George Warren Lancaster & his Ancestors - March 12 for ‘26

George Warren Lancaster was born on 19 January 1893 in Erath County, Texas, to William Carlton Lancaster and Martha Jane “Doll” Coor.[1] His father was a farmer. He married Lela Ann Loveless on 15 December 1912 in Erath County by R. L. Smallwood, Minister of the Gospel.[2] Warren and Lela had four children: 

  • Pansy Louise (my grandmother) 
  • Rayburn Dinion “R.D.”
  • Carl
  • Elda Wayne. 
Carl lived only a few days. Lela died first, on 17 May 1951 in Stephenville, Erath County.[3] Warren married a second time to Maidee Estell Grimland in 1960.[4] Warren died on 8 November 1964 in Hico, Hamilton County, Texas.[5]

Previous research has involved using census records, vital records, newspapers, and deeds. When he is listed as Warren Lancaster, I know I have the correct man. However, when listed as G.W. Lancaster, am I looking at Warren or is it his grandfather, George Wilson Lancaster, who was also often listed as G.W. Lancaster? After 1919, when his grandfather died, it becomes easier.

Timeline of What I have Found
Warren and his parents have not been found in the 1900 census, but in 1910, he was seventeen and a laborer on the family farm. He had two younger brothers, Willie and Earl, and three younger sisters, Jodie, Maggie, and Pearl. Earl and Pearl were twins.[6] That same year, he attended school in Stephenville at John Tarleton.[7] Later, in June 1912, he arranged to attend school at Huckabay Academy the following term.[8]

In 1912, two men named G. W. Lancaster paid tax in Erath County on the horses, mules, cattle, and hogs Neither had land, so one could be Warren and the other his grandfather. However, it’s not possible to tell which is which.[9].

There are several newspaper articles about social activities of the Warren Lancaster family. They visited often the family of his wife, Lela Loveless.[10]

Warren registered for the draft June 1917 but was not drafted. He stated he had a wife and child who were dependent on him but did not claim an exemption. Warren was tall with a medium build. He had dark brown hair and eyes.[11]

Warren was a farmer on a rented general farm with his wife and daughter, in 1920. It was located somewhere along the Dublin Public Highway.[12]

Sometime before the 1930 census, they moved into Stephenville.[13] According to my grandmother, Warren taught himself how to repair automobiles and trucks, giving up farming and later working as an auto mechanic. This shows in 1940 when he worked at Reid Sis Co as a mechanic.[14] Their household in 1940 included his wife, his sons, R.D. and Wayne, his daughter, Pansy, her husband, Tom J Johnston, and daughter, Lela Nell Johnston, and his sister-in-law, Ida Hester (his wife’s sister).

In 1950, they lived at 888 West McNeill Street in Stephenville. Warren worked 48 hours a week as an auto mechanic on his own account. Lela was marked as unable to work.[15] By now, she was very sick.

This is all I have for George and Lela besides their obituaries. I will address the obituaries and complete a full-text search at FamilySearch and a search at the newspapers at the Portal For Texas History and Newspapers.com in the next segments.

[1] Erath County, Texas, Birth Register, v. 11, p. 250, George Warren Lancaster, 1893, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X479-1W6 : accessed 1 Mar 2026); IGN 004239747, image 24 of 917. Registered on 6 July 1942 by J.J. Mulloy, MD.

[2] Erath Co, Texas, Marriage Record, Book M, p. 278, G.W. Lancaster to Miss Lela Loveless, 1912, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9P3T-42H accessed 1 Mar 2026); IGN 004820399, image 141 of 404.

[3] "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1983324 : accessed 1 May 2026) > Texas. Death Certificates May 1951-June 1951 > image 1306 of 3465, #27274, Wichita Co, 1951, Lela Ann Lancaster; citing Texas Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.

[4] I do not have the marriage record. It was likely between 21 Jun 1959 when he signed a letter to his daughter, Pansy, as “Dad” and before 8 Jan 1961 when he signed a letter as “Dad & Maidee.”

[5] "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1983324 : 1 Mar 2026) > Texas. Death Certificates November 1964 > image 1869 of 3486, Hamilton Co, no. 70416, George Warren Lancaster, 1964; citing Texas Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics.

[6] 1910 U.S. census, Erath Co, Texas, pop. sched, Stephenville, ED 19, sheet 225, dwelling 225, family 225, William C. Lancaster.

[7] “Over the County, Harbin,” The Dublin Progress, 18 Nov 1910, p. 6, col. 2.

[8] “Over the County, Harbin,” The Dublin Progress, 12 Jun 1912, p. 3, col. 2.

[9] Erath Co, Texas, tax assessment, 1912, p. 100, nos. 28 and 32, G.W. Lancaster; Tarleton State University Library Archives, Stephenville.

[10] “Hickey,” The Dublin Progress, 13 Nov 1914, p. 7, col. 1.

[11] "U.S., WW I Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918," database and images, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6482 : accessed 28 Jul 2008), Erath Co, Texas, order no. 1012, classification no. 1168, George Warren Lancaster. For not being drafted, see “Classification Lists, 1917–1918,” Record Group 163, Records of the Selective Service System (World War I) 1917-1939, Creator: War Department, Office of the Provost Marshal General, Selective Service System, 1917-7/15/1919, ARC Identifier 578508,, Erath County, Texas, local board, 42-4-35-A, Geo W. Lancaster, serial no. 1168, order no. 1012; Atlanta National Archives, Morrow, GA, 30260, imaged by Linda Debe 15 Nov 2024.  

[12] 1920 U.S. census, Erath Co, Texas, pop. sched., Dublin Public Highway, ED 7, sht 3A, dwelling 44, family 45, Warren Lancaster.

[13] 1930 U.S. census, Erath Co, Texas, pop sched, Stephenville, ED 3, sheet 7b, dwelling 172, family 172, G. Warren Lancaster.

[14] Stephenville Directory, (Baldwin Con Survey Company, 1940), p. 132, G Warren Lancaster. Also, 1940 U.S. census, Erath Co, Texas, pop. sched., Stephenville, ward 2, ED 72-7, 4A, household 75, Warren Lancaster.

[15] 1950 U.S. census, Erath Co, Texas, pop. sched., Stephenville, ED 72-2, sht 21, lines 24-25, George W Lancaster & Lela A Lancaster.


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