USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 29
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Mr. Patterson was reared in the faith of the Whig party, but before becoming a voter he had announced his allegiance to the Democracy. He cast his first presidential vote for General Taylor, the Whig. He has
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voted for some Republicans for local office, but is a stanch Democrat where matters of party principle are involved and uses his influence for the party and its success. He has been called to various offices of honor and trust and was justice of the peace when the duties of that office also combined the duties of county commissioner. He served for two terms and later was elected and served as high sheriff for two terms. He was then again elected justice of the peace and he served as county commissioner until the law was changed. He was afterward elected chief justice, in which capacity he was active when General Lee sur- rendered the Confederate forces to General Grant and the reconstruction period was inaugurated. The carpet-bag government was then instituted and a man was sent to fill Mr. Patterson's place and he was disfran- chised. He refused to take the oath of office prescribed and waited until all disabilities were removed in the way of his exercising his right of citizenship. Then the people elected him county judge and he served for two terms. He has filled all offices with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. During the period of the Civil war he was Confederate assessor and later was appointed deputy collector, and while the war was in progress he was also a member of Wadkins' company of rangers in the frontier service, holding in check the Indians and the renegade thieves and deserters who endangered property and life. In this active service he continued until after the close of hostilities be- tween the north and the south. In the early days he belonged to Captain Davenport's company of rangers and did good service in that connection.
Mr. Patterson retained the ownership of his homestead farm until 1867, when he sold that property and afterward purchased a small steam mill outfit at Uvalde, which he later took to Rio Frio. There he estab- lished a grist and sawmill and from that point furnished lumber to the government for completing Fort Inge, Fort Davis and Fort Comanche. He continued his milling operations until 1869, when he sold out and bought a third interest in the large tract of land on the main Rio Frio.
Rio Frio.
He also built another mill with water power. This was a grist and sawmill, to the operation of which he gave much attention and which he still owns. The tract of land has been divided, however, Mr. Patterson retaining over nine hundred acres, mostly lying in the valley of the main Rio Frio. He has opened to cultivation nearly eight hundred acres, has made a dam on the river, and all of his land is now accessible to irriga- tion. He is demonstrating that farming may be made a complete suc- cess. He rents his farming land and derives therefrom a good income. Watchful of opportunities for the development and upbuilding of the county, he platted the village of Rio Frio, sold lots, secured the estab- lishment of a postoffice and acted as postmaster for a number of years. This section of the country has now become well settled and many are successfully carrying on farming and stock raising. Mr. Patterson has been closely identified with the work of public improvement and at the same time has successfully carried on his private business interests. He was formerly largely interested in the stock business and had an extensive herd of cattle.
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As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Patterson chose Miss Lucy A. Dollarhite, who was born in Mississippi, and has been to him a faithful companion and helpmate in every way. She is a daughter of James Dollarhite, of Tennessee, who removed from that state to Mississippi and subsequently to Texas, becoming a pioneer of the Lone Star state in the year 1842. He was a prominent farmer and slave owner and was a very popular man. He filled the position of county commissioner and other minor offices and was a worthy member of the Primitive Baptist church. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he was known as a stalwart defender of all prin- ciples which he endorsed. From Smith county he removed to Caldwell county, Texas, where he remained until his death. In the family were seven children: Wesley; Jack; James; Lucy A., who became Mrs. Patterson; Isabella, the deceased wife of B. Taylor; Martha, now Mrs. Gipson ; and Mary, who is the second wife of B. Taylor.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Patterson has been blessed with seven children : John W., now living in Kansas ; J. J. H., who is connected with the motor car interests of San Antonio; W. B., a stock farmer and merchant at Rio Frio; George R., who is also engaged in the raising of stock; Ben M., who died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving a wife but no children; and Isabella, the wife of W. B. Nichols, a spec- ulator in California. The wife and mother, who was a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist church, died in the year 1878. Mr. Patterson also belongs to the Methodist church and is interested in its growth and progress. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has attained the Royal Arch degree. At the time of his marriage, after buying his license, he only had seventy-five cents remaining, but he has led a life of activity and enterprise, making the most of his opportuni- ties and developing the natural resources of the county until he stands today as one of its representative, practical and honored business men. Uvalde was fortunate in being settled with a citizenship of such quali- ties as he represents. Of the fifty or more pioneer settlers who lived in this county in the early days when Mr. Patterson took up his abode here and who were interested in cattle and other business enterprises there was not one who was ever brought under the ban of the law- certainly a most creditable record.
