USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 102
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In politics Mr. Munson is a Jeffersonian Democrat and at the urgent request of his friends stood as a candidate for nomination for the legislature but failed of selection in the Democratic primary by sixty-eight votes. He has, however, always preferred to give his un- divided attention to his business affairs. He is not only a successful business man but a scien- tist, as well, and his labors have been of di- rect and permanent good to this and other lands. He has broadened knowledge through the papers that he has contributed to horticul- tural literature and the articles that he has written upon experimental farming have dem- onstrated by practical effort the possibilities of Texas for the production of as fine fruits as have ever been seen upon the market, and has given to the world some of its best improved varieties in grapes and other fruits. He has certainly promoted progress in large measure in the special field of his activity and his name is today an honored one wherever horticultural pursuits are carried on along scientific lines.
JAMES H. PARRAMORE. Cattle raising has long been one of the chief sources for the wealth and prosperity of Texas and a leading representative of this industry is James H. Parramore, a successful business man, who, by the utilization of his opportunities, his un- faltering preseverance, and his capable man- agement of business affairs, has become one of
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the wealthy citizens of Taylor county and, moreover, he has commanded respect and con- fidence by reason of his straightforward bus- iness methods, showing that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
Mr. Parramore was born in Early county, Georgia, August 31, 1840, and is a son of Wil- liam Warren and Rebecca Jane (Norwood) Parramore. The father was a native of Quincy, Florida, while the mother's birth oc- curred in either Early or Baker counties, of Georgia. There were only two children in their family-James H. and Susan Jane-the latter, the deceased wife of Hugh Lewis, of Gonzales, Texas.
James H. Parramore went to Mississippi from Georgia at a very early period in his boy- hood days and in December, 1849, became a resident of Gonzales, Texas. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, for the family lived upon a farm about seven miles from the town of Gon- zales. In his youth he attended the country schools and after the removal of his parents to Gonzales he continued his education in the college there. When about seventeen years of age he began working on a farm, having charge of cattle. He was thus employed for about three years, when feeling the need of further education he returned to school. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861 he responded to the call of the south, enlisting as a member of the Confederate army with Company I, of the Eighth Texas Cavalry known as Terry's Texas Rangers. He was mustered into service at Houston, Texas, and was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro on New Years day of 1863. Then obtaining a furlough he returned home, but in April fol- lowing, having recovered his health, he re- joined his command. From that time on until 1864 he was in every skirmish or active fight in which his company participated, but on the 30th of July, 1864, he was again wounded in an engagement at Newark, Georgia, about thirty miles below Atlanta. He was left at that place with a broken leg and was afterward
taken to the hospital at Macon, Georgia, where he laid for over two months. In January, 1865, because of his physical disabilities he was re- tired from the service. When he joined the army he was made third lieutenant and when he left his command he was the fourth captain of his company.
Following his military services Mr. Parra- more engaged in farming in Gonzales county in connection with his brother-in-law, Hugh Lewis. They purchased about two hundred acres of land, which they fenced and began to improve, planting cotton, but the first year they only raised about six bales, the worms eating up their crop. They also engaged in the cattle business, driving herds of cattle into Kansas, Mexico and other places. In May, 1879, Mr. Parramore took his cattle to Run- nells county, and in August of that year the family removed to that county, living on a ranch there for nearly three years. In Octo- ber, 1881, he removed to Abilene, which town had been established in the spring of that year and here he has since resided. He is yet inter- ested in the cattle industry and in this way has become a man of wealth. He is a most excel- lent judge of stock and it is said that his eye is so well trained that he can describe and pick out a missing cow from a large herd of cattle. He is very careful of his interests in all business dealings and while he never per- mits any one to overreach him in a business transaction he is equally careful of the rights of others. He has invested largely in real estate and his purchases and sales of property have resulted very advantageously.
