USA > Texas > Johnson County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 40
USA > Texas > Hill County > A memorial and biographical history of Johnson and Hill counties, Texas : containing the early history of this important section of the great state of Texas together with glimpses of its future prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the present time, and full-page portraits of some of the most eminent men of this section > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
of our subject, was a Miss Elizabeth Robin- son, of South Carolina, and a daughter of Joli Robinson. Only five of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, besides the one whose name heads this sketch survive, viz .: Mrs. Mary Arnold, of Georgetown, Texas; Mrs. Lucretia Ethridge, of Limestone county; A. R. Boyd, a physician of Billington, Lime- stone county; and T. D. Boyd, a farmer and stockman at San Angelo, Tom Green county.
The subject of this sketch, aside from his attendance at the country schools of his native county, spent three years at Cross Plains, Tennessee, and later took a one year's course in Vanderbilt University, at Nashville. lle was a very ambitious boy, but without sufficient means to procure his education, ex- cept by intervals at work and in school. Ile passed the crucial test of a law examination in Choctaw county, Mississippi, was admitted to the bar, and located for practice at Chester, where he continued until 1885. In that year he came to Texas, locating in Ellis county, where he engaged one year in merchandising, and then came to Hill county, where he fol- lowed the same business at Mt. Calin. Two years later he removed to Hubbard City, where he now resides, and here he again resumed the practice of law. In 1890 Mr. Boyd formed a partnership with T. B. Whor- ton, and engaged in real-estate and insurance business; but Mr. Boyd still continued to practice his profession. In April, 1890, he was elected City Attorney of Hubbard City for a term of two years, is interested in the Artesian Well Company, in the Building Association, and is the attorney for both cor-
337
AND HILL COUNTIES.
porations. Ile is secretary of the Masonic lodge, and the Keeper of the Records and Seal of the K. of P.
In 1883, Mr. Boyd married Miss Mary P. Buck, a cousin of Prof. Gorland Buck, Tax Collector of Hill county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, as follows: Mary Eulalie, Samnel Theodore and Maggie Pearl. Mr. Boyd is an Elder in the old- school Presbyterian Church, and has been identified with the organization sinee twenty- one years old, and his wife is also a member and constant attendant of the same church.
STROUD, of the firm of Strond Bros., wholesale and retail groeers of Hills- boro, was born in Freestone county, .Texas, in 1856, a son of M. Stroud, who was born in Alabama in 1820. The latter came to Texas at the age of ten years, locating near the falls of the Brazos river, where he became an extensive farmer and stock-raiser. Hle was a soldier in the Indian wars of Texas, and also of the Confederate army, being a member of Parsons' brigade. Our subject's mother, nee Narcissa Oliver, was a sister of T. J. Oliver, president of what was formerly known as the Bank of Oliver & Griggs, and now the Fourth National Bank of Dallas, and was also a sister of Frank Oliver, of Gro- sebeck, Texas.
The subject of this sketch was educated chiefly in Corsicana and Waxahatchie, and at the age of twenty-one years he left school and engaged as salesman for S. A. Pace, of Corsicana. He was thus engaged three years, devoting himself entirely to his em-
ployer's business, and acquiring a portion of that energy, push and good judgment which are necessary qualifications for a successful business man, and which he now possesses in a remarkable degree. After his retirement from Mr. Pace's employ, he engaged in busi- ness on his own account in the same city; but six months later, in 1861, he closed out and came to llillsboro. Mr. Stroud then em- barked in the grocery business in this city, under the firm name of Stroud & Yerby. They opened their store with a capital of $4,- 000, and their first year's sales amounted to about $25,000. The popularity of the firm soon made the trade increase, and their safe methods of business multiplied profits, until they were enabled to handle the largest stock of groceries in the county. In 1889, Mr. Yerby was succeeded by E. B. Stroud, and a stock of from $12,000 to $50,000 is now carried, and the yearly sales amount to $150,- 000. Six men are now in the employ of the firm, and a branch house at Mertens carries a stock of groceries and hardware of from 85,000 to $8,000. During the recent fire in Hillsboro the firm lost quite heavily. These gentlemen have also handled cash and collec- tion cotton for several years, the largest number of bales handled during a single season being 5,000. They have adopted a safe method of doing business, opening their books in the spring and holding them open until October or November, for the accom- modation of reliable customers, and closing in the tall, and courteously insisting on col- lections, but in no way approaching severity or oppression.
