USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 27
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Floresville.
LEVI B. WISEMAN, a prominent attorney of Floresville, Texas, and connected with the bank of H. W. Wiseman & Company, was born in Wilson county, Texas, August 8, 1873. He is a son of Hugh W. and Frances L. (Anderson) Wiseman, both natives of Mississippi, and who were married in Guadalupe county, Texas. Hugh W. Wiseman was a son of W. R. Wiseman of South Carolina, whose father emigrated from England and settled in South Carolina on a large tract of land which he received as a grant from the King of England. W. R. Wiseman, who located in Texas in 1851, devoted his time to farming, and remained in Guadalupe county until his death, which occurred in January, 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. His first wife died in Mississippi and left two sons, James O., now deceased, and Hugh W., the father of our subject. The second wife, who still survives, at the age of eighty-eight years, was also mother of two sons, John E., the present nominee ( 1906) for district clerk of Wilson county, and Samuel, a prominent merchant.
Hugh W. Wiseman was but seven years of age when his parents moved to Texas, and he grew to manhood in Wilson county, devoting his time. to farming, and being one of the most successful farmers in that section. During the war of the rebellion he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the company of Governor Ireland, and served as private of that company until the close of the war, being assigned to the western department, and patrolling the coast of Texas. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has for many years served as deacon and elder of that society. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
He was married twice; first to Frances L. Anderson, a daughter of John R. and Ann Anderson of South Carolina, both of whom are now dead, he dying in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, and she
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in 1903 at the age of eighty-nine; and second to Thurza Anderson, a sister of his first wife, by whom he has had no issue. The children of his first union were born in the following order: John, Sarah, Levi B., W. R., Thurza (Mrs. R. G. Murray), Mary (Mrs. Onderdonk), Robert, Marcellus, Howard and Hattie (Mrs. Maddox).
Levi B. Wiseman early directed his attention toward the study of law, and was graduated from the law department of the Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, with the degree of Master of Arts and Law. He then took the examination before the board of examiners, and was granted license to practice his profession. In 1896 he opened an office in Floresville, and also associated himself with his brothers in the Wiseman Bank of Floresville, of which mention has before been made. This bank has a paid up capital and surplus of some thirty odd thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to $100,000, and does a general banking and loan business, enjoying the reputation of being a safe and conservative institution.
In 1898 Mr. Wiseman was married to Miss Gertrude Bump, born in the state of New York, September II, 1871, and a daughter of J. C. and Nerissa (Allen) Bump, natives of New York, who emigrated to Texas in 1878, and settled in Guadalupe county, where Mr. Bump has since followed farming as an occupation, and in which he has been very successful. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Federal army as lieutenant, and in politics is a staunch Democrat, although never an aspirant for public office. He is a member of the order of Masons, and is now, with his wife, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life at their homestead in Guadalupe county. Their children were two in number, Gertrude and Walter, who is now engaged in farming.
Mr. Wiseman lends the weight of his influence to the cause of the Democratic party, but is not a seeker for public office, preferring to serve his party in a private capacity. Fraternally he is connected with the I. O. O. F., of which he is a valued member. His wedded life, though a very happy one, has not been blessed by issue.
JOHN E. CANFIELD, a prominent attorney of Floresville, Texas. was born in Goliad, Texas, July 1, 1870, and is a son of William F .. and Annie (Hughs) Canfield, the former a native of Mississippi, and the latter of Goliad, Texas. Zachariah Canfield, the grandfather, was born in Virginia, whence he moved to Mississippi, and came later to Texas, where he remained until his death. He had two sons, William E. and Jones, who died in Louisiana. William E. Canfield married at Goliad, at an early age, and spent several years in mercantile lines, until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he entered the Confederate service and was assigned to the quartermaster's department, with which he served until the close of the war. Upon his return from the army he found his business in a sad state and was practically forced to make a new start. He therefore settled on a farm in Karnes county ; later moved to Wilson county, and subsequently returned to Goliad, where he re-engaged in mercantile pursuits. in which he was occupied until his death, in the early eighties. William E. Canfield was married twice, the first union being with Miss Neeley, a sister of Mrs. John McDaniel of Floresville.
