively researched the Fields family (contact information at end of report):
David Owen Fields (1867 - 1893) From the Terrell (Texas) Times-Star on Friday, April 14, 1893: "D.O. Fields, brother of Mrs. Oscar Price and J. C. Fields, died at the former's residence in this city at 11 o'clock Wednesday night of consumption. Deceased had been with his brother and sister nearly two months, having come here from Fields' Ranch in West Texas with the view of deriving benefit from the change of location. He gradually grew worse, however, from the time of his arrival in this city. Mr. Fields was a young man of splendid character and good business ability. The funeral services were held at the Church of the Good Shepherd and the remains interred in the city cemetery Thursday afternoon. Rev. W.S. Christian performing the funeral rites. TIMES-STAR extends its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved brother and sister." NOTE: David Owen Fields was the youngest child of James Fields and Susan (Owen) Fields of Abingdon, Washington Co, VA. James and Susan were the parents of eight children, all born in Abingdon. James Campbell Fields, Lavinia (Fields) Price of Terrell TX, and David Owen were three of the eight. The "Fields Ranch" at Sonora in Sutton County in West Texas was owned by Dr. John Davidson (J. D.) Fields of Manor TX (near Austin) Born in Abingdon VA, J. D. had come to Texas in 1866. He was the son of William Fields, brother of James Fields, David's father. The ranch was operated by J. D.'s son, William John Fields. William John, called "Will", was my husband's grandfather. In 1893, Will was still a bachelor and he or his father, no doubt, invited Will's ailing cousin (1st cousin, once removed) to come from Abingdon to the dry, healing air of West Texas. Or David may have already been working in Terrell with his brother when his health began to fail and the invitation was extended to him to come to Sonora. It is unlikely that David came from dry West Texas to Terrell to derive benefit from Terrell's humid climate in Kaufman County. The deriving benefit from the change of location referred to in the obituary may have meant the better care and living conditions to be had in Terrell. Either way, David had come some 1400 miles from Virginia and ended up in West Texas for that region's dry, healthful environment. As his condition grew worse, batching at the rather primitive quarters on the Fields Ranch became impossible for him. He needed to be looked after in Terrell by his sister, Lavinia, and brother, James, who could provide every care and comfort for him in his last days. Sonora is almost 400 miles southwest of Terrell. In 1893, Sonora was just four years old. It had no roads to anywhere. Horseback and wagons - or walking - were the only means of travel. The railroad nearest to Sonora was the Santa Fe line in San Angelo, 65 miles north. David had made this trip from Terrell originally when he was in a little better health and perhaps rode horseback to Sonora from San Angelo. On his return, in his weakened state, he had to travel at least three days by wagon over rocky hills and through rutted draws (dry creek beds) to reach the railhead. Then the train stopped at more than 30 small towns on its way to Terrell, east of Dallas. It must have taxed what little strength David had to make that journey. ***************** We live on the Fields Ranch Home Section, just three miles from the Lower Ranch, site of Will's bachelor headquarters and the short sojourn of David Owen Fields. Patricia Craig Johnson - wife of Alvis Johnson - 1 June 2001 Alvis JOHNSON, son of Thelma FIELDS Johnson Thelma FIELDS, daughter of W. J. (Will) FIELDS W. J. FIELDS, son of Dr. J. D. FIELDS Dr. J. D. FIELDS, son of William FIELDS William FIELDS, brother of James FIELDS James FIELDS, father of David Owen FIELDS. |
| Patricia Craig Johnson 8600 Skyline Dr. Box 1132, Dallas TX 75243 (email link in endnotes) |
Related Links and Images:
| When David left Virginia for Texas he lived in Sutton County and then Kaufman County, both of which can be located on the Texas map (also accessible via the Misc. Locations link in the menu bar at the top of any page). |
| Last Edited | 10 Dec 2013 |
Citations
- [S2439] Patricia Craig Johnson, "James Fields-Susan Ellen Owen" family group sheet, (e-mail address).