335
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
In 1552 Mr. Stroud married Lilly Lee Scott, a daughter of J. B. Scott, a pioneer of Alabama. She is the youngest of a family of five children by the second marriage of her father. They have had two children: Ethel and Clyde. Mr. Stroud is a member of the K. of P., and also takes an active in- terest in political matters.
J. NORWOOD, of Cleburne, Johnson county, is a son of 'St. Clair and Catherine J. Norwood. The father was born and reared in Blount county, Tennessee, and is now living in Pikevillle, Bledsoe county, that State, living the plain and un- eventful life of a farmer. The mother is a daughter of Peter Hoodenpyle, one of the first settlers of Sequachee Valley, East Tennessee.
Peter J. Norwood, one of six children, was born in Pikeville, Bledsoe county, Tennessee, Oct. 3, 1842. Ile entered the Confederato army in August, 1861, enlisting in Colonel Henry Ashby's Tennessee Regimentof Cavalry and began his service in East Tennessee and Kentucky, near Cumberland Gap. Ile was in the fight at Fishing creek, and later the en- gagements at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain; from there went down to Jonesboro, Georgia; was with Hood on his return into Tennessee, and after the disper- sion of his forces at Nashville was part of a detachment that made its way to the Eastern Army, then in North Carolina. Mr. Nor- wood served until the general surrender, was
a private throughout, was never sick or absent from roll call, and was captured but once, but was held only a short time. Ile was almost constantly on duty, on the march or skirmish, being in the cavalry service. After the close of the war he returned home, and shortly afterward went to Selma, Ala- bama, where for two years he was agent for the old Selma & Meridian Railroad Company. Ile then went to Bayou Bartholomew, Louisi- ana, where he was engaged in farming one year, but, on account of ill health, he re- turned to the mountains of East Tennessee, where he soon recovered. February 11, 1869, Mr. Norwood married Miss Ursaline Schoolfield, a daughter of P. II. Schoolfield, of that place. In 1871 Mr. Norwood eame to 'Texas, settling near Garden Valley, Smith county, but after a brief residonee there moved to Fort Worth and engaged in the dairy business. Four years later he moved to Kaufman county, purchasing a ranch of 4,- 000 acres eight miles south of the city of Kaufman, on King's creek, which he stocked and conducted successfully until 1881, and in that year decided to seek better quarters for his increasing flocks and herds. Ile settled on Pecos river, near Petriean Springs, but two years later came to Cleburne, Johnson county, where he has since resided.
After settling in this city Mr. Norwood purchased an interest in the insurance agency of E. T. Lowis, in connection with Zach Brown. The latter subsequently sold his in- lerest to W. J. Rutledge, and in 1887 Mr. Norwood bought Rutledge's interest, since
AND HILL COUNTIES
which time he has been alone. This agency, of which Mr. Norwood is now sole proprietor, was founded in 1876, and is the oldest and only exclusive agoney of the kind in the city. It represents twenty-one fire companies, four accident and one life company. Mr. Nor- wood has some of the largest companies in the world, and the capitalization of these companies amounts to over $70,000,000. Ile has a well equipped office, and does a thriving business throughout the year. Ile is a member of the City Council, a director in the Farmers and Merchants' National Bank of Cleburne, a member of the K. of P., the K. of II., and the I. O. O. F. Ho is a shrewd, wide-awake business man, and a most ex cellent gentleman.
II. YEAGER, a farmer of Johnson county, is a native of Washington county, Tennessee, and the third of six children born to C. F. and Selina (Iloss) Yeager, also natives of Tennessee. Onr subject entered the Confederate service in August, 1861, in Company G, Twenty-ninth Volunteer Infantry, and served with this com- mand through the war. llo was in the battles of Corinth, Tupelo, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Kenesaw Mountain, where he was taken prisoner in June, 1863, while on picket duty. Ile was taken to Camp Doug- las, Illinois, and was exchanged in March, 1865, a few days before Lee's surrender. Ile remained in Tennessee from 1865 until 1872, engaged in teaching, and was also admitted
to the Tennessee bar. Ile practiced law in that State two years, and then, in 1872, settled at Alvarado. Three years later Mr. Yeager came to Cleburne, and bought a one- half interest in the Cleburne Chronicle, W. HI. Graves being his associate. For six years they did all their editorial work, after which Mr. Yeager was connected with other county papers, until January, 1890, when he retired to farm life. Ile improved 200 acres of fine land one inilo from this city, where he erected a beautiful dwelling, and now gives his entire attention to this place.