Mr. Parramore built one of the first perma- nent residences in Abilene, having determined to make his home here. He was married Octo- ber 28, 1866, to Miss Mary Jane Goodson, of Gonzales, Texas, and they have a family of seven children-four sons and three daughters. In politics Mr. Parramore has always been a Democrat. He is one of the representative men of Abilene, deeply interested in its wel- fare and progress and his labors have proved far-reaching and beneficial in advancing its growth and material improvement.
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ALEXANDER W. ACHESON, M. D., who since 1872 has engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Denison and is now mayor of the city, occupying an honored position not only in pub- lic office but also in public regard, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, in 1842, a son of Alexander W. and Jane (Wishart) Acheson. The father, a native of Philadelphia, died at the venerable age of eighty-six years, while his wife, who was born in Washington, Pennsyl- vania, passed away at the age of eighty years. Mr. Acheson was a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, became a prominent at- torney of Pennsylvania and served as district judge.
Dr. Acheson, spending his boyhood and youth under the parental ,roof, was afforded good educational privileges and remained at home until 1861, when at the age of nineteen years he enlisted for service in the Federal army, acting as a private. He was promoted to the rank of captain after the battle of Gettys- burg and served as aid-de-camp on the staff of General Nelson A. Miles during the Mine Run campaign. He was wounded in the face at the Battle of the Wilderness, and by rea- son of his injuries and on account of his general health he left the army. Follow ing his military service he entered upon the study of medicine in , Philadelphia and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in the class of 1867. He then located for prac- tice in Washington, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1870, when he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, coming thence to Deni- son, Texas, in 1872. Here he has practiced continuously since, with a constantly growing patronage, and has also served as local surgeon for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad for over thirty years. He has kept in touch with modern scientific methods and advanced thought, and has thus continually promoted his efficiency, rendering his labors of signal value and service to his fellowmen. He is interested in all that tends to solve the com- plex problems of disease or physical injury and in his practice has ever maintained a high standard of professional ethics.
Dr. Acheson was married in 1864 to Miss Sarah Cooke, a daughter of John L. Cooke, who died in 1899, leaving two children: Jane, who was born in Pennsylvania ; and Alice, who was born in Denison, Texas, and is the wife of I. F. Sprouel, by whom she has a daughter, Jane. Dr. Acheson since 1869 has been a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and at the National Encampment in Washington, D. C., in 1902, was elected surgeon general. Promi- nent in public affairs in Denison since becom- ing a resident of this city, his public spirited devotion to the general good and his practical ideas of citizenship well entitling him to a po- sition as leader, he has been selected for public honors and office, having been chosen council- man of the second ward in 1873. He has ever advocated the principles of the Republican party but votes independently at national elec- tions, and in 1904 was elected on the citizens' . ticket to the office of mayor, so that he is the present chief executive of Denison. He is giv- ing to the city a public-spirited and progressive administration, watchful of needed reforms and improvements and exercising his preroga- tives in support of all plans and movements for the general good. Personally prominent and popular, the consensus of public opinion re- garding his official and professional service is equally valuable and Dr. Acheson is widely recognized as one of the foremost residents of Denison.
HON. J. D. YOCOM, city secretary of Denison, was born in Clay county, Indiana, October 25, 1842, and is a son of Levi and Lucy (Gordon) Yocom. The father was born in Kentucky and died in Indiana in 1873, at the age of sixty-four years. He was serving as sheriff of Montgomery county at the time of his death. His wife, also a native of Ken- tucky, passed away in that state at the age of seventy years. The father was a farmer and trader and went to Indiana in 1837 but re- turned to Kentucky in 1847 and his remain- ing days were passed in Montgomery county, that state.
