COLORADO RECORD
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1935

Judge C. H. Earnest Dies At Family Residence; Many Attend Last Rites

Judge C. H. Earnest, outstanding leader in the development of this community, country and section during the past half century, died at the family residence on Hickory and East Third streets, Saturday morning at the age of 75 years. He became ill a few weeks before and during the last few days of his life attending physicians had entertained no hope for his recovery.

A native Texan, Judge Earnest was born in San Marcos. He was educated at the old Texas Military Military Institute at Austin and at Vanderbilt University. He began the practice of law at Runnells, moving to Colorado in 1884 and forming a partnership with the late Judge J. L. Shepherd who died recently in a Fort Worth hospital. A real estate and abstract business was operated in connection with the practice of law.

Judge Earnest's marriage to Miss. Fannie Craig of Colorado was solemnized at All Saints Episcopal Church on April 27, 1886. Mrs. Earnest had previously lived in Pennsylvania and New York.

He served as Mitchell County Judge in 1891 and as mayor of Colorado several years and an active member of the Colorado school board 12 years. He had been director of the West Texas Chamber of Commerce several years and an outstanding executive in the Colorado Chamber since its inception, serving as a member of the board and later filling the office of president.

Judge Earnest was a member of the Elks, K. of P. and since the organization of the Lions Club 13 years ago had been outstanding as a member of this organization.

His death marked the first active Lion to die in the club. His passing leaves only ten charter members of the club to be identified with the organization today.

The late community builder was an aggressive highway enthusiast through many years and gave liberally of his time, influence and means to any project calculated to bring progress to his State and section. He presided at the first meeting ever held in Texas, convened to launch a campaign to build Highway One from Fort Worth to El Paso. The meeting was held in Mineral Wells.

Taking the initiative in reflecting his faith n Colorado Judge Earnest several years ago erected a modern brick business block on East Second Street to mark the beginning of the largest expansion program Colorado had experienced since boom days of the eighties. In later years he and J. Max Thomas erected the Earnest-Thomas store and office building on Walnut Street. He was interested in farm properties and served as vice president-director of the City National Bank.

Survivors are his widow, two sons, Joe Earnest of New York City and C. R. Earnest of Colorado; four daughters, Miss. Martha Earnest, Mrs. Jeannett Porter and Mrs. Stewart Cooper of Colorado and Mrs. Don Sivalls of Midland, all of whom were present for the funeral rites.

Funeral rites were conducted from the residence Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock with the Reverend Alex B. Hanson of All Saints Episcopal Church officiating. He was assisted by the Reverend P. D. O'Brien of the First Baptist Church and Minister J. D. Harvey of the Church of Christ.

Active pallbearers were officials of the City National Bank, Joe H. Smoot, T. W. Stoneroad, Jr., H. E. Grantland, George Slaton, Charles Moeser and J. C. Pritchett. Burial was in the Colorado Cemetery.

Members of the bar, Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations in which Judge Earnest had been recognized as a leader attended the services in a body.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Jones Russell Company.