A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I, Part 103

Author: Paddock, B. B. (Buckley B.), 1844-1922; Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 103

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).

Mr. Munson is a Democrat in his political views but would never accept political honors: or office. He is one of the active members. of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. and has a very wide and favorable acquain- tance. A very busy man, with extensive and important personal interests, he is yet ever ready to pause in the midst of his business du- ties to assist in the welfare of his city or to aid those who are in need. He is wholly worthy of the respect which is everywhere ten- `dered him, for his name is synonymous with honorable dealing and with all that is elevating and beneficial to the city and the individual.

SYDNEY C. KENNEDY, whose intense and well directed activity has made him today one of the leading representatives of insurance in his section of Texas and who in the munici- pal life of Denison has figured prominently and honorably, was born in Warren county,

614

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Missouri, in 1866, his parents being William T. and Mary (McGinnis) Kennedy. The fa- ther is still living in Texas but the mother passed away in 1889 at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. Kennedy was a merchant in early life and during the period of the Civil war fol- lowed farming near Wright City, Missouri. He also was a contractor and followed that business in several counties in Missouri. In 1887 he came to Denison, where for some years he was engaged in contracting and building. In his family were nine children. W. Lee, now living in Kansas City, Missouri; Elizabeth Lee, the wife of Charles J. Miller, of California, Missouri; Marvin F., deceased, who married Joe Payton, of Wellsville, Missouri; Robert E., who is living in Dallas, Texas; Sydney C., of this review; Celsus P., a resident of Alex- ander, Louisiana; Emma, the wife of J. P. Austin, of Shawnee, Oklahoma; Lucie B .; and Effie L., the wife of H. W. Bramble, of Durant, Indian Territory.

Sydney C. Kennedy spent his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the public schools of Missouri and in that state learned the carpenter's trade, complet- ing his apprenticeship when a youth of eigh- teen. He was twenty years of age when in 1887 he came to Denison and for a brief period he was connected with building operations here, but in 1889 turned his attention to the insurance business as the agent for life and ac- cident insurance. He was the representative of the Travelers' Insurance Company until 1894, after which he was connected with the Fidelity Casualty Company until 1903. He then became agent for the Travelers' Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, which is his present business connection, his headquar- ters being in Denison. He has thoroughly in- formed himself concerning insurance, its pos- sibilities and its benefits and he annually writes many policies representing a large investment. Indeed, he is one of the leading insurance men of western Texas and his business has long since reached profitable proportions.

In July, 1894, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Addie M. Francis, who was born in Som-

erset, Kentucky. They have three children: Robert Carr, Fred Arthur and Mary Francis, all born in Denison. Mr. Kennedy is a mem- ber of the Woodmen of the World, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ma- sonic fraternity and in the last named he has taken the degrees of the commandery and of the shrine. He has filled various offices in the subordinate lodge in Denison and is a wor- thy exemplar of the craft. In politics he is an earnest Democrat, and in 1901 was elected councilman at large for two years but re- signed before the expiration of his term and in 1902 was elected mayor, serving until April, 1904. He gave to the city a public spirited and progressive administration that won him high encomiums from his fellow townsmen. Deserving mention among the prominent citi- zens of Denison, he is enrolled among those men of business and enterprise in the great southwest whose force of character, sterling in- tegrity and control of circumstances have con- tributed in such an eminent degree to the soli- dity and progress of this entire section of the country. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example is well worthy of emulation.

TIMOTHY J. MURPHY. The student of history familiar with the record of the race recognizes the fact that the sons of Ireland have ever been an active factor in our later and more progressive civilization. They are men of great adaptability as well as energy and are thus enabled to adjust themselves to new circumstances and to improve opportuni- ties and utilize surroundings with which they have been familiar for but a comparatively brief period. Possessing the salient character- istics of his Celtic ancestry, Timothy J. Mur- · phy has made a creditable position in business circles in Denison, developing a profitable business as the head of the Denison Transfer Company. He was born in Ireland, March 19, 1860 and in 1863 was brought to America by his parents. His father, Kyarn Murphy, was born in Ireland in the year 1838 and mar- ried Miss Julia Pendergrast, who was also born

-1

615

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

on the Emerald Isle. Crossing the Atlantic to America, they took up their abode in Clark county, Indiana, where the father followed farming until 1873 when he went to Parsons, Kansas. There he entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com- pany as foreman of a gang of workmen who were engaged on the construction of the round house there and from April until August, 1873, he assisted in laying the tracks of the rail- road to the Red River bridge at Denison, being foreman of a number of men thus employed. Timothy J. Murphy came with his father as one of the employes and when the road was ex- tended to Denison, the town having only been recently surveyed, the father and son worked for the railroad company here until 1875. In that year the father turned his attention to the teaming business, in which he continued until his death in 1886, when he was forty-eight years of age. His son up to this time had been in his employ and became his successor, devel- oping a business which in extent and impor- tance has become a leading industry of the city, conducted under the name of the Denison Transfer Company. The patronage is now very extensive, so that the annual income is large and gratifying.

Mrs. Kyarn Murphy passed away in 1876, at the age of fifty-seven years, and of her four children only two are living, the younger be- ing Simon F., who resides in Dallas, Texas, where he is extensively engaged in the real estate business.

