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 63

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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63
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 63

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In 1876 the subject of this memoir married the eldest daughter, Mattie, daughter of J. T. and M. L. Porter, in Atlanta, Georgia, which union was blessed with four children: Mattie, Lulu, William C. and Mary, the two latter deceased. The accomplished and lovely wife and mother died May, 1882. Having never married again, Mr. Cherry devotes his time and attention to the care and educa- tion of his two bright and interesting daughters, Mattie and Lulu, who are be- ing instructed at the Sacred Heart Con- vent, Corsicana.

Mr. Cherry is one of the largest cotton operators in this section of the State, which business he has pursued for many years with success. He believes in Corsi- cana, and expects to live and die there, holding it to be the greatest city in the greatest State and the greatest country on earth. Mr. Cherry is a man above the usual height, tall, well proportioned and of fine presence. By nature he is genial,

benevolent and charitable, steadfast and true in his friendships. He is liberal in his views, public-spirited, and stands high in the estimation and confidence of the people.

YLIE B. JONES, a resident of Frost, Navarro county, was born in Smith county, Mississippi, De- cember 13, 1852, a son of Britton and Gatsey (Stringer) Jones. The father was born in England, and but little of the family history is known. The maternal grandfather, Simon Stringer, was a native of Georgia, and a prominent farmer and slave owner. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of four children, of whom our subject is the youngest child. He has one brother living in this county, a farmer by occupation.

Wylie B. Jones was reared to farm life, and when nine years of age his father died and he was raised by his widowed mother. He came to Navarro county, Texas, in 1874, carried on farming and blacksmith- ing until 1876, when he followed the latter occupation at Blooming Grove until 1880, and was then engaged in ginning with a Mr. Trulove; he then moved to Cross Roads, a village four miles distant. In partnership with Dr. Sewall, Mr. Jones bought a gin and fifty acres of land, but after two years the Doctor sold his interest to Mr. Price, and after another two years our subject bought the entire business. He continued this occupation until 1887, also selling town lots; and it was during this time that the railroad was built from

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Corsicana to Hillsboro. In 1878, the town of Frost was started, and Mr. Jones moved his gin to that village, where he was among the first settlers. In 1887 he bonght 150 acres of land from the Jones ranch, where he erected a gin, which he shortly afterward sold, but retained and still owns the land. He now owns one of the finest gins at Frost, containing all modern improvements, which he runs in connection with a mill. In 1890 he completed a system of water-works for sup- plying the town with water from an ad- joining lake, the power for the works being furnished by his engine at the mill and gin. The lake covers abont fifty acres of land, is inexhaustible, pure and fine.

The town of Frost, about five years old, is situated in the northwest corner of Navarro county, and contains abont 350 inhabitants. It has a fine graded school, thirteen business houses of various kinds, a Metliodist and Baptist Church, a good market for cotton and other country pro- duce, and is surrounded by a beautiful country of black soil.

He has abont seventy-five acres of his farm under a fine state of cultivation. He has erected another gin, and with his present plant he gins about 2,500 bales. He has purchased 135 acres of timber land on the Trinity river, which supplies his wood, fuel and timber for other pur- poses, and this he transports to Frost by railroad. He has also purchased 134 acres of bottom land on the Trinity, and after ntilizing the timber will put the land under cultivation, of which he now has about fifteen acres. He is making addi-

tional improvements to his gin, which will give it a capacity of about seventy bales per day.

Mr. Jones is a natural mechanic, and has built a steam yacht for boating on the lake, for the accommodation of picnic and pleasure parties,-all his own construction.

He was married in Mississippi, August 29, 1871, to Mrs. Bennett, a daughter of Abner Shepherd, a native of Georgia, who came to Navarro county, Texas, in 1874, where he died in 1888. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic order, the Kniglits of Honor, is a Democrat in his political views, and both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church.

