USA > Texas > A history of Texas and Texans > Part 69
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William W. Coffman was born in Young county, Texas, on the 4th of August, 1877, the son of Albert W. Coff- man. The latter was born in Arkansas, but came to Texas as a boy and has lived in Texas all his life since that time. He now resides in Knox county, where he follows farming for a livelihood. He married Miss Maggie Thomas after coming to Texas. Mrs. Coffman is a native of Tennessee and she is an active member of the Methodist church.
Of the five children of his parents, William W. Coff- man was the third in order of birth. He grew to man- hood in Texas, receiving his education in the public schools of the state. At the age of nineteen, having completed the high school work, he went to work. At first he remained on the farm with his father and then he left home and went to farming on his own account. He followed this occupation for ten years and made a success of it, for he accumulated enough money to assist in the organization of the bank of which he is now one of the officials. He has been vice president and active head of the First National Bank ever since its estab- lishment.
Both Mr. Coffman and his wife are members of the Methodist church. He is a member of the Democratic party in his political affiliations and has been active in behalf of his party. His interest in educational affairs led to his election as a member of the school board, upon which he served for some time. In the fraternal world he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Woodmen of the World.
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He is a member of the Commercial Club and was presi- dent of this organization at one time.
Mr. Coffman was married in Young county, Texas, on the 25th of November, 1898, to Miss Tessie Stone, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Stone, of Young county. They have become the parents of six children, three boys and three girls, as follows: Floyd, William, Lois, Neva. Josie and Walter.
A. F. MCLAUGHLIN. For ten years prior to the advent of A. F. MeLaughlin into Archer City, where he estab- lished one of the finest dry goods stores here, he was located at Bartlett, in Williamson county, Texas, where for ten years he conducted successfully a grocery busi- ness. He first came here in 1910, and though the time of his residence here has been brief, he has made a most excellent start in his business and bids fair to realize even greater success from his venture into business in this community.
Born in South Carolina, in Darlington county, in June, 1858, A. F. MeLaughlin is the son of Archibald and Frances Susan (Ewing) MeLaughlin, both natives of South Carolina, where they passed their lives. The father was a planter and a school teacher in his younger days, and when he died in February, 1871, he was sixty years of age, his natal day having been August 1, 1811. The mother received her education in her native state, and there married Archibald MeLaughlin. She died on June 8, 1858, aged eighteen years, leaving an infant son, A. F. MeLaughlin, of this review.
In his boyhood days Mr. MeLaughlin attended the schools of the district wherein he was reared in South Carolina, and when he came to an age where he felt some responsibility, he identified himself with the busi- ness of agriculture, with which he had gained no slight acquaintance at home. He first saw Texas on November 16, 1875, and located at Georgetown, in Williamson county, there remaining engaged in farming activities for twenty-six years. He moved to Bartlett, in William- son county then, and for ten years thereafter was en- gaged in the grocery business in that place, where he prospered and gained sufficient insight into business methods that he felt emboldened to launch out into the dry goods business. He chose as a suitable location Archer City, and, coming here in 1910, he opened up one of the finest general dry goods stores that the city has ever known. He has prospered in this last venture and has a reputation for business veracity and acumen that is alike the envy and the pride of the com- munity.
A Democrat in his political faith, Mr. MeLaughlin had given stanch adherence to the party all his days, and such service as he has been able to render has been done cheerfully. He takes a genuine interest in the educa- tional affairs of the town and county that cannot fail to bear good fruit. He has made his own way in busi- ness, unaided by any outside forces or influences what- soever, and a generous measure of credit for his ac- complishments should be and is accorded to him.
