USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 43
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Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Bettie Crain, who was born in McMullen county, Texas, May 13, 1864, a daughter of William and Eliza (Holland) Crain. The mother was born in Tennessee and was one of
FR Billings
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a family of six children, of whom she was the second in order of birth, the others being : Mrs. Sophia Johnson ; William, deceased; Sissie ; Mrs. Margaret Fiddler ; and Mrs. Susan Evans. The father was a native of Virginia and came to Texas at a very early day. He was a prominent stock farmer, highly respected in the community where he made his home. His death occurred in 1866, leaving a wife and four children, as follows: Philo, a stock farmer of Frio county ; Mrs. Jennie Conover : William, who is engaged in the stock business on a large scale; and Bettie, now Mrs. Wilson. After the father's death the mother was mar- ried again, her second union being with Levi J. W. Edwards. The mother is a Methodist in her religious views. One child was born to them, Levi D. Edwards.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born nine children, eight of whom survive and are at home, all being afforded good educational ad- vantages. The record is as follows: B. Earl, who assists his father in the management of the ranch; Welmett; Bulah; Edna; Thomas, who died in infancy ; Homer; Callie; Beatrice ; and Earnest.
J. R. BILLINGS may truly be called a self-made man, for all that he owns today has been acquired through his own industry and well directed labors. He was born in DeWitt county, Texas, January 5, 1852, repre- senting an old and honored family of the south. His parents were James and Louisa. (Kent) Billings, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Missouri. Her father, Andrew Kent, was a native of Kentucky, and was one of the early settlers of Missouri, whence he removed to Texas when it was still included in the Mexican possessions, and joined the band of heroes who were instrumental in making Texas a republic. He met his death in that struggle, dying by the side of Travis and Crockett, these men being included in the band of one hun- dred and seventy-nine who died in the Alamo. He was a farmer by occupation, and his memory is yet cherished by many of the residents of the southwest. At his death Andrew Kent left a widow with the care of seven children, whom she reared and educated, these being : David B., who served in the rebellion, being in the service of the Rangers and the Home Guards ; Bosman, who was in the Mexican war in 1846-7; Andrew J., who died when a youth : Louisa, who became Mrs. James Billings ; Jane : Mary A. ; and Mrs. Sarah Burnett.
James Billings came in the early days to Texas and after his mar- riage to Miss Louisa Kent located in DeWitt county, where he improved a farm and engaged in the stock business. He later disposed of his in- terests there and took up his abode in Gillespie county, where he suc- cessfully engaged in a similar enterprise. About the close of the re- bellion he and his son J. R., whose name introduces this record, were out herding stock when they were surrounded by a band of men dis- guised as Indians. The father had a gun but did not fire. The assassins closed in upon him and he was killed, while the son was left for dead. After scalping the father and taking the horses they went away, and as soon as the son was able he went to a place of safety and gave the sad news of what had occurred. For many years the father was engaged as a stock farmer and during the early settlement of Texas endured many hardships and privations, suffering much loss of stock through the
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raids of the red men. Although he was in sympathy with the Con- federacy he was not permitted to serve in the war on account of having lost an eye. He was a man highly respected in his community and his integrity and honor were above reproach. His wife survived and kept her children together, carefully rearing and educating them until they reached mature years. All are now heads of families and have become widely scattered. The mother made her home in Texas for many years but later accompanied a son-in-law and his family to Arizona, where her death occurred in 1905, when she had reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church, a woman highly esteemed by all with whom she came in con- tact. During her lifetime she frequently related the incidents which had occurred during the days of her early residence in Texas and the en- counters with the Indians. The children of this family are: William R., who passed away in Val Verde county, Texas; Mrs. Rebecca Stockman, of Arizona, with whom the mother spent her declining years; J. R., of this review ; Mrs. Ellen Smith, who died leaving three children; Mrs. Isafina McDaniels, who died leaving one child; Mrs. Priscilla Benson, who died leaving one child; and Eliza, who died at the age of thirteen years.