Hon. J. D. Yocom, whose name introduces
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this review, pursued his education in the schools of Kentucky and of Indiana, attending for a time the Mount Sterling Seminary in the former state and afterward the Indiana Col- lege. For several years, from 1865 until 1873, Mr. Yocom engaged in teaching school in Ken- tucky and in Clay county, Indiana. He was serving as deputy sheriff under his father at the time of the latter's death and was then appoint- ed sheriff and at the next election he was chosen sheriff of Montgomery county, Ken- tucky, which position he held until the Ist of January, 1877. In July of the same year he came to Texas and for one year was engaged in farming in Collin county. In November, 1878, he came to Denison, where he acted as bookkeeper, and subsequently he embarked in the grocery business on his own account. He carried the business on successfully for several years or until 1898, when on account of ill health he sold out. In 1900 he was elected city secretary and has held the position since. He had previously served in public office, act- ing in 1885-6, 1888, 1889 and 1891 as council- man from the third ward, filling the office until April, 1892, when he was elected mayor. He was elected again in 1894 and his term expired in 1896. In politics he has always been a Dem- ocrat and has been a member of the executive committee for many years. His public duties have always been discharged in a faithful prompt and capable manner, so that over the record of his official career there falls no sha- dow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
In January, 1873, Mr. Yocom was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Young, a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky, and they had two children: Dell M., who was born in Ken- tucky and is now the wife of Vernon Gee, of Oklahoma Territory, by whom she has one child, Dorothy ; and J. D. Yocom, Jr., who was born in Texas in 1883 and is a graduate of the A. & M. College. Mrs. Yocom departed this life in April, 1897, passing away at North Adams, Massachusetts, when forty-seven years of age. On the 24th of June, 1902, at Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Yocom was mar- ried to A. A. Tucker, a native of Montgomery,
Kentucky. He belongs to the Knights of Py- thias fraternity, holding membership in the lodge at Denison. His life has been active, his actions manly and sincere and in business, so- cial and official relations he has always com- manded the confidence and esteem of his fel- lowmen. His efforts in behalf of the city and its progress have been far reaching and bene- ficial and all who know him respect him for his genuine personal worth.
W. T. BOOTH, M. D., who since 1889 has engaged in the practice of medicine in Denison, the consensus of opinion according him a prominent position as a representative of the medical fraternity, was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, on the 3rd of January, 1850, his parents being John S. and Martha (Now- lin) Booth, the former a native of South Caro- lina and the latter of Tennessee. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser and came to Texas in 1854, settling in Paris, this state, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring when he was sixty-seven years of age. His wife died in Paris when seventy-three years of age.
Dr. Booth supplemented his early education- al privileges by a course of study in Kentucky State University and later entered the Hos- pital Medical department of Central Universi- ty at Louisville, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in the class of 1875. He then en- tered upon the practice of his profession in Honey Grove, Fannin county, Texas, where he remained for about fourteen years, when in 1889 he came to Denison, Texas, where he has since resided. He was not long in demonstrat- ing to the public that he possessed skill and ability of superior order in the practice of medicine and surgery. He has comprehensive knowledge of the great scientific principles which underlie his work and brings to his pro- fessional duties the practical common sense which enables him to apply his learning with accuracy to the duties before him. He main- tains a high standard of professional ethics and keeps abreast with the best thinking men in this calling, so that he has rendered signal
ROBERT W. ELLIS
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service to those who have employed him pro- fessionally.
In his political views Dr. Booth is a stalwart Democrat and in 1901 was elected alderman from the third ward, serving as a member of the council for two years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias lodges of Denison and has held various offices in both orders.
In 1876 Dr. Booth was married to Miss Cornelia J. Harral, a daughter of L. H. Harral, of Lamar county, Texas, and they have one son, J. Harral, who is a graduate of the State University of Texas of the class of 1901 and is now engaged in the practice of law in Deni- son. Dr. and Mrs. Booth have a wide and favorable acquaintance in the city of their adoption and are accorded a position of promi- nence in social circles. Thoroughness has characterized all of his work and it is a part of his nature that he must delve to the very bottom of whatever interests him. He has been a deep student of his profession and with the illimitable fields of knowledge before him he has toiled constantly onward, ambitious to attain the best success possible, not only for his own benefit but also because of the humani- tarian spirit that prompts his best service for his fellowmen.
ROBERT WALLER ELLIS. The gentle- man whose name stands at the head of this article and who has the proud distinction of being mayor of Abilene, is one of the old set- tlers of this community. He was born in Macon, Georgia, April 26, 1847. His father Thomas Major Ellis, was a native of Virginia and in early manhood he wedded Miss Eliza Cunningham, who was born and reared in Georgia. In their family were eight children but Robert W. is now the only surviving mem- ber of that household.
