Photograph of the Texas Historical Commission marker for Thomas Middlebrook Willis (June 27, 1859 - November 27, 1937) in Abilene, Texas. Text: Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, Thomas Middlebrook Willis was an important early leader in Abilene. Willis moved to Waco, Texas with his parents, Dr. Thomas L. and Mrs. Letitia Willis, in 1866. T. M. Willis first came to this area in 1878 to investigate range possibilities. In 1883, after graduating from the law school of Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, he moved here and established a practice. In 1886, Willis married Abilene resident Sallie Parker (1865 - 1954); the couple had eight children. Also in 1886, he was elected city attorney. Willis later also served as city judge. In 1937, the Abilene Reporter-News honored him, among others, as one of the city's founders.

Photograph of an miniature oil portrait of Harriett L. Julian Clarke, the daughter of Dr. Charles Julian and Jane Moore Julian and the mother of Sallie Ann Clarke Parker. She married Joseph C. Clarke. She was born September 30, 1798 and died September 21, 1838. According to family tradition, the portrait was painted in France.

Photograph of Dr. John Todd Parker, the father of Robert Henry Parker. He is a middle-aged man in this portrait.

Photograph of Robert Henry Parker, the husband of Sallie Ann Clarke Parker. He was born September 16, 1828 and died on September 15, 1896.

Photograph of Robert Henry Parker, the husband of Sallie Ann Clarke Parker. He was born September 16, 1828 and died on September 15, 1896.

Photograph of the first two-story frame house in Abilene, Texas, located on the corner of South 2nd Street and Butternut Street. It was the home of Robert Henry Parker. A group of people, believed to be the Parker family, are gathered on the covered porch.

Photograph of the first two-story frame house in Abilene, Texas, located on the corner of South 2nd Street and Butternut Street. It was the home of Robert Henry Parker. A white picket fence borders the property.

Photograph of four generations of the Parker family. From left to right are Sallie Ann Clarke Parker, Sallie Ann Parker Willis, Neva Willis Hudson, and an infant, Margaret Ann Hudson.

Photograph of Neva Parker Woodward, who is the daughter of Robert H. Parker and Sallie Clarke Parker of Abilene, Texas, according to handwritten information on the back of the photo. She is a short-haired woman wearing a pearl necklace and a sleeveless ensemble. Held against her chest is a feathery object.

Photograph of Sallie L. Willis, right, and John Todd Willis, Sr., left, as children. John T. Willis, Sr. sits in chair with a hat in one hand and a toy in the other. His sister stands next to him.

Photograph of John T. Willis, Sr. in a group photograph of the Abilene Clearing House Association. He stands in the middle of the back row with his hands on the shoulders of the man in front of him. All of the men are dressed in white shirts, and several have money in their pockets or hands.

Photograph of John T. Willis, Sr. in a group photograph of the Abilene Clearing House Association. He stands in the middle of the back row with his hands on the shoulders of the man in front of him. All of the men are dressed in white shirts, and several have money in their pockets or hands. The men in the front row are Kirk -, Herman Pender, and Curtis Weaver. Roy McCollough is on the left in the back row, and Bob Adams stands on Willis' other side.

Photograph of John T. Willis, Sr. in a group Photograph of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Abilene, Texas. Willis stands on the right. Herman Pender stands next to Willis. Bob Adams sits in front of Pender, and Ben McAdams sits next to him. All four men are wearing suits.

Photograph of John T. Willis, Sr. in a group portrait with three other men. Willis is seated in the lower left hand corner.

Photograph of John T. Willis, Sr. on a bankers camping trip. He stands in between two other men, Bob Adams on the left and Fritz Fulwiler on the left. Willis wears a hat and holds a pipe in his mouth. The campsite is visible behind the men.

Photograph of Sallie Parker Willis, left, John Todd Willis, Sr., right. Margaret Ann Hudson stands in front of them holding a doll.

Photograph of Thomas Middlebrook Willis. He wears a double breasted coat and stands next to a chair. He holds a book at his side.

Photograph of Thomas Middlebrook Willis. He wears a double breasted coat, and has a handlebar mustache.

Photograph of Sallie Ann Parker Willis, wife of Thomas Middlebrook Willis. She wears pearls, a white rose on her shirt, and glasses. Her hair is pulled back.

Photograph of the home of Thomas Middlebrook Willis at 402 Peach Street in Abilene, Texas. It is a two-story wooden house, with a picket fence and a porch. There are trees in the front yard. A note at the top of the photo reads: "402 Peach St just back of Momma's house on Jeanette." Sallie Ann Parker Willis is seated on the porch.

Photograph of Sallie Ann Parker Willis, far left; Parker Willis, standing behind her; Josephine Willis, wearing a corsage, Abbie T. Willis, standing behind Josephine; John Todd Willis, Sr. wearing a tie; and John Todd Willis, Jr., holding pistols. They stand in front of a brick building.

A daguerreotype portrait of Sallie Ann Clarke Parker, posing seated. She wears a dark-colored dress and striped scarf. The hand-colored photograph is housed in a decorative leather case with an embossed velvet cushion and a traditional brass matte.

Scrapbook page covering Buffalo Gap, Texas. These photos cover and identifies various people and views from the railroad that runs through Buffalo Gap.

Photograph of a young man and woman. The man is wearing a light color suit and dark color bow tie. To his right is the woman wearing dark color clothing.