Donna Gholson Cook

Donna Gholson Cook is a sixth-generation Texan on her father's side with ancestors who came to this continent almost 100 years before the American Revolution. Her mother's grandparents came to America from Germany in the late 1800s. Since early childhood she has been fascinated by stories about her ancestors and has spent many hours in many libraries researching her family history, resulting in five books.

The first book, containing information gathered through research in libraries and courthouses, GHOLSON ROAD--REVOLUTIONARIES AND TEXAS RANGERS, follows her father's family from the days of early America through the early days of Texas. The second book, FRITZ AND ANNIE LIPPE FAMILY--GERMAN COTTON FARMERS IN EARLY 1900s TEXAS, is a collection of stories and photographs provided by Lippe family members, and the third book, ANNIE'S STORY--MEMORIES OF MY GRANDMOTHER, is a narrative of what life was like growing up as tenant farmers growing cotton, and the difficulties of bringing up eleven children, whose very existence depended upon the hard work of every member of the family every day, starting about age five.

She returned to the Gholson family topic for the fourth book, GHOLSON BROTHERS IN THE THICK OF IT--TRUE STORIES OF EARLY TEXAS AS TOLD BY TWO WHO LIVED IT. The two were her great-grandfather, Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Gholson and his brother, Samuel Sullivan "Sam" Gholson, some of the first Texans and first Texas Rangers. Donna's fifth book is GHOLSONS IN EARLY AMERICA AND THEIR CONNECTIONS WITH THE FOUNDING FATHERS. They first arrived in America in the 1600s and lived in Virginia at the time of the American Revolution, then moved to Kentucky along with thousands of others. There are documented family connections to famous Americans such as Patrick Henry, Henry Clay, and Daniel Boone.

Donna's wish is for people of all ages to learn about the hardships our ancestors suffered to give us all the lifestyle we enjoy today, as well as enjoying the tales of the wild and woolly days of the early Texas settlers and the Texas Rangers who helped to protect them. More information can be found at Donna's website, www.gholson-cook.com.

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Comments about GHOLSON BROTHERS IN THE THICK OF IT--TRUE STORIES OF EARLY TEXAS AS TOLD BY TWO WHO LIVED IT, Grand Prize winner in the 2019 contest of the Texas State Genealogical Society:

Amazon Review - 5.0 out of 5 stars

I love the book so far!! It’s so exciting reading about my great great grandfather and his brothers adventures as young men!! And makes me appreciate what they sacrificed and suffered so we could have the life and freedoms we have now!! Thank you Donna Gholson Cook for this awesome book!!!

Amazon Review excerpt - 5.0 out of 5 stars

This is one of the most interesting books about the history of early Texas I have ever read. If you, like me have been enriched by reading and learning how the west was really won and how the Texas Rangers operated in the beginning you will find her book not only interesting, but a learning experience.

Alex Brewer, Jr. Lt/Col USAF (ret)

Donna Swanberg:

I am so proud to not only share in our name, but to know our family has someone as wonderfully gifted, loving, and willing to share. I can only imagine the hard work, commitment and endless hours of research put in so that we can all know who we are, where we came from and how we got here. I thank you so much for that.

Ron Henderson:

I received the book today. You did a very nice job! Many interesting stories. As the obituary read, the story is not closed and is a “priceless possession”! I see many interesting subjects as in the cattle business, Indian depredations, the chase that follows, and the communications years laters with the Texas chronicler, J. Frank Dobie. I do look forward to getting into the detail!

Roger Newcomb:

I received the book on the Gholson brothers today. Thank you so much! I am looking forward to some enjoyable hours soaking in this soup of history. Just randomly opening a few pages and reading a paragraph or two has endeared me to Donna's writing style.

MarthaLou Gholson Holland:

My youngest daughter, who teaches 7th grade Texas history, wants to borrow it for her class.

Byron Johnson, Director, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum:

The book looks very good and I am sure you are fulfilled after the long effort that went into them. Bill Warren (a Gholson descendant) would have been very proud of you.

Alan C. Huffines, Texas Historian and Author:

Read book today. You did incredible work, I’m excited and proud to own this.

Elsie Lippe (letter from my 90-year-old aunt—I love this one!)

I finished the book. I really don’t like cowboy and Indians, but I guess since it involved your background, and knowing your dad, I really got into it. I really enjoyed it. Had a hard time to put it down sometimes.

Susan Kaufman, Texas State Genealogical Society 2019 Conference Co-Chair and Senior Manager of the Houston Public Library/Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, Extract from Grand Prize letter:

We are amazed at the content, the effort and the result of your hard work on this book. We are honored to add it to our collection, catalog it so others can find it and hopefully learn from it...and maybe even find a family connection in it!

Edwina Powell, Administrative Coordinator, Baylor University, The Texas Collection:

We are delighted to receive your thoughtful gift of the three books: Gholson Brothers In the Thick of It, Annie’s Story, and Fritz and Annie Lippe Family! The real stories of early Texas life as immigrants, cotton farmers, survival and Texas Rangers enlighten and inspire us upon the extent of research that was collected. We are happy to add your books to our holdings.