USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 39
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J. I. BARNES, M. D., engaged in the active practice of medicine and surgery at Sabinal, was born at Centerville, Leon county, Texas, April 1, 1857. He is a son of Irvin and Millicent (Horn) Barnes, both of whom were natives of North Carolina and were of English descent. They were married in Alabama, where they remained until 1852, when they removed to Texas and located in Leon county. There the father purchased land and improved a good farm, whereon he lived through- out his remaining days, his death occurring in 1891. He was a southern man in belief and used his influence for the support of the Confederacy, but was too old for active service in the army.
He was a prominent farmer and slave owner, well known and highly respected. He never aspired to public office of any kind and was a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. His wife still survives and resides at the old family home in Centerville, Leon county. Of the Methodist church she is an active and consistent member. In the family were six children: Edgar, who was born in Alabama, is now prominent in public affairs in Leon county. Fannie is the wife of Dr. W. T. Evans. J. I., is the next younger. Isa married George Floyd. Joseph H., is a stockman of Jewett, and Alice is the wife of Perry Pruett.
Dr. Barnes was reared to farm pursuits and acquired a good educa- tion in the public schools. At the age of nineteen years he began read- ing medicine with Dr. W. T. Evans, of Jewett, Leon county, as his preceptor. He continued with him for three years, during which time he made visits with the doctor in his practice and gained much insight into the methods of treating various diseases and of diagnosing cases. He thus prepared for the practice of his profession by actual experience as well as by the acquirement of the knowledge that may be gained in
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books. He also worked in the doctor's drug store and thus gained an intimate understanding of the compounding and administration of drugs. He was thus well prepared for the profession which he deter- mined to make his life work. In 1879 he pursued a course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1881 he commenced practice at Pearsall, where he continued success- fully for a few years. He afterward completed the course of lectures at a medical college at Mobile, Alabama, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then returned to Pearsall, but soon afterward removed to Hondo and in 1901 came to Sabinal. Here he purchased the residence and practice of Dr. Bowman and has since given his undivided attention to his practice, which is continually growing. He is often called to a distance of fifty miles because of his professional skill and ability, which are widely recognized. He has merited and enjoys the confidence of the community in which he directs his labors and his success has natur- ally followed. He has a well equipped office with a good library of medical works and he has also the modern appliances and instruments which facilitate operations, possessing much skill in surgery as well as in the diagnosis of disease and administration of remedial agencies. He is a member of the Edwards and Uvalde Counties Medical Society, also the San Antonio Medical Society and the State Medical Society, while fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason and also a Woodman of the World. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Barnes was married in Hondo, Texas, to Miss Jimmie Kilgore, who was born in Floresville, Texas, in 1862. She is a lady of great in- telligence and natural refinement. Her parents are J. J. and Jane (Dunlap) Kilgore, both natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Mississippi, afterward becoming early settlers of Texas. Her father was a prominent stock rancher for many years. He was the flag bearer in his regiment in the Confederate army during the Civil war and was always on duty. Although often in the front ranks, he was never wounded nor taken prisoner, but he saw much arduous service such as is usually meted out to the soldier. In his business affairs he was closely identified with the stock interests of Southwestern Texas. In politics he was a strong and influential Democrat but never sought office. His life was characterized by high principles and manly conduct and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He spent his declining years in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Barnes. His wife was also a mem- ber of the Christian church and has likewise passed away. In their family were eight children: Ella, the wife of L. H. Brown; Jesse M., a stockman : Jimmie, now Mrs. Barnes ; Charles L., a stockman ; Mattie, the wife of J. J. Strait ; Yancey, proprietor of a hotel at Houston, Texas ; Frank, a railroad man; and Emmett, who died at the age of eighteen years.
To Dr. and Mrs. Barnes have been born two children: Fannie, born March 17, 1895, and Fordyce, November 30, 1896. The mother and children are members of the Presbyterian church.