On October 21. 1886, Mr. MeLaughlin was married to Miss Florence Simpson, a daughter of Neeham and Amanda Simpson, an early pioneer family of the state, who migrated hence from Tennessee and located in Wil- liamson county. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. MeLaughlin. The eldest, Mrs. Mamie Winn, born August 31, 1887, is a resident of Bartlett, Wil- liamson county, Texas. Flora, attending the Normal School at Commerce, Texas, and Floyd, a graduate of Southwestern University, are twins. They make their home with the family, the son being in business with his father. Jeff MeLaughlin was born in Williamson county in 1892 and was graduated from Poughkeepsie College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1913. Grace M., born in June, 1895; John Archie, born in Williamson county in October, 1896, graduated from the Bartlett High School with the class of 1913. William Peltus, born in Novem-
ber, 1897, is at school. Homer Charles, born December 8, 1899, is also attending high school. Ermond Simpson, born in 1900 in Williamson county, is in the grade schools of Archer City, as is also Maurice Twing, the youngest of the ten, born in 190I at the family home in William- son county.
Mr. MeLaughlin is prominent and popular with the general public and has membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Archer City, though he main- tains no other fraternal relations. He comes out stanchly in his allegiance to the Lone Star state, calling it the finest state in the Union, and unhesitatingly states that he can produce the evidence to back his statement, should there be those who question his judgment.
THOMAS WILLIAM MCGRAW. Beginning in the cotton field as a picker, Thomas William MeGraw, of Munday, Texas, has reached the place where he is regarded as one of the substantial and influential business men of the town, and he is only a young man now. This rise has been due, not to the interest and influence of friends exerted in his behalf, but to his own determination to succeed and to hard work. He is president and general manager of the Knox County Elevator Company, a con- cern which is doing a thriving business and which is of considerable importance in the commercial life of the town.
Thomas William McGraw was born in Hunt county, Texas, on the 10th day of July, 1876. His father, John McGraw, was born in Ireland. He came to Texas in 1870 and has lived in this state ever since. He now resides in Collin county, and ever since coming to the state has been engaged in farming. After coming to Texas he met and married Miss Mary Easter Rice. Both Mr. and Mrs. MeGraw are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church. There were eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. McGraw, of whom Thomas W. MeGraw is the next to the eldest. His older brother, John P. McGraw, is associated with him in the business and is treasurer of the company.
Thomas W. McGraw was sent to the public schools of his home county as soon as he was old enough to go to school. He remained at home, attending school and aiding his father with the work of the farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then started out for himself and his first position was picking cotton. For about two years he was engaged in general farming, picking cotton when there was nothing better to do. He then began to farm for himself and for about five years was thus engaged. He never cared for the agricultural life, and when an opportunity came to him to go to work in a store in Munday he accepted it gladly. He worked in this store for about three years and the Knox County Elevator Company was organized and Mr. MeGraw was made president and general manager. The success of this company has been largely due to his wise manage- ment and to the energy which has been tireless in the interests of the company. It handles grain, feed, ice and coal, and does an extensive wholesale and retail business. The company also handles cattle, feeding and shipping many head per year.
Mr. McGraw is a member of the Democratic party, but takes no interest in politics other than to cast his vote for the man whom he considers best fitted to hold office. He was reared in the Roman Catholic Church, but is a believer in other denominations and gives his support impartially to all. In fraternal affairs he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. MeGraw married Miss Agnes Lou Nesbitt at Wyle, Texas, on the 7th of November, 1899, Mrs. McGraw being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Nesbitt, of Wyle, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. McGraw have had six chil- dren born to them, namely: Hattie Mary, John George, Lou Ethel, Thomas Garnett, Roy Paul and Minnie Rose.
COLUMBUS S. WHITESIDE. The present mayor of Sey- mour, Texas, Columbus S. Whiteside, combines in his
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person the practical qualities of the business man with the qualities that make a man a social favorite. Mr. Whiteside, although not a native of the state of Texas, is as enthusiastic over her future and ambitious for the welfare of the state and her people as any native Texan. A keen business man, a natural executive, with an honest and fearless character, his success and popularity may be easily explained.
