USA > Texas > Cherokee County > A history of Cherokee county (Texas) > Part 15
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
CHAPTER XVI
Two GOVERNOR SONS
CHEROKEE soldiers have served in the front ranks, winning special citation for bravery; Cherokee financiers and statesmen have occupied high positions of honor and of trust. For almost ninety years the county has contributed her full quota to the roster of famous folk. With justifiable pride her citizens watch the anniversaries come and go, each generation lengthening the list of Cherokeeans who have worthily achieved in their chosen fields.
At the head of the roster stand her two governor sons. By strange coincidence, the first two native governors of Texas were born on Cherokee soil-"Tom Campbell on one hill and Jim Hogg on another hill, on opposite sides of Rusk," to quote Governor Campbell. Although their term of residence was short, James Stephen Hogg and Thomas Mitchell Campbell have ineffaceably written into the history of Texas the names of Rusk and Cherokee County. A detailed chronicle of their careers is beyond the scope of this volume, but a few facts may be recorded.
In 1848, General Joseph Lewis Hogg, already prominent in the political affairs of his adopted state, established his family at Mountain Home, a plantation one and one-half miles north- east of Rusk.1
Six years later the young Thomas D. Campbell migrated from Alabama, settling five miles southwest of Rusk. Into both homes came baby boys-James Stephen Hogg, the youngest of his family, born March 24, 1851; Thomas Mitchell Campbell, the first child in his family, born a little more than five years later, April 22, 1856. When Tom was three the Campbells moved, then to Jacksonville, later to Longview, but he attended school in Rusk.
As boys of six and eleven, both children watched their fathers ride away to war. Tom's father returned, but General Hogg fell
1Joseph L. Hogg settled in Nacogdoches in 1839. In 1843-44 he represented his district in the Eighth Congress at Washington-on-the-Brazos. In 1845 he was a delegate to the Annexation Convention. Elected state senator in 1846, he resigned to lead the Texas troops in the Mexican War. After his return he was re-elected to the senate.
151
152
A HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
victim to disease before reaching the battlefield. In 1863 both lads lost their mothers. Mr. Campbell, however, married again. In later years Governor Campbell delighted to pay tribute to his stepmother's teaching as the source of all that was finest in his character.
Both Campbell and Hogg were students in the Rusk Male and Female Academy. Both took music and appeared in public recitals at the annual school exhibitions. After school hours Jim Hogg worked as printer's devil. Campbell also attended the Rusk Masonic Institute and had one year in Trinity University.
Surviving classmates still recall many an amusing incident of those Rusk years before fame came. Tom Campbell, to quote his own verdict, was the proverbial bad boy. A favorite story deals with an April Fool prank in which he and his cronies took the big bell from the belfry. Grave were official deliberations. Expul- sion was in the offing. Even the school board appeared upon the scene. But, happily for the culprits, one august member cast his eye on the stumpy campus. The sentence was fixed at hard labor -pulling stumps.
Jim Hogg, likewise, had his troubles. On a certain Friday after- noon he and Ben Wade were scheduled to deliver orations. For days Jim had slipped away to the woods to practice. Each time Ben had followed secretly, not only memorizing Hogg's oration but acquiring all his mannerisms. Friday came. Wade, called on first, gave the oration in true Hogg style. At last Jim's turn came. He stood up, explained his predicament, and vowed never again to plan to deliver an oration originating in another man's brain. Thus the future orator made his first extemporaneous speech.
Although financial reverses in both families hindered college education, ambition was not to be thwarted. After leaving Rusk each read law and was admitted to the bar-James Stephen Hogg in 1874, Thomas Mitchell Campbell in 1878; the former in Quit- man, the latter in Longview. At this point their paths diverge.
Beginning his public career as justice of the peace at Quitman, James S. Hogg reached the governor's chair through a series of increasingly responsible elective offices. Until elected governor of his state, Thomas M. Campbell's only digression from private law practice was a period of service as general manager of the International and Great Northern Railroad Company.
On April 19, 1890, in a masterful speech before a great throng in his native town, Jim Hogg opened his gubernatorial campaign on the issue of the rights of the common man versus the monopoly and extortion of the railroads, such rights to be protected by a
BANQUET
-TO-
Governor James S. Hogg new Birmingham. July 16th, 1891
POTAGE. Mock Turtle.
