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The Terrell Times-Star Basil M. Lyon, who has been re-elected tax collector for the county was born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, December 27th 1819. His parents were natives of Alabama, his father being a farmer, moving to Texas when Basil was about two years old. In 1872 he moved to Kaufman County with his parents. Until he was 25 years old he worked on a farm. In 1874 he married Miss Spinks near Elmo. He then moved to Terrell and clerked for I. G. Lawrence & Co. for four years. In 1881 he ran for collector but was defeated by W. T. Nichols by 300 votes. After his first defeat he clerked for Charles T. Hill for two years, when in 1886 having again been a candidate was elected collector, defeating W. T. Nichols 280 votes with three other candidates in the race, He was re-elected in 1888 without opposition and received the largest vote of any man voted for at that election, though there were other candidates who had no opponents. He is a consistent member of the Baptist church. He has won the present race upon his merits as a man and officer, notwithstanding the powerful opposition arrayed against him, and the general popularity of his opponent. He bears an unblemished reputation no man can charge him with any impropriety. He has so conducted himself in office and out of it as to gain the respect and confidence of the people. |