USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 50
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His mother dying when he was six years of age, and his father five years later, Henry W. Bennett was brought up by his sister. Inheriting the homestead, together with many slaves, he lived there until 1840, when he sold out to his brother-in-law, James Ward. Moving then to Ten- nessee, he was for eleven years engaged in agricultural pursuits in Hay- wood county. In 1851, joining a party which included among other families the Carltons and Tanners, he came across the country to Texas, bringing along household goods and provisions, and camping and cook- ing by the roadside. Mr. Bennett settled in Colorado county, arriving here at a time when a large proportion of the soil still rested undisturbed by the plowshare, and while the primitive dwellings of the original pioneers were few and far between. There were no railroads in this section of the country, the cotton and other produce of the farms being taken to Houston, the nearest market, by ox-teams. He purchased three hundred acres of land, now included in the homestead where he resides, and by the exercise of industry, perseverance and good judgment trans- formed it from a tract of wild, uncultivated land into one of the finest farms of that section. As time passed on he added to his first purchase, and he and his children now have over two thousand acres of valuable land, all lying within six or eight miles of the city of Columbus.
Mr. Bennett married June 11, 1840, Marina Lanier, who was born in Martin county, N. C., and died February 3, 1894, on the home farm. Her father, who married Elizabeth Bennett, was born in Martin county, N. C., of French ancestry. He served in the war of 1812 under General Jack- son, and was subsequently educated for a lawyer, but never practiced his profession. He was a Baptist in his religious belief, and occasionally preached in churches of that denomination. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, nine children were born, namely: Ellen, deceased; Amanda, deceased; W. Henry; Marina, deceased; Naomi; Octavia ; Beulah; Thomas, deceased, and Alma, deceased.
ALEXANDER FITZGERALD. Of the many people that came to Texas while it was yet a Republic, a comparative few are now living, but promi- nent among this number is Alexander Fitzgerald, a venerable and re- spected resident of Colorado county. Coming here seventy years ago, when the land was in its primitive wildness, and buffalo, deer, wild tur- keys, and game of all kinds abounded, he has engaged in many a hunt over the country which is now laid off in productive, well improved farms, and where small hamlets have developed into thriving villages and towns, and has watched with the interest which every man of intelligence feels the gradual growth and upbuilding of this section of the state. A son of William Fitzgerald, an early pioneer of Texas, he was born May 22, 1822, in Alabama.
Born and reared in Virginia, William Fitzgerald migrated from
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there southward, going first to Alabama, and from that state to Tennessee. where he resided for awhile. In 1837 he started with his family for Texas, making the journey overland, and camping and cooking by the way. Until 1840 he lived in Fayette county, and then came to Colorado county, locating near the present site of Weimar, where he bought a tract of wild land, on which he lived and labored for nine years. Going in 1849 to the southern part of Colorado county, he bought land on which a very few improvements had been made, a few acres being cleared, and a rude log cabin having been built. Erecting a frame house, he cleared a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and was there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death, at the age of seventy-eight years. Before coming to Texas, he had served under General Jackson in the Florida war. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Patten, was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Alexander and Jane Patten. She sur- vived him, passing away at the age of four score and four years.
A strong and vigorous lad of fifteen years when he came with his parents to Texas, Alexander Fitzgerald has a vivid recollection of the trials and hardships incidental to frontier life, remembering well when the Indians were so numerous and troublesome that the settlers had to go armed, even when at work in the fields. He actively assisted his father in clearing and improving a homestead, living with his parents after attaining his majority. Enlisting in 1846, he fought with McCul- loch, under Gen. Zachary Taylor, until the close of the Mexican war. Returning home, he then resumed his agricultural labors, in which he was actively engaged for many years after, in the meantime clearing and improving the farm on which he now resides, retired from active labor. Although eighty-five years of age, Mr. Fitzgerald is hale and hearty, and makes frequent trips on horseback from his home to Columbus, a dis- tance of ten miles, enjoying the exercise.
In 1850 Mr. Fitzgerald married Flora Ann Munn, a native of Alabama, and they are the parents of five children, namely: Mary, Eliza- beth Ann, Alexander, John and Edward.
