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 98

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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98
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 98

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. A. Buckingham secured only a com- mon-school education, and remained with his father until after reaching years of maturity. In 1881 he engaged in mer- chandising, having had only one year's ex- perience as a clerk prior to this, and fol- lowed that occupation six years in Purdon. He then removed to his present location, where he carries a stock amounting to $4,000, and does a good-paying business. He also owns three small farms, aggregat- ing 274 acres. Mr. Buckingham has held no office except Deputy Postmaster of Dawson, and has no political aspirations.

In 1875 he married Lulu E. Miller, who was born in 1859, a daughter of R. M. Miller. No children have been born to this union. Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.

AMPTON STEELE, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Montgom- ery county, Texas, where he was born in 1839. He is the son of Alfonzo Steele, who is one of the pioneers of Texas. He

came to Montgomery county in 1835, and soon afterward enlisted in the Mexican war. He was under General Honston at the battle of San Jacinto, and was shot there through the chest and was compelled to fall behind. A comrade, named Johnson, remained with him. While writhing in mortal agony from his wonnd, a Mexican approached him with the intention of rob- bing him. Mr. Steele required his com- panion to shoot the rascal, but he was afraid, so Mr. Steele, while in an agony, took the gun himself, and did the deed! After recovering from his wound he lo- cated in Montgomery county, where he married and engaged in farming and stock- raising, and remained there until 1844, when he emigrated to Limestone county, where he has owned and improved thou- sand of acres of land. He now lives three miles south of Mexia. He is independent in political views and is a Master Mason. In religion he is a Freethinker. Alfonzo is a son of Stephen P. and Susan (McCarty) Steele, natives of South Carolina and Ken- tucky. The former served in the Black IIawk war. His father and mother were natives of Ireland and France, respectively. When these people came to the United States they settled in New York and then came thence to South Carolina, where they founded the family of Steele in America. Mrs. Steele was an Ann Powell before her marriage, and a native of Williamson county, Tennessee. She is the daughter of Archibald and Tabitha (Berryman) Powell, natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Steele were married September 28, 1838, and they have had eleven children, namely: subject; Alfonzo, postmaster of Groesbeck,

785

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Texas; Alvarado, farmer of Limestone county; Francis M., deceased; Leonard A., farmer of Hamilton county, Texas; Mary Ann, now the wife of T. Bennett, an editor; Alice, wife of T. E. Eubanks, of Motley county, and four who are deceased.

Our subject emigrated to Limestone county, with his parents, 1844, and re- mained with them until 1858, when he be- gan for himself, first engaging in farming and stock-raising, at which he continued until 1868, except the time he spent in the Confederate service. He enlisted in 1862, but only served a short time, when he was discharged. Soon afterward he re-enlisted in Colonel Shoolwater's regiment and served until near the close of the war. In 1866, during reconstruction days, he served as Conuty Commissioner for several years and was then appointed Assessor and Col- lector of Limestone county, which position he held one term. In 1869 he began the mercantile business on Steele's Creek and there remained two years. He then bought the farm he now occupies.

Mr. Steele was married in 1859 to Lydia F. Smith, the daughter of John D. and Elizabeth Smith, natives of Tennessee and Mississippi, respectively. Mrs. Steele died in 1867, after she had borne her husband five children, namely: John D., of Lime- stone county; Leslie, of Falls county; Thomas, at home; and two who died. Our subject's second wife died in 1879. By her he had three children. The same year he was married to Mrs. S. E. Hendrix, a daughter of Elijah and Mary M. Kirkpat- rick. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have had seven children, namely: Bernard, Beulah, Ger- trude, Alvin, Lottie, Bessie and Effie.

Our subject began life for himself in 1859, and without receiving any financial aid he now has 300 acres of land, 150 of which is in a fine state of cultivation.

In politics Mr. Steele was a Democrat until 1876, since which time he has been an advocate of the Greenback principles. He was a delegate to the State Convention, at Austin, in 1880, and since that time has been a delegate to the Union Labor Con- vention, at Fort Worth, and in 1892 a delegate to the State Convention at Dallas. He was also a delegate froni the Seventh Congressional District to the National Convention, at Omaha, Nebraska. At this writing he is the nominee on the People's party ticket for County Tax Collector. Mr. Steele is an intelligent, honorable man and as a congenial, good-natured and hos- pitable citizen our subject is second to lione.

