“If you have ever walked into Triple C Steakhouse in Devine and wondered about the beautiful mural on the wall, this is a depiction of the original homestead of the Redus family,” says Mary Ruth Allison of the Redus family. She adds, “There is not much left standing today, but at one time there was an early Medina County school and the first protestant church in Medina County.” According to records, at that time, the German Catholic religion was already well established. The Redus’ were also involved with establishing the first Masonic Lodge in Devine.
John Redus was born to Aaron Redus and Lucy Ann Oglesby Redus on December 25, 1833, in Athens (Limestone County), Alabama. He served in the Texas Cavalry as a Pvt. in Co A 33 of the Confederate States of America. John came to Texas in 1854 and built the house depicted in the mural. Upon its completion, he married Sallie McLemore in 1859. John Redus passed away on July 25, 1895, and is buried in Devine Evergreen Cemetery.
John married Sarah (Sallie) McLemore, born to Daniel McLemore and Elizabeth Kelley McLemore on December 11, 1839, in Benton (Yazoo County), Mississippi. She had come to Texas with her family in 1851 after having heard Sam Houston speak of Texas. She passed away on February 6, 1931, and she is also buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
John and Sallie had nine children: William Hugh, Mary Janetta, Lucy Willa, John Otis, Robert Moore, Elizabeth Lee (Lizzie), James Presley, Sallie John, Lena Love, and Fannie Laura. Five of these children have descendants who continue to live in this area. These include Mary, John Otis Redus, Lena Williamson, Elizabeth Thompson, and Robert Redus. May married a McAnelly, and that family includes local former Devine ISD Ag teacher, Phil McAnelly.
John Otis married Laura Asher, and the couple had six children, five of whom include George Redus Sr., George Jr., and Clifford Redus, all long-time residents of Devine and active in many community activities over the years. Other descendents who still live in Devine are Mary Ruth Cadenhead Allison (granddaughter of John Otis and daughter of Elizabeth Allena Redus), Laura Wycoff Holder (Mary Ruth’s daughter), and Georgia Myers Hicks (daughter of Billie Rhea Myers – Mary Ruth’s sister). Elizabeth Allena Redus married Rayborn Ray Cadenhead. Mrs. Cadenhead, who went by her middle name, was a long-time teacher in Devine schools.
An interesting note, John Otis bought what is reportedly the first bath tub in Medina County –a room had to be added onto the house to accommodate it. Apparently, it was such a novelty that people would go to visit just to see the bathtub! Also, John Otis was owner of the second car in Medina County; however, he couldn’t drive, but his wife did. It was in this car that a terrible accident happened when Mary Ruth’s mother was just two years old. A family friend, Porter Loring, was called to transport the child to the hospital in his hearse. The child was not expected to live, but “Grandmother prayed all night for her baby, and the next morning, they were told the baby had survived. Grandmother said that God had told her the baby would live.” The child grew up with a scar on her face from the accident. Mary Ruth adds, “After her death, I found a note from Porter Loring upon her graduating valedictorian from Devine High School, congratulating her on becoming a fine young lady.”
Lena Williamson’s descendents include Jane Herring, mother of the inimitable former Devine ISD teacher and bus driver and current mayor, Bill Herring.
Elizabeth Thompson’s family includes Carol Crouch and her family.
Robert Redus’ family includes the Bywaters and Petris’. One son, Raymond Redus, owned and operated the Redus Funeral Home for a number of years, and his son-in-law, Tony Petris, was a long time educator in Devine schools.
Mary Ruth Allison adds this anecdote: “Long time residents of Devine will remember Aubrey Driskoll who said of the Redus family, ‘They have strong opinions and loud voices’. When this is repeated to the Redus family members, they all say, ‘Oh yes, that’s us, alright’.”
