USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 48
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educated in the public schools, and under his father's instruction early became familiar with the duties incidental to farm life. Moving with the family to Fayette county, Tenn., in 1848, he remained there until 1856, when he settled in Texas, coming to this state a poor man, his only capital being good health, strong hands, great courage, and a most laudable ambition to better his financial condition. After serving as an overseer in Fayette county for two or three years, he came to Colorado county, rented a tract of land, and embarked in the culture of cotton. Energetic and industrious, he toiled early and late, going into the field with his teams at daylight, thus getting in an hour's work before his breakfast, which was brought to him and which he ate sit- ting on the beam of his plow. He was quite successful
in his operations, getting along well until 1869, when the Colorado river overflowed its banks, and his crops were entirely destroyed. Nothing daunted, however, he continued to sow and reap, his arduous toil being duly rewarded. In 1873, in partnership with Mr. Tanner, he purchased one thousand two hundred acres of land, lying one and one-half miles southwest of the village of Columbus, and immediately began its improvement. After a few years the land was divided, and Mr. Seymour continued general farming on his share of it, each year adding to its value. In 1891, desirous of enlarging his opera- tions, he purchased a lumber yard in Columbus, and this his son managed successfully, in connection with caring for his farm, until his death, November 17, 1904. He married Ann Wall, who was born in Somer- ville, Fayette county, Tenn., and died May 25, 1894, in Colorado county, Texas. Five children blessed their union, namely: Dora, who married Robert Goeppinger, died at the age of forty-five years; Samuel K., the special subject of this sketch; Charles L .; Forest B., and Ernest B.
Having completed the course of study in the public schools of his native county, Samuel K. Seymour attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College for awhile, after which he was graduated from Eastman's Business College, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. From 1887 until 1890 he was employed in the railway mail service, but after that time he was associated with his father, both as a farmer and as a lumber dealer. On the death of his father, Samuel King Seymour succeeded to the lumber business, which he has since conducted with signal success, exercising good judgment in his operations, and being honest and fair in his dealings with his fellow men.
In 1888 Mr. Seymour married Miss Kate Dunn, who was born in Fayette county, Texas, a daughter of Major Benjamin F. Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour are the parents of three children, namely: James Dunn, Mary Burnetta, and Samuel K., Jr. Religiously Mrs. Seymour is a member of the Baptist church. Fraternally Mr. Seymour has various connections, being a member of Caledonia Lodge No. 68. A. F. & A. M .; of R. A. M .; of Gonzales Commanderv, No. 1I, K. T .; of the Knights of Pythias; of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; of the Knights of the Maccabees, and of the Woodmen of the World.
Major Benjamin F. Dunn was born in Mississippi, and from there came to Texas with his parents, who were among the early settlers of the state. They died when he was quite young, and he, a stranger in a
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strange land, was thrown upon his own resources. Resolute and deter- mined, he worked at whatever he could find to do, and as his oppor- tunities for acquiring an education were very meager he spent all of his spare time in reading such books as he could obtain, studying night after night by the dim light of the fire. With money that he earned, he purchased books, read diligently, and in course of time was admitted to the bar. Mr. Dunn and J. A. Seymour were associates and close friends working together at first on a farm; their friendship lasted through life. Beginning the practice of his profession at La Grange, he remained there until the breaking out of the war, when he entered the Confederate service. He was placed in command of Bates' regiment, which was employed in the coast defense. At the close of the war, Major Dunn resumed the practice of his profession, in which he was very successful, and continued until his death. He was at one time in partnership with Judge Tuchmuller and later with J. C. Brown, both lawyers of note and prominence. The Major married Mary Frances Holloway, a daughter of John A. and Mary A. W. (Bass) Holloway. Further particulars of her life may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of J. J. Holloway.
CHARLES BRUNSON. No resident of Southern Texas is more con- versant with its early history than is Charles Brunson, of Columbus, Colorado county, who came to this state more than half a century ago, and has since been actively identified with its industrial interests. He roughed it with the courageous pioneers who labored so hard to develop the varied resources of this region, and to make for themselves and their children pleasant homes in this fruitful and goodly land. A native of Germany, he was born July 9, 1830, in Westphalia. His parents. Anton and Louisa (Berg) Brunson, spent their entire lives in that prov- ince, and there reared their family of six children, their names being as follows: William, Christina, Christian, Frederick, Charles and Anton.
