Living + Living Farabee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: ROTC instructor for 31 years
• Residence: 1930, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1935, Dallas, Dallas, Texas
• Residence: 1940, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Graduation: 1941, Woodrow Wilson H.S. Dallas Texas
• Residence: 1941, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1942, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• _MILT: Between 1943 and 1945, W.W.II, 2nd Lt., Army Reserves for 31 years, retir
• Residence: 1948, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Occupation: 1950, ROTC instructor for 31 years
• Residence: 1950, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• _MILT: 1961, Ft. Holabird, Baltimore, MD
• _MILT: 1969

Notes:

Mary Helen Hill Haines notes:

Born in Dallas at Florence Nightengale Hospital. Lived with his parents at 5406 Junius Street in old East Dallas. Graduated from Woodrow Wilson high school, where he served as Senior Class President in 1941. Enrolled in North Texas Agricultural College and graduated with an Associates degree. Upon graduation, he joined the army on May 4, 1944 and served as a 1st Lieutenant, as an Infantry Unit Commander and a Field Artillery Unit Commander in the European Theater of World War II. He was discharged Sept. 3, 1946, and entered S.M.U. in Dallas to complete his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. During this time he married, bought a duplex at 4409 Atoka St. in Dallas, and became a father. Worked selling real estate until he reentered military service in Jan. 11, 1951 when he was recalled from inactive service. During this time, he was promoted to Captain and was an Assistant Professor of Military Science and Tactics (teaching R.O.T.C. at North Dallas High School). Described as having Brown Hair, Brown Eyes, 5' 10" weighing 165 lbs. He was released from duty on Jan 10, 1953 and was living at 2320 Nicholson, Dallas Texas. By this time he was the Commandant of the R.O.T.C. program at South Oak Cliff High School. Completed 30 years of service with the U.S. Army Reserves as a Colonel. Was President of the Texas Society of the National Society of the Sons of American Revolution. Commander of American Legion Post 581 and 53 in Dallas, Texas. Commander of the Dallas Chapter Military Order of the World Wars. President of the Greater Dallas Chapter Reserve Officers Association.

Army Serial #01326205

The following is the biography that exists from the University of Texas at Arlington R.O.T.C. Hall of Fame:
COLONEL JOE M. HILL

U.S. ARMY RESERVE RETIRED
Colonel Joe M. Hill, United States Army, began his military service as a cadet at North Texas Agricultural College from 1941-43 and retired as a Colonel in the Army Reserve. Born in 1923 in Dallas, Texas, Colonel Hill graduated from North Texas Agriculture College with his Associates Degree in 1943. In January 1943, he entered the United States Army as a private, was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division and later, as a Corporal, was selected to go to Infantry Officer Candidate School. Upon graduation, he received his 2nd Lieutenant commission and was assigned to the 103rd Infantry Division. In October 1944, the 103rd joined the Seventh US Army in Southern France with Colonel Hill serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the European Campaign to its conclusion. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Bronze Star for meritorious service, the European Medal with two Bronze Stars, the American Defense Medal, and the Victory Medal. He served in the Army of Occupation until June of 1946. Upon returning to the United States, he continued his education obtaining a BBA Degree from Southern Methodist University. He continued his Army career as a Captain in the 90th Infantry Division in the U.S. Army Reserve, until called to active duty when the Korean Conflict began. Colonel Hill served as an instructor in the JROTC program for two years and enjoyed this position so much that, when released from active duty again, he became the first Senior Army Instructor at South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, teaching ROTC for Dallas Area High Schools for 31 consecutive years. As a teacher in the ROTC program, he has received many awards. He received the Freedoms Foundation Medal, in 1972 was nominated for National Teacher of the Year in 1981, and was selected Teacher of the Year in the Oak Cliff High Schools in 1982. Colonel Hill continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve in various capacities attaining the rank of Colonel. His last assignment was Commandant of the U.S.A.R. School where he was responsible for the schooling of some 800 officers and 400 enlisted men. He received the Legion of Merit for his outstanding accomplishment with that unit. Colonel Hill was inducted in the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1991. Colonel Joe M. Hill was inducted in the Hall of Honor, Military Science Department at The University of Texas at Arlington in February of 1994 in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the country. His beginning as an ROTC cadet and his rise to heights of responsibility and prestige provide an example and incentive for all future officer graduates from the campus at Arlington.

