USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 42
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Mr. Robinson is a worthy member of the Knights of Pythias and the Elks lodge and is highly respected in social, business and political circles in Valverde county.
W. G. LEE WOODS, one of the prominent and leading merchants of Del Rio, is conducting a lumberyard, where he handles lumber and all kinds of building materials. Although one of the more recent arrivals in this city, he has through his reliable and straightforward business methods already won the confidence and good will of the general public and is now enjoying a large and increasing patronage. He is likewise acting as vice-president of the Woods National Bank, at San Antonio.
Mr. Woods was born in Fayette county, Texas, November 28, 1864, but was reared in Hallettsville, Lavaca county. He is the elder of two sons born to John and Mary E. (Reishinger) Woods, his brother being W. F. Woods. The father was born and reared in Alabama, where he received a liberal education. Deciding upon a professional career he chose that of an attorney. After careful preparation in this line he was admitted to the bar and located in Hallettsville, Lavaca county, Texas,
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for the practice of his profession. In connection with his practice he also was engaged in a mercantile enterprise, and later had charge of a large estate and operated a farm. He was very successful in his practice and was elected to the lower house of the state legislature in the eighteenth general assembly, after which he was elected to the state senate in the nineteenth and twentieth general assemblies. He likewise opened and conducted a bank in Hallettsville, which he continued successfully until 1889, when he removed to Del Rio and opened a similar enterprise under the firm style of John Woods & Sons, this being conducted as a private institution and governed by the state laws. In 1896 he closed out his business in Del Rio and took up his abode in San Antonio, where he organized the John Woods & Sons Bank, so continuing until 1904, when the bank was nationalized and is now conducted under the style of the Woods National Bank, with John Woods, president; W. G. Lee Woods, vice-president; and W. F. Woods, cashier. The bank is conducted on a strict business basis and with the long experience of Mr. Woods in banking institutions it is a success. More extended mention is made of the father on another page of this work.
W. G. Lee Woods acquired his elementary education in the schools of his native city, this being supplemented by two and a half years' study in the State University, by which he was well qualified for the responsible duties connected with a business career. He accompanied his parents on their various removals through Texas, and following the removal of the family to Del Rio he was connected with his father and younger brother in the banking business, remaining in this city for seven years, during which time he gained a wide acquaintance. He removed with his father to San Antonio, where he became vice-president of the Woods National Bank and has continued his connection therewith to the present time. In May, 1906, he returned once more to Del Rio. where he purchased the lumber business of the J. A. Price estate, and he is now conducting a large and profitable business in this line, for he carries a complete stock of lumber, building materials, doors, blinds, paints and builders' hardware. He has through his efforts made this one of the most important commercial enterprises of the city, for he ever adheres to strict business principles, and this combined with his excellent ability and sound judgment has made it a profitable concern.