AVID J. JOHNSTON, ex-Tax-Col- lector of Navarro county, son of David J. and Isabella Johnston, was born in county Derry, Ireland, March 27, 1844. His parents came to America in 1848, settling in Alabama, but moved to Texas in 1851, taking up their residence in Leon county, where the subject of this sketch was mainly reared. He grew up on a farm, and received only a limited common-school education. He entered the Confederate army in September, 1861, at the age of seventeen, as a member of Company D, Twenty-sixth Texas Cavalry, and served nntil the close of the war, taking part in most of the engagements west of the Mississippi, notably those in Arkansas, which were fought at the open- ing of the war, and those following Banks' memorable expedition up Red river. After

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the war, in September, 1865, he settled in Navarro county, near Enreka, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising.

Jnly, 1870, he married Emma J. Stell, a daughter of Colonel J. D. Stell, of Leon county.

In November, 1888, Mr. Johnston was elected Tax Collector of Navarro county, and re-elected to the same office in No- vember, 1890. He was elected by a ma- jority of something over 400 out of a total vote of about 3,500 the first time, having no opposition at his second election. Mr. Johnston has given the people of Navarro county a faithful administration of the affairs of his office, and one that seems to have met with very general approval. He is an honest, capable officer, and a very worthy man. The affairs of his office are conducted in a business-like way. He gives to its details his personal attention, and serves every one with that degree of promptness and courtesy which are the distinguishing marks of a faithful public official. Although the duties of his office have required his removal to the county seat, he still retains his farming interest, and is identified with the farming com- munity in everything affecting its welfare. He is a member of the Alliance, but is an Alliance man within the ranks of the Dem- ocratic party. He has been elected eaclı time to the office he holds as the nominee of his party. He believes it is possible to be loyal to every interest and obligation as a farmer and still be a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being Royal Arch Mason, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Johnston's people, coming to Texas as early as they did, may, in a certain sense, be said to be a Texan family, and as such deserving of further mention in this connection. The father, who was a native of county Derry, Ireland, died in Leon county soon after settling there, this event occurring in 1852. The mother died in 1887. She was also a native of county Derry, Ireland, and bore the maiden name of Johnston. William Jolinston, the eldest son, resides in Centreville. Leon county, being a practicing attorney of that place. Mary H., the eldest daughter, was married to Robert Hall, and died in Navarro county, leaving two children. Thomas M. also died in Navarro county, leaving a widow and four children. Catherine re- sides in this connty, unmarried. Isabella, who was married to James Hopper, died at Lebanon, Kentucky, the mother of two children. Fanny is the wife W. J. Black- mon, of Navarro county. Mr. Johnston's wife's family settled in Leon county abont the time his own people did. They were from Georgia, in which State Mrs. John- ston was born. She was reared by her inother, her father, who was an old citizen of Leon, having died when she was quite young.

HARLES T. STEPHENS, a livery- 010 man of Mexia, Limestone county, is a son of Captain J. W. Stephens, a former well-known citizen of this county, and a brother of John W. Stephens, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Charles T. was born at old Springfield, then the county seat of Limestone county,

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February 24, 1866, and remained there until seventeen years of age. He was en- gaged at farın work until in January, 1886, when, in company with E. B. Jackson, he engaged in the livery business, under the firm name of Stephens & Jackson. He has followed this occupation at Mexia since that time, with the exception of ten months spent at Tyler. He returned from that city in January, 1891, and bought his present business of J. W. Simmons. He now has a first-class livery and feed barn, keeps twenty-five head of horses and an abundance of vehicles, and is a good busi- ness man.

Mr. Stephens was married at Mexia, June 8, 1887, to Miss Daisy Lanning, a daughter of W. D. Lanning. She is a native of Alabama, is an accomplished lady, an exceptionally fine musician, and lias been organist of the Baptist Church of Mexia for eleven years. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are both members of that church.

R. HUGH SLOAN, of Navarro coun- ty, Texas, is a son of Hugh Sloan, who was born in North Carolina in 1819. In 1842 he moved to Alabama and engaged in farming, afterward went to Hill county, and thence to Ellis county. While there he lost his wife, and it so affected him that he broke up housekeeping and retired from active business, living for some time at Blooming Grove, Navarro county. From there he moved to Santa Ana, where he now lives. Politically, he affiliates with the Prohibition party, and is

a member and Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject's mother was Eliza Colvin, a native of North Caro- lina, and a danghter of natives of that State. She died in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan were married in 1840, and were the parents of eleven children, viz .: Dr. A. C., a sketch of whom will be found in this volume; David B., a farmer and stock- raiser of Brandon, Hill county; Laura, wife of Adolphus Lewis, an extensive farmer of Mansfield, Louisiana; Flora, deceased, was the wife of W. C. Goodman, of Ellis county; Mary W., wife of G. C. Sharp, of Navarro county; Eliza C., widow of J. F. Molder, and a resident of Santa Ana; Hugh, our subject; Robert C., a stockman of McColloch county; John F., who resides with his brother Robert; and the last two died in infancy.