Obituary from the Dallas Morning News:
HILL
JOE McFARLAND, JR., son of the late Judge Joe M. Hill and lola McFarland, passed away on Friday at the age of 75. Col. Hill taught in the Junior ROTX program for 34 years to more than 6,000 cadets. He is survived by his wife, Betty, and children Mary Helen Haines, Joe Meredith Hill II, Betsi Hill, Cynthia J. Hill, and three grandchildren-Brian and Julie Hill and Dorothy E. Haines, also a sister Anne McMahan and several nieces and nephews. Col. Hill served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War, remaining in the U.S. Army Reserves for 31 years, retiring as Commandant of the Dallas USAR School. Among his military awards are the Combat Infantry Badge, the Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star, and seven other service medals. He served as texas State President and Dallas Chapter President of the Sons of the American Revolution; as Commander of the Dallas Chapter Military Order of the World Wars; Commander of American Legion Posts 53 and 581, and President of the Reserve Officers Association of Dallas. He was a member of the AUSA and Committee on Military Affairs of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. During his teaching career he was honored by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge with their teacher's Medal for his promotion of the American way of life to his students. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame at the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, and the University of Texas at Arlington's Military Hall of Fame. After retiring from teaching, he served as Secretary Treasurer of the SAR for six years, helping to establish 20 new chapters in Texas, and was the recipient of the Society's Gold Good Citizenship Medal, the Patriot's Medal and 5 other medals. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Northway Christian Church, 7202 West Northwest Highway. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Restland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Patriot Fund of the Texas Sons of the American Revolution, care of Nathan White, Box 808, McKinney, TX 75070, or the Northway Christian Church. Pallbearers will include Meredith Hill, Brian Hill, Lewis McMahan, Michael McMahan, Al Thaggard, Joe Thaggard, Gordon McFarland, John McFarland, and all the young men and women he taught in ROTC.

Served in the European Theater of World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant. Completed 30 years of service with the U.S. Army Reserves as a Colonel. Was President of the Texas Society of the National Society of the Sons of American Revolution. Commander of American Legion Post 581 and 53 in Dallas, Texas. Commander of the Dallas Chapter Military Order of the World Wars. President of the Greater Dallas Chapter Reserve Officers Association.

Joe married Dorothy Fay Askew on 21 Jun 1947 in Dallas, Texas, USA. Dorothy was born on 27 Jan 1921 in Terrell, Kaufman Co., Texas; died on 16 May 1969 in Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas; was buried on 19 May 1969 in Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1930, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1935, Dallas, Dallas, Texas
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• _MILT: Between 1944 and 1946, W.A.V.E. served in the Navy in Florida as a Gunnery Instructor
• Residence: 1948, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1950, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Occupation: 1960, Realtor
• Occupation: 1960; Realtor

Notes:

Mary Helen Hill Haines notes:

Dot was the first grandchild for the Wieland family and was doted on as a young girl. Her parents divorced when she was just one year old, and she moved to Dallas with her mother before the 1930 census. When her mother Helen bought her cafe on Factory Street near Love Field, she also bought a house at 7402 Cortland Ave, Dallas, near Love Field. The house is still there (year 2016) in the 75235 zip code. Dorothy lived there until she married Joe Hill. Dot went to school at Crozier Tech High School and then North Texas Agricultural School for her associates degree. She was only 15 when she started college. She could not continue with schooling because of lack of finances, so went to work. She was working at Lockheed Aircraft in Dallas as a secretary when she enlisted in the Navy. She enlisted Feb. 23, 1944, and received an honorable discharge Jan. 15, 1946. During that time she was a Gunnery Instructor, Second Class, serving in the Bronx, N.Y., Pensacola, and Miami, Florida. Using the GI Bill, she was able to go back to school at S.M.U. where she majored in Government, and met and married Joe Hill in 1947. Social Security # 452-22-7260. She went on to have four children, and worked intermittently while raising the children. She worked for Revlon as a secretary in downtown Dallas. Then she worked for Chance-Vaught in Grand Prairie at night. She earned her real estate license, and sold real estate for Ebby Halliday and then was her own broker before her death. She died unexpectedly in 1969 and is buried in a Section called Rock Garden, Grave 5, Lot 20, Block P, near the Wildwood Chapel at Restland, next to "Momma" Helen Wieland Askew, and grandson Brian Meredith Hill.