Columbus S. Whiteside was born in White Plains, Alabama, on the 16th of November, 1861. He grew up ir. his native town and attended the public schools. When he was about twenty-eight years of age he left Alabama and came to Texas. Locating in Baylor county, he first took up farming. After several years in this occupa- tion he came to Seymour and started a dry goods store. After conducting this more or less successfully for eight or ten years, Mr. Whiteside concluded to take up out- door life again. He consequently went to El Paso county, Texas, and went into the ranching business. After a few years of this life he returned to Seymour and bought out the proprietor of his present business. This was in the fall of 1912 and he has already increased the business. He handles feed and fuel and does an extensive retail business.
Mr. Whiteside is a member of the Democratic party and has always been active in politics. He was elected mayor of Seymour during his first period of residence here, being the second mayor of the city. Upon his return to his old home the citizens lost no time in again electing him to the office, and he is now serving his second term. He has been a member of the school board for several years. In religious matters Mr. White- side is a member of the Methodist Church. He says that in his opinion Texas has more opportunities and resources than any other state, and that she is always ready with a welcome to any honest man who wishes to make a home.
Mr. Whiteside was married in White Plains, Alabama, on the 23d of December, 1881, to Miss Carrie Borden, a daughter of Lieut. and Mrs. Joseph Borden, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside have nine children, as follows: Hoyt; Thomas; Lizzie, who married George Shupee and lives in San Antonio; Guy and Roy, who are twins; Whit, Carrie, Nevada and Hobson.
ROBERT R. NEYLAND. The senior member of the rep- resentative law firm of Neyland & Neyland, in which his coadjutor is his younger brother, Mayo Neyland, is known as one of the leading members of the bar of Hunt county and is engaged in the practice of his profession in the City of Greenville, the judicial center of the county and one of the most thriving commercial and in- dustrial centers of northern Texas. Mr. Neyland is a native of the Lone Star state and a scion of one of its well-known and highly honored pioneer families, and in character and achievement he has given further pres- tige to the name which he bears. He has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Greenville for thirty years and has witnessed and assisted in the development of the place from the status of a mere vil- lage into a prosperous and progressive city of many advantages and attractions. From the statements al- ready made, it becomes patent that there is all of con- sistency in according special recognition to Mr. Ney- land in this history of the state which has ever been his home and in which he has found ample opportunity for worthy achievement.
Mr. Neyland was born at Woodville, Tyler county, Texas, on the 25th of October, 1859, and is a son of Lieut .- Col. Robert R. and Emily (Wells) Neyland, the former of whom was born near Washington, District of Columbia, in 1832, and the latter of whom was born in Washington, District of Columbia, a daughter of James M. Wells, who was graduated in the United States Military Academy, at West Point, and who thereafter served as an army officer in Texas and other parts of Vol. IV-15
the Southwest. He was territorial judge of New Mexico at the time of the inception of the Civil war and re- signed this office to tender his services in defense of the cause of the Confederacy, but his death occurred before the great conflict had passed its incipient stage. Mrs. Emily (Wells) Neyland was, in the maternal line, a granddaughter of John Forbes, who was a distinguished Texas pioneer and who served as an officer in the army of General Houston, under whom he participated in the battle of San Jacinto, as well as other engagements.
Col. Robert R. Neyland was reared and educated in Texas and was a scion of the stanchest of Southern stock, his father, Dr. Williams Neyland, having been born in Mississippi and having become a successful planter in the state of Louisiana, where he maintained his home until 1840, when he removed with his family to the Republic of Texas, of which Gen. Sam Houston was then president. He became one of the pioneer set- tlers of Jasper county and there passed the residue of his life, his attention having here been given to agri- cultural pursuits and stock-growing. Col. Robert R. Neyland was a lad of about eight years at the time of the family removal to Texas and his early experiences were gained under the conditions and influences of the pioneer epoch in the history of this state. He became a successful lawyer in Tyler county and was one of the honored and influential citizens of that section of the state. He went forth as a valiant soldier and officer in the Confederate service when the Civil war was pre- cipitated upon the nation, and he served as lieutenant- colonel in a Texas regiment until his death, which oc- curred in 1862, at Shreveport, Louisiana, where his regiment was then stationed, and his mortal remains were laid to rest with full military honors at Shelby- ville, Texas. His brother, Col. William M. Neyland, was lieutenant-colonel of another regiment in the same brigade, and another brother, the late Dr. A. Carroll Nevland, served in the army of Gen. Robert E. Lee in northern Virginia; after the war he went to the island of Jamaica, became a British subject and attained to precedence as one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of Jamaica, where he continued to reside until his death in 1906.
