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 61

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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61
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 61

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This public system was adopted in full efficiency about 1882, and in the last two years has won for itself enthusiastic sup- port. It has been developed by the county judges, who are ex-officio superintend- ents, and the professional interest and spirit of the teachers led to the organi- zation of the County Teachers' Institute in 1886.

It will be recalled that the population of Leon county is predominantly white, in the proportion of 8,361 to 5,480, so that the white pupils in the schools number about 2,250 to about 1,600 in the colored districts. These are distributed among 51 white and 35 negro schools, under the care of about 105 teachers. The county owns about 15 buildings, all of wood. The largest of the colored schools is that at Leona.

RELIGIOUS.

When Elder Z. N. Morrell came into the Brazos-Trinity region as a missionary for the Baptist churches, Leona church was about the first one he organized ; but his story has already been told in the religious sketch of Navarro county, so it need not

be repeated here. Suffice to say that the Leona Baptist Church was the first organ- ization in the county, and from there went out other influences under such early ministers as Revs. Nash, Creatte and others still later, that has made the Bap- tist almost a leader, in size, of the denomi- nations of the county. Mt. Zion and Concord are among its oldest churches in the entire association of nineteen churches and 885 members. This is the old associ- ation that was organized in 1848, forty - four years ago.

As usual, the Methodist Church was not far behind the Baptist in the new county. Indeed, with their accustomed vigor and aggressive work, they have made such progress as to make it difficult to decide whether they or their sister denomination, the Baptists, have the largest numbers. It may be said that practically every set- tlement has its Methodist church, and even in 1890, the latest county figures ob- tainable, the county had twelve organiza- tions, nine of which were supplied with their own buildings, aggregating a total cost of $8,000. At that time the county had 537 members. Of course the largest of the churches are usually in the larger towns, for the bulk of the church mem- bership is in these two denominations, the Methodist and Baptist.

The Cumberland Presbyterians made a rather early movement at organization in this county at Bolding, but this society has become defunct. It has three churches in the county, however, of a late date, those at Jewett and Buffalo being the oldest, each less than a decade old. They had ninety-two members in the county in 1890.

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LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

There are other denominations among the white people, but they have all been of recent arrival,-at least since the war. These are the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Christians (or Disciples), and the Method- ist Protestant.

The colored people are chiefly Method- ists and Baptists.

The general features of pioneer religious life and also the life among the colored Christian people have been so fully de- scribed in the chapters on religious life in the largest of these six counties in this volume, that it is presupposed that the reader will have seen them before laying aside the account of his own home.

FROM THE CENSUS.

Statistics are the bookkeeper's view of the business, and many are more inter- ested in that view than in any other. While it is not necessarily the true view always, it is a splendid side-view. The fol- lowing is from the State Bureau of Statis- tics:

Leon county was formed in 1846 from Robertson county, It is situated in the southeast central portion of the State, and has the Trinity and Navasota rivers for its eastern and western boundaries. There are several lakes and springs in the county that add to the water supply.

The soil is a white sandy and red loam, and yields well under ordinary cultivation. Farming is the chief employment of the people. Stock are profitably raised in con- nection with the farm. The county is nearly all woodland, post oak, blackjack, pine and hickory constituting the principal growth.

The International & Great Northern Railroad traverses the western portion of the county in a southwesterly direction. It has an extent in the connty of forty-six miles, with property valued at $300,000.

The religions denominations are nearly all represented by membership. The Bap- tist, Primitive Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist churches have church organi- zation.

The county was organized in 1846, and contains an area of 1,049 square miles.

Population-United States census, 1880, 12,817; 1890, 13,841; increase, 1,024.

Number of votes cast for governor in 1890, Democratic, 1,095; Republican, 513; total, 1,608.

Centreville is the county seat: popula- tion 288. The other principal towns in the county are: Buffalo, population 310; Rogers' Prairie, population 239; Oak- wood, population, 231; Marquez, popula- tion 482; Jewett, population 363; Leona, population 58; Guy's Store, population 158.

Value of Property .- The assessed value of all property in 1890, $1,866,674; in 1891, $1,899,205; increase, $23,331.

Lands .- Improved lands sell from $2 to $7 per acre, unimproved for from $1 to $4 per acre. The average taxable value of land in the county is $1.79 per acre. Acres State school land in the county, 12,212.

