A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Texas > Henderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48
USA > Texas > Freestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48
USA > Texas > Leon County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48
USA > Texas > Anderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48
USA > Texas > Limestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48
USA > Texas > Navarro County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 48

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he was an elder. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in Navarro county, in 1858, and he married Mrs. S. A. Myers, of that county. He was the father of seven children, five by his first marriage and two by his second, and they are: Telemachus Weir, subject of this sketch; Williamn, now deceased; Fanny, widow of J. W. Smith, resides at Tehnacana; Richard Harrison, of Wootan Wells, Robertson county; Mc- Grady, died in the Confederate service. The only survivor of the second marriage, Newton J., an attorney at Corsicana.

Our subject was born in Logan county, Kentucky, January 3, 1833, and was reared to the age of fourteen near Griggsville, Pike county, Illinois, whither his parents moved in 1834. He was only a youth when his parents came to Texas. Captain Wade engaged in the mercantile business at Chatfield and Porter's Bluff in Navarro county, when a young man, and afterward he was engaged in the same business at what was then called Wadeville, a village named for him, twenty miles east of Cor- sicana, but now it bears the name of Kereus.

He was married in 1859 to Trudie Sher- rill, a daughter of D. W. Sherrill, of Na- varro county. She died in 1861, leaving no children. Our subject entered the Con- federate army in the fall of 1861, enlisting in Captain Marion Martin's company, Bass' regiment, as a private. At the re-organ- ization, which followed in a few months, he was elected captain and served as such in Arkansas and Indian Territory, until his health failed and he resigned and came home, in 1863. He regained his health and re-entered the service, going back into

I. V.Wade .

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his old company as a private. He was soon elected lieutenant and shortly after appointed quartermaster, at Boggy depot, in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, where he served until the close of the war.

When the war was over he returned to Navarro county and resumed his mercan- tile pursuits there. In March, 1867, he married Miss Nannie Dollamite, of Tehua- cana, where he still resides, being attracted to that place by the healthfulness of the locality, the morality of the community, school facilities, etc., etc. He entered into mercantile business there, and later at Mexia, six miles distant, and was so engaged until 1882. His brother, Richard Harri- son, was interested with him. In 1882 they purchased an interest in Wootan Wells, in Robertson county, which is now a watering place of some repute; and, find- ing that to improve it as they wished would require all their funds. they sold their mercantile business and placed the proceeds in improvements at the Wells. He and his brother, R. H., now own a half interest, and Wootan Wells is one of the chief summer resorts of Texas. The grounds are well improved and in the large hotel everything is conducted with good taste. The waters possess pronounced curative properties and are noted far and wide. The place is liberally patronized by Texans throughout the State.

Soon after moving to Tehuacana, Cap- tain Wade became connected with the Trinity University, of that place, being elected to a place in the board of trustees, which position he has since held. He has for a number of years been treasurer of the school, is a member of the Cumberland

Presbyterian Church and is a man of great integrity and great morality. He is a great lover of home and a believer of all that tends to build up home influences. He is both a Mason and an Oddfellow and is zealous in the support of both orders. Three sons bear his name, Guy, Ray and Roy.

SCHOOLS.

Educational facilities in Limestone county before the war were confined to the private schools here and there where a settlement chose to call in some teacher from a dis- tance, or some teacher established one of his own motive. The large planters fre- quently sent their children away to favor- ite academies and colleges, in Texas as well as in other States. Old Springfield, of course, had her schools of a private character. The present educational facili- ties, however, have all sprung up since the war, and represent the new order of things. In considering them let the great denomi- national school, which is the representative of the private schools, the county common schools under the jurisdiction of the county judge, and finally the several independent town districts, be noticed in the order given.

