Photos courtesy of Tom Rioux |
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Mr. Rioux was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1862, one of five children born to Octave and Cecelia Berube Rioux, who came from Canada, and settled in Fall River during their early married life. Mr. Rioux's childhood was spent in Fall River, where he finished school at the age of 18. Soon after, he began work for the Boston and Main Railroad as messenger and office boy for the General Yardmaster, and worked in this position for one year. Later he became switchman for the same road and continued to work five and one half years longer. During this time he was married to Miss Matilda Beaumont on July 10, 1882, and two children were born to this union, the late Mrs. H. M. Fetzer, who passed away in November, 1948 and Adolphus Rioux, who resides in Palacios. Mrs. Rioux passed away on April 11, 1952. Mr. Rioux, with his wife and family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1890, and he began working for the CNO and TP Railroad as switchman and Engine Foreman. About a year later the road was re-organized and took the name of the Queen and Crescent, which operated fro Cincinnati to New Orleans and Shreveport, La. A year later he was transferred to Vicksburg, Miss., as yardmaster at Vicksburg and Delta, La. He remained here for eight years, later being transferred to Shreveport in 1897 as yardmaster for the same system. When the MK & T began operating in Shreveport, Mr. Rioux was made yardmaster for both roads, working here for a period of eight and one half years for the same road. At the end of this period he worked for the KCS for seven years as yardmaster, and then three years with the L. R. and N., resigning to go into business for himself. After being engaged in private business for three years, he sold out to Duffy and Behan of New Orleans, and began working for Letelier and Philips Paper Co., remaining with them for three years. Later he worked for the Street and Parks, City of Shreveport, for a period of eight years, and then for the Finance Department, Shreveport, for seven and one half years, leaving this position to retire. Mr. Rioux left Shreveport in 1937 and moved to Palacios to be with his children and grandchildren. Mr. Rioux's only brother died of yellow fever during the Spanish American War. Funeral services were held at 10 a. m. Wednesday at the Rose-Neath Funeral Home, and burial was in the Forest Park Cemetery. Survivors, besides his son, are four grandchildren, W. E. Rioux of El Campo, Mrs. Fred B. Webb Jr. of Texarkana, Arkansas, H. M. Fetzer of Texarkana, Texas, and Miss Darlene Rioux; and four great-grandchildren.
Palacios Beacon, July 31, 1952 |
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Palacios citizens were shocked Wednesday afternoon when the death of Mrs. M. Fetzer was made known. Although all knew of her illness, her death came as a surprise. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 3::30 o'clock in the Palacios Funeral Home conducted by Rev. Aubrey Maxted. Burial will be in Shreveport, La., the Palacios Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Matilda Beaumont Fetzer was born February 16, 1883, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Rioux, of this city, who with her brother, Mr. A. Rioux, survive, also one son, Henry Fetzer of Shreveport. To the aged parents and other relatives we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
Palacios Beacon, November 11, 1948 |
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Mr. Ernest Rioux, a resident of Palacios for 15
years, and a former resident of Shreveport for 40 years, passed away
at the Bayview General Hospital at 12:15 p. m. Sunday.
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Rioux Family Tree
Photos courtesy of Thomas W. "Tom" Rioux |
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In 1931, during the worst days of the depression, a man, his son and his nephew came down to the Gulf Coast in search of a town or community with promise where a man could make a new start in life. Short, on the stocky side, this man already had years of business experience behind him and was going through his lowest days, following the death of his wife and collapse of business. He already had the distinction of bringing the first bus service to Shreveport, La., and had served as foreman of the construction of many large buildings in Texas and Louisiana. The man’s name is Adolphus Rioux, and he chose Palacios as the community with promise of a future that he was searching for. Rioux, who is now a real estate agent here and operates the Chamber of Commerce office, bought an 80 acre tract of land north of Palacios and started a dairy business. He introduced the first Grade A milk to this area, calling his business the Bayshore Farms.