It was during his former residence in this city that Mr. Woods was united in marriage to Miss Belle J. Price, who was born in Houston, Texas, in 1874, a daughter of J. A. and Bessie (Throop) Price. The Throop family originated in England, where they were connected with the nobility of that country. The father of Mrs. Price was an eminent physician and surgeon of Kentucky, where several of his children were born, and at an early day he removed with his family to Texas, first set- tling at Mission Valley, in Victoria county, subsequent to which time he practiced at Anderson, Gaines county, and also in Lavaca county, practicing successfully for a long period. His family numbered the fol- lowing: Thomas R., deceased; Ben B., a resident of Austin, Texas ; Bessie, who became the wife of J. A. Price, the latter being now deceased ; Mrs. Bell Wadkins, of Fort Worth, and Mrs. Jennie Merriman, of Haskell. Thomas R. Throop at the age of fifteen years joined the army,
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becoming a member of Green's brigade, of Company C, and served through the war of the rebellion. Following the death of J. A. Price in 1904 Mr. Throop assumed the management of the lumber business for his sister, being thus engaged until his death, which occurred very suddenly in March, 1906. J. A. Price made his home in Harris county for many years, where for a time he was engaged in farming operations, and he was likewise an inventor. In 1884 he established the pioneer lumber business of Del Rio, first in company with Mason & Black. He eventually purchased the interest of his two partners, after which Mr. Price conducted the business alone until his death in September, 1904, when he had reached the age of eighty years. He was a public-spirited, enterprising and charitable man, highly respected in business and social circles. By a previous marriage Mr. Price became the father of two sons : George L., cashier of the Commercial National Bank, of Houston, and Richard S., a prominent merchant tailor of that city. By his mar- riage to Bessie Throop there were three children: Anna V., the wife of W. A. Gordon, a banker of San Antonio; Belle J., now Mrs. Woods ; and Adrienne.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Woods has been blessed with a daughter and two sons: Bessie B., who was born June 21, 1897 ; John Price, born February 25, 1903 ; and W. G. Lee, Jr., whose birth occurred September 27, 1904. The parents are worthy and consistent members of the Metho- dist church, of which he is acting as a trustee and a member of the board of stewards, while he is likewise treasurer of the West Texas conference and treasurer and a member of the committee of the Rescue Home at San Antonio. Mr. Woods leads a very active, busy and useful life, con- ducting various important business enterprises. He is a courteous, genial and affable gentleman, winning friends wherever he goes.
ROBERT M. SCOTT, M. D., engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Del Rio, is a native of Webster Parish, Louisiana, having been born December 14, 1868. He is a son of Samuel S. and Sally M. (Fly) Scott, the former born in Coffeeville, Mississippi, while the latter was born in Memphis, Tennessee. The Scott family comes of Scotch-Irish descent, and the father was a minister of the Methodist church for more than a half century. He was made a presiding elder at the early age of twenty-six years, being the youngest elder of that day. He did pastoral work in both Mississippi and Louisiana, and his influence was a beneficial factor in many communities where he resided. In 1875 he removed to Texas, where he was later made a presiding elder, being located at Gates- ville, where he labored successfully for fourteen years. He continued actively in ministerial work until 1900, when he retired and he and his wife removed to San Antonio, spending their declining years with their son, Robert M. The father passed away in that city in January, 1906, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty years, while his wife preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring in 1904. They were a worthy and highly respected couple, whose labors in behalf of the moral development of the southwest have borne rich fruit, and their memory is yet cherished by many who remember them as people of high Christian character. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Sally Scott were : A. B. Fly, a prominent attorney of Mississippi; M. B., who is a Metho-
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dist minister of that state; Tennie ; and Molly, the wife of Collier Planter, of Mississippi. Of the marriage of Rev. and Mrs. Scott there were born the following named: William B., a practicing dentist of San Antonio; Betty, who became the wife of A. R. Williams, cashier of the National Bank of Gatesville, and who at her death left four children; Ella; Lela, the wife of W. J. Blair; May, the wife of George M. Bains, a promi- nent attorney of Arkansas; Mattie, the wife of C. E. Gass, of Gates- ville; Minnie, the wife of K. Armstrong, a lumberman of Hillsboro; and Claude, the wife of Rev. D. K. Porter, presiding elder of San Marcos district.