J. R. Billings was a little lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from DeWitt to Gillespie county, where the father was progressing nicely in his business pursuits until he was killed. Following his death the mother removed with her family to Kerr county, where the son grew to manhood. He was reared to ranch life, early becoming familiar with the stock industry, and when he engaged in business on his own account he chose as his occupation the pursuits to which he had been reared. He was engaged in the stock business in Kerr county until 1875, when he removed to Edwards county, for in this district the ranges were free and there was excellent opportunity for a successful stock business. In 1884 he took up his abode in Val Verde county, leasing a ranch on the Pecos river, seventy-five miles west of Del Rio. He finally located on the Rio Grande river, one hundred miles west of Del Rio, where he has since been successfully engaged in the ranch business, although a few years ago he bought a farm of thirty acres of well improved land, on which were good buildings and many conveniences, this property being situated just outside the corporate limits of Del Rio. He now resides on this farm, from which he can superintend his ranching interests, making frequent visits to his large farm. He is now interested to some extent in the goat industry, this having proved a very profitable venture in the southwest.
Mr. Billings has shared with the other members of his family as well as the entire population of the southwestern district, in the en- counters with the Indians, and has had many narrow escapes at their hands. In 1869 he contracted with a Mr. Slater to drive a herd of cattle to Arizona and on the return trip Mr. Billings met a band of fifteen Indians, with whom he was engaged in a desperate struggle. Mr. Bil- lings finally succeeded in killing one while a number of others were wounded. Mr. Billings and his company escaped injury.
Mr. Billings was married in 1872 to Miss Rebecca Benson, who
Frank@Blaine
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was born at Kerrville, Texas, whose father came from Missouri to this state at an early day. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Billings are Thomas, John, Noah, James, Mrs. Sarah Dalton, Mrs. Susan Tagner and Mrs. Mary Larimore. To Mr. Billings and wife have been born eight children : Mrs. Mary Reagan; Mrs. Lucretia Tatum; Amos W. and Er- nest B., who are engaged in the ranch business; William R., who died at the age of thirteen years ; Mrs. Drew E. Reagan ; and Minnie and Ethel, who are still single. The wife and mother passed away in 1892, and in 1899 the father was married a second time, his union being with Anna Gerdes, who was born and reared in Southwestern Texas, making her home during the greater portion of her life in San Antonio. Her father is now deceased, while her mother still survives and is a communicant of the Catholic church. The father's family consisted of the following members: Mrs. Pauline Schunke, a resident of Del Rio; Edward, a prominent man of Del Rio, where he is conducting a hotel; Frank, a traveling man; Joseph, who resides in New Orleans; Jack, of San An- tonio ; and Anna, now Mrs. Billings.
Of the last marriage of Mr. Billings there are four children, all of whom are still under the parental roof : Lewis, Sidney, Elsie and Neill. Mr. Billings gives his political support to the principles of Democracy but has never been active as an office seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his private business interests.
FRANK C. BLAINE, postmaster of Del Rio and a representative of one of the prominent early families of colonial days, was born at Goshen, Indiana, February I, 1855. Among his ancestors were those who par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war and aided in obtaining the independ- ence of the nation. He was reared a boy about town and in his youth attended the public schools. At the age of nineteen years he left home and made his way to Brownsville. Texas, in the fall of 1875. After living at numerous places in the state he finally settled at Del Rio in 1881. The town was then a very small and inconsequential place with only a few houses, but the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad proved the impetus that converted the little frontier settlement into a thriving commercial center. Mr. Blaine engaged in business here with Henry J. Ware and continued actively in trade until 1896, when he was appointed postmaster by the president. He then closed out his business and now gives to the postoffice his entire attention. He is ren- dering the people good service, for he discharges his duties with prompt- ness and fidelity. He has also been connected with the development and business interests of Del Rio in a manner that is proving of much benefit to the community. He is well known and highly respected, having dis- played in his business career, his official record and in his private life those traits of character which awaken confidence and esteem. He has been exalted ruler of the Elks lodge and is also connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Blaine was married in Chicago, December 27, 1882, to Miss Lottie N. Myers, a lady of intelligence and culture. They now have one son, E. J. Blaine, who is in the United States custom house at Eagle Pass, Texas.
