Ruth Lovett Finch

b. 6 June 1881, d. 27 August 1961
  • Ruth Lovett Finch was born on 6 June 1881 in Winchester, Franklin County, Tennessee.
  • Her name was recorded as Ruth Afton according to some family researchers, but her marriage record and the 1930 census appear to provide solid evidence that her middle name was Lovett.
  • Mary Lee Abercrombie appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas. Other members of the household included Ruth Lovett Finch, Henry Abercrombie Finch, H. Donald Finch, Baxter C. Finch, Thomas C. Finch, Judith S. Finch, Amelia Ann Finch and Lavinia Afton Chilton.
  • Robert Scott Lovett and Lavinia Chilton Abercrombie appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, at 2019 Main Street. Other members of the household included Ruth Lovett Finch, Robert Abercrombie Lovett and Leonard Anderson Abercrombie. Also in the household were three domestic servants. Niece Ruth Finch also is enumerated with her parents in Huntsville.
  • She married Ralph Eskye Holland, son of Elisha Holland and Mary Craig Murdock, on 17 November 1909 in Walker County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 18 November 1909 in The Brownsville Daily Herald: (Huntsville, Texas, Nov. 18) In this city, on Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock, at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Mary A. Finch, was solemnized the marriage of Miss Ruth Lovett Finch to Mr. Ralph Eskye Hollland of Brownsville, Texas. The beautiful ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Elbert P. Poole of the Baptist Church.
         The Event is of unusual interest here as both parties by a residence of years are well known to the community. The young ladyis granddaughter of Col. and Mrs. L. A. Abercrombie, and this descent is a priceless legacy. No name in the history of this city has ever been more highly honored as standing for all the qualities that characterize the true gentlemen, the trusted citizen, the loyal patriot than the name of Col. L. A. Abercrombie.
         The young lady, besides her inheritance of gifts, has her own peculiar graces of mind and person. By training and by choice she is eminently suited to be the gracious presiding genius of a home. Mr. Holland is known and respected among us as a young man of education, energy and talent, and of much promise in his chosen profession of law, in which he has already attained rapid success.
          The wedding was private, there being present a few of the immediate relatives: Lieut. Henry A. Finch, Mr. F. B. Holland of Gainesville, Texas, Mr. Baxter Finch, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. Abercrombie of Houston, and Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Parker and Miss Zoe Blount also of Houston.
         Mr. and Mrs. Holland are expected to arrive in Brownsville tonight. They will go tomorrow to Santa Maria where they will spend a brief honeymoon at the plantation of C. E. Lewis.
         Mr. and Mrs. Holland will be at home in Borwnsville after December 10.
         [A similar article appeared in The Galveston Daily News on the 21st.]
  • Ralph Eskye Holland and Ruth Lovett Finch appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas.
  • Ralph Eskye Holland registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Cameron County, Texas, while living in Brownsville with his wife Ruth Finch Holland, self-employed there as an attorney.
  • Ralph Eskye Holland and Ruth Lovett Finch appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Cameron County, Texas. Other members of the household included Ralph Eskye Holland Jr., Henry Finch Holland and Mary Lee Abercrombie.
  • Ralph Eskye Holland and Ruth Lovett Finch appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Cameron County, Texas. Other members of the household included Baxter Finch Holland and Henry Finch Holland.
  • Ruth Lovett Finch became a widow at the 4 February 1938 death of her husband Ralph Eskye Holland.
  • The following appeared on 8 February 1938 in The Brownsville Herald: (Brownsville) Funeral services for R. E. Holland, 58, attorney who had resided here 30 years, were held Saturday at the Church of the Advent here, Rev. P. W. Hirst officiating. Burial was in Buena Vista cemetery.
         Mr. Holland died shortly after a heart attack Friday afternoon. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Henry, of San Antonio, and Baxter, of Brownsville.
         Born in Man[s]field, Texas, Dec. 20, 1878, he was educated at Baylor University and at the state teachers' college at Huntsville. He moved to Brownsville in 1907, and was admitted to the practice of law after studying in the law office of the late James V. Wells. He was a Mason, and a member of the Episcopal Church.
         Pallbearers included A. K. Black, Sam Bell, Capt. E. M. Dierlam, Fred Rusteberg Sr., I. Dorfman, James A. Browne, Alfred Putegnot, and A. Wayne Wood.
         Honorary pallbearers included Joe Canales, James Abney, R. A. Porter, W. J. Blackshear, R. O. Mackintosh, Milton West, Robert Holland, Floyd Holland and Clyde Holland, Oscar Dancy, R. C. McClus?land, Herbert Yates, Homer Fitch, Louis Brulay, Grover Wagner, and Robert Wagner.
  • Ruth Lovett Finch died on 27 August 1961 at age 80 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
  • She was interred at Putnam Cemetery, Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut.
  • The following appeared on 3 September 1961 in The Brownsville Herald: Word has been received of the death of Mrs. Ruth Finch Holland, recently at Greenwich, Conn.
         Mrs. Holland formerly lived in Brownsville. She was 80.
         Mrs. Holland's husband was the late Ralph E. Holland, a practicing [lawyer] in the Valley.
         Funeral services were held at Greenwich.
  • Last Edited: 1 Jun 2013

Family: Ralph Eskye Holland b. 20 December 1878, d. 4 February 1938