W. A. KELLEY, extensively engaged in stock raising and vice-presi- dent of the Sabinal Mercantile Company was born in Marion county, Tennessee, December 25, 1857. The family is of Irish lineage and was Vol. II. 19
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founded in America by James Kelley, a native of the Emerald Isle, who on coming to the United States settled in Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Tennessee. He was a cabinet maker by trade and a good mechanic. He reared his family in Tennessee and later disappeared. No trace of him was obtainable and it is supposed that he was drowned in the Tennessee river. His wife survived and removed to Missouri with her son, Riley A. Kelley, and subsequently went with him to Ar- kansas. At a later date, however, she returned to Tennessee, where her last days were passed. She held membership in the Presbyterian church. Her children: Mrs. Amanda Bryson; John, who died in Arkansas; Riley, father of our subject; George, who died in Tennessee; William who was killed while serving in the Confederate army.
Riley A. Kelley was born in Tennessee, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha A. Ray. Some years afterward they removed to Missouri, where Mr. Kelley followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in blacksmithing. After the inauguration of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army in General Price's command and at once went to the front. The locality in which he left his family was much divided on the war question and party feeling ran very high. His home was robbed and plundered and conditions became so intolerable there that the family removed to Ar- kansas. Mr. Kelley, learning of what was going on, met his family near their destination and settled them upon a farm, after which he again joined his command, with which he continued until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge. He was never wounded nor made a prisoner, but saw much arduous military service. The war over, he rejoined his family in Arkansas and carried on farm- ing there. He voted with the Democracy and was a worthy and re- spected citizen. He passed away in Arkansas in 1872 and his wife still survives, residing in Coleman county, Texas, at the age of seventy- three years. The old Arkansas homestead has been sold and all of the living children are now in Texas. To Mr. and Mrs. Riley Kelley were born seven children: Mrs. Amanda Turman; Mrs. Keziah Hol- loway; William A .; George, who died in Arkansas ; Cynthia A., the wife of Joe E. Hill; John, of Coleman county, Texas, and James R., of Uvalde county.
William A. Kelley was born in Tennessee and accompanied his parents on the removal to Missouri and thence to Arkansas, where he was reared to manhood upon the home farm. He afterward worked for two years at the blacksmith's trade and subsequently engaged in clerking for three years, during which period he spent six months as solicitor for a St. Louis fruit house. In July, 1884, he arrived at Sabinal with impaired health, but the climate here proved very beneficial. He had a severe illness soon after his arrival but after that began to recuperate and was soon fully restored to health. He then obtained employment as foreman on a sheep ranch where the herders were Mexicans. As he was unfamiliar with their language he had much to learn, but he suc- ceeded in rapidly acquiring a knowledge of their tongue. As he was a long distance from settlements and had no others to talk to, he soon picked up a fair knowledge of the Mexican language, so that he was
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able to do business with them, and made an excellent foreman. Later he took charge of the entire ranch, on which were large herds of cattle and sheep. In 1893, the sheep business no longer proving profitable, his flocks were sold off and he continued with the cattle during that year. About the same time Mr. Kelley bought some land but continued ranch- ing and as his financial resources increased he added to his realty holdings until he was owner of twelve hundred acres.