LOUIS WEETE. A resident of Columbus for upwards of a quarter of a century, Louis Weete, now serving as postmaster, is widely and favorably known as a capable, upright business man, and an honored and respected citizen. A native of Germany, he was born, September 29, 1844, in Oldenburg. His father, John Weete, a native of Delmendorf, Germany, received an excellent education, was for many years hospital inspector, and spent his entire life of eighty-three years in the Father- land. He married Henrietta Regahl, and they reared six children, namely : Ferdinand, Louis, August, Charles, Johanna, and Minna.
Receiving a practical education in the public schools of his native city, Louis Weete began clerking in the office of a lumber yard at the age of sixteen years, and was afterwards salesman for the same lumber firm. On attaining his majority, he made up his mind to come to America in search of fortune, and on the first of May, 1867, took passage at Bremerhafen on a sailing vessel, in which he crossed the Atlantic, landing at Galveston on July 4. of that year. Yellow fever being very prevalent in that city, Mr. Weete pushed on to Roundtop. where he remained as clerk in a general store until the fall of 1868.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
From there he went to Frelsburg, where he taught school for seven months. In the fall of 1869, he came to Columbus, and, having formed a partnership with George Whiting, carried on a general mercantile and commission business with him for about sixteen years. In 1885, with Mr. Ilse, Mr. Weete purchased the interest of his partner, Mr. Whiting, and continued the business most successfully until 1899. Mr. Weete in that year was appointed postmaster of Columbus by President Mckinley, and gave such excellent satisfaction to all concerned that at the expira- tion of his term he was reappointed to the same position by President Roosevelt.
Mr. Weete married, in 1875, Eliza Bayer, who was born in Colum- bus, the only daughter of Benno and Matilda (Obenhaus) Bayer. A native of Prussian Silesia, Benno Bayer was born in the town of Buntz- lau, where he received good educational advantages, attending school regularly until sixteen years old. He then began learning the trade of a brick mason, and having completed it served in the army four years, from 1847 until 1851. Released from military service, Mr. Bayer emi- grated to the United States, sailing from Bremerhafen, and after a voyage of sixty-four days landing in New Orleans. After spending a year in that city, he followed his trade in Galveston for awhile, and from there came to Columbus, which at that time contained but a few dwelling houses, and gave but scant evidence of its present populous and prosper- ous condition. After working for awhile at various employments, Mr. Bayer established a grocery store, which he has managed until the present date, carrying on a thriving business, which antedates any other in the city. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Weete has been blessed by the birth of six children, namely: Henrietta E., Benno, Tillie, Ferdinand, Louis, and August A. Henrietta is the wife of Charles Ramsey, and they have one child, Louis Weete Ramsey. Fraternally Mr. Weete is a member of Columbus Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., of Ben Baker Lodge, No. .... , K. of H., and of Texas Lodge, No. 44, Hermanns' Sons. Religiously Mr. Weete and his family attend the Episcopal church.
Caldwell County.
GREEN W. MILLS. Among the respected and highly esteemed citi- zens of Lockhart who are active in public life is Green W. Mills, justice of the peace in Precinct No. I. He comes from substantial stock, that branch of the Mills family from which he is descended being distinguished for its loyal, patriotic spirit, many of his ancestors and kinsmen having fought in the colonial and subsequent wars, some giving their lives for their country. A Kentuckian by birth, he was born June 2, 1857, in Boyle county, while his father, Samuel F. Mills, was a native of Pulaski county, Ky.
William Mills, the grandfather of Green W., was born in North Carolina,' but migrated from there to Kentucky, becoming a pioneer of Pulaski county. Locating in Somerset, he there followed the hatter's trade for a number of years, carrying on a good business. Going to Missouri in 1841, he lived for four years in the vicinity of Palmyra, and then, in 1845, settled in Jackson county, Tex., where his death occurred the following year. He married Sophia P. Banks, who was
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born in Virginia, of Revolutionary ancestry. Her father, Lynn Banks, was a distinguished soldier, and at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, commanded a regiment as its colonel. He was afterwards promoted to the rank of brigadier general, in which capacity he served under Gen- eral Washington. Removing with his family from Virginia to Kentucky, General Banks became a pioneer settler of Lancaster, where he resided until his death, in September, 1799. One of his sons, William Banks, served as a major in the war of 1812. Edward Mills, a brother of William Mills, also served in the same war, and was killed at the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. William and Sophia ( Banks) Mills reared a large family of children, namely : Henry P., James L., Edward, William G., Richmond, Samuel F., Keziah, Letitia, and Elizabeth.
