Alvin Kouns O'Pry

Alvin Kouns O'Pry was born August 7, 1885 in New Orleans, the son of Isabelle Kouns and James T. O'Pry. He spent his early years in New Orleans. In the early 1900's, Alvin moved to Gulfport, Mississippi and worked in an abstract and title company. In November 1905 he married Nellie Maude Hearn of Madison, Mississippi. There were four children born. Alvin Jr., Martha, Hardy, and Maude.

Some years later they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where he worked for the Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad. His health failed while working in Shreveport. A cousin of his had married into the Slaughter family and through this connection he was sent to the high dry climate of West Texas.

He was brought to Cochran County on a stretcher and put in a line shack west of Morton. His health improved and he began working for the Slaughter spread. The job given him was checker at round-up time. A few years later he became postmaster at Lehman, a job he held until the Post Office closed in the 1940's. After the closing of the Post Office, he moved to Morton and became City Judge.

The family he left in Louisiana refused to come to West Texas so he got a divorce in October 1929 and married Lela Yeary in December 1930. They lived in Lehman for many years. While they were living in Lehman, a grandson, Lamar Yeary, came to live with them and attend Lehman School. Lamar was the orphan of Calaway Yeary.

Alvin was a Mason and a very dedicated member. He would walk the 10 miles into Morton to attend the meetings. After the meeting if no one was able to take him home, he would walk back to Lehman.

Alvin was a charter member of the First United Methodist Church in 1924.

Alvin died in August 1957 and Lela died in September 1960.

Submitted by Robert Yeary