WINES.
POISSON.
Santerne. : Baked Red Fish, Mashed Potatoes.
RELEVE. Saddle of Lamb, Mushrooms.
Claret. >
ENTREES.
Champagne : Broiled Spring Chicken, French Peas.
ROTI. Venison, Jelly, Saratoga Chips.
SALADE. Tomatoes, Mayonnaise.
Ices,
DESSERT. Fancy Cake, Fruit, Cheese.
CAFE NOIR. Apollina ris. Cigars.
Reverse ._
PROGRMME.
********************
Grace-Rev. T. Ward White, D D).
Welcoming Address.
1. Texas, Past, Present and Future-Response Gov. J. S. Hogg.
2. The Advantages of Foreign Capital and Genins, in Mate- rial Development and Advancement in the South-Re- sponse
Judge L. Wallach, New York
3. Manufacturing in Texas from the Natural Raw Material and the Profitable Result-Response Gov. R. B. Hubbard.
4. New Birmingham as it was, as it is, and must be-Re- . sponse Gen. Jno. M. Claiborne.
5. Pioneers in Texas 1831 and 1891-Response Hon. (ieo. W. Smith.
6. The Press and its Influence for Good in the Develop- ment of the Country-Response Hon N. G. Kitreli.
7 Immigration-Response Hon. R. H. Kingsbury.
153
TWO GOVERNOR SONS
commission placing restraining hands on these public carriers. For two terms in the governor's chair he fearlessly waged his battle in behalf of the people. Outstanding among his achievements were the Railroad Commission and the Alien Land Law.
In 1906, the year of Ex-Governor Hogg's death, Thomas Campbell was called from his law practice in Palestine to fill the same high position on a platform largely embracing the Hogg policies-economy in government, better rural schools and opposi- tion to the "selfish interests." Among the significant laws of his two terms were the Robertson Law regulating life insurance com- panies, the Bank Guaranty Law and the regulation of fire insur- ance rates. After retiring from the governor's chair Mr. Camp- bell returned to his Palestine law office. Death came in April, 1923.
Thus passed Cherokee's governor sons, both numbered among the great of Texas.
APPENDIX
REPRESENTATIVE PIONEERS
TO EVEN enumerate all the pioneer settlers who contributed to the development of Cherokee County is a task too extensive for this volume. To conserve space and permit the maximum number of brief biographies, data, for the most part, is given in "Who's Who" style. While the author has tried to include representative families from different sections of the county, she realizes that many whose names do not appear have just as much claim to our appreciation. In some cases authentic biographical data could not be obtained. Always choice has been difficult.
ABER, EDGAR-Born in New York, April 4, 1852; went to Michi- gan at the age of eighteen, in a sailboat of his own making, and became a cabinet-maker ; married Katherine Haberle, 1878, and moved to Griffin, Cherokee County ; settled in Jacksonville, 1890, and established a brick plant; the state's pioneer basket and crate manufacturer ; recognized as one of the builders of Jacksonville; moved to St. Joe, Michigan, 1904; died at St. Joe, December 21, 1926. Frank Aber, a son, still lives in Jacksonville.
ACKER, JOSEPH P .- Born in Alabama, April 18, 1843; served in the Confederate army under General Stonewall Jackson and General Robert E. Lee; married Mrs. Annie R. Jenkins, October 18, 1866; settled in the Providence community, five miles south of Jacksonville, 1870, where he lived until his death, March 18, 1925. A son, S. E. Acker, lives in Jacksonville. A grandson, T. E. Acker, is the present mayor of Jacksonville.
ALEXANDER, ISAAC-Born Lebanon, Virginia, July 24, 1832; graduated from Emory and Henry College, 1854; licensed as a Methodist minister at Henderson, Texas, 1854; established Alex- ander Institute (now Lon Morris College at Jacksonville) at Kilgore in 1873 and served as president until 1890; chaplain at A. and M. College; died at Henderson, June 5, 1919; as an edu- cator and as a pastor at Jacksonville and other East Texas towns he left a lasting impress on his generation.
