Lea County Familes, Then and Now, Vol I, 1979

The Bingham Family

Submitted by: Mildred Bingham Lasley

Tom Bingham was 12 years old when he left his home in Italy, Texas to make his way in this world. One of his many jobs was a trail-driver for big heards moving from Texas. His path led him to the Oklahoma Territory where he met and married Louella Simcoe.

In 1906, after living in Kent County, Texas he moved to Monument, New Mexico.

His father, T.P. Bingham had come to Monument in 1898 and settled. T.P. Bingham was appointed "Justice of the Peace" and later the first Probate Judge of Lea County.

Tom filed on land about 6 miles north of Monument, and built a house for his wife and three small daughters, Mary Frances, Tommie Lou and Hope. He worked for the Poole Cattle Co. while proving up on his claim.

Tom had two sisters who came and settled in this area: Mr. & Mrs. John Gaither sand Mr. and Mrs. B. Hardin.

The Bingham children went to school in Monument, and later to Eden School, which was north of the Linam Ranch.It was too far to walk so they rode on horseback. When Mabble Zimmerman came from Carlsbad to teach at the Eden School, she boarded with the Binghams, so Tom, bought a buggy for the teacher and children to go to school in.

Three more children were born while the Bingham's lived in Monument, G.H.(Toehead), Edna, and Mildred.

The Bingham's moved to Lovington in 1914 and lived in a house, just south of the Lea County Museum. Tom stayed at the ranch, and the family lived in Lovington during the school year.

In 1917, they built a house in the north part of Lovington and lived there until the house was destroyed by fire in 1931.

Tom Bingham was elected Tax Assessor in 1922 and served two terms. He was also Deputy Sheriff at Hobbs during the boom and later in Tatum.

Tom Bingham died in 1944, and Louella in 1950.

Printed with Permission of Lea County Genealogical Society, Lovington, New Mexico