His parents died when he was quite young and in his boyhood days he acquired a com- mon school education partly in Alabama and partly in Georgia. The Civil war was disas- trous to the family's finances and because of this he was thrown upon his own resources
at the early age of twelve years so that what- 'ever success he has achieved or enjoyed in life is attributable entirely to his own effort. While the war was in progress, in 1863, having arrived at the age when his services would be accepted, he volunteered to join the Confederate army and aid in defense of the south. He was en- thusiastic and patriotic in support of his loved southland and he joined the Confederate forces at Dalton, Georgia, where General Joe John- ston's` command was stationed at that time. This was just after the hard fought battle of Chickamauga and the army was rested there on its retreat. Mr. Ellis was assigned to the ranks of Company B, Thirty-sixth Alabama Regiment of Infantry, in General Clayton's Brigade,. composed of the Eighteenth, Thirty- second, Thirty-sixth and Thirty-eighth Ala- bama regiments, the same forming a part of Stuart's Division. He participated in all of the fights of his regiment up to and including the battle of Nashville and following this en- gagement the army retreated to Tupelo, Mis- sissippi, where his brigade was detached and sent to the defense of Mobile, being there placed under the command of General Morry. After the battle of Mobile the remaining forces were sent to Meridian, Mississippi, where oc- curred the surrender to General Canby, U. S. A., on the 10th of May, 1865. Mr. Ellis was a faithful soldier, promptly executing every or- der that was given him and he received two promotions for bravery and gallantry while facing the enemy as an uncommissioned officer. After the war closed and peace was declared 'throughout the country every soldier boy of the south laid aside his weapons and his uni- form and sought employment in the various occupations of life. Mr. Ellis engaged in clerk- ing in a wholesale grocery store at Macon, Georgia, owned by J. H. Anderson & Son, with whom he remained until 1878.
It was in that year that he came to Texas, settling first at Forth Worth, where he en- gaged in the grain business. Not long after- ward he transferred his business to Abilene, becoming a resident of this city in 1884. Here he has since remained, carrying on an exten- sive business in grain, hides and wool. He
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built the business block on North First street in 1891 and in addition to this he owns other property in this city.
Mr. Ellis was married in 1884, in Weather- ford, Texas, to Miss Mary A. Lotspeich, a native of Sweetwater, Tennessee, and they have one son, Buford L. Ellis, who was born in December, 1886. Mr. Ellis is fraternally connected with the Knights of Pythias, having joined the order in the '70s, his membership being now with Star of the West lodge, No. 142, of Abilene.
In his political affiliation he has always been a Democrat and aside from party politics he has taken an active interest in the welfare, progress and growth of the city. He was elected alderman of Abilene in 1892 and for eight or nine years served as a member of the city council. In educational affairs he has taken more than a friendly interest in the work, giving much of his time and efforts for the improvement of the school system and during three years he served on the city school board, using his influence and support in every way to further the cause of education here. In the spring of 1904 he was nominated as candidate for mayor and was elected by a large majority, since which time he has been chief executive of the city, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is practical in all that he undertakes, giving a businesslike administration and he has thor- oughly informed himself concerning the needs and possibilities for public improvement. He is recognized as a leader in community affairs, wielding a wide influence and his champion- ship of progressive, public measures has been a valuable element in Abilene's substantial im- provement.
WILLIAM B. MUNSON. In the business life of Denison the name of William B. Mun- son is well known in connection with his real estate operations and has become a synonym for enterprise, capable management and straightforward dealing. He was born Janu- ary 16, 1845, in Fulton county, Illinois, and is descended from Scotch ancestry, the line be- ing traced back to Captain Richard Manson,
who was a sea captain, belonging to a titled Scotch family. He became a resident of Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, about 1661, and from him the line of descent is traced down through John Manson, Sr., John Manson, Jr., Richard Manson, Theodore Munson, Joseph Munson and Theodore Munson, Jr., to William B. Munson of this review. It was the great- grandfather of our subject who changed the spelling of the name to its present form. The grandparents were Theodore and Lydia (Phil- brook) Munson and the parents William and Maria (Linley) Munson, the latter a daughter of Joseph and Sarilla (Benjamin) Linley.
