FIRST President and Manager of the Mexia Water, Light and Ice Company - Mexia, TX - First of its Kind on Waymarking.com

John R. Corley
Mar. 24, 1854
Feb. 3, 1939

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The plaque provides a nice little biography, and it reads:

John Roberts Corley
1854-1939

Born March 24, 1854, in Monroe County Alabama, John R. Corley came to Mexia in 1876. He was a building contractor and established a furniture and funeral business when the town was three years old. He served as president of the first school board of which he was a member for 25 years. He organized and became the first president and manager of the Mexia Water, Light and Ice Company and was a past mayor of Mexia.

He was married October 18, 1887, in Dallas to Elizabeth Z. Record, member of a pioneer Dallas family. Her father was George W. Record for whom Record Crossing in Dallas was named. She died July 15, 1961 at the age of 98 years.

When Mr. Corley arrived in Mexia the town had only a livery stable, blacksmith shop, a union church and lodge hall, a few grocery stores. several saloons, and lots of cowboys.

Shortly after his arrival, he erected a home for General Enrique Mexia on South Belknap St. which was destroyed by fire. Later he built the old Farmers State Bank Building, 105 N. Sherman, the Commercial Hotel, 100 W. Commerce and an addition to the Westminster College Main Building in Tehaucana. [sic]

He was known as an outstanding citizen, church, business and civic leader and he believed in his family in his fellowman, and his God.

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