Engagement of Joe M. Hill, Dorothy Fay Askew Told (Dallas Morning News, 1947)
Revealing the engagement of her daughter, Miss Dorothy Fay Askew, to Joe McFarland Hill, Mrs. Helen C. Askew, 7402 Cortland, entertained with a luncheon Saturday at the Mural Room. The bride-groom-to-be is the son of Judge and Mrs. Joe M. Hill, 5406 Junius.

The couple will be married June 21 at 8:30 p.m. at the Highland Park Methodist Church, and the wedding attendants will be Mrs. Irving Cowan, matron of honor; Miss Barbara Cowan and Miss Wilma Green, bridesmaids; Ann Weiland, flower girl; James Hayes, best man; Jeff Hodges and Bob Womack, ushers.

Miss Askew was graduated from NTAC and served in the WAVES for two years at the Miami Naval Air Station. She is now a student at SMU. Mr. Hill, also a student at SMU, will enter the SMU School of Law in July. He is a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was graduated from NTAC and served in the armed forces for three and a half years, twenty-two months of which were spent overseas with the 103rd Infantry Division. He was released with the rank of captain.

Guests for the announcement luncheon were Mrs. Hill, mother of the bridegroom-to-be; Mrs. L.C. McMahan; Misses Green, Anne Wieland, Barbara Cowan, Rosemary Cowan, Anita Yehle and Robbie Wieland, and the honoree.

Wedding News: Brides Astir as June Wanes
Mr. and Mrs. Joe McFarland Hill are now on a wedding trip to Colorado Springs and on their return witll be at home at 4909 Atoka. Mrs. Hill is the former Miss Dorothy Fay Askew, daughter of Mrs. Helen C. Askew, 7402 Cortland, and the bridegroom is the son of Judge and Mrs. Joe M. Hill, 5406 Junius.

The couple was married Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at the Highland Park Methodist Church with Dr. Marshall T. Steel officiating. The Rev. V. Earle Copes presented the organ music.

C.H. Wieland, the bride's uncle, gave her in marriage. Her white satin wedding gown, worn over a hooped skirt, was designed with long, tapering sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Lace panels extended down the back of the dress from the shoulders to the hemline. Her fingertip veil of tulle fell from a heart-shaped headress and her bouquet was of white orchids and tuberoses.

Mrs. Irving Cowen attended the bride as matron of honor and Miss Barbara Cowan and Miss Wilma Green were bridesmaids. Ann Wieland was flower girl. Serving the bridegroom as best man was James Hayes, and ushers were Robert L. Womack, Morris Hayes, Herbert Robertson and Jeff W. Hodges, Fort Worth.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the home of the bride's mother. Miss Rosemary Cowan served the three-tiered wedding cake, assisted by Miss Ann L. Wieland, aunt of the bride. ...For the wedding trip, Mrs. Hill chose a pale-pink gabardine suit, which she wore with a matching hat and other accessories of brown.

Obituary from The Dallas Morning News, Sunday, May 18, 1969
Mrs. Leon Eaves
Funeral services for Mrs. Leon Eaves, of 3236 Lancelot, a real estate broker, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Restlands Wildwood Chapel. burial will be in Restland Memorial Park.

Mrs. Eaves, a native of Terrell, died here Friday.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University, she had attended North Texas Agricultural College (now the University of Texas at Arlington). She was active in the WAVES during World War II.

She was an active associate and member of the Real Estate Board, the Texas Real Estate Association, and the Women's Council of the Dallas Real Estate Board.

Survivors all of Dallas: Husband; three daughters, Miss Mary Helen Hill, Miss Betsi Hill, and Miss Cindie Hill and a son, Joe Meridith Hill.