HOMAS S. McFADDEN, a pioneer settler and farmer of Navarro county, was born in Tennessee in 1839, a son of Thomas McFadden, a native of Sonth Carolina. The latter removed to middle Tennessee, and later to the western part of the State, where he subsequently died. He Was twice married, and by the first union there were four children. Subsequently he was again married, to Ruth M. Carroll, a native of South Carolina and a daughter of Samuel Carroll, of the same State. To Mr. and Mrs. McFadden were born two children: Thomas S., our subject; and James, deceased in infancy. After the father's death the mother married William

786

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

Watson, and they had four children: Mary E., wife of John McFadden; and Martha, Margarette and William, deceased.

Thomas S. McFadden came to Texas in 1847, in company with his mother and several other families, eight weeks being consumed in the journey. They settled on Chambers' creek, Navarro county, where our subject engaged in farming and stock- raising, but later moved farther into the interior. The mother was there married to Reuben Jones. Mr. McFadden con- tinned to live at home until 1872, and he then began improving the farm he now owns, where he has since resided. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service, but was discharged the same year on account of sickness. In 1864 he re- eulisted, first joining the State militia, soon afterward Walker's division, and served in this command to the close of the war. When Mr. McFadden began life for himself he had only about $300, and he now owns 700 acres of land, with 280 acres cultivated, and sufficient stock to run the farm. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church.

In 1859 our subject was united in mar- riage with Louisa Carroll, who was born in Mississippi, a daughter of Abner and Annie (Kirkendoff) Carroll, natives of South Carolina. To this union was born ten children, viz .: the eldest died in infancy : Luella, wife of Thomas Newson, of Nav- arro county; Emina, wife of John T. Brown; Ada, now Mrs. Jacob Hultz; Ora, wife of L. E. Newson; James T., a farmer of Navarro county; Samuel S., at home;

the next two, twins, died in infancy; and Willie Abner, at home. Mrs. McFadden died, and August 19, 1885, our subject married Mrs. Robertson, widow of Thomas M. Robertson, and a daughter of Archi- bald and Mary Ann (Walker) Greathouse, natives of Georgia and Tennessee, respect- ively. Mrs. McFadden had four children by her first marriage: Thomas R., deceased at the age of twenty-two years ; Emily Jane, wife of James Thompson, of Navarro county; William Archibald, deceased; and Minnie F., wife of Levi Brown, of this county.

AMES ROBINSON, deceased, a well- known resident of Birdston, Texas, was born in South Carolina, in 1807, a son of William and Elizabethı A. (Boggs) Robinson, natives of Ireland, who came to America previous to marriage, settling in South Carolina. By occupation Mr. Robin- son, Sr., was a farmer and lived to see his family of eleven children grow up around him, their names being: John; Samuel; Mary; Martha, who married William Davis; James, our subject; Henry; Fred- erick; Harvey; Alexander; Jane, who mar- ried Joseph Lindsey; and Presley, a minis- ter of the old-school Presbyterian Church. Both of the parents died in South Carolina on the old homestead. When the family of boys went out from the old home, Presley, Alexander and our subject came west; Henry and Sam went to Mississippi, but all of the children are now dead except the Rev. Presley Robinson, who has made this State his home since 1883.

787

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Our subject was a self-made man and received only a common-school education, and early left his home to seek his own fortune. Leaving South Carolina he first settled in Alabama, but in 1852 came to Texas, where he remained two years. Every spring he returned and visited his family in Alabama, and in 1854 he brought them back with him. He settled in Will- iamson county, while the rest of the fam- ily settled in this county, upon the farm where his widow now resides. Farming was the occupation until after the war, when he engaged in merchandising at Fairfield for the following ten or twelve years. He was appointed by ex-Governor Davis to fill the unexpired term of James Rodgers, Sheriff, and at the expiration of of this term was elected to this office for two years, at the end of which time his son, J. P., was elected to the office. Mr. Robinson was a very efficient officer and did a great deal of the necessary clerical work. He died in 1888 in his eighty- second year, having been a very devoted member of the Associate Reformed Presby- terian Church.

