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 9
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 9
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).
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The first religious exercises wero held at old Grand View, which was then situated on the prairie some distance from the present town of that name. This town was first laid ont by F. L. Kirtley and has been twice moved: first, from the prairie where started to the edge of the cross timbers, and thence to where it now stands on the completion of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway through the country.
Other items, from Major Heath, are ap- priately incorporated elsewhere in this vol- ume.
Of the foregoing pioneers referred to, F. L. Kirtley died October 9, 1879; Jeremiah Easterwood, October 24, 1879, and Mr. J. M. Mckinsey in December, 1891. Mr. Easterwood, a native of Butler county, Georgia, was born May 1, 1803. At the age of fifteen years he emigrated with his father,
72
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
Simeon Easterwood, to Alabama, and . thence in succession to Gibson county, Tennessee; Mississippi, where he resided nine years; and finally to Texas, in 1852, settling in Johnson county the following year. He assisted in the organization of the county and became its first county elerk. Later he was elected connty treasurer, in which capacity he served about five years. He was ordained to preach by Bishop MeKendree, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1833, and afterward was always a consistent and honored Christian minister.
G. R. Edgar, as before noticed, settled on Noland's river, near the Three Forks, in 1851.
G. W. Freeland located in the western part of the county.
G. R. and George Dillard, now both de- ceased, were the oldest settlers in the north- west part of the county.
John Sykes located on Falls creek, in 1852, where he had to wait three or four years be- fore he could get his land surveyed.
B. S. Anglin, settling also on Falls ereck, in 1854 or 1855, now lives in Granbury.
Major E. M. Heath, viee-president of the First National Bank of Cleburne, settled within the present limits of Johnson county December 21, 1852, taking up his residence near the site of Alvarado. At that time there were only twenty-four families in the county, the settlements being confined to the eastern edge of the Cross Timbers. There was nothing like a town in the county, and only one post office, which was kept at the residenee of David Mitchell, about three and one-half' miles east of the place where Alva-
rado now stands. The settlers then went to Waxahachie, in Ellis county, and to Dallas and Lancaster, Dallas county. for such store supplies as they were able to buy; for bread- stuff's they went both to Dallas and Collin counties. The county was then attached for judicial and other purposes to Navarro county, and later for a short time to ITill and Ellis counties. The territory was in the old Rob- ertson Land Distriet, and the land office was located at old Franklin, the county seat, to which place the settlers went to file their claims. There was but little litigation then, the settlers being mostly concerned in making settlements and establishing themselves in their new homes.
By the winter of 1853-'54 the actual set- tlers had increased to about 100 families, and with this increase in the population the ques- tion of separate connty organization began to be agitated. A meeting was held that winter near Alvarado, possibly at one of the two stores which then constituted the town, and an organization effected; Mr. Ileath was appointed secretary of the meeting, and active steps were taken to have the county erected into a separate jurisdiction. Mr. Heath was directed to draw up a petition to the Legisla- ture, which he did, asking that a county be organized, the boundaries of which were set forth, but the name of which was not sug- gested. This petition was presented to the people, Mr. lleath doing most of the can- vassing, and was signed by all the bona-fide settlers of the county, at that time number- ing 107. (Major Heath is able to recall the names of 103 of the signers, and has
EMHeath
73
AND HILL COUNTIES.
Kindly furnished the list to the general his- torian.) The petition was mailed by him to the Hon. Jeff. Weatherford, Representative, then residing in Dallas county, in whose dis- triet the proposed new county lay, accom- janied by an appropriate letter setting forth the wishes of the citizens. Major Heath ulso wrote to General N. II. Darnell, who Was then a resident of Dallas county, asking his services in behalf of the new organiza- tion, as it lay in his district as Senator. Major Heath's name was suggested by these gentlemen to the Legislature in connection with the movement, and he received the ap- pointment as Commissioner to organize the county. After receiving his commission he went to Waxahachie, where he was sworn in before Justice E. M. Brack, receiving in- structions in regard to future proceedings. The enabling aet had been passed by the Legislature that winter. 1853-'54. The wheels of the new local government were soon set in motion and things moved along quietly and satisfactorily. Major Heath was hot elected one of the officers of the new county in the beginning, but later on was called to the discharge of public duty. Al- though he gave a great deal of attention to the business pertaining to the general wel- fare, he did not negleet his private interests. He had come into the county to make a home for himself and family, and made a settlement near Alvarado, in the eastern part of the county. A year later he took up his residence on Turkey creek, the locality since known as the Lee's Academy neighborhood. lle took up a headright there and engaged in 5
farming and stock-raising on a small seale until 1859. Having been elected to the office of Assessor and Tax Collector shortly after the county was organized, and the county seat having been removed to Buchan- an, he removed to that place in 1859, and re- sided there until the opening of the war.
