USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 25
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John J. King was reared in Tennessee and was first married there, after which he successfully followed farming in that state until his first wife died about 1843. She bore the maiden name of Mary Bowen and belonged to one of the old, distinguished families. There were two children, William B. and Elizabeth. The former is a prominent rancher and stockman of Medina county, Texas. The daughter married John W. Day and at her death left five children. John J. King remained in Tennessee until 1845, when he sold his interests there and became a resident of Grimes county, Texas, where he engaged in farming. He continued successfully in business there until 1850, when he removed to Hayes county near San Marcos, where he once more turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, carrying on the business there until his death in 1852. He was very charitable to the needy, sympathetic with the afflicted and very sociable and companionable with his friends, whom he delighted to have around him. He took an active and helpful part in the work of the Methodist church and was a sincere Christian. After removing to Grimes county he married Mrs. Ann L. Smith, a native of Georgia, who after her first marriage resided in Grimes county, Texas, where her husband died. Her father, John D. Pitts, a native of Georgia, became a pioneer of Texas and was afterward adjutant general of the state. He came to Texas in 1840, settling in Grimes county, and later removing to San Marcos. His farming interests were carried on through slave labor and he was a successful business man. He was also a strong and influential Democrat and was a valued member of the Methodist church, exemplifying in his life its teachings. In the Pitts family were five children: Mrs. Ann L. King; Mrs. Elizabeth Mathews; Mrs. Re- becca Kone; Mrs. Sally Cox, and Mrs. Pope Malone. Mrs. Malone and Mrs. Kone are yet living at San Marcos and all of the family are members of the Methodist church. To Mr. and Mrs. John King were born two children: Isaac H., and Horace P., who died at the age of
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seventeen years. After losing her first husband the mother married Judge G. W. Harper, mentioned below. She passed away in 1868. She was a devoted member of the Methodist church.
Isaac King was only four years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained with his mother during her life-time and had com- menced to accumulate some stock. He received a small amount of money from his father's estate, but largely had to depend upon his own resources and is practically a self-made man. He came to Medina county with the family in 1859, and has remained here continuously since. At first he assisted his stepfather with stock and in farming. He also attended school and his youth was a period of industry and earnest toil. Gradually his herd of stock increased. The range was free and the grass good and it was not necessary to do any feeding.
In 1868 Mr. King was married to Miss Mellie M. Harper, who was born in Mississippi in December, 1848, a daughter of Judge G. W. Harper of Mississippi. He was well known in the early days of Texas as a prominent resident of Medina county, where he served as county judge. He owned a large number of slaves and had extensive farming interests and was greatly respected for his many sterling traits of char- acter. He died in this county in 1882 and his life was a most honorable one, having been guided by his belief in the Christian religion and his identification with the Masonic society. He was a worthy Methodist and also a Royal Arch Mason. His children were as follows: John L., the eldest, an attorney at law and prominent Methodist minister, is now a local preacher at San Antonio. He served as a lieutenant in the Civil war and was stationed near Galveston. James D., also a lieu- tenant through the war, was wounded by a minie-ball in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was likewise made a prisoner but soon afterward was paroled. He served through Virginia with the eastern army and now resides at Utopia, Texas. Mary E. is the wife of J. J. Simpson. Fannie is the wife of Rev. D. W. Fly. Cynthia A. is the wife of J. W. Hodges. Alford L., who served in the Civil war, died in Mississippi. George G., who was a lieutenant in the army, died at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Robert A., who was also a lieutenant, served through the war and died in this county in 1901. Marquis was captured at Arkansas Post and died while a prisoner of war, serving with the rank of lieuten- ant. William H. also served in the army and died at San Marcos. Mellie is now Mrs. King, and Rollie M. completes the family. Eight sons of the family were in the army and five held a lieutenant's commis- sion.