When twenty years of age William B. Mun- son received his time from his father. He had previously mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools and after being given his time he followed farming and other occupations in order to pay his way through college. He was one of the first students in the Agricultural & Mechanical College, then a part of the University of Kentucky, and was graduated with the first class in that institu- tion in 1869. By doing various kinds of work he was enabled to meet the expenses of his college course. He taught to some extent in the primary classes. He had for one year pre- viously attended Abingdon College in Abing- don, Illinois, and in early life he learned the profession of civil engineering and was con- nected with the railroad construction in ad- dition to teaching school. Every step that he has made in his business career has been a forward one. He has sought for proper op- portunities, has availed himself of the advan- tages that come to all and through the best utilization of time and talents he has made steady advancement until his position today in business circles in Denison is a most com- mendable and creditable one. He came from Illinois to Texas in the fall of 1871 and here, entering upon the study of law, he was soon afterward admitted to the bar and began prac- tice, but early turned his attention to the real estate business, becoming identified with the sale of property in the early days of Denison. He has been instrumental in securing for the
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city its various enterprises and has negotiated very important realty transfers that have been" a factor in the city's growth. He formed a partnership with Jot Gunter and during the ten years of their business connection conducted an extensive land business and dealt in lands to a greater extent than any other two men .. They , handled millions of acres, buying and selling, and they gradually became interested in the cattle business as well and were owners of large herds, Mr. Munson having a ranch at the upper end of the Red River comprising two hundred and fifty thousand acres. This was a splendid property, which he sold in 1885 for seven hundred thousand dollars. It was an ideal property for ranch purposes and the raising of cattle, having a canyon which gave excellent protection to the large herds in winter.
Mr. Munson has also been closely identified with many of the industries, enterprises and institutions of Denison that have promoted its material, commercial and financial growth. He was the purchaser of Mr. Scullins' interest in the First National Bank of Denison and at one time was the sole owner, but distributed his stock among his relatives and friends, however retaining possession of the controlling inter- est for two years, when he sold out to the Na- tional Bank of Denison, which institution suc- ceeded the First National Bank and in the former Mr. Munson is still a director. He is likewise the vice president of the Denison, Bonham and New Orleans Railroad Company and is largely interested in and President of the Denison Cotton Mills Company, successor . to the now defunct American Cotton Spinning Company, and which mills are now in success- ful operation. He is president of the Denison Light & Power Company and one of its largest stockholders, vice president of the Southern Trust Company and a director in the Denison Bank and Trust Company and he organized the Red River Steel Bridge Company, which built the bridge across the Red river. He has been instrumental in opening up coal mines and organized the Southwest Coal and Im- provement Company, which is now the South- west Development Company, dealing. largely
in real estate. Mr. Munson is indeeed one of the influential citizens of Grayson county and belongs to that class of representative men who, while promoting individual success also contribute in large and substantial measure to the general welfare.
Mr. Munson was married in September, 1876, to Miss Mary Ella Newton, a native of Alabama and a daughter of Jesse M. and Fran- ces Lavina (Allen) , Newton. Her father, who' was born in Alabama in 1824, was for many years a merchant and in the fall of 1869 came to Texas, settling at Sherman, where he followed farming. His death occurred in the year 1902. His widow was born in South Carolina in 1831 and they were the parents of four children, of whom three are living: Mrs. Munson, Charles J. and Jesse. Unto our subject and his wife have been born six chil- dren, five of whom yet survive: Linley Allen, born in Sherman, Texas, who married S. J. Tonkin, of Parsons, Kansas; Maud, who was born in Sherman, Texas; Theda, whose birth likewise occurred in that city; and William B. and Eloise, who were born in Denison. The third member of the family, Vida, died when two years old.
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