It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the Vol. II. 21
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ancestral history of Frank C. Blaine, who is a son of James Blaine and his wife, Lucinda Crary Blaine. Both were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married. The father was born in 1809 and, was a son of James Blaine and a grandson of Alexander T. Blaine. The latter's father, William Blaine, was descended from one of three brothers who were of Scotch parentage and came from the north of Ireland to America in early colonial days. These brothers were Ephraim, Alexander and William Blaine, who about 1740 settled in central Penn- sylvania and reared their families. In the third generation from Ephraim Blaine the first was Ephraim Blaine the third, who married a Miss Gillespie and became the father of Hon. James Gillespie Blaine, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and who became one of the greatest statesmen the country has ever known, while at one time he was presidential candidate of the Republican party. Alex- ander Blaine, the second of the three brothers, had two daughters but no son.
William Blaine, the founder of the other branch of the family, reared three children, Isabella, Alexander T. and Ephraim, and from Alexander T. is descended the branch of the family to which Frank C. Blaine belongs. The original three brothers were connected with the Presbyterian church of the strict type, and were always devoted to the faith in which they were reared. Their descendants have gone into many parts of the country, but in the early days, after settling in central Penn- sylvania, created large estates there and became wealthy and prominent men of that locality. Ephraim Blaine, of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, stands as the most distinguished for his personal ability and public service during the Revolution and Indian wars. During the Indian warfare between 1755 and 1764 he was known as a man of prominence and influence in the central part of Pennsylvania and also recognized as a man of strong personal courage. He prospered in his business, accu- mulating a large property. During the Revolutionary war he joined the service as a colonel and later served as quartermaster general of the army. He was largely trusted by General Washington, who made the Blaine home his headquarters when in Carlisle. Mr. Blaine's letters to the state and general government pertaining to commissary supplies for the army proved him to be a man of ability and decision. The Blaines, the Robinsons and the McCords, all of who came of Scotch ancestry, intermarried and were prominent in those days, being represented also in the war. Members of the Blaine family became distinguished in many ways and in fact have been before the public from a period prior to the Revolution down to the present day.
In 1798 two young men left the old home country and penetrated into the wilderness by the lakes. This was before Erie county was or- ganized. Pleased with the country, they returned home making a favor- able report, and five families then left for the new Eldorado in 1800. This number included Alexander T. Blaine, his wife, Rosanna McCord. and one child, Margaret, who afterward became the wife of James Mills. The little company proceeded to what was then the frontier, Pittsburg being their nearest source of supplies. Alexander T. Blaine and his wife had nine children : Margaret M., Nancy B., Polly, Ephraim W. M.,
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William A., James, Alexander W., Isabelle and Joseph F. Eight of the number were born near the lakes in Erie county.
James Blaine was born and reared in Pennsylvania, was married there and at an early day removed westward to Goshen, Indiana, where his death occurred in 1881. He was prominently identified with the business interests of that place and in early days he served as sheriff of the county. He was a popular citizen and could have commanded al- most any office within the gift of the people of the county, but he did not aspire to political preferment. He became a capitalist and spent his later years in looking after his properties and interests. He was widely known and highly respected and his labors were of marked benefit to the community in which he resided. He married Miss Lucinda Crary and to them were born nine children: William C .; Mary Rose; Joseph A., of Chicago; Isabelle D .; Mrs. Margaret M. Korrady, of Chicago, Illinois : James H., who died at Goshen, 1898; Frank C., whose name introduces this record ; Willis L., of Chicago, Illinois ; and Mrs. Caroline S. Warren, of St. Louis. The mother died at Goshen, Indiana, 1881.