Ile entered the Confederate service in April, 1862, volunteering in Captain H. G. Brnce's company, Twentieth Texas Cavalry. His regiment was assigned to duty in the territory west of the Mississippi, and he went at once to the front, joining the armies oper- ating in the Trans- Mississippi region. He was in a number of minor engagements, the most important being the battle of Elk Creek, in the Indian Territory. His com- pany entered with 152 men, and came out with forty-two; Major Heath was captured, as was also his Captain. He was taken North and transferred from prison to prison until he had been within the walls of seven, and finally was held at Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, for a period of sixteen months. In February, 1865, he was sent on exchange, and April 9 of the same year, the day upon which Lee surrendered, he reached the Con- federate lines and received a leave of absence from General E. Kirby Smith for thirty days. Although the news of the surrender was abroad in the land, the Major never re- laxed his efforts to reach his command, and held himself a willing servant to the cause he had espoused as long as there was a duty to be performed.
The documents supplied Major Heath when he was granted a furlough are still in
7.4
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
his possession, and following is a copy of them:
" Ileadquarters Trans- Mississippi Dep't,
"SHREVEPORT, La., April 14, 1865.
"Special Order No. 89.
" Leave of absence for thirty days is granted the following exchanged prisoners, and they will report to their proper commanders with- ont delay. Quartermasters will furnish trans- portation.
"Lientenant E. M. Heath, Twentieth Texas Cavalry.
"By command of
E. KIRBY SMITH.
"P. B. SEEDS, Major, Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen."
(First indorsement:)
"Transportation furnished in kind from Shreveport, Louisiana, to Rusk, Texas.
"T. R. HEARD, Major, S. P. Q. M."
(Second indorsement:)
"Transportation in kind furnished from Rusk to Waco, Texas.
" WILLIAM G. THOMAS, Capt. and A. Q. M." " Headquarters Trans- Mississippi Dep't. "SHREVEPORT, La., April 14, 1865.
"The within leave of absence is extended until the Ist day of June, 1865, at which time Lieutenant E. M. Heath will rejoin his command. By command of
"General E. KIRBY SMITH.
"J. F. BELTON, Adjt. Gen."
"Transportation Ofliee, " DALLAS, Texas, May 19, 1865. "Application for transportation to com- wand has been made to me by Lieutenant Heath. I have no transportation but what
is now required for transfer of troops under my charge, and do not consider it my duty to furnish it only by or upon application of Post Quartermaster to whom I am furnish- ing transportation. I. R. KANNADY,
"Capt. and I. P. Transpt."
"Post Quartermaster's Office,
" DALLAS, May 19, 1865. " It is impossible to provide the necessary transportation to Lieutenant Ileath at this time, on account of urgent demands on this office for transportation for sub-supplies to Marshall. F. A. RECTOR,
" Major and Q. M."
Major Heath entered the service as a private; he immediately became Lieutenant of his company, and later Sergeant; he acted as Adjutant a greater portion of the time, and was serving in this capacity when he was captured. He returned home the latter part of April, 1865, when he becaa.e thor- onghly satisfied that the war was ended. Ile traded a small piece of property, which he owned in Buchanan, for a farm, removed to this and took np the pursuit of agriculture. In 1866 he was elected Sheriff of Johnson county and filled that office until April 19, 1869, when he was removed under recon- struction measures. Ile could not take the ironclad oath required by act of Congress. Ile continued to reside on his farm until 1877, when he moved to Cleburne, and shortly afterward, in connection with his brother, Oliver S. Heath, opened a real-estate office, which he conducted a number of years. In 1581 he and his brother and C. W. Mertz
AND WILL COUNTIES.
founded the Johnson County Bank. (Sco account of banks in general history.) This bank was succeeded by the First National Bank, of which Major Heath became vice- president, and continues to lill that responsi- ble position to the present time. He has been an important factor in this institution, owning considerable stock and being one of the foremost men in shaping its affairs. In addition to his interest in the bank he owns property in the city of Cleburne and some valuable farm land in Johnson county. Of recent years he has devoted himself wholly to his private interests, not having held any public office, except that of town Councihnan, since he gave up the Sheriff's office in 1869. lle is now a member of the Conneil and is un active worker. He is not a seeker after publie office, but when called to a position of trust by his fellow-citizens he responds cheerfully and brings to the discharge of his duties that ability and judgment which has marked the transaction of his individual dealings.
