A history of Texas and Texans, Part 132

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 906

USA > Texas > A history of Texas and Texans > Part 132

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).

WILLIAM W. SNELL has been identified with the county clerk's office of Falls county for a period of eighteen years, the last four years as clerk, and during this en- tire time has shown himself eminently fitted for the discharge of its duties. Always noted as a man who could get results, his service has been characterized by industry, faithfulness and honesty, while his standing as a citizen is firm and broad. A vigorous, wide-awake,

experienced man, he promises to maintain the service of which he is the head at its past standard of superior- ity, and incorporate into the system the methods deemed advisable by the needs of the county.

Mr. Snell was born January 6, 1862, in Wilcox county, Alabama, and is a son of J. W. and Bernetta (Green) Snell. His father, also a native of Alabama, where he was born in 1822, was engaged in agricultural pursuits there until 1877, and in that year came to Texas and settled in Falls connty, where he passed the remainder of his life and died in 1904. He was a public-spirited citizen and industrious workman, and attained a fair measure of success through individual effort. Mr. Snell married Bernetta Green, who was born in Florida in 1824, and she still survives him and is living in Jones county, Texas, at the remarkable age of eighty-four years. There were eight children in the family, as follows: Ella, Rossie, William W., John H., James R., Annie, Edward and Mamie.

Until he was eighteen years of age William W. Snell attended the public schools of Falls county, here com- pleting the studies begun in his native state. He then gave his attention to agricultural pursuits until he reached his majority, and then, realizing the need of further education, took a business course at Little Rock, Arkansas, where he devoted special attention to book- keeping. Upon his graduation from the business college he was appointed deputy clerk of Falls county, and from that time to the present he has continued to be connected with this office. After fourteen years in the capacity of deputy, in 1910 he became his party's candi- date for clerk, and was subsequently elected to that posi- tion, and re-elected in 1912. He has been faithful in the discharge of his duties, and Falls county has no more popular official.

On February 27, 1895, Mr. Snell was married at Ragan, Falls county, to Miss Minnie Chapman, daughter of Henry D. and Georgia Ann (Finney) Chapman, and to this union there have come four children, namely: Chesly C., Leroy W., Bessie Ilene and Leslie B. Mr. Snell is prominent in local fraternal circles as a member of the lodges of the Masons, Woodmen of the World and Mod- ern Woodmen of America. A Democrat since attaining his majority, he has wielded a distinct influence in his community and is one of his party's most dependable workers. His religious connection is with the Baptist church. Mr. Snell has invested in realty in this section, and in addition to his home in Marlin is the owner of 287 acres of good farming land in Brazos county. While he is popular among his fellow-citizens, Mr. Snell is more given to the sociability which is in the household than that which centers in the club.

BENJAMIN L. L. TAYLOR. Falls county is an excep- tionally well governed community, made so by the efficient and unselfish services of those who have been elected to positions of public trust, and among the officials who are discharging their duties in a capable manner is found Benjamin L. L. Taylor, justice of the peace. A resident of Marlin since 1900, he has had experience in official and business life, and this, combined with nat- ural ability, keen discernment and a knowledge of human nature, enables him to maintain the high standard and dignity of his office. Judge Taylor has spent his entire life in Falls county, having been born here on bis father's farm, February 24, 1871, a son of Rev. Isaac and Amanda (Ruble) Taylor.

Rev. Isaac Taylor was born in Kentucky, and was a child of four years when taken by his parents to Illinois, the family settling in the vicinity of Springfield, where the lad was reared and educated and adopted the occu- pation of farmer. He was twenty-four years of age when he came to Texas and settled in Falls county, and his subsequent career was spent here as a farmer and minister of the Methodist church, and here his death occurred in 1895. He was married first in Texas to

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Miss Amanda Ruble, who was born in Falls county in 1831, and she died in 1875, having been the mother of three children: May, Benjamin L. L. and Caledonia. Mr. Taylor's second marriage was to Miss Cazady Eng- lish, of West Falls, Falls county, and she still survives and resides at Chilton. There were no children by the second union.