154
155
APPENDIX A
BAGLEY, J. E .- Born in Mississippi, August 12, 1845 ; emigrated to Texas, 1856; moved to Rusk after three years of Confederate service; married Miss Mary Smith, 1869; as a Rusk merchant for nearly thirty years he contributed his share to the town's development ; died in Rusk, 1914. A son, J. E. Bagley, Jr., is a sawmill operator in the Rusk territory.
BEALL, J. F .- Born in Georgia, November 24, 1847; as a stu- dent in the Georgia Military Institute enlisted in Confederate service ; left war-torn Georgia to settle in Carthage, Texas, 1871, where he studied law; secretary of the senate during the Richard Coke administration; married Miss Cordelia Peacock of Rusk, 1874, to which union four children were born; practiced law in Fort Worth in pre-railroad days; moved to Rusk in 1878, con- tinuing law practice until his retirement; one of Cherokee County's pioneer oil promoters; died in Rusk, 1934, shortly before he would have celebrated his sixtieth wedding anniversary. Mrs. Beall still survives him. One son, J. L. Beall, is also a Rusk citizen.
BOLTON, CANADA-Born in Alabama, 1820; served in campaign against the Seminoles in Florida ; married Miss Susanna Rose- mary Slaton, to which union eleven children were born, eight living to be grown; settled in Cherokee County, near Antioch, 1849; moved to Jacksonville, 1872; recognized as one of the "makers of Jacksonville." Three of his sons, with a combined age of two hundred and forty-six years, make Jacksonville their home. B. R. Bolton has attained prominence as a Methodist min- ister. As merchants, bank officials, stockholders in organizations designed for community progress and as school trustees, John H. and W. C. Bolton have added their share to the development of the city. Both have been large donors to Lon Morris College.
BONNER, MICAJAH HUBBARD-Born at Greenville, Alabama, January 25, 1828, son of William N. Bonner, a Methodist min- ister ; admitted to the bar in Mississippi, 1848; emigrated to Texas, 1849 ; married Miss Elizabeth Patience Taylor at Marshall, 1849; bridal tour was a horseback trip to their new home at Rusk; formed a law partnership with J. Pinckney Henderson, which lasted until the latter's election to the U. S. Senate, 1857; later his brother, F. W. Bonner, was his partner ; special counselor for the Confederate government; by petition of its lawyers, was appointed judge of the old Seventh District, 1873, and moved
156
A HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
to Tyler; continued to hold this position until became Chief Justice, 1878; retired from Supreme Court, 1882; died in Tyler, November 28, 1883.
BOYD, JOHN A .- Born in Tennessee, April 18, 1838; moved to Rusk, 1849; enlisted in Confederate service as member of Com- pany C, Third Texas Cavalry ; later a member of General Joseph L. Hogg's staff ; long-time Rusk merchant.
BROWN, WILLIAM ALLEN-Born of southern parentage in Illi- nois, July 12, 1841; served four years in Confederate artillery ; married Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Dixon in Arkansas, 1866, to which union four sons were born; settled near old Larissa, 1871; em- ployed as clerk for Clapp & Brown, 1872-74, first in Larissa, afterward in Jacksonville ; as a Jacksonville merchant, 1874-1933, he contributed to every worthy enterprise connected with the development of his city; honored by a public service on his nine- tieth birthday; died April 9, 1933. His only surviving son, J. L. Brown, is a prominent Jacksonville merchant, church and civic leader.
CANNON, BENJAMIN B .- A native of Tennessee ; schoolmate and life-long friend of Sam Houston; married Miss Eliza Tunwell, to which union six children were born; settled in Rusk, 1847, and began to practice law; Grand Master of the Masonic lodge; elected one of the Cherokee representatives to the 4th Legisla- ture; died on the way to San Augustine to organize a Masonic council, 1853. One son, B. B. Cannon, Jr., was a prosperous mer- chant, first in Rusk and later in Jacksonville.