. Ross KENNEDY, now deceased, came in pioneer days to Uvalde county, where the family home has since been maintained. Both he and his widow were natives of the north of Ireland, born in County Mon- aghan. The birth of Mr. Kennedy occurred in 1826 and that of his wife in 1833. He was reared to farm pursuits and educated in the com- mon schools. His parents were George and Jane (Ross) Kennedy, both descendants of honored old Protestant families of the north of Ireland. where their ancestors had lived through many generations. George Kennedy was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit through- out his entire life. Both he and his wife died at the old homestead in Ireland, where through the careful conduct of his business interests he . had become a well-to-do man, while by reason of his upright life his friends entertained for him warm and unqualified regard. Both he and his wife were reared in the Presbyterian church, of which they remained
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members until called to their final rest. Their children were a large number: John P. Ross and Thomas were the only ones who came to America ; the latter joined the United States army and died in St. Louis, Missouri, while in the military service but prior to the Civil war. Hav- ing lost his first wife the father married again and had three children by the second union: Edward and Robert, both of whom went to Aus- tralia ; and James, who remained in Ireland.
Ross Kennedy was reared in his native country, early becoming fam- iliar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. He had no special advantages and on reaching manhood he determined to try his fortune in America, for the favorable reports which he had re- ceived of business conditions in this country led him to the belief that he would have better opportunities in the new world. Accordingly he made all arrangements for leaving home and in 1848 landed in New York. Gradually he made his way westward and after a short time enlisted in the United States army for five years. His company, of which he became sergeant, was attached to the western range depart- ment and patrolled the Rio Grande from its source to its mouth. He spent most of his five years' term in Southwestern Texas and saw an active service with the Indians, who had become dissatisfied and occa- sioned great trouble to the early settlers. Mr. Kennedy took part in many raids after the red men and participated in some fights with them, but was never wounded. He continued in active service until the ex- piration of his term, when he received an honorable discharge and was paid off.
Having gained thorough knowledge of the southwest and its busi- ness interests and opportunities, Mr. Kennedy in 1854 settled in Uvalde county, where he turned his attention to stock raising and soon after- ward located his ranch a few miles east of where Sabinal has since been located. He soon had gained a good start in his new business, but found that the Indians were becoming hostile and were stealing con- siderable stock. Therefore he joined with other settlers in making many raids after the red men to recover the stock and from time to . time participated in fights with the savages. To be prepared for all emergencies he erected a one-story rock house and bored holes on either side through which he might shoot in case the Indians attacked him in his home, but he did not have to defend himself in this way. He be- came well settled on the range and soon was conducting a prosperous business as a stock man, for the grass was good upon the prairies and the range was free.
Mr. Kennedy had made a fair start when in 1857 he returned to New York and claimed the sweetheart of his youth for his bride. She was Miss Jane Rankin, who was born and reared in the north of Ireland and was a daughter of Eban and Margery (Grav) Rankin, who also belonged to old and prominent Protestant families of that section of the Emerald Isle. Her father was well known and was highly respected as a farmer and business man, conducting a commission business in the country town of Monaghan. Both he and his wife continued residents of the Emerald Isle until called to their final home, and were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, to which they always adhered.
