Katemcy

• Name — Katemcy, Texas • Settlement Type — Unincorporated community • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — United States • Subdivision Type1 — State • Subdivision Name1 — Texas • Subdivision Type2 — County • Subdivision Name2 — Mason • Unit Pref — Imperial • Population As Of — 2000 • Population Density Km2 — auto • Timezone — Central (CST) • Utc Offset — -6 • Timezone Dst — CDT • Utc Offset Dst — -5 • Elevation M — 512 • Postal Code Type — ZIP code • Area Code — 325 • Blank Name — FIPS code • Blank Info — 48-38464 • Blank1 Name — GNIS feature ID • Blank1 Info — 1380020

The community was originally named Cootsville after colonist Andrew Jackson Coots. Settlers began moving in during the late 19th century. In 1879, Doctor William Flemon Cowan, and his spouse, midwife Mary Ann Primm Cowan, moved to the community from Limestone County. The plot of land on which they settled became the community of Katemcy. Dr. and Mrs. Cowan provided medical services to the settlers by riding horseback throughout the county. In the style of the day, Mrs. Cowan rode sidesaddle in a riding skirt. Dr. Cowan's sons John, Elias and Alfred ran a sawmill, gristmill and cotton gin.

Alfred R. Cowan was appointed postmaster when Katemcy received its post office on November 17, 1884.

Katemcy became attractive to settlers with its inexpensive acreage and bountiful water supply. The area received its first telephone in 1914. Local farms were often tenant farms, an arrangement that contributed to the thriving rural community that supported three churches, a school, two doctors, two general stores, two blacksmith shops, and a cotton gin. By 1920, the tractor had replaced a lot of field hands, and farm employment began to disappear. The population began its decline in 1925. The Katemcy school system was consolidated with Mason in 1945. The population was about 90 people in 1990. Today, the rural community population remains small.

Actor Dewey Martin was a native of Katemcy.