USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 49
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But five years old when the family made its first trip to Texas. Field Archer Tanner was nine years of age when he came here with his parents to reside permanently. Here he received the best educa- tional advantages offered at that time by the schools, which he attended verv steadily in his youth. In February, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth Texas Volunteer Infantry, and with his comrades served until the close of the war, his company being on detached duty in Texas and Louisiana most of the time. Being then honorably discharged, Mr. Tanner returned home, and until the death of hi's father assisted him in the management of the home farm. Meanwhile, in 1873, he had purchased. in company with Mr. J. A. Seymour, a large tract of land lying southwest of Columbus. This he carried on in partnership until 1886, when the estate was divided, and since that time Mr. Tanner has managed his portion of it most advantageously. He has made excellent improvements. having erected a large two-story frame house. stock barns, and all the necessary outbuildings for successfully carrying on general farming and stock raising, in which he is still actively em- ployed.
On May 22. 1866, Mr. Tanner married Cynthia Yarner, who was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, a daughter of Thomas H. and Eliza (Waddington) Yarner. Of their union four children have been born. namely: Henry Branch, John Osborn, Mary Vernon, and Charles G. John Osborn married Phryne Claiborne, and they are the parents of two children. Cynthia and Phrvne. Fraternally Mr. Tanner is a mem- ber of Caledonia Lodge No. 68, A. F. & A. M .; and of Columbus Lodge No. 51, I. O. O. F.
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JAMES BYARS, M. D. Among the well-known and trusted physi- cians of Colorado county James Byars, of Columbus, occupies a note- worthy position. Thoroughly fitted for his duties, both by study and by years of practical experience, he has won a fine reputation for pro- fessional knowledge and skill, and in his chosen career has met with excellent success. A son of the late William Minor Byars, M. D., he was born, July 27, 1847, in Durhamville, Lauderdale county, Tennes- see, coming, on the paternal side, of substantial Scotch-Irish ancestry.
The Doctor's grandfather, James Byars, was born and reared in Virginia. Receiving excellent educational advantages in his youthful days, he subsequently taught school many years in his native state, but later in life moved to Columbus, Texas, where he resided until his death, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He was a man of fine character, a stanch advocate of temperance, a total abstainer from liquors of all kinds, and in his religious beliefs was an Episcopalian. He married Lucy T. Minor, who was born in Virginia, removed with her husband to Columbus, and after his death settled in Covington, Ten- nessee, where she spent the remainder of her life, dying at an advanced age.
One of a family of five children, Dr. William Minor Byars was born in Virginia, and was there brought up and educated. After his graduation from the medical department of the University of Virginia he went to Philadelphia, where he completed the full course at the Jef- ferson Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. Beginning the practice of his profession in Durhamville, Tennessee, he remained there until 1849, when, accompanied by his family, he started for Texas. Loading his household goods in wagons, and laying in an ample supply of provisions, he took the overland route, camping and cooking by the way. Arriving in Washington county, he located at Independence, where he was engaged in practice a number of years. Coming from there to Columbus in 1857, he soon became known as one of the most skilful physicians of this section of Colorado county, and until his death, in 1871, had a large and lucrative practice in this vicinity. By his marriage with Mary Ann Carlton, a daughter of James Carlton, a pio- neer settler of Columbus, he had seven children, namely: James, the special subject of this sketch; Caspar; Thomas; Victor; Zuleika ; Henry; and Conrad. This wife, who had proved herself such a true helpmeet to her husband, and such a loving and faithful mother to their children, passed to the higher life in 1865.
But two years of age when he came with his parents to Texas, James Byars received his elementary education in the public schools of Independence and Columbus, after which he went to Covington. Ten- nessee, where he attended a preparatory school kept by his uncle, James Byars. Completing a course in civil engineering, he returned to Colum- bus, and, there being no railroad building in Texas at that time, and but little need of a civil engineer. he entered the employ of a stockman, and for five years was engaged in driving cattle for the Salt Lake City and California trade. In 1864 Mr. Byars enlisted in Easley's Com- pany, Mann's Regiment, and served as a private in the Confederate army until the close of the war, at which time he was stationed on
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Galveston Island. Purchasing land then on the San Marcos river, he followed farming and stock raising for several seasons. Having in the meantime studied medicine, he entered the Ohio Medical College in 1880, and two years later was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. Immediately locating at Bay City, Texas, Dr. Byars commenced the practice of his profession, and, with the exception of the year 1886, when he took a post-graduate course in New York City, has since continued it. Since coming to Columbus, in 1857, he has built up a most successful practice, becoming one of the leading physicians of this place.
