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Note: His daughter said he was born near the old Rancho community,which was also the post office for the Magees, near Nixon. Grewup in Gonzales County. In 1910 census, in Gonzales Co., he was abank cashier. In 1907, when his first son was born, he lived ona farm 6 miles N.E. of Smiley and was "farmer-merchant-banker."He was a merchant in a store in 1914 when his youngest son wasborn in Smiley. "Anthony Wayne and Jesse just about owned the small town ofSmiley," Merrill wrote. "Farms, general mechandise store, bank,picture show, and a gin.""Jesse Pouncey was editor of the Alpine Avalanche weekly for Idon't know how long, but I don't think long. They had a ranch,but I don't think it had very much."--Merrill.In 1930 was a seller of real estate (in Alpine)."Following the resignation of T.A. Beard as secretary of the[Alpine] Chamber [of Commerce], J.M. (Jess) Pouncey, who hadpreviously served in the position, held the post for some threeor more years. Then in early January of 1924..., SecretaryPouncey resigned..."--"Mirages, Mysteries and Reality: BrewsterCounty, Texas, the Big Bend of the Rio Grande," by Clifford B.Casey.Went to Kerrville about 1915 because his wife needed hospitaltreatment, daughter Merrill said. In 1918, he moved his familyfrom Kerrville to Brewster County, Texas. Between 1918 and 1930,he bought 12 sections of land in and around Alpine. He boughtland in Alpine on 11/27/1917, bought and sold land in Alpine in1924, and bought an oil and gas mining lease from Clayton W.Williams in 1928. His parents also moved to Alpine then and diedthere, both in 1919. On 31 Jan 1918, enlisted in the Ranger Force of Texas for aperiod of 2 years. He was 38 years, 2 months old, 5 foot 10 1/2inches, dark complexion, gray eyes, dark hair, occupationstockman. Previous service: deputy sheriff for 12 years. Wasliving in Kerrville "for the immediate present. Ranch at Alpine,Tex., which is my home and where will be permanently."Sheriff wrote that "Mr. Pouncey...makes us a valuable officer onthe border. His ranch is near the Rio Grande..."On 12 Sep 1918 in Alpine, he filled out his WWII draftregistration card, listing his occupation as ranchman; otherdetails: height medium, build stout, eyes blue, hair black;physical disability? "left eye." 1920 census, Alpine, Brewster Co., Texas, age 40, rancher, stockranch, owned home, with Irma, 37, Merrill, 14, Truman, 12, andTemple, 5.The History of Brewster County records that Jess served twothree-year terms as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, thesecond one from 1921 to 1924.Daughter Merrill said she thinks working in the Rainbow Mines("quicksilver"--mercury) "helped ruin his health. He lost somuch weight.""We lived on the hill at the foot of Sul Ross College. They tookthe junior and senior classes out of high school and put us inthe college so they would have enough students available to stayopen. That was 1920, fall."1930 census, same place, age 50, salesman of real estate,married since age 23 to Sarah I., 48 (married since age 21), andTemple C., 15.Grand Master of Texas, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 1926-27(tombstone). Buried near front gate of IOOF cemetery. Alsosecretary of the San Antonio lodge, sescretary of the Board ofTrustees of the State Grand Lodge, member of the GrandEncampment, and lieutenant colonel, Department CouincilPatriarch Militant.Said Merrill, "Jesse Pouncey was one of those people whosepresence all his life was important--whether it was a wake or a"drunken brawl" or marriage or death (he was asked to close theeyes). He certainly was a joy to have around; all of us childrenadoredhim, and he was always story telling us. Anthony Wayne andJesse just about owned the small town of Smiley--farms, generalmerchandise store, bank, picture shows (first one)--oh, yes,they owned a gin. We had a first car, a Reo, and dad could takeit apart and put it all together. The car had acetylenelights--and we had them in the house; really something in thosedays. I remember the white stuff that came from the acetylene."Jesse wanted to be a lawyer or doctor, but Artilla couldn'tbear to have him away--he went to business school in SanAntonio."We had 10 acres in Smiley, two homes, one on either side of alane where we lived. My earliest memories were a small houseacross from the gin--we weren't supposed to go there. When I wasolder, 5 or 6, we shared this 10 acres with the grandparents whomoved into town when the new homes were built. "Newspaper notices:3/28/1918, He and family of Kerrville moved to Alpine, wherethey expect to make their home.9/12/1918, was a livestock sanitary engineer, returned frombusiness trip on the Rio Grande.9/26/1918, Went to Del Rio to inspect some livestock.5/22/1919, 2-4-1927, Went to Dallas and other North Texas citiesas grand master 100 of Texas.11/6/1924, Sold red house on Cottage Avenue to Dr. F.K. Turney.3/18/1927, Appointed deputy game commissioner for the westerndistrict of Texas.9/18/1931, He and family left Wednesday morning for San Antonio,where they plan to make their future home. "Many friends willregret that they have moved away."San Antonio city directory 1931-32: Pouncey Jesse M (Irma) h 645Kayton Av (same address for son Temple).The San Antonio Light reported that he dropped dead in hisoffice at the Crockett Hotel, behind the Alamo, at 9 a.m. on aTuesday while talking with his wife. The Express-News reportedthe next day that he died of a heart attack and that his son,Temple, dropped in to the office after he was stricken andbefore he died.His son, Truman, said Jesse had a very large beer belly fromdrinking Tedford's Black Draught. It does not show in picturestaken in the 1930s.Obituary notice in Alpine said "He was engaged in ranchingbusiness and with Ed Dodson in publication of the IndustrialNews here. Prominent in fraternal work, grand master of the OddFellows. Secretary of the Odd Fellows Lodge in San Antonio forthe past few years."
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