Marriages .- Number of marriages in the county during the year, 193; di- vorces, 11.

Schools .-- The county has a total school population of 3,850, with 34 school houses, and gives employment to 69 teachers. Average wages paid teachers: White- males $46, females $41; colored -- males

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$45, females $40.50. Total number of pupils enrolled during the year, 4,620; average attendance, 2,416, and the average length of school term 5.5 months. The estimated value of schoolhouses and grounds is $8,500; school apparatus $1,- 200, making total value of school property $9,700. . Total tuition revenue received from the State, $15,400 ..

Farm and Crop Statistics .- There were 20 mortgages recorded in the county dur- ing the year, the amount of such mort- gages

being $24,617.15. There were recorded 871 chattel mortgages to produce crops, the total amount of such mortgages being $78,734.65. There are 1,610 farms in the county; 615 renters on farms; 248 farm laborers were employed on the farmns of the county during the year; average wages paid, $11 per month. Value of farm implements, $5,975.

The farmers of this county purchased during the year 83,280 pounds of bacon, 41,495 pounds of lard, 2,175 bushels of corn, 9,825 gallons of molasses.

The products and value of the field crops for 1890 were:

Cotton-27,280 acres, 13,765 bales, $550,600; cotton seed-6,882 tons, $55,- 056; corn-24,960 acres, 199,680 bushels, $99,840; oats-2,100 acres, 10,500 bushels, $5,250; sweet potatoes-600 acres, 60,000 bushels, $30,000; Irish potatoes-69 acres, 1,720 bushels, $1,720; peas-200 acres, 3,000 bushels, $4,500; cane syrup-175 acres, 300 barrels, $6,000; sorghum mo- lasses-385 acres, 480 barrels, $7,680.

Fruits and Garden .- Acres in peaches, 285; value, $8,765; in plums, 33; value,

$1,100; in melons, 95; value, $1,500; in garden, 390; value, $25,490.

Bees .- Stands of bees, 2,365; pounds of honey, 40,130; value, $4,013.

Wool .- Number of sheep sheared, 750; pounds of wool clipped, 1,500; value, $300.

Live Stock .- Number of horses and mnles, 5,082; value, $174,075; cattle, 28,- 911; value, $126,220; jacks and jennets, 17; value, $1,940; sheep, 1,088; value, $1,065; goats, 1,388; value, $1,190; hogs, 11,249; value, $11,220.

County Finances .- The rate of county tax on the $100 valuation for 1890 was 50 cents. On December 31, 1890, there was a balance in the county treasury of $648.60. The indebtedness on December 31, 1890: Outstanding courthouse bonds, $28,000; total county indebtedness, $28,000.

The county expended during the year $1,985.39 for roads and bridges, $700 for support of paupers, $288 for grand jury, $1,349.50 for petit jury. Total amount expended for the support of the county government, $13,709.01.

Criminal Statistics .- There were incar- cerated in the county jail of the county during the year 32 persons-mnales, 29; females, 3; white, 11; colored, 21-on the following charges: Murder, 2; theft, 8; burglary, 1; assault to murder, 2; assault and battery, 1; rape, 4; all other charges and crimes, 14.

Miscellaneous .- There are in the county 11 lawyers, 2 dentists, 56 mercantile estab- lishments, 2 sawmills, 6 retail liquor dealers.

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LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTES.

ILLIAM ELLIOTT DOYLE, at- torney at law, Mayor of the town of Mexia, and the editor of the Banner Democrat, is a prominent and in- fluential citizen.

He was born in Pickens district, South Carolina, in 1846, which is now Oconee county, South Carolina, where he was reared and received a common English education. He entered the Confederate army in February, 1864, enlisting in Com- pany G, Seventh South Carolina Cavalry, Gory's brigade, and served in Virginia. He was in the second battle of Cold Har- bor and in the general skirmishes up to September 29, 1864, when he was taken prisoner and confined at Camp Lookout, Maryland, until March, 1865. He was paroled for thirty days at Richmond, and while he was at home the surrender took place.