Dr. Hugh Sloan, our subject, was born in Alabama, February 2, 1859. He came to Texas with his parents in 1869, and re- mained at home until 1876, during which time his life had been spent in attending school and farming. At the age of seven- teen years he began a course at Dresden, where he continued four years, remaining out of school the fall term for the purpose of picking cotton to defray the expense of educating himself. He completed his course in 1881, and then began the study of medicine, under his brother, A. C. Sloan, at Corsicana, at the same time also making a crop. In 1882, Mr. Sloan began a course of lectures at the St. Louis Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was graduated in 1884, and at once located at Rice, where he has since been engaged in a successful and paying practice.

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In 1888 he was married to Miss Joda A. Haynie, a daughter of John and Mary A. Haynie, natives of Tennessee. To this union has been born one child, John Hay- nie Sloan. Politically, our subject affili- ates with the Jeffersonian party, and socially is a member of the K. of H.

He is a member and Steward of the Methodist Church, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,

R. JOHN A. SOUTHWORTH .- " Puritan " and " Cavalier," " New Englander " and " Virginian:" these are the historical terms used to designate the two great forces which were most po- tential in an early day in subduing this continent and laying the foundation of the American commonwealth. As living characters the Puritan and cavalier are no more, having become blended in the American type, in which are fused the vir- tues and traditions of both; but they re- main in history. and many of the best families and foremost men of this country trace their origin to one or the other, and are justly proud in being able to do so. The subject of this sketch is a descendant of both, and bears evidence in his make-up of the characteristics of each. His people on his father's side were New Englanders, being Puritans after the most straightest of that sect, while his mother's people were Virginians, cavaliers to the core. His father, Isaac Southworth, was a native of Massachusetts, as was also the grand- father, who was a ship-owner and trader to the East Indies. The mother, whose

maiden name was Ida Smith, was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of Major William Smith, a Revolutionary soldier.

Isaac Sonthworth was reared in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, in the schools of which city he received, in accordance with the New England idea of training the young, a liberal education, and was fitted for the practical dnties of a land surveyor. He served in the war of 1812, and about 1819 or 1820 went South, settling in Tennessee, where he had become inter- ested in land speculations. He married in Lincoln county, that State, and took up his permanent residence there. He was in an early day a large land-holder of that county, and during his maturer years ac- tively engaged in business pursuits, but later in life gave these up and turned his attention to literature, to which he was a frequent and valued contributor. He was a ripe scholar and cultured gentleman, and was well known in middle and west Tennessee forty years ago, particularly among newspaper and magazine readers. His wife was also a lady of culture and re- finement, having received an exceptionally good education, and having enjoyed in ad- dition to that the society and counsel of her father, who was a graduate of William and Mary College, of Virginia. Isaac Sonthworth and his wife lived in the closest companionship for many years, sharing not only their common domestic joys and sorrows, but the keener intel- lectnal delights of that higher sphere, where mind meets inind in pure spiritual communion. The wife died in 1852, at the age of fifty-four, and the husband in 1870, at the age of eighty-three. Both

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

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were members of the church for many years, the linsband of the Episcopal and the wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

It was in a household presided over by father and mother like these that the sub- ject of this sketchi was born and received his early training. He was born March 20, 1839, at the old homestead in Lincoln county, Tennessee. He was reared in that and Franklin county, adjoining, and ob- tained his education in the private schools of the communities where he grew up. He selected medicine as a profession before he was eighteen, and began reading under a local physician, pursning his studies in private for about two years. He then entered the University of Nashville, where he had taken one course of lectures when the war came on, and he quit school and went into the army, enlisting May 15, 1861, in Company A, Fourth Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States service. He served with Bragg and Johnston in Ken- tucky and Tennessee, and later in the Georgia campaign; was then with Hood on his return into Tennessee, and finally in the Carolinas, surrendering at Benton- ville, North Carolina, where he was pa- roled. He served throughout as a private. and performed the duties of a common soldier with credit to himself and satisfac- tion to his commanding officers, and laid down his arms at the close of the struggle with the proud consciousness of having done his part, even though the end had not been what he had ardently hoped for when he entered the service.

