Oliver Hazard Pegues

b. 27 November 1847, d. 30 March 1937
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues was born on 27 November 1847 in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi.
  • Oliver Hazard Perry Pegues and Nancy Adeline Purcell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Marshall County, Mississippi. Other members of the household included Oliver Hazard Pegues, Alexander M. Pegues, Thomas Henry Pegues, Philip Alston Pegues, John G. Pegues, Eugenia Pegues, Ann Eliza Pegues, Massilon Pittman Pegues, Mary Jane Pegues and William W. Pegues. Also in the household was overseer Elbert P. Hoshall. Children were enumerated out of age order; son James is not included in the household, and apparently son John G. and daughter Eugenia were consolidated into male "Gordentia W."
  • Oliver Hazard Perry Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Cotton Plant PO, Rusk County, Texas. Other members of the household included Oliver Hazard Pegues, James Alston Pegues, John G. Pegues, Eugenia Pegues, Ann Eliza Pegues, Massilon Pittman Pegues, Mary Jane Pegues, Benjamin F. Pegues, Albert G. Pegues and Libbie T. Pegues. Also in the household was Sibbie/Libbie Pegues (age 20), born in Texas, whose origins are not yet known.
  • The first Longview postmaster, appointed by President U. S. Grant, was 23-year-old Oliver Hazard Pegues, Jr. He came from a prominent pioneer family of Peatown on the opposite side of the Sabine River.
  • He married Henrie S. Dyer, daughter of Dickson Henry Dyer and Sophronia Godley, on 13 December 1870 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and Henrie's sister Dannie married Oliver's brother Ben.
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues and Henrie S. Dyer appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Gregg County, Texas. Other members of the household included Cora Henrie Pegues, Claude Wynne Pegues and Eugene Stacy Pegues. Also in the household was nephew Jodie Dixon (age 12.)
  • He was County Treasurer, according to the 1880 census.
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues became a widower at the 1887 death of his wife Henrie S. Dyer.
  • He married Emma Overton on 7 May 1890 in Gregg County, Texas.
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues and Emma Overton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Longview, Gregg County, Texas, at South High Street. Other members of the household included Olive Hortense Pegues, Ione Perry Pegues, Varina Overton Pegues, Mary Allise Pegues and Albert B. Pegues. Also in the household was one female domestic servant.
  • He was County Treasurer, according to the 1900 census.
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues became a widower at the 10 November 1929 death of his wife Emma Overton.
  • The following appeared on 28 June 1935 in The Dallas Morning News: Oliver Pegues of Jacksonville, formerly of Longview, is visiting in Dallas with his daughters, Mrs. Gus Neilon, 3116 St. John's drive, and Mrs. Robert Coleman, 5908 Swiss.
  • Oliver Hazard Pegues died on 30 March 1937 at age 89 in Cherokee County, Texas.
  • He was interred at Grace Hill Cemetery, Longview, Gregg County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 29 May 1977 in The Gladewater Mirror: Mrs. Paul Belding, chairman of the Gregg County Historical Commission, announced a dedication ceremony at the grave site of Oliver H. Pegues, formerly of Longview. The ceremony was held Friday afternoon at Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview.
         The marker was sponsored by Mr. Pegues' grandson, Howard Bramlette of Nashville, Tenn. who was present and gave a biographical sketch of his grandfather.
         Pegues came to Texas with his parents from his native Mississippi in 1850. He moved to ongview in 1871 and became the town's first postmaster, Jan. 27, 1871. He served as Gregg County treasurer 1875-1900; was a merchant and banker and early leader of the First Baptist Church.
  • Historical Marker at Grace Hill Cemetery (Tyler Street & US-80): Oliver H. Pegues (November 27, 1847 - March 30, 1937). Descendant of a Huguenot family who migrated to America in 1736, Oliver H. Pegues came to Texas with his parents from his native Mississippi in 1850. He moved to Longview in 1871 and became the town's first Postmaster, Jan. 27, 1871. Pegues served as Gregg County Treasurer, 1875-1900. A merchant and banker, he was an early leader of the First Baptist Church. He was married first to Henrie Dyer (d.1887) and later to Emma Overton (1856-1929), and had 8 children. (Texas Historical Commission, 1976.)
  • Last Edited: 14 Feb 2015

Family 1: Henrie S. Dyer b. 2 December 1851, d. 28 October 1888

Family 2: Emma Overton b. 7 May 1856, d. 10 November 1929