USA > Texas > A history of Texas and Texans > Part 169
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school, and the most liberal contributor was Rev. Ben- jamin Chase of Mississippi, who gave ten thousand acres of Texas land to the endowment fund.
The war between the states was disastrous to all Texas institutions, but Austin College was not forced entirely to close its doors, although its treasury was empty and its faculty reduced. In January, 1871, Rev. S. M. Luck- ett was elected president. To him and his co-laborers, J. W. Chadwick of Chapel Hill and Rev. Donald McGregor of Houston, is mainly due the continued existence of Aus- tin College. During this administration a growing senti- ment arose for a more desirable location and a committee was appointed looking to the removal of the college to some point in Northern Texas. After a protracted con- troversy, Sherman was selected and the college removed thither in 1876. The present building was begun at once, and its central part completed and occupied during the incumbency of Rev. H. B. Boude, the successor to Dr. Luckett from 1878 to 1881. When the history of the college is written in full Dr. Luckett's name will be asso- ciated with that of Daniel Baker, for while Dr. Baker was the moving spirit in the foundation of the college, Dr. Luckett rescued it from the shades of oblivion, and in ten years raised about eighty thousand dollars for its permanent support, added two wings to the building, and increased the number of students to about one hundred and fifty with nine professors.
Austin College stands a monument to the early leaders of the Presbyterian church in Texas, and the influence it has exercised on the lives of its many hundreds of stu- dents and graduates is incalculable. It was the first in- stitution in the west to introduce the Bible course into its curriculum and religious instruction has always been an essential factor of the student life. The course of study is the prevailing college curriculum of arts and sciences. The state board of education ranks Austin College among the first-class colleges of the state. Its doors from the beginning to the present time have been open to young men only, and the principle of segregation has been the sustained policy of its founders and direct- ors. For the education of young women there is a co- educational institution at Brownwood, and a college for girls at Milford, both under the control of the Synod of Texas.
Many names might well be mentioned besides those al- ready noted as deserving of remark in their important relations with the growth and welfare of Austin College. However, this brief sketch will conclude with a list of the presidents of Austin College from the beginning to the present time, with dates of service: Rev. Samuel Me- Kinney, 1850-53; Rev. Daniel Baker, 1853-57; Rev. A. E. Thom, pro tem., 1857-58; Rev. R. W. Bailey, 1858-62; Rev. Samuel MeKinney, 1862-1871; Rev. S. M. Luckett, 1871-1878; Rev. H. B. Boude, 1878-1881; Prof. W. D. Vinson, pro tem., 1881-82; Rev. E. P. Palmer, 1881-85; Rev. Donald McGregor, 1885-87; Rev. S. M. Luckett, 1887-97; Rev. T. R. Sampson, 1897-1900; Rev. T. S. Clyce. 1900-1914.
REV. THOMAS STONE CLYCE, D. D. LL. D. It is in connection with educational work that the Rev. T. S. Clyce is best known to the people of Sherman, Texas. where for fourteen years he has been president of Austin College; yet he is not alone an educator, but has long been identified with the Presbyterian ministry, and in 1912 was elected moderator of the General Assembly of the Pres- byterian church of the United States (Southern) at Bristol. Tennessee, this being the highest honor within the gift of the church. Doctor Clyce was born Septem- ber 12, 1863, at Kingsport, Tennessee, and is a son of William and Mary Elizabeth (Hagy) Clyce, the former, an architect and contractor, born at Lexington, Virginia, and the latter at Abingdon, that state.
Dr. Clyce was born and reared on a farm, and his boyhood was spent in simple pursuits. He was a studious lad, with a receptive mind, and after he had completed
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the curriculum of the public schools he entered King College, Bristol, Tennessee, where he received the degree of bachelor of arts in 1887. He graduated from Colum- bia Theological Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina, in 1890; from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1894, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity; received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from South- western Presbyterian University of Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1900, and in 1912 was given the degree of Doctor of Laws by King College. Entering the ministry of the Presbyterian church in the United States, his first charge was at the First Presbyterian church of Decatur, Ala- bama, where he remained in 1890 and 1891, then becom- ing pastor of the Woodland Presbyterian church, at Louisville, Kentucky, where he continued from 1891 to 1896. He then was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Jackson, Alabama, and president of the Jackson Agri- cultural College, from 1896 to 1900, and in the latter year became president of Austin College, a position which he has continued to fill to the present time. Dur- ing the past decade or more the standard of education in Texas has been decidedly heightened. The earliest efforts at realization of a high standard were crude and ineffective; but they paved the way to the marked suc- cess of later years, the amount and organization of teach- ing being now such as will bear the most rigid examina- tion and thorough criticism. It is impossible and un- necessary to trace in detail the various steps in this ad- vance of pedagogical thought; it has been gradual, never revolutionary, and more discernible in the present result than in the stages of its progress. It would be invidious and inaccurate to attribute leadership in this advance to one school or another-all have contributed to it in greater or less degree; but no one will take exception to the assertion that great credit is due, in the general reckoning, to the wisdom, insight and persistence of the president of Austin College. In political matters a Dem- ocrat, Doctor Clyce cast his first vote for President Cleve- land, and has never given his ballot to any other ticket. His fraternal relation is with the Masons.