Following his marriage Mr. King engaged in the stock business and was quite successful. He also did some drv farming for feed and vegetables, and usually raised a sufficient quantity of corn for his stock save in some seasons of drought. He believes that this will be a good farming country for corn and cotton and vegetables. He admitted E. W. Lacey to a partnership in his business and they continued their inter- ests harmoniously together. In 1872 Mr. King sold all of his cattle and engaged quite extensively in the sheep business. He prospered in that undertaking until 1892, when he disposed of the sheep. During all these years he had been associated with Mr. Lacey and during the last
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few years they have purchased a twenty thousand acre tract of land, which they divided. Each then fenced his own ranch and conducted business separately, making improvements to suit himself. Mr. King stocked his ranch with cattle and employed a number of hands. He made good improvements on his place, sank a well and had plenty of water. He prospered, too, in his stock-raising interests and so con- tinued until 1902, when he disposed of his ranch and stock for twenty- nine thousand dollars. Since that time he has disposed of the old home on which he first settled. At different times he has bought and sold land and he yet holds other farming interests, which he rents. In 1902 he established a small ranch which he yet holds, raising fine mules and horses there and also some cattle and hogs. He has a fine Tennessee jack. He remained in the country until 1905, when he removed to Hondo and built a commodious two-story frame house with modern architecture and many conveniences, and here he and the family are en- joying the fruits of his former labor.
In 1901 Mr. King bought a half interest in the lumber business in Hondo, which is being successfully conducted. He also assisted in or- ganizing the Hondo State Bank, which has a paid up capital of thirty ยท thousand dollars. He was chosen president, with Joe Ney as vice-presi- dent and T. A. White as cashier. This is a bank of deposit and dis- count, while exchange is bought and sold, and in fact a general banking business is here conducted. Mr. King has made careful and good in- vestments and has prospered as the years have gone by. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and he is widely recognized as a capable financier. He came to Medina county when a boy and entered into the experiences of life on the frontier when there were Indian depredations and much stealing of stock. He lived through the period when many settlers were murdered and although but a boy he played his part in defending the interests of the law-abiding citizens and went in various raids after the red men. He had to guard the horses day and night, staying right by them prepared to shoot if necessary. On one occasion when he was on guard he went to mount his horse with his gun in his hand. The gun struck against a building and was dis- charged and the shot took off his left arm, but although thus handicapped Mr. King has made a success in life and has accumulated a valuable estate.
To Mr. and Mrs. King have been born eight children: John W .. who died in infancy : Horace M., who was born July 15, 1871, and died November 7, 1902, leaving a wife and four children; Emma L., who was born December 29, 1873, and is the wife of Rev. J. W. Long, a Methodist minister; Lora M., who was born December 15, 1875, and is at home; Ella M., who was born February 24, 1878, and is at home ; Eva M., who was born September 7, 1879, and died January 13, 1898; Vernon P., who was born October 7, 1881, and is conducting a lumber- yard at Hondo; and Homer F., who was born August 31, 1884, and is yet with his parents. The family are all members of the Methodist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. This has been the faith of the family through many generations and Mr. King has been most loyal to the teachings of the church. He has served as
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steward for many years, has also been superintendent of the Sunday school for a long period and is a most devoted church worker, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the or- ganization with which he is identified. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat. His life has been honorable and his actions manly and sincere, and by all who know him he is accorded that genuine respect which is given only in recognition of high and manly qualities.
W. B. KING dates his residence in Medina county from 1876 and is still engaged in farming on the land which he purchased when he first located here, his tract of land being situated four miles from Hondo. He was born in Tennessee, November 4, 1834, the King family having been established in that state by William King, the grandfather, who removed there from South Carolina. He was engaged in farming in Tennessee for many years and his death occurred in that state. His family num- bered five sons and two daughters, namely: John J .; Charles ; Isaac ; George : Wylie, who served in the war of 1812, and was with Jackson at the battle of New Orleans; Mrs. Caroline Garreth; and Emily, who married and settled in Kentucky.