In 1837 he was married to Miss Eliza A. Bonner, a daughter of William and Ann (Joel) Bonner, and thirteen children were born of this marriage, nine of whom reared families of their own, namely: Mary, widow of Robert Davidson, of Navarro county; Jane B., wife of Ervin Bonner; William W., a resident of Navarro county; J. P., of this county; Elizabeth, wife of J. L. Bonner; Thomas, a resident on the old place; and his twin sister, Sallie, the wife of Young Bonner; Ann, deceased, wife of W. Y. Davidson, of Navarro county; Mar-

garet and Martha C., deceased, and two who died when small. Mrs. Robinson is a member of the Associate Reformed Presby- terian Church, and is much esteemed in her neighborhood. Mr. Robinson was a very successful business man and left large tracts of land to his wife and children at death.

HOMAS H. HALL, came to Texas when a barefooted boy, with his par- , ents in February. 1855, the father settling in Smith county, where our sub- ject grew to manhood. He was reared on a farm and finished his education here, which had been started in Alabama fromn whence he came. He remained under the parental roof until lie was twenty-five years of age, but at the opening of the late war he enlisted in Company B, Fourth Texas Cavalry, Ector's brigade, and was in ser- vice twenty-three months, and was then discharged on account of ill health. After enlistment he was consigned to the Army of the Tennessee under Bragg, and later under Joe E. Johnston, and took part in the battle of Corinth and was in all of the campaign to Vicksburg, when the regiment fell back to Jackson and had eight days of fighting, and at Morton Station he received his discharge. Although he saw hard serv- ice, he received no wound nor was le cap- tured, and after leaving the army he re- turned to the home of his father.

At the age of twelve years our subject became converted, and at the age of eigh- teen years lie began local preaching. After his return from the army, he reported to the local post surgeon in order to get his

788

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

perfect exemption papers, and received these all right. While in the army he preached, and after his return home he continued, and also began the study of medicine. In 1871 he attended medical lectures at Louisville, Kentucky, and prac- ticed his profession for twelve years. Dur- ing all this time he was carrying on farm- ing, and for three years he engaged in merchandising in Jamestown, Texas, and in 1872 he began the practice of medicine at his old home, where he remained eight years and then moved to this location, the village of New York, where he has con- tinued working for the good of both the bodies and souls of his people.

Mr. Hall was born near Columbus, Georgia, November 30, 1839, and is the son of James B. Hall, a noted minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he was the son of Thomas Hall, of Alabama, although the family came origi- nally from Virginia. The grandfather of our subject was a large planter and slave- owner, and his estate was the first ever settled in Autauga county, Alabama. In that State he died. . The honored father of our subject is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years, in Rusk county, act- ively engaged in preaching, in which he has been engaged for so many years. The mother of our subject was Miss Mary Hun- ter of Greenville, Georgia, a daughter of Rev. James Hunter, who began his minis- terial life at the age of eighteen years. He began life poor, but accumulated a large number of negroes, and as each child mar- ried he gave him or her four negroes, and when the war made slavery impossible Mr. Hunter anticipated the final result by

liberating forty of them. Both he and his wife passed away in Georgia. The mother of our subject dicd in 1878. She had been the mother of nine children, of which large family our subject is the only one remain- ing. The others who grew to maturity were: James W., who practiced medicine in Smith county and died in 1859; Sarah B., who married Rev. Isaac Alexander, who founded the Alexander Institute at Kil- gore, Texas, a grand and well-known man ; Mary C. married J. H. Sanford, who dicd at Columbus, Mississippi, while in the army. She died, leaving one child, who now is the wife of Joseph Osborne. At the death of Mrs. Alexander, our subject took her two children, reared and educated them, giving them every advantage, and is now very proud of them. Josie married Dr. Barnett, a celebrated physician of Rusk county, and her sister married James Thompson, now located at Rockport, Texas, where he is a merchant.

