Kerr County Abstract & Title Celebrates 90 Years

Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. proudly
Celebrates 90 years of Extraordinary Customer Service

Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. has been providing customer service to Kerr County communities since 1924.  The company was founded by John R. Leavell, who was the district and county clerk of Kerr County in 1924, and Werner Lochte, a deputy district clerk.  Since John Leavell and Werner Lochte both worked with the land records it made sense to form a partnership to create abstracts of title and formed Kerr Abstract Co.  The offices of the District Clerk and the County clerk were combined from 1872-1930.  John R. Leavell later became a Kerr County Judge and Werner Lochte became a real estate agent.  Werner Lochte married Pauline Pearl Raaz, a widow with a small son, Darrell Gray Lochte.  Darrell attended Tivy High School, graduated in 1936, joined the U.S. Army during WWII, and graduated from the University of Texas with a law degree in 1948.  The partnership between John Leavell and Werner Lochte continued until the death of Werner Lochte in 1942.  Pearl ran the abstract company and when Darrell Lochte returned to Kerrville he bought the remaining interest in the abstract company from John Leavell.  Pearl and Darrell, mother and son, owned the title company together and had a very successful business.  Early records show that Stewart Title was one of the first title company underwriters of Kerr County Abstract & Title in 1945.

Kerr County Abstract & Title had several location in Kerrville.  The company was located in the Schreiner Bank Building on Water Street.  Later, they relocated office above what is now Francisco's Restaurant.

In 1967, F.L. McKinney, County Clerk of Sutton County in Sonora, moved to Kerrville and opened a competing title company called Guaranty Title Co., located in the Kellogg Building at the corner of Sidney Baker and Main Street.  In order to focus on his law practice, Darrell Lochte sold Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. to F.L. McKinney in 1969.  The two companies merged into Kerr County Abstract & Title Co., 303 Earl Garrett.  The offices of Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. remained at 303 Earl Garrett until 2005, when the location was changed to the current location at 712 Earl Garrett.

Owner F.L. McKinney and his wife, Elizabeth were very active in the Kerrville community.  F.L. "Mack" was president of the Rotary Club of Kerrville.  In 1973, the McKinneys moved to Alaska to enjoy cooler weather, and the title company was sold to Lavern D. Harris.  Lavern Harris was a well known attorney who practiced law in Kerrville for over 45 years.  Lavern and Faye had two daughters, Susan and Jane, who continue to live in Kerrville.

Tom Myers, Kerrville businessman and entrepreneur became the next proud owner of Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. in 1975.  Under the ownership of Tom Myers, Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. Managed to weather the economic cycles of the 80's and early 90's.  Customers remember Tom's extensive western art collection of G. Harveys, the beautiful wildlife pictures of Charles Frace, and the numerous deer, buffalo and wild game trophy mounts that graced the hallways of the title company.  The title insurance industry went through many regulatory changes during these years.  Som of the underwriters for Kerr County Abstract during 1945-1988 include Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Chicago Title, Lawyers title and Minnesota Titles.  Tom enjoyed ownership of Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. until 1989, when he sold the business to Mary and Robert Woodward.  Robert Woodward was a businessman and a man of many talents.  He wrote and published a commentary on the entire New Testament and received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Christian Services from Abilene Christian University in 1987.  Robert and Mary Woodward are known for their generosity and philanthropic contributions.

The 1990's era was a time of tremendous change in the title industry.  The introduction of computers and software tailored specifically to the title industry caused  big learning curve to the closing department and the abstract plant department.  Telephone equipment became more sophisticated, copy machines were faster and more complex, and the turn around time for closings became faster with the implementation of the fax machine and federal express.  Loan packages had more and more documents to be reviewed and signed.  Rules and regulations of the title industry were constantly changing.  The introduction of social media - web sites, emails, facebook.  Instagrams, LinkedIn and twitter - continues to influence the way we do business.

Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. was purchased in 2001 by Diane and Bob Green.  Diane was employed by Kerr County Abstract in 1971, when she and Bob first moved to Kerrville.  Bob taught at Tivy High School before becoming Vocational Director, Principal at Tivy School, and Deputy Superintendent.  Diane's first job in the title company was receptionist but she quickly became interested in the closing process.  Under the excellent training and guidance of F.L. McKinney, Diane became a closer and escrow officer.  According to Diane, "I was so fortunate to discover such an exciting and challenging career.  Being part of an industry that secures homeownership and that makes the American dream a reality is very rewarding."

In 2005 the office of Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. were moved into a restored and renovated Beddingfield home at 712 Earl Garrett.  Currently Kerr Count Abstract is privileged to be an agent for Stewart Title Guaranty, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, National Investors Title Insurance Company, Alliant National Title Insurance Company, Alamo Title and Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company.