In June, 1873, Dr. Byars married for his wife Miss Sally Simmons, who was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, and died, in September. 1905. in Columbus. She was a daughter of John T. and Susan (Randall ) Simmons, and a niece of Gen. Horace Randall, who was graduated from West Point, and afterwards served as a commanding general in the Confederate army. Of the marriage of Doctor and Mrs. Byars, three children were born, namely: Caspar Ralph, Hennie Z., and Gus- tave S. Caspar Ralph Byars, the eldest child, attended the Agricultural and Mechanical School at Bryan, and three years at the Medical Depart- ment of the University of Texas, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. After receiving the degree of M. D., he entered the United States service as assistant surgeon in the army, and was for a time located in the Philippines, where he came in contact with all the known contagious diseases excepting yellow fever. Three years of active service there sufficed, and he resigned his position. Returning to ' Texas, he resided for a year at Bay City, after which he re-entered the army, and at the present time, 1906, is stationed at Fort Ethan Allen. Vermont. Hennie Z. Byars, the only daughter, married A. S. Adams, of Waco, Texas. Gustave Byars, the youngest son, is a druggist at Bay City, Texas. Dr. Byars is a Mason, belonging to the Bay City Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
JOSEPH BURTTSCHELL. Prominent among the substantial business men of Columbus is Joseph Burttschell, who is now rendering excellent service as county treasurer of Colorado county. Of thrifty German stock, and of pioneer descent, he stands high in the estimation of his fellow-men, and as a man of strong force of character and of undoubted integrity has gained the confidence of the people, who have found in him a man to be trusted, and one eminently fitted for the duties of his posi- tion. A son of the late Frank Burttschell, he was born, February 5, 1859. in Mentz, Colorado county, where he grew to man's estate.
Frank Burttschell was born, bred and educated in Germanv. In early manhood he came with a party of friends and neighbors to the United States. after a tedious voyage of several weeks, landing in New York city. With the little band of colonists to which he belonged he came directly to Texas, and as one of the pioneers of Colorado county took up a tract of wild land in the vicinity of Mentz, and at once began the task of clearing and improving a homestead. With the other pioneers of the place, he suffered the hardships and privations of life in a new country, having few of the advantages of the present dav and gen- eration. There being no railways in this section of the state, all of
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the surplus products of the little farm which he improved had to be marketed in Houston or Brownsville, the round trip often taking sev- eral weeks to accomplish. He made the journey with ox-teams, going heavily loaded, and coming back with a large stock of goods for home use, and also for the merchants of the town. A man of industry and perseverance, he was exceedingly prosperous, and continued general farming with success until his death. He married Mary A. Meitz, who came to Texas at the time that he did, their marriage being cele- brated soon after their arrival in Colorado county, where she is still living. Of the fourteen children born of their union two died in infancy, and twelve grew to mature life, namely: Anton; Elizabeth ; Ottilie; Peter; Joseph and Jacob, twins; Henry; Mary; August; Rosina; Adam; and Charles.
Educated in the public schools of his native town, Joseph Burtt- schell remained at home until about twenty-two years of age, obtain- ing a good knowledge of agriculture while assisting his father in the care of the farm. Starting in life for himself about 1882, he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, and as a general farmer met with satisfactory results. In 1896 Mr. Burttschell was elected county treasurer of Colorado county, and since that time has devoted his energies to the duties of his office, making his home in Colum- bus.
Mr. Burttschell married, in November, 1883, Miss Katie Cole- man, who was born in Auburn, New York, a daughter of Thomas Coleman. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Burttschell has been blessed by the birth of seven children, namely: Emanuel, Jesse, Walter, Simon, Alice Elizabeth, Willie Lee, Joseph Little August. Polit- ically Mr. Burttschell cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleve- land, and since that time has been a loyal member of the Democratic party. Religiously he and his family are Catholics, and faithful mem- bers of their church.