Since coming to Palacios, Rioux has engaged in several business activities and served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce in 1942, ’44, ’45 and ’55. Still a vigorous appearing man, he was born in Fall River, Mass. in 1885. His father, Ernest Rioux, was a railroad worker. The family moved to Cincinnati when Adolphus was four years old, where they lived a year before Ernest was transferred to Vicksburg, Miss. A year later Rioux’s father was transferred to Delta, Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, where he served as yardmaster for the V. S. and P. R. R. “I started to school in Delta when I was six—walked a mile,” Rioux said. “We did all of our shopping in Vicksburg and went over on the transfer boat operated by the railroad.” “I remember Cap’n Tom Flanagan letting me go to the Pilot’s Cabin and helped him steer the boat, which was a great thrill. When Rioux was eighteen, he decided he wanted to learn a trade, and going against his mother’s wishes—she wanted him to be a barber—he signed up for four years with a contractor to learn the bricklaying trade. In a year and a half, he was foreman of a job to build the Round House in Marshall, Texas, for the Texas Pacific Railroad in 1905. The contractor had to get permission from the brick layer’s union to allow Rioux to be foreman for the job because he was in apprentice ranks. November 15, 1906, he married a Marshall girl and moved back to Shreveport after completing the contract. His first daughter, Dolphine, was born there in 1909. He supervised construction on several large buildings in Shreveport, including a large church at the head of Texas Street. In Dallas he was in charge of the construction of the Oaklawn Church and the Lakewood Country Club. While there, his son, William Ernest, was born. Wishing to go to work for himself, Rioux transferred his family back to Shreveport, purchased a Model T. Ford touring car and started a Jitney line out Highland Ave. to town. “The fare was five cents per person,” he said. Starting the “bus” service in 1915, he built the business up until it included 72 pieces of equipment. World War I clouded the international scene—and took Rioux’s best drivers. By this time he was also operating freight lines and taxi service together.
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Miss Dolphine Rioux and J. B. Rupe gave their friends quite a surprise on last Wednesday night announced that they had been married since June 23. They left immediately for McAllen to spend a couple of weeks with the groom's parents Mr. and Mrs. O. C. Rupe. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Gillespie at his home and they, as well as the pastor and friend who acted as witness said nothing until the opportune time arrived and they were ready to go to the Valley accompanied by Messrs. Ira and Jess Richards, uncles of the groom. The bride is the daughter of Mr. A. Rioux, who came here something over a year ago from Shreveport, La., and located the Bayshore Dairy farm north of town. She is a very pleasing young lady and soon won a place of admiration among our people. J. B. has spent a great portion of his life in Palacios and has been an efficient assistant at the Queen Theater for some time. The hosts of friends of this popular couple wish for them the very best that life affords and their Palacios friends will give them a most hearty greeting upon their return to this city.
Palacios Beacon, July 20, 1933 |
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Announcement is made of the marriage of Mr. A. Rioux and Mrs. Cholorine Padgett, in Houston Friday, March 30, with the pastor of the McAster Methodist church officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Rioux went on to Shreveport, La. for a visit with his parents and other relatives, expecting to return to Palacios the latter part of this week. Both parties have numerous friends here with whom we join in hearty congratulations.
Palacios
Beacon, April 12, 1934 |
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The "Chat and Curl" Beauty Shop opened in September by Mrs. J. C. Countryman, changed hands the first of this month and Mrs. "Babe" Rioux is announcing specials on all permanents for Christmas and invites her many friends also regular customers of the Shop to come in and get fixed up for the Holiday Season. Mrs. Dorothy Smith will continue as operator, Mrs. Rioux states, and for your beauty work call and make your appointments at the same location.
Palacios Beacon, December 9, 1948 |
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Graveside services for Mildred Wallace Rioux, 86, of Palacios, were held Tuesday, April 30, 1996 at Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, La. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Palacios at 11 a. m. Wednesday, May 1. Mrs. Rioux was born Dec. 14, 1909 in Muskogee, Okla., to James Samuel Wallace and Annie Jane Lindley Wallace. As a young girl, she moved to Sherman, Tex. and graduated from Sherman High School. Mrs. Rioux worked in real estate in Sherman until she accepted a position as Chief Clerk of Medical Supply at Camp Hulen in Palacios, a position she held for 6 1/2 years. She married Adolphus Rioux on July 4, 1947 and worked with her husband in the real estate business until his death on February 28, 1974. Mrs. Rioux was the first woman Realtor in Palacios. She continued to manage Rioux Realty until illness forced her to retire in 1991. She was a member of the Matagorda County Board of Realtors and the National Board of Realtors. She served six years as Director of the Texas Association of Realtors and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Palacios. Mrs. Rioux is survived by a step-daughters, Darlene Rioux Barton of Lake Jackson; six grandchildren, Patricia Rioux Lemley of Richmond, Virgie Rioux Johnson of Houston, William Ernest Rioux, II of El Campo, [Thomas Wayne RIoux of Austin, Karen Ann Barton] and Kimberly Ann Barton of Lake Jackson; four great-grandchildren, William Ernest Rioux, III and Keith Alan Rioux of El Campo, Jamie Wynn Johnson of New York City, and Hannah Rioux Johnson of Austin; three nephews, David Wallace and Phillip Wallace of Woodland, Calif. and Billy Wallace of Sacramento, Calif.; and one niece, Francine Wallace Shyne of Bellevue, Wash. Mrs. Rioux was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, step-son William Ernest Rioux and step-daughter Dolphine Rioux Webb.