Henry P. Mills, the eldest son, came to Texas in March, 1836. He started as commander of a body of eighty Kentuckians to join Fannin at Goliad, Texas. Unfortunately this body of men soon found them- selves surrounded by a strong force of Mexicans. Seeing the enemy before they themselves were seen, they threw their arms in the bay, and when captured were, to all appearances, civilians, so were not mur- dered, but were forced to witness the massacre of Fannin and his men, who were captured by the same body of Mexicans. Subsequently Henry P. Mills served in the Texas army and rose to the rank of major, and died while in service, in 1838. His heirs were awarded two tracts of land, which they located in Wharton and Jackson counties. James L. . Mills, the second son, was present with his brother Henry at the Fannin massacre, and in 1841,- as a member of Capt. Henry E. McCulloch's company, which was with Caldwell and Burleson, took part in the en- gagement at Plum creek. He subsequently joined the Mier expedition,
Prisoner in Castle Perote.
was among those captured, and was taken to Mexico. He made his escape soon after, but was again taken prisoner, returned to Mexico, where for two years he worked in a chain gang at Castle Perote. Sub- sequently being exchanged, he returned to Texas, and after peace was declared settled on a farm in Gonzales county, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until his death. Edward Mills came to Texas in 1838, and thereafter spent the greater part of his life in Jackson county. Wil- liam G. Mills has been a life-long resident of Kentucky, being now ninety years of age, and for the past forty years has been employed in the livery business at Lebanon. Richmond Mills has spent his entire life in Pulaski county, which was the birthplace of all of the children.
Samuel F. Mills, the father of Green W. Mills, was reared and edu- cated in Kentucky. At the age of nineteen years he enlisted in Company H, Fourth Kentucky Infantry, for the Mexican war, and under command of Col. John S. Williams, known as Cerro Gordo Williams, took part in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and in numerous other engagements of the Mexican war, and for ten months was on garrison duty in the City of Mexico. Receiving his honorable discharge at the close of the war, he resumed farming in his old Kentucky home, remaining there until 1872. Coming in that year to Southwest Texas, he was a resident of Caldwell county until his death, in August, 1896. He married Mary S. Woodcock,
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HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
who was born in Pulaski county, Ky., about a mile from Somerset, of which her parents, Stephen and Sally ( Zachary) Woodcock, were, with the Mills family, the founders. She preceded her husband to the better world, passing away in 1873. Eight children were born of their union, namely: William, died in infancy; David, died at the age of nineteen years; Green W., the special subject of this sketch; Keziah S .; Rich- mond R .; Nannie, died when nine years old; Robert B., died at the age of twenty-seven years, and Sally G.
The third child in succession of birth of the parental household. Green W. Mills received good educational advantages in his youth, and as a young man came with the family to Texas. At the age of eighteen years he began life as a drover, and for seven years was employed in driving cattle to Kansas and Nebraska. Embarking then in agricultural pursuits, he was engaged in general farming for nearly twenty years. In 1894 Mr. Mills was elected cotton weigher, and after serving faithfully for two years in that capacity was elected to his present position of justice of the peace for Precinct No. I, Lockhart.
Mr. Mills married, in 1882, Mary J. Whittenberg, who was born in Bell county, Tex., a daughter of Jacob and Roselle (Miller) Whittenberg. Roger Q. Mills, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Mills, is now a student at the San Antonio Business College. Fraternally Mr. Mills is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Modern Circle. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Mills' paternal grandfather cast his first presidential vote for Jefferson and every one of his descendents down to and including Green W. Mills, have voted that ticket, and they were all supporters of the southern cause in the struggle of the early sixties.