He returned home and shortly after- wards secured employment with the mer-

cantile firm of Southworth, Nantz & Co., of Memphis, where he remained for nearly three years, at the end of which time he had saved enongh from his earnings to complete his medical education. He en- tered the University of Nashville a second time, completed the course required for gradnation, and received his diploma in the spring of 1869. He at once took up the practice in Crittenden county, Arkan- sas, opposite Memphis, but was there only a short time when, being deemed an im- pediment to reconstruction by Federal au- thorities, his longer stay there was not thought wise, and he withdrew and settled at Clarksdale, Mississippi. He resided in that town and vicinity, and at Austin, that State, until 1882, when he came to Texas, locating at Corsicana, which has since been his home. Dr. Southworthi has con- fined himself strictly to the practice of his profession since entering on it, never hav- ing had business interests or held any office that would interfere with his pro- fessional work. He lias held some minor positions of public trust, but they have always been such as would come to him in connection with his professional labors, and such as he could carry along in con- nection with those labors. He was health officer of Tunica county, Mississippi, for five years during his residence there, and he has been health officer of Navarro county, this State, for five years since lo- cating there, as well as health officer of the city of Corsicana. While living in Mississippi the Doctor took an active part in politics, being an attendant on all the important assemblages of the Democratic party, and taking part in debates as well

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as frequently presiding by the choice of his associates; but in recent years he re- linqnished these diversions, and has looked strictly after liis business. He is not a man, however, to neglect his duties as a citizen, and he can generally be relied on to do his part in any public movement looking to the common good. He is a Mason, and has been for some years; is also a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Chosen Friends, in all of which organizations he takes considerable interest.

Dr. Southworth has been twice married. He married first in 1869, the lady being an adopted daughter of Judge T. W. Brown, of Memphis, Tennessee. This lady died in 1881, leaving two children, a son and daughter: John A., Jr., and Katie. The Doctor married the second time in 1883, his second wife being Miss Mattie Parker, a daughter of O. B. Parker, also of Mem- phis. By this union he has one child, Bessie Vance.

Of the ten children in the family to which Dr. Southworth belonged, only four are now living. The eldest of the family, William, became grown and was twice married, but is now dead; the second, . Augustus, is a resident of Nashville, Tennessee, where he is engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business; the third, Joseph H., is a citizen of Corsicana, hav- ing been a resident of that place for some time; Dr. Southworth is the fourth; the fifth is Mrs. Louisa Miller, wife of Dr. J. W. Miller, of McGregor, Texas; the sixth, Sylvester, died young; the seventh was. killed accidentally a few years ago in Nashville, Tennessee; the eighth, Thomas, died during the war from the effects of a

wound received in the service. Dr. South- worth had four brothers in the late war, all in the Confederate service, being, in fact, all that were eligible.

LEXANDER DUREN, deceased .- Few men of Navarro connty have been more highly esteemed and hon- ored than the man whose name heads this memoir. He was born in North Carolina, November 12, 1843, and was the son of George Duren. The elder Duren was born October 28, 1779, and died March 9, 1865. The subject of this biography secured but a limited education, for when he was but a lad the war between the States broke out, and, believing that it was his duty to share the fortunes of his native State, he enlisted for the Confederate service and was inus- tered into one of the first companies raised in Anson county, North Carolina, whichi became a part of the Fonrth Regiment of North Carolina Infantry. He was chosen Orderly Sergeant of his company and was an efficient and brave officer. His com- mand operated wholly in Virginia, was in the defense of Richmond and Petersburg, and he took part in all the great battles in that State during the last two years of the conflict. He was wounded and taken pris- oner in an engagement just before the close of the war, and saw no more service.