John J. King, the eldest son of the family, who became the father of W. B. King, was born and reared in Tennessee, where he was also married. He was there engaged in farming for some years, when he took up his abode in the Republic of Texas, first locating in Montgomery county. He purchased land and began farming on a large scale, while he was likewise a slave owner. He continued his residence in Mont- gomery, later in Grimes county until 1850, when he disposed of his pro- perty there and removed to Hayes county, where he purchased and im- proved a farm. His first wife passed away in Grimes county and he was married a second time, while his death occurred in 1852 in Hayes county, being the result of exposure from settling in this new and un- settled district. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, in which he took an active and helpful part in the moral development of the community, while to the poor and needy he was a kind and helpful friend. He was a man of sterling integrity and honor, highly respected in the community where he resided. Of the father's first marriage there were two children who lived to maturity: W. B., whose name intro- duces this record; and Elizabeth, who was married in Hayes county to John W. Day, and at her death left a family. Of the second marriage there were two sons: Isaac W., a prominent stock farmer of Medina county, and also president of a bank: and Horace P., who died at the age of seventeen years. Following the death of the father, his widow kept the children together, carefully rearing and educating them. She was later married to Judge George Harper, a prominent stock farmer of Medina county, and he was also at one time county judge. Previous to her marriage to Mr. King she had married a man by the name of Smith. By a previous marriage Judge Harper reared several children and had sons who served in the war, although he himself was too old to engage in active service.
W. B. King was brought to Montgomery county by his parents, and later accompanied them on their removal to Hayes county. Following his father's death he continued to live with his stepmother, remaining
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under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, during which time he had accumulated some stock, hoping that he would at length be enabled to engage in business on his own account. In 1856 he estab- lished a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Rebecca Lancaster, who was born in Georgia, in 1837, a daughter of the Rev. T. A. Lan- caster, a minister of the Methodist denomination. He was a pioneer minister of Texas and assisted in the organization of many churches. He devoted his life to the moral development of this country and his influence was widely felt. He was twice married but survived both his companions. He spent his declining years in the home of his daughter Mrs. King, and after a residence of about ten years with her, passed away, after which his remains were interred in the Hondo cemetery. His children were: Sarah; Rebecca, the wife of W. B. King; Mary; Joseph ; Frank; Wesley; John; James, who entered the Confederate army and never returned from the war.
Following his marriage Mr. King rented a farm and engaged in the raising of stock to quite an extent. Later he purchased a farm in Guadalupe county, there continuing until 1876, when he took up his abode on his present farm in Medina county. When he arrived here the country was but sparsely settled and the people were struggling along in trying to provide for their families. Stock raising was the chief source of income and cotton had not yet been planted, for it had not yet been found to be a profitable industry, but this has since formed one of the principal industries of the southwest. Mr. King has usually had good crops of corn and oats and only one year since coming to the county has he found it necessary to buy corn. He is likewise engaged in raising cotton to some extent and this adds materially to his financial resources. His property is located four miles from Hondo and he has made it a well improved and valuable tract of land.
The only interruption to his business interests was at the time of the Civil war, when, in 1862, Mr. King enlisted for service in the Con- federate army. He was in Foster's Company and Wood's Regiment of the Thirty-second Texas Cavalry, being mustered in at San Antonio. He was assigned to service along the coast and later went into Louisiana, where he participated in the battle at Blair's Landing on Red river and from there marched along the Red river where he was engaged in many skirmishes, after which he patrolled the country after Jayhawkers. He served until the close of hostilities and was at Houston when Lee sur- rendered. Although he saw some very hard service, Mr. King was never wounded nor taken prisoner but he endured all the hardships and exposures which are meted out to the soldier.