CHESSHER, MRS. MELVINA-Born Melvina Ingle at Jasper, Ala- bama, November 21, 1833; parents moved to Mississippi when she was four; married Hugh Francis, 1853, and settled near Jacksonville the next year; with the exception of one year at Garden Valley, has lived in the Jacksonville vicinity ever since; husband died, 1855; married a second time to David N. George, who was killed in Confederate service; married A. J. Chessher, 1864; again left a window, 1889; to these unions five children were born, three of whom survive; operated a Jacksonville hotel for fifteen years, entertaining many distinguished guests; in recent years has twice suffered a broken hip and kept her courage; now makes her home with her son, A. J. Chessher, her dauntless spirit still a marvel to those who know her.
WILLIAM A. BROWN
GEORGE A. NEWTON
157
APPENDIX A
CLAIBORNE, JOHN M .- Born in Bastrop County, Texas, Febru- ary 27, 1839; educated at Baylor University at Independence ; mustered into Confederate service as a member of Company D, Terry's Texas Rangers; member Confederate secret service de- partment, 1864; made brigadier-general, 1865; Indian agent on Texas frontier ; major-general of the Texas State Troops, 1884- 90; member House of Representatives; twice married, first to Miss Sue M. Phillips of Kentucky and after her death to Miss Ella Holbrook; died April 20, 1909; buried in the Cedar Hill cemetery at Rusk. Mrs. Claiborne now lives in Dallas.
COUPLAND, ANDREW J .- Born near Knoxville, Tennessee, De- cember 7, 1812; married Miss Mary Elizabeth Miller, June 28, 1836, to which union eleven children were born; emigrated to Cherokee County in 1846 and helped to found the town of Knox- ville; moved to Rusk in the early '50s; county surveyor, 1850-54; chief justice, 1854-62; tax assessor, 1865; Presbyterian minister and member of the board of trustees which secured a charter for Larissa College; died August 29, 1874. Of his three surviving children only one, B. C. (Uncle Ben) Coupland of Rusk, lives in Cherokee County.
DIAL, J. J .- Born in Georgia, November 24, 1842; moved to Alabama; entered Confederate service under Captain Ed Bush; joined a train of sixty wagons bound for Texas, 1866; located in central Cherokee County, where he lived until his death; twice married, first to Miss Ida Jones, afterward to Miss Elizabeth Boggs; the town of Dialville named in his honor ; died November 24, 1928. A son, Jack Dial, is now a Dialville merchant.
DICKINSON, ELDRIDGE CALEB-Born in Alabama, December 15, 1846 ; settled in Cherokee County with his parents, 1851, remain- ing a citizen until his death; enlisted in Confederate service in Baylor's Regiment ; married Miss Carrie A. Summers, February 16, 1876, to which union seven children were born; leader in the county's horticultural development; one of the promoters of the Star and Crescent furnace; attorney at Rusk and New Birming- ham; died August 26, 1912. Mrs. Dickinson and two daughters, Mrs. R. L. Hatchett and Mrs. John S. Wightman, still live in Rusk. Another daughter, Mrs. Sunshine Dickinson Ryman of Houston, has gained recognition as a poet.
DONLEY, STOCKTON P .- Born in Missouri, May 27, 1821;
158
A HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
educated in Kentucky; established a law office in Rusk, 1847; elected attorney for the Sixth Judicial District, 1853; entered Confederate service and was captured at Fort Donelson ; member Supreme Court, 1866; law partner of Governor O. M. Roberts; twice married, first to Miss Judith M. Evans of Marshall and, after her death, to Mrs. Emma Slaughter of Tyler ; died February 17, 1871. A son, William E. Donley, lives in Jacksonville.
DOUGLAS, JAMES LOFTIN-Born at Selma, Alabama, March 26, 1852; brought to Texas as an infant, his parents, Joseph P. and Anne Douglas, settling near Bullard ; moved to Jacksonville about 1878, becoming a partner in the firm J. P. Douglas & Company ; afterward became the sole owner of the store which he operated until 1930, proving a valuable asset in the development of com- mercial Jacksonville; married Miss Janie Holt, 1875, of which union Mrs. Everett Gragard is the only survivor ; married Miss Addie Belle Tribble of Rusk, 1881, of which union seven children survive-Mrs. E. S. Park, Mrs. Downes Bolton, Mrs. J. Q. Adams, Joe P., Haden, H. A. (Jack) Douglas of Jack- sonville and Doctor J. L. Douglas of Kemp; long-time elder in the Presbyterian Church; died, 1933.
