USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 47
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rie subsequently located at Tilden, then called Dogtown, in McMul- len county, and in 1881 he located again in LaSalle county, this time at the point where Cotulla is now situated. The railroad had been built
Pioneer in Cotulla.
through here that year, and Dr. Hargus, having faith in the ultimate prosperity of the place, built the first dwelling house in the town, which was started in 1881. Later he practiced for several years at Carizzo Springs, in the adjoining county of Dimmit, and in 1902 he went up into Young county and practiced for eighteen months, afterward returning to his old home in LaSalle county. He again located in Cotulla and re- sumed his former position as one of the leading and representative, and by all odds the best known physician in this portion of the state.
As previously stated, the career of Dr. Hargus is filled with un- usually interesting and exciting incidents, and it is to be regretted that the limitations of this brief sketch forbid their narration in detail, but a scant outline will at least give some idea of his professional experi- ences. His services as a physician in LaSalle and adjoining counties in the seventies and early eighties brought him into contact with all of the warring elements of that time: The Indian fighting, the warfare be- tween the cow men and the sheep men, the bitter fights between the cow men themselves arising from the "blotching" of brands and the surrepti- tious annexation of one another's cattle, the reign of the "bad man" and
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the ravages of the hordes of desperadoes that infested the border coun- try, the vigilance committees and the coming of the State Rangers in their effort to stamp out the reign of crime and terror. All this afforded peculiar opportunities for skill and tact and were full of danger, but Dr. Hargus passed through them in safety. When he first came here La Salle and the neighboring counties were unorganized and sparsely set- tled. His calls to see patients took him over wide stretches of country that would seem a considerable journey in these days, and the nearest consulting physicians were at Laredo, 75 miles distant, and at San Antonio. A large number of his "patients" in those day were men who had been shot up or stabbed, and it is a notable fact that he has on his books a record of nearly four hundred cases of this character, a number of them, however, having "died with their boots on." A reference to the Doctor's note book and his reminiscences relating thereto recall most vividly the stirring times of those days and throws much light upon the inside history of numerous thrilling and amusing events which have never been published to the world.
Dr. Hargus was first married in 1880, at Tilden, McMullen county. to Miss Sophronia Frazier, daughter of Dr. Frazier, now a resident of Carrizo Springs. She died in 1896, there being three children from this union, viz .: Mrs. Laura M. Owen; Joe, now deceased ; and Miss Mary Hargus. The Doctor's present wife, to whom he was married at Carrizo Springs, was Miss Cynthia Pearce, and they have two little daughters, Alice and Lexie.
JUDGE COVEY C. THOMAS. Although still a young man, we see Hon. Covey C. Thomas, of Cotulla, occupying the responsible position of county judge for the county of LaSalle, Texas, a position, by the way, which he has filled to the utmost satisfaction of his constituents for the past seven years. Other responsible positions of a public character have been his ever since he attained to his majority, he having all these years possessed the thorough confidence of the people.
Judge Thomas was born in Dewitt county, Texas, April 16, 1872, and his entire life has been passed in this state. His father, Rev. Woodlief Thomas, was born, reared and educated in Tennessee, where he prepared for and early became a minister of the gospel, his affiliations being with the Baptist denomination. He came to Texas, in 1859. locating at Austin, where he became pastor of the First Baptist church. Early in 1861, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, he left this pastorate to enter the Confederate army as chaplain, first of Hood's Texas Brigade and later of Parsons' cavalry organization, with which he served east of the Mississippi river. He continued in service all through the war and then returned to Texas, locating in Dewitt county, where he met and married Miss Janie Covey, the mother of our subject. She was the eldest daughter of Dr. J. V. E. Covey, the family having originated in New York state, although its members were for very many years associated with the early history of the state of Tennessee, and before the war came to Texas. Dr. Covey was a prominent minister of the Baptist denomination, as well as a noted educator. Dr. Covey and Rev. Woodlief Thomas were co-workers in the line of education and together they established the Concrete College, at Concrete, Dewitt
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county, Texas, this being done shortly after the war. Concrete College was the first regularly established boarding school and college in the state and it has had as pupils many boys whose names have since be- come prominent in the public, professional and business life of Texas.