The first real movement for better edu- cational facilities after the war closed and life again became settled, was destined to be about the beautiful hills and springs inade famous in early days by the Tehua- cana Indians, whose name they bear. The place has been varionsly known as Tehua- cana, Tehuacana Hills, and Tehuacana Springs, and its beauty, elevation and healthfulness has been known since the earliest days of Texas, when it was one of

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the few well known landmarks on its traek- less prairie expanse. From its heights a vast and beautiful array of scenery is be- held, the eye covering by its glance a radius of from twenty to twenty-five miles or more. Among those who mnade their homes in these beautiful surroundings in 1869 was Major John Boyd, whose vast acres included some of the famous springs. It was he who at that time conceived it possible for such a year as 1892 to witness the arrival each autumn at Mexia of

ing like a sentinel over it all. So he did, and it is realized.

It came about in this manner:

In the fall of 1866 three synods of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, those of Brazos, Colorado and Texas, began an agi- tation for a denominational institution of higher education in Texas, especially with a view of seeuring to the denomination a greater number of well equipped candi- (lates for its ministry. Large bodies move slowly, and the committees appointed by

TRINITY UNIVERSITY-ACADEMIC BUILDING. (Property of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Texas.)

about 300 young men and women, who, in groups or singly, might take the daily hack out over the six-mile avenne to the northwest, past telephone and telegraphı poles, and finally alighting at the end of their journey at the campus, whose park- like proportions extended over acres and acres, dotted here and there with university buildings, whose chief was the great stone college building itself, with its tower stand-

these three Texan synods finally met at Waco on April 26. 1869, to effect the loca- tion of the institution, now fully decided upon and provided for. After considering the various offers made by as various com- munities of the State seeking its location among them, they finally decided on the large real-estate offer made chiefly by Ma- jor John Boyd, of Tehnacana Hills. This offer was the donation of 130 acres, where

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the campus and town now stand, and 1,400 acres a short distance removed from it, which was to be sold in 20-acre lots, whose proceeds were to erect the main building. This was accepted and the new school was christened Trinity University and given the motto, " E tribus unum," which so well suits its name. Its name is appro- priate from whatever point it may be viewed, whether indicative of the river val- ley which has given so many societies a name, or typifying the union of the three synods in erecting it, or as emphatic of the character of the Godhead for whom the church exists. A company was or- ganized, composed of friends of the uni- versity, who' bought a large tract of land near the grounds and donated fifty acres and a large frame building to the new in- stitution. Forthwith, in September of that year, the first session opened with but four or five students. It began to grow im- mediately and very soon required more room. In 1871 the main building was begun and finished two years later at a cost of $25,000.

The institution was now thoroughly es- tablished, and in 1871 its first graduates were Revs. J. Sanford Groves, A. B., and Rev. J. L. Modrall, A. B., the former now of Mexia, and the latter deceased. In 1872 they had two more, five in 1873, seven in 1874, sixteen in 1875, the highest number ever graduated. Every succeeding year has shown a goodly number suited to the facilities of the school. These have been drawn chiefly from Texas but also from New York, Indian Territory, Colo- rado, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, and number 175. Of course, a school's

attendance is always far above the propor- tions indicated by the number in a gradu- ating class, for large numbers attend all schools who do not graduate, so that there is no surpise when it is known that the current attendance ranges about 300 stu- dents.

The university's course has been slowly developed and extended until now it has four main departments: the preparatory, the college, the special schools, and the post-graduate work. The preparatory de- partment has its primary grammar and high schools; the collegiate department its school of mathematics and astronomy, nat- ural and physical science, English and his- tory, ancient languages and philosophy; the special department, its schools of normal work, biblical or theological work, commercial work, music and needle-work; while its post-graduate department gives advanced courses in mathematics, civil en- gineering, English and history, science, philosophy, and the ancient languages.

These are now under the direction of a large faculty, composed of President B. D. Cockrill, who is Aston Lecturer and Pro- fessor of Philosophy; D. S. Bodenhamer, A. M., Ph. D., in the Johnson chair of Mathematics; L. A. Jolinson, A. M., Ph. D., in the chair of English and History; Jesse Anderson, A. M., Professor of An- cient Languages; S. L. Hornbeak, A. M., holding the professorship of Natural and Physical Science; Miss Kate Spencer, Prin- cipal of the Grammar School; Miss M. Reed, instructor in the same; Miss Mary A. Boyd, A. B., assistant in Mathematics; Mrs. Paralee G. Johnson, Principal of the Primary School; Prof. V. S. Nelson, in

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

charge of the Commercial School: Miss M. Blanton, Principal, and Miss M. L. Kin- cannon, assistant in the Musical School; Miss Roxie Ilarris, in charge of Stenogra- phy and Typewriting; and Miss M. Dysart, in the Art School,-making a faculty of fourteen.