HON. EDGAR HUNTLEY ROGAN. In the annals of Caldwell county no name is held in higher appreciation than that of Edgar Huntley Rogan, of Lockhart, who came to this section of the state more than half a cen- tury ago, and has since devoted his best energies towards the establish- ment. of all enterprises conducive to the advancement and growth of town ,and county. A man of strong personality and sound judgment, he has won a high place in the estimation of the community as a man and a citizen, and in public matters has long been a dominant force. He pos- sesses literary tastes, is well known in legal circles, as county judge hav- ing rendered excellent service, and as a representative to the state legisla- ture at different times has demonstrated his wisdom in the management of questions affecting the welfare of his constituents, displaying in an emi- nent degree his sterling business ability and sagacity. A son of Rev. Daniel Rogan, he was born February 4, 1834, in Rutledge, Tenn., com- ing from honored Scotch-Irish ancestry.
Daniel Rogan, Judge Rogan's grandfather, was born in the North of Ireland, where his emigrant ancestor settled on leaving Scotland, the original home of the family. Coming to America at an early dav, he lived for a while in Virginia, and then removed with his family to Tennessee, becoming a pioneer of Sullivan county. He embarked in mercantile pur- suits, and for many years was a leading merchant of Kingsport, where he resided until his death, at a ripe old age. He married a Miss Craw- ford, the descendant of a Scotch family, and she, too, lived to an advanced
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age. Bothi were people of pronounced religious views, and were consistent members of the Presbyterian church.
A native of Botetourt county, Va., Rev. Daniel Rogan removed with his parents to Tennessee when young, and was there educated, completing his early studies at Maryville College. Preparing himself for the minis- try, he became a preacher in the Presbyterian denomination, and held pastorates in Rutledge, Knoxville, Kingsport and Blountville, Tenn .. spending his closing years in the later place. The maiden name of his first wife, mother of Judge Rogan, was Catherine Webb. Her father, John Webb, was a pioneer settler of Knoxville, Tenn., where he accumu- lated a large estate, carried on an extensive business as a harness and saddle manufacturer, and was for many years one of its most wealthy and influential citizens.
Having received his preliminary education in the schools of his native state, Edgar Huntley Rogan was fitted to enter more advanced institu- tions of learning at Bakersfield, Vt. He afterwards entered Amherst College, at Amherst, Mass., but on account of ill health was forced to give up his studies and seek outdoor employment. Securing, therefore, a daguerreotyper's outfit, Mr. Rogan traveled for a time in the mountain- ous districts, in this healthful employment recovering in a great measure his former physical vigor. In 1853 he started westward, coming down the Tennessee river on a flatboat to the Ohio river, thence by steamer to New Orleans, where he boarded another steamer, on which he came to
Lockhart.
Indianola, Tex. From that gulf port, he walked to Lockhart, a distance of one hundred and forty miles. This enterprising city was then a small. frontier hamlet, whose few straggling log houses were widely scattered among the many beautiful live oaks, which have long since been removed to make room for the spacious dwelling houses and handsome building blocks that now ornament the town. Mr. Rogan brought the photog- rapher's outfit into Lockhart, and took the first daguerreotype ever taken in this vicinity. Soon after his arrival here, he began teaching school and studying law, and in 1854 was admitted to the bar, after which he was for many years successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profes- sion. He took an active part in public affairs, and in 1859 was elected justice of the peace, an office which he held until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Resigning then, Judge Rogan enlisted in Company K, Seventeenth Texas Infantry, and was commissioned second lieutenant. He was subsequently made first lieutenant, and when Captain Long became incapacitated for duty, he was promoted to the rank of captain. While in service, he took part in the engagements at Milliken's Bend. Mansfield, Jenkin's Ferry, and was with his command until the close of the war.
Returning home from the scene of conflict, Judge Rogan taught school near Austin one term, after which he clerked a few months in Galveston. Again settling in Lockhart, he resumed the practice of his profession, which he follewed successfully, becoming well known as an able and skilful lawyer. Previous to the war he had been engaged in newspaper work, having, in 1855, established the Watchman, which he
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published until the time of his enlistment, and after his return from the front he established The Texas Plow Boy, in connection with N. P. Ray- mond of Austin, and the News Echo, both of wihch had a wide circula- tion. The Judge early became influential in public matters, being first appointed county clerk to fill a vacancy, and was subsequently elected county attorney, and served the ensuing four years. Then, after a lapse of two years, he was again elected to the same office, and served the fol- lowing two years. In 1875 he had the distinction of being elected county judge, the first elected to that position under the new constitution, and served three years.