At the age of fifteen years, having received a good common school education, Charles Brunson began the battle of life for himself. With a laudable intention of bettering his fortunes, he made up his mind to emigrate to the new world, and taking passage at Bremen landed, after an ocean voyage of sixty-three days, in New York city, a stranger in a strange land. On account of an eruption on his face, he was de- tained several days at the quarantine station, and thus separated from his companions. Leaving New York city, he started westward, going to Buffalo by rail, a part of the way the rails over which he traveled being of wood with strap iron on the top. From Buffalo to Toledo he went by boat, from the latter place going by way of the Miami canal to Indiana. At Fort Wayne Mr. Brunson secured emplovment with a merchant, who gave him six dollars a month and his board to work in the garden and stable. A few weeks later he began working on a farm, receiving nine dollars a month and his board. Being subsequently taken ill, he went to his sister's home. fourteen miles from Fort Wayne. to recuperate. When well he worked for a time in a rock quarry, receiving $20 a month wages, but being stricken with a fever had to return to his sister's. On recovering from his illness, Mr. Brunson worked for
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a while with his brother-in-law, after which he drove horses on the tow-path of the Miami canal for a few months. Going thence to Lo- gansport, Ind., he next secured employment in a sawmill, his wages being $12 a month and board. His employers soon after transferred him to their iron works, lying four miles from the city, but not satisfied with his position there, he resigned.
Returning to Logansport, Mr. Brunson found employment in a hotel stable, where he soon became acquainted with the proprietors and driv- ers of various stage lines, and after a while began driving the stage running from Plymouth to LaPorte. From that time until 1853, with the exception of a few months when he drove a bus in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Brunson was engaged in stage driving in Indiana, a part of the time driving between different points on the road leading from Detroit to Chicago, and a part of the time driving on the National Road, which was built by the United States Government, and extended westward from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Louis, Mo. In 1853, hearing of the big wages paid stage drivers in New Orleans, he started for that city, going by rail to Jeffersonville, Ind,, thence by boat to New Orleans, arriving there when yellow fever was prevalent and dangerous. He immediately found employment, at $20 per month and board, as bus driver, but, the report coming a short time later that there was a great demand for expert stage drivers in Texas, which was being rapidly settled, and in which there were very few railroads, he started by steamer for Galves- ton. From there he went to Port Lavaca, thence to Victoria, and from there to Gonzales, where he secured employment at $40 a month and board, to drive a four-horse stage from that place to Lockhart, the fare between the places being $3.50, or ten cents a mile, with extra charges for other than hand baggage. At the end of three months Mr. Brunson went to Waco, then a small village, and from there, and from other points in Texas, drove stage until 1855, when he had chills and fever, and made up his mind to return to Indiana. Unfortunately his whole wealth at that time was the $180 owing him by the proprietor of the stage route, and being unable to collect the amount, he was forced to continue his former employment, driving over various routes in South- western Texas, becoming familiar with all of its territory, there being scarce a hamlet in this section of the state in which he had not acquaint- ances and friends.
At the time of the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Brunson was in the town of Clinton, and a short time later he went to Corpus Christi, making an overland trip, and there met a Mr. Stanley, who induced him to go on a trading expedition to Brownsville, where he remained forty days. In the fall of 1861, he made up his mind to enlist, but was requested to remain in civil life to assist in protecting the women and children. Soon afterwards he made arrangements with a Mr. Schenck to open a livery stable in Monterey, Tex., and started with horses and carriages for that place, but, on account of the illness of Mr. Schenck, he was intercepted on the way, and returned to Columbus. In July, 1862, Mr. Brunson was engaged to drive the stage between Austin and Bastrop, and continued thus emploved for six months. In January, 1863. he entered the employ of a Mr. Sawyer, who offered him $75 a month
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and board to haul supplies to Louisiana. Loading up at Hempstead, he started for Vermilion, but at the Sabine river met Mr. Sawyer re- turning, the Louisianians having been driven back by the Union troops, who took all of the provisions. In Polk county, finding good grazing land, Mr. Brunson stopped there a month, and then started for Houston, which was a mere hamlet. Camping for a while on the present site of the union station, he loaded with cotton, and started for Mexico with one hundred and seven yoke of cattle and fifteen wagons in his train. Once he received orders to unload, as they were to run the blockade to Corpus Christi. At the end of two weeks he was ordered to reload, as the blockade was impregnable, and proceed to Van Zandt county, and from there to Eagle Lake, where he arrived on Christmas day.