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Most of their children came to America. John became a resident of Canada but afterward removed to Iowa, where he died. Robert took up his abode in New York and there spent his remaining days. Jane came with her brother Robert to the United States, where she married Ross Kennedy. Ebenezer established his home in Uvalde county, where he engaged in stock raising up to the time of his death.
Following their marriage Ross Kennedy brought his bride to the home which he had prepared in Uvalde county, Texas. Here they fought out the battles of life together, Mrs. Kennedy carefully manag- ing the household affairs, while Mr. Kennedy gave his attention to his business interests, which were carefully controlled until he became one of the wealthiest men in the county. He soon got a good start in cattle and horses, he also raised a number of hogs that he might have pork and lard and he likewise placed a small amount of land under culti- vation for the production of home supplies ; and he thus engaged in busi- ness of various kinds, all of which he carried forward to successful com- pletion. He went through the usual hardships, experiences and dif- ficulties incident to frontier life in a region infested with savages, who were continually making raids upon the ranches. Although he par- ticipated in many raids and fights he was never wounded, but lost much stock of all kinds. During the period of the Civil war he co-operated with others to guard the frontier families, and he also did contract freighting, hiring men and using ox teams to convey cotton and other crops from various points in Texas to Mexico. The business proved very profitable and though freighting at that time was attended with much danger he carried on the work and found it a very remunerative source of income. When the war had ended he secured the contract from the federal government for supplying beef to Fort Davis and re- moved his family there. The contract covered a year's time and later he secured other contracts from the government. As he saw that the free range was going to be closed he began investing in land and bought large tracts. He had confidence in his own ability to take care of and handle his money and did not buy bank stocks nor place his money to any great extent in banks. On the contrary he made safe and judicious business investments and was known throughout the length and breadth of Southwestern Texas as a man of keen discernment, whose word was as good as gold. He was stern in his deportment and independent in his manner of living and dress. All who knew him, however, respected him for his genuine worth and many excellent traits of character.
Mr. Kennedy held membership in the Presbyterian church in early life, but as there was no organization of that denomination in Texas he joined the Christian church on coming to this part of the country and remained one of its faithful members. He was also an exemplary mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. He was interested in all that pertained to the welfare and progress of this section of the country and co-oper- ated in many movements which were of direct benefit here. He aided in organizing the county and selecting the county seat. and assisted in re- claiming the district from barbarism and converting it into uses for civilization. He saw the countryside claimed and converted into farms and ranches, while the wild beasts were driven out and in their place
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were found large herds of good stock. He has also seen the Indian wigwam replaced by the substantial homes of permanent settlers, while the entire county is now inhabited by a prosperous and contented people. Mr. Kennedy reared his family of nine children and left all well pro- vided for and they are now prominent and respected residents of this part of the state.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were born two sons and seven daugh- ters : Margery, the wife of Thomas Adams, a stock farmer and rancher ; Jane, the wife of Louis M. Peters, a pioneer merchant of Sabinal ; Clara, the wife of A. J. Durham, postmaster and farmer of Sabinal and an enterprising man; Rosalie, the wife of L. F. Heard, a hardware and furniture merchant of Sabinal; Mary, the wife of C. W. Giffin, a promi- nent farmer of Reaves county, Texas; Vine, the widow of D. Malone, who died leaving one child; George, a stock man; Ross, a prominent stock dealer and proprietor of a meat market in Sabinal; and Maud, at home.