Major lleath was born in Fountain county, Indiana, October 6, 1830, and was but six yours old when his parents removed from the Hoosier State to lowa, then Black Hawk par- chase, and settled near the present site of Mt. Pleasant. He was reared in that viein- ity, and resided there until 1852, when he esune to Texas and settled in Johnson county. fle grew up on a farm, and has all his life been identified with agriculture. lle has lived in this county about forty years, and is one of the oldest inhabitants; he has passed through many vicissitudes and privations,
and has bravely carried the burden of toil and responsibility which marks the progress of civilization on the frontier. He naturally feels that warmth of affection for his adopted home that the parent cherishes for the child whom he has watched develop from helpless infancy to rugged manhood. The Major's parents also came to this county, and their remains are interred within its borders.
Lambeth Heath, his father, will be re- membered by many of the older citizens of the county. Ile settled here some time in the '50s, coming from Iowa. He was a pio- neer in the best sense of that term, spending his entire life on the frontier, whither he carried the arts and industries of the most progressive age the world has yet seen. Ile was a native of North Carolina, and removed to Indiana at an early day when a young man; there he was married, and later went to Iowa, and thence to Texas. Ile died in Johnson county in 1880, at the age of eighty- three years. Lambeth Heath's wife was named Nancy Johnson; she was a daughter of Archibald Johnson, an early settler of Tennessee, and in that State she was born and partly reared. Her parents were also pioneers of Indiana, and there she met and married the father of Major Heath. She died in Johnson county, in 1871, at the age of seventy years. Major Heath had two brothers and three sisters who came to Texas after he took up his residence in the State: Archibald Johnson, who is now in the western part of the State; Mrs. J. N. Holland, now resident of Thorp's Springs, Hood county, Texas; Mrs. S. E. Ilowerton, who died at
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON
Mansfield, Tarrant county; Mrs. S. N. Har- ris, who died at Alvarado, Johnson county; and Oliver S., who was for many years a eiti- zen of that county; he died in Cleburne, in December, 1887.
Major Ileath was married near Mt. Pleas- ant, lowa, January 9, 1849, to Miss Mary Shaw, a daughter of Milo C. and Elizabeth Shaw; her father was a native of Mississippi and an early settler of Illinois, while the mother was born in Virginia; they were married in Tennessee and removed thence to Illinois. Mrs. Heath was born near De- catur, Illinois, and she was only a girl when her parents removed to Iowa and settled near Mt. Pleasant; there her mother died in 1862, and her father in 1864.
Major and Mrs. Heath are the parents of the following named children: Chester L., who is now the cashier of the First National Bank of Cleburne, a full sketch of whom is found on another page of this volume; El- bert N., an invalid at home; Ella, one of the teachers in the public schools of Cleburne; Myra E., wife of Prof. J. W. Mahan, princi- pal of Mahan's Commercial Colleges at Sher- man and Corpus Christi, Texas; Delia, widow of II. C. Allen; Pet, who is at home with her parents; and Lee Davis, a resident of Cleburne. The father, mother and children, with one exception, are members of the Christian Church. The Major's parents were members of the same church, but Mrs. Heath's people were Presbyterians.
Major Heath is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry. Ile is a strong
advocate of temperance reform, and during the great fight over the Prohibition question in this State a few years ago he led the Pro- hibition forces in Johnson county and did effective work in the cause. He is an en thusiastie supporter of the free-school sys- tem, and has done the part of a good citizen in promoting this most important institution in his county. Ile is a man of singularly temperate habits and is possessed of a fine physique in consequence; he is six feet one and a half inches in height, and is straight as an arrow; he has a clear, blue eye, a fresh complexion, and a step as elastic as in youth. Ile is well informed upon all the topics of the day, and is an encyclopedia of informa- tion upon the history of Johnson county. Since coming to the county he has occupied a position peculiarly his own, one that will be left vacant when he passes from the seenes of which he has so long been a part. That Johnson county realizes her indebtedness to Major Heath is clearly shown by the high regard in which he is held by all classes of citizens.