Lived with mother at 7402 Cortland, Dallas, near Love Field, before marriage. Buried in Section called Rock Garden, Grave 5, Lot 20, Block P, near the Wildwood Chapel at Restland, next to "Momma" Helen Wieland Askew.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Dallas, Dallas, Texas
• Residence: Muskogee, Muskogee, Oklahoma
• Residence: 1900, Civil District 1, White, Tennessee, USA
• Occupation: Between 1908 and 1912, Santa Fe R.R. in Cleburne Texas
• Occupation: Between 1908 and 1912; Santa Fe R.R. in Cleburne Texas
• Residence: 1910, Wolfe City, Hunt, Texas, USA
• Occupation: Between 1916 and 1924; Lawyer for Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R.
• _MILT: 1917, Leon Springs, Texas
• _MILT: 1918, W.W.I, 1st Lt. and Capt. Infantry, Co. L, 347 Inf. 87th Div.
• _MILT: 1918
• Residence: 1920, Oklahoma City Ward 1, Oklahoma, Oklahoma
• Occupation: 1916 through 1924, Lawyer for Missouri-Kansas-Texas R.R.
• Residence: 1930, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1935, Dallas, Dallas, Texas
• Occupation: Between 1939 and 1953, City Judge of Traffic Court in Dallas Texas
• Occupation: Between 1939 and 1953; City Judge of Traffic Court in Dallas Texas
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• _MILT: 1941, W.W.II, Maj. and Col. Insp. Genl. Dept., 1st Army & Eastrn. D. Com. 8th Service Command, Tex.
• _MILT: 1941
• Residence: 1950, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Occupation: 1953, Law practice and "gentleman" farmer
• Occupation: 1953; Law practice and "gentleman" farmer

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:
In the 1900 census in Sparta, Joe is listed as Joseph, but I have not seen any other documents using that name. In the 1920 census, Joe and Lola were counted twice, so they must have been visiting Ladonia with their new born, because they are on Mill Street, which would be Mary Jane McFarland's house. The Ladonia census is dated as January, and the Oklahoma census is dated as being in May.
My fondest memories of Granddaddy as a little girl were the wonderful games he would play with us. He would bounce us on his knee with the "This is the way a lady rides, pace, pace, pace,..." game. He also would swing us round and round holding our arm and leg playing airplane. I thought he was so big and strong.

The following is a statement written by his sister Bessie Hill Copeland on the event of his application for a birth certificate in May, 1957 from the county clerk in Hunt Co. Texas.
"Before me, the undersigned authority, this day personally appeared Mrs. J.P. (Bessie Hill) Copeland, and upon oath states : that she is the older sister of Joe Meredith Hill, that she was born March 30, 1882, and has personal knowledge of the birth of Joe M. Hill, on September 21, 1888; that she remembers returning home from school about 4 PM on the date of her only brothers birth and was told by her mother that Joe was born at 1 PM that day; that she has known hime through out their lives and knows of her own knowledge of the following events in his life: that he graduated from the Wolfe City, Texas, High school in June 1907; that he worked for the Santa Fe R.R. in Cleburne, Texas, 1908 to 1912; that he attended the University of Texas, Sept. 1912 to June 1916, graduating with a LLB degree; that he took Bar Examination in June 1913, and received his license to practice law; that he worked for the legal-claims department of the MK&T RR in Oklahoma 1916-1924, except for the time he served in World War I, he was commissioned 1st Lt. of Infantry at Leon Springs, Texas, Nov. 27, 1917, served with Co. M, 347th Inf. 87th Division, discharged as a Captain; that he was married to Lola McFarland Hill, October 24, 1918, and same is recorded in County Clerks Office Dallas County, Texas; that they have three children born as follows: Jane Hill, Aug. 3, 1919; Anne Hill, July 12, 1921, Joe McFarland Hill, Dec. 26, 1923, at the present time Joe M. and Lola Hill have 10 grandchildren. Joe Meredith Hill also served in World War II, March 1942 to Feb. 1946, .....rged as a full Colonel in the Inspector General's Dept. ....facts can be verified by public records, school, state, ...itary. (the ... are where the Notary Seal covered.

Army Serial #0-152 186
In World War II served as a Major and Lt. Col. in the Eight Service Command and the Bermuda Base Command in the Inspector General office. Was promoted from Major to Lt. Col. to Col. and released from Active Duty Feb. 2, 1946.