Our subject has been three times mar- ried, all of his excellent wives having been schoolmates. His first marriage was to Miss Kittie Vaughn, a daughter of A. J. Vaughn of Tennessee, who came to this State in 1860, but is now deceased. One child was born of this marriage, which took place in 1865, and Mrs. Hall died in 1866, leaving an infant sou, now Thomas H. Hall, Jr., a farmer of Henderson county. In 1867 Mr. Hall married Miss Mollie Holt, a daughter of Thomas S. Holt, a rep- resentative farmer of Smith county, who came to the State from Alabama in 1856 and is now deceased. One child was born of this marriage, B. C., now a farmer of Henderson county, who is at present the

789

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Democratic candidate for Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Hall died in 1870, and in 1871 he married Miss Rissa Desmuke, a daughter of Robert Desmuke, also of Mis- sissippi, who came to Smith county, Texas, in 1858, a large farmer and a prominent Mason, since deceased. A family of ten children were born of this union, two of whom died in infancy. The ones who grew to maturity were: Milton D., Lovic P., Carrie, Alexander M., Horace C., Martha F., and Mary F. Mr. Hall was also bereft of this wife April 5, 1891. All three were devoted members of the church, good and worthy women. All of the children are members of the church.

Mr. Hall does not aspire to office but affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Honor, and has been a member of the Grange and Alliance, but does not keep up his memberships.

ONAS J. HAIL, one of the pioneer settlers of Navarro county, was born in San Augustine county, Texas, in 1840, a son of Jonas J. and Amanda M. (Ewing) Hail, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Hail family came originally from England to America, lo- cating in Virginia. The father of our subject was taken by his father to Ten- nesse, where he was reared and married. In 1832, he brought his family to Texas, by the overland route, and settled within three miles of the old town of San Augus- tine, in San Augustine county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In

1835 he joined the Texas Patriots, was at the battle of San Jacinto, but, being a crip. ple, took no part in the struggle. After the close of the war he returned home and resumed farming until 1846. In that year Mr. Hail again took up arms in defense of his native land and the protection of his family, served during that memorable struggle, and at its close resumed those occupations he had laid down at his coun- try's call. He was not an active partici- pant in the late war, being at that time about sixty-four years of age, although his sympathies and financial support was given freely to the cause of the South. At the close of the war he engaged in the mer- cantile business in San Augustine, which he followed until his death, in 1869, at the age of seventy-three years. He had accumulated considerable property, and at the commencement of the late war was a wealthy man. Mr. Hail was never troubled with the Indians, and frequently went with parties for the protection of the frontier settlers. He took no great interest in po- litical matters, although was much with General Houston and other leading men of lis day. Of the eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hail, ten lived to years of maturity, viz .: Wilson E., a merchant of Crockett, Houston county, Texas; James, deceased; James, a farmer of Henderson county, and a resident of Brownsville; E. E., deceased, and his family reside in Na- varro county; Jesse M., who was killed at Sharpsburg, Maryland, in 1862; Frances, deceased; Amanda, deceased; Oscar F., a real-estate dealer, of Tom Green county ; Margaret, deceased; Mary J., wife of James Troy, of Jones county. The mother died

790

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

in 1873, at the age of seventy years. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her grandfather of Ireland. In later years the Ewing family located in Tennes- see, where many still reside.

J. J. Hail, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the subscription schools of San Augustine county. At the age of twenty-one years, he cast his first vote for the secession of his State from the general Government. In July, 1861, he joined Company K, First Texas Regiment, which was known as the Texas Invincibles, under Captain Frank Benton, proceeded to Vir- ginia, and were there made a part of the First Texas Infantry, commanded by Col- onel Raney, of Palestine. Our subject en- listed as a private, and as such took part in the battles of Ethan's Landing, Seven Pines, seven days' battle around Rich- mond, second Manassas, and then went into winter quarters at Fredericksburg. He next participated in the battle of that place, then Cold Water, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, was at the battle of Kuox- ville, but took no part, and in 1863, went into winter quarters at Morristown, Ten- nessee. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Hail again joined General Lee's army, aud served in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, Pittsburg, Darbytown Road. There was also another battle fought on this road, in which General John Gehrig and about half of the command was killed. Just after the fall of this General, Mr. Hail was made Color Bearer, which position he held until the battle of Farmersville. After the fall of Richmond the General iu com- mand asked for volunteer scouts to gaiu

the rear of the United States army, on the third road leading to Farmersville. Our subject, Nat. Faulkner, and Dick Curtis were selected for this dangerous mission, succeeded in gaining the rear of the army, reconnoitered, and reported at the bridge across the river at Farmersville to Generals Lee and Longstreet. At the surrender of General Lee, April 10, 1865, Mr. Hail, with seven other men from Texas, was keeping the Confederate Gen- erals informed as to the movements of the United States forces, after which they im- mediately started for Texas and home. The same evening they captured fourteen prisoners, thirteen whites and one negro, among them being several Lieutenants, and one Captain, named Valentine. They inarched their prisoners thirteen miles, and then paroled them, Mr. Hail signing General Lee's name to each parole. From April 10 to the first of July was con- snmed in reaching home, our subject hav- ing been delayed in Mississippi eight weeks, on account of sickness. He was never wounded or captured during the war, and was absent from duty only about six weeks, when he received a furlough.