The ensuing year Mr. Brunson made a trip, with fifty-six yoke of oxen, to San Antonio and return, to Rio Grande City and return, and to Laredo. On his return from the latter place, he struck camp in the bottom lands, at Horton, and there remained for a time. He was ordered, in the spring of 1865, to Brenham to get merchandise that had run the blockade, and was told by the merchants to trade the merchan- dise for horses, mules, or anything that would bring cash. When he was about twenty miles from Corsicana the break up came, and the country was filled with jayhawkers and roving bands of desperadoes. He was in great danger of losing his merchandise, but friends came to his rescue, assisting him in secreting his goods until the danger was past, his goods being stored with a Mr. Love in Fairfield. Returning to Columbus, Mr. Brunson filled contracts for hauling railroad ties and merchandise to Austin with ox-teams, after which he made a trip with government freight from Allevton to San Antonio. In 1866 he hauled lumber from Spring Creek, Harris county, to Columbus, Gonzales, and Eagle Lake. When through with this contract, his emplover owed him $1,500, and he gave Mr. Brunson power of attorney to sell the teams, which included fifty-six yoke of oxen, wagons, etc. Selling these at public auction. he got his money. losing nothing in the transaction.
Desiring then to locate permanently, Mr. Brunson established him- self in Columbus as a dispenser of wines and liquors, that being in recon- struction days, and has since continued the business successfully. He was first located on the northeast corner of the block south of the court house. the northwest corner, where the bank now stands, being then occupied by a hotel. It was during his first year there that the Hon. Clay Hubbard was shot in his place of business. Mr. Hubbard had some words with a stranger at the hotel, and later at the bar. The stranger went away, procured a gun. and was seen approaching by Mr. Hubbard, who rushed in and asked Mr. Brunson for a gun. as he was unarmed. Mr. Brunson had no gun, but he tried to assist Mr. Hubbard into the pool room, but he would come out, and as he did so the stranger fired the fatal shot. then mounted his horse and started off. The horse stumbled. threw his rider. who escaped on foot. The following day the United States soldiers found the murderer and shot him.
Advantageously located in the business center of Columbus, Mr. Brunson now occupies a brick block which he erected in 1801. It is 33 feet wide, 90 feet deep, two stories in height, the second floor con-
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taining a well appointed opera house. In 1896 he erected the adjoining brick building, which is 26 feet by 90 feet, two stories in height. He has a commodious residence, made of brick, which he built in 1870, and in his pleasant home entertains his many friends most hospitably.
In 1871 Mr. Brunson married Margaret Hoffman, who was born in Germany, and came to America with her parents, who died soon after their arrival in this country. Fraternally Mr. Brunson is a mem- ber of Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M .; of Columbus Lodge No. 51. I. O. O. F. ; and an honorary member of Hermann's Sons.
JOHN ARMSTEAD CARTER. In these days of historical research. when every event connected with the settlement of any state, city, or town is worthy of record and commemoration, a brief sketch of the life of John Armstead Carter, one of the brave pioneers of Colorado county, will be of interest to many of the readers of this volume. A son of Armstead Carter, he was born in Hinds county, Mississippi, January 31, 1831, where the days of his early childhood were spent.