As before stated, the business record of Tim- othy J. Murphy was closely associated with his father's history until the time of the latter's death and as his successor he has made a cred- itable name in business circles in Denison, having the trust and confidence of those who have had reason to employ his services. He was married in Cleveland, Ohio, September 29, 1893, to Miss Teressa Ward, who was born in Ohio but was reared in Denison, Texas, In politics a Democrat, he is much respected as a citizen and though interested in the politi- cal success of his party he has never sought or desired office for himself. His genuine

worth has commanded trust and confidence and his business career, marked by steady ad- vancement, has won for him the admiration of his fellowmen. He is an example of the boys who secure their own start in life-de- termined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for advantages which others secure through in- héritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in the face of all opposition and to push through the front in one important branch of enterprise or another. As a man his business ability has been constantly dis- played and today he is enjoying the success which is the merited reward of earnest, persist- ent labor.

JOHN V. CUNNINGHAM. In the review of the history of Texas it would seem that the commonwealth was not advanced by steady steps or even strides but by leaps and bounds which have led to its progress toward an ad- vanced civilization. Its record covers the present time of large enterprises, of fabulous accomplishments and of heroic movements, and yet there are chapters of brutal insolence and unpunished violence when desperadoes made their way into the state and took advantage of the unprotected condition of the early pioneers. The history of Mr. Cunningham has been one of close connection with the development of Texas and if written in detail would furnish a more thrilling story than is found upon the pages of fiction. His parents removed to Texas from Alabama at an early day, settling first in Titus county. They were both natives of Tennessee. The father, James Cunningham, was born April 8, 1816, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Susanna Tate, was born December 22, 1817. Prior to their re- moval to Texas two children were born unto them: Aaron, born April 8, 1836; and Eliza- beth, who was born February 17, 1839, and is now the wife of T. J. Holmesley. Later ten more children were added to the family, as follows: David H., born January 24, 1842; Richard T., born January 26, 1844; John V., born February 14, 1846; William H., born Au- gust 17, 1848; James W., February 14, 1850; Josiah J., February 1I, 1852; Thomas A., Au-

616

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

gust 30, 1855; George W., December 21, 1857; Mary Jane, who was born April 16, 1860, and is the wife of Joe Neely ; and Unita Ann, who was born December 21, 1862, and is the wife of James Lewis. This is a notable family record in that the children are all yet living. James Cunningham on reaching Texas took up the occupation of farming and stock raising in Titus county and continued in the business up to the time of his death, which occurred July 8, 1894, while his wife survived until June 8, 1899.

John V. Cunningham was born on the pres- ent site of Mount Pleasant, in Titus county, February 14, 1846. In the same year the father removed to Travis county, and subsequently to Williamson county, where he remained until the year 1856, when he took up his abode permanently in Comanche county. The Cun- ninghams were the sixth family to settle with- in the limits of the county, having been pre- ceded by the Mercer, Holmesley, Tuggles, Col- lier and McGuire families. There were many Indians in the country, but they were usually friendly to the whites at that time and in- deed there were few conflicts between the pale faces and the red men until about the time of the breaking out of the Civil war. The settlers were very suspicious of danger, however, and were in a constant state of watchfulness. Or- ganizing for the common defense they formed parties to keep watch of their dangerous neigh- bors and were styled "independent rangers." Every male member of the community old enough to carry arms was expected to give ten days time in each month to this necessary duty. Co-operation was also necessary in managing their every-day affairs and while they were doing military service their home interests were safe in the care of their friends. The elder Mr. Cunningham was for many years the captain in one of the ranger com- panies and in many other ways was instru- mental in promoting the advancement and im- provement of Texas.

J. V. Cunningham before he had reached his fifteenth year learned to share the dangers and hardships with the older men and was fre- quently away from home for weeks at a time,

for the rangers, returning from some expedi- tion, would frequently meet the men who had the cattle in charge on the ranches and ex- change places with them without entering the settlements. When at last the Indians com- menced their depredations the citizens of Comanche county suffered heavy losses of horses and cattle. The marauding bands were generally pursued but seldom overtaken, yet J. V. Cunningham was present on a number of occasions when the Indians were cornered and had to fight for their lives and each time sev- eral of the thieves were killed. As may be supposed, while learning the stern yet neces- sary lessons of frontier life, Mr. Cunningham had little opportunity for the pursuit of a liter- ary education even if schools had abounded wherein he might have mastered the branches of English learning. His knowledge of books was obtained in the common schools of the county but the period covered by his school days was by no means long, owing to the ex- igencies of the time. The first wages that he ever received were for driving cattle into New Mexico for his father, being paid forty-five dollars per month while on that trip. He con- tinued in the cattle business, perfecting himself in every detail connected therewith and during his long experience was never at a loss to find employment nor failed to secure the highest wages in his work. He gradually worked his way upward until he was receiving one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars per month for trail work and as fast as he drew his money he invariably invested it in lands and cattle.

Tiring of working for others Mr. Cunning- ham entered business on his own account in Comanche county but after handling his cattle there for a short time he went to Bosque county, where he purchased a stock ranch. Later he bought five hundred head of beef cattle and drove them to Shreveport, Louis- iana, whence he shipped them to New Orleans. This was during the "free grass" days when the cattle dealer had to deal with the advan- tages and disadvantages unknown at the pres- ent time. There was no scarcity of range or water for the entire country was open to the wandering herds but thieving was common

617

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

and Mr. Cunningham, together with others, driven from their cover and in consequence the suffered heavily from this source. Later he > whites had to withdraw. In 1863 Mr. Cun- ningham was in another fight with the Indians. With a party of eleven rangers under Colonel Jack Wright, of Comanche, he had followed the Indian trail, twenty-two in number, for a long distance and they finally found the enemy hear Salt Mound, in Brown county. The In- . dians had stationed themselves in a strong position under a bluff and the rangers had to cross, a deep ravine in the face of their fire. This was done with the loss of three horses and the Indians were driven from their posi- tion, the rangers killing one of them and one of their horses.

handled cattle for a man by