EARLE, MARTIN LUTHER-Born May 16, 1856, son of James C. and Matilda Earle, who settled in the Earle's Chapel community, 1848; moved to Jacksonville in 1881 as an employee of the Brown & Dixon Dry Goods Company; married Miss Kate Slaughter, 1883, to which union three children were born; forty- five years in the insurance business; long-time alderman and mayor of Jacksonville; a recognized authority on local history ; died in Jacksonville, December 3, 1932. Two sons, Allen and Carl Earle, live in Jacksonville.
FISHER, GREEN A .- Born Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, December 8, 1807; emigrated to Texas, settling in Angelina County, 1853 ; moved to Alto, 1867, and became one of the lead- ing merchants; died May 3, 1875. One son, Doctor C. W. Fisher (1846-1919), was an Alto citizen for more than half a century. In addition to his dental practice, his sawmill and farming inter- ests, he found time for outstanding civic and religious work. Another son, Henry Y. Fisher (1851-1903), established the store now operated by his son, R. M. Fisher, and also had exten- sive sawmill interests at Pollok. Mrs. C. W. Fisher (born Adeline
159
APPENDIX A
McKnight) and Mrs. H. Y. Fisher (born Jessie Noell) still live in Alto.
GIBSON, JAMES POLK-Born at Cook's Fort, June 26, 1845, son of Jesse Gibson, long-time county tax assessor-collector ; entered Confederate service with Thomas E. Hogg in 1863; studied law with S. A. Willson and R. H. Guinn; county judge, 1876-82 and 1900-04; noted figure in the organization of the free school sys- tem in Cherokee County; assistant superintendent of the Rusk penitentiary during the Hogg and Culberson administrations ; served Rusk as alderman and school trustee; pillar in the Presby- terian Church; married Miss Jennie Martin, 1872 ; died in Rusk, December 26, 1914. Two sons followed him in the legal pro- fession, G. W. Gibson now being a Jacksonville and C. F. Gibson an Austin attorney. One daughter, Miss May Gibson, is deputy county clerk. Another daughter, Miss Ruth Gibson, is a teacher in the Rusk schools. Mrs. Gibson is still one of Rusk's loved pioneers.
GUINN, J. N. B .- Born in Tennessee, 1830; married Susan Ann Hampton Burton, to which union eight children were born; settled in Alto in 1854, becoming one of its pioneer physicians ; one of the founders of the Alto school system; a civic leader known as the "peacemaker ;" died, 1892. One son, E. E. Guinn, was surgeon at the East Texas prison during the Culberson administration. Only three of Doctor J. N. B. Guinn's five surviving children live in Cherokee County-Mrs. N. G. Agnew and Miss Lena Guinn of Alto and John B. Guinn of Jacksonville, a lawyer who has served the county as attorney and judge.
GUINN, ROBERT HENRY-Born in Tennessee, January 19, 1822; Andy Johnson, afterward President Andrew Johnson, made his first frock coat; married Miss Sarah Hearne, 1846, to which union eleven children were born ; came to Texas on his bridal trip; reached Rusk early in 1847, finding his first night's lodging in the log courthouse; opened law office in Rusk, 1847; state senator, 1853-66, being regarded as a power in the support of the Con- federacy ; one of the state's most distinguished criminal lawyers ; died while attending court at Homer, Angelina County, January 18, 1887. Two of his sons also gained distinction as lawyers. After serving several terms as county attorney and county judge, Frank Benton Guinn, the third son, was elected to the state legislature. Among other legislative services, he introduced the
160
A HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY
fruit and nursery inspection bill and helped secure the amendment legalizing jurors' fees. Lee D. Guinn, the seventh son, was elected judge of the Second Judicial District. Within the past two years death has ended both careers. John B. Guinn of Rusk is the only one of the three surviving children of R. H. Guinn, who lives in Cherokee County.
