Jim and Lena Steele McLelland

James A. "Jim" McLelland was born on October 23, 1870 in Texas.  In 1895 he married Lena Rhoda Steele who was born on December 22, 1877 to the marriage of Francis Marion "Frank" Steele and Lucinda Chisum.

After their marriage, Jim and Lena made their home in Limestone County, Texas until moving to Sicily Island prior to 1910.  Lena's brother, Isham Alfonso Steele, had made his home in Sicily Island about twelve years earlier and Lena decided she wanted to move to Sicily Island as well.  Jim was content to stay in Texas and did not want to relocate.

The story goes that Lena told Jim she was moving to Sicily Island whether he moved with her or not.  Jim remained adamant that he was not moving.  Lena would not yield.  She packed her belongings and asked Jim to take her by wagon to the train station.  Jim, believing she would not go through with her plans, agreed to take her to catch the train.  Lena's belongings were loaded on the train and at the very last minute, Jim jumped aboard with nothing but the clothes on his back. Over the years, Lena would often tell this story and Jim would only smile; never denying the circumstances under which he became a resident of Sicily Island.

Jim would later represent Sicily Island as a Policy Jury member for Ward 2 from 1934 to 1936.  He also served as the second vice-president of the Truck Grower's Association formed in 1909 by the farmers of Sicily Island.

Rice Belt Journal, Calcasieu Parish - 7/16/1909 (courtesy of Chronicling America)

Jim and Lena lived on Highway 8 in the house pictured below:

No children were born to the marriage of Jim and Lena McLelland.  Jim died on February 23, 1955 and Lena died on October 6, 1960.  Both are buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island.

Below is a photograph of the Steele sisters taken in the early 1900s.  (LtoR) Lula, Lydia. Madie, Lena, and Louella

Lena is pictured below (2nd from left) with three of her sisters, Lula, Madie and Lydia Steele.  (photograph taken circa mid-1900s)

Lena with her great nephew, Bruce Alfonso Edmonds (photograph taken circa 1928)

Lena holding her great-great nephew, Charles Wesley Ogden with her sister-in-law, Mary Virginia "Mollie" Blackman Steele seated beside her and her niece, Clara Lucille Steele Ogden standing. (photograph taken circa 1945)

In her later years, Lena lived in a small house on the road to the school.  The photographs below were taken while she was living in this house.

Lena in her later years

Lena in her later years

In Lena Rhoda Steele McLelland's Last Will and Testament, executed February 23, 1960, the following heirs were named:

Mary Allye Steele Edmonds (niece)
Clara Lucille Steele Ogden (niece)
Lena Juanita Steele Peck (niece)
Addie Mae Cooper Seal

Mrs. Addie Mae cared for Lena in her later years and inherited the house in the last two photographs above.