In 1886, Rev. Woodlief Thomas and his family removed to Cotulla, LaSalle county, where the parents subsequently died, Rev. Thomas con- tinuing his pastoral work almost until the time of his death.
The son, Covey C. Thomas, was reared in Cotulla, where he re- ceived his preliminary education in the public schools. His legal educa- tion was secured in the state university at Austin, where he graduated in the law class of 1896. Although just a young and inexperienced lawyer, his standing in the community was so high and his attainments of so brilliant a character, that the very same year as his graduation, 1896, he was elected as county attorney of LaSalle county. It is evident that he performed the duties of this office in a capable and trustworthy manner, for he was re-elected and served in this capacity until 1900, when he was elected to the position which he now holds-that of county judge. By subsequent elections the people have kept him upon the bench continuously. The position of county judge also carries with it the office of ex-officio superintendent of public schools, and in this branch Judge Thomas, like his father before him, is deeply interested and he does much valuable work in the line of education. Judge Thomas has also served for two years upon the State Democratic Executive Com- mittee and he stands high in the counsels of his party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the local Masonic lodges, while he and his wife are leading social factors in this place. Mrs. Thomas was formerly Miss Ruby Reed whom he married in this place. She is a native of this state and her family has long been established in Texas.
Judge Thomas is not only well and favorably known locally, but his reputation as a good lawyer and an able jurist have gone beyond the confines of his county and he is regarded as having a brilliant future before him. As a pastime Judge Thomas has gathered much interesting data concerning the settlement and history of LaSalle and neighboring counties and prepared it for publication, he having a great deal of natural ability along this line.
R. H. SEEFELD. Although a resident of Texas and Cotulla only a half-dozen years, Mr. Seefeld has become thoroughly identified with all that tends toward the growth and development of this growing region and he has become a most important factor in the production of some of the crops which are making Texas famous throughout the whole country, thus adding to the material wealth of the state and bring- ing prosperity to many of its inhabitants.
R. H. Seefeld is a native of Milwaukee, Wis., where he was reared and educated. After attaining to manhood he engaged in the railroad business, his last position of this character just previous to his coming to Cotulla being that of cashier of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company at Milwaukee.
Being impressed with the evident advantages offered in the south, Mr. Seefeld came to Texas in 1901, locating in Cotulla, LaSalle county, where he purchased several hundred acres of land on the Nueces river,
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and lying within a mile of the town of Cotulla. This land was all new and had never been used for crop purposes, but Mr. Seefeld set to work with indomitable courage and energy to improve the place, and he per- formed his work so well that now it is one of the finest and most produc- tive onion and produce farms in the entire southwest, with the land enhanced in value to a figure which is largely in excess of one hundred dollars per acre.
Like so much of the land in the south and west, the property needed only irrigation to make it exceedingly fertile and Mr. Seefeld, who had given the question considerable study, first turned his attention to devis- ing some means to provide the necessary water. There being no sur- veyors or engineers at hand, he did this essential and important part of the work himself. He procured surveyor's instruments and unaided figured out the elevations necessary 'in planning a system of irrigation which would be operated largely by gravity. He constructed about 2,600 feet of fluming in such a manner that it strikes every high point upon the entire farm, and to this flume he elevates the water from the Nueces river with a centrifugal pump. Once in the flume, gravity does the rest and the water, by its own weight, is carried to all parts of the place. It is as perfect a system of irrigation as could well be devised, doing the required work efficiently and perfectly, and is a great credit to the intelligence and ingenuity of its inventor.
