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Iverson Methvin was born April 13, 1876, the oldest of five children, Iverson, Isaac, Ivy, Iziah, and Idona. Their father died when Iverson was 12 years old. A year or so later their mother remarried. Their father was in the cattle business, and had accumulated wealth, as measured by the standards of his day. They owned their home and 40 acres, but the man she married had nothing, so he moved in their home. As a step father, he resented her children, and ruled over them against their wishes. At the age of 16, Iverson and Isaac left home. Isaac died two years later, they were living with their aunt.
After that Iverson went to work for Mr. Jasper Huggins where he met and fell in love with Mildred Huggins, but his mother was so unhappy, and by this time had two daughters by her husband, their names were Lula and Lilly Holeman; but by this time, there was only Ivy and Idona left at home with the step father, she came to Iverson asking for help. He agreed to take them with him. His mother agreed to let the children have the old home place and the 40 acres it was on, and she and her new family moved out. At that time Iverson was 24 years old, and Idona 16.
On April 30, 1899 Iverson married Mildred Huggins. They continued to live in the home, which by that time, had been deeded to Iverson.
On January 25, 1907, Iverson bought 40 more acres from his father-in-law, Jasper Huggins. Iverson bought an additional 40 acres from Jasper Huggins on March 22, 1909.
Iverson bought 40 more aces from L.M. Norrid and 40 more acres from J.C. Tomlin on December 2, 1910. Iverson's property now totaled 200 acres. The land adjoined the property on which Bethel Baptist Church now stands. Iverson helped build the old church and was very active in it.
Iverson built a new two story home for his family. He also built a store building with upper floor used for a Masonic Lodge.
In 1916 a school was built on his property near Bethel Church. Through Mr. A.H. Horton, who was then the superintendent of Red River Parish School Board, the new school was voted to be named 'Methvin High School', and the community 'Methvin Town'.
As the years have gone by, the school was consolidated with Martin High. The old home burned to the ground. Iverson moved to Hall Summit where he put in a business, built a home and raised nine children: Emmitt, Willie, Price, Grace, Percy, Jewel, Audrey, Dulcie and Dudley.
...Dulcie Methvin Allen
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