After the war he went to school and taught school in his native county. He came to Texas in December, 1867, and taught at Acton, Hood county, and at other points in the same county. Finally, in September, 1873, he came to Limestone county and took up his residence at Tehua- cana Hills, where he engaged as clerk for T. W. & R. H. Wade, who carried on a general merchandise business. In the meantime he attended the law department of Trinity University at this place. He then came to Mexia and engaged in clerk- ing for eighteen months, continuing the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in March, 1882, at Groesbeck, L. D. Brad- ley being District Judge. He at once en- tered into the practice of law and became interested in politics. He was elected Jus-

tice of the Peace, and later Mayor of the town of Mexia, which latter office he has held for fourteen years. He helped to or- ganize the First National Bank of Mexia in 1883, took stock in it and became a member of the board of directors. Three years later he sold out his interest in this institution. He has taken an active inter- est in all matters of general improvement and is one of the public-spirited, leading men of the county. In January, 1891, he assumed the editorial control of the Mexia Ledger, with which paper he continued his connection until September, 1892, when he established the Mexia Banner. Janu- ary 1, 1893, lie consolidated the Banner with the Mexia Democrat, and, as stated at the beginning of this article, is now the editor of the Banner Democrat.

Mr. Doyle married Mrs. Sally L. See- ley, June 2, 1886. This lady was born in Macon, Georgia, and is a daughter of Dr. Robert Adams, a former well-known citi- zen of Freestone county.

Mr. Doyle is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Knights of Py- thias. He is a stanch Democrat and one that stands well in the councils of the party,

C. TALBOT, who was elected Clerk of the Navarro County District Court in November, 1890, is a na- tive of Kemper county, Mississippi, and was born August 22, 1859. He is the only son of Mathew and Sarah Powe Tal- bot, the former of whom was a native of Alabama, and the latter a native of Mis- sissippi. Mathew Talbot was a physician

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

and followed his profession successfully until his death, which occured when the subject of this notice was in his fourth year. Twelve years later the mother died; then young Talbot with his two sisters was taken into the family of an uncle, the Rev. A. R. Scarborongh. a minister of the Bap- tist Church, by whom he was partly reared and mainly educated. His earlier educa- tion was obtained in the schools of Ala- bama; later he attended college at Glasgow and Louisville, Kentucky, quitting the Uni- versity of Lonisville in his twentieth year, in 1870, and coming to Texas, where he be- gan life for himself. He located at Dawson, Navarro county, in December of the year just mentioned and found his first employ- ment at this place as clerk in a drug store. A year later he took charge of a branch house there belonging to Montgomery & Sutherland, furniture dealers, which posi- tion he held till this interest was sold out in 1885. He then came to Corsicana and went on the road as traveling salesman for the Texas Mill & Elevator Company, and traveled for that company until he was elected District Clerk in November, 1890, on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Talbot has made a very efficient clerk. He was elected by a handsome majority, receiving the sec- ond largest vote cast for any candidate at the November election in 1890, and he has steadily grown in favor with the peo- ple. In many ways he is specially adapted to fulfill the duties of the position he holds, being neat, accurate and rapid in handling clerical work, always at his post and courteous and accommodating to all.

April 15, 1885, he married Miss Cinnie Barry, a daughter of Major A. Barry, now

of Tehuacana Hills, Limestone county, but formerly of Navarro county and one of the county's earliest settlers, as he was for many years one of her worthiest citi- zens. (A sketch of him appears elsewhere in this work.) Of this union four children were born: Bryan B., Abner B., Madge and Jannie. Mrs. Talbot is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Talbot is a member of the Elks and of the Masonic fraternity, has taken the thirty-second degree, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine.

He is a liberal, progressive, pubic-spir- ited citizen, and is one of the youngest men ever elected to office in Navarro county, having no "influence" on which to draw, but, having sought and obtained the office on his own merits, his election may justly be considered a high compli- ment to his character and ability. He was nominated ahnost by acclamation on the regnlar Democratic ticket for re-election in 1892, and was elected after a close con- test.

Mr. Talbot is the only representative of his name in Navarro county, two sisters being residents,-the older, Mrs. J. A. Cunningham, of Jackson, Tennessee, and the younger, Mrs. A. G. Lard, of Shannon, Mississippi.

