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 78

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 78
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 78
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 78
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 78
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 78
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 78

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).

J. PRICE, for the past five years the able and popular assistant gen- eral passenger agent at Palestine, of the International & Great Northern Railway, was born in Cape Fear county, North Carolina, August 11, 1859. His parents, William J. and Annie E.(Westcott) Price, were both natives of the Old North State. During the war Mr. Price's father was Inspector of naval stores. Subsequent to this he was engaged in building exten- sive mill plants in Georgia and Florida. He is at present agent.for J. J. McDon- ough, an extensive lumber dealer at Bruns- wick, Georgia, where he resides, at the age of seventy-three years, universally re- spected for his many sterling qualities. His wife, mother of the subject of this sketch, departed this life in 1868, at the comparatively early age of thirty-eight years, greatly lamented by all who knew her.

The subject of this sketch received his education in Georgia, whence he removed

622

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

to Trinity, Texas, in 1873. His first busi- ness engagement was as telegraph operator in Crockett, Texas, at the age of fourteen, after which he was variously occupied ou different railroads for a number of years, always winning golden opinions from su- perior officers by the conscientious per- formance of his duties. From the posi- tion of chief clerk of the general passenger department lie succeedeed to his present position, which he assumed in 1888, and which he is amply fitted to fill, both by extensive experience and natural ability.

He was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Jowers, danghter of Judge W. G. W. Jowers of the Anderson County Court, which emi- nent position he was occupying at the time of his death, in June, 1892, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-three. Mr. and Mrs. Price have five interesting children: Will- iam Dougald, George Foster, Charles Met- calfe, Annie Marie and Frank Mccullough.

In the various walks of life Mr. Price's actions have been characterized by integ- rity and intelligence, and he justly enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

W. ROBERTSON, one of the leading farmers of Malakoff, Hen- derson connty, Texas, was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, in 1841. His father, W. D. Robertson, was born in North Carolina in 1816. He at an early day moved to South Carolina and was there reared and educated. His father was born in Virginia, and died quite early in life. W. D. Robertson was married to

Mrs. Lizzie Martin in Sonth Carolina, and two children were born to them: Martha and Elizabeth. Mrs. Robertson had by her first marriage three children, namely : Jolin, Jane and S. C .; Jane married a Mr. Mobley. Mrs. Robertson died, and Mr. Robertson married a sister of his first wife, and to this union two children were born: Nancy, who married Mr. Dye, of Louisiana; and W. W., our subject. The mother died in 1845, and Mr. Robertson was again married, after he came to Texas, to the widow of Joseph Martin, and one child was born to them: George by name. In 1863 Mr. Robertson passed away, his death being greatly lamented by all who knew him.

Our subject was not favored with golden opportunities for obtaining an education. He put in a small amount of time up to ten years of age learning reading, writing and arithmetic, but when he got out into the world and came in contact with others, he recalled his almost forgotten knowledge and found that he would be wiser as he grew older, as he would learn lessons from experience.

In 1857 onr subject came to Texas with his father, making their settlement in this county, and here he has resided ever since. In 1862 he enlisted in Colonel Speight's regiment, and saw service in the Western department. After the battle of Fordoche, Lonisiana, Mr. Robertson took sick and was not able to be with liis command again during any of its engagements. He came home on a furlough in 1863, and did not recover from his malady until after the close of the war. In 1867 Mr. Robertson purchased 280 acres of land and gave his

623

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

note for payment. He afterward learned that the grantee had not had a clear title to the property. In the meantime his notes were in the hands of an innocent party, and were expected to be paid, and they were paid. The unfortunate business ended by our subject losing 150 acres of land and obtaining 130, to which he got a title at a cost of $2,300, and to this tract he has added until he has 1,100 acres, 230 of which produces a crop each year. In 1891 he had forty bales of cotton, and lie also has some fine horses and cattle. In 1882 Mr. Robertson was interested in merchandising witlı W. J. Evans, of Mal- akoff.

In 1865 our subject was married to Miss Hulda, daughter of Henry Colman, whose widow married Ed. O. Beard. The children of this union are: William Dudley, who died in 1892; Bell, wlio married Howk Falk, of Henderson county; Daniel W., deceased; Thomas C .; John W .; and Ed- die, who is also deceased. Mrs. Robertson died in 1879, and Mr. Robertson was again married; this tinie to Mrs. Elizar Mc Will- iams, nee Beard, and the children of this marriage are: Lillie O .; Samuel, deceased; Jesse O .; Troy G .; and A. B.

