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 90

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 90
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 90
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 90
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 90
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 90
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 90

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).

Our subject was born in Troup county, Georgia, and came thence to Texas with his parents when fourteen years of age, and remained with them until 1881. Prior to this time he had taken his literary course at Southworth academy. In 1881 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. B. Hill and O. H. Kirkpatrick, and in the fall of 1883 he took his first course of lectures at Vanderbilt University. He secured a cer- tificate from the Dallas County Board of Physicians and practiced at Midlothian, Ellis county, during the year 1884, and then took a course at Tulane University, and the following year settled at Brushy Creek, where he practiced two years and then returned to Vanderbilt University and graduated in 1886. After this he returned to his former home, where he has been having a successful and paying practice.

In 1887 he was married to Mrs. Fannie Lawrence, whose parents were natives of Georgia. By her first husband she had two children: Mae, deceased, and Leta. Dr. and Mrs. Moore have two children: Wilmott and Vida.

Our subject was thrown on his own re- sources when he was eighteen years of age, with no assistance, and having to defray the expenses of his own education. He now has a practice paying him $2,000 an- nually, and it extends into three counties. He and his wife together own over 1,200 acres, 400 under cultivation, with stock

sufficient to run a farm. In politics Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and is a Master Ma- son, also a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. Both our subject and wife are members of the church. Dr. Moore is a Baptist, and Mrs. Moore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. SCOTT, M. D., is a farmer re- siding three miles north of Mexia, in Limestone county, Texas. He is of Irish extraction, being fourth in the direct line from the first of the name who came to this country. Our subject's grand- father was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Kentucky, settling near Bryantsville, Jessamine county, in that State, toward the latter part of the last century. Our subject's father, John D. Scott, was a native of Jessamine county, Kentucky, born in 1798, where he was also reared. He passed the most of his life in Kentucky, but was a resident at different times of both Tennessee and Illinois. He was a physician by profes- sion, and followed the practice of his pro- fession in his earlier years. Later in life he went into the drug business, in which he did business in Louisville, Kentucky, and in Memphis, Tennessee. He also had considerable farming and stock interests at different times while residing in Illi- nois. He died in Louisville in 1872, a member of the old-school Presbyterian Church.

Our subject's mother was Martha Ann Farris, and she was the daughter of Will-

720

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

iam Farris, and was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, and died at Louisville in 1868, at the age of sixty years.

Our subject is one of fourteen children, eleven of whom became grown, and eight of whom are now living, as follows: Will- iam F., of Somerset, Kentucky; Joseph II., of the same State; Mary Ann, the wife of William H. Warner, of Centralia, Illinois; Martha Bane, the wife of D. M. Dowell, of Louisville, Kentucky; Robert B., who makes his home with our subject; Virgil P., of Ellis county, Texas; Sir Walters, of Dallas county; Ellen, who is the wife of Quert Florence, of Hardin county, Kentucky; and John D., who re- sides in Ellis county.

Our subject was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, September 19, 1838, and was reared in that county to the age of four- teen, when his parents moved to Louisville. His education was obtained mainly in the latter place, and he took the equivalent to a collegiate course in the select schools of Louisville. He read medicine under liis father and attended the lectures at the Louisville University, and later at the Kentucky School of Medicine, graduating at the latter in 1868. He located at Rocky Hill, in Warren county, Kentucky, and began his life work. He resided there about two years, when he removed to Missouri, settling in Livingston county, and there he remained until the fall of 1873, when he came to Texas. On com- ing to this State he resided for two years in Dallas county, and then came to Lime- stone county and bought a tract of land consisting of 400 acres in the western part of the county, on which he resided and

engaged principally in stock-raising until 1887, at which date he purchased his pres- ent place three miles north of Mexia. This consists of 250 acres, well improved and in a fine state of cultivation, being one of the early settled places in that part of the county. He has not practiced medicine any since about the year 1883, turning his time and attention to farming and stock-raising. He brought considerable stock with him to this State, which he lias improved. His stock consists of fine horses, mules and cattle.