HARRISON, SAMUEL TURNER-Born in Selma, Alabama, July 15, 1810; arrived at Cook's Fort, via ox-wagon, 1855; a year later built a plantation home one mile northwest of Alto, where his only surviving child, Mrs. M. W. Armstrong, still lives; Cherokee County representative in the legislature, 1860-65, mak- ing the trips to Austin in his buggy; loyal member of the Old Palestine church; for many years master of the Alto Grange; died at Alto, September 23, 1884.
HOLCOMB, JOE AND ZACK-Born in Scotland, the sons of Hosea Holcomb; emigrated to New York, 1800; after residence in various states, followed Joe's oldest son, George Holcomb, to Cherokee County, settling near Rusk, 1844; the majority of the Holcombs scattered throughout Cherokee County are descendants of Joe Holcomb, who married Miss Sallie Creagor of Kentucky. Present heads of the Holcomb clan include E. J., Garrett, George, Charley, Tobe, and John Holcomb. Pride in the ancient family name is an outstanding Holcomb characteristic. Holcombs fought at the battle of Hastings and in the Crusades. A Holcomb home served as headquarters for General Washington. The annual Hol- comb reunion held near Alto is a widely heralded event which brings hundreds of guests, including Holcombs from other states.
HUSTON, GEORGE S .- Born October 24, 1858; married Miss Frances Amelia Evans, 1880, to which union nine children were born; after her death, married Mrs. Mary Cross Shoemaker; served his county as commissioner and long-time tax collector ; mayor of Rusk; civic leader; real estate dealer; deacon in the Baptist Church and trustee Rusk College; died May 19, 1930. Only one of his four surviving children lives in Cherokee County -Mrs. Newton Long of Rusk. Mrs. Huston lives in Jacksonville.
JENKINS, GREENBERRY-Born in Fayette County, Alabama,. 1810 ; settled in Cherokee County, five miles north of Rusk, 1841; became a successful planter ; twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Medford and, after her death, to Mrs. Mary Evans, to which
161
APPENDIX A
unions fourteen children were born; died December, 1889. One son, Douph Jenkins, still lives in the house in which he was born seventy-three years ago. Five generations of Jenkins are num- bered among Cherokee citizens.
JENNINGS, THOMAS J .- Born in Virginia, October 20, 1801; classmate of Jefferson Davis; graduated with first honors at Transylvania University, 1825 ; admitted to the bar in Tennessee ; after spending his first year in Texas at San Augustine, settled at Nacogdoches, 1841; married Mrs. Sarah G. Mason, 1844; attorney-general, 1852-56; retired to plantation near Alto; elected Cherokee County representative, 1857; delegate to the Secession Convention, 1861; attorney in Fort Worth at the time of his death, September 20, 1881.
LANE, DRURY H .- Born in Tennessee, June 25, 1828, son of Isham Lane, a Baptist minister ; as advance agent for the entire Lane family, he located the present Lane homestead near Jackson- ville, 1847; entered Confederate service, 1862; married Mary McAnnally, 1875; died in 1921. Three of his sons still live in Jacksonville. One of his brothers, George W. (Wash) Lane, was Jacksonville postmaster. Horatio G. Lane, another brother, be- came a prominent lawyer and represented Cherokee County in the legislature.
LONG, JOHN BENJAMIN-Born on a plantation near Douglas, Nacogdoches County, September 8, 1843, son of William T. Long, who became one of the first settlers in Rusk; enlisted Company C, Third Texas Cavalry, and served throughout the Civil War, being twice severely wounded; married Miss Emma Wiggins, April 9, 1869, to which union seven children were born; appointed delegate to National Cotton Planters Association at Vicksburg by Governor Ireland, 1883; ardent prohibition cam- paigner ; Master of the Texas Grange, 1891; Congressman, 1891- 93; Rusk editor ; director of A. and M. College, 1895; Cherokee County representative, 1912; long-time elder in the Presbyterian Church and Sunday school superintendent ; found his chief delight in religious work; died in Rusk, April 27, 1924. Three of his five surviving children live in Rusk-Mrs. J. B. Posey, Miss Emma, and Walter E. Long, a veteran printer on the Rusk Cherokeean staff who has helped to make forty-three years of local news- paper history.
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.