Born in Campbell county, Virginia, Armstead Carter, his father, received meagre educational advantages. When a young man he began to experience a desire for something better than he had ever known, and resolved to seek his fortune in some new place, realizing that his financial condition could scarce be worse in any part of the Union. Starting alone and barefooted, he walked the entire distance to Georgia. and after his arrival served an apprenticeship of five years as a machin- ist and wheelwright. Becoming proficient at his trades, he went to Tennessee, locating first near Nashville. From there he went to Mem- phis, where, as a contractor and builder, he erected the first court house of that city. Removing to Mississippi in 1822, he settled near Jackson, and for sixteen years was there engaged in the manufacture of cotton. In 1838, accompanied by his family, he emigrated to Texas, making the journey overland, and bringing with him all of his household goods. tools and machinery. After traveling a number of weeks, he arrived in Columbus, Colorado county, in 1838, which was then a straggling ham- let, containing but three or four houses. Purchasing a tract of land lying just across the river, he erected a house, hewing the lumber and riving the boards himself, the absence of sawmills in this vicinity forcing him to do this work. It was immediately after his coming here that the Indians made their last raid upon Columbus, killing two men. Houston, a little village of about a dozen houses, was then the nearest market place. He soon erected a sawmill, the first in Colorado county, and operated it with six mules, buving them from the Mexi- cans for five dollars each. He also engaged in the manufacture of cotton gins, and carried on general blacksmithing, residing here until his death. in 1851. He was a man of remarkable physique. being over six feet in height. of powerful build, and could, it is said, lift a barrel of whiskev and drink from the bung hole.
Armstead Carter was twice married, marrying first a Miss Mc- Whirter, who died in early womanhood, leaving two children, Marv and Louisa. He married second Susan Osmore, who died on the home farm in 1880. She bore him nine children, namely: John A .. the special subject of this sketch; Robert; Ashley; Alonzo; Laura;
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David; Vinie; Lydia; and Charles. Robert and Ashley enlisted in the Confederate army during the Civil war, and died while in service.
A lad of seven years when he came with his parents to Texas, John Armstead Carter well remembers the dreadful privations and hardships endured in those early days of frontier life. He helped clear and improve the land purchased by his father, remaining with his parents until twenty years of age. He then found employment with Lewis & Groesbeck, extensive freighters, who operated six hun- dred wagons and carts in delivering goods to different interior points. As a teamster, Mr. Carter made many journeys across the plains, and met with many startling experiences. Returning from a long trip on one occasion, he was one of thirteen men attacked on the plains by a band of Indians estimated to number five hundred. Seven of the thir- teen men were killed, three of the remainder were wounded, including Mr. Carter, who was twice hit, receiving injuries from which he still carries the scars. Recovering from his wounds, he resumed his jour- ney homeward, and for a short time after that was employed as an overseer on a farm. He now owns and occupies the old homestead farm, which he assisted in clearing and improving, and is actively en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He has witnessed many changes since he came here, the little hamlet having been transformed into a thriv- ing village with modern improvements, while the slow ox team, which used to haul the cotton to Houston, the nearest market, has given way to the heavily loaded trains drawn by giant engines along the shining steel rails, with steam as the motive power.
Mr. Carter married, in 1869, Maria Carter, a daughter of John Carter.
HENRY SCHAWE. Among the prominent and progressive Ger- man citizens of Colorado county, and one of its most extensive land- holders, is Henry Schawe, who is now living retired from active pur- suits in the thriving town of Weimar. He is a man of strong and intelligent convictions, possessing fine business tact and judgment, and by his wise investments and excellent management has become quite well to do. A son of the late Heinrich Schawe, he was born, April 20, 1832, in Perleberg, Prussia.
Heinrich Schawe was born, September 7, 1798, in the village of Laaslich, about one and one-half miles from Perleberg, and in that vicinity spent the earlier years of his life. In 1847 he emigrated to America, sailing with his wife and four children from Hamburg. After an ocean vovage of six weeks and six days, he landed in Gal- veston, and from there proceeded by way of Houston to Washington county, Texas. He was a man of much talent, being an accomplished musician. In the fatherland he had owned a small farm, which he dis- posed of before coming to this country. Locating near Brenham, he invested the money which he had brought with him in a farm. set- tling there when there were no railroads in that part of the state, all of the cotton and farm produce being taken with teams to the Hous- ton market. He was there emploved in agricultural pursuits until 1867, when he sold out, and removed to Fayette countv. where he lived retired until his death, October 6, 1882. He married Catherine
Henry Schance
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Mary Rebestock, who was born in Prussia, and died in Austin county, Texas. She bore him four children, one son, Henry, who is the sub- ject of this brief sketch, and three daughters, Frederika, Mary, and Louise.