IIe was married in 1882, to Miss Mary V. llightower, a daughter of V. N. and Matil- (Perkerson) Ilightower, natives of Georgia. Mr. Yeager is a Democrat in his political views, and religiously is a member of tho Methodist Church: his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
F. BRANCHI, of Ilill county, is a prosperous tiller of the soil, and not without justice is he conceded to hold an enviable position among the prominent and successful self-mado men of Hill county, Texas. Ile became a resident of the Lone Star State in 1873, but since 1878 has been one of the progressive and law-abiding citi- zens of llill county. Ile resided in Denton, Texas, for about two years, then went to La- nier county, soon after to Pinoak county, where he was in the stock business until his removal to Louisiana, at the end of one year." Upon locating in Hill county ho purchased a
310
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
farm of 160 acres upon which some improve- ments had been made, but by his own indus- try he has become the owner of 700 acres and has erected thereon a substantial residence, and has made other valuable improvements in the way of buiklings, there being live good tenement houses on the place. All his land is under fence and 375 acres are under cultivation, devoted to the culture of cotton und corn by his tenants, the rest being pas- ture land. Mr. Brauch devotes much atten- tion to buying, raising and fattening stock for the market, and keeps constantly on hand a large number of horses, mules and cattle. lle is endeavoring to improve his grade of horses, and keeps a fine Clydesdale and Nor- man horse. The energetic manner in which he has ever taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to enhance the value of his property has had a great deal to do with obtaining the competency he now enjoys. In pursuing the calling of a farmer and stock raiser substantial results have followed him, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that his present good fortune is the result of his own honest toil and good management. When Mr. Brauch reached Denton his entire capital consisted of 25 cents, and as he was troubled with malaria 15 cents of this was expended for quinine, and the remaining 10 cents for a muskutelon, which took the place of a meal of victuals. Ile soon obtained employment, and as fortune ever favors the brave he prospered as he fully deserved to do. He was born in Frankhn county, Ten - Besser, August 25, 1852, was brought up on a farm, was given a common schooling and
remained with and assisted his father until he came to Texas. His parents, W. A. and Louisa (Cisk) Branch, were from the Old North State, and before the war the Father was a wealthy farmer and slave owner and operated a large distillery. He was very influential in the community in which he re- sided, and his death, which occurred May 19, 1878, was felt to be a great loss.
Ilis marriage was blessed in the birth of twelve children: Elizabeth married Ben Hut- ton, came to Texas in 1887 and settled in Ellis county; Joel P. came to Texas in 1873 with the subject of this sketch, and died in 1874; William Il. came at the same time and is now a farmer of Ellis county; Martin L. died in November, 1857, married Emma Freeman, A. F. Branch's step-daughter, Jan- uary 4, 1851, having been a resident of the State from 1879; Susan married J. A. Weaver and came to Ellis county, Texas, in 1882; Nancy L. married II. Fields and still resides in Tennessee; John T. is also in Ten- nessee; W. A., who came to this State in 1883, is a resident of Kaufman county and is unmarried; and the rest of the children died in early childhood. A. F. Brauch, thu immediate subject of this sketch, married the widow Freeman, the daughter of Joseph Roberts, of Virginia. She was born in Rusk county, Texas, July 20, 1819, and by her first husband, who was a farmer and stock- raiser, she became the mother of five chil- dren, four of whom are living: Emma; Mil- ton A., William A. and James F. These children were left fatherless March 21, 1873, but Mr. Branch has endeavored to lill his
311.
AND HILL. COUNTIES
place by every means in his power, and they have amply repaid him in affection and obe- dience. Mr. Branch and his wife have five children: Amanda E., born August 29, 1875; Nancy T., born February 13, 1877; Mary I., born January 30, 1879; Jesse L., born June 19, 1881; and Alexander V., born October; 28, 1882. Mr. Branch is a Democat politi- eally. His grandfather, John Branch, was a soldier in the Florida war. The father of Mrs. Branch, Joseph Roberts, settled in Rusk county at an early day, and there he followed the ocenpation of tanning in con- nection with that of farming, becoming well- to-do. lle married Rachel Stenson, and was called from life about 1858. Ilis children were named as follows: Virgil A., in Erath county, Texas, a prominent farmer; Amanda, the wife of the subject of this sketch; Samantha E., wife of E. Brown, married second time to Moses Ledwell, now a farmer in Erath; Henry O., a resident of Hopkins county, Texas; and Andrew B., a prominent farmer of Denton county, Texas.
Mrs. A. F. Branch, of this sketch, has an unele on her mother's side whose name is Henry Stenson. He is a prominent doctor, having a large practice in Thorndale, Milam county, Texas, and also runs a farm in the country. llis age is sixty-five years.