The death of Mr. Kennedy occurred February 15, 1891, when he was seventy-three years of age, and was deeply deplored by many friends, for all who knew him entertained for him warm regard. He was a man of excellent business ability, sound judgment and keen dis- crimination and his prosperity resulted entirely from his own labors, as he came to America empty handed. As the years passed he worked his way steadily upward to the plane of affluence and not only gained suc- cess for himself but also contributed in large measure to the substantial improvement and progress of the community. Mrs. Kennedy still sur- vives her husband and she and all of her children are members of the Christian church. They are a family of prominence in the community and Mrs. Kennedy is one of the honored and worthy pioneer women, having for almost a half century lived in Uvalde county, during which time she has witnessed many changes here, her memory forming a con- necting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
A. J. DAVENPORT, a pioneer of Uvalde county prominently identified with its progress and development, was born in Johnson county, Mis- souri, June 19, 1843. In the paternal line he is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, John Davenport, was a native of Tennessee and was first married in Kentucky to a Miss McNew, after which he removed to Missouri. By this marriage there were seven children. Following the death of his first wife he was married in Missouri to Miss Susan Little. He engaged in business in that state until 1843, when he sold his inter- ests there and removed to Kaufman county, Texas, where he purchased land and opened up a farm, whereon he remained successfully in business until 1853. In that year he came to Uvalde county, locating in the Sabinal Canyon in the Ware settlement, giving his attention to stock raising. The range was then free, grass grew luxuriantly and he soon got a good start in stock. After remaining in that settlement for two years he then took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres two miles east of where Sabinal now stands. There he established a per- manent home and ranch, continuing to reside there until his death, which occurred in October, 1875, when he was seventy-eight years of age. When he first settled in Texas Indians were not so hostile as they became
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later, but they were always running off stock and subsequently mani- fested the utmost hostility to the white race, so that it was a hard prob- lem for the pioneers to handle them. Mr. Davenport lost much of his stock through their raids and took part in many hunts after them. He was never in any battles with them, however, being too old for that. He left the fighting for his sons to do, and they were always willing to do their share. Mr. Davenport was a Democrat and a worthy mem- ber of the Methodist church. He was a large, strong man, of robust constitution and led a busy and active life. He possessed a social nature and charitable disposition that led him to entertain his friends witlı cordial hospitality and to assist the poor and needy. He was greatly respected for his sterling integrity and honor. He founded the family in Uvalde county and they have since been carrying forward the work which he inaugurated. The children of his first marriage, all born in Missouri, were: James, a stockman who died in Bandera county; Wil- liam, who was a large farmer and stockman and died in Davenport station in Bexar county ; John M., who was killed by the Indians near where Sabinal is now located. He made a good fight against a large band before he gave up his life, although he had but a pistol with which to defend himself. The daughters are: Dorcas, the wife of Rolla Miller ; Mrs. Ann Goff ; Mrs. Jane Barnett, and Mrs. Kate Patton. The father's second marriage, which occurred in Missouri, was to Susan Little of Kentucky, who in early life went to Missouri with her parents, although little is known of the family history. She was a member of the Method- ist church and died in 1874. There were two sons of the marriage: Lewis C., a prominent stockman of Uvalde county, and A. Jack.
Mr. A. J. Davenport is familiarly known throughout the county as Jack. During his infancy his parents removed to Texas and when he was ten years of age came to Uvalde county. He spent his young manhood in this county, where he has since remained. He was largely reared in the saddle and when a boy joined the older men of the locality in making raids after the Indians, taking part in a number of fights. He helped recover and save much stock and during all this time he was never wounded by the Indians, although he saw many others who were injured or killed by the red men. In 1862 he entered the state ranger service on the frontier, serving for one year, during which time he par- ticipated in many raids and fights with the Indians. In 1863 he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Company F in Duff's Thirty- third Texas Cavalry, with which he continued to the close of the war, serving with the Trans-Mississippi army and patrolling the coast of Texas and southwestern department. Later the regiment brigaded with General Gano's command, with which Mr. Davenport continued until the close of the war, being in Arkansas part of the time. He was there stationed when the army disbanded and he returned to his home.