In October, 1885, Mr. Kelley had married and his wife was with him when he was foreman of the ranch. After he had secured land for himself he erected a suitable house and settled thereon. He then en- gaged in sheep raising but abandoned it when it proved unprofitable. When he was working on a salary he had the privilege of investing in cattle and putting his own brand on them and turning them loose on the range. Thus he got a good start in cattle and after he sold his sheep he continued to raise cattle and later also added horses, but he sold his horses after a time and concentrated his energies upon cattle raising. In this he was successful. He confined his attention to steer cattle and for ten years did a profitable business in that way. If prices suited him he sold at home and if not he made direct shipments to market. As time passed he placed substantial improvements on his home ranch and improved a very desirable residence. This place he sold in 1901, having in the meantime secured a ranch on the Frio of seven thousand acres; two thousand he owns and leases five thousand. He has con- centrated all of his stock interests there and he now has seven hundred steers on that ranch. He has formed a partnership with A. Nutt, who resides on the ranch and cares for the stock. During the years which he spent on his home ranch Mr. Kelley also engaged to some extent in dry farming, producing all the corn needed. When he sold the home ranch he came to Sabinal and bought about eight acres of ground, on which he has erected a commodious residence in modern style of archi- tecture and supplied with many conveniences. He yet occupies this home, which is one of the attractive dwellings of the town. In Sep- tember, 1901, in connection with Jacob and R. M. Miliken, he purchased the store building and stock of T. P. Roberts, a general merchant, and continued in this business successfully until 1902, when they organized a stock company, which was incorporated under the name of the Sabinal Mercantile Company with a paid-up capital of forty thousand dollars. Some of the stock was sold, but Mr. Kelley still holds a large part of it. The business was continued at the old store until 1904, when a large two-story brick building was erected and the company now occupies both buildings, which are filled with all kinds of goods such as are kept in a first-class department store. The business is increasing rapidly and satisfactorily and they carry such a line as is in demand by a general trade. Mr. Kelley has been successful in all of his enterprises and though he had small assistance at the outset of his career he has worked his way upward and is well entitled to the praise that is indicated in the term, a self-made man.
In October, 1885, Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Amanda C. Wish, who was born in Sabinal Canyon in October, 1866. She is a daughter of Jasper and Nancy (Kelley) Wish, the former a native of
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Germany and the latter of Tennessee. They were married in Arkansas and in 1851 came to Uvalde county, but on account of the hostility of the Indians removed to Williamson county. After two years, however, they returned, Mr. Wish being determined to maintain his right of residence here. He was then in limited financial circumstances, having a yoke of oxen but little else. He soon secured a small tract of land, however, which he opened up to cultivation and later secured more land. He experienced much trouble on account of the Indians and the settlers built a fort, to which the families were continually compelled to flee in order to save their lives, while the men of the households made raids after the savages and frequently brought them to terms. Mr. Wish continued his residence here and engaged in the sheep business. As a start he had thirty ewes and from this number his flocks increased until he had a herd of thousands of fine sheep. He made money rapidly and as he was able commenced buying land and continued his invest- ments until he had thirty thousand acres. He did small dry farming and continued actively in his various lines of business until he had created a large estate. Ceasing his connection with the sheep industry. he turned his attention to cattle and had he lived would undoubtedly have become a very successful and prominent cattleman. He also owned much business property in Uvalde. He had acquired his educa- tion in Germany and was a man of broad general information, possess- ing excellent business ability and good financial qualities. Moreover, he was highly respected for his integrity and honor, which were ever above reproach, and he was a consistent member of the Christian church. He died in 1889. while his wife passed away in 1891. She was a daughter of Mr. Kellev, who came from Arkansas with Mr. Wish and settled to ranching. He made progress in his business, which he after- ward turned over to his children. Several of his brothers also came here and all did well. These were Leak, Jack, Christ and Joseph Kelley. while one sister married a Mr. Robinson of Sabinal. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wish were: Christina, now Mrs. Robinson; John, who died and left three children now in Arizona; Margaret, the wife of A. T. Crane ; Bell, the wife of W. F. Price ; Amanda, now Mrs. Kellev; Christopher C., who is engaged in the ranch business, and Effa, the wife of R. M. Miliken.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley has been blessed with an interesting daughter, Myra, who was born December 4, 1898. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Kelley is connected with the Woodmen of the World. He was reared in the faith of the Democracy but is now independent in politics, being rather strongly in- clined toward the prohibition party, though reserving the right to cast a ballot as he thinks best. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and the years have witnessed earnest and inde- fatigable labor on his part, resulting in the acquirement of gratifying success.