The principal crop is onions, although other trucking crops are grown to some extent. The onion as produced on Los Palmas Produce Farm, as the place is called, is grown under such perfect conditions as to make it the product that has brought such fame to Southwestern Texas during the past five years, bringing wealth into this section and greatly enhancing land values. Although Mr. Seefeld has sold off some . of his original purchase at high figures, he retains 165 acres which is under intense cultivation, from forty to fifty acres of the same being devoted to onions exclusively. This farm and the extensive shipping business in connection is carried on under the name of The Los Palmas Produce Company. This company has its own agents in most of the large cities of the north and east and its shipments of onions and other products during each season run up into the hundreds of carloads. The business is carried on in a thoroughly systematic manner and with a great deal of study and foresight, and it is naturally quite profitable, the whole being a fine tribute to Mr. Seefeld's energy, enterprise and ability.
The little plantation also affords a most delightful home, a tasteful residence having been built upon the highest spot on the farm, overlook- ing the town and the river.
Mr. Seefeld was married at Wytheville, Va., in July, 1905, to Miss Mary Virginia Porter, and they have one little daughter, Marguerite.
W. L. HARGUS. The name of Hargus has been long and intimately associated with the cattle business in southwestern and other parts of the great state of Texas, where members of the family of this name have been pioneers in the line, entering the country in an early day and estab- lishing their herds and ranches.
W. L. Hargus was born in Caldwell county, Texas, in 1861, his parents being John and Mary (Barksdale) Hargus. John Hargus was
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the brother of T. J. Hargus, father of Dr. J. W. Hargus, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, together with interesting in- formation regarding this family. The Harguses are an old Kentucky family of note and of many years' residence in the state of Missouri prior to the Civil war. John Hargus was the first of the family to come to Texas, arriving in the state in the fifties and first settling in Caldwell county. In 1871 he came with his family into what is now LaSalle county, making his headquarters and establishing an extensive ranch on the Nueces river, on the southern part of the county, the nearest settlement at that time being old Fort Ewell. Here John Hargus spent the remainder of his life, being noted as a pioneer cow man and one who knew the cattle business thoroughly in all of its details. He died here in October, 1903, and here his widow still lives upon the old ranch, which is still considered one of the important cattle ranches of the county. In the early days the family had many adventures with the Indians and passed through many exciting scenes as well as genuine hardships in the establishment of their home.
W. L. Hargus was brought up in the cattle business and here he gained a wide and most useful knowledge pertaining to the business. From early boyhood he experienced and participated in all of the ad- ventures of life in the frontier home and he followed in the footsteps of his father by remaining in the cattle business until the present time. In addition to his cattle business, which is of large proportions, he has also gone into farming quite extensively and now has one of the finest farms and country homes in Southwestern Texas. This place is about two miles above Cotulla, on the Nueces river. A pumping plant fur- nishes irrigation from this river, thus insuring constant fertility, and the property is a most valuable one. Here Mr. Hargus has built a beautiful residence, one of the finest in this section of the state, and the whole makes a country home of great beauty and utility.
Although necessarily a very busy man, nevertheless Mr. Hargus has responded to the importunities of his friends and constituents and given some time and attention to the duties and responsibilities of public office, principally as county commissioner and sheriff. He was first appointed sheriff in 1891 and this was followed by his selection for the important office at the regular election and again re-elected for another term. His public duties were performed in a conscientious and capable manner and he had the support of the people of his county. Since his retirement to private life he has devoted his attention to his farming and live-stock business, in which he has been eminently successful.
Mr. Hargus was married at Encinal, in this county, to Miss Dora Ellis and they have five children, Otis, Reid, Lois, Anna and Edgar.
Colorado County.
LEANDER CALVIN CUNNINGHAM. Among the earlier settlers of the southern portion of Central Texas the late Leander Calvin Cunningham held a position of note and prominence. A man of pronounced energy and ability, he became identified with the best interests of this section of the country, assisting the Texans in their struggle for liberty, and as far as in his power lay, forwarding all projects of material benefit to Vol. II. 23
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the state, being associated with its mercantile and manufacturing pro- gress. He was born in Tennessee in 1810, a son of James Cunningham, who was of Scotch parentage, and was probably born in Scotland. His father was for a time a resident of Tennessee, going from there to Alabama. Later in life, he came to Texas, and spent his last years in Bastrop county, dying at the advanced age of ninety years. He reared a family of six children, namely: John, Andrew, David, Leander C., Mary and Sarah.