Returning home with a most creditable military record, he joined his family in Guadalupe county, where he resumed farming operations until his removal to Medina county, and here he has lived since 1876. . His family numbered seven children: Mary S., the wife of W. Foster, a resident of Sonora, Mexico; John T., a resident of Oklahoma : Charles, who died in Llano county, Texas ; Rebecca. the wife of John T. Walters ; William, who was murdered in Arizona; Jennie, the wife of T. Hooks ; and Isaac, who was killed in a mine in Arizona. Mrs. King and the children are members of the Methodist church.
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JAMES W. HEATH, a descendant of an honored family of Medina county, owns and operates the old homestead ranch in Medina county, Texas. He was born in Walker county, March 15, 1850, a son of Simon Peter and Lavina (Winsett) Heath, both of whom were born and reared in Tennessee, where they were also married, and soon after removed to Texas, becoming early settlers of Walker county, the year of their arrival in that county being 1835. The father there bought and improved land and became a prominent farmer and slaveowner. In 1854 he disposed of his property in that county and came to Medina county, settling on Hondo creek, where he bought a large tract of land and engaged in the stock business, being quite successful for some time, but eventually the Indians became very troublesome and made many raids among the stock and he finally sent his horses back to Guadalupe county, where they might be safe. He had many narrow escapes at the hands of the Indians and on one occasion barely made his escape. Many of the white settlers left that portion of the state because of the red men, but Mr. Heath possessed a brave and courageous spirit and would not be driven out by them. He accumulated a goodly competence, being very successful in his busi- ness ventures. Although he was too old to enter the army he gave his influence for the Confederacy. He was a strong Democrat but never aspired to public office. He ever led an upright and honest life and was a leading factor in the Missionary Baptist church. He died on the old homestead, while he was survived. by his wife for three years, and she, too, was a worthy and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist church. She had one brother, John Winsett, who first settled in Atascosa county but later took up his abode in Valverde county and passed away at Del Rio. Mr. Heath also had one brother, Richard Heath, who came to Texas, settling in Lavaca county, but he later removed to Mexico, where his death occurred. The family of Mr. Heath numbered seven children : Margaret, who first married a Mr. Smith and for her second husband married John Scoggins; Lewis, a stock farmer of Medina county ; Mrs. Sarena Rackley ; Jessie, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; Simon P., Jr., who was accidentally killed; Mrs. Sarah J. Mc- Master ; and James W.
James W. Heath accompanied his parents on their removal from Walker county to Medina county, being at that time a little lad of four years. He remained with his parents throughout their lives. He ac- cumulated considerable stock for himself and in addition to caring for this also conducted his father's stock farm. Following the death of his parents he and his brother purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home place, a portion of which he yet owns. They were engaged in business together for a number of years, but eventually divided their interests, since which time James W., has continued in business alone. From time to time he has increased his landed possessions until he is now the owner of five hundred acres of rich and valuable land, which he rents, while he owns altogether two thousand acres of land. In addi- tion to his stock-raising interests he has also engaged in raising cotton and sorghum hay, which has proved a profitable source of income. Practically all that he today possesses has been gained through his own well directed labors and capable business management, for he had little
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assistance from his father's estate. In 1894 he retired from the ranch and removed to Hondo in order to give his children good school ad- vantages. Upon removing to this city he purchased a nice residence property, which he later sold, and has recently erected a two-story frame residence, surrounded by a large and well kept lawn. He still superin- tends his ranching interests, making frequent trips to his farm. He is a stalwart advocate of Democratic principles but has never had aspiration for political honors or emoluments. He affiliates with the Woodmen of the World and the Knights of Honor.