HOLLAND GARRETT. Prominent among the earlier settlers of Colo- rado county were many men of courage, energy, industry and perse- verance, who labored diligently to develop the resources of this part of the state, and through whose earnest efforts much of its present prosperity is due. Of this number no one is more worthy of special mention in a work of this character than Holland Garrett, now living retired from active pursuits in the village of Weimar. A son of Stephen Garrett, he was born, July 1, 1822, in Laurens county, South Carolina.
Born of Scotch-Irish ancestry, Stephen Garrett was bred to agri- cultural pursuits, and when a young man owned a large plantation in Laurens county. He managed this with slave labor until 1840, when he sold his estate, and removed to Chattooga county, Georgia, making the journey overland with teams. Purchasing a tract of wild land in what was then known as the Cherokee strip, he cleared a homestead, and was there engaged in general farming until his death. He was twice married. His first wife died in early womanhood, leaving two children. Polly and Nancy. He subsequently married for his second wife Elizabeth Putnam, a native of South Carolina, and they became
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the parents of nine children, namely: Greenbery ; Holland, the special subject of this sketch; Harrison; William; Silas; Benjamin; Sally ; Melinda; and Lucinda. The mother survived her husband, and died on the home farm, in Georgia.
During his earlier years Holland Garrett assisted his father on the farm, and made the most of every opportunity offered him for obtaining a good education. After the death of his father, he purchased a saw and grist mill on Raccoon creek, in Chattooga county, and was there busily engaged for a few years. Selling out his possessions in 1850, he purchased a tract of land in Mississippi, near Holly Springs, and for five years resided there. Disposing of his land in 1855, Mr. Garrett, accompanied by his family, came to Texas by the overland route, bringing his household goods with him. In his outfit he had two wagons and a carryall, and having laid in a good stock of pro- visions, the family cooked and camped by the way during the six weeks' trip. Locating in Fayette county, he bought a tract of land that was in its primitive wildness, and until the breaking out of the Civil war was engaged in farming or in stock raising. Then selling that farm, Mr. Garrett bought a tract of land adjoining the present site of the town of Weimar, which was then but an open prairie, with not a building within the corporated limits as it now stands, it being at that time a free range. The nearest railway was at Eagle Lake, which until the exten- sion westward of the railroad was, likewise, the most convenient mar- ket place. Having here cleared and improved a fine tract of land, he was actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits for a num- ber of years, and still owns the farm which he redeemed from the raw prairie, although he is now making his home with a son in Weimar.
Mr. Garrett married, in 1842, Lucinda Moore, who was born in South Carolina, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Moore. She died on the home farm, in 1887. Eight children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Garrett, namelv: James R., Stephen P., Silas A., John H., Mary, Anna. Julia. and Elsie A man of excellent character, Mr. Garrett is held in high respect throughout the community, and is a faithful member of the Baptist church, to which Mrs. Garrett also be- longed.
WILLIAM TELL. A native born Texan, and a well-known resident of Weimar, the birth of William Tell occurred September 5. 1851, in Fayette county, where his father, Dr. Ernst I. Tell, settled in pioneer days.
Ernst Tell was born, in 1796, in Saxonia, Oldenburg, Germany. and was there bred and educated, attending school very regularly throughout the days of his boyhood and youth. As a young man, he clerked in a drug store, and subsequently took up the study of medi- cine. Having received the degree of M. D., he practiced medicine for a time in Eisenach, where he also had a drug store. He there married, and after the birth of their first child, in 1845, started with his family for America. Crossing the ocean in a sailing vessel, he landed, after a stormy voyage of twelve weeks, in Galveston, whence he proceeded to Houston, which was then in its infancv. A few days later he came overland with teams to Fayette county, fording the streams where there
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were not ferries, and located at La Grange, being one of the first physi- cians of that place. He built up a good practice, but, in common with other doctors and business men, had to accept country produce for his services and medicines, there being very little money then in circula- tion in these parts. Houston, one hundred miles away, was the nearest market, and cotton, hides, and produce of all kinds was taken there with teams and exchanged for other commodities. After practicing his profession for a while in that locality, Dr. Tell purchased a tract of land lying two miles from LaGrange, and was there actively employed in farming and stock raising until his death, in August, 1869. He married, in Germany, Catharine Becker, who survived him many years, passing away in 1890. She bore him eight children, namely: Louisa, Ida, Matilda, William, Augusta, Minna, Elmina, and Ernst.