't.
OSEPHI W. McCLUNG, of Johnson county, is the eldest son of William W. and Mary A. MeClung, and a grandson of Renben MeChing, of Cobb county, Geor- gia. The latter was a man of profound re-
ligious convictions and was a deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. William MeClung were the parents of thir- teen children, viz .: Joseph W., onr subject; Elvira J., deceased, was the wife of Larkin M. Hewett, of Benton county, Alabama; Martha A., deceased, was formerly Mrs. Ab- salom Carter, of Cass county, Texas; George A., deceased; James R., W. J. and J. L., who died of diseases contracted in the army; Sarah E., the wife of J. M. Davis, of Cass county, Texas; Mary M., wife of Jolin IIeaf- ner, of Taylor county, this State; Nancy C., now Mrs. James llogne, of Cass county ; Emily F., wife of J. J. Baker, of Shackelford, Texas; J. F., a Baptist minister of Cass county; and Amanda, who died in girlhood.
Joseph W., our subject, was born in Gwin- nett county, Georgia, February 27, 1832, and at the age of three years his parents moved to Campbell county, Georgia. IIe remained at home until arriving at man's estate, when he married and moved to Sevier county, Arkansas, in 1856, one year later to Miller county, same State, and in 1867 to Cass county, Texas. In 1886 he came to his present location in Johnson county, and all the subsequent years were spent in tilling the soil, in which success attended his efforts in every case. In 1862 Mr. MeClung, in company with four brothers, enlisted in the Southern army, in the Nineteenth Texas Infantry, under Colonel Richard Waterhouse. Ile was at the battle of Perkins' Landing, Milliken Bend, Mansfield, and at the Jenkins and Ferry fight, where he was severely wounded, the ball passing through his body,
342
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
and on its way piercing the left lobe of his right lung. Being unable for further service he was honorably discharged.
At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Me- Clung was married to Amanda, a daughter of Joseph and Ellender Endsley, of Campbell county, Georgia. They are the parents of ten children, viz .: Mountsie, wife of Calvin Brown, who is now Treasurer of Cass county; William I., a Baptist minister at Midlothian, Texas; James II., a farmer of Johnson county ; Levina E., wife of Joseph Herring, of Cass county; Mary E., wife of S. P. Johnson, also of Cass county; Amanda C., now Mrs. A. L. Mahany, of Johnson county; the seventh child died in infancy; Robert F., Samnel W. and Joseph L., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Me- Clung have also kindly cared for a number of children left homeless by deceased rela- tives. In politics Mr. McClung is a Demo- erat; socially, is a Master Mason and a member of the Alliance; and religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
when he moved to Hillsboro, which has since been his home. Ilo is an active practitioner and has met with a fair degree of success. lle was elected Mayor of llillsboro in April, 1882, and held the office one term. In No- vember, 1888, he was elected County Judge, and re-elected in November, 1890, and in discharging the duties of this position was always considered impartial in his decisions. The principal event of importance which occurred during his term of office as County Judge was the building of the courthonse. Judge Abney was prominently connected with this enterprise by reason of his office. It was put up at a cost of $90,000, and is probably one of the handsomest and best buildings of the kind in the State.
Judge Abney was married December 15, 1884, to Miss Nettie Thompson, of Dayton, Marengo county, Alabama, of which place she is a native. They have two children- Jolin, born November 12, 1886, and Frances, born October 16, 1889. The Judge's imme- diate ancestors came from South Carolina, the old family seat being the Edgelield dis- triet, where his father and grandfather were born. The family came to Texas in 1853, and the father died in the Confederate army on the retreat from Corinth. Judge Abney is a member of the Methodist Church, and in social as well as public life is highly esteemed.
G. ABNEY, Judge of the Hill County Court, was born on the 20th of Fob- ruary, 1855, in Harrison county, Texas; was there reared and received his education in the public and select schools of Marshall and Gilmer, Texas, finishing at the Univer- sity of Virginia. Succeeding this he read law under Mabrey & MeKay, of Marshall, and was admitted to the bar before Judge Z. E. MOSS, banker, Morgan, Texas .- Mr. Moss, president of the National Bank of Cleburne, Johnson county, Norton at Longview in 1875. Ile at once opened an office in Marshall, and there prac- ticed his profession until February, 1880, Texas, but a resident of Bosque county, is one
.