But a small child when his parents removed to Alabama, Leander C. Cunningham was there reared and educated. As a young man he came to Texas, which was then a part of the Republic of Mexico, locating with an older brother in Bastrop county. When the Texans were driven to declare their independence, he, loyal to his adopted state, offered his services, and under the command of Gen. Sam Houston par- ticipated in the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, and was present the following day at the capture of Santa Anna. At the time that he came to this state, Indians were numerous, and not always friendly, often doing serious damage on their raids. Mr. Cunningham studied law, and having opened an office in Bastrop, practiced his profession there and in the adjoining counties for some time. His practice, how- ever, taking him so much from home, he gave it up, and for a number of terms served as county judge of Bastrop county, later becoming a merchant.
Moving in 1860 to Alleyton, Colorado county, Mr. Cunningham erected a large warehouse, and engaged in mercantile and commission business. The Civil war soon broke out, and that town being the rail- way terminus became the point from which cotton, which was hauled long distances by ox teams or mule teams, was forwarded to Mexico, and was likewise the distributing place for the various kinds of merchan- dise brought there from Mexico. Alleyton was then, indeed, a bustling. busy mart the streets filled with people full of life and activity, and the teams continually going and coming. When the railroad was extended to Columbus, Mr. Cunningham transferred his residence and business to this place, remaining here several years. Going then to Austin, he engaged in the lumber business for a time, but when the railway was completed as far as Waelder he accepted the position of station agent at that place. Resigning that office after a few months, Mr. Cunningham established himself as a lumber manufacturer and dealer in that town, but subsequently gave that up and embarked in the furniture business, which he managed successfully until 1895. Then, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, he retired from active pursuits, removing to Seguin, where he resided until his death, a year later. Although taking great interest in the general welfare of town and county, Mr. Cunningham never sought public office, content alone to see the people around him steadily advancing socially, morally and financially. Mr. Cunningham was a leading Methodist, always foremost in all church and Sunday school affairs.
He sought not wealth nor political preferment nor the power these agencies confer. In educational enterprises he was ever active and the tree of christianity grew and flourished by his fostering care and patient
MMHBiddlebrook
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endeavor. In the erection of school and church buildings in Bastrop as early as 1848, he was influential and instrumental. These buildings were of excellent architecture, substantial material and commodious pro- portions. The school was provided with a splendid library for the use and benefit of students, and the labratory was equipped with every mechanical contrivance then known to science that might be of use to classes requiring such assistance. A military system was put into opera- tion and the A. and M. college of Texas is the outgrowth of this wisely and well established educational plant. The home of L. C. Cunningham was a place of refuge and refreshment for ministers of all denominations. The weary itinerant having traveled far in summer's withering heat or winter's icy blasts knew where to find a cordial welcome. Though storm and darkness might prevail, the light was ever in his window to guide hither any laborer in the Lord's vineyard. His gold shod swifter and stronger feet than his own for the King's highway and his generous hand held an open purse, that was ever the pilgrim's stay.
As often as he changed his place of residence his first consideration in a new locality was the organization of a Sunday school, and his faithful attendance and excellent administration insured success in the enterprise. Where magnificent edifices now rear stately columns and point heavenward tall spires, their foundations are laid deep down in the ages when men of this type shirked no duty, nor shrunk from sacri- fice. The echoes of that far-away yesterday sweeping o'er the gulf of time in melodies divinely sweet, fill perfumed space and with uplifting power inspires our souls with love and reverence for those departed heroes, who bowed before no circumstance, surrendered to no condition when in the wilderness the savage and outlaw strove for supremacy.