Brought up on the parental homestead, William Tell attended the short sessions of the pioneer schools during his boyhood and youth, and under his father's instructions became familiar with agricultural pursuits. After the death of his father he had charge of the home farm for a number of years, and was quite successful in its operation. In 1880 Mr. Tell located in Weimar, and for nine years was employed as a clerk in a dry goods store. In 1889 he established himself in busi- ness as a dealer in wines, beer and spirituous liquors, and has conducted it since, having built up a large trade.
In 1884 Mr. Tell married Bertha Fietsham, who was born and reared in Fayette county. Her father, Joseph G. Fietsham, was born in Germany, and lived there until 1846, when he emigrated to Texas, two years later settling permanently in Fayette county. Mr. Tell is a Lutheran in religion, and Mrs. Tell is true to the Roman Catholic faith, in which she was reared.
WILLIAM H. SCHULTZ. Actively identified with the industrial and manufacturing interests of Columbus is William H. Schultz, a well known saddler and harness maker, who succeeded to the business es- tablished by his father, the late Frederick G. Schultz. Like many other of the most enterprising and prosperous residents of Colorado county, he comes of German ancestry, and has inherited in a large measure those habits of industry and thrift that bring success in life.
A native of Germany, Frederick G. Schultz was born, June 10, 1820, at Beuthen-on-the-Oder, in the province of Schlesien, and with the exception of one brother, Henry Schultz, who located in Wharton, Texas, was the only member of the parental household to leave the fatherland. At the age of fifteen years, in March, 1835, he left school to learn the saddler's trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of a little more than three years, leaving his employer in June, 1838. Then, as was customary, he worked as a journeyman for a while, and subse- quently served for three years in the German army. In 1846, thinking to better his financial condition in a newer country, he embarked on a sailing vessel, and after a tedious voyage of nine weeks landed in Gal- veston, Texas. From that place he came directly to Columbus, then a small frontier hamlet, journeying by ox team, and here opened a saddle and harness shop, which he managed successfully for a few years. In 1860 he purchased a tract of land near Borden, this county, and was Vol. II. 24
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there engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1871. Return- ing in that year to Columbus, he resumed his former employment as a saddler, and until his death, February 27, 1892, carried on a substan- tial business in that line. He married Wilhelmina Christine Johanna Obenhaus, who was born in Westphalia, Germany, February 15, 1832, and died in Columbus, Texas, June 2, 1905. Her father, Henry Oben- haus, came from Westphalia to America with his son Julius in 1843, locating in Houston, Texas, where he was joined by his family in 1844. Very soon after their arrival Mr. Obenhaus bought land in Colorado county, nine miles west of Columbus, and as one of the pioneers of that vicinity began the improvement of a homestead, on which he resided until his death, about 1875. His wife, whose maiden name was Wil- helmina Klingsieg, died soon after her arrival in Texas, leaving five children, namely: Julius, Wilhelmina C. J., Matilda, Charles, and Mina. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick G. Schultz six children were born, namely: William H., the special subject of this brief sketch; Elizabeth Jane; Charles F .; Oscar R .; Wilhelmina; and Clara J.
In his youthful days William H. Schultz assisted his father in the care of the home farm, attending school whenever opportunity offered. In the meantime he learned the saddler's trade in his father's shop, and afterwards became associated with him in business, carrying it on in partnership until the death of the senior partner, when he succeeded him. Industrious, practical and accommodating, Mr. Schultz is meet- ing with well deserved success in his work, having a large patronage in and about Columbus, his business increasing from year to year.
On March 9, 1897, Mr. Schultz married Mrs. Bertha (Bryan) Wisson, daughter of John and Bertha (Mathee) Bryan, and of their marriage three children have been born, namely: Inez R., John F. Schultz and William K. Schultz.