While living in the fatherland, Henry Schawe attended school very regularly, obtaining a substantial education, and also working as he had time on the home farm. Coming with his parents to Texas in 1847, he helped his father clear and improve a homestead in Brenham, remaining at home until attaining his majority. His father then pre- sented him with a tract of land adjoining his own possessions, and for a short time he managed his farm successfully. Desirous of chang- ing his occupation, Mr. Schawe sold out, and for four years was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in Brenham. Disposing of his store and stock of goods, he then resumed farming, buying a tract of land near by, and there continuing until 1867. Selling that estate in 1867, Mr. Schawe, with his three brothers-in-law, bought three farms, aggre- gating more than two thousand acres, in Fayette county. Each of the four partners had one hundred and seventy-five acres as his own, the remainder of the land being held in partnership for a few years, when they sold out. Mr. Schawe was very successful in his agricultural labors, and at different times bought tracts of land in Fayette and Colorado counties. In 1879 he moved to a farm that he had purchased near Weimar, and resided there for seven years. He then bought land in Victoria county, and was there profitably employed in agricultural pursuits for twelve years. He has since been a resident of Weimar, and has lived retired from active labor, although he is still an exten- sive land owner, having valuable tracts of land in Colorado and sur- rounding counties.
Mr. Schawe married, in 1857, Mary Merintz, who was born in Germany, a daughter of Karl Merintz, who emigrated to Texas with his family in 1854, settling in Washington county. Mrs. Schawe died in 1898. Of their union five children were born, namely: Adeline, wife of Charles Fahrenthold, of Weimar; Adolph, residing in Victoria county ; Frederika, wife of Dr. Eugene Potthast, of Weimar ; Albert, living in Victoria county; and Otto, who was a practicing physician, died at the age of twenty-nine years.
FIELD ARCHER TANNER. Prominent among the extensive and prosperous agriculturists of Colorado county is Field Archer Tanner, whose well kept and highly improved farm lies southwest of the vil- lage of Columbus. In his operations he has been eminently success- ful, his estate, with its commodious residence and fine stock buildings, being one of the most valuable in the neighborhood, and indicating in all of its appointments the supervision of a man of intelligence and sound judgment, as well as one who has been remarkably judicious in his investments. A son of John Osborn Tanner, he was born. Au- gust 13, 1842, in Haywood county, Tennessee, of good old Virginia an- cestry.
Tohn Osborn Tanner was a soldier of the war of 1812, born in Amelia countv, Virginia, in the state of which his father, Robert Tan- ner, a farmer, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was a lifelong
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resident. In 1828, joining the tide of emigration going westward, he started with his family for Tennessee, and located as a pioneer in Hay- wood county. Purchasing a tract of heavily timbered land, he made an opening in which he erected a small log cabin, and there lived for nearly a score of years. Making another move in 1847, he came with, his family to Harrison county, Texas, where he spent a year, but not being satisfied with his prospects went back to his old home in Tennessee. On the first of October, 1851, as one of the influential members of an emigration company formed in Haywood county, Tennessee, he again came to Texas, making the journey overland, the entire colony bring- ing their household goods and provisions, and camping and cooking on the way. Arriving in Colorado county on November 15, he bought a tract of wild land, lying three miles south of Columbus, erected a log house, and at once began the labor of clearing and improving a home- stead. In 1856, succeeding in his undertakings, he replaced the log cabin with a commodious frame house, a large part of the floor boards for which were sawed on the farm with a whip saw, the remainder being made in Spring Creek mills, thirty-five miles away. Improving a fine homestead, he lived there until his death, in 1875.
John O. Tanner married America Green, who was born in Amelia county, Virginia, a daughter of William Green, a Revolutionary soldier, and died, in Colorado county, Texas, in 1895. She reared a family of five children, namely: Calvin B., Thomas J., Field A., Mary E., and Henrietta.
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