Julia Lee Wren

b. 11 March 1884, d. 9 September 1950
  • Julia Lee Wren was born on 11 March 1884 in Galveston, Texas.
  • Powhatan Sampson Wren and Martha Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Galveston, Texas, at 2306 Avenue J living in some sort of boarding house with Claude & Frances Cochran.. Other members of the household included Julia Lee Wren, Powhatan Sampson Wren Jr., Lucie Caroline Wren and Francis Jefferson Wren.
  • The following appeared on 25 July 1908 in the Galveston Daily News: Miss Julia Lee Wren is in Houston visiting her cousin, Miss Evelyn Campbell, daughter of Mrs. Douglas Campbell.
  • Martha Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Galveston, Texas, at 242? Avenue J. Other members of the household included Julia Lee Wren.
  • The following appeared on 5 July 1910 in the Galveston Daily News: Misses Julia Wren and Ann Kauffman have returned from a most enjoyable visit in Fort Worth and Waco. At the former city they were entertained by Mrs. Kleber Lee and Mrs. Bryan Goree, and at the latter by Judge Prendergast and Mrs. Joseph Wren.
  • The following appeared on 5 July 1910 in The Galveston Daily News: Miss Julia Wren and Ann KauffmanMrs. Kleber LeeMrs. Bryan GoreeJudge PrendergastMrs. Joseph Wren.
  • The following appeared on 22 February 1915 in The Dallas Morning News: (Austin) Miss Jean Campbell is the guest of her cousin, Miss Julia Wren, in Galveston.
  • Martha Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Galveston, Texas, at 242 Avenue I. Other members of the household included Julia Lee Wren, Ann Clarke Williams. Also in the household were six boarders.
  • Martha Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at 1932 Sixth Avenue. Other members of the household included Julia Lee Wren, Joseph Goree Wren and Joseph Goree Wren Jr.
  • The following appeared on 16 December 1932 in The Galveston Daily News: Funeral services for Mrs. Mattie C. Wren, a former resident of Galveston who died Wednesday at her home in Fort Worth, will be held this morning on the arrival of the train at 9:35 o'clock. The funeral cortege will move direct from the Union Station to the Episcopal Cemetery, where services will be held. Rev. E. H. Gibson will officiate.
         Active pallbearers will be: F. French, A. T. Barclay, A. L. Crow, E. C. Northen, B. Harris, Dr. E. E. Larkins, Robert Campbell, Dr. George Lee, George Ewalt and G. H. Wilder.
         Mrs. Wren is survived by two daughters, Mrs. B. K. Goree and Miss Julia Wren; three sons, P. S. Wren and Frank Wren of Fort Worth and Clark Wren of Washinton, D. C., and several grandchildren.
         Mrs. Wren lived in Galveston for a long number of years prior to her removal to Fort Worth.
  • The following appeared on 6 February 1948 in The Galveston Daily News: P. S. Wren Jr., 68, member of a pioneer Galveston family, died at his residence in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday. He was born here Feb. 13, 1879, and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Wren Sr.
         Survivors include: One sister, Miss Julia Wren, Lake Charles, La., and one brother, Frank W. Wren, of Fort Worth.
         The body will be returned here Saturday at 8:55 a. m., and graveside services will be held immediately after arrival by Rev. E. H. Gibson of Trinity Episcopal Church.
         Burial will be in Episcopal Cemetery under direction of J. Levy & Bro. funeral home.
  • Julia Lee Wren died on 9 September 1950 at age 66 in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, at 912 Division Street at her residence.
  • She was interred at Trinity Episcopal Cemetery, Galveston, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 10 September 1950 in the Lake Charles American Press: Miss Julia Lee Wren, a resident of Lake Charles for a quarter of a century and known throughout the nation for her humanitarian work, died suddenly at 10 a.m. yesterday at her home, 912 Dividson street.
         Miss Wren's death was unexpected although she had been in failing health for a number of years. She was 66 years of age.
         Born in Galveston, Texas, on March 11, 1884, she came to Lake Charles to live in 1925 after visiting here periodically in the home of her cousin, Mrs. H. D. Ponton, since 1918.
         In succeeding years she drew national recognition as "A big little American" -- in the words of Morton Downey, noted radio singer who paid tribute to her on a national network program in 1947.
         Active in church and civic affairs, Miss Wren was particularly identified with the local United Services Organization here during World War II.
         Her untiring efforts as a volunteer worker at the USO throughout the war years won not only the regard of Lake Charles folks but the appreciation of thousands of servicemen who passed the portals of the local USO and came to know "Miss Julie."
         In connection with her USO work she received national recognition in Pic magazine in 1944.
         She was an active worker in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and an honorary member of the Quota club which bestowed that honor on her for her work in the interest of Boys Village.
         The body is at the Hixon funeral home. Local services in charge of the Rev. Iveson B. Noland, Episcopal rector, will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Episcopal church.
         Burial will be in Galveston.
         Miss Wren is survived by one brother, Frank J. Wren of Fort Worth, Texas; a cousin, Mrs. Ponton; two nephews, Langston W. Goree of Vanderbilt university, Joe G. Wren of Chicago, and one niece, Mrs. Tom Maloney of Alva, Okla.
  • The following appeared on 11 September 1950 in The Galveston News: Miss Julia Wren, daughter of the late P. S. Wren Sr. and Mrs. Martha Campbell Wren, pioneer Galveston residents, died at her home in Lake Charles, La., Saturday. Last rites will be held at 11:30 a. M. Monday at the Episcopal Cemetery here with Rev. Edmund H. Gibson officiating. J. Levy & Bro. funeral home is in charge of arrangements. She is survived by a brother, Frank C. Wrenn, of Fort Worth.
  • Last Edited: 20 Jun 2013