Dr. Robert M. Scott, the other member of the family, was reared in his native city, where he attended the common schools, while later he entered St. Mary College, at Lampasas, Texas, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Science. He then entered the office of Dr. J. L. Jones, at Gatesville, where he began reading medicine, while the latter acted as his preceptor. Mr. Scott frequently accompanied the Doctor on his profes- sional visits and thereby gained much valuable information in connection with the study of medicine. In 1893 he entered a medical college at Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained for two years, when having passed a successful examination he was admitted to practice, locating at Leon Junction, where he practiced successfully until 1897, when he returned to the college in Memphis and completed his course, being graduated therefrom in the spring of 1898. He then located in San Antonio, where he built up a large and remunerative practice, remaining in that city until the spring of 1906, when he came to Del Rio, and purchased the practice of Dr. O. C. West, whose practice he has not only retained but has increased. During his medical course he made a special study of surgery, receiving a separate diploma for his proficiency in that particular department. He is thoroughly conversant with the most modern methods known to the members of the medical and surgical profession and keeps abreast with the progress that is continually being made in the profession through his reading and investigation, and the results which have followed his labors have gained him the trust and confidence of the public at large as well as the members of the profession. He has a well equipped office and operating rooms and also has an X-ray machine. His library is one of the largest and most complete in the state and he keeps himself thoroughly familiar with its contents, being a constant student.
Dr. Scott was married at Waco, Texas, to Miss Kate Gamble, who was born in Washington county, this state, in 1871, the daughter of a prominent physician of Waco. He was a highly respected man and a worthy member of the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is now deceased but his widow still survives and has since become the wife of C. E. Hardy, a business man of Waco. Mrs. Scott is the youngest of the three children born of her mother's first marriage, her sisters being Bula and Lulu, twins, the former the wife of S. B. Bugg, while the latter is the wife of William Bachelor. By the mother's marriage to Mr. Hardy there are five children: Ellis; Mrs. Ella Ludlow; Laura, who is a popular school teacher; Mrs. Daisy L.
John Alade 8 Family
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Riplinger ; and Bonnie L. The mother and all the children are identified with the Methodist church.
The Doctor and his wife are prominent socially, while he is making substantial progress in his profession, and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him still greater success.
JOHN SLADE, a prominent and well-to-do man, is now living retired in a beautiful home in the north part of Del Rio, his place being situated on an elevation which commands a good view of the city and surround- ing districts. He represents an old and honored family of the south, being a son of Jeremiah and Sally (Sutton) Slade, the former born in North Carolina, while the latter was born in Georgia but little is known concerning her ancestors. The father was reared and educated in his native state, after which he took up his abode in Georgia, where he was married. He was there engaged in farming and was a slave owner. He served in the Confederate army during the latter part of the war, and upon his return home, following the close of hostilities, resumed his farming operations, in which he was successfully engaged throughout the remainder of his days, his death there occurring in. 1887, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. During his absence in the army he lost many of his slaves, while his estate greatly depreciated, but in course of time he retrieved his lost possessions and became a prosperous man, leaving to his family a goodly estate when he was called from this life. He affiliated with the Democratic party and served as county judge for a number of years, while he could have filled any office within the gift of the people had he aspired to public honors, but he preferred to do his duty as a private citizen, being of rather plain and unassuming manner. He was a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist church and a worthy and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a man whose integrity and honor were above reproach and he was highly respected in the community where he so long made his home. His wife died in 1856, leaving six children: Catherine, who died when quite young : Jeremiah, Jr., a resident of Georgia ; George B., a farmer residing near Corsicana, Texas; John, of this review; Andrew J., a farmer of Corsicana; and Frank, who follows farming in Georgia. After losing his first wife the father was married a second time, and there is one son of this union, Edward P., who makes his home in Georgia. He was married a third time and his widow still survives and makes her home on the farm in Georgia. There is one daughter of the last marriage, Mrs. Ecklin Brown.