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Of this union five children were born. His second marriage was to Miss Annie Hughs, whose father was English by birth, and whose first daughter, Oceanica, was born on shipboard when her mother and father were emigrating to America.
John E. Canfield, who was left an orphan when quite young, was brought up by a half-sister, Miss Callie Canfield (a daughter of William E. Canfield by his first wife), and to the motherless boy she devoted her time and attention, denying herself much and making numerous sacrifices that he might obtain an education and be fitted for a life of usefulness. She is still living and resides at Lavernia.
John E. Canfield began reading law when quite young and obtained a temporary license to practice, and being of a legal turn of mind became greatly interested in the profession. In the meantime he had become associated with some important cases, and desiring to become better qualified he redoubled his efforts, and in 1893 he had the satisfaction of passing the examination and being admitted to the bar. He has a general civil and criminal practice and one that has proved very lucra- tive.
In 1898 he was elected to the office of county attorney, which he held for six years and then resigned, feeling that longer to neglect his private practice would work him great injury, and he has since refused public office, devoting his time to the interests of his clients. He is now a land and investment agent for Floresville, in which capacity he is employed in settling the country, and in affording reliable information to prospective homeseekers.
Mr. Canfield was married in January, 1903, to Miss Lola Butler, born in Karnes county, Texas, in 1883, and a daughter of N. G. and Mary (Elder) Butler, both natives of Texas and descendants of old pioneer families. To Mr. and Mrs. Canfield one child has been born, Fay Coleman. Mr. Canfield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is also a Royal Arch Mason and a Woodman of the World.
JUDGE HENRY B. GOUGER, a lifelong resident of Texas and county judge of Wilson county, was born in that county September 25, 1857. His parents were Henry and Martha (Barrow) Gouger, natives, re- spectively, of North Carolina and Arkansas. The grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, moved, when a young man, to North Carolina; later to Arkansas; and in 1856 to Texas, where he located in Wilson county, making his home in his latter vears with his son Henry. His children numbered four: Henry. father of Judge Gouger ; William (deceased), Nancy (Mrs. Butler) and James (de- ceased ).
Henry Gouger, father, was born in North Carolina and was reared in Arkansas, where he married. In 1856 he moved to Texas and located in Wilson county, where he engaged in stock ranching. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army and was detailed to freight cotton to Mexico and return with supplies. In this work he continued until the close of the war, when he returned home and resumed work on his ranch. He was a well known and highly respected member of his community and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred December 10, 1874. His first wife, who
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died October 12, 1866, was the mother of five children, viz .: John A., a merchant at Pleasanton; Robert W., a stockman, now deceased ; Nancy (Mrs. Morris), now deceased; Henry B., and Jeff J., a stockman of the Indian Territory. His second wife, formerly Miss Lu Ball of North Carolina, was the mother of two children, Gratz B., a druggist of Stockdale, Texas; and Nora, a rice farmer.
Henry B. Gouger was raised in Wilson county and remained under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, assisting his father in business ; but at that age embarked on a business venture of his own, in the way of sheep and cattle raising. This he followed successfully until 1884, when he sold out and moved to Floresville, where he found employment as a clerk, following this for about four years. Mr. Gouger had always been interested in politics and was for several years subse- quent to this employed in the offices of sheriff and tax collector, and later was elected mayor of Floresville, in which capacity he served for five years. He was successively elected justice of the peace, county commissioner, and in 1898 judge of the county court, which last office he has held continuously since, having been re-elected at each election since. Mr. Gouger has been a faithful public servant and retains the well merited respect and good will of all who know him. He has been re- cently nominated for the office of which he is the present incumbent.