The family religious connection is with the Methodist Church.

H. HART, a well known resident of Dresden, Texas, is the subject of the present notice. He was born in South Carolina, June 4, 1840, a. son of William and Irene (Bull) Hart, of North Carolina, wlio moved to South

Carolina and died there. She was raised in South Carolina. The paternal grand- father of our subject was of Irislı de- scent and served in the Revolutionary war. William Hart was an early settler of South Carolina, became a prominent farmer there but (when sixty-nine years of age) died while C. H. was very young, and the latter was reared by his widowed mother. The family consisted of fifteen children, our subject being the fourteenth, and all of this large family grew to man- hood and womanhood, but only one came to this State.

Mr. Hart was reared on the farm and lived there with his mother until he came to Texas in 1869, except the time he spent in the army. In 1861 lie en- listed in Company D, First South Caro- lina, Colonel Haygood, in the Army of Virginia. The most of his service was in South Carolina, always in the front, and le never lost, as much as three weeks from the service on account of sickness. He was at many hard-fought battles but was not wounded. August 21, 1864, he was cap- tured and carried to Point Lookout, and was kept there for seven mouths, and liad returned home on parole when the war closed.

In 1869 our subject came to Texas, lo- cating at Millican, where he studied den- tistry and located offices at Kosse, Bremond, Groesbeck and Corsicana, travelling be- tween those places, soliciting work at his business. In 1871 he married and soon after settled down where he now lives, buying a tract of land, which he improved. This traet was 122 acres, to which he added seventy-six acres, built a nice house

624

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

and ontbuildings and has made it a very pleasant place of residence. Since that time he lias bonght another tract for pas- ture, seven miles from home. He has about 100 acres in cultivation, raising cot- ton, corn and oats, also some stock. He does the most of his farming through ten- ants. Just now Mr. Hart is giving much attention to the raising of fine horses. He has imported fine stock from Kentucky, principally, -- Morgan and Hambletonian strains, bnying from the Highland stock of L. L. Dorsey, Middleton, Jefferson county, Kentucky, A late purchase is a fine animal, chestnut in color, four years old, fine style and good action and has all the gaits, and will become a good saddler and fine trotter. Some of the finest colts in the neighborhood belong to Mr. Hart, and his cattle are great sources of profit. He is able to make all of his home sup- plies, pork, lard, etc.

The first marriage of our subject took place when he wedded Miss Emma Stokes, a daughter of Willis Stokes of Alabama, who came to Texas when she was five years old; and by this marriage our subject be- came the father of one child, Irene, on September 24, 1873, now at home. Mrs. Hart died August 13, 1874. In Septem- ber, 1875, onr subject married Mrs. Antoi- nette Turner, the widow of James A. Tur- ner, and she was the mother at that time of one danghter, Leola, who married Al- bert Kerr, but she died January 9, 1890, leaving a family of three children. Mrs. Hart was a daughter of James Duncan, born in North Carolina, moved to Georgia when young and died in Georgia. He married in Georgia and was a prominent

man of that section, serving there as Jus- tice of the Peace for many years. In early life he was merchandising, but later en- gaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have become the parents of three children, Lillian, born Jnne 17, 1876; Ira E., born February 28, 1878; and Preston B., born June 1, 1880. Mrs. Hart was born Sep- tember 10, 1840.

Onr subject is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Honor. He has always been a consistent Democrat in his political belief. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and much esteemed in the community.

OIN B. ROBINSON, a druggist and dealer in agricultural implements at Blooming Grove, Navarro county, Texas, was born at Dresden, this county, in 1860, and is the son of William S. and Adalaide (Riggs) Robinson, natives of Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. The father of our subject came to Texas in 1851, from Tennessee. He was a graduate of a medical college and became one of the first physicians in his county, and for years owned the only drug store outside of Cor- sicana. Ilis practice extended over a vast field, and often business came to him from fifty to a hundred miles away. The county at the time of his settlement, was almost an unbroken plain, covered with im- inense herds of cattle and horses. The Doctor located here when he was twenty- eight years of age, and remained at the place, where he died, January 4, 1887.