To whose management is this due?

The first president elected was Rev. T. B. Wilson, but on his refusal to serve W. E. Beeson, D. D., was chosen, and it was under his guidance that the school grew, up to the time of his death on September 5, 1882, except the short period of one year. From that time until 1885 Dr. B. G. McCleskey's presidency was fruitful in awakening the church to complete the present main building, which was begun in 1886, and completed only in 1892, and is now by far the leading structure on the campus, and contains twenty-eight rooms. Since the death of Dr. McCleskey, in 1885, and while these extensive improvements have been made, the presidency has been ably and enthusisastically filled by Rev. B. D. Cockrill, to whose skillful manage- ment, broad scholarship and executive ability all bear willing witness.

Beginning in 1869 with nothing, the endowment has, in 1892, become $30,000; the buildings are valued at $75,000; other property in lands, etc., is valued at $25,- 000; there is a special fund for young ministerial students; its boarding hall is quoted at $1,000; and besides exemption from taxes, a State law forbids the sale of liquor within two miles of its buildings. In addition to this the school is in a pros- perous condition and out of all debt. The

president of the board of trustees is Hon. D. M. Prendergast, of Mexia.

The public school system had a begin- ning and slow growth here as well as else- where. The story is nearly the same in all communities. It has been taken hold of with interest and vigor more effectively so that results were evident since 1880. Indeed the progress since that time lias laid such excellent foundation that since 1890 it has grown into as great enthusi- astic and able financial support as could be desired or expected. The last three years have shown remarkable increase in public interest, so that four places have become independent districts, the largest number of such districts that any county covered by the scope of this volume can show. These four are Mexia, Groesbeck, Kosse, and Thornton.

It would be very difficult to name those who have been most influential in promot- ing this interest; probably the schools and the children themselves have been the best witnesses. Certainly the presence of Trin- ity University has been no small influence, not to speak of the active interest of its professors. Then again the leaders of the schools at Mexia, Groesbeck, Kosse, and Thornton have had a good deal to do in the matter, such as the present principal, R. B. Cousins of Mexia, W. W. Wyatt of Groesbeck, J. T. Hall of Kosse, and H. P. Davis of Thornton; among teachers otherwise, Professor Chambers, now of Corsicana, Parks of Mexia; Morris, now of the Groesbeck Jonrnal; Overby, now of Mart, and many others; while among the promoters ontside of the profession are such men as Oliver, Walker and

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others of Groesbeck; Blake, Besling, Ross and others of Mexia; Dr. Poindexter and others of Kosse; and a goodly number at Thornton, who have done good work, of whom this is intended for merely an illus- trative, not a complete, list.

Not least among these influences has been the Teachers and Trustees' Educational Association, which has met twice a year since its organization about 1887, nnder Judge Cobb. The president is now Mr. J. G. Walling. In addition to this were two general movements begun in 1890. One, a Inost effective power in this line, was the Teachers' Institute, of which Professor J. Thomas Hall, of Kosse, is president; and the other, due chiefly to Dr. L. A. John- son of the University, was the Summer Normal, which has been hield ever since. The next movement will no doubt be for the establishment of the county superin- tendency, which always comes when the system begins to show such vigor as that of Limestone now exhibits.

What are the results ?

Not counting the independent districts, which will receive special mention further on, the funds are in good condition; in 1891 about $27,000 was received and about $25,000 disbursed. The population of the county, 21,687, is 17,199 white to 4,479 colored, about 4 to 1 in ratio. The schools are 101 in number, giving the whites 79 and the colored people 22, with a teaching force of 88 white and 25 colored. The pupils number 3,383 for the whites and 905 for the colored people, making a total of 4,288. For this work there are buildings of wood amply suffi- cient, owned chiefly by the communities

themselves, as the county owns only abont $1,100 worth.

