| Biography* | | A daughter-in-law, Mrs. J. M. (Zetha M. Estein) Baucom wrote the following entry (F76) which appeared in Bosque County: Land and People published by the Bosque County Historical Commission: BAUCOM, RUFUS ISAAC Rufus Isaac Baucom (1867-1945) was born to John Moses Baucom (1833-1917) and Luci Jane Culpepper (1835-1919) in 1867 in Perry County, Tennessee. In the middle 1880's, he moved with his family to an area called Sweet Home, Texas, near Shiner in Lavaca County, Texas. During his early years he farmed in Lavaca County and in 1889 [read 1899 per Lavaca Co., TX marriage records], married Mary Leah Culpepper [(1873-1957) daughter of William R. Culpepper] (1829-1906) and Julia Ann Haynes (1835-1911). [Lavaca Co., TX marriage records and cemetery records show that Rufus Isaac Baucom had previously married Blanche Culpepper in 1891. She died a year later possibly as a result of complications of childbirth since a few days before she died she had given birth to a daughter who was born and died on the same day.] Later, the family moved to Coleman County where they farmed and ranched for a few years. In a couple of years following this move, the family settled one mile north of Walnut Springs, Texas. As was the custom during this era, with each move they also had Mrs. Baucom's parents and an old maid sister, Mattie Culpepper, to look after and care for. [In fact, Mattie would have been twenty years old when her older sister, Mary Leah, married Rufus Isaac Baucom. Their father, William R. Culpepper, died in 1906 and their mother, Julia Ann (Haynes) Culpepper, died in 1911. According to Dr. Charles Lee Culpepper, Sr.'s records, Mattie Culpepper married J. G. Grant. Apparently a sister of Rufus Isaac Baucom was also living in the household.] Following his sister's death in 1909, Rufus Isaac Baucom and his wife, Mary Leah later purchased a farm one and a half miles west of Walnut Springs, in 1911, which is still today called the "Old Baucom Homeplace." For the last twenty-eight years, the farm has been owned and operated by his son, John Moses Baucom and wife, Zetha M. Estein Baucom. Of this marriage were born the following children: Bonnie Faye Baucom Mounce (1900-1973); Susie Lee Baucom Mounce (1904-); Josephine Baucom (1907-1929); John Moses Baucom (19O9-); Mattie Bernice Baucom Cousin (1912-); Rufus Eugene Baucom (1916-). Rufus Isaac Baucom was a true farmer having raised his family solely on the fruits of the land. The children became acutely aware of this fact when the local bank was forced to close, having been declared insolvent and unable to liquidate its assets to satisfy the demand for depositor's cash and savings. Despite having lost what little money the family had on deposit in the bank, Mr. Baucom never lost sight of the basic values of faith, sound morals and principles by which the family lived. Through his determination and dedication to provide for the family's welfare, he sold homemade butter, honey by the quart and half gallon, eggs and raised a large garden to provide needed vegetables for a large family. Relying partially on the farm and the help of neighbors, he was able to support his family and see each of his children graduate from Walnut Springs High School. Beginning in 1910 and for several years thereafter, he served as a trustee on the Walnut Springs Public School District. While serving on the Board of Trustees, he recalled occasions when he would interview prospective teachers seeking employment. In each instance, Mr. Baucom would always ask the applicant if they were a Christian and if they would attend church on a regular basis. Mr. Baucom's philosophy was simple, yet complex. His legacy has been passed down to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and hopefully is still being practiced today. He firmly believed that each individual should pursue only the highest level of principles and moral values in their daily lives. Through hard work and determination, despite life's obstacles, each individual had an equal opportunity to succeed in life. |