Palacios Beacon, May 1, 1996 |
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Warrant Officer W. E. "Bill" Rioux is a civilian again after 3 years and 7 months of Army life. Rioux went into the anti-aircraft artillery in November 1941 a month before Pearl Harbor, was shipped overseas to Oran, Africa in April 1942 to help stop Field Marchal Erwin Rommel. After spending three months in North Africa at Tunis, and Bizerte his unit the 216th AAA Battalion went to Sicily where they spent 5 long months. Landing in Italy in January 9, 42, the 216th stayed 9 months, four of them at Anzio, the worst 4 months of the war as far as Warrant Office Rioux is concerned. His bunch then continued on from Naples through Rome to Florence, and it was among the groups participating in the triumphal entry into the capital city. There it was that Rioux was able to have a short view of the Pope and the Cistine Chapel, so elaborately detailed by him in a let-...campaigns. His father lives in Palacios where Rioux spent two years before coming to El Campo to operate the Humble Station at the intersection of highways 59 and 71 during the years of 1936 to 1941 inclusive. His wife is the former Arleene Wendel, daughter of A. J. Wendel. Organized in 1941 the hardware store carries a complete line as possible, because of wartime limitations of hardware needed by farmers and city dwellers, including such nationally advertised products as Minneapolis-Moline tractors and farm implements, Dempster windmills, pumps and water supplies, DeLaval dairy equipment to render farmers a valuable service. Wendel Gins in El Campo and Wharton are also ready to serve the farmer with the best quality ginning at any and all times.
Newspaper and date unknown |
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Bill Rioux, recently discharged from the army as a warrant officer after 26 months of service in North Africa and Europe, is the new manager of the Wendel Hardware and Implements store, it was announced this week by A. J. Wendel. Mr. Rioux operated the Humble Service station here for number of years before entering the service more than three years ago. He returned from Europe several weeks ago and later reported to Ft. Sam Houston. Mr. Rioux is now on a terminal leave expiring October 28th after which he expects to obtain his release. His service in Europe included the campaigns in Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. Mrs. Rioux, the former Arleene Wendel, and her two daughters, have made their home since the war, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Wendel.
Newspaper and date unknown |
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William Ernest (Bill) Rioux, 45, prominent El Campo citizen and businessman, died suddenly from a heart attack at the Nightingale Hospital in El Campo, at 10:00 p. m. Thursday, September 10, 1959. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 10:00 A. M. in the Wheeler Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Fred Bruchs pastor of the First Methodist Church officiating. Burial was in the O. D. H. S. [Garden of Memories] cemetery. Mr. Rioux was a member of the First Methodist Church, having joined at an early age. Mr. Rioux was born on April 2, 1914, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Adolphus Rioux of Palacios, and the late Mrs. Virgie Mae Scheuber Rioux. With his parents he moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, at an early age and received his schooling there. In 1931 Mr. Rioux moved to Palacios with his father and operated the Humble station until he was transferred to the Humble station in El Campo, where he remained until entering the armed services of World War II in 1941. He served in the European theater as Senior Warrant Officer and received many citations during his term of service. After the war he returned to El Campo where he was employed by Wendel Properties, and at the time of his death was co-partner of this business, a firm engaged in the hardware and implement business, oil, cotton ginning, construction, farming and ranching. On July 3, 1941, prior to his entering the service, Mr. Rioux married the former Miss Arleene Wendel of El Campo, daughter of the late Andrew J. Wendel and Mrs. Viola Frels Wendel. Survivors besides his wife and father, are his step-mother, Mrs. Mildred W. Rioux; two daughters, Patricia Ann Rioux and Virgie Mae Rioux; two sons, William Ernest Rioux, II, and Thomas Wayne Rioux; two sisters, Mrs. Dolphine R. Webb, Jr. of Texarkana, Arkansas and Mrs. Darlene R. Barton of Freeport, Texas.
Palacios Beacon, September 17, 1959 |
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El Campo--Mrs. Arleene Rioux Winstead, 57, of El Campo died Thursday morning at her home. Funeral services will be held at 4 p. m. Friday in the Wheeler Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Lloyd Nixon officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories. She was born Nov. 24, 1917 in Choate, Tex. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, C. D. Winstead; four daughters, Mrs. Patricia Lemley of Dallas, Mrs. Virgie Johnson and Mrs. Dotty Walker of Houston, and Mrs. Betty Vickers of Victoria; two sons, William E. Rioux of El Campo and Thomas W. Rioux of Austin; a brother, A. J. Wendel Jr. of El Campo; and three grandchildren.
Victoria Advocate, July 25, 1974 |
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