John Slade was born in Dooly county, Georgia, February 2, 1852, and was there reared and educated. He remained upon the home farm, assisting his father in the operation of the fields until he reached the age of eighteen, when, in 1870, he came to Texas, being employed as a farm hand by the month in DeWitt county until 1880, when, having carefully husbanded his resources, he was justified in engaging in busi- ness on his own account, and accordingly chose the occupation of sheep- raising. He conducted a ranch in Atascosa county, Texas, during the succeeding three years, after which he came to Val Verde county, bring- ing with him his herd of sheep. He was engaged in the sheep industry until 1886, when he located in the town of Sherwood, where he entered
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the grocery business, in which he continued successfully for two years. He once more engaged in the sheep industry, this time choosing his loca- tion south of the Pecos river. In 1898 he located on a ranch in Val Verde county and continued his operations in the stock industry until 1904, when he disposed of his stock and then leased a ranch, on which he added to his business interests, having in addition to his herd of sheep, horses and goats, all of which proved to him a good source of revenue. Since 1904 he has lived retired in the city of Del Rio, owning here a nice cottage, in which he is living in honorable rest, for during his toil in former years he accumulated a competence that now supplies himself and family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
He has always supported the principles of the Republican party but has never aspired to public office. He is a worthy member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs. Hesis a man highly respected in Del Rio and in Val Verde county and is known for his reliability and straightforward methods in all business transactions.
Mr. "Slade was married to Miss Augusta Ellis, who was born in Alabama, in 1864, a daughter of Elijah and Charlotte (Whitsett) Ellis, bothi of whom passed away in that state, the father's death occurring in 1866. He was a blacksmith by trade. Both the father and mother were identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and were a. highly estéemed couple. Their family numbered three daughters: Mrs. Mary McKinsey; who at her death left a family of six children; Anna; and Augusta, now Mrs. Slade. The parents died when the daughters were quite young, after which they were taken into the home of an uncle, Richard Whitsett, by whom they were carefully and tenderly reared.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Slade has been blessed with three interesting' children, namely: Edna, who was born in 1892; Ruby M., born in 1896; and John R., whose birth occurred in 1904. Mr. Slade is a 'consistent member of the Methodist church.
THOMAS A. WILSON. During the early history of the development of Texas, when the Indians were still numerous in this state, the lives of the white settlers were constantly in peril, while great havoc was wrought with stock and property. It required brave men to enter such a district, for one had to be continually on the alert for the raids of the savages. It was in such a wild district that the subject of this sketch was born, his native place being Collin county, his natal day being January 6, 1856. His father, Perry E. Wilson, was, a native of Missouri, whence he came to Texas at a very early day and engaged in the stock business. He was married to Miss Welmett Adamson, after which he removed to Clay county; this state, and established a ranch, where he continued until 1858. Disposing of his property in that year he then started with his family to California, his wife dying enroute in Arizona. The father continued on his journey to the Pacific coast, where for two years he was engaged in mining. He then started on the return trip by way of the isthmus route, and upon again reaching Collin county, resumed his stock business, in which he was meeting with good success when the war of the rebellion was inaugurated. He laid aside all busi- ness 'and personal considerations and enlisted for service in the Con-
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federate army. Soon, however, he was detailed for service with the Home Guards on the frontier, for the Indians were making constant raids in the Red River valley. Following the close of hostilities he re- turned home to find that his stock had greatly diminished in numbers and there was little indication that he would be able to save the remain- ing few. In 1866 he took his stock and with his family made his way to Bandera county, Texas, locating near Hondo Canyon, and after a residence of two years made his way to Frio county. He was there en- gaged in the stock business until 1888, when he sold off all his stock with the exception of two hundred head of horses, and with these removed to Phoenix, Arizona, where he purchased land and started upon a new business venture-that of fruit growing. He planted a large orchard, containing both large and small fruits, making a specialty of the raising of strawberries. He continued very successfully in this business, having made rapid progress until 1899, when he was called to his final rest, having reached the age of seventy-one years, He was man highly re- spected in every community in which he resided and his integrity and honesty were above reproach. He was public-spirited in a marked de- gree, interested in the advancement and progress of his home locality, and during the long years of his residence in Texas, he, like the other settlers, encountered much difficulty with the Indians, and many times went out with other settlers to quell their depredations. He had many narrow escapes at the hands of the red men but always fortunately escaped injury. He was a stanch advocate of the principles of Democ- racy, and though often urged by his fellow citizens to accept public office he always declined the honor, preferring to do his duty as a private citizen. He was a worthy and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, having attained the Royal Arch degree. Mrs. Wilson, who, as stated, died in 1858 while enroute to the Pacific coast, was a descend- ant of an honored southern family, who located in Texas at a very early day. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in that faith. She was the eldest of a family of three children, her brothers being: Larkin, a resident of Collin county; and Sylvester, who makes his home in California. By her marriage Mrs. Wilson be- came the mother of two sons but the younger, Bud, died at the age of six years, while Thomas A. is the only surviving member. Following the death of the mother, the father was again married, his second union being with Nan Roland. Her father was one of the earliest settlers of this state and was a prominent stock farmer of Collin county. His family comprised the following named: John, Nathan, Mrs. Wilson, Martha, Mary, Amanda, and Mrs. Ciss Jones.