Lieutenant William C. Blaine, a son of James Blaine of Indiana, who fell in battle in Tennessee, on the IIth of June, 1863, merits honor- able mention. He was a young man of more than common promise and was greatly beloved by his company, who had become very strongly at- tached to him, speaking of him in terms of pride and the highest re- spect. He fell as he was bravely leading his company in battle, thus giving his life as a sacrifice on the altar of his country.
HORACE B. Ross, M. D., a prominent and successful physician and surgeon practicing at Del Rio, Texas, was born at Coffeeville, Missis- sippi, December 12, 1868. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Arthur Ross, was also a successful physician of South Carolina, in which state he lived and died. His children, five in number, were Stephen, father of our subject : Benjamin, an attorney-at-law ; Samuel, a resident of Texas; Agnes; and Betty.
Stephen Ross was born and reared in South Carolina, where he also acquired his early education. During the war of the rebellion he served in the Confederate army, doing commendable service under com- mand of General A. P. Hill. Although he had many narrow escapes, he was never wounded but once and was never taken captive. He en- dured all the privations and hardships which are meted out to the sol- dier, and served throughout the long struggle. Returning home he then prepared for the practice of law, after which he was admitted to prac- tice at Coffeeville, Mississippi, there remaining throughout a long period. It was during his residence in that city that he was first married to Miss Euphemia Burnett, a daughter of S. J. Burnett, who was a prominent farmer and slave owner of South Carolina. He was a man who never cared for public office and was everywhere known for his honesty and integrity. He held membership with the Missionary Baptist church. In 1895 Mr. Ross removed with his family to Leonard, Texas, where he has been engaged in the practice of his profession to the present time. He is a stalwart Democrat in his political allegiance and has ever taken an active interest in public affairs. During his residence in Coffeeville he served as mayor of the city and also served for several terms in the
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state senate. Since removing to his present place of residence, however, he has confined his attention more exclusively to his profession. Promi- nent in Masonic circles he is identified with the Royal Arch Masons, and holds membership with the Missionary Baptist church. Mrs. Ross was one of a family of five children born of her father's family, she being the youngest, while the others were: Mortimer, who was killed while serving in the Confederate army; James H., who resides in Greenwood, South Carolina ; Mrs. Henrietta Duffy ; and Mrs. Martha Burnett. Mrs. Ross was a devoted member of the Missionary Baptist church and ever lived in harmony with her professions. Her death occurred in Coffee- ville, in 1895, and thus passed away one of the highly esteemed women of that locality. By her marriage she had become the mother of four sons and two daughters, namely: Stephen, who was a lawyer by pro- fession but is now deceased; Horace B., whose name introduces this record; Mrs. Minnie Merrill; Ernest, who is a druggist, and makes his home in Mississippi; Mrs. Anna McLymont; and Ulrich, who is like- wise a druggist, being engaged in business in Del Rio. Since the death of his first wife the father has been married a second time, and, as above stated, is engaged in the practice of law at Leonard, this state.
Dr. Ross was reared in his native city and during the period of his boyhood and youth pursued his elementary education in the public schools, passing through successive grades until he had completed the high school course. When a youth of eighteen years he chose as a life work the profession of medicine, and accordingly made his way to Gaines, South Carolina, where he entered the office of his grandfather, Dr. Arthur Ross, who acted as his preceptor. During that period he fre- quently accompanied his grandfather on his professional visits, thus gaining information regarding the diagnosis of cases. In 1889-90 he pursued two courses of lectures at the Atlanta (Georgia) Medical College, after which he located at Beelake, Mississippi, for the practice of his profession, being there successfully engaged during the succeeding four years. He then returned to Atlanta, where he finished his course, being graduated from that institution in 1896. Following his graduation he remained in that city, spending some time at the Grady Hospital, where, through practical experience he gained much valuable information con- cerning the practice of medicine and surgery. From that place he went to Newton, where he remained for only a brief period, coming to Del Rio in the fall of 1896, where he has since been successfully engaged in practice. He is a general practitioner, his patronage constantly increas- ing in volume and importance. He is a constant student and through reading, investigation and experiment keeps thoroughly informed upon the most modern methods known to the members of the medical and surgical profession. He has gained more than local reputation and now has a practice which extends over an area of forty miles, while he is frequently called long distances in consultation with other members of the profession. He likewise in 1889-90 pursued post-graduate work in New York city, and he keeps abreast with the progress that is continually being made in medicine and surgery through his membership with Val Verde county, State, and National Medical Associations. At the present time he is acting as medical examiner for the G., H. & S. A. Railroad
Tips
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Company and the New York, Equitable and other insurance companies. He has a well equipped office, which is located in his own building, while he has every modern appliance and accessory for the prosecution of his labors along medical lines.