Obituary from the Dallas Morning News, May 28, 1980 p. 4D
Wednesday services set for Judge Joe Hill, 91
Funeral services for Joe Hill, 91, a retired Dallas city judge, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Sparkman-Hillcrest Funeral Chapel, 7405 W. Northwest Highway. Burial will be in Ladonia cemetery in Ladonia, Fannin County.
Hill, of 7422 Centenary, died Monday in Lakewood Medical Center after a lengthy illness.
A native of White County, Tenn., Hill grew up in Wolfe City, 75 miles northeast of Dallas.
After graduating from high school and working as a railroad company claim clerk, Hill entered the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a law degree in 1916 and was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
After graduation, Hill went to work for the legal department of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad in Muskogee, Okla. His career with the railroad was interrupted by World War I. He joined the U.S. Army, received a commission as a lieutenant and left the service in 1918 as a captain.
Hill returned to the M-K-T for five years before coming to Dallas to begin a law practice in 1923.
He was appointed city judge in 1929 and held the position - except for his service in World War II when he rose to the rank of colonel - until 1953.
During his tenure, Hill was active in trying to help the many alcoholics and drunken drivers who appeared in his court. After hearing about Alcoholics Anonymous from a reformed alcoholic judge during a convention in Chicago, Hill tried to form the first chapter of AA in Dallas.
His efforts did not meet with immediate success. But while he was serving in World War II, the first chapter of AA was formed in Dallas.
After retiring as a judge, Hill worked for the American Bar Association's traffic court program for five years before returning to private practice. He continued his practice until he was 85.
Hill was active in many organizations including the Kiwanis, the Masons, the American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution, and the local and state Bar associations.
Survivors include his wife, Lola McFarland Hill; a daughter, Anne Hill McMahan; a son, Col. Joe M. Hill Jr.; 11 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Joe married Lola Winifred McFarland, RoM02 on 24 Oct 1918 in Ladonia, Fannin Co., Texas. Lola (daughter of James Franklin McFarland, RoM02 and Mary Jane Harper) was born on 17 Apr 1895 in Ladonia, Fannin Co. Texas; died on 7 Aug 1986 in Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas; was buried in McFarland Lot in the Ladonia Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Graduation: Texas Christian University
• Occupation: Housewife and matriarch of the McFarland family who kept the Clan together
• Occupation: Housewife and matriarch of the McFarland family who kept the Clan together
• Residence: 1900, Justice Precinct 4, Fannin, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1910, Ladonia, Fannin, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1920, Oklahoma City Ward 1, Oklahoma, Oklahoma
• Residence: 1930, Dallas, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1935, Dallas, Dallas, Texas
• Residence: 1940, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
• Residence: 1950, Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:

Lola was named for Lola Truss Biard, a friend of older sister Bettie. According to Lola, the parents ran out of ideas for names when they got down to the last children, and let the older children help pick the names.

Our GrandLola was the glue behind all the family reunions and get-togethers. She documented everything and collected everything that had news of family members and friends of family. She maintained a keen interest in Ladonia and its doings. Her ultimate enterprise was the publication of her McFarland family book that contained the McFarland family history. Copies of the "green book," so named for its cover, were distributed to all family members, and given to various libraries, such as Dallas and Houston. I often find it quoted by researchers as a source.

GrandLola was the best seamtress and craftsman. For Easter she would sew 3 frilly, girly, outfits for my sisters and me. She knitted sweaters, afghans, made decoupage containers, Christmas tree-skirts, etc. She even made her own kitchen wall-paper out of Currier and Ives prints she collected. I remember spending lots of time looking at all the interesting details of the prints on her wall while we were waiting for GrandLola and Granddaddy's special breakfast of waffles and bacon--the kind made from scratch, remember?

From the Dallas Morning News wedding announcement section: Oct. 28, 1918, p. 5. "Miss Lola McFarland and Capt. Joe M. Hill were married on Oct. 24 at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. H.E. Fuller, Ladonia, Texas. The marriage service was read by the Rev. J. William Stephens, former pastor of the First Christian Church of Ladonia. Only the immediate relatives and a few intimate friends were present. The bride is the youngest daughter of the late J. F. and Mrs. Mary J. McFarland and a sister of S.J. McFarland and Mrs. Wm. M. Williams of Dallas. She is a graduate of Texas Christian University. Captain Hill is the son of Mrs. W.R. Hill of Wolfe City and a brother of Mrs. W.C. Frost of Dallas. He received degrees from both academic and law departments of the University of Texas in the class of 1916. He was commissioned First Lieutenant at the second officers' training camp at Leon Springs, and received his Captaincy at Camp Dix, N.J. Before entering the service, Captain Hill was connected with the legal department of the M., K. & T. Railway, with headquarters at Muskogee. Captain and Mrs. Hill left immediately for Boston, where Captain Hill is now stationed.

This is a letter she wrote her brother Jim who had just gone overseas in WW I.

Nov. 9, 1918 Letter to Jim from sister Lola from Ayer, Massachusetts
Dearest old Jim boy-
Can you realize that here I am, Mrs. Joe Hill in old New England-with the skies all full of snow. You aren't surprised at my being married, I know, because we the same as told you so in the night letter we sent just before you sailed. I wished so for you the day of the wedding. Your good old hearty laugh would have been a good match for the Hill family. The Mother, Edna, Mag, Bess and Mr. Hopkins were all there. We had it at Betsy's at 3:30 Thursday PM Oct. 24. Bro. Stephens read a beautiful ceremony. Ethel played the March and also played "Perfect Day" thru out the ceremony. I wore my brown travelling suit, slippers, hat and veil, and a brown fox fur. My husband looked quite handsome in his uniform. When the girls cut the cake, Ethel cut the ring, Florine the thimble, and Lila the dime.* Lila and Mildred served punch. Of course the train was late- We went on to Dallas and stayed at the Adolphus. Saw Mr. and Mrs. Frost the next morning. We left at 9:30. Came by St. Louis and Philadelphia to New York. While in the City, my thoughts certainly wandered to you and Gordon. We saw five wonderful shows, and took the Riverside Drive- but nothing thrilled me like the view of the ocean from the Woolworth Tower-How many wondering hearts had passsd out by that Statue of Liberty into the great unknown East.
Now we are settled in Ayer- a little town of about 2000. Just a wile from Camp Devens. Joe is in the Depot Brigade, and doesn't see any chance at overseas. But you can't tell, he may be changed any day. You've no idea how he envies you fellows who are gone. It is hard that he doesn't get to realize his hopes after having worked so hard for fourteen months. I'm contented enough for him to stay-but not one word should I say if he were ordered to. He thinks it possible that he may be sent to California to instruct in O.T.C. If so we'll go next week-wouldn't that be superb? I'd much prefer my winter there than here.
I know you must be having a grand time, and each night I pray for my two dear brothers whom the great old Atlantic separates from us. I wear your Shriner pin, Gordon's frat, and Joe's ring. Those are my service emblems. Joe gave me a wonderful engagement ring! A little larger than my solitaire set in the most beautiful platinum ring you can imagine. You knew of Morune's (?) wedding. She was just a week ahead of me. Don't know where she is, but I hope she will be happy with Ray waud (?)
You can't imagine how wonderfully happy I am. Joe is so kind and thoughtful and so big and "protective". It took nerve to leave home but I shudder to think of how incomplete life would have been had I failed to join hands with mon chere capitaine.
Write me, dear brother, at home, for there is no telling where I'll be, I think of you thousands of times, and have your picture before me all the time-
With just worlds of love for you-Little Sister

Below is Lola's own words about her early life:

Lola McFarland Hill’s Early Years: An Autobiography

(This is an autobiography that I wrote while on a trip with Joe while he was with the American Bar Association Traffic Court Program. While he was "conferring" I wrote just what came into my mind about myself).
1895 - I was born April 17, 1895 at the Homestead, 5 miles North of Ladonia, Tex. The youngest of 10 children, some of my earliest recollections are of going into town in the "surrey with the fringe on top". Because we drove so fast (I thought) I would look on one side of the road going into town and the other as we returned. Gordon, the brother just older than me, would look at the opposite side of the road, so we would not miss anything. Persuading my mother to buy me a leghorn hat with a daisy on it which my sisters persuaded her to return and exchange for a little bonnet (more my age) . I remember that my sisters would delight themselves with talking about their way off to Carlton College ( 11 miles to Bonham ) to school and be away from me for so long - Then my lips would quiver and tears come in my eyes, and they would laugh and take me in their arms and hug and kiss me.
Twice in my life, my father punished me - - Once I thought was undeserved because he saw me as I struck back at Gordon, and I thought he deserved to be punished more than me. I was angry with my Sister Bettie for not hiding me so he could not find me, but he did! The other time I deliberately disobeyed him and deserved the punishment. He was on the front porch on a summer afternoon "talking business" with some man. My three older brothers and a friend were climbing a ladder and jumping off. I did it once and was told to not do it again - but I wanted to so much that I took the chance. I deserved the punishment and I got it. Now I realize both times were when my father was in serious mental occupation and as he was man of very quick action he probably did this with out thinking.
One one of those eventful trips into town, I played with some little girls, Dot and Dimple Neilson, who revealed to me the identity of Santa Claus. For the first time I felt resentment to my father. I have never improved about being deceived. - I don’t like it.
In the year 1899-1900 Miss Moss Richardson, now a teacher-emeritus at Canyon College had a little kindergarten in Ladonia in a little pink cottage. I stayed with my sister Florence (then MRS Frank Crawford) and attended that school. On rainy days, Ancell Tipton carried me to school. Big events were Gordon's visiting the school, and my pride in him and how I cried when (ole Wendelin) Wendell Fraley dropped his cap in the well and I went in crying, "That old ---Wendlin' Fraley has dropped my little brother's cap in the well and is making faces at him. Gordon did not like it because I called him my little brother.
The summer of 1900 my mother, my Sister Bettie and I went to Falls City, Nebraska to visit Mother's relatives, the Crook family. This was my first train trip. When my Mother wakened me after a night on the Pullman. I said to her that I always slept good on trains. I thought every little white church with a spire was a Christian church. We were away from home a month and mother & father promised a gift to my sisters Mary and Tennie if they would not have a date while Mother was away. The girls obeyed, and the reward was a rubber-tired buggy! At this time Uncle Bob Bartley gave them "old Dan" an easy going horse to replace Hugo, a high stepping horse that he thought was dangerous for the girls to drive. Mary was very reluctant to give up Hugo.
1902 we moved to Ladonia. We were packed for the move for two months but the bad roads and the terrible weather delayed it. It was so much fun to move into a new house because Mr. John Cobb built it. Till this home burned August 1917 it was the scene of a gloriously care-free superlatively happy childhood and girlhood. A haven of love and security, a symbol of security - no inhibitions or complexities ever intruded. I loved and was loved and never doubted either. Father was a successful money maker for the times and the place and my mother was a wise and "choosey" spender. The church was our chief loyalty. While we had good friends they were not too essential to our happiness as we had brothers and sisters, and many interests in our house to occupy our time. Music and books more than any physical activities were my chief entertainment. From 1904 to 1910 I adored a boy two years older than myself. He did not know it till about 1911. Then it was too late, for my brother Jim's college friends visited in our home and from that time my interest was in MEN and not in High School boys.
Back to 1904 - Gordon and I accompanied Mother to Hillsboro to visit Sister Mary whose husband Walter Jennings was pastor of the Christian Church there. On the train I saw my first Catholic nun. Sister Mary Catherine. I was impressed and a little intrigued as I am today by their out-of-this world attitude. One year later I went to Taylor to see this same sister. This time Mother was there when Mary "birthed" her first baby. They tried to leave me in Austin, but though there was no mention of the expected baby before a little girl, just 9 years old, I was wise to it all and refused to remain in Austin, and I became a problem. I wasn't so smart as I thought and when I was invited to spend the night with Mrs. Pendleton, a dear friend of Mary's, I forgot my suspicions and went gaily to spend the night. When they told me the next morning that I was a "Little Auntie" I said I wanted to see the baby's clothes so they would know that I wasn’t surprised. You see, I still didn’t want to be deceived. From here we went again to Austin and my Uncle Doc Harper. He removed my tonsils. This was the first of an unending struggle against a nasal and throat weakness that is finally conceded to be an allergy or a sinus infection. We attended a reception at the Governors mansion. Governor Lanham was governor and Aunt Perle was most pleased to take us to see him.
1911 When I was 15 years old I went to Amarillo to spend several weeks with my Sister Mary. Always the perfect hostess, she made every effort for my pleasure. In 1910 Vista Woods and I visited my sister Bettie in Konawa, Okla where her husband H. Edgar Fuller was the head of the bank. Sister Bettie planned some entertainment. Edgar Hyde tried to be nice to me, but I didn't like him too well. Rather, I liked Vista's beau better. He was a college boy and he impressed us as he would knit his brow and refer to his fraternity as Phi Delta Theta.
1912 - High School graduation - and my first real romance. I went again to Austin by Pullman train to Austin. My Aunt Perle had a party for her sister and me. I returned by way of Cleburne Texas to visit Gordon and Winnie Jackson. Joe Hill was in Cleburne at the time, but he was about 24 years old and I was just 17 and at that time he was dating older girls and paid no attention to our crowd.
1912 - 1916 - College years at TCU Fort Worth. Still happy and care-free- self-important years. Many friends and activities but not too seriously studious.
Summer of 1916, my parents, Sister Tennie, and I went to Manitou Colo. in the Drawing Room of the Santa Fe Railroad. The cool tangy air and the taste of fresh raspberries when we got off the train and had breakfast still lingers on in my memory. My father was ill with pernicious aenemia and he was very gentle, loving, and indulgent for he knew the disease at that time was incurable. We returned and felt the urge to do something "on my own". So, I went to nearby Roxton, Tex., and had a wonderful year teaching school. I had received the minimum of formal education in pedagogy, so my teaching was certainly of my own design. It served the need for the principal offered me a position as principal and Latin teacher in another town with him. But World War I was brewing and my mother persuaded me to remain at home. My father died on Feb. 4, their wedding anniversary (45th) and two of my brothers, Jim and Gordon had gone over seas.
1917 I supervised Junior Red Cross in the Ladonia High School and went to Dallas every two weeks for a $10 piano lesson under Mr. Phillip Tronitz. I later learned that Roger Williams, current favorite pianist 1970-was also a pupil of Mr. Tronitz and we had a little correspondence regarding our teacher. My mind was more on soldiers than music. During this time I went to San Antonio with Una Stark Anderson to see Joe M. Hill who was to be commissioned 1st Lieut. at the second Officers' Training Camp at Leon Springs. While there I had good time with Tom Paul Sweeney also.
Summer 1918 our home in Ladonia burned while we were attending a funeral in Honey Grove. Some painters set fire to a bird nest in the cupola as they were using a torch to remove paint. No words can express what a loss that was to me. Something of security and self confidence went up in that smoke. Before the smoke died down we received a cablegram from Gordon saying he had arrived safely in England. Mother reminded us of our blessings
Fall of 1918 I was teaching in the High School at Ladonia. One month of school and it was closed down because of the terrible flu epidemic. During this time a letter from Joe Hill from Camp Dix, New Jersey asking me to marry him.
He had been promoted to Capt. and assigned to Ayer, Mass. at Camp Devens. I accepted and we were married in Ladonia at my sister Bettie's house. Aunt Rado made our wedding cake (she had to get sugar from neighbors - it was so scarce) Ethel McFarland played the wedding march. Rev. W. Stephens performed the ceremony. I bought my wedding suit at the then rather new Neiman-Marcus and other accessories including a wardrobe trunk from Sanger's. All for a little over $700. I borrowed the money from Gordon and paid back out of 40¢ cotton - 35 bales on a 273 acre farm my father left to me. We went to N. Y. by Pullman on our honeymoon and my first trip on a railroad pass. Joe had been claim agent for Katy and they held his job for him. Ayer Mass. is 30 miles from Boston, so we saw many shows on this trip. By Christmas the war was over and we were glad to be goin back to the Southland.
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 1918

GrandLola was the glue behind all the family reunions and get-togethers. She documented everything and collected everything that had news of family members and friends of family. She maintained a keen interest in Ladonia and its doings. Her ultimate enterprise was the publication of her McFarland family book that contained the McFarland family historiy. GrandLola was the best seamtress and craftsman. For Easter she would sew 3 frilly, girly, outfits for my sisters and me. She knitted sweaters, afghans, made decoupage containers, Christmas tree-skirts, etc. She even made her own kitchen wall-paper out of Currier and Ives prints she collected. I remember spending lots of time looking at all the interesting details of the prints on her wall while we were waiting for GrandLola and Granddaddy's special breakfast of waffles and bacon--the kind made from scratch, remember?