625

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

He covered more territory in his practice than any physician wlio engaged in busi- ness in this county. He became not only prominent in medicine, but also was an important farmer and always took an active interest in the development of his connty. He also manifested a great interest in the success of the Democratic party, but lie would never accept office for himself, although frequently appealed to to become a candidate, by the people. He felt that his services could be of more advantage to the people and more comfort to himself, if le confined himself to his own business, and, in the language of his friends, he was the friend of the people. Dr. Robinson was a great lover of his home and family, and he and his wife reared a family of ten children: thirteen were born, but three died in infancy. The names are: James H., resides in Corsicana; Ella, is the wife of Dr. A. H. Blair, of Blooming Grove; William S. of Dresden is the present Post- master and merchant of that place; our subject; Stephen B., is a merchant of Dres- den; Tillie, Wiley D., Sterling E., Elner and Ruth are all at home. The mother of our subject still survives and resides on her farm at Dresden. She is now in her fifty-fourth year, and has long been a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Robinson, while not a mem- ber of the church, was a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., Blooming Grove Lodge, No. 497, and one of the charter inembers when it was organized, and also a member of the R. A. M., of Corsicana. Hle filled many of the offices in the Dres- den lodge, and was accounted one of the leading men of the order.

When Dr. Robinson arrived in Texas he liad little else besides his diploma and his pill pockets. The kindness of his heart made itself manifest when attending the sick, and he was able to inspire his patients with faith in him, which is often as potent in a physician as his medicine. He was born in 1823 and died in his sixty-fourth year.

John B. Robinson received his primary education in this county, and at the age of twenty-one, or in 1881, he entered a liter- ary and commercial school in New Orleans, Louisiana, known as Sonles School, from which he graduated in 1882. Previous to attending this school, he had made a study of pharmacy in his father's drug store, at Dresden; consequently upon leaving school he resmined his old business of handling drugs. He managed his father's business, both mercantile and farming interests, until 1891, when he turned the mercantile inter- est over to his brother, Stephen, at Dres- den. In 1891 he purchased the drug bnsi- ness of D. S. Welsh & Son of this place, and with Dr. A. H. Blair engaged in the business in Blooming Grove.

He was married in 1883 to Miss Minnie Blair, of Loudon, Loudon county, Tennes- see. She was the daughter of Dr. James T. and Lncy (Barkley) Blair, natives of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Blair four children have been born, namely: Dr. A. H., of this place; Lily, deceased, wife of George J. Blair; Minnie, wife of our sub- ject; and Walter F., a farmer of Tennessee. Dr. Blair lias been married twice, first to the mother of Mrs. Robinson and the second marriage was to Mrs. Lucy Osborne, and seven children have been born to this

626

IIISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

marriage, namely: Famie, Lucy, James IIngh, Collie, Donglass, Martha Eliza and John Allen Blair.

To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson four children lrave been born, namely: W. II., born Jnly 26, 1885; Ency A., born July 23, 1888; Walter, born in 1890 and died the same year, and Ethel, born December 23, 1891. Mr. Robinson served as Postmaster of the town of Dresden for five years, and in 1890 was elected County Commissioner of pre- cinct No. 4, on the Democratic ticket, and is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank of Blooming Grove. Like his father Mr. Robinson has always been a Democrat, and has taken an active part in the county and State politics. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

M. MUNGER, one of the prominent citizens of Limestone county, was

0 born in Colchester, Connectient, in 1825. Three years after his birth his father, Sylvester Munger, emigrated to Sonth Carolina, and engaged at the tanner's, shoe and saddle business, at Darlington. He was born near Saybrook, Connecti- cut, and married Sene Ingham, who was born on the banks of the Hudson. To this union were born ten children. The father died at the age of fifty-one, after which the family took up the westward march, and sojourned in Yazoo county, Mississippi, one year, thence, in 1840, to Texas, making a five-years stop at San Felipe. Both of our subject's grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers.