SAMUEL MARION HOPE. The descendant of a pioneer family of Colorado county, and one of its native born citizens, Samuel Marion Hope is well deserving of representation in a work of this character. A son of David Hope, he was born December 18, 1859, on the home farm. His grandfather, Jack Hope, migrated with his family from Florida, his native state, to Texas, becoming a pioneer settler of Colo- rado county, where he cleared land, and for a number of years carried on general farming. Subsequently removing to Kerrville, he resided there until his death.
Born and educated in Florida, David Hope came with his parents to Colorado county, Texas, when a youth, and with willing heart and hands assisted his father in building up a home. On attaining his ma- jority, he began life for himself by purchasing land in Lavaca county, where he embarked in agricultural pursuits. Disposing of his farm in 1857, he returned to Colorado county, and here engaged in stock rais- ing and dealing. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted, in 1861, in the Confederate service, and for a time was sta- tioned with his regiment at Sabine Pass. Being granted a furlough. he returned home, and died before the expiration of his term of absence from his company. In 1850, in Lavaca county, he married Mary Town- send, who was born near Monticello, Florida. Asa Townsend, her
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father, was born, it is thought, in South Carolina, but spent his early life in Florida. From there, in 1837, he came to Texas, coming by water to New Orleans, and from there by teams to Columbus, where he was an early settler, the land which he purchased lying near the site of the present village. Indians were then plentiful, and a few years later, on one of their occasional raids, killed two of the residents of . this place. In 1850 he removed to Lavaca county, but not liking the place returned to Colorado county, and purchased the farm now owned and occupied by Mr. George Little. After clearing quite a tract of the land he sold it, and removed west of the village, where he bought land, and engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing his residence in this county until his death at a ripe old age. Mr. Townsend married Rebecca Harper, who was born in Georgia, a daughter of Leonard and Susan Harper. She died several years before he did.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. David Hope, mother of Sam- uel Marion, married for her second husband William Hines, whose death occurred two years later. She subsequently married for her third husband Joseph Lessing, and they are now living in Columbus. By her first marriage Mrs. Lessing had four children, namely: William, Larkin, Ada, and Samuel Marion. Of her second union there was one son, Duff Hines, and of her union with Mr. Lessing she has one child, Joseph Lessing.
Samuel Marion Hope was reared and educated in Colorado county, and as a young man learned the carpenter's trade. After following that for a time, he carried on a grocery business in Columbus for a few years, and then for two seasons was engaged in farming. Subsequent- ly going to Wharton county, he was engaged there in the saloon busi- ness, and since 1906 has been similarly engaged at Glidden.
Mr. Hope married first, in 1886, Miss Ella Farmer, who was born in Columbus, Texas, a daughter of Pharo Farmer. She died in 1896, leaving three children, namely: Fay F., Harvey, and Elmo. Mr. Hope married second, in 1899, Nannie Leila Townsend, who was born in Colorado county, a daughter of James Townsend, and they are the par- ents of two children, Leland and Alberta. Fraternally Mr. Hope is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Home Circle at. Eagle Lake.
HENRY WALDREM BENNETT. Distinguished as one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Colorado county, Henry Waldrem Ben- nett bears his burden of years with ease, and, although he has far out- lived the span of man's life, is hearty and vigorous, and as active as many men of half his age, riding horseback for pleasure, and shooting birds on the wing. Of sturdy Scotch ancestry on the paternal side, he was born March 19, 1815, in Martin county, N. C., a son of Thomas Bennett.
Thomas Bennett was a lifelong resident of Martin county, N. C., where he spent his life, dying in 1826. He owned much land, which he carried on with slave labor. He married Eleanor Crisp, who was born in Edgecombe county, N. C., and died in 1821 in Martin county. Her father, Jesse Crisp, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving under Gen. Nathaniel Greene, was wounded at the battle of Guilford Court
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House. Being immediately carried from the field to the Court House, he watched from there the progress of the battle. He was of New England ancestry, and it is supposed was born in Maine. He married Nancy Waldrem, a native of Maine. To Thomas Bennett and wife two chil- dren were born, namely: Marina, who spent her entire life in North Carolina, married James Ward, and Henry Waldrem, the subject of this brief sketch.
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