By the second marriage of Mr. Wilson there is a family of eleven children, as follows: Amanda, Alice, John E., Mary, Edwin and Edgar, twins, Talt, Walter, Maggie, Alfred and Eugene. His widow still sur- vives and yet makes her home on the farm in Arizona.
Thomas A. Wilson, the elder of the two sons born of his father's first marriage, accompanied his father on his various removals, these in- cluding the trip to California, during which he lost his mother. It was during the residence of the family in Bandera county that the son pur- sued his studies in the public schools of Bandera, the town being located ten miles from his father's home. This was during the period when the
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«Indians were constantly making raids upon the white settlers, so that much fear was entertained for the safety of the son during his trips to and from school, the journey being made on horseback twice each week. He, however, was always brave and courageous and never feared the dangers through which he often passed and was never harmed by the savages. He has frequently assisted the older residents in their fights with the Indians, and he has vivid recollection of one incident, when, in company with an old Mexican, he was herding stock near an old ranch house. The two were preparing their lunch, and upon glanc- ing up saw a band of Indians approaching. Without even stopping to get his horse the Mexican immediately took refuge in a thicket. Mr. Wilson stopped to untie his horse, which he mounted and rode to the thicket, riding amid a fusilade of arrows which were flying all about him. He escaped without being harmed but the Indians stole the horses and injured the cattle with their arrows. Although he experienced many such exciting scenes he was never wounded.
In 1875 Mr. Wilson engaged in the sheep business on his own ac- count in Frio county, continuing successfully therein until 1893. This business had always proved a profitable one in Texas until Cleveland's administration, when by the removal of the tariff many of the settlers abandoned their sheep-raising industry. Mr. Wilson, however, was com- fortably situated and retained possession of his flock of sheep, coming in that year to Val Verde county, where he purchased a ranch sixty-five miles north of Del Rio, this tract covering twenty-three thousand acres. He likewise leased a ranch of seventeen thousand acres, making a total of forty thousand acres. He built fences and made many improvements upon his place, added to his flock of sheep, and also purchased horses, cattle and mules, later adding goats. He now has a herd each of sheep and goats and finds this a profitable source of income. He also has large numbers of horses, cattle and mules. He often supplies the home market with wool but frequently makes large shipments to distant markets. He has great faith in the goat industry and expects to give his attention more particularly to this branch and abandon his other stock-raising pursuits.
In 1902 Mr. Wilson removed with his family to Del Rio that his children might enjoy better school advantages. He purchased here a modern two-story brick residence, surrounded by a well kept lawn and large shade trees, his place being situated on an elevation so that it commands a good view of the city and surrounding districts. His is one of the beautiful homes of the city and here he and his family are comfortably located, while he still retains possession of his ranching in- terests and makes frequent trips to his property.
At local elections he votes independently, giving his support to men rather than adhering to party ties, but at national elections he votes the Republican ticket. He is a Christian Scientist in his religious faith, his family also adhering to this faith, while he is an exemplary member of the Masonic order, belonging to Royal Arch chapter, and he and one daughter hold membership with Eastern Star lodge.
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