Historical Marker
Joseph Thomas La Rue_Stella E. Parsons La Rue
Historical marker location:
400 S. Prairieville St., Athens, Texas
( Athens Cemetery, Plot 927 Sec. D)
Marker installed: 1970
JOSEPH THOMAS LA RUE (Nov. 18, 1864 - Feb. 13, 1930) Alderman on Athens' first city council (1901). La Rue (town 13 mi. SE) was named for him.
Educator, merchant, civic leader, banker, humanitarian, prohibitionist, democrat, historian. Married March 16, 1892, Stella Elvira Parsons. They had seven children.
STELLA E. PARSONS LA RUE (Feb. 16, 1874 - Dec. 7, 1949) Known as first white child born in Terrell; Daughter of Confederate Army surgeon, Dr. Homer Lee Parsons, M.D. (Yale University), and wife, Margaret C.R.R. Parsons. In role of wife and mother, 'Mammy La Rue' was beloved of family and community.
Recorded - 1970.