Pioneer Register: Early Residents and Families of Avon Park

According to the genealogical and biographical registers compiled by Leoma Bradshaw Maxwell in The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida [maxwell-1976], this directory records the pioneer families, civic founders, and early residents who settled in Avon Park during its first century.

Picnic, Celebrating the First 25 Years in Avon Park

Pioneer picnic in Avon Park celebrating the town’s first 25 years, circa 1911.[maxwell-1976]

Settlers Arriving Before the 1920s

Able, Dr. A. H. and Lula: Early dentist from South Carolina; daughters Alta Rhea (Mrs. Peeples) and Lucille (Mrs. Francis Shockley) [maxwell-1976].
Anderson, A. V., C. P., and C. Parke: Citrus developers from Pennsylvania who established the Pittsburgh-Florida Citrus Growers Association in 1915 [maxwell-1976].
Bennett, Richard Cooper and Isabell: Arrived from Akron, Ohio; daughter Mary Edith married builder Max Wild [maxwell-1976].
Boney, George Washington and Peter C.: G. W. Boney was born in Manatee County in 1877; Peter C. Boney operated downtown barber shops and married Grace Miller [maxwell-1976].
Clements, Charlie and Lena: Lumber and naval stores business; children Evelyn (Mrs. Ike Hart), Jane (Mrs. Hudson), Cecil, Mary (Mrs. Norris), and John R. [maxwell-1976].
Conoley, Archibald Evander (1879–1960) and Berta Cade (1886–1974): Native of Robeson County, North Carolina; sent as the inaugural station agent for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad upon its arrival in 1912; parents of Rudolph E. Conoley and Myrtle (Mrs. Frank Malcolm Gager) [maxwell-1976].
Correll, Lloyd and family: Operated early music store, funeral home, and civic enterprises [maxwell-1976].
Covington, Marcus E. and Edna: Mayor of Avon Park for 11 years throughout the Depression and World War II [maxwell-1976].
Delaney, E. A. Sr. and Estelle: Arrived in 1919; superintendent of crate mill, Mayor of Avon Park for 28 years [maxwell-1976].
Dilley, Harry and Ada: Arrived from Michigan in 1905; parents of Lillian (Mrs. John Hood), Raymond, and Milford [maxwell-1976].
Ellenberger, Prof. I. C. M.: Principal of Avon Park Schools (1919) and first Highlands County School Superintendent [maxwell-1976].
Ginn, C. R. and family: Founded C. R. Ginn Lumber Company, furnishing lumber for Main Street brick buildings [maxwell-1976].
Godwin, George D. Sr. and Jennie: Operated early livery stables, Standard Oil agency, and West End Service Station [maxwell-1976].
Hartt, S. Y. and Earl W.: Arrived from Nebraska in 1918; established prominent citrus, cattle, and banking holdings [maxwell-1976].
Head, Charles R. and Ola L.: Promoters of Avon Park; namesake of Head Memorial Baseball Field; Mrs. Head served 12 years as postmaster [maxwell-1976].
Heim, William J. and James A.: Architects who designed the Jacaranda Hotel, high school facilities, and downtown commercial blocks [maxwell-1976].
Hessler Family: Arrived by ox-cart in 1893; established the town’s first watchmaking and jewelry business [maxwell-1976].
Jordon, F. S. and family: Established Jordon & Son Jewelers on Main Street in 1919, the town’s longest continuous retail business [maxwell-1976].
King, William A. and Mary Chinn: First permanent settlers in 1886; Mayor, county commissioner, and founder of the Citrus Exchange [maxwell-1976].
Krause, Charles and Frances: Arrived in 1888 from Germany; surveyor and civic assistant; Mrs. Krause was a pioneer midwife [maxwell-1976].
Mann, Clare E. and Helen Smith: Operated downtown automotive garage and repair services [maxwell-1976].
Myers, W. P. and family: Homesteaded north of Avon Park in 1914; daughters Sadie and Mildred taught in county schools, with Mildred serving 48 years [maxwell-1976].
Pabor, William E. and family: Poet laureate of Florida Press Association; founder of Pabor Lake colony and publisher of The Pineapple Gazette [maxwell-1976].
Reck, William M. and family: Civic leader who led the 1921 legislative drive to create Highlands County from DeSoto County [maxwell-1976].
Seaverns, Herbert A.: First elected Mayor of Avon Park in May 1913; operated brick, lime, and grove development businesses [maxwell-1976].
Shockley, Rev. James B. and Byrum: Settled at the Bunbury estate on Lake Pythias in 1908; scholarly researchers of early town history [maxwell-1976].
Touchton, Dr. W. C. and Hattie: First resident physician in 1915; established Touchton’s Rexall Drugs on Main Street [maxwell-1976].
Ward, W. F. and Annie Belle: Founded Ward’s Citrus Nursery in 1917, expanding to over 500 acres; created the W. F. Ward Foundation [maxwell-1976].
Wild, Max and Edith Bennett: Swiss-born master builder who constructed numerous homes and commercial buildings on West Main Street [maxwell-1976].
Wray, Fred Elmore and Cora Gray: Cora Wray preserved the pioneer archives of the Old Settlers Association [maxwell-1976].