Mr. Cunningham married Ann Sloan, who was born near Frank- fort, Ky., a daughter of Bryan and Nancy (King) Sloan. She survived him a few years, passing away in 1895. Five children were born of their union, namely: James, deceased; Carrie, wife of Jerry Walker, M. D .; Hattie, widow of the late Hon. Ibzan W. Middlebrook, of whom a brief sketch follows: M. Jennie, wife of Benjamin Baker, and Andrew D., now residing in Iowa.
HON. IBZAN WILLIAM MIDDLEBROOK. Prominent among the men who were influential in developing and advancing the industrial interests of Colorado county was the late Hon. Ibzan W. Middlebrook, of Colum- bus, a man of excellent business ability and judgment. Capable, self- reliant, and possessing much force of character, he managed his private affairs most ably, and in public positions of trust was ever mindful of the good of the state, county and the people. He was born in Novem- ber, 1838, in Mississippi, which was also the birthplace of his father, James Birdsong Middlebrook.
Migrating from Mississippi to Texas, James B. Middlebrook lived for a year in Lavaca county. Going then to Little Rock, Arkansas, he purchased a large tract of land which he operated with slave labor until his death, carrying on farming and stock raising successfully. Of his union with Maria Bray, whose death occurred in Lavaca. county, nine children were born and reared.
Having acquired his early education in the schools of his native
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state, Ibzan W. Middlebrook came with his parents to Texas, and for a number of years was in the employ of Mrs. Hardeman, of Bastrop, managing her large estate. On the breaking out of the Civil war. he enlisted, and under General Whilfield participated in various marches, battles and campaigns. About seventeen months prior to the close of the conflict he was taken prisoner, and from that time was confined at Fort Donelson. On his return he remained at home about two years, and then in 1867 came to Columbus to engage in the lumber business. He met with great success in his undertakings, and as the railroad was extended he enlarged his operations, establishing lumber yards in differ- ent localities. In 1890 Mr. Middlebrook was appointed inspector of convict camps, a position of trust that he retained five years. About 1885, in partnership with his brother, Oscar Middlebrook, he bought several thousand acres of timber land in Hardin county, erected a saw mill, and about 1891, established a large cattle ranch, and for awhile carried on a substantial business. His health failing in 1897, he was forced to withdraw from active labor, and thenceforward lived retired until his death, in July, 1899. Politically he was a stanch Democrat, and twice served his fellow citizens in the state legislature, to which he was first elected in 1876, and again in 1888.
Mr. Middlebrook married in 1869, Miss Hattie Cunningham, a daughter of Leander Calvin Cunningham, and into the household thus established five children were born, namely: Earl S., of Hardin county ; Ibbie, wife of Jefferson Lec, of Houston; Robert M., of San Antonio, Ray, wife of Edward Coffin, and Perry C. Mrs. Middlebrook still oc- cupies the old home in Columbus where she has the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and neighbors.
SAMUEL KING SEYMOUR. Among the active and prosperous busi- ness men of Columbus, Samuel King Seymour occupies a position of prominence, being one of the leading lumber dealers of this section of Colorado county. A son of the late James Alexander Seymour, he was born, January 17, 1861, in Colorado county, Texas, where he has since resided. He comes of good old Virginia stock, his ancestors for several generations having lived in the Old Dominion state.
Beverly Seymour Mr. Seymour's grandfather, was born, February 6, 1801, in Virginia, and was there reared and educated. Although he learned the shoemaker's trade when young, he did not follow it to any extent, preferring to till the soil. In 1848, accompanied by his wife, and six of their eight children, he left his native state, going to Fayette county, Tenn., where he lived for eight years. Not satisfied with his prospects in that locality, he made another migration in 1856, coming overland to Fayette county, Texas, being six weeks on the way. Locating near LaGrange, he rented land, and was there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death, in 1863. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Waddell, was born December 14, 1803, in Virginia, and died in Texas in 1865. Of their union eight children were born, namely : Eliza ; William H .; James A .; Charles L. W .; Mary J .; Agnes R .; and John, who died in infancy.
A native of Virginia, James Alexander Seymour was born, October 23, 1828, in Halifax county. Brought up on the home farm, he was
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