Il. M. Munger was fourteen years of age when the family landed at San Felipe, and four years later he found employment as a clerk for a Mr. Ennis, at Houston. Four years later the California gold fever seized him, and he followed mining in that State about three years, but, not being sufficiently experienced in that line of bnsi- ness, he succeeded only in holding his own, and returned to Texas in the fall of 1851, very little richer than when he left her soil. Mr. Manger then married and located in Lafayette connty, where he followed mer- chandising two years, after which he began farming and ginning. During the Civil war he was engaged in the wagoning serv- ice to Mexican points, running at the same time a private freighting train. At the close of hostilities he returned to Fayette connty, and the following year moved his family to Montgomery county, where lie followed saw-milling. Two years later lie embarked in the lumber business at Bry- den, and his other points of operation for the succeeding four years were Colvert, Bremond, Kosse, Groesbeek, Corsicana and Mexia, following the Honston and Texas Central Railroad, and making headquarters at its varions termini. He was engaged largely in contracting at these places, and most of his investments proved profitable. Mr. Munger had been engaged in the lum- ber trade fifteen ont of his twenty years' residence here, and has furnished the material for more than a thousand homes. He discontinued the business in 1889. For the past thirteen years he has had ex- tensive real-estate interests in Limestone connty, and is now devoting his entire time to agricultural pursuits. He owns a

627

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

tract of 2,000 acres, well stocked, 950 acres of which is under a good state of cul- tivation. He operated two gins, with a capacity of 1,000 and 2,000 bales, respect- ively, per year.

Mr. Munger has never been in public life, having no taste for politics, but before the war he was Postmaster at Rutersville, this being the only office he ever held. He was then a Whig, but since the war has identified himself with the Democratic party. He was united in marriage with Catherine, a daughter of Major Robert McNutt, who came to Texas from Tennes- see in 1834. He became a Major in the Texas army, and participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. and Mrs. Munger have had the following children: R. S., S. I., Charlie, deceased; Henry, deceased; Anna, wife of James Teague, of Mexia; Minnie, wife of John Means, of Dallas; Hamilton; Carrie, wife of Marvin Long; and two deceased when young. Socially, our subject is an Odd Fellow, and the family are members of the Methodist Church.

OHN D. FLANNIGAN, one of the thrifty, substantial men of Limestone county, was the son of Samuel Flanni- gan, who was born in 1788 in Virginia, near Richmond, and from there moved to Alabama and settled in Limestone county, where he lived until his death, which oc- curred in 1870. By occupation he was a farmer and a slave-owner, and before the war was a man of means. He had a good English education, and was a Class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a

Steward in that body. In politics he was a Democrat. His parents were of Irish descent, who were natives of Virginia.

The father of our subject was married to Miss Farrer, who died, leaving two chil- dren, William, who is deceased, and James, who is now living in Alabama, nearly eighty years old. The mother of our sub- ject was named Ann Long, and she was a native of Alabama, where she married, and finally died in 1874. She was the daughter of Gabriel and Ann Long, who were of Irish descent and natives of Geor- gia. The marriage of the parents of our subject took place in 1826, and eight chil- dren were the result of this union: Eliza- beth is the widow of J. C. Crittenden, de- ceased, who was a successful physician and farmer; Ann, deceased, the wife of R. Stinnett, a farmer of Alabama; Susan, de- ceased, the wife of L. Heiplen, deceased, a farmer of Alabama ; Charles Brooks, de- ceased when a young man; Margaretta, deceased, was the wife of John West, de- ceased, a practicing physician of Lime- stone county, Alabama, who served as sur- geon in the Federal army, and was killed soon after the war; Mary P. married first Charles Cunningham and secondly F. Hurn, a farmer of Alabama; our subject; Mart M., deceased when about eighteen; and Sammie M. married a Mr. Carnahan, de- ceased, of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Our subject was born in 1846 in Ala- bama and resided there with his parents until the breaking out of the war, and until that time he had worked upon a farm. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service in Company E, Seventh Alabama Cavalry, Captain John Lester and Colonel J. C.

628

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

Malone, and saw service in Tennessee, Ala- bama, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky, but never received a wonnd. After the war he returned to Alabama and worked on his father's farm, and then rented land for three years, and then moved to Texas in 1872 and first located near Kosse, where he rented land for one year. He then bought forty acres three miles north of Kosse and resided there until 1876, when he moved to Blue Ridge, but returned to his former home, where he lived until he came to his present home in 1891.

The marriage of Mr. Flannigan took place in 1860, to Miss Mary E. Henderson, who was a native of Alabama, where they were married. She is the daughter of Richard and Mary Ann (Teaque) Hender- son, natives of Tennessee. Two children have been added to Mr. and Mrs. Flanni- gan's family; Samuel R., who is at home in business with his father; and Willie A., who was removed by death when only six years of age.

