USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume II > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
350
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
No hand, perchance, shall ever wield again
In thy defense, the trenchant blade of Lee,
Or bear thy banner o'er the heaving sca. But yet remain
The consolations which thy history gives- Thy name has perished, but thy honor lives.
In after ages, when the sire shall tell
The lisping babes that clamber to his knee,
How once their country struggled to be free, And struggling fell,
Thy proudest epitaph his tale shall trace
In lines of sorrow on each childish face.
This last poem was written by Mr. Rogan in 1872, and is a vivid ex- pression of an old soldier's love for his state.
Judge Rogan has been three times married. He married first, in 1856, Sarah N. Barrow, who was born in Mississippi, a daughter of Samuel Barrow, a pioneer settler, and for a number of years the sheriff of Gonzales county, Tex. She died in 1870. The Judge married second. in 1874, Mrs. Martha (Rickinbaugh) Gutheridge, who died the follow- ing year. In 1877, he married for his third wife Ellen Runkle, a native of Missouri. By his first marriage, Judge Rogan had three children, namely : Lillie, Lizzie, and Sidney Johnston. Lillie married John Ander- son, by whom she has two children, Walter and John. Lizzie, the wife or Austin Nix, has four children, Norman, Lillian, Edgar and Austin. Sid- ney J. married Maud Perry, and they have one son, Howard. Of his union with his third wife, the Judge has three children, namely: Paul Huntley, Edgar Carl, and Amos Griffith. Amos G. married Alma Stone, and they have one daughter, Frances. The Judge's granddaughter, Lillian Nix, married Costello Ward, and they have one child, who is the Judge's great-grandchild.
JOHN B. HOLT, M. D. Distinguished as one of the longest estab- lished and most successful physicians of Lockhart is John B. Holt, M. D., whose long professional experience, thorough knowledge and medical skill have gained for him the confidence of the people, and won him a large and lucrative patronage throughout the city and its surroundings. A son of Berryman Holt, Jr., he was born May 17, 1856, in Creelsboro, Russell county, Ky. His paternal grandfather, Berryman Holt, Sr., was born in North Carolina, and there grew to manhood. Becoming an intimate friend of that famous backwoodsman and trapper, Daniel Boone, he migrated with him to Kentucky in early pioneer times. He settled in what is now Russell county, and after assisting in its organization was elected sheriff, and served in that office for many years. Indians were then numerous and troublesome, and he did his full share in fighting the redskins. Embarking in mercantile pursuits in Greasy Creek, he also dealt to considerable extent in produce, which he shipped via the rivers to New Orleans. Going to that city with a load on one occasion, he was stricken with yellow fever at Natchez, Miss., and died. He married a Miss Green, who survived him.
Born in Russell county. Ky., Berryman Holt, Jr., was but a young bov when his father died. He was brought up by his widowed mother. and until about sixteen years old attended school in Creelsboro. Going
38I
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
then to Missouri to visit an uncle, he attended school there for two years, after which he returned to Creelsboro, and for awhile was employed as a clerk by Granville Wheat, who subsequently came to Lockhart and kept a general store here for a number of years. Mr. Berryman Holt, Jr., finally embarked in mercantile pursuits in Creelsboro on his own account, and in addition operated a good sized farm, continuing success- fully engaged in business in that locality until his death, in 1902. He married Tabitha Flowers, who was born in Russell county, Ky., a daugh- ter of Berryman and Martha (Baker) Flowers. Berryman Flowers' father was a soldier under Washington, and is buried in the old family graveyard at Creelsboro. Tabitha Holt died in 1868, and of the children that she left two are living, namely: Alice and John B .; Lemuel G. is deceased.
At the age of fourteen years, having completed the course of study in the Creelsboro public schools, John B. Holt continued his studies for two years at Saint Mary's College, in Marion county, and in Burksville for one year. Thus well equipped, he came, in 1873, to Lockhart, and was em- ployed as a clerk for a short time. Desirous, however, of fitting himself for a professional career, Mr. Holt entered the Louisville, Ky., Medical College, and he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1877 from the. Kentucky school of medicine. Immediately settling in Lockhart, Dr. Holt has since been in active practice in this city, and as a physician of ability has met with eminent success, being widely and favorably known, not only in medical circles, but throughout this section of the country.
