Nannie Louise Scott Gorsuch

Nannie Louise Scott Gorsuch’s family roots grow deep into the early days of Texas. Her grandparents, George W. Gray Browne and Julia Ann Chapman Browne pioneered from Virginia in 1857 and settled in Texas. On January 1,1862 the Browne’s had a son named George S. Browne. After attending the Military Institute, George S. Browne married Nannie Ferguson Scott on January 22,1892. On April 19,1894 Nannie Louise was born.

Nannie Louise had many interesting and historical members in her family. When she was just a young child, her mother, Nannie Ferguson Scott, died. Barbara C. Scott Wise and Mary Louise Scott Lubbock, Nannie’s two sisters, Became Nannie Louise’s "Mothers." Her two cousins, John and Luke Wise, became her "brothers."

Barbara C. Wise, originally came from Virginia, agreed to move to Texas only after her husband, Captain Louis C. Wise, would build her a rock house to protect her from Indian attacks. Louise C. Wise was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and one of the legendary New Market Cadets, who as a teenage schoolboy held of the Union force in the Shanandoah Valley in the closing days of the Civil War. He was an early survivor for the state of Texas in Austin.

Nannie Louise’s great uncle, Henry W. Wise of Virginia, was governor of the state when John Browne was capture, tried, and hanged. He was given the rank of brigideir general in the Confederate Army. Wise was a spokesman in the Congress for the support of annexing (or bringing in) the Texas Republic. Later he would be honored by Texans, by having one of the new counties in the state named after his behalf, Wise County. He died in Richmond, Virginia on September 12,1876.

The Wise’s go back to the American Revolution. George Washington honored ____ Wise by presenting two muskets as a gift of appreciation for his bravery in the Revolution. These muskets are still in the family belonging to the great grandson of Nannie Louise, Lance Pruitt.

Nannie Louise had the privilege of growing up in the home of ex-governor of Texas, Francis R. Lubbock. Governor Lubbock was chief of the Texas government where the Civil War began and served in the post until 1863 where he retired to have a more active role in the fighting. Aunt Lou married Lubbock on May 19,1904 by the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Governor Lubbock always enjoyed listening to his young niece sing and play the piano in their home in Austin. Nannie Louise was also very fond of Aunt Lou’s closest friend, Mary de Zavola, another historical person in her life.

On 1910, Nannie Louise went away to study music in Bristol, Virginia at Sullins College and Conservatory of Music. After school, she returned home to Abilene. Then she met Lester Joshua Gorsuch, son of Norman Wesley Gorsuch. They married and lived in the family house on 417 Elm Street in Abilene, TX. Little did Norman Wesley know that five generations of his family would also call that house home. The Gorsuch’s were in ranching and oil. They raised Hereford cattle. The ranch was named Flat Top. Over 12 sections made up the ranch. Nan and Lester had two children. They were Lester Joshua Gorsuch Jr. and Barbara Ann Gorsuch. Barbara was her aunt’s namesake.

Barbara Ann grew up and went off to Missouri to attend Stephens College. After graduation she returned to Texas. She met Morris Tippett McDonald at the University of Texas. They married and had three children. They were Morris Tippett McDonald Jr., Scott McDonald, and Cynthia McDonald. At age 42, Morris Died of a heart attack. "Mammy" and "Big Daddy," Nan and Lester were very close to their grandchildren and helped Barbara raise them while they where very young. In later years, Mammy’s granddaughter , Cynthia Ann, married and had a daughter, Emily Nan Reed on January 17,1980. She was the fifth generation to live in the family home.

An era ended on January 3,1986 when Nannie Louise Browne Gorsuch pasted away at age 92. Grieved by all, but who left a family legacy that all are proud to be a part.

Another great grandchild of Nannie Louise was born. A great grandson who will carry the family name on, is Lance Gorsuch Pruitt, born in February 9,1988.