The marriage of our subject took place in Limestone county in 1878, to Miss Narcissa Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Narcissa Elizabeth Cromartie. Mrs. Scott was born in North Carolina, but was reared in Texas, her parents moving to this State when she was about six weeks old. Her father was a native of Bladen county, North Carolina, and her mother was a native of the same county, born January 6, 1830, and was the daughter of Elias and Margaret Faison. Her parents were married in February, 1851, and in 1858 they moved to Texas and settled on the Trinity river in Leon county, where the father purchased a large tract of land, and, bringing with him a considerable number of negroes, he engaged on a con- siderable scale in farming, conducting it after the old regime. He was also en- gaged in the mercantile business and was quite successful, accumulating a large property, the most of which, however, was swept away by the war. The mother died in that county November 25, 1868. In 1871 the father removed to Tehuacana, where he spent the remainder of his days,

721

AND LEON COUNTIES.

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE

dying at the home of Mrs. Scott, Septem- ber 10, 1879. He was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, belonging in his earlier years to the old school, but later to the Cumberland. He was a church officer for a long time, and took an active part in all kinds of church work. Mrs. Scott is one of eleven children, only four of whoni grew to maturity, these being Irene, wife of J. A. Uebanks, of Limestone county; Margaret Ellen, wife of Mr. Vor- hees, of Floyd county, Texas; Elias, of Limestone county; and Narcissa Eliza- beth (Mrs. Scott).

Dr. and Mrs. Scott have four children, all sons, namely: John Washington; Samuel Jorden; Charles Gordon; and William Marion. The Doctor and his wife are valued members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church.

AMES H. THETFORD, a farmer of Hornhill, Limestone county, was born near Jackson, Tennessee, March 6, 1819, a son of Joseph and Prudie (Armstrong) Thetford, early settlers of that State. The father died near Jackson, leaving three children, James H., our sub- ject; Joseplı; and a daughter who died soon after the father's death. The mother afterward removed to Wayne county, Tennessee, where she married Thomas Hollis, and the family then took up their residence in Calhoun county, Mississippi, where the two sons grew to years of mia- turity. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis reared a family of five children.

James H. Thetford was reared to farm life, and remained in Calhoun county, Mississippi, until December, 1869, and in that year bought a tract of land at Horn- hill, Limestone county, Texas. He still owns a farm at that place, consisting of 560 acres, 200 acres of which is under a fine state of cultivation. He has met with reasonable success in his agricultural pur- suits, and is a highly respected citizen. While a resident of Calhoun county, Mississippi, he served as Commissioner, and has also held the same office in this county.

December 23, 1841, our subject mar- ried Elizabeth E. McCrory, who was born in Pickens county, Alabama, December 28, 1825, a daughter of James and Ann (Carnes) McCrory, natives of Tennessee. The parents were married in their native State, but afterwards settled on the Tom- bigbee river, in Pickens county, Alabama, where they resided many years. The father died in Mississippi, in 1844, and the mother in Texas. The former was a soldier in the Florida Indian wars, in 1836. His father, James McCrory, a native of Ireland, came to this country at the age of seventeen years, and served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Thetford have reared to maturity a family of twelve children, as follows :. Parmelia Ann, born December 23, 1842, married W. F. Langton in December, 1865, and after his death she became the wife of Noel Alfred, of Limestone county; Benjamin Franklin, born December 22, 1844, served through the war in the Confederate army, was wounded at Shiloh; afterward, on ac- count of exposure, was taken sick, and

722

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

died July 14, 1864; Saralı Angeline, born November 20, 1846, resides with her par- ents; Martha Jane, born October 15, 1848, is the wife of John D. Therrell, of Green- wood, Mississippi; Josepli, born April 30, 1851, is a resident of Stephens county, Texas; James Crawford, born June 21, 1853, resides in Parker connty, Texas; Callie E., born October 13, 1856, the wife of George Runnels, of Limestone county ; Hugh Gaston, born April 13, 1858, re- sides in Cisco, Texas; Robert Walter, born February 14, 1860, resides in this county; Felix Alexander, born May 20, 1862, of Mexia, Limestone county; Lanra Beatrice, born May 24, 1865, married James Welch, of this county, and is now deceased; and Ada Lee, born January 22, 1867. Mr. Thetford's mother was a life-long member of the Primitive Baptist Church; his wife's parents were members of the' Missionary Baptist Church; and Mr. and Mrs. Thet- ford are also identified with the latter so- ciety. Their children were reared in this church, of which many of them are now members.