In 1881 the Doctor married Luella Brock, who was born in Lock- hart, a daughter of William and Susan (Hudson) Brock, and into their pleasant household seven children have been born, namely: Oran C., Etta Tabitha, Hattie, Birdie, Jessie, John, and Joseph. Oran C., who married Mattie Clark, was graduated from the Illinois Medical College, in Chi- cago, Ill., in 1904, is now a practicing physician in Lockhart. Etta T. married Otho Du Bois, and they have one child, Aubrey Du Bois. Dr. Holt is a member of the Texas State Medical Society, and of the Cald- well County Medical Society, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN MADISON CARDWELL. Conspicuous among the substantial and prosperous business men of Caldwell county is John Madison Cardwell, residing near Lockhart, who is widely and favorably known as a success- ful farmer, merchant and trader. A man of persistent energy and excel- lent judgment, he has met with satisfactory results in his labors, becoming an extensive landholder and acquiring a handsome competency. A son of Anthony Cardwell, he was born, June 18, 1836, in Jefferson county, Tenn., of old Virginia stock. His paternal grandfather was born in Ire- land, of Scotch ancestry. When a young man he started for America, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, and being, on account of the ex- ceedingly rough weather, sixteen weeks in crossing the broad ocean. Locating in Campbell county, Va., he purchased land, and having cleared a plantation resided there until his death when a very old man, being more than a hundred years of age when he died.
Born and bred in Campbell county, Va., Anthony Cardwell resided on the parental homestead until about twenty years old, when he settled in
382
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
Grainger county, Tenn. Removing, after his marriage, to Jefferson county, Tenn., he bought land, and was engaged in tilling the soil for a number of years. In 1855 he disposed of his real estate in that state, and came to Texas as a pioneer, being accompanied by his family, and bring- ing with him his slaves. After a tedious journey of several weeks through dense forests or across trackless plains, he arrived in Caldwell county, which was then being opened up by new settlers. Buying a tract of land lying two miles north of Lockhart, on which a few acres had been cleared, and a log house had been built, he immediately began the improvement of his property. Laboring diligently and wisely, he cleared a good farm, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his years of activity, and lived there until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Perryman, was born in Kentucky, and died, when seventy years of age, on the home farm. Eleven children were born of their union, a fine family of sons and daughters.
Eighteen years of age when he came with his parents to Texas, John Madison Cardwell enjoyed the novelty of his long overland trip, which was rich in experience for a boy of his age. Caldwell county had but a few inhabitants at that time, and hunting was good, deer, antelope, buffalo and wild game of all kinds being everywhere seen. As he grew older, he had to do his share of labor, and there being no railways in Southern Texas he used to haul cotton to Port Lavaca and Indianola with ox teams, these places being one hundred and fifty miles away. On the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Cardwell enlisted in the company of Captain Meyers. who was afterwards promoted to Colonel of his regiment. For some time Mr. Cardwell was on duty at Galveston Island, but in 1864 went with his comrades to Louisiana to assist in driving Banks's army from the coun- try. He was a gallant soldier, and took an active part in the marches, bat- tles and campaigns, remaining with his regiment until the close of the war. Being then sent to Houston, he was on duty there for a while before receiving his honorable discharge. Returning then to his home, Mr. Cardwell subsequently bought the farm on which he now resides, and in its improvement has met with undisputed success, his carefully cultured fields, and his substantial buildings, with their attractive sur- roundings, being indicative of the industry, skillful management, and the well directed efforts of the owner. He, has bought additional lands as he had favorable opportunities, being now the possessor of sixteen hundred acres, much of which is among the best in the county, and all of which is within easy distance of Lockhart. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Cardwell is a well-known trader in live stock, and is profit- ably employed in the mercantile business.
