Texas Family Land Heritage Registry
1977, Volume 4
by Texas Dept. of Agriculture


Freestone County


Stubbs Ranch -1876 - Immediately north of Wortham
Founder:  John J. Stubbs of Mississippi
1977 Owner:  James Eugene Stubbs of Dallas

Farming and ranching opportunity drew John Stubbs to Texas in 1876 where he
began raising Hereford cattle on 100 acres.  Development of rail service in the
late 1800's enabled the area to grow and expand to become a viable farming and
ranching community.  Oil was discovered in the area in 1918 and participation
in the new industry allowed the founder to expand farming, ranching, and other
interests.  In the early 1900's, Stubbs founded the First National Bank of
Wortham, which has included a member of the family on its board since 1902.
Other business endeavors include a general mercantile business begun about
1915 and a hotel in 1920.  The founder was listed in "Who's Who in Texas" in
the early 1920's.  There were four children born to John Stubbs and his wife
Mary Ellen (Van Hook):  Van Hook, George D., Nell (Adams), and Minnie L.
(Hatch).

Van Hook took over 200 acres from his father in 1920, adding 300 additional
acres where he raised Hereford cattle and cotton.  In the mid-1920's, the owner
was instrumental in founding Wortham Refining Company on a portion of the ranch
to refine oil products and a staging area on the ranch for cattle shipments to
Fort Worth, Kansas City, and Chicago markets to service area ranchers.  In
addition to operating the ranch, he succeeded in operating many of the other
business activities of his father and served in various local and county
governmental capacities during the 1930's and 1940's.  Modene Tucker became his
wife and they had one son, the present owner.  As grandson of the founder,
James Eugene Stubbs acquired ownership of 500 family acres in 1972.  He has
since added 1,500 acres where Hereford cattle are still being raised.