Of Colonel B. J. Chambers, Philip Walker and other pioneers, sketches are given at length elsewhere in this volume. See index. Joseph Shaw, " Uncle Joe," was born in Orange county, North Carolina, August 10, 1798. In 1845 he moved to Gibson county, Tennessee, as poor as North Carolina emi- grants generally are. December 23, 1854, he arrived here in Johnson county, with his family, pitching his tent near Buchanan. He stopped here, however, because he ran out of means to carry him forther. In 1857 he
77
AND HILL COUNTIES.
was elected Sheriff, to fill the unexpired term of Charles Colston. The county seat was then at Buchanan. In August, 1558, at the general election, he was re-elected to the same office, for the full term of two years, and was again re-elected in 1860, after which time he held no office. In his politics he was an old Henry Clay Whig, and after hi- party died he joined the Democratic. He mmassed a snug little fortune, by his good judgment in the management of prop- erty. llis town lots yielded a handsome monthly revenue. He continued to reside in Cleburne, conducting a hotel and saloon at the northwest corner of the public square, south from the Cleburne Hlouse, and also en- gaged in brokerage and lending money, until his death, about 1882, when he left a widow and children.
Colonel John Schaffer, who may be con- sidered one of the godfathers of Cleburne, was born in Richmond county, Georgia, March 19, 1813; and at the age of thirteen was taken by his parents, in change of resi- dence, to Augusta, where his father, James S. Schaffer, was elected to a high and responsi- ble oflico in the city government.
In 1831 the family removed to Dallas county, Alabama, where they engaged in farming, and where young Schaffer married Miss Cynthia Ilarris, in 1837.
February 15, 1846, he arrived with his fanily at Bonham, Fannin county, Texas, where he resumed his ocenpation as planter. Ile resided in the village of Bonham, how- ever. where he also engaged in the newspaper business. In connection with Joseph A.
Clark, later of Thorp's Springs, he published the Western Argus, a popular paper. In 1858 he moved to Parker county. On the breaking out of the war between the States, in 1862, he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of a frontier regiment. At the expiration of eighteen months' service our hero gave up his sword for the plowshare. In 1866 he settled in Johnson county, near where Cle- burne now stands. The next year he and his old friend, Jo Clark, erected the first grist and saw mill at or near Cleburne.
In recalling the memories of the olden time, as we have been obliged to do in re- eiting the foregoing reminiscences of pioneer citizens and primitive scenes, we experience that sad, sweet pleasure which it is the een- tral province of all history to inculcate. Let us turn our eyes and thoughts back to the log-cabin days of a third of a century ago, and contrast those homes with the comfort- able dwellings of to-day. Let us enter. In- stinctively the head is uncovered in token of reverence to this relic of aneestral beginnings, early struggles and final triumphs. To the left is the deep, wide fire-place, in whose commodious space a group of children may sit by the fire, and up through the chimney may count the stars, while ghostly stories of witches and giants, and still more thrilling stories of Indians and wild beasts, are whis- peringly told and shudderingly heard. On the great erane hangs the old tea-kettle and the great iron pot. The huge shovel and tongs stand sentinel in either corner, while the great andirons patiently wait for the huge back-log. Over the fire-place hangs
78
HISTORY OF JOHNSON
the trusty rifle. To the right of the fire- place stands the spinning-wheel, while in the farther end of the room is seen the old- fashioned loom. Strings of drying apples and poles of drying pumpkin are overhead. Opposite the door through which you enter stands a huge deal table; by its side the Iresser, whose pewter plates and " shining delf" catch and reflect the fire-place flames as shields of armies do the sunshine. From the corner of its shelves eoyly peep out the relies of former china. In a curtained corner and hid from casual sight we find the moth- er's bed, and under it the trundle-bed, while near them a ladder indicates the loft where the older children sleep. To the left of the fire-place and in the corner opposite the spinning-wheel is the mother's work-stand. Upon it lies the Bible, evidently much used, its family record telling of parents and friends a long way off, and telling, too, of children
"Scattered like roses in bloom, Some at the bridal, some at the tomb."
IIer spectacles, as if just used, are inserted between the leaves of the Bible, and tell of her purpose to return to its comforts when . cares permit and duty is done. A stool, a bench, well notehed and whittled and carved, and a few chairs, complete the furniture of the room, and all stand on a coarse but well- . scoured floor.
Let us for a moment watch the city visit- ors to this humble cabin. The city bride, in- nocent but thoughtless, and ignorant of labor and care, asks her city-bred husband, " Pray, what savages set this up?" Honestly con- fessing his ignorance, he replies, " I do not
know." But see the pair upon whom age sits " frosty but kindly." First, as they enter, they give a rapid glance about the cabin home, and then a mutual glance of eye to eye. Why do tears start and fill their eyes? Why do lips quiver? There are many who know why; but who that has not learned in the school of experience all these symbols of trials and privations, of loneliness and dan- ger, can comprehend the story that they tell to the pioneer? Within this chinked and inud-daubed eabin we read the first pages of our history, and as we retire to its low door- way, and note the heavy, battened door, its wooden hinges and its welcoming latch- string, is it strange that the scenes without should seem to be but a dream? But the cabin and the palace, standing side by side in vivid contrast, toll their own story of this people's progress. They are a history and a prophecy in one.