After the death of her honored husband, Mrs. Emily (Wells) Neyland removed with her family to Jasper county, where she lived until 1870. She lived at Gal- veston and Houston from 1870 to 1873, went thence to Washington, District of Columbia; there she resided until 1891, since which time she has lived at Greenfield. She is one of the noble pioneer women of the state and one who is loved by all who came within the sphere of her gracious influence.
Robert R. Neyland, whose name initiates this review, received his rudimentary education in the primitive pioneer schools of Jasper county, having been a lad of three years at the time of the removal of the family to the latter county. In 1872 he was sent to Kingston, Province of Ontario, Canada, where he entered the Kingston Collegiate Institute, in which institution he continued his studies until he had completed the four years' curriculum, his expenses during this time having been defrayed through the generosity of his uncle, Dr. A. Carroll Neyland, of whom mention is made in a pre- ceding paragraph, and whose wish it was that the nephew attend a school on English territory, owing to his own allegiance to the British crown.
After his return to his native state, Mr. Neyland, now well fortified in academic lines, began reading law under the effective preceptorship of his kinsman, Judge Pey- ton F. Edwards, a leading member of the bar of Na- cogdoches, the capital of the county of the same name. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, shortly after attain- ing to his legal majority, but, desirous of fortifying himself still further, he devoted about two years to further study, under the preceptorship of Judge Thomas J. Brown, of Sherman, who later served with distinc-
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tion on the bench of the Supreme Court of the state and is now its chief justice.
In 1882 Mr. Neyland established his permanent home at Greenville, where he has since continued in the active practice of his profession and where he has long been known as one of the strong, successful and essentially representative members of the bar of Hunt county. He has been concerned in much of the important litigation in the courts in this section of the state and has presented numerous causes in the Texas supreme court and in the federal courts of the state. His brother Mayo has been associated with him in practice since 1891, under the firm name of Neyland & Neyland, and they control a large and substantial law business of general order.
In politics Mr. Neyland accords unwavering allegiance to the Democratic party and, while he has considered his profession well worthy of his undivided attention and has thus had no predilection for political office, he has given yeoman service in behalf of the party cause. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are zealous communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in which they are leading members of the parish of the church in their home city.
The year 1889 marked the solemnization of the mar- riage of Mr. Neyland to Miss Pauline Lewis, who was born and reared in Harrison county, this state, and who is a daughter of the late Dr. Howell Lewis, a representa- tive pioneer of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Neyland have two sons and one daughter, Robert R., Jr., Carroll, and Mayo W., Jr., the latter two remaining at the paternal home and the elder son, Robert R., Jr., being a cadet in the United States Military Academy at West Point, in which he is a member of the class of 1916. In the com- petitive examination for appointment to West Point he was the only one of the fourteen applicants who passed the required examination.
SHILOH GORMAN. Among the influential and prosper- ous business men of Seymour, Texas, Shiloh Gorman holds a leading place. A man of long experience in the business world, of fine executive qualities, and a man who is popular both socially and among his business associ- ates, Mr. Gorman is quite naturally a leader. He is one of the officials and is general manager of one of the largest industrial enterprises in Seymour, and it is largely owing to his energy and ability that this con- cern is the highly successful institution which it has become.