343
AND HILL COUNTIES.
of the clear headed, enterprising business men of his day. He was born in Dallas county, Texas, and is a son of Azariah Moss, who was one of the first settlers of that county, locating there as early as 1834. The elder Moss was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, May 30, 1816, and his parents, John and Susan Moss, were both Virginians, but carly settlers of middle Tennessee. Azariah Moss remained in his native State until nineteen years of age and then came to Texas, making his home in Bowie county until 1837. He then returned to Tennessee, and on the 20th of December of that year was married to Miss Adeline S. Alford, a native of Wilson county, that State. Ile again returned to Texas and settled in Red River county, where his wife died November 4, 1848. July 3, 1849, he wedded Miss Christiana Watson, then of Red River county, but a native of Mississippi. Her parents, James and Rhoda (Banfield) Watson, were natives of North Carolina, where they attained their growth and were married, but they subsequently moved to Texas, by way of Mississippi, and settled in Red River county in 1835. They were pioneers there, and their house being a a fort was frequently resorted to by the carly settlers when hard pressed by the Indians. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moss resided in Red River county until 1851, when they moved to Dallas county, settling there on the 20th of Jannary of that year. Mr. Moss took up a headright in the southwest part of the county and camped on the prairie until he built a small split log house, 16 x 16 feet, into which he moved and there resided a
number of years. This cabin was replaced by a frame house the lumber for which was hauled 200 miles. This building is now standing and is occupied by the widow. Mr. Moss' death occurred there February 17, 1888. Ile had followed agricultural pur- suits all his life and had acenmulated consid- erable property. The eight children born to his marriage were named as follows: James F., now at Fort Worth; S. E. (subject); Mary, wife of James Allen, of Dallas county; Edmund L .; Ida, married Benjamin Frank- lin, and died December 4, 1878; M. P., still on the old homestead; Robert L., of Dallas county; and Emma, wife of Michael Thomas, of the city of Dallas. The father was a member of the Methodist Church and an excellent citizen. IIe was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. S. E. Moss was born on the old homestead, between Cedar Ilill and Lancaster in Dallas county, August 18, 1853, and was carly trained to the duties of the farin, receiving but a limited common- school education. IIe assisted his father on the farm until 1877, at which time he began selling lightning rods from the wagon, through the country, and then and there laid the foundation for his subsequent prosperous career. He began business in a small way, but this gradually increased and he made a great deal of money. He is still engaged in this business and now has twenty-four wagons on the road, covering the States of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi in his operations. With the money thus accumulated he em- barked in other enterprises, all of which have I brought him in good returns. He owns a
.
341
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
ranch of 4.000 aeres in Bosque county, all in a fine state of cultivation and probably the most valuable in the county. He owns a large amount of stock in the National Bank of Cleburne, of which he is pre-ident, and also owns stock in the First National Bank of Meridian, of which he is vice-president. lle at one time owned the water works at Cleburne, but sold out to the city. Mr. Moss recently purchased a fine $18,000 residence in Waco. He is just in the prime of life, and the high reputation he has always borne, together with his wide acquaintance in busi- ness and social circles, serve to stamp him as a gentleman with whom business relations must be pleasant and profitable to all con- cerned. Ile is pleasant and genial, is liberal with his means, and has a host of warm friends. Mr. Moss was married in July, 1877, to Mrs. R. Irving, of Bosque county, but a native of Washington county, Texas.
ILLIAM G. DAVIS, President of the First National Bank of Grand View, Johnson county, Texas, is descended from a family of note in this country, and wherevor its representatives have settled they have been recognized as prominent and influential members of society. William G. Davis is no exception to the rule, and is uni- versally acknowledged as a leader by his constituents. His financial ability is prover- bial, his energy and industry incontestible, and his moral integrity unreservedly ad- mitted.
lle was born in Madison county, Alabama, in 1816, and was the eldest son of Samuel K.
Davis (sce sketch). He came to Johnson county with his parents in 1855, and, with the exception of a short time spent in the army, attended subscription schools until 1566, after which he worked on his father's farm until 1870. In 1864, he enlisted at Mansfield, Louisiana, in Company C, Twelfth Texas Cavalry, under Captain Haley and in Colonel Parsons' regiment, the latter after- ward becoming Brevet Brigadier General. Mr. Davis served principally in West Louis- iana, in Mississippi and Arkansas, as a pri- vate, until the close of the war, when his command disbanded on Little river, this State, in May, 1865. He was principally engaged in skirmishing and scouting and was in no prominent engagements. Returning home when the war closed, he attended school, as above stated. In 1870 he embarked in general merchandising with A. C. Seurloek, now of Cleburne, until about 1873, when he clerked for S. B. Allen, of that town, for one year. lle afterward engaged in the stock business, and continues this at the present time.
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.