In the fall of 1865, Mr. Duren, with his brother, came to Texas and for two years was engaged in herding and driving cattle. At the expiration of this time he went to New Orleans for a few months, returning in 1868 to Navarro county, to engage in

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farming. He was industrious and thrifty, and in a few years he was able to purchase a good farm. Having secured a farm of his own, it was easy then for him with his good business methods, to increase his holdings. He continned to add from time to time to his acreage, until he became the owner of 600 acres, most of which was under good cultivation. He also gave liis attention to stock, and soon became one of the foremost farmers and stockmen of the county. His sound judgment and finan- cial ability attracted the attention of the people, and they called him to the position of County Commissioner. So ably did he discharge the duties of this responsible position, so satisfactory was he to the peo- ple, that he was continued in office for nine years, holding the position at the time of his death, which occurred March 10, 1890. Mr. Duren was public-spirited and took an active part in matters looking to the wel- fare of the people and the development of his county. He gave to her some of the best years of his life. His untimely death cast a deep gloom over the entire county and nearly broke the heart of his devoted wife. He left liis home, which was abont two miles from Corsicana, on the day above mentioned, to ride to town. While on his way a shower came up, and in trying to put on his rubber coat he fell from his horse dead, liis foot holding to the stirrup, the gentle animal standing still. He was seen to fall by some of the neighbors, who hastened to his rescue, but when they ar- rived he had breathed his last. A wagon was called and he was taken back to his stricken family. Resolutions of regret and complimentary to the deceased were

passed by the Board of County Commis- sioners, and placed upon the records of the county. He was a member of the Chosen Friends.

Mr. Duren was of a charitable and be- nevolent nature, and of strict integrity. In his death Navarro county lost a valuable citizen, and his family a devoted husband and father.

September 12, 1875, Mr. Duren was united in marriage to Winnie E., daughter of James J. and Sallie D. (Ferguson) Rob- inson. Of this union four children were born: Sadie L., Roena, George and James W., all living but the latter, who died when about three years of age.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Duren has resided in town where she owns a residence, and where she is giving her attention to the education of her children. Her widowed mother, Mrs. McCammon, lives in East Corsicana. She had three children by her first husband: James J. of Tyler; Winnie E. and Sarah J. Her second husband was Perry McCammon, Children by this marriage: Thomas C., living in Corsicana; and Hattie M., now Mrs. Robert Molloy, of the same place. Mrs. McCammon still enjoys good health . for a lady of her years, and is bright and active.

W. SIMMONS, one of the leading hotel men on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, and proprietor of the Simmons Hotel, of Mexia, was born in Winston county, Mississippi, October 1, 1838, and was the first child born to Mr. Jesse S. and Lucy (Smith) Simmons, na-

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HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

tives of Kentucky and South Carolina. They were married in Mississippi and set- tled in Mississippi in 1837, where Mr. Simmons became a planter, dying in the year 1864. He served through a part of 1863 and '64 in the Confederate army. He and wife reared a family of ten chil- dren, nine of whom grew to maturity as follows: Our subject; William, killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain; Hamil- ton, a merchant of Mexia; Samuel was killed in a cavalry fight during the late war. and but four days before the cessa- tion of hostilities; Cynthia, the wife of J. A. Corsin, of Childress, Texas; and James, of this city.

Our subject was educated in Planters' Academy, in Mississippi, and at the age of twenty-one he began conducting a planta- tion in his native State. Later he went to Louisiana, and at the outbreak of the war he was managing a plantation in Tensas parish, Louisiana, on the Mississippi river, but returned to Mississippi and joined Company E, of the Twenty-seventh Regi- ment of Mississippi Infantry, in Walthall's crigade. This was the first company raised in Leake county, Mississippi, and our subject participated in every battle in which the Tennessee Army was engaged withont a single exception, and the brigade of our subject immortalized itself. There were the battles of the Clouds, or Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, and Atlanta, when there were seventy-two days of continuous fighting, and then the bat- tle of Jonesboro. This brigade was at- tached to General Hood's corps and later army, and was with him on the hard-fought and disastrous battlefields of Franklin and

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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