In 1872 occurred the marriage of Mr. Heath and Miss Eliza Gal- breath, who was born in this state, September 10, 1859, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Jane (Winans) Galbreath, the former a native of Georgia, while the latter was born in Illinois. The father on coming to Texas, first located in Caldwell county. Mrs. Galbreath was a daughter of Francis Winans, a native of Illinois, who came to Texas at an early day and settled in Bastrop county, where he became a prominent farmer and slave owner, but he later sold out and removed to Atascosa county, subsequent to which time he made a prospecting trip to Honduras, re- maining there nine years, during which time he was engaged in the fruit business. He once more returned to Texas, where he spent his remain- ing days, his death occurring in Bastrop county. He was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, and during his residence in Texas he won the respect and good will of a large circle of friends. He was twice married and by his first union had one son, Isaac, a resident of Missouri, while eleven children were born of the second marriage, these being: Eliza A., who became the wife of J. Billingsly; Nancy Jane, who wedded Thomas Galbreath; William, who served in the war; Caro- line, the wife of G. Wheat; Edward, who also served in the Confederate army ; Emily, the wife of T. T. Teel ; Robert, who died during his service in the army; Lewis, who died when young; Frank, a stock farmer ; Rosette, the wife of John Nix; and Mrs. Melvina Smith. The parents and children were all identified with the Christian church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Galbreath were born three children : Frank, of Devine, Texas; Isaac, who met his death at the hands of the Indians, when a youth of seventeen years; and Eliza, who is now Mrs. Heath. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heath has been blessed with six children: Thomas, who is engaged in the stock business; Nora, at home ; Frank, who is a bookkeeper ; Robert, Ira and Hazel, all still under the parental roof. All have been afforded liberal educational advantages. The family are prominent in the social circles of Hondo, and the hos- pitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
W. B. ADAMS, in whose death on October 31, 1906, Southwest Texas lost a banker, merchant and stockman, the extent of whose business interests made him an important factor in the material, commercial and financial circles of Devine, Medina county, and a man who for all that is commendable in business life-the alert, enterprising spirit and a con- formity to a high standard of commercial ethics. He was born in Dallas county, Alabama, in 1859, acquired a good education, and in 1882 came to Texas, locating in San Antonio. There he entered the employ of the
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old and well known mercantile firm of D. & A. Oppenheimer, with whom he remained for about eight years-a trusted and highly valued employe, in testimony of which is given the fact that Colonel Dan and Anton Oppenheimer, were the financial support of Mr. Adams when he, the latter, started in business for himself, and always remained firm business friends and advisers.
In 1890 Mr. Adams established a small store at Devine, thirty-five miles southwest of San Antonio. That was the beginning of the present large mercantile, banking, stock and farming interests. The business now constitutes, briefly stated, the following: The Adams Company, which for many years was conducted under the firm name of W. B. Adams & Company but since its incorporation under the state laws, in January, 1906, was known as the Adams Company. This store has the largest and most successful business of any store in southwestern Texas outside of San Antonio and draws trade from four counties. In many ways it is a remarkable establishment. Its truthfully stated advertising device-"dealers and traders, everything from a rat skin to a ranch"- is widely known to the people of Southwestern Texas as well as to the thousands of travelers who see the sign from the train of the International & Great Northern Railroad. The store carries large and complete stocks of merchandise and machinery. A farmer or stockman can bring in anything and everything he produces and find the highest cash market price for it at Adams' store and likewise can buy anything he requires. The store in its management is along the lines of the best modern busi- ness principles, its selling force well trained and its general organization equal to that of the largest metropolitan mercantile establishment. Mat Keller, a young man, who was taken into the store by Mr. Adams when he was sixteen years old and grew up with the business, is superintendent of the sales floor, a position he fills with the highest efficiency and satis- faction both to the firm and to the customers. In direct charge of the entire mercantile business of the Adams Company is L. F. Price, a member of the firm. Mr. Price came to this business from San Antonio, where he had many years' successful business experience. C. M. Thomp- son, also a member of the firm, was with Mr. Adams in the old firm of W. B. Adams & Company.
In 1904 Mr. Adams organized and incorporated the Adams National Bank, capitalized at fifty thousand dollars, with W. B. Adams as presi- dent ; A. M. Patterson as cashier ; and several other substantial citizens as directors and stockholders. This was the only bank in Devine at that time and still meets the financial interests of the business men, farmers and stockmen over a large territory.
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