It is always interesting to see how these pupils are distributed, and since these fig- ures do not include the four large inde- pendent districts, which draw largely from the county, that must be allowed liberally for when the statement is made that there are but eight white and three colored schools having more than one teacher. The only one of these having more than two is that at Pleasant Grove, a white school, with three teachers. Those of the white schools having two teachers are Prairie Grove, Shiloh, Kirk, Utalı, Independence, Pottersville, and Tiger Prairie. The three colored schools having more than one teacher are Springfield, Woodland and Shady Grove, each having two teachers The other ninety schools, both white and' colored, have each one teacher.

The Mexia public schools were assumed control of about 1883 by her own people as an independent district. At first the old Masonic hall was used and General Moore became their first principal. They very soon prepared a large and pictur- esque building for the white school, that cost about $10,000 or more. The colored schools were also provided with quarters, equally suitable, for about $1,000. Vari- ous improvements have been made from time to time, such as additional rooms, the foundation of a library, and the like. The school attendance increased so that by 1890 there were a total of 452 enrolled, 350 of which were in the white and 102 in the colored schools. This was considerably larger than the scholastic population, so that it is seen that a goodly number are

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

drawn from the surrounding country. Of course its attendance is much increased now. The schools have long had a high school department that fits for college. These improvements have been made largely under the long superintendency of Professor R. B. Cousins.

Groesbeck's public schools have had an equally pleasant growth. One of the prin- cipals that gave the schools their earliest strong impulses was Professor W. C. Morris, the present editor of the Journal. When the town took charge of her schools she be- gan the erection of suitable buildings, one for the whites and one for the negroes. The white schoolhouse is an excellent structure, valued at about $2,500; the col- ored people have a neat building, costing about $150. The white pupils number 350 in all and are under the care of five teachers; while there are bnt about forty in the negroes' school, all under one teach- er. This makes a total school force of about 400 and a staff of six teachers, and the schools under the skillful care of Su- perintendent W. W. Wyatt. The white schools have a course whose high school features enable a student to prepare him- self for entrance to college.

Kosse had for many years two separate schools, but about a year ago it was voted to make it an independent district and Professor J. Thomas Hall was secured as superintendent. During the first year there was at once an attendance of 225, and the people immediately showed their purpose by voting an additional tax of 50 cents on the $100. They now have six teachers. The colored schools have an attendance of

80. The course is keeping pace with the vigor shown in other lines.

The Thornton schools have also recently become an independent district. These schools have long had a good reputation, and have furnished an unusual number of leaders in the promotion of the school interests of the county. Their present superintendent is Professor H. P. Davis.

CHURCHES.

Early church history in these counties of the middle Trinity valley liad much the same comprehensiveness of movement in it that characterized the operations of Colonel Chandler's ranging company. When the Baptists put their work in the vast Brazos- Trinity region in the hands of Elder Z. N. Morrell to develop it, he planted in what is now Leon county in one week, and the next in Limestone or Navarro, as though the county were all one. But this has been told in his own words in the denominational sketch of Navarro county, in this volume, in which is also given the general charac- teristics of the growth of religious work in all these parts of the middle Trinity valley, so that no repetition is necessary at this point. In that sketch will also be found reference to the very unfortunate condition of present records of pioneer work, which, while good in one denomination, is so faulty in another that to do anything like justice to them all becomes impossible. The best that can be done is to take some one denomination as an illustration of a progress that is much like those of its sister societies who began at the same time. This is especially true of the Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterian (Cumber-

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land), for these are aggressive bodies that are continually expanding their borders, and, as in the case of Limestone, have be- come the leading denominations of the present. This would not be true of the Primitive Baptists, or " Hard-Shell," or " Anti-Missionary, Baptists," as they have been more commonly known; for while they were practically first in the field in the persons of the Parker family, their numbers comparatively are now but few.