OHN W. ASKEW, a prominent farmer of Limestone county, Texas, came here in 1857, when a single man, and settled in Limestone county. He came to the State for his health, and until the opening of the war had never engaged in any permanent employment, but in 1860 he returned to Missouri with the intention of bringing to Texas a herd of sheep, but before his plans were carried out the war came on, and in 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army in a company in Mis-

souri, made up of old acquaintances, and was in General Price's command through Missouri and Arkansas.

Mr. Askew was in many skirmislies, but in only one battle. After two years of service, on account of failing health he re- ceived a discharge and thien returned to Texas and was detailed to do mechanical work for the people, building looms and doing anything needed to help keep indus- tries moving, and on July 30, 1863, he married and continned working as a me- chanic until after the close of the war. In 1866, he returned to Missouri and sold his land, and then returned to this State and settled on the 200-acre tract which he then bought, and which is a part of the place where he now lives. He now owns 400 acres in the home tract and lias bought and deeded to his children a good farm each. At an early time he handled considerable stock, horses and cattle, and yet continues with some stock. In the home farm our subject has 200 acres in cultivation.

The fine land owned by our subject gives great yields of wheat, corn, millet, oats and cotton, and he has never failed to make a crop since he has begun farming here. The production for home use of pork, lard and vegetables is always most abnudant. The home of Mr. Askew is a large, comfortable lionse with barn and ex- cellent out-buildings, and he has a good orchard which produces peaches, pears and apples. This is one of the most desirable homes in the county, although. when he settled here there was little improvement and but two houses in the neighborhood. The Indians were all gone and he had no trouble in that way. Game, bear, antelope

723

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

and wild turkey were yet abundant. Olp Springfield was then the county seat, and the cotton market was near Houston. The little log cabin where he first settled is still standing, although he later built a better house, and in 1884 crected the pres- ent comfortable structure.

Our subject was born in Greene county, Ohio, September 15, 1830, and at the age of about five years he accompanied his parents to Butler county, Kentucky, and there grew to manhood. At the age of twenty-two years he left the paternal roof and went to Missouri, where he bought land in Johnson county, and there made a farm, going to that State in 1853, and coming to Texas in 1857. He is the son of Childress and Pauline (Moorman) As- kew, botlı natives of Virginia. The father was a member of the body guard of Gen- eral Lefridge in the war of 1812, and studied medicine and became a physician, practicing in Ohio and Kentucky. He engaged in preaching for the Protestant Methodists, and also engaged in farming, dying in Kentucky in 1849.

The family of Askew originated in Eng- land. Two brothers first came to America and settled in Virginia and North Caro- lina respectively, and from these brothers the family has branched out over the United States. The mother was reared in Virginia, a Quaker in religion. Later the family removed to Ohio, and the family of our subject's parents consisted of eleven children, and our subject was the sixth. The greater number of these children are dead, but one brother, the oldest of the family, came to Texas, settled on the Red river and died there.

Our subject married Miss Caroline V. McCoy, a daughter of William and Martha McCoy of Tennessee. The father came to Texas when a mere boy at a very early day, when the Indians were over the entire State, and took part in the battle of San Jacinto and fought Mexicans and Indians until they were all gone. Some time after the State was annexed he married and set- tled down to farming and stock-raising. He died in this county in 1866. His wife was Martha Jones, a daughter of Hardy Jones, who came to the State at an early day. Slie was born near Norfolk, Vir- ginia, and two of the family, Gilford and Reuben were prominent preachers and educators.

ILLIAM F. STOREY, a merchant and farmer of Cotton Gin, Free- stone county, is a son of Julius W. Storey, who was born in 1824, in Alabama, where he was reared to manhood. Here also he received his education. Com- ing to Texas, he located near Cotton Gin, where he continued to reside until 1891, when he removed to Dallas and engaged in the real-estate business. For many years prior to moving to Dallas Mr. Storey was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Cotton Gin, where his son, the subject of this sketch, succeeds him. Mr. Storey landed in Texas with a horse and $4.50, but by strictest economy and close attenton to business he accumulated 3,000 acres of land, 2,000 of which are in Freestone county: in addition to this he has divided $25,000 among his children. He has held the posi-

