Pennybacker-Campbell-Wommack House

 

On October 26, 1966, Louis Guion Chapter placed a plaque on 814 South Sycamore Street in Palestine at the home of former Texas Governor Thomas Mitchell Campbell (1856 - 1923), famous lawyer, banker, Governor of Texas in 1907-11.  Mrs. Chaillos Cross, Chapter Regent, and Mrs. Newton D. Crutchfield, State Chairman of the Historic Landmarks and Memorials Committee, planned and officiated at the ceremonies.  The home is also a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, State Historical Survey Committee, 1969.

 

In plan and form, this 2 ½ story frame dwelling is typical of the many large Queen Anne-style houses found in the neighborhood south of downtown known as “Silk Stocking Row”.  The Victorian residence, built in 1890, was also the family home of Mrs. Percy V. Pennybacker (1861-1938), teacher, author of widely-used school history of Texas, first Texan President General Federation Women's Clubs. Purchased 1900 by Thomas M. Campbell . Enlarged by Gov. Campbell, house is now property of great-grandson, Drew Wommack, Jr. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1969 The house is now occupied by the family of the former governor’s grandson, Drew S. Womack, Jr.

26 Oct 1966—Gov.  Thomas  Mitchell  Campbell  Home

814 S Sycamore St, Palestine, Anderson County, Texas

Louis Guion Chapter

A deed states that the land was transferred on February 6, 1890, from J.T. Pells and S.R. Pells to Oscar B. Sawyers, secretary of the Palestine Loan Association. Sawyers built his home on the lot a short time later and he and his wife Carrie Jones Sawyer lived there until December 19, 1893.  The story goes, a local man named Mart Lacy notified Judge Gardner and Dr. Jameson, a local doctor, requesting that they come to the Sawyers’ residence.  When they arrived, they found Sawyers dead and his wife wounded.  It is speculated that this was a suicide pact that failed, possibly due to financial trouble that Sawyers was apparently experiencing.  The Palestine Loan Association turned its claims over to Gregg and Gardner to collect and bring suit.  Mrs. Sawyers waived all right to the administration of Sawyers estate on January 24, 1894.

 

The home was appraised at $6,000 and was bought by Percy V. Pennybacker and his wife Anna for $5,000.  Pennybacker served as superintendent of the Palestine schools until his death in 1899.  Mrs. Pennybacker was a prominent local social leader, and was the author of the first Texas history textbook to be used in state schools, titled “A New History of Texas for Schools”.  After Mr. Pennybacker’s death, Mrs. Pennybacker moved to Austin, where she was instrumental in the formation of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs.

 

On June 22, 1900, she sold the house to Thomas Mitchell Campbell and his wife, Fannie Bruner Campbell.  Mr. Campbell had been appointed receiver of the I&GN Railroad in 1891 and in 1893 he became general manager of the railroad.  He was elected governor of Texas for two terms in 1907 and 1909. In 1911, Campbell returned to his law practice and helped to found the Campbell State Bank, which later grew into the East Texas National Bank.

 

About 1922, local architect Theodore Maffitt, remodeled the house, enlarging it to its present size and adding a porch along the front and the south side of the house.  Among the treasured items in the home is a grandfather clock which was presented to the governor in recognition of his reforms in labor legislation.  A marble bust of Campbell, done by Pompeo Coppini and given to him by the state legislature, is also in the house.  The house is still owned by descendants of Governor Campbell.

Historical Markers by Texas Chapters