Mr. Gouger was married in 1879 to Miss Mattie Ormand of Goliad county, Texas, a daughter of Jackson and Mildred (Rhode) Ormand, natives of Mississippi and Texas. Mr. Ormand was a Confederate vet- eran, a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and an honored citizen. His wife, who survived him, was later married to Hiram Griffiths, and resides at Floresville. She was the mother, by her first marriage, of seven children: Monroe, Poca, Jackson, Mattie (wife of our subject), Lee, Alexander and Henry E.
Judge Gouger is vitally interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his state and that concerns the interests of his community ; has at- tempted in his years of public service to act in an unbiased and impartial manner ; and he keeps ever in mind that the goal to be attempted is the ultimate and continued prosperity of his fellow citizens, and not the aggrandizement of a favored few. Judge Gouger is well known in fraternal circles and is a member of the A. F. and A. M.
DR. CHARLES R. WATKINS, who, through inherited instincts and from natural choice, has devoted his life to the "healing art," is a prominent physician and surgeon of Floresville. His birth occurred in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, December 5, 1859. He received his elementary education at Oxford, Calhoun county, Alabama. He is a son of Dr. Robert H. and Sally (Carter) Watkins, both natives of Alabama, in which state they were married. His paternal grandfather, Archibald Watkins, was born in Virginia, and was an early settler in Alabama, where he owned a large plantation. He was a general in the war of 1812, and was throughout his life a public spirited and enterprising citizen. In 1859 he moved to Washington county, Texas, where he resided until his death. He exerted his influence in favor of the cause of the Con- federacy, but was too old to enter the active service. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was highly respected in Methodist
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circles. He was the father of six children: Quintina, Joel W. (a physi- cian), John L. (a physician), Louisa, Musa D. and Robert H. (father of our subject and also a physician). Robert H. Watkins was reared in Alabama and chose the practice of medicine as his profession, studying with this end in view, and was graduated in 1863 with the degree of Master of Physics. Shortly after this he entered the Confederate army, and served as surgeon until the close of the war. After the war he entered the School of Medicine at Galveston and took some post-grad- uate work, practising after this in the hospitals in Galveston, and subse- quently locating at Brenham. In 1876 he located his practice in Flores- ville ; in 1884 he moved to Dallas, and in 1889 he went to Mexico, where he remained until 1904. In this year he returned to Floresville, and his health having broken down he went to San Antonio, where he died in a sanitarium, July 19, 1905, aged sixty-seven years. His first wife, Sally (Carter) Watkins, was the mother of four children: Charles R., John C., who died at the age of twenty-three years; Edward E., de- ceased at twenty ; and Musa, wife of H. T. Rice. By his second wife, who was formerly a Miss Payne, he had three children: Alice L., Laura and Robert R. The second Mrs. Watkins died in Monterey, Mexico, February 3, 1903.
C. E. Watkins began reading medicine with his father at the age of fifteen years and identified himself with his father's practice, gaining thereby much valuable practical experience. In 1885 he went with his father to Dallas and assisted him there until 1888, when he entered the medical department of the University of Texas at Galveston. In 1894 he was granted a license by the board of medical examiners at Gonzales and returned to Floresville to practice. In 1894 he went to Mexico for the study of certain diseases which are somewhat rare in the United States. His sojourn there afforded him all the work he could possibly attend to, and resulted in much valuable experience. In 1901, having meanwhile returned to Texas, he located at Floresville, where he has since specialized in the treatment of cancer, and has also been very successful in treating appendicitis. Dr. Watkins enjoys a fine field for practice and has the confidence and esteem of his community. He owns a commodious cottage, in which he resides, in addition to other city . property. He is a consistent member of the Church of Christ, and also holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fellows. Woodmen of the World, and is connected with the National, State and County Medical Associations, being vice-president of the County Medical Society, and is also a frequent contributor to various medical journals.
Dr. Watkins has been married three times: First to Miss Susie Dean, in 1884, who died without issue; second to Miss Gertrude Rich- ardson, who died in 1899; and on November 21, 1900, to Miss Bertha Sutton, a daughter of James M. and Mary (Carmichael) Sutton, both natives of Georgia.
Frio County.