AMES L. WALTON, cx - Sheriff of Navarro county, and a farmer by oc- cupation, was born in Tennessee, Octo- ber 22, 1836. His father, J. S. Walton, was born in Virginia, November 24, 1807. He was an early settler in Tennessee, and

Jamies Armou- Mors Jas. Armour

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LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

about the year 1840 moved his family to Arkansas, where he lived until 1845, when he removed to Texas, locating near Bon- ham, in Fannin county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1852 he bought a tract of land on Briar creek, Navarro county, and opened up and began farming. He was elected Constable of his precinct, and proved himself so efficient an officer that he was afterward elected Sheriff of his county, performing the du- ties of that office several years before the war. Mr. Walton married Eliza, a daugh- ter of James Lanier, of Virginia, and they were the parents of seven children: Mary, deceased; Eliza, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Elias Reeves; William, deceased ; J. L., our subject, and Thomas and Jesse, twins. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in Arkansas, in 1842; his father is now living in Glen Rose, Somervell county, Texas. The grandfather of our subject, William Walton, was a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the war of 1812. He was twice married, and for his second wife he married Mr. Walton's maternal grandmother, Lanier.

J. L. Walton began life for himself at the age of eighteen years, working with stock as a hired man for five years. He then began farming, and a short time af- terward was elected Constable of his pre- cinet, which office lie satisfactorily filled two terms. When the late war broke out he enlisted in Parsons' Twelfth Texas Regiment, Company F, under Captain McKee. He served in the Trans-Missis- sippi Department, and participated in the battles consequent to the Banks' and Steele's raids. After the Yellow Bayou

fight, having been wounded, he received a furlough and came home, but sixty days later rejoined his command at. Moscow, east Texas, and did only picket and camp duty the remainder of the war. After the close of hostilities Mr. Walton was re- elected Constable, serving one term. In 1884 he was elected Sheriff of the county, to succeed E. E. Dunn, and since that' time has given his entire attention to ag- ricultural pursuits. He owns 400 acres of fine land, 300 acres of which is under a good state of cultivation.

In 1859 our subject was married to Mary L., a daughter of George and Mary (Redden) Patty, of Tennessee. Her father died in 1886 and her mother now resides with her. To this union has been born nine children, viz .: Jesse, deceased; Lue, wife of J. H. Pitman; Della, deceased; George; Thomas; Lillie, deceased; Willie, Minnie and Martin. In politics Mr. Wal- ton it a Democrat. Socially, he affiliates with the Masonic orders and I. O. O. F .; and religiously is a member of the Meth- odist Church.

AMES ARMOUR .- Monuments of brass and stone are sometimes raised to the memory. of men, but few have their names perpetuated in such a substan- tial way as does the subject of this sketelı in the thriving and beautiful village of Armour, Limestone county, Texas.

Mr. Armour, of this notice, was born in Jackson county, Georgia, August 10, 1825, being the tenth of fourteen children of Andrew and Rachel (Griggs) Armour.

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

His father was a native of Tennessee and of Irish descent, while his mother was born in Georgia. His father grew to ma- turity on the home farm in his native State and then went to Georgia, where he mar- ried. He afterward settled on a farm in Jackson county, that State, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed until 1812. He then enlisted in the war, serving until its close under General An- drew Jackson, being with that General at Mobile at the time of the battle of New Orleans. On the close of the war he re- turned to his home in Georgia, where he resumed his former occupation of farming. In 1837 his wife died and some time aft- erward he removed to Randolph county, Alabama, where he died in 1864, at the age of eighty-three years. They were the parents of fourteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, and three of whom now survive. One son, Robert, served in the Mexican war under General Scott, Captain Legon and Colonel Reagan, and made a good record as a brave and efficient soldier.

After the death of his mother, the sub- ject of this sketch, when about the age of twelve, accompanied his father to Alabama, and made his home for five years with an elder sister. He then, at the age of seven- teen, started out alone to carve his way through life. His educational advantages were limited, but, naturally intelligent, with a strong arm and a brave heart, he courageously set forth.

January 7, 1849, Mr. Armour was mar- ried to Miss N. J. Kennedy, an estimable lady, born in Georgia but reared in Macon county, Alabama. Her parents were David and Louraney (Sanders) Kennedy,

the former also a native of Georgia. When Mrs. Armour was ten years of age, her mother died and her father afterward mar- ried again and moved to Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Armour have had ten children, four now surviving: Andrew died aged twenty-two years; Louraney is the wife of C. A. Durham, of Limestone county; James D. Armour was drowned when twenty-eight years of age; Uriah is the wife of S. A. McClelland, of Greer county, Texas; Sallie is married to J. H. Bull, of Limestone county ; W. J. Armour resides on the home place of his parents; Mary Ann died aged eighteen months; and three others died in infancy.