In December. 1869, Mr. Cardwell married Mattie Withers, who was born in Monroe county, Mo., a daughter of Hugh Withers. Her grand- father. John Withers, a native of Virginia, moved to Kentucky in 1800, becoming a pioneer of Marion county, where he married Mary Emerson, a Virginia girl born and bred. In 1829 he migrated with his family to Marion county, Mo., where he purchased land, and until his death was extensively and profitably engaged in farming. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in many of the battles with the Indians took an
383
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
active part. Hugh Withers married Mary Goodrich for his first wife. She died in early womanhood, when her daughter Mattie, now Mrs. Card- well, was very young. He married again, and the children by his first wife were well brought up by their stepmother. In 1853 the family emi- grated to Texas, settling in Caldwell county, and Mr. Withers bought a tract of land lying nine miles north of Lockhart, and there resided until his death in 1868. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell, nine children have been born, namely: Jesse P., Beulah, James A., John R., Mary. Gussie, Walter, and Mattie; one died at birth. Jesse P. married Sally Broch, and they have one child, Alma. Beulah is the wife of Augustus Story, and has one child, Corinne. John married Olive Glover. Religi- ously Mr. and Mrs. Cardwell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EDWARD MALCOLM STOREY. One of the most popular and efficient public officials of Lockhart is Edward Malcolm Storey, who for the past sixteen years, as mayor of the city has performed, the duties of his responsible position with credit to himself, and to the honor of his con- stituents. A man of undoubted financial and executive ability, he is classed among the most enterprising and progressive business men of this part of the county, and is highly respected by his fellow citizens. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred Decem- ber 12, 1857, in Lockhart, where his father, Calvin L. Storey, settled in pioneer days. His grandfather, John T. Storey, was for many years a resident of Georgia. .
A native of Georgia, Calvin L. Storey was there brought up and educated. Fond of adventure, energetic and enterprising, he made his first visit to Texas in 1846, and was quite favorably impressed with the country. Returning to Georgia, he remained there about a year, and then, bringing his family with him, came here to stay .. For a time he lived on the Guadalupe river, and then came to Caldwell county, locating in Lockhart, which was then the home of the red man, while deer, elk. buffalo and other wild animals roamed at large. Erecting a tannery, he followed the trade which he had learned until the breaking out of the war. Being at that time past military age, he was not accepted with the regular troops, and so joined the Home Guards, or Graybeards as they were sometimes called, and did duty in the state until the close of the war. The year following he lived in San Marcos, after which he came back to Lockhart to engage in the cattle business. Buying large herds, he drove them to Kansas and Nebraska, but the venture proved disastrous, and he lost all of his accumulations. He was thereafter employed in farming until his health failed, when he retired from active labor, and subsequently lived care-free until his death. He married Margaret Saunders, a daughter of Dr. Joel B. and M. L. Saunders, lifelong resi- dents of Tennessee. She survived him a number of years, making her home in Lockhart.
The only child of his parents, Edward Malcolm Storey received the best educational advantages of his day, attending school very regularly during his boyhod and youth. In 1898, after the death of both of his parents, Mr. Storey established himself in the commission brokerage busi- ness, in which he has since been most successfully engaged, his financial
584
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
prosperity being largely due to his keen foresight, good judgment, and straightforward dealings with all with whom he is brought in contact. In 1892 Mr. Storey was elected mayor of Lockhart on the Democratic ticket, and in this capacity has rendered such excellent service that at the expiration of each term since he has been re-elected to the same office.
In January, 1881, Mr. Storey married Lou P. Ellison, who was born in Caldwell county, a daughter of N. P. and M. J. Ellison. Four chil- dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Storey, namely : Clyde, Bruce, Lou and Faye. Mr. Storey is very prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Lockhart Lodge, No. 690, A. F. & A. M .; to Lockhart Lodge, No. 115, K. of P .; to the Woodmen of the World, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of Eastern Star, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
CALVIN M. LANE. As one of the early pioneers of Lockhart, Calvin M. Lane has for more than half a century been actively associated with the best and highest interests of this part of Caldwell county, and has contributed his full share towards promoting its development and prog- ress. Possessing sterling business ability, energy and integrity, he has been successful in the various employments to which he has devoted his attention, and as a good man and citizen is held in high esteem through- out the community. He was born November 2, 1828, in that part of Jefferson county, Tenn., that is now included within the limits of Hamlin county. His father, John Lane, and his grandfather, Samuel Lane, were both natives of North Carolina, and were of Scotch-Irish descent. Samuel Lane moved to Tennessee in the early years of the nineteenth century, settling in Jefferson county as a pioneer. Buying a tract of wild land, he hewed from the dense forest a farm, on which he spent the remainder of his long life, dying at the venerable age of ninety-six years.