The public schools of Falls county furnished Benjamin L. L. Taylor with his educational training, and until he was nineteen years of age he applied himself assidu- ously to his studies. Following this, he spent four years in assisting his father in the cultivation of the homestead place, and then went to Blevins, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper in a mercantile establishment. He was so occupied for a period of five years, and then came to Marlin, having been elected district clerk, a ca- pacity in which he acted acceptably for six years, and upon the expiration of his term of office turned his at- tention to the insurance and cotton business, a venture upon which he concentrated his activities until 1910, when he was elected justice of the peace of Marlin. He has continued to act in this capacity to the present, and his management of the affairs of his office has been such as to win him universal commendation.

Judge Taylor was married November 16, 1890, at the home of the bride near Holland, Bell county, to Miss Cora Bowers, daughter of Daniel and Anna Bowers, of that county, and seven children have been born to this union: Ruth, Roy, Ronald, R. L., Ramonia, Reynold and a babe. Judge Taylor is a Democrat in his political views, and has been active in his support of his party 's policies and principles in this section. His fraternal affiliations are with the Woodmen of the World, the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith that of the Methodist church. When he is able to put aside the duties of his office and take a vacation, he goes on hunting and fishing trips, but his greatest pleasure is found in his home, and he is the owner of a comfortable residence at Marlin.

CHARLES D. FANT. Under the conditions and organ- ization of today, the fire department of any progressive community worthy the name is one of the most im- portant in the municipal service, and its management re- quires rare abilities of an executive nature, good diplo- matie powers in the handling of a large body of men, the bravery and courage of a soldier and the broad judgment and directing powers of a general. All of these qualities were taken into consideration when Charles D. Fant was chosen assistant chief of the Marlin Fire Department, November 6, 1913, since which time he has continued to act in his official capacity. Mr. Fant was born in Henry county, Alabama, November 22, 1873, and is a son of Terrell C. and Mattie M. (Hamilton) Fant, the former born at Ansonville, South Carolina, in 1846, and the latter in Dale county, Alabama, in the same year. Mr. Fant, a farmer by vocation, brought his fam- ily to Texas in 1879 and settled at Waco, here continu- ing in agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death in 1905, the mother surviving until 1911. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Samuel, who is de- ceased; Low M., who is now Mrs. J. M. Loekridge, of Waco; John W., a prosperous retired farmer of Fort Worth, Texas; Terrell, who is a farmer in McLennan county; Charles D., of this review; and one child who died in infancy.

The early education of Charles D. Fant was secured in the public schools of McLennan county, and his youth was devoted to a variety of pursuits, in all of which he displayed a spirit of enthusiasm and determination to succeed. When he was twenty-four years of age he em- barked in business on his own account, becoming the pro- prietor of a grocery establishment at Erath, McLennan county, where he was subsequently made postmaster. After two years he disposed of his interests there and went to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he was also engaged

in the same line of business and was deputy sheriff of Muskogee county during his residence there. He resided in Oklahoma until April, 1911, when he came to Marlin and founded a meat market, which he conducted for nine months, then selling out to engage in the restaurant business. Three months later he disposed of this and be- came a dealer in horses and mules, but in 1912, when he joined the Marlin Fire Department, he retired from busi- ness affairs. On November 6, 1913, he was appointed assistant chief. The assistant chief is a man of forty- one years, vigorous, wide-awake and experienced, and promises to assist to maintain the service at its past standard of superiority, and incorporate into the sys- tem the methods and improvements indicated by the ad- vancement of science and mechanics.

Mr. Fant is a member of the Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. His business affairs have been successful in a material way and he has shown his confidence in the future prosperity of Falls county by investing in land here, being the owner of a fine ranch of sixty-four acres. A consistent member of the Presbyterian church, he takes an active and helpful interest in its work. In political matters Mr. Fant gives his unreserved support to the Democratic party, but has never found time to actively engage in polities as an office seeker. He is unmarried.

MORRIS A. MARCUS. Among the progressive younger business men who through their activities are developing the commercial and industrial interests of Wichita Falls, one of the ablest is Morris A. Marcus, son of the late Marx Marcus, and now directing head of the People's Ice Company, the largest manufacturing concern in this section of Texas. Mr. Marcus has been identified with this enterprise since its beginning, and its success has in no small degree been created by his energy and man- agement.

Morris A. Marcus is a Texan, and was born at Tyler in Smith County, May 7, 1878. When he was three years old his parents moved to Wichita Falls, and after at- tendance at the public schools he was sent to New York to attend Packer College. He did not remain to graduate, but returned to Wichita Falls to enter business with his father, and since the latter's death has been treasurer and secretary of the People's Ice Company. The original plant which was at first considered large enough to take care of all demands, was found inade- quate as the business continued to grow and on May 1, 1913, the new plant was ready for occupancy, a structure covering two acres of land with a capacity of one hun- dred and ten tons of ice daily. Thirty men are employed in the business, fifteen teams are used in delivering the product, and the equipment is of the latest and most highly improved pattern manufactured. Mr. Marens is one of the most progressive and energetic men of Wichita Falls, and has other relations with local business affairs. In political matters he is a Democrat, but is not a politician except where the welfare of his community has been concerned. He is a master Mason, and affili- ated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On May 25, 1902, at Weatherford, Texas, Mr. Marcus was united in marriage with Miss Glennie Barry, a native of Texas and a daughter of Dr. William and Rosie Barry, her father being deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Marcus: Adele, born in 1903 at Abilene, and now attending school in Wichita Falls; Lawrence, born in 1904 at Abilene and also a public school student; and Kathryne, born at Wichita Falls in 1909. It would be difficult to find a more enthusiastic booster for Wichita Falls, its people, its opportunities and its climate, than Mr. Marcus, for, to use his own words, he has "seen the town grow from a shoestring and expects to see it continue to prosper." One of its best features, to his way of thinking, is its climate. It has specially impressed itself upon him as a lover of outdoor life and sports.

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FRANCIS A. NOTT. One of the prosperous business en- terprises of Marlin which is meeting with prosperity un- der able and effective management, is the Marlin Steam Laundry, of which Francis A. Nott is proprietor. He has been identified with business interests here only since July, 1913, but has impressed himself upon the com- munity as an energetic and progressive business man and a citizen who may be relied upon to help his new locality in every possible way. Mr. Nott is an Arkansan by nativity, born in Crawford county, July 31, 1872, a son of Cyril W. and Leathy (Forrester) Nott.

Mr. Nott comes of Revolutionary stock, one of his an- cestors having been a soldier in the patriot army during the War for American Independence. His father was born in Washington county, Arkansas, and came to Bell county, Texas, in 1875, here settling on a tract of land and engaging in agricultural pursuits, in which he con- tinued during his active career. At this time he is liv- ing somewhat retired, making his home at Temple, Bell county. Mrs. Nott, who was born near Greenville, South Carolina, in 1852, passed away in 1911, having been the mother of three children: Francis A .; Phoebe, who married B. F. Giles, of Temple, and has two chil- dren-Beatrice and Sybil; and Florence, who married T. F. Prater, of Temple, and has two children-Bernice and Mabel.

Francis A. Nott attended the public schools of Temple, Texas, until he was seventeen years of age, at which time he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and continued as a tiller of the soil until his thirty-first year. At that time he turned his attention to mercantile lines, and also engaged in the laundry business, and in July, 1913, came to Marlin and purchased the Marlin Steam Laundry. He has steadily developed this into one of the successful enterprises of the city, attracting a large custom by good workmanship and prompt fidelity to every engagement. His plant has been equipped with the latest and most highly improved machinery known to the business, and is now valued at $4,000. A thoroughly progressive and self-made man, Mr. Nott has been the architect of his own fortunes, fighting his own way steadily up the lad- der of success from a humble position among the world's workers. He has gained the reputation of being a man of the strictest integrity, and his associates have every reason to have confidence in his business ability. When the Progressive party was organized in 1912, Mr. Nott became a supporter of that organization, and although he has not been an active politician has continued to support its principles and candidates. With his family he is a member of the Baptist church. Fraternally he belongs to the Praetorians and the Modern Woodmen of America, but prefers the pleasures of the home circle to those to be secured in fraternal orders.

On December 16, 1894, Mr. Nott was married to Miss Nora Wright, daughter of F. L. Wright, of Temple, Bell county, Texas, and three children have been born to this union: Imogene, who is a student in the Marlin High school; Barton, who is in the sixth grade of the grammar school; and Wilma, who is in third grade. Both of Mr. Nott's daughters are eligible to membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

SYLVESTER S. MUNGER, M. D. Few families of Texas are better known than that of Munger, whose members have been identified with the history of the state since 1838. Men of the name have honored the professions, business, the military and public and civie life, and always they have been found contributing to the ma- terial progress and advancement which have made the great state what it is today. A worthy representative of the name is found in the person of Dr. Sylvester S. Munger, one of the leading medical practitioners of Marlin, a man whose thorough training, inherent ability and devotion to his profession have made his career one of rapid and consecutive advancement. Doctor Munger was born in the city of Houston, January 1, 1869, and

is a son of the late Judge Sylvester S. and Margaret Josephine (McGowan) Munger.

Judge Sylvester S. Munger was born at Colchester, Connecticut, June 3, 1821, and came' to Texas in 1838, settling in Fayette county. He was in the civil service of the Republic of Texas while the seat of Government was at San Felipe, and became a member of the Milam Guards, of Houston, under Captain Ridley, during the raids by the Mexicans in 1838-40. In an article written by Judge Munger in 1899, under the title "Texas Sixty- One Years Ago, " and published in the Lampasas Leader, he gave an interesting description of several incidents which occurred at that time, in which he was a partici- pant: "At this time there were a good many Indians scattered over the country, and the Mexicans took special pains to incite them to depredations upon the settle- ments. In 1839 the capital of Texas was located at Austin, on the extreme west and north of the settle- ments. *

* * In the year 1840, just succeeding the moving of the capital to Austin, occurred one of the most daring raids the Indians ever made. This, too, was instigated by the Mexicans. Over 1,000 warriors, with many squaws and pack-horses, made a descent from the north entirely through Texas, passing south about fifteen miles east of Gonzales, by way of Victoria, to Linnville, on the coast, a small town on the present site of Port Lavaca. They were so stealthy in their advance that they were near Gonzales before the news spread, but soon our small scattering forces were in pursuit. The Indians sacked Linnville and started back, when they were overtaken by the Texans about 100 miles away, and a fight ensued. The Indians were completely routed. It was a running fight for thirty or forty miles. The leaders in this fight were Gen. Felix Huston, Col. J. H. Moore, Capt. Clark L. Owens, Ben and Henry MeCul- loch, and others of our brave frontiersmen. This fight had the effect of checking the Indian depredations for a while, but there was much anxiety of mind, as our forces were not large enough for security at all points." In 1854 Judge Munger became judge of the county court of Fayette county at LaGrange, and prior to the out- break of the Civil war also served as county judge of Bastrop county. During the war he was placed at the head of the courier service between Houston and Iberia, Louisiana, by General Magruder. In 1866 he moved to Houston, where he was engaged in the lumber business, then went to Eureka, where he was president of the Eureka Manufacturing Company, in 1877 moved to Wil- liamson county, and in 1880 to Georgetown, Texas, and in 1882 went to San Saba county. In 1883 he located in Lampasas county, and in 1885 was made postmaster by President Arthur, being reappointed to that office in 1889 by President Cleveland. When his term expired he retired to private life, and his death occurred at Lampasas, March 27, 1901. He was a Past Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons of Texas and a con- sistent member of the Methodist church. Judge Munger married Margaret Josephine McGowan, who was born in 1833 in Coffee county, Tennessee, the daughter of John McGowan, and granddaughter of Andrew McGowan, a notable man in the history of Tennessee. At the time of the war, under General Jackson, he was given a colonel's commission, raised a regiment of Indians and fought in the battle of the Bend. He came to Texas in 1835 and was prominent in the early days of the Re- public. To Colonel MeGowan were born eleven children, and two of the sons participated in the battle of San Jacinto. The family knew much of the hardships of frontier life, and when Margaret was but four years of age her father died, leaving the care of the large family to the mother who passed away six years later. When she was fourteen years of age Margaret McGowan was converted under the ministry of Rev. Josiah Whipple. There was in her that strong faith in God which char- acterized her whole life. Her mind thirsted for knowl- edge, and she was never happier than when reading such

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books as "Lord Bacon's Essays, " "Fox's Book of Mar- tyrs," "Lives of George Washington and his Generals,"' ete. Fortunately for her, a noted teacher from Scotland, a Professor Montrose, established an academy of high grade at Anderson, Texas, which she attended and at which she graduated when fifteen years old. For three years she taught school, and while on a visit to her brother, Carroll, met Judge Munger, whom she married in January, 1854. She led an active Christian life and for fourteen years was conference president of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society-two years in the West Texas Conference and twelve years in the North- west Texas. She had executive ability of the highest order, presiding with dignity and firmness, mingled with such sweetness and poise that commanded respect and order in the largest assemblies. At the time of her death sorrow was universal, for her many admirable qualities had made her widely beloved. She passed quietly away in the faith of her Maker, December 4, 1901, at Lam- pasas. Ten children were born to Judge and Mrs. Mun- ger, namely : Nora, Nelson C., Ennis, Eloise, Josie, May, Maggie and Sylvester S., William T. and Henry L. Mag- gie and Sylvester S. are said to have been the first pair of twins born in Houston.

Dr. S. S. Munger attended Centenary College at Lam- pasas until 1887, in which year he became clerk in the postoffice at that place, and continued to act as such for four years. During this time he had prepared for college to some extent, having decided upon a career in medi- eine, and took a course in the medical department of the University of Tennessee. Upon his graduation there- from, in 1891, he embarked in practice at Rogers, Bell county, where he spent six months, next went to Trick- ham, Coleman county, for one year, then to Brady, Me- Lennan county, for a like period, and succeeding this to Mobeetie, Wheeler county, for three years. His next lo- cation was Woodward, Oklahoma, where he spent four years, spent one year in Lampasas and a like period in Waco, then practiced four years at Perry, Falls county, and in 1906 moved to Marlin, Falls county, a health re- sort, which has since been his field of practice. He has carried on a general practice, specializing more or less in rheumatism and skin and venereal diseases, and has attracted to him a large and lucrative practice by reason of his acknowledged skill. He has been honored by appointment and election to various positions of trust and responsibility in the different sections where his practice has been located, serving as county and city physician, a member of the United States Board of Pension Examiners, physician of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, and, while in Oklahoma, as coroner. Since 1909 he has been city physician of Marlin. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America, and serves in the capacity of examining phy- sician for all of these orders. A natural mechanic, next to his profession Doctor Munger takes the greatest interest in machinery of all kinds. He belongs to the Methodist church.

On February 12, 1895, Doctor Munger was married at Waco to Miss Maud Baily, daughter of John C. Baily, a retired stockman and farmer, and they have a six-year- old daughter, Mand.

JOHN WILLIAM COOK, M. D. During recent years the community of Marlin, Texas, has justly become recog- nized as one of the leading health resorts of the country, and each year is visited by thousands of people in search of health from all over the United States. A number of institutions for the cure of disease have been estab- lished here of recent years, but the first was founded by Dr. John William Cook, a leading member of the medical fraternity of Falls county and proprietor of Cook's Sani- tarinm for Chronic Diseases. Doctor Cook is a practi- tioner of twenty-three years' standing, and has been in practice at Marlin since 1895, since which time he has

firmly established himself in the confidence of the com- munity and built up a large professional business. He was born near Homer, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Feb- ruary 4, 1856, and is a son of John and Penelope Rich- ardson (Boykin) Cook.

John Cook was born in Elbert county, Georgia, in 1822, there grew to manhood, and received a good edu- cational training. He first became a teacher in the pub- lie schools, and gave up a professional career to enter mercantile pursuits, which, in turn, he left to become a farmer. From Georgia he removed to Claiborne county, Louisiana, and in 1878 came to Texas, settling first in Tarrant county for two years and then moving to Coryell county. Subsequently he went to MeLennan county, where he rounded out a long and useful career, passing away in 1907. He had an honorable military record, having participated in the Mexican War under General Thomas, as well as in the Civil War, and was a successful business man and farmer and a highly respected citizen. He was married in Homer, Louisiana, to Penelope Rich- ardson Boykin, who was born near Selma, Alabama, in 1833, and she still survives him and is a resident of Moody, Texas. They were the parents of three children: Alice C., who is now Mrs. Monk of Moody and the mother of four children-Dr. Charles L., of New Orleans, Louisiana, Willie and Nellie of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Dr. John Boykin of Waco; Dr. John William, of this review; and Willie, the younger daughter, who died at the age of six years.

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A history of Texas and Texans, Part 132

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960 Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society Number of Pages: 906

Author: Johnson, Francis White, 1799-1884; Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956, ed; Winkler, Ernest William, 1875-1960
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago, American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 906