JOHN C. TURMAN. who is conducting a cattle ranch in Uvalde county, is one of Texas' native sons, having been born in Lavaca county on the 26th of January, 1862. His parents were Tohn and Mary (Man- gum) Turman, both of whom were natives of Alabama, where they were
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married. Mrs. Turman was a daughter of Cyrus and Lucinda (O'Dan .. nels) Mangum, also natives of Alabama. Her father was a leading farmer and slave owner and at an early day came to Texas, settling in Lavaca county, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He prospered in his undertakings as an agriculturist. He served in the Confederate army. He lived the life of an upright Christian man and while he was never prominent in public office nor sought public notoriety of any kind he so lived as to enjoy the respect, good will and confidence of all with whom he was associated. In his family were the following named: Mary, who became Mrs. Turman; David, of Uvalde; Warren and Wylie, both of whom are deceased; Samuel, who died in March, 1906; Jack, a stockman and vice president of the Uvalde Na- tional Bank; William, also engaged in stock raising interests ; and Rufus, who is living in Alpine, Texas.
John Turman was born and reared in Alabama, where he was married. He settled on a farm, where he remained successfully until about 1847, when he removed to Texas, taking up his abode in Lavaca county, where he engaged in farming and the stock business. He car- ried on his interests with success until after the opening of the Civil war, when he volunteered for service and was soon at the front, where he did valorous duty as a soldier. He met the usual experiences which are a part of military life and participated in many important cam- paigns, battles and military movements until the exposures and priva- tions incident to war brought on severe illness. He then obtained a sick furlough and returned home, where he soon afterward passed away, his death occurring in 1864. During his active business life he always carried on farming and stock raising and before the war he laid the foundation for a successful business career. He possessed many ster- ling traits of character that endeared him to those with whom he came in contact and his death was deeply deplored by many friends. The Methodist church found him a devoted member and active worker. Fol- lowing her husband's death Mrs. Turman kept her children together and reared them to lives of respectability. She yet survives and now makes her home in Uvalde. The members of the family were: Mollie, who is the widow of Dr. Brown and resides in Uvalde; Anna, who be- came the wife of O. H. Hector and died leaving one son; Nannie, the wife of E. J. Allen, of Runnels county, Texas; Mrs. Josephine Vivion ; and John C.
John C. Turman is the only son of the family. He was born and reared in the Lone Star state, where he has always resided. At the time of his father's death he was about two years old. The other chil- dren were young and as the estate was not large the mother had a strug- gle to provide for her children and keep the family together. Although the youngest child, Mr. Turman, being the only boy, started out to earn his own living as soon as old enough and assisted his mother in the care of his sisters. In 1880 the family removed to Zavala county; where he leased land from the New York & Texas Land Company and turned his attention to the sheep-raising industry, which he followed with good success. Soon afterward his mother put him in charge of the business, which he conducted successfully for a few years, when he
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bought from his mother the stock and carried on the sheep-raising in- dustry until 1890. He then sold out and turned his attention to cattle and is still well known as a representative cattleman of this section of the state. He has purchased and now owns nine thousand acres of land and continues to lease twenty-four thousand acres. He runs a large herd of stock and steer cattle, having from twenty-five hundred to three thousand head. His own land is well watered, having a lake upon it four miles long, so that there is an abundance of water. His leased land is in the artesian belt and he is sinking two wells thereon, so that if he strikes water there will be also an abundant supply upon that ranch. Mr. Turman made money off of his sheep-raising interests and this enabled him to start out on quite an extensive scale in his cat- tle raising. He ships his own stock to market and is meeting with gratifying prosperity in this line. He also has a commodious residence at Uvalde and he is deeply interested in the development of the city and county, his business interests being a factor in the industrial and com- mercial development of this section of the state. He is also connected with mercantile interests as a stockholder in the F. A. Piper Mercantile Company of Uvalde.