Our subject began life for himself when he was twenty years old. He had accumn- lated quite a little property, but lost it during the war. He left Alabama in 1872 and came to Texas and landed with $40 and a team of mules. He left property in Alabama, from which he never realized any- thing. Upon his first settlement in Texas he dug wells or did any honest work that presented itself. He first bought forty acres of land, which on account of a defect in the title cost him about $60 an acre! He has now about 400 acres under cultivation, also 200 in pastures, a gin valued at $2,500, and enongh stock to run the farm,-fifteen head of mules and a small stock of cattle.

In politics onr subject is a Democrat; is also a member of No. 1504, I. O. O. F., and K. of H., Kosse Lodge, No. 2315. Bothı Mr. and Mrs. Flannigan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church Sonth, of which he is a Trustee and Steward. Mr. Flannigan is one of the best citizens of the connty, is a generous, kind man, of excel- lent habits, and one in whom everybody has confidence.

AMES BENNETT, of Cedar Island, Limestone comty, is a son of Elson G. Bennett. The latter's father, Will- iam Bennett, was born in Franklin county, Tennessee, in 1809, a son of John Ben- nett, a native of South Carolina, and an early settler of Tennessee. William Ben- nett was rcared in his native State, was married in 1830, in Franklin county, to Lucretia Runnels, a daughter of Sherrod Runnels, a native of that county. In 1842, Mr. Bennett moved to Dade county, Mis- souri, and in 1854 took up his residence near Cedar Island, Limestone county, Texas, where he resided until his death, in 1890. He was one of the pioneer set- tlers of that part of the country, and as- sisted in building the first churches and schools in that locality. He was a farmer by occupation, was a plain, unassuming man, and, although a member of no church, led a pious, exemplary life. His wife died in this county in 1865, at the age of fifty-three years. They had ten children, nine of whom grew to years of matnrity, namely: Elson G., the father of our sub- ject; Letha J., deceased, was the wife of

629

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

B. Z. Hayter; Jackson, who died in this county some years ago, leaving a family ; Mary, wife of Thomas Longbothain, of Freestone county, Texas; Ann, deceased in this county, was the wife of John Lewis; Julia A., also deceased in Limestone county, was the wife of Jonathan Longbotham; Hugh, a member of Company B, Tenth Texas regiment, died in the Confederate army, during the late war; Townsend, a resident of this county; John, deceased in Limestone county; Lucincia, wife of Ross Hancock; and J. R., deceased.

Elson G. Bennett, the father of the sub- ject of this notice, was born in Jackson county, Alabama, January 28, 1832, and was reared in that and Dade counties, Mis- souri. He came with Marsh's expedition to Texas in 1850, which was organized at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and nioved to Pres- ton, on Red River, thence to Comanche Peak by a zigzag course, exploring the head springs of Red river. It then went through the Sand mountains to the line of Mexico, and back by way of Fort Arbuckle to Pres- ton. The expedition was composed of eighty regular soldiers, fourteen extra men, one cannon, was absent three months, and was under the auspices of the Federal Government. Acting under the knowl- edge gained by this expedition, a number of forts were shortly afterward established in the Indian country and northwest Texas. Among them was the one at Phan- tom Hill, to which Mr. Bennett made a number of trips, carrying supplies, and for about twelve months was in the employ of the general Government as master of a wagon train engaged in that business. After returning to Missouri he was mar-

ried in Dade county, in April, 1853, to Louisa, a danghter of Jesse Neil. He again came to Texas in 1854, locating in Limestone county, which has since been his home. In 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army, in Company --- , Fif- teenth Texas regiment, served in Missouri and Arkansas until the fall of Arkansas Post in 1863, was then taken prisoner and transported to Camp Douglas, Chicago, and three months later was exchanged and joined his command. He was again cap- tnred at Missionary Ridge, taken to Rock Island, Illinois, where he was held until March 4, 1865, and then paroled. For a number of years after the war Mr. Bennett was engaged in farming and stock-raising, having been at one time a large stock dealer. He is still living in Limstone county. His wife, nee Louisa Neil, was born in Polk county, Missouri, her par- ents having removed from Virginia to that State in an early day. She also is still liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett had the fol- lowing children: William J., Samuel, Pauline J. (wife of John E. Oliver), Ann Elizabeth (wife of R. S. Hudson); James, Lee, and Luln (now Mrs. William T. Jack- son).

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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