A small lad when his parents migrated to Tennessee, John Lane was reared to agricultural pursuits, in the days of his youth receiving but scant educational privileges. When ready to start in life on his own account, he bought a tract of heavily timbered land in what is now Hamlin county, and having cleared an opening built the rude log house in which his children were born. He improved a comfortable homestead, and was there employed in general farming until his death, at the age of eighty- five years. He married first Elizabeth West, who was born in Hawkins county, Tenn., a daughter of James and Mary (Griggsby) West. Slie died when forty years of age, leaving seven children, namely : Calvin M., the special subject of this sketch; Eliza, Bayliss, Garrett, Nancy, James and Mary. He married second Louisa Bassett, who bore him two chil- dren.
Born in pioneer days, Calvin M. Lane grew to manhood on the home farm, and as a boy and youth assisted his father in clearing away the forest growth, and in cultivating the virgin soil. The people thereabout lived chiefly on the products of their land, or of the chase, wild game of all kinds being abundant. His father raised sheep, and the family dressed in homespun, the mother spinning and weaving all of the material used for clothing. Calvin, the oldest child, learned to weave, and at odd times, more especially on rainy days, wielded the shuttle to good purpose. Leav-
385
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
ing home in 1850, he started with his sister and her husband, Frank Pullen, for Texas, going with a team as far as Memphis, and from there to New Orleans on a steamer. Changing steamers there he proceeded to Galveston, thence to Houston, and from there drove across the country to Caldwell county, fording the streams, or crossing ferries, there being no bridges. The route from Houston was through a sparsely settled country, there being no dwelling of any kind along the first twelve miles of the way, although afterwards there was occasionally a small piece of land cleared, and the cabin of a brave pioneer could be seen. On October 9, 1850, Mr. Lane arrived in Lockhart, which was then a mere hamlet, with very few householders. The best land in this vicinity was then sell- ing at one dollar per acre. Deer, wild turkey and other game was plenti- ful, and the red man lived near. As settlers began coming here, Mr. Lane soon found plenty of work as a carpenter, and for a few years fol- lowed that trade. Subsequently embarking in the manufacture of saddle trees, he carried on a good business until 1880, when he was elected county treasurer, a position that he filled most satisfactorily to all con- cerned for fourteen years. In the meantime Mr. Lane had established himself in the undertaking business, to which he has since devoted his time, having won a large and remunerative patronage.
Mr. Lane married, in 1856, Araminta Sullivan, who was born in Tennessee, a daughter of Blackstone and Elizabeth Sullivan. Seven chil- dren have been born of their union, namely: Morgan, Carrie, John, Jesse, Edward, Alice, and Araminta. Mr. and Mrs. Lane and their daughter Carrie are members of the Christian church, while their daugh- ter Alice belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
VOLNEY ELLIS. Noteworthy among the prominent and highly es- teemed citizens of Lockhart is Volney Ellis, who was for many years successfully engaged in the practice of law, but is now living retired from active pursuits. Entering upon his professional career in Hallettsville in 1855 while yet a young man, he was ere long elected justice of the peace, and. although handicapped by the lack of legal experience, his record in this capacity is one of which he may well be proud, his keen perceptions of the truth of facts and principles of law involved, and his love of justice, rendering his decisions so wise and just that in the six hundred and more cases brought to his notice but three were appealed. Subsequently as district attorney and a practicing lawyer, he was cor- respondingly successful, winning a leading position among the members of the bar of Lavaca county, and the entire judicial district. A native of Kentucky, he was born February 5, 1833, in Bourbon county, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, James P. Ellis. David Ellis, his grandfather, was born and reared in Virginia, but as a young man re- moved from there to Bourbon county, Ky., where he bought heavily timbered land, from which he cleared and improved a good farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Clarkson, was, it is thought, born in Virginia. She survived him a number of years, dying on the Kentucky homestead.
James P. Ellis was born January 4, 1801, and on the home farm near Paris, Bourbon county, Kentucky, acquired a practical knowledge of the various branches of agriculture as carried on a hundred years ago.