724

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

tion of Postmaster of Cotton Gin for twenty-five years. In politics he is a strong Democrat and is also a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the old-school Presbyterian Church, in which he has served as a Deacon for a number of years. He is a man of good habits and of a mild, genial nature. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service as Captain of a Com pany, and served to the close of the war. His parents came to Texas and located in Falls county, where they died. Mr. Sto- rey married Angie Wills, a native of Ten- nessee, from which State she removed to Texas with her parents, Dr. J. S. and Emily (McFarland) Wills, natives of Ten- nessee, where Dr. Wills was a practicing physician. He also practiced his profession in Cotton Gin for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Storey were married in 1852, and they had nine children, namely : Millard, in this county, engaged with his father in real-estate business; James A., a merchant of Mexia; subject ; Julius B., deceased; Ella, at home; John, with his brother James; Emma, at home; and two children, who died in infancy.

Our subject was born in Freestone county, in 1861, where he continued to reside, living with his parents, until 1880, by whom he was employed. When nineteen he started out for himself and engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he con- tinued until 1883, when he removed to Cotton. Gin, where he was employed as clerk for his father for several years. The father finally sold liis stock of goods to his son, our subject, who still continues the business. When Mr. Storey began life for himself he received some assistance, and he

is constantly adding to his earthly goods. He now is the owner of 355 acres of land, 200 acres of which are in a fine state of cultivation, and abont 100 head of cattle. His town property is valued at about $4,500.

In 1880 he married Arabella Johnson, a native of Sontlı Carolina, who came to Texas with her parents, Dr. J. R. and A. (Gibbs) Johnson. Dr. Johnson was born in 1820, in South Carolina, where he resided until 1869. His early life was spent as a farın hand and overseer and he defrayed liis college expenses by doing what work he could obtain. In 1849 he began the study of medicine and in 1852 he began a course at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincin- nati, from which institution he graduated, in 1853. He then began the practice of his profession in the neighborhood of Cross Keys, where he remained until 1869, when he removed to Texas, Limestone county, and from there to Freestone county, and settled in Cotton Gin, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. He has been very successful and enjoys a large practice. He is the son of Andrew and Catherine (Clark) Johnson, natives of South Carolina. In 1857 Dr. Johnson married Amaryllis J. Gibbs, daughter of Hiram and Dilly (Bobo) Gibbs, natives of South Carolina. Dr. and Mrs. Johnson have had five children, namely: Bernard, de- ceased; Arabella, Mrs. Storey; Johnnie, deceased; and Katie and Arthur, at home. Dr. Johnson is a Royal Arch Mason, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Storey and wife are the parents of six children, namely: Elma, Olin, Cecil,

725

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Pearl, Fletcher and Jewel. Mr. Storey is a strong Democrat in politics and a Royal Arch Mason. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected citizens of Cotton Gin.

NSEL COLEMAN, a prominent farmer and old settler of Freestone county, Texas, was born in South Carolina in 1821, a son of Frank and Mar- garet (Benton) Coleman. The first mem- bers of the family came to America before the war for independence, and were among the first settlers of the State of South Carolina, and have always been identified with her interests. The grandfather of our subject was a farmer, but entered the army at the time of the Revolutionary war, doing his duty as a soldier. The Benton family is well known to all American readers. The grandfather of Mrs. Cole- man was in the Revolutionary armny with General Gates at the time of his defeat. He and the father of the distinguished ex- Governor Benton of Missouri were brotli- ers, hence Mrs. Coleman was a first cousin of the Hon. Thomas Benton, a name hon- ored and beloved in Missouri. Both grandparents died in South Carolina.

The father of our subject was married in Greene county, Alabama, in 1826, and all of his life he engaged in farming. His wife survived him until 1863. They had reared a family of seven children, as fol- lows: Mary, deceased, the wife of Elijah Edge; G. B., deceased; Joseph, deceased; Ansel, our subject; Margaret, deceased,

wife of W. B. Hill; William resides in this county; and Jonathan, deceased. The Coleman and Benton families are still well represented in South Carolina.