Settlers Arriving During the 1920s Boom

Bigbie, Ross C. and H. C.: Established downtown commercial businesses and operated the Poinsettia Hotel [maxwell-1976].
Carter, Edward T. and Ann Rowland: Editor and publisher of The Avon Park Sun [maxwell-1976].
Crews, Arthur L. and Florence: City Clerk who was killed alongside Mayor King in the 1929 train crossing accident [maxwell-1976].
Derkman, Charlie and Mary: Pioneer family; son Richard married Lucy Derkman, noted sports journalist for Florida newspapers [maxwell-1976].
Ford, Irvin H. and Donald: Established I. H. Ford Motor Company (Chevrolet and Oldsmobile sales) on West Main Street [maxwell-1976].
Garber, J. Paul and Elizabeth: Citrus leader and civic benefactor, named Highlands County Outstanding Citizen in 1948 [maxwell-1976].
Hetherington, W. M. (Bill) and Hettie: Published and edited The Avon Park Sun and The Sebring News from 1930 to 1971 [maxwell-1976].
Lanier, Charlie E. and Claire: State Representative, Ford franchise owner, and banker who led the establishment of the State Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center [maxwell-1976].
McNicholas, Thomas A.: Prominent municipal and county attorney [maxwell-1976].
Pardee, Stephen Colquitt and Helen: Attorney who served 17 years as City Attorney and helped secure Walker Memorial Hospital [maxwell-1976].
Raab, John D. and Winters, Harry A.: Grand Rapids furniture manufacturers who invested over $600,000 in Avon Park, constructing the Jacaranda Hotel [maxwell-1976].
Reddick, Henry W. and family: Established prominent agricultural, dental, and commercial enterprises [maxwell-1976].
Tompkins, Miss Mattie: First female attorney in Highlands County and first woman elected to the Avon Park City Council [maxwell-1976].
Wells, J. Lawler and E. Ray: Founded Wells Motor Company in 1930 (Dodge-Chrysler dealership) and operated regional aviation services [maxwell-1976].

Sponsoring Organizations and Archival Custody

Publication of The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida in 1976 was sponsored by the Historical Society of the Old Settlers Association, Inc., the City of Avon Park, the Sebring Historical Society, the Avon Citrus Bank, the Highlands County Bank, and dozens of pioneer descendant families [maxwell-1976]. The master manuscript and associated photographic archives are curated at the Avon Park Depot Museum [maxwell-1976].

References

maxwell-1976 — Leoma Bradshaw Maxwell. The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida. 1976. the-first-hundred-years-of-avon-park_leoma-bradshaw-maxwell_1976.md

Where this comes from

Evidence: single-source — One source. Treat as reported, not established.
Review: unverified — Drafted from sources but not yet checked by a volunteer.
Rights: society

Sources

Leoma Bradshaw Maxwell, The First Hundred Years of Avon Park, Florida (Held at the Avon Park Historical Society Depot Museum, Avon Park, Florida) (1976) · book

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