Palestine High School Alumni Association

James Mears Vossler

08 / 11 / 1892  –  12 / 16 / 1950

James Vossler worked for the Southern Pacific R. R. and traveled extensively for them. On one business trip to New Orleans he suffered a stroke in his hotel room on December 16, 1950. The client he was meeting discovered the body when he went to his hotel to check on “Mr. Vossler who was never late to a meeting.”

He was born in Palestine August 11, 1892, a son of John William and Rena Priscilla Mears Vossler.

The Vossler family, James and younger sister, Alma Vossler, lived in Palestine at 814 Magnolia St. at the 1900 census. The census reports that James’s father, John, is a stenographer and that they own their home. Also living there is Mary E. Mears, John’s mother-in-law who is 52 years old, born in July 1847 in Texas and Kate Mears, his sister-in-law, 23 years old, born in October 1876 in Texas.

In the 1910 census we see John Vossler, 46 years old, born in Missouri, living in Palestine, Texas. He is working for the railroad as a clerk. Both his parents were born in Germany. His wife, Rena, is 42 years old, born in Texas of a father born in Missouri and a mother born in North Carolina. They have been married 19 years and have 2 children. Their son, James M. Vossler is 18 and does not yet have an occupation. Their daughter Alma is 15.

James received an engineering degree from Texas A&M University in College Station before he was married in January 1916. He was also a cadet in their military program.

James was married to Miriam Genevieve McCleary on January 18, 1916 in Houston. Miriam was the daughter of John McCleary and Mary Theresa Frank. She was born ca. 1895.

There were five children from the marriage. A son John Joseph Vossler born 26 Feb. 1918. Daughter Mary Helen Vossler born 12 Oct. 1920. Daughter Frances Louise Vossler born 18 June 1924. Daughter Dorothy Ann Vossler born 2 May 1927. Son Lawrence Jerome Vossler born 4 Aug. 1930.

The Houston City Directory of 1917 lists James M. Vossler, a salesman at Thos Goggan & Bro, residing at 2806 Chenevert.

The 1920 census shows James Vossler, 27, in Houston. James is an electrical engineer at a tool company. Living with him are his wife Miriam, 25, and a son John J., 1 year 10 months. Miriam’s parents and siblings are living next door. Her father was born in Ireland and her mother in Texas. They are living at 1614 Elgin.

The 1929-30 Houston City Directory shows Miriam and her husband living at 1614 Elgin Ave. He is a welder for Southern Pacific Lines.

James M. Vossler and his family are found in the 1930 census living at 1614 Elgin in Houston. They are renting for $35/month and have a radio. James, 37, is a welder for the railroad. He was not a war veteran. Also living there are their children: John J, Mary Helen, Frances L., and Dorothy A. Miriam’s parents and sisters Loretta and Helen are living next door.

The 1935 Houston City Directory lists James M. Vossler, welding instructor for Southern Pacific RR Lines. There are separate listings for his son John Joseph and also for his mother Rena, at the same address.

The 1943-44 Houston City Directory shows James M. Vossler, supervisor of welding at Southern Pacific RR Lines (with wife Miriam and 3 children), living at the same address, and a separate listing for daughter Mary, employee at F.B.D.G. Co.

His son John Joseph was killed in World War II during the Normandy invasion and was buried in Cambridge, England on 26 April 1945. He was a radioman on a B-24 plane and had the rank of Tech. Sgt. He was in a 706 bomber, in the 446th Bomber Group. There is a monument in Cambridge. He received the Air Metal and additional Army metals.