Ansel Coleman received a common- school education in Alabama, and com- menced life for himself at the early age of sixteen years, engaging as a farmi laborer in Mississippi. The first year he obtained $10 a month for his services, but the sec- ond year he was paid $400 as manager and overseer, remaining in Mississippi until 1852, and then came overland to Texas with mules and ox wagons. On the long journey of six weeks Mr. Cole- man met with the usual misfortunes which happen to emigrants-bad weather, rough and almost impassable roads-but finally reached this county in November, 1852, and located where Wardland now is. Mr. Coleman purchased a tract of raw land and commenced to improve a farm, and liere he resided for some time, removing from this place to locate on Caney creek, where he lived until he located on his present place. The first land purchased by Mr. Coleman was timber land, which cost him $2 an acre, but his present prairie land, in 1870 cost him $2.50 an acre. At that time he purchased 653 acres of unim- proved land, and the first lumber used in his buildings had to be liauled from Houston at a considerable cost, as so much time was consumed in making the trip. At this time he owns 200 acres. of fine land, an elegant residence, with the best of outbuildings and improvements.

Our subject entered the Confederate army in 1863, joining Captain Oliver's company in Bradford's regiment of cav-

726

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

alry, and participated in several skirmishes, the inost notable of which were Galveston Island and Mustang, Texas. Hc served until the close of the war, at which time he camne home and resumed those occupa- tions which he had laid aside when his country called him.

Mr. Coleman lias been engaged in cotton-raising, as well as farming, since coming to this State, and has been very successful in both enterprises. 'He was married, in 1850, to Miss Alice Burleson, a daughter of Hobson Burleson and Sarah (Burleson) Burleson, and Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are the parents of three children: Frank A., a farmer of this county; Emma, the deceased wife of Samuel Gaddie of this county; and Alice, at home. Mrs. Coleman is a lady very highly regarded in the community, and is a valued member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

HARLES S. BATES, a represent- ative of one of the oldest families in Limestone county, and a leading citi- zen of the county, is a son of David Bates, and grandson of Seth Bates. The latter was born in one of the southeast Atlantic coast States, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and in the Black Hawk war of 1834, settled in Ohio in an early day, came to Texas in 1836, and one year later located in Limestone county, where he died in 1857. He was the father of three sons, David, John and Silas. The last named accompanied him to Texas in 1836, then a yonng man, was married in Limestone county, and died here a few years ago.

John remained in Illinois, where he died not many years ago. David, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, March 23, 1807, and was reared in that State and Illinois, where his father had moved when he was young. He married Eliza Easton, who was born in Coles county, Illinois, June 28, 1814. They were the parents of six children, namely: Charles S., our sub- ject; Isaac, a farmer in west Texas; Will- iam, a farmer of Coryell county, this State; John, who died in Limestone county, in 1891, leaving a wife and eight children; Melissa, wife of William Webb of this county ; and David Stull, a member of the Twentieth Texas Regiment, was killed at the Honey Creek fight during the late war, in the Indian Territory. The mother died in Clark county, Illinois, November 11, 1845, and in 1847 the father married Mrs. Ma- hala Cox, nee Dongherty. By the last marriage there were four children, as follows: Mary, wife of Clark Cobb, of Brown county, Texas; Benjamin O., who recently died in this county, leaving a wife and several children; Jane, who married William Burdett, and died in Brown connty, Texas, leaving two children; and Silas, a stock-raiser of Brown county. Mr. Bates' maternal grandfather, Charles Eas- ton, moved from Kentucky to Coles county, Illinois, in an early day, where he was a prominent citizen many years. He served as Judge of his county, and also held other public positions.

Charles S. Bates, our subject, was born in Coles county, Illinois, May 10, 1833, and remained there until coming with his father to Texas, in 1852. He received a very limited education, was reared on a farm,

727

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

and had been identified with agricultural pursuits all his life. In June, 1862, he en- tered the Confederate army, Company K, Twentieth Texas Cavalry, served in Mis- souri, Arkansas and Indian Territory, and took part in the battles of Elk Creek, Honey Springs, and several others. He served from the time of enlistment until the close of the war. After the close of the struggle he returned home and resumed farming. Mr. Bates now owns a fine farm of 400 acres on Horn- hill, which he purchased soon after the war, and has 300 acres of his farm under cultivation, He lived on this place until three years ago, when he moved to Mexia, twelve miles distant, for the purpose of educating his children. He is a plain, unassuming man, industrious and a good manager.

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