During his active career Judge Rogan has served town, county and state with entire faithfulness, and with commendable zeal and efficiency. In 1890 he was elected to the twenty-second general assembly, repre- senting Guadalupe, Caldwell and Hayes counties; in 1892 he was re- elected to represent Caldwell county, which at that time was the fifty- first district, and was again re-elected in 1896. During his first term as representative, the Judge introduced the bill to extend the time for hold- ing the district courts of Caldwell county, and also one for an amendment to the constitution reducing the rate of interest in the state to six and eight per cent. While a member of the twenty-third assembly, he introduced a bill to amend the law in regard to taking depositions in civil suits, which was the first bill passed and signed by the governor ; a bill to establish a special road law for Caldwell county ; and a bill making an appropriation for the maintenance of the Confederate Home. In the twenty-second and twenty-third general assemblies, the Judge served on committees of im- portance, including the judiciary committee; the committee on judicial districts, of which he was chairman; the committee on international affairs; the committee on privileges and elections ; and was a member of the special committee which preferred impeachment charges against Land Commissioner McGaughey, and was appointed chairman of that committee to conduct the trial before the senate. In the twenty-fifth state legislature, he served on the committee on roads, bridges and ferries ; on rules; on the judiciary committee, and was chairman of the committee on the Confederate Home. He was a forcible speaker, placing his views in a clear and concise manner before his hearers, and more than one of his addresses to the house of Representatives will long be remembered by those who were fortunate enough to hear them.
A man of well known literary talent and ability, Judge Rogan writes fluently in both prose and poetry, and is a contributor to various papers and magazines. Many of his poems breathe sentiments of love and patriotism, and are so eminently worthy of reproduction that we con- sider it a privilege as well as a pleasure to be allowed to publish the fol- lowing ones in this volume :
OLD VOICES.
We may miss the fond hopes that endeared us, When wild, thoughtless boys, to our home; But the many sweet voices that cheered us Will follow us up as we roam.
:
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Like the notes of a dove from the wildwood, Wherever our life boat may guide, The voices that 'raptured our childhood Are wafted along o'er the tide.
Down the Ages these voices come, weighted With mem'ries no cloud can o'ercast- Rich argosies, heavily freighted With wealth from the glorious past.
We may miss the soft eyes that were flowing With tears, when we turned us from home, But voices accompanied our going, That follow wherever we roam.
THE LONE STAR.
On the western horizon, more brilliant, by far, Than all the bright orbs of this great constellation, Look freemen, and see that magnificent star That gleams like a gem on the brow of the Nation !
In the morning, at noon, and at night it outpours Its soft, mellow light o'er the land and the sea ; While the down-trodden people on far-distant shores Are longing to gaze on that star of the free.
'Tis the lone star of Texas, the same that arose On the field of Jacinto that terrible day,
When the Goddess of Liberty frowned on her foes, .
Like the stag that is hunted, when standing at bay.
Though traitors may scheme, and devise their base plans, To blot from the record our national name, They never can reach with their impious hands To sully that star, or diminish its flame.
When the sun of our Union has sunk to its rest, And left us to wander in anarchy's night. Then Freedom will gaze on that Star in the West, And Liberty bask in its radiant light.
LINE TO THE SOUTH.
If ardent love for native land be crime, Not all the blood by olden L'evites spilt Could make atonement for my heart's deep guilt : For through all time,
My first devotion, after God shall be, My poor, unhappy, stricken South, to thee.
Although no longer on thy peerless brow The jeweled diadem of power gleams, And all thy glory lives alone in dreams, I love thee now,
None the less more fondly in thv mourner's weeds, Than when rejoicing in thy hero's deeds.
Though scourged and sorrowed. love I still the more Our sunny clime, the land of holy graves, O'er which the willow's drooping foliage waves ; Where freedom's gore,
Like incense burning at the sacred shrine, Sends up a fragrance that is half divine.
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