Mr. Turman was married at Flatonia, Fayette county, Texas, on the Ioth of November, 1891, to Miss Lulu Woodley, who was born in Lavaca county in 1864, a daughter of Jackson and Lydia (Box) Wood- ley, the former a native of Florida and the latter of South Carolina. They were married and settled in Alabama, whence they removed to Texas at an early period in the development of this portion of the state, settling first in Lavaca county, where Mr. Woodley carried on farming and stock raising. He served through the period of the Civil war as a valorous soldier, never hesitating in the performance of any duty that was assigned him whether it led him to the lonely picket line or into the thickest of the fight. When the war was over he returned to his family and resumed the task of cultivating his fields and caring for his stock. He served for many years as justice of the peace and was also county commissioner, his public duties being discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. He was well known in the community where he re- sided and his many sterling traits of character gained for him an en- viable place in the regard of his fellowmen. He died at Old Molton and his wife survived him for some time, spending her declining years with her daughter, Mrs. Turman, at Uvalde. Here sne passed away on the Ist of December, 1901, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was an earnest member, having taken an active and helpful part in its work. The children of their family were as follows: Mrs. Maria Baker; James, who while waiting in camp to be mustered into the Confederate service became ill of measles and returned home, where he died soon afterward; Mildred, the wife of William Keesee; Thomas, a stockman; Oscar, who is living in Kansas City; H. B., whose home is in San Antonio; Mrs. Mollie Blakeman, who died at El Paso; Ida, the wife of S. F. Mangum ; and Lulu, now Mrs. Turman.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Turman has been blessed with three interesting children: Beatrice, who was born October 1, 1892; John C., June 12, 1894 ; and Mildred, January 3, 1895. The parents are most
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highly esteemed in the community where they reside. Mr. Turman be- longs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and his wife to the Methodist church. He is a school trustee and gives active and intelligent support to ali of the movements that tend to promote the intellectual, material and moral progress of the community. There is in his vocabulary no such word as fail and by determination and energy he has overcome difficulties and obstacles that barred his path to success, his life record serving in many respects as a source of inspiration to others, showing what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
A. S. HATCH has been a factor in events which are epochal in the history of Uvalde county. He stands for public progress and improve- ment and gives hearty co-operation to many measures which have this end in view. Born in Tennessee on the 15th of August, 1835, he is a son of George C. and Mary (Simmons) Hatch, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, where they were married. Settling in that state, they remained there for a number of years and afterward re- moved to Tennessee, where the family located. In 1836 George C. Hatch came alone to Texas and joined the forces who were striving for Texan independence. He was in Deaf Smith's company of spies who
Mexican Invasion of 1842.
patrolled many parts of Texas, watching the movements of the Indians and Mexicans. In 1842 he was at San Antonio, during the holding of the district court there, when General Woll violated Santa Anna's treaty with General Houston and invaded the country with his army, making prisoners of the entire court and other Americans in the city. These prisoners of war were all marched through to Mexico, where they were held for some months in the interior of the country. They were com- pelled to forage for supplies two at a time. Mr. Hatch with another man was detailed to hunt rations. Though chained together, they made their escape and got away with much difficulty, experiencing hunger and hardships. At length, however, they reached San Antonio and civilization, but the remainder of the prisoners were held captive for several months longer. After the establishment of the republic Mr. Hatch returned to Tennessee and brought his family and slaves to the Lone Star state, locating in Colorado county. There he bought land and improved a good farm, whereon he remained successfully engaged in business until 1854. He then sold out and removed to Southwestern Texas, settling near Corpus Christi, where he again opened up a good farm and carried on general farming and stock raising. Here he re- mained successfully to the time of the Civil war. He was a strong . secessionist and used his influence for the Confederacy, but was too old for active field service and remained at his home until after the crust of the war. When all was lost he declared that he would not live under a government that would allow the plundering and robbing of its citi- zens and he took what money he had left and went to British Honduras, where he remained for two years. Through the persuasion and influ- ence of one of his daughters, however, he returned to the homestead near Corpus Christi, where he remained until he lost his life in 1872. He was driving in his buggy to the city when three Mexicans shot and
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