Shiloh Gorman was born in Upshur county, Texas, on the 27th of July, 1866. He is a son of Charles B. Gor- man, who was born in Georgia, but came to Texas with his parents when he was a boy. Charles B. Gorman took up farming as a young man and has followed this occupation all of his life. He enlisted in the Confed- erate army with the outbreak of the Civil war and served through the long four years in one of the Texas regiments. He was in many of the important engage- ments of the war and was wounded, now having a crippled hand as the result of this wound. Mr. Gorman has always been active politically, being a member of the Democratic party. In religious matters he is a member of the Baptist church. He married Miss Fannie Jones, who was born in Texas. Mr. Gorman is now living in Wood county. but his wife died in 1904, at the age of sixty, and is buried in Winnsboro, Texas.
Of the seven children who were born to Charles B. Gorman and his wife, Shiloh Gorman, was the fourth in order of birth. He received his early education in the public schools of Texas, and, after completing his work in the public schools, he worked on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then went to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he took a commercial course in a business college. Upon completing this course he returned to Texas and for three years followed railroad- ing. He then came to the western part of the state, where he engaged in farming and ranching. He made
a success, but decided that he preferred a different kind of work. Therefore he came to Seymour and took charge of the Mayfield Lumber Company's lumber yard. After eighteen months of this work he opened a dry goods store, which he conducted very successfully for about six years. He then went into the furniture business, but only continued in this line for six months or so. His next move was to go into business with the West Texas Supply Company, and he was in this concern for several years. After selling his interest in this business he de- termined to go to ranching again, and for four years managed a ranch near Seymour. At the end of this year three seasons found him working in the cotton business and then he opened a drug store in Seymour. Two years later the company in which Mr. Gorman is interested at present was formed, and Mr. Gorman was elected secretary and treasurer, as well as being made general manager. This company purchased the Seymour Mill, Elevator and Light Company's plant and is now known by this name. It is one of the largest and most important institutions in town, bringing into Seymour a large volume of busi- ness. The company operates extensively throughout the state, doing both a wholesale and retail business. They do a grain and milling business and also operate the electric light plant in Seymour. Mr. Gorman has not spared himself in the effort to place this concern on a substantial foundation and make it a paying proposi- tion, and his success has been most marked. The varied experience which he has had in the business world has given him a clear insight into business methods, and his knowledge of men and affairs makes him an influential figure in business circles.
In political matters Mr. Gorman is a member of the Democratic party, but he is content to cast his vote at the polls and let others manipulate the party's affairs. He is a member of no church, but is strongly inclined toward the Baptist faith. In the fraternal world Mr. Gorman is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Woodmen of the World. He is a lover of the out- door sports and in particular of baseball, having been a player himself at one time.
Mr. Gorman was married in Seymour, Texas, on the 17th of February, 1902, to Miss Fannie MeKeehan, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. McKeehan of Baylor county, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Gorman have become the parents of three children, two boys and a girl, namely, Wallace, Hazel and Shiloh, Jr.
DR. JEFFERSON DAVIS RATLIFF. As a successful physician, Dr. Jefferson Davis Ratliff is well known in Seymour, Texas, and the surrounding country. From his boyhood he was filled with the desire to study medicine and his medical training was purchased at the expense of much self-sacrifice. The quiet determination to succeed, and the fighting qualities which Dr. Ratliff showed during his struggle for an education are again in evi- dence when he has a dangerously ill patient. He never gives a case up as hopeless until every expedient has been tried. Dr. Ratliff has been in practice in Seymour for only a few years, but he has built up a fine practice and has won many friends.
Dr. Ratliff was born in Paris, Texas, on the 25th of September, 1861, the son of Robert Ratliff. The latter, who was born in Alabama, came to Texas in 1856, where he became a farmer, and as a farmer spent the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1885 at the age of seventy-two. He married Miss Pamela Craft, who was a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Ratliff came to Texas in 1844 and they were married in the latter state. She is now living and makes her home in Paris. Texas, being seventy-eight years of age. She is a member of the Baptist church, as was her husband. Eleven children were born to Robert Ratliff and his wife, of whom the Doctor was the second child and the oldest son.
Dr. Ratliff's elementary education was obtained in the
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