Mr. Davenport resumed business as a stockman and on the 18th of December, 1865, was married. When he left for the war he had got a good start in stock, but owing to the ravages of war he lost all that he had saved and his first effort afterward was in the manufacture of shingles, whereby he gained a small amount of ready money. He then commenced raising stock, and not discouraged by any of the hardships
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and difficulties of the work, he succeeded in developing a very extensive business. At length he succeeded in getting his ranch established. The range was free and the grass good and for some time he won success. In 1878 he bought his first land, comprising five hundred and ninety acres, which he yet owns, and he erected thereon good ranch buildings and made many substantial improvements. He yet remains two miles north of Sabinal and having added to his first purchase now owns fifteen hundred acres. His home he has remodeled and has a commodious resi- dence and outbuildings, also a good tenant house. He likewise has tele- phone connection with the cities and is thoroughly modern in all of his methods of living and in his business. He and his brother, L. C. Daven- port, bought a tract of ten thousand acres on the Frio river, where they ran stock successfully for a number of years, at the end of which time Mr. Davenport sold out to L. C. Davenport and later bought a tract of five thousand acres on Little Blanco river, which he fenced and on which he engaged in stock raising until 1905. He then sold the ranch and cattle to Kelly & Bell. He has reduced his business to his home farm and ranch. He now has less stock, but it is of a higher grade, having much registered stock, including Hereford, Short-horns and Durhams. He will have none but the finest cattle about him now. For thirteen years he has also run sheep in connection with cattle and found this very profitable. He is a self-made man, owing his prosperity entirely to his own labors, and has been the creator of a large estate. He now has over one hundred and sixty acres of land under cultivation and has had good success with dry farming, the seasons yielding fair annual crops. He is a stockholder in the Uvalde National Bank and has a very gratifying bank account. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat.
Mr. Davenport was married to Miss Mary Binnion, who was born in Titus county, Texas, September 1, 1849, her parents being John and Minerva (Phillips) Binnion, both of Alabama, where they were married, coming thence to Texas in 1847. They settled in Titus county, where Mr. Binnion operated his ranch by the aid of slave labor until the black race was liberated. In 1864 he sold out and removed to Uvalde county, locating first in the Ware settlement near Utopia, where he engaged suc- cessfully in stock-raising for a few years. He then bought land adjoin- ing the homestead, whereon he spent his remaining days, passing away June 29, 1883. He diverted his interests from cattle to the sheep busi- ness and was a successful sheep man. He voted with the Democracy and was a member of the Christian church. His wife was the most noted woman of all this wide country at an early day-"Aunt Minerva." She was well educated and when a young woman had the use of the old family physician's medical books and received instruction from him. She became well versed in the methods of medical practice and after coming to this wild country where there was no physician she engaged in administering to the needs of the sick for a long period, her services being in demand far and near. Those wounded by the Indians were cared for by her and she did excellent surgical work as well as medical practice.' "Aunt Minerva," as she was called, was known to every white person in the country and is kindly remembered by all because of her . warm heart and her skill. She was a brave woman and once when a
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band of Indians were approaching her home she quickly donned a suit of her husband's clothes, shouldered her gun and with her husband went outside the house. The Indians then did not know how many men were in the house and feared to attack it and thus she and her husband achieved a victory without firing a gun. She survived her husband for a number of years, passing away in 1897. The children of this worthy pioneer woman were: John, who was accidentally killed when twelve years of age; Robert, a stockman, who died and left five children; Susan, who died in childhood; Samuel, who was killed by Indians at the age of twenty-two years; Mrs. Mary Davenport; Mrs. Sarah Newley ; Martin, a stockman, who died leaving five children; and Charles, who went to the west, since which time no news has been heard of him.
To Mr. and Mrs. Davenport have been born the following named: Edwin, born September 30, 1869, is engaged in farming and stock rais- ing on the old homestead ; Robert, born January 21, 1864, is a prominent physician of Trinidad, Colorado; Oscar, born December 7, 1872, is a stockman of Goliad county; Mittie is the wife of F. J. Rheiner, cashier of the Uvalde National Bank; Roy is an assistant in the Uvalde Na- tional Bank. The wife and mother is a worthy member of the Christian church.
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