As an illustration of the planting of the three old denominations, let the career of the Cumberland Presbyterians be taken, and this will be especially appropriate for Limestone, since this body has honored her with its State university. " Limestone county in early days," writes Rev. R. E. Sanders, an old veteran and pioneer Texan in this faith, " was not like it is now. All of Freestone and a part of Falls belonged to it then. So Cotton Gin Cumberland Presbyterian church, now of Freestone, then in Limestone, was the first and was organized in May, 1848. Blue Ridge church, then in Limestone, now in Falls, was next organized, in August, 1848. Steele's Creek, now Pottersville, began in September, 1850, and Navasota church in the summer of 1853. Fairfield church was established in 1852, and Spring Grove church in 1856." Then there seems to have been none planted after that before 1870. " Bethel church was begun in July, 1871," he continues; " and Tehuacana church in July, 1870, with Horn Hill in July, 1875. · Mexia church was begun in April, 1871, Kosse in the summer of 1876, Thornton in the same year, and Groesbeck's date I have forgotten. The Methodists and Bap-

tists have churches at the four last men- tioned places, of about the same age." The records of this presbytery previous to 1860 have been destroyed.

As the Methodists, Baptists and Cumber- land Presbyterians were earliest on the field, so they are now the largest, and, in relative size, probably they would range in the order above given. There is no common standard of measurement, as has been indicated in the Navarro church chap- ter, except that of the census of 1890, and of the figures not so far issued there are those of the Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations, so that these cannot be compared with the others except in estimate. It is believed, however, that the Methodists are the more numerous, and the Baptists a close second, while the Cum- berland Presbyterians are third, but not a close third. Besides these there are four other denominations among the white people, and among the colored people the Methodist and Baptist faiths prevail. The other four white denominations are the Pres- byterian (old-school), Episcopal, Catholic and Christian, with scattered members of other communions in various parts of the county.

The Methodist Episcopal Church South, as the largest, has twenty-three organiza- tions in the county (census of '90) and fif- teen buildings, valued at $17,400. Sup- porting this is a membership of 1,519. No other denomination whose figures are so far issued compares with this. Its churches are in the Corsicana district of the Northern Texas Conference, which was organized twenty-seven years ago. Mexia is the only station.

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

The Baptists began in Limestone, as has been described in the Navarro sketch, by Elder Z. N. Morrell. They are now united with Freestone county in the Prairie Grove Association, which was organized twelve years ago, 1880. It has eleven churches in Limestone, the largest of which is at Mexia, with those of New Salem, Prairie Grove, and Groesbeck coming next in size. The larger number of the churches are in Freestone.

The Cumberland Presbyterians have the churches already described. They are eight in number, with five buildings, valued in the aggregate at $7,200. The county membership in 1890 was 463.

The other denominations range in tem- bership from probably 200 down and have their scattered membership gathered to- gether, as a rule, in one organization. These are the Presbyterian (old-school), Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, and Chris- tian or Disciple churches, which center in the larger towns. All these societies are, as a rule, well supplied with good buildings. These denominations have generally come in, as far as organization is concerned, since the close of the war, and are now do- ing well.

STATISTICAL.

As a summary or general footing up of the Limestone county figures, there has been nothing issued more excellent than the latest issue from the office of Commis- sioner of Statistics, J. E. Hollingsworth, of Austin. It is a tale of totals.

Limestone county was formed in 1846 from Robertson county. In 1848 its northern limits were extended and took in

its bounds a small strip of Navarro county.

The Navasota river takes its rise in the northwestern portion of the county, and flows through the county in a sontheasterly direction. Steel, Christmas and Big creeks, with several small running streams, furnish ample water supply. Wells and cisterns are largely used for domestic pur- poses. Well water is obtained at a depth varying from fifteen to forty feet.

About two-thirds of the area of the county is rolling prairie land. The re- mainder is covered with different growths of timber indigenous to this section of the State. That along the water courses is especially dense and of a superior quality.

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Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 954

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954