After the close of the struggle Mr. Hail resumed farming in Houston county, where his father had given him a body of land, which he improved. In 1870, he came to where he now resides, settling ou land given his wife by her father. He now owns 553 acres, with 150 acres under a fine state of cultivation, a good residence, etc. September 19, 1865, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Burleson, who was born in San Augustine county, Texas, in 1843, a danghter of James and

791

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE. AND LEON COUNTIES.

Mary (Warren) Burleson, natives of Ala- bama and Kentucky. They were married in Tennessee, and came to San Angustine county, Texas, in 1834. The father was a brother of General Edward Burleson, and a consin of Rufus C. Burleson, of Waco, Texas. Mr. Burleson was not inclined to military life, although he served in the Texas and Mexican wars, much preferring agricultural pursnits. He came to this connty in 1855, settling in the neighbor- hood of where our subject now resides. His death occurred in 1874. Both the families of Mr. and Mrs. Hail fled to Lonisiana in 1835, from San Augustine county, just prior to the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. Hail tells a good story in regard to the scare the place had at that time. A Mr. Shadrach Thomas then owned a white horse and ox, and at the time of the stampede he became so ex- cited that he nearly lost his mind. Run- ning to the lot, where he kept his horse and ox, he mounted on the back of the latter animal, turned his head toward Louisiana, and was not aware of the fact of his being on the ox until crossing a small stream. The animal lowered his head to drink, and Mr. Thomas went to settle himself on its back more firmly by holding to the mane, when he found in- stead of his being on the horse he was mounted on his ox! The emigrants re- mained in Louisiana only a few days, and then returned home.

Mr. and Mrs. Burleson were the parents of fourteen children, thirteen of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: James, of San Augustine county; Elizabeth, de- ceased, was the wife of J. V. Kell; David,

deceased; Edward, deceased; James, wlio died in the Confederate army; Robert, deceased; Margaret J., widow of E. E. Hale; Augustus, of this county; John, who was killed in 1865; Thomas, of Wil- barger county; Jonathan, deceased; Mary A., wife of our subject; Sarah L., wife of M. L. Bonham. Mr. and Mrs. Hail have had ten children, as follows: Amanda L., wife of J. D. B. Steel, of this county; Margaret J., now Mrs. D. C. Kelley, of Navarro county; Eddie, deceased; Mary W. and Julia J., at home; James, de- ceased; Fannie L., Sophia N., Carrie B., and Rosa G., at home.

Mrs. Hail is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hail has served as Past Master, and is now Junior Warden of Birdston Lodge, No. 333, A. F. &. A. M.

ILLIAM M. STEPHENS is a son of Enoch Stephens, who was born in Kentucky, and went thence to Alabama, where he married and died, in Talladega county. By occupation he was a farmer, and in politics a Democrat. The family are of Irish descent. The mother of our subject was Amanda Anderson, a native of South Carolina, who went thence to Alabama, where she married Mr. Ste- phens. Her parents were natives of Sontlı Carolina. The marriage of the parents of our subject took place in 1838, and three children were born to them, the oldest of whom is onr subject. His sister, Rebecca, is now the wife of a Methodist minister in Texas, named Rev. J. M. Mills, and his

792

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

only brother, James, was killed at Chan- cellorsville, in the Confederate service. The mother of our subject married a second time, in 1857, and to her and her husband, Andrew Murphy, five children were born, namely: Sarah, wife of a Mr. Miller, lives in Georgia; Nancy, wife of James Miller, lives in Georgia; Bettie is the wife of Jack Peoples; Mollie is the wife of Madison Nipple; and Emma is the wife of John M. Lucas. The mother died in 1862, and had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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