Vol. II. 25
386
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
Soon after attaining his majority, he went to Newcastle, Henry county, Ky., to begin the battle of life for himself. He bought land, and in addi- tion to clearing and improving a farm established a general store, and was for a number of years there employed in mercantile pursuits, his activity in this line covering a period of about seventy years. During the earlier part of his career there were no railways near him, and all of his mer- chandise had to be hauled by teams from the nearest river port. He became thoroughly identified with local affairs, and remained a resident of Newcastle until his death, in 1894, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. A man of sterling integrity, he was named executor of many wills and testamentary guardian of a host of minors. At the date of his death he was the oldest Mason in Henry county, Kentucky. He married Jane Berryman, a daughter of Richard Berryman. She was born in Virginia, and died, at the age of eighty-three years, in Kentucky. Of the children born of their union, nine grew to years of maturity, namely : Richard, David, James P., Juliet, Volney, Ruhamah, Olinthus, Benthomas and Anna.
After acquiring a good common school education, Volney Ellis assisted his father on the home farm, remaining beneath the parental roof- tree until nineteen years old. Wishing then to try the hazard of new fortunes, he started for Texas in October, 1852, sailing down the Missis- sippi on the steamer Magnolia to New Orleans, thence on the steamer Perseverance to Galveston, and from there on another steamer to Hous- ton. At that city he found about half a dozen young men bound for the interior, and joined the party. This little band of enthusiasts made ar- rangements with a wagoner to carry their baggage, make a camp for them at night, and to carry them across all places over which it was too bad to walk. This wagoner had seven yoke of oxen, and on the third night out one yoke wandered away, and the boys waited over one day for the teamster to find them. The search was unsuccessful, however, and the young men then chartered a two-horse wagon to take them to La Grange. Going on to Fayetteville, Mr. Ellis was there employed as a clerk for a short time. Going thence to Washington county, he was similarly employed at Union Hill for a year, after which he lived for a few months at Long Point. Returning to La Grange, Mr. Ellis began the study of law with L. F. and W. B. Price, and one year later, in 1855. was to apply for admission to the bar, but just at that time the judge resigned his position. Mr. Ellis therefore went to Hallettsville, where, after his admission to the bar in October, 1855, he commenced the prac- tice of his profession. Soon after he was elected justice of the peace. and, as above mentioned, served very acceptably, his wise rulings in- variably inspiring confidence in his judgment and uprightness. In 1861 he was elected district attorney of the old tenth district and served until the breaking out of the war. Enlisting then in Company A, commanded by Captain Smothers, and attached to Colonel Overton Young's regi- ment, 8th Texas Infantry, Mr. Ellis was soon promoted to the rank of adjutant, and was with his command in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, taking part in many engagements, including those at Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Jenkins Ferry. At the close of the war, he returned to his home in Hallettsville with empty pockets, but with a heart full of courage.
387
HISTORY OF SOUTHWEST TEXAS
Selling his war horse to get money enough to pay current expenses, Mr. Ellis again entered upon his chosen profession, and for upwards of thirty years thereafter was actively engaged in the trial of civil and criminal cases, practicing successfully in all of the courts. In 1897, deciding to retire from legal work, Mr. Ellis came to Lockhart, and was here for awhile interested in the lumber business, but of more recent years has lived retired, devoting his time and attention to his private affairs.
On December 22, 1859, Mr. Ellis married Mary Buchanan, who was born in De Witt county, Tex. Her father, John Buchanan, was born in Canada, of Scotch ancestry. He came to Texas at an early period of its settlement, and became a man of prominence and influence. He was an intimate friend of General Sam Houston, and at one time was Spanish translator at the land office in Austin. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis reared ten children, namely: Anna; Volney, who died at the age of thirty-eight years ; Florence ; James P., who died at the age of thirty-eight years; Juliet ; Mary ; Maud; Olinthus, the junior member of the firm of McNeal & Ellis of Lockhart, Texas, attorneys, having a large practice; Norma. and Richard B. The deceased son, J. P. Ellis, was one of the most promising young lawyers of the state, having successfully filled the offices of county attorney and of district attorney, and eminently successful as a practitioner. His superior ability was generally recognized and ad- mitted as qualifying him for the highest judicial position in the state. Fraternally Mr. Ellis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of Honor. Mrs. Ellis is a woman of deep religious convictions, and a consistent member of the Christian church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.