902 Jefferson Street

This two story house was originally only one story.  It was expanded, by additions and remodeling, into a 12-room, two-story house in 1931 by the owner L. T. Davis. The original house was constructed sometime before 1899, exact date uncertain. This property was part of the estate of Nicolas Souballe, a native of France, who died March 31, 1913, in this house. He was a pioneer settler in Kerr County, arriving in 1868. He may have married more than once.  In the 1880 census, his wife's name was given as Rose. There were no children. In 1900, his wife's name was give as Mary.  She had one child, who was not living with them, so was either an adult or had already died. It is possible Mary and Rose are the same person. Her headstone in Mountain View Cemetery, which reads "Rose Sowball", was supposed to read  "Here repose Nicolas Souballe and his wife M. R. Souballe."
His heirs were Ann (Annette) Rotge, her children Louise, Peter, and Ernest Rotge, and one Louis Michon. Ann Rotge was a native of France. It is probable there was some sort of family relationship. I also found mention in a 1928 newspaper of one Louis Jonon, a stepson of Souballe. He is not mentioned in the will.
Ann Rotge and daughter Louise cared for Souballe until his death.  According to their declaration he had no children of his own.  He owned three houses and lots on Jefferson Street. This is the one Louise Rotge inherited.
It's interesting to note that although he had lived in this country for more than 50 years, Souballe wrote his will in French.  An official English translation is filed with it.

In 1924, Louise Rotge sold this lot and house to Louis T. and Estha Davis for $2000. The Davises, who arrived in Kerrville in late 1920, owned The Vogue ladies' ready to wear shop on Water Street. They lived in this house many years.

Nicolas Souballe also owned the houses at 908 and 912 Jefferson Street. Earnest Rotge inherited the house at 908 and Peter Rotge inherited the house at 912.

In 1920, Earnest Rotge sold the house he inherited to C. B. Mellancon?; Peter sold his to J. Q. Wheeler. Three years later, both properties were sold to Dr. Edward Galbraith.