James Smither Abercrombie

b. 7 July 1891, d. 7 January 1975

James Smither Abercrombie, 1891-1975
  • James Smither Abercrombie was born on 7 July 1891 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
  • He was known as Jamie.
  • James Buford Abercrombie and Evelina Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included James Smither Abercrombie, William Adair Abercrombie, Ella A. Abercrombie, Bolling Anderson Abercrombie, Anne Mitchell Abercrombie, Robert Haden Abercrombie, Lavinia E. Abercrombie, John Leonard Abercrombie, Charles Milo Abercrombie and Cornelia Josephine Mitchell. James and son Bolling also were enumerated in Falls County at the prison. Josie Mitchell Wood also was enumerated with her husband in Montgomery County.
  • James Buford Abercrombie and Evelina Wood appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Harris County, Texas. Other members of the household included James Smither Abercrombie, Anne Mitchell Abercrombie, Robert Haden Abercrombie, Lavinia E. Abercrombie, John Leonard Abercrombie, Charles Milo Abercrombie, Joseph Rice Abercrombie and Bolling Anderson Abercrombie.
  • He was a laborer in the oil fields, according to the 1910 census.
  • The following appeared on 6 March 1912 in The Houston Chronicle: James Buford Abercrombie, aged 62 years, died at his home on Grantham avenue, three miles south of Houston, Tuesday afternoon. He is survived by his widow and nine children: W. A., Bolling A., J. S., Robert H., John L., Milo C., Joe W. and Misses Annie Mitchell and Vinnie E. Abercrombie.
         Mr. Abercrombie was a member of San Jacinto Lodge No. 7, A. F. and A. M., at Huntsville, Texas. The remains will be shipped by Settegast & Kopf Thursday morning at 7:15 o'clock to Huntsville for interment, accompanied by members of the family.
  • The following appeared on 1 January 1915 in The Galveston Daily News: (Houston Society News) Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Langham of Montrose entertained this evening at their home for their daughter, Miss Emily Langham, who is home for the holidays. Dancing formed the diversion for the evening. The personnel of the guests included Misses Mary Jane Startford, Adele Parsons, Annie Abercrombie, Ianthe Hill, Gladys Martin, Mildred Powell, Alice Drysdale, Byrde Echols of Seabrook, Mattie Lacy of Navasota, Christine Middleton, Elizabeth Rowe, Effie Skinner, Jane and Emily Langham; Messrs. James Abercrombie, John Montcure, Bradford White, Preston Northrup, Carl Calloway, Wood Langham.
  • James Smither Abercrombie registered for the draft on 5 June 1917 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, while living in Houston, and working there as an oil well driller for Rucker Production Company.
  • James Smither Abercrombie appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. Other members of the household included Anne Mitchell Abercrombie, Bolling Anderson Abercrombie, Charles Milo Abercrombie, Joseph Rice Abercrombie, Lavinia E. Abercrombie, James M. Calloway and Cornelia Josephine Mitchell.
  • He was a driller for an oil company, according to the 1920 census.
  • He married Lillie Frank, daughter of Julius Frank and Josephine Oppenheimer, on 6 May 1925.
  • James Smither Abercrombie and Lillie Frank arrived in the Port of New Orleans on 18 March 1926, aboard the SS Munamar, having departed Havana on the 16th.
  • James Smither Abercrombie and Lillie Frank appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at the Warwick Hotel apartments.
  • He was employed as president of an oil contractor business.
  • Various members of the Abercrombie family were listed in the 1937 Houston City Directory.
  • James Smither Abercrombie and Lillie Frank appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 2221 River Oaks Boulevard.
  • He was an oil producer at an oil refinery, according to the 1940 census.
  • Robert Haden Abercrombie registered for the draft on 27 April 1942 in Harris County, Texas, while living at 3402 Audubon Place in Houston, and employed there by his brother J. S. Abercrombie, Gulf Building. Contact: W. H. Skipwith, 2155 Chilton Road.
  • The following appeared on 6 March 1947 in The Dallas Morning News: (Houston, March 5) Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Abercrombie and daughter, Miss Josephine Abercrombie, have made a gift of $500,000 to Rice Institute for construction of a science-engineering building.
         Receipt of the gift was announced Wednesday by Harry C. Hanszen, chairman of the board of trustees of the school.
         Hanszen said architects are preparing plans for the building, and trustees are hopeful that construction can begin this spring.
         Construction already is under way on a $315,000 classroom building on the campus and work is expected to be started soon on a $1,250,000 library building, made possible through a gift of one million dollars from Mrs. W. W. Fondren last June.
  • James Smither Abercrombie died on 7 January 1975 at age 83 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 2221 River Oaks Boulevard at his residence.
  • His wife Lillie Frank became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Glenwood Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas.
  • For additional biographical information, see The Texas Handbook Online.
  • See also Cameron Iron Works, The Texas Handbook Online.
  • Biography: Mr. Jim: The Biography of James Smither Abercrombie. Patrick James Nicholson. Houston, London, Paris, Tokyo: Gulf Publishing Company, 1983.
  • Last Edited: 4 Apr 2016

Family: Lillie Frank b. 28 December 1890, d. 16 July 1975