Mr. Armour first secured employment as an overseer of farm work, where he con- tinued until he had sufficient means to purchase a home of his own. He bought eighty acres of partly improved land, on which he settled at the time of his mar- riage, and where he resided until 1853. He then removed to Freestone county, Texas, where he bought a farm on Can- nia creek, four miles below Cotton Gin, which lie cultivated six years, and in 1859 sold to James McMillan. He sub- sequently removed to Tehuacana Hills, and resided there three years, during which time he contributed toward build- ing the first school in that place, now a noted educational institution. At the end of three years he settled on his present place, which he liad just commenced to improve when the Civil war began. He enlisted in the Confederate army and served in the Western Division until the close of hostilities. He then began life anew, pursuing farming and stock-raising,

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and by hard work and careful management was rewarded with success. In 1883, he laid ont the town of Armour on his land, which has since become a thriving village, to which he donated thirteen acres for church property. He still owns 900 acres of land, highly cultivated and improved, with all the latest conveniences for farm- ing. In 1879 he removed his family to Mount Calin, for the purpose of affording his children superior educational advan- tages, and remained there five years, dur- ing which his children were under the in- strnction of the educators, Major Kirkpat- rick and Prof. Chambers.

In politics, Mr. Armour is Democratic, bnt, aside from desiring the election of good and able nien, takes no active part in public affairs, his personal matters absorb- ing his attention. Fraternally he affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., which he joined in 1851, and is also an honored member of the I. O. O. F. In religion, both Mr. Armour and his worthy wife are useful members of the Baptist Church, with which they united in 1851, being baptized by Rev. J. R. Han, of Alabama. They have since taken an active part in every- thing pertaining to its advancement, Mr. Armour having held the office of Dea- con for many years. They are the only surviving members of the Sandy Creek Church, of pioneer times, which derived its name from its location at the head of Sandy creek.

Mr. Armour has been prominently iden- tified with the best interests of Limestone county for thirty years, during which time he contributed liberally of his mneans to every public enterprise calculated to

benefit his community and the country at large, taking especial interest in church, Sunday-school and educational advance- ment.

UDGE E. J. SIMKINS was born and reared in Edgefield district, South Carolina, and educated at Beaufort, graduating from South Carolina College in 1859. He entered the Confederate army in 1861, and served in the Hampton Legion until 1862, when he was appointed to the First regnlar Artillery Regiment and served during the war at Fort Sumter and the post around Charleston. In 1867 he removed to Florida and began the prac- tice of law with his brother under the firmn name of Simkins & Simkins. In 1868 he was elected chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Jefferson county. In 1871 he came to Texas and located at Corsicana, where he engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. In 1872 he was elected District Attorney of the Thirty- fifth Judicial District, and about the same time was chosen chairman of the Demo- cratic Executive Committee of Navarro connty, which position he held until 1877. He was a competitor for the Democratic nomination for Attorney-General against Hon. John D. Templeton in 1879. In 1882 he was appointed one of the Regents of the State University, and was twice re- appointed and confirmed. In 1884 he was a member of the National Democratic Convention, representing in that body the Ninth Congressional District of Texas. In 1886 he was re-elected by 2,800 to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Legislatures,

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

from the Fifteenth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Navarro, Limestone aud Frecstone. In 1890 he was again re-elected by a large majority to the State Senate, after one of the most prolonged and bitter contests ever recorded in the political annals of Texas; and in 1892 he was appointed by Governor Hogg to a position on the bench of the Court of Appeals made vacant by the resignation of Judge White, which position he now holds. Judge Simkins married Miss Eliza Tres- cott, of Beaufort, South Carolina, and has a family of five living children. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and the Masonic fraternity.

OBERT H. CUBLEY, the popular and efficient ex-Sheriff of Navarro county, is a native of Sumter county, Alabama, born March 27, 1838. He is a son of the Rev. Robert M. Cubley, an able minister of the Methodist Church, well known thirty years ago in east Texas, where he was for a long time engaged in minis- terial work.

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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