ORGANIZATION.
When the " fullness of time" appeared to have arrived, 107 voters signed a petition for the formation of Johnson county. Follow- ing are the names of all but four, whose names eannot be recalled :
Sam Myers. James Billingsley,
A. Futhey, Sam Billingsley,
William Carter,
Jonathan Billingsley,
James Evans, John R. Billingsley,
William Balch, Robert M. Billingsley, Jolin Billingsley,
John Baich,
James Coldiron,
Christoph'r Billingsley,
A. II. Onstott,
William C. Billingsley,
C. H. Hurst, Nathan Billingsley,
David Mitchell,
Elbert Billingsley,
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AND HILL COUNTIES.
George W. Quick, J. C. Quiek,
J. M. S. Billingsley, William Billingsley,
A. Jackson Bradley,
S. B. Kirkham,
T. J. Mills, William Mills,
W. G. Ray,
J. D. Myers,
T. J. Farris,
J. J. Mills,
Benjamin Brown,
Jesse Douglas,
G. R. Shannon,
F. L. Kirtley,
S. D. Bright,
William Goen,
B. J. Stacks,
W. S. Quinn,
Tom MeMilian,
Thomas L. Wilshire, Josiah Wilshire,
J. Easterwood,
Thomas Hailey, James llailoy, Wiley Jones,
Allen Ilailey,
L. W. Jones,
C. II. Jones,
J. Il. Jones,
R. P. Covington, J. B. Willeford,
J. W. O'Neal,
W. O. Mencfee, John Stephens, Lewis Tanzy,
James Mackey,
J. R. Mckinsey,
A. C. Johnston, D. R. Jackson, Radford Ellis, C. Wise, J. M. Toler, Zopher Foster, T. N. Hunter, John Ilunter, Sr., Jolın Hunter, Jr.,
John Fox, G. W. Meadow, Simeon Odom, A. D. Kennard, J. S. Morrow, P'. Walker, Lewis Goen,
J. S. Foster, W. T. Wise, .
W. L. Siegler, J. M. Tatum,
D. D. Myers, Jesse Billingsley,
John Robinson, W. W. Truitt, G. W. Austin.
Accordingly, Johnson county was created by act of the Fifth Legislature, passed Feb- ruary 13, 1854, as follows:
"SECTION 1 .- Be it enacted," etc., "that all that portion of territory lying west of Ellis county and north of Ilill county, south of Tarrant county, beginning at the northwest corner of Ellis county on the south bound- ary of Tarrant county; thence running due west, passing the southwest corner of Tar- rant county and continuing due west to the bank of the Brazos river, thence continuing due west ten miles; thence south, thirty de- grees east, to Bosque county; thence north, sixty degrees east, to the west bank of the Brazos river; thence down the same with its meanders to the northwest corner of Hill county; thenec north, seventy-five degrees east, to the northeast corner of Hill county, on the southwest boundary line of Ellis county ; thence north, thirty degrees west, to a point directly west of the southwest corner of Dallas county, to the place of beginning, -shall be and the same is hereby created a separate county, and called the county of Johnson."
While on the subject of county boundary lines let us proceed:
On the 6th of November, 1866, an act to define the boundary lines of Palo Pinto, Johnson and Erath counties was passed, see- tion 3 of which affects Johnson county as
1
Clementine Myers,
J. W. Rawls,
E. M. Heath,
E. B. Ray,
Joab Watson, Mat. Graham,
W. R. Shannon,
T. J. Quinn, - Quinn,
T. J. Blythe, J. L .. Blytho, William O'Neal,
Charles Neely, John Robinson, Jonathan Burk, G. II. Sigler, William Combes, Zur Combes,
Zerah Combes,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON
follows: "That the county of Johnson shall hereafter be bounded as follows: Beginning on the northeast bank of the Brazos river, at the upper corner of a 320-acre survey in the name of J. Lyon, which is also the lower corner of A. Farquhar's 320-acre survey; thenee due north to the intersection of the south line of Parker county; thence cast with the south line of Parker and Tarrant counties to the present north corner of John- son county; thence southeast with the west line of Ellis county to the north corner of Hill county; thence south to the north cor- ner of Ilill county" [seems tautological ]; "thence westward with the north line of Hill county to the Brazos river; thence following the meanderings of the Brazos river to the place of beginning."
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