On October 5, 1892, Doctor Clyce was married at Louisville, Kentucky, to Miss May De Perrin, and to this union there have been born three children, namely: Wal- lace Perrin, Dorothy and Edmonia Elizabeth.
HARRY E. HEDEMAN. Harry E. Hedeman is well known throughout Llano county, Texas, as one of the energetic and successful business men of this section. For over thirty years he has been engaged in business in this sec- tion of the country, having a share in various enterprises that have meant much to the people of this vicinity. He has taken a prominent part in the civic and commercial life of Llano, and is always among those men who place the welfare of their city and the betterment of living condi- tions before their own personal comfort.
Harry E. Hedeman was born on the 17th of April, 1859, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father died when he was thirteen years of age and Mr. Hedeman has been practically earning his own living ever since that time. He first, as a boy, worked in a grocery store at odd mo- ments, when he was not in school, and in this way he earned the money by means of which he was enabled to go to college. He received his elementary education in the public schools of the state and then attended Chris- tian Brothers College. At the age of eighteen he left college and his first two years were spent as a sailor. After these years spent on the sea he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for two years. During this time he studied engineering and fitted himself for some of the work he was to take up in his future home.
It was in 1882 that he came to Texas and located in Lampasas. Here he took charge of the water-works and for ten years he operated this plant. He then came to Llano, Texas, and established an ice factory, at the same time starting a bottling works. After about five years he sold his ice factory and erected a cotton gin. Three
years later he sold out this business and established his present grocery business. In his bottling works he man- ufactures a full line of soda water and other carbonated drinks, and he does an extensive wholesale business throughout this section of the country. The plant is equipped with modern machinery and the finest sanitary conditions prevail. In his grocery store Mr. Hedeman handles a full line of groceries, hardware, tinware, and similar merchandise. He not only does a general retail business, but he has built up a flourishing wholesale trade with the surrounding country. He also handles chickens and turkeys in wholesale lots, shipping many car loads each season to various markets. He has built up his business entirely by his own efforts, and hard work, the ability to see a good business opportunity, and the courage to take advantage of it, have been the secrets of his success.
Mr. Hedeman is a Democrat in politics and political questions have always had his active interest. He was a member of the school board for many years and was president of this body twice. He has also served several terms as a member of the city council and during all his public service he has been instrumental in many of the improvements that have been made in civic affairs. He is a member of the Commercial Club, and in the fraternal world is a member of the Sons of Hermann and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his religious af- filiations Mr. Hedeman is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Hedeman was married in Beaumont, Texas, in 1884, to Miss Ada Foster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Foster, of Columbia, Texas. Three children, two daughters and a son, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hedeman. Leah is married to W. B. Lewis and resides in Hearne, Texas. Ethel is living at home, and Harry, who is unmarried, is associated with his father in the business.
Mr. Hedeman, like most of the men who have lived in Texas during the years in which it has developed from a cattle country into a state of many different interests, is enthusiastic over its possibilities. He says that Texas is a wonderful country and has a great future before it. In his opinion Llano county, in particular, will some day develop into a great mining district, and will grow as it never has grown heretofore.
JONATHAN W. CRUDGINGTON. A prominent attorney and prosperous citizen of Amarillo, Mr. Crudgington has had a varied experience and activities and has supreme confidence in the great resources and opportunities of Texas, particularly northwest Texas, where his home has been for the past ten years.
Jonathan W. Crudgington was born in Roane county, Tennessee, January 31, 1860, a son of Elijah and Caro- lina (Fender) Crudgington. The grandfather Abram Crudgington was a Revolutionary soldier, having been one of General John Sevier's volunteers from the Caro- linas, Georgia and Virginia, and participating in the battle of King's Mountain. Elijah Crudgington, the fa- ther, had an even more notable war career. He was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, and when a young man enlisted in Company F of the Third Tennessee Cav- alry in the Union army. He was first lieutenant of his company. During one of his scouting expeditions he was taken prisoner, and first placed in prison at Knoxville, in which prison the famous Parson Brownlow was like- wise confined, and from there Mr. Crudgington was sent with fifty-five other federals to the Confederate prison in Richmond, Virginia. From the capital city. together with ninety-nine other men, he was started for Salis- bury, North Carolina, to be held as hostages for the gen- eral good behavior of the United States government. While en route to that place he effected his escape by leaping off the swiftly moving train, and with one other companion wandered about for six weeks in the vain en- deavor to reach the federal lines. Finally he and his
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comrade were captured by Confederates, and after being held for a time he was again placed in prison at Rich- mond. Later he was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina, where on November 26, 1863, he again made his escape with three other prisoners. Of the fifty-six sent from Knoxville to Richmond only four, Mr. Crudgington and three others, lived to see the end of the war. Elijah Crudgington in 1870 came to Texas and located in that part of Kaufman county which has since been cut off and organized as Rockwall county. In that vicinity he engaged in farming, a vocation he continued until 1877, when he removed to Stephens county, where he resided until his death in 1903 at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother of the Amarillo lawyer was also a native of Ten- nessee, where she was educated and married. Her death occurred in Stephens county in March, 1904, at the age of seventy-three. There were nine children in the fam- ily, of whom Jonathan was the second.