Dr. Ross was married in 1903 to Miss Dade Wilkinson, a young lady of superior intelligence and culture. She was born in 1874, a daughter of the late Dr. Wilkinson, a well known physician of this part of the state. She is the youngest of four children, the others being : Tyler; Mrs. Hattie Harris; and Mayfield Wilkinson, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Dr. Ross is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, and in addition to the duties of his profession he also finds time to make in- vestments in other lines, many of these bringing to him a good income. He is also interested in a drug business in his home city. Dr. and Mrs. Ross are now comfortably located in their own beautiful residence in Del Rio, where they are prominent and popular with a large circle of friends.
Runge, Karnes County.
Gus TIPS, the pioneer merchant of Runge, Texas, located here when the town contained but one house, and he has seen it grow and develop until it is now a thriving little city containing twelve hundred inhabitants, while mercantile* and industrial interests of various kinds are well represented. Mr. Tips is a native son of Texas, his birth hav- ing occurred in Seguin, December 5, 1856. His parents, Julius C. and Anna (Peltzer) Tips, were both natives of Germany, the former born in Elberfeldt, while the latter was a native of Darmstadt. The grand- father took an active and prominent part in public affairs in his native country, and at one time served as secretary of state.
Mr. Tips' father, believing that he would enjoy better privileges in the new world, in 1847 left the old world and emigrated to America, making his way direct to Texas, settling in Seguin. He was there mar- ried in December, 1855, after which he engaged in mercantile and live stock interests, in which he was successful until the outbreak of the war. He enlisted for service in the Confederate army, but the members of the command which he joined were mostly killed or taken prisoners, and Mr. Tips was hastily recalled home by couriers. He was detailed to manage a hat factory for the government at La Grange, Texas, con- ducting this enterprise until the close of the war. He then engaged in business on his own account in La Grange, continuing his enterprise with marked success until September 5, 1867, when the yellow fever invaded his home, and Mr. Tips fell a victim to the disease, from which he died. He was a loyal citizen of his adopted country, was enterpris- ing, public-spirited, a friend to the poor and needy, and a highly re- spected man both in social and business circles. Following the father's death the mother kept her children together but her death soon after- ward occurred at Nelsonville, in Austin county, in September, 1868. The children were then thrown upon their own resources at a very early age, so that they are all self-made and largely self-educated. All have become good citizens of the various communities in which they reside. The family numbered five children : Gus; Julius, a hardware merchant
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of San Antonio; Alma, of Austin; Charles, a banker and merchant of Seguin ; and Alfred, also engaged in the mercantile business in Runge.
Gus Tips was a lad of only eleven years when he lost his father and was but twelve years old when he was left an orphan, so that he was early thrown upon his own responsibility. He lived in Seguin, La Grange, Austin and Indianola at various times, during which periods he attended the common schools to some extent but is largely self-edu- cated, having through experience and investigation in later years added to his knowledge. At the age of sixteen years he engaged in clerking in a store at Indianola, where he continued until 1877, when he accepted a position as traveling salesman with H. Runge & Company of Cuero, continuing in that work for two years, and he then accepted the manage- ment of a branch house at Cuero for Runge & Company, continuing in that business for five years. During this time he had carefully husbanded his resources so that he was enabled to engage in an independent busi- ness venture. Going to San Antonio he engaged in the hardware busi- ness in 1884, continuing for a year and a half, when he closed out his
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