AUGUST OBETS. Among the pioneers of Frio county none are better known or more highly respected than August Obets, and his good wife, who before marriage was Miss Louisa Rihn. Mr. Obets was born in
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Saxony, Germany, in 1849, and his father, Fritz Obets, who was also a native of that kingdom, brought his family to Texas when August was an infant of two years. The family first located about forty miles north- east of San Antonio, on a little stream called the Sabina, and here the father died. The remainder of the family removed to San Antonio and thence to Moore, where the mother died in 1894.
Deprived of all educational advantages, August Obets developed in this new, wild and raw country, and, under such adverse surroundings and circumstances, the outcome of his life is remarkable. The com- mencement of his stock career was in early boyhood and continued through the turbulent years of the frontier free rangers, when there was practically no law and when it required never failing bravery, backed by plenty of six-shooters, to protect one's family and property from both Indians and desperadoes. Mr. Obets lived in Frio county through the severest period of Indian depredations, which extended from 1870 to 1877, the last raid occurring in 1888. Before he engaged in an independent business he became well known as an expert cow man and a breaker of wild horses, some of his most valuable experience being gained while he was working stock for that famous Texan, "Big Foot Wallace," whose history as a pioneer, Indian fighter, scout and soldier of many wars, constitutes a striking chapter in the annals of Southwest Texas.
In 1870 August Obets located permanently in Frio county, establish- ing his ranch and homestead on the San Miguel river, about five miles from the present town of Moore, where he now resides. He and his wife were the first settlers of Moore Hollow, as the town was first called. The name is said to have been given to the creek, or hollow, from the fact that a man named Moore was killed by the Indians there in the early seventies. In 1874 Mr. Obets and wife established their home at Moore, and in 1876 built the first lumber house in town, their original residence being a glass-covered log house. From the first Mr. Obets was a suc- cessful grass man, and is now a large owner of both land and stock. His ranch is a fine property of 1,000 acres southeast of town, upon which he conducts general farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Obets have no children of their own, but, out of the goodness of their hearts, have faithfully reared three orphans.
Mrs. Obets was married in 1870, being formerly, as stated, Miss Louisa Rihn, of Medina county. The ceremony occurred at her home in Castroville, and the young couple immediately came to Frio county. Mrs. August Obets was the first white woman settler of that region, and as a girl and young wife she herself experienced all the dangers and hardships of pioneer life. Her father and grandfather, both named Lorenz Rihn, were among the little band of colonists who founded Castro- ville. They were substantial and honorable Germans who established their home on the banks of the Medina river, two miles below Castro- ville. The father entered the Civil war, and his other duties, in the early years, took him much away from home. Louisa, being the oldest of the children, assumed the burden of the household cares, and many of these responsibilities fell upon her before she was sixteen years of age. This was a most trying period in her life, as such wearing duties were performed in the midst of Indian outbreaks, with accompanying
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thefts and murders. Consequently too much credit cannot be given to such pioneer mothers and faithful daughters as Mrs. Obets, who shared all the hardships and dangers of their male kindred and often, as un- known and unappreciated heroines.
JOHN J. LITTLE, engaged in raising cattle on a ranch in Frio county, is a native son of Texas, his birth having occurred in Kendall county, in 1860. His father, Bryce Little, was a native of Scotland, and in 1852 emigrated to the United States, making his way direct to Kendall county. He became one of the most noted sheepmen of Texas and is still remem- bered in that connection. From Kendall county he removed with his family to Bandera county, thence to Mason county, and subsequently to Boerne, while in 1871 he made a permanent location in Friotown, which was then a little frontier settlement in Frio county, situated on the Frio river. This became the first county seat of Frio county and in the early days was a well-known settlement. Like the other settlers on the frontier the Little family endured all the hardships caused by the Indian raids, and the home of the family was known as the old Sheidley ranch, situated a mile and a half from Friotown. The mother bore the maiden name of Mary Cavney and was a native of Ireland. Her death occurred in Sep- tember, 1900, while the father survived until November 16, 1905, when he, too, was called to his final rest. Their daughter, Mrs. Maggie Graham, met her death at the hands of the Indians in Van Horn, Texas, May 13, 1880.
John J. Little is thoroughly familiar with all the exciting incidents which occurred in Southwestern Texas during the early days when the Indians were still numerous in this section of the state. He early became interested in the stock business, with which he has been connected to the present time. At first he was engaged principally in the sheep business, but for the past eighteen years has been engaged in raising cattle, and is now the owner of a fine ranch in Frio county, situated eighteen miles northwest of Pearsall. His brother, David B. Little, is located on the Frio river near the old town of that name and is one of the best known sheepmen in the southwest, and takes frequent premiums when he exhibits his sheep in public.
Mr. Little has taken a very active and helpful interest in local political ranks and although a Republican was elected to the office of sheriff in Frio county, filling the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to the general public. He discharged the duties of the office without fear or favor and strictly enforced the law, so that during his administra- tion Frio county and the town of Pearsall were rid of the rough element which had hitherto infested this district, and it has now been placed in the front ranks of the southwest in regard to respectability and order. His term of office expired in November, 1906, and he left the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of the public at large.
Mr. Little was married in Frio county to Miss Sallie Blackaller, a daughter of J. H. Blackaller, a well-known pioneer citizen, making his home on a ranch four miles from Friotown on the Frio river. Mr. and Mrs. Little lost their only child, Bryce Little, who was killed by a horse.
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CAPTAIN JAMES C. B. HARKNESS was born in Greene county, Ala- bama, July 23, 1842, a son of W. B. and Sarah ( Bizzelle ) Harkness. The father was born in South Carolina but spent the greater part of his life in Alabama, becoming a prominent planter and citizen of Greene county.
Captain Harkness was reared in his native state and it was there that he joined the Confederate army at the time of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1861 as a member of the Eutaw Rifles, state troops, with which organization he went to the defense of Fort Morgan on Mobile Bay. On returning from this expedition the Eutaw Rifles were organized into two companies, becoming a part of the Eleventh Alabama in the regu- lar Confederate service under Colonel Sydenham Moore, in Wilcox's Alabama Brigade. This famous brigade formed a part of the army of Northern Virginia, first in Longstreet's Corps and later in General A. P. Hill's Corps. Captain Harkness participated in all of the great historic battles of the war in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Taking part in the battle of Seven Pines on the 31st of May, 1862, he was subsequently in the fighting before Richmond, and here he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He likewise participated in the battles of Manassas, Sharps- burg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Salem, Gettysburg, the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania Court House, the second battle of Cold Harbor, Petersburg and the crater at the latter place. It was here that Captain Harkness won his title for distinguished gallantry, the re-capture of the crater being due to Wilcox' Alabama Brigade, in which Captain Hark- ness was fighting.
Returning home from the war, Mr. Harkness lived in Greene county until 1874, when he came to Frio county, when this district was included in the southwestern frontier, thus becoming one of its pioneer settlers. and here he has continued his residence to the present time. He located at Friotown, on the Frio river, this being the county seat until after the railroad was completed in 1881, when the city of Pearsall sprang into existence and finally became the county seat of Frio county. During the '70s the Indians were very troublesome along the Frio river, making frequent raids on property and stock, murdering the settlers and keep- ing the country in constant fear. It was during his residence at Friotown that Captain Harkness was first elected sheriff, this being in 1878, and through re-election, at intervals, he served altogether for ten years, resigning from the office in 1900. Captain Harkness made a creditable record during his official connection with public affairs, performing his duties in most commendable manner, and it is largely due to his efforts that Southwestern Texas was rid of its rough characters, and has been made a peaceable and desirable place of abode.
Upon his arrival in Frio county Captain Harkness engaged in the cattle business and has continued his efforts along this line to the present time. He is now the owner of a valuable ranch near Derby, while he also owns thirty acres of land in the northern limits of Pearsall, where he makes his home. This land has been irrigated and made very productive. constituting one of the valuable farms of this section, thus making him one of the prominent and leading factors of his county. He has ever
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