He obtained his early schooling in this state, and his first important work after leaving the farm was con- tracting along the route of the Fort Worth & Denver City Railway, in grading the tracks. He next began the reading of law in the offices of William Veale, and was admitted to the bar in 1889 before the district court, and was subsequently admitted by the supreme court. During his practice in Texas for nearly twenty-four years he has enjoyed a liberal share of the business in each com- munity where he has lived. He first practiced at Breck- enridge, where he remained until August, 1902, and then transferred his residence to Palo Pinto, which was his home until 1904, at which date he moved to Amarillo. In this city he has had several partnerships, first with Mr. John W. Veale, which continued until 1907. With the election of Mr. Veale as state senator, Mr. R. E. Un- derwood joined them as partner, a relationship which lasted only a short while. Later Mr. Umphres and sub- sequently Mr. F. P. Works joined the firm. When Mr. Umphres retired the firm became and has since re- mained Crudgington & Works. They represent some of the largest clients in this portion of Texas. From 1896 to 1900 Mr. Crudgington was county judge for two terms of Stephens county.
In politics he is a progressive Democrat, though inde- pendent of party, and has little concern in practical poli- tics. He is a member of the County bar association, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. His church is the Presbyterian.
On March 4, 1890, at Breckenridge, Texas, Mr. Crud- gington married Miss Alliene Veale, daughter of Wil- liam and Levenia Veale, both deceased. They are the parents of seven children, who are mentioned as fol- lows: Harvey M., born at Breckenridge, March 21, 1892, a graduate of the Lowry Phillip school and now in the general offices of the Santa Fe Railway; John William, born at Breckenridge, July 6, 1894, a graduate of the Amarillo high school; Charles A., born at Breckenridge, May 16, 1896, a student in the high school; Robert E. and George, twins, born at Breckenridge, August 1, 1899, the former now in school and the latter deceased Febru- ary 15, 1902; Susan, born at Palo Pinto, September 28,
1903, and now attending school in Amarillo; Kate, born at Amarillo, January 25, 1906 and Alliene, born at Ama- rillo, February 26, 1908.
Mr. Crudgington was one of the organizers of the Amarillo Street Railway Company, and was vice presi- dent and one of the directors until the property was re- cently sold to an eastern syndicate. He has been con- nected with other local enterprises, among which is the Panhandle' State Fair Association, and is an energetic, well-informed citizen who does all he can to advance the welfare of his home community and state.
CALVIN M. STILL. Calvin M. Still's life has been a busy and varied one in its every phase, and his public service of recent years has not been the least of his ac- tivities. As mayor of Taylor since 1910 he has proven himself to be a citizen of the finest enthusiasm and the most utter integrity, in his official capacity giving freely to the city of his best energies and abilities, with a re- sult that is so apparent that "he who runs may read." He has been a resident of Taylor since about 1887, and in the years that have elapsed since he has come to enter- tain the heartiest regard for the city, his enthusiasm therefore knowing no bounds.
Born in Riley county, Kansas, January 23, 1861, Calvin M. Still is the son of William and Katherine (O'Malley) Still, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Ireland, and the father was one of the first settlers of Riley county. Mr. Still was reared in Riley county, re- ceiving there educational advantages commensurate with the possibilities of the community and the position of his parents, and in his early manhood he engaged in the service of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Com- pany. For several years he was employed as a locomotive engineer. He came to Texas in 1882, locating at Deni- son, from which point he was occupied with railroading on the "Katy." It was in 1886, still in the service of that line, that Mr. Still came to Taylor, in Williamson county, and this city has since been his home. Soon after locating here Mr. Still gave up railroad work and engaged in an independent business, interesting himself in cotton buying and later in fire insurance business, and he has since that time maintained an active and thriving interest in those enterprises.
It was in 1910 that the public-spiritedness and general excellence of the man as a citizen came to be officially recognized by the people in his election to the office of Mayor, and so faithfully did he conduct the affairs of the office that he was re-elected in 1912. In that position Mr. Still has given of his best energies and the city ac- knowledges an era of public improvement of no slight importance. Under his administration much of the most telling improvement work of the city has been carried on, and especially in this connection should be noted the paving of Main and several other streets with creosoted wood blocks, which gave to Taylor some of the finest streets to be found in any city in Texas.
Mr. Still was married at Denison, Texas, to Miss Brid- get Mary Quinn, who was born in Ireland, and six daugh- ters have come to them: Katherine, Mary B., Marguer- ite, Celesta, Emma and Pauline.
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