Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

A 1959 newspaper article said that at age 73, after three major surgeries, three close calls with death, and almost a year of illness with stomach and other internal disorders he was about to return to work as the Reagan County auditor. He had been in public work for 53 years. He had worked as a railroad man, mayor, district and county clerk, and county auditor. The article said he had been born in Ben Ficklin, Tom Green County 15 May 1885. After a drought in 1894, his parents left Texas where they had lived on ranches near Ozona and Mertzon to go to Indian Territory in Oklahoma where they lived for four years before returning Texas. They then lived in Eastland County where they ranched near Rising Star. When he was fifteen, the family went to Brownwood, but in order to find employment. He worked for the Midland Valley Railroad, and in 1903 he worked on a dredge boat in Galveston. Shortly after that he worked on the Salt River Dam in Arizona. Returning to Brownwood in 1904, he decided he was not getting anywhere, and needed to learn a trade. Working in the roundhouse there, he earned enough money to attend the Dallas Telegraph and Business College. He paid $50 tuition and worked to earn his lodging expenses. Following this training, he worked as a telegrapher and station agent. During this time, he worked in a number of towns in Louisiana. During one flood, he slept in a freight car so he could work to get out emergency messages when the Mississippi River overflowed. After living in Arkansas for a while, he returned to Texas in 1914 with his wife whom he had met there. After his return he continued to work in the Railroad field. He became the first mayor of Big Lake in 1924. A friend convinced him to run for district and county clerk. He won the election, and continued in office until 1954 when he retired. That retirement did not last long, however, when the District Judge appointed him to fill an unexpired term as county auditor. That job was set to end in November of 1959. He and his wife had celebrated their fiftieth anniversary 28 Feb of 1959. He was not sure if he would quit politics when November came around. He had a 50 year Master Mason pin, and was a lifetime member of the Lions Club. In addition, he was also a member of the Odd Fellows.

His death certificate said he was married. His parents were Tommie Puckett and Louisa Darby. His wife, Mrs. H. L. Puckett was the informant.

World War I Draft Registration:
He was Herbert L. Puckett, residing in Big Lake, Reagan, Texas, aged 33, born May 15, 1885. He was employed at the station Agent for K. C. M. & O. Ry. Co. in Big Lake, Reagan, Texas. His nearest relative was Mrs. Cora Puckett of Big Lake, Reagan, Texas. He was medium height, small build, black eyes, brown hair. The date was Sep. 12, 1918.

Census:
1910; Census Place: El Dorado Ward 2, Union, Arkansas; Roll T624_66; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 129; Image: 507
134/151, Puckett, Herbert L., head, m, w, 24, m1, 1, TX, TX, FL, Agent, Rail Road, wages, rent
----, Cora, wife, f, w, 19, m1, 1, AR, AR, AR, none
Blackman, Lucy, servant, f, b, 60, wd, 4 children, 2(?) living, AR, AR, AR, cook, private family, wages

1920;Census Place: Big Lake, Reagan, Texas; Roll T625_1839; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 170; Image: 1099
25/34, Puckett, Herbert L., head, own, free, m, w, 32, m, TX, TX, FL, Agent, Depot R. R., wages
----, Cora, wife, f, w, 28, m, AR, (hard to read, might be Georgia, but not certain), AR, none
----, Collin, son, m, ,w, 9, s, AR, TX, AR, none
----, Ray, son, m, w, 7, s, TX, TX, AR, none

1930; Census Place: Big Lake, Reagan, Texas; Roll 2385; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 382.0
Pennsylvania Ave.
66/66, Puckett, Herbert L., head, own, 3000, rent, m, w, 44, m, 23, TX, TX, FL, clerk, Reagan Company, wages
----, Cora L., wife, f, w, 39, m, 18, AR, AR, AR, none
----, Collin O., son, m, w, 19, s, AR, TX, AR, clerk, lumber yard
----, Ray H., son, m, w, 17, s, TX, TX, AR, engineer, utilities, wages
----, Floyd A., son, m, w, 7, s, TX, TX, AR, none