TOMBSTONE TUESDAY: Perry Landon Haskin

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY (June 10, 2025): Perry Landon Haskin (1897-1972) was born in Wise County on Dec 29, 1897 to Elmer James and Mary Susan “Molly” (Duckworth) Haskin. He moved with his parents to Olivia in 1914, where it was believed the coastal environment would be better for his father’s health. Sadly, his father passed away 3 years later when Perry was 19. On May 28, 1919, Perry married Lela Dixie Savage, who had moved to Olivia with her family from Silverton, Texas around the same time as the Haskins. Perry and Lela had 4 children, Perry Landon, Alberta Mae, Margaret Ruth and Melba Jeanette. 

Perry was a farmer and rancher in Olivia and had a love for gardening. His daughter Alberta shared in her later years that her dad “could make a ‘witching stick’ to find water, gold or silver with. Sometimes on Sunday afternoons we would hide things in the grass to see if he could find them with the stick and he always did! One time a lady from Port Alto came to daddy to find a gold watch she had lost and he found it for her.” Perry also had a love for music and often would play the organ for family friends, including one of his favorites “Ole Joe Clark.” On March 22, 1949, joined Alcoa as one of its first local employees. He retired in 1962. Perry was a leader in the community and active in community work throughout his life. He was an avid sportsman and a charter member and instrumental in the organization of the Bay Gun Club. He was active in the Olivia Community Association, a member of the Olivia Fire Department, and served as an adult leader for the Olivia 4-H Club and Olivia Junior Rifle Club, members of which posted outstanding records under his supervision. He was also a member of the Calhoun County Cattlemen’s Association and the Chamber of Commerce. The community work he considered his most important and that which he enjoyed most were those projects and organizations involving youth.

Mr. Haskin was one of the six charter members of the Calhoun Navigation District appointed by the Commissioner’s court on June 9, 1953, following creation of the district by the 53rd legislature under an act written by then late County Judge Howard Hartzog. He was reappointed on June 9, 1959, and again on March 10, 1965, effective June 9, 1965. A bill passed in May 1965 made it mandatory that beginning January 1, 1967, commissioners of the district had to be elected, not appointed. Perry was unopposed in his bid for re-election in June 1971. 

He served continuously until his death on April 12, 1972, without having ever missed a meeting of the board. The first regular meeting following his death landed on the day of his funeral, the Navigation meeting was postponed so that all the directors could attend the funeral.

During his tenure, the navigation district played a pivotal role in the authorization, construction and completion of the Matagorda deep water ship channel. Completed in 1966 at a cost of $28M, this vital project brought deep water access to Calhoun County. Today, Perry’s legacy of service continues through his great-grandson Justin Weaver, who now serves on the Calhoun Navigation District Board – representing District 3, the very seat once held by his great grandfather.

Perry is buried at the Olivia Cemetery.

Tombstone Tuesday is written and compiled each week by Jody Weaver and Sheryl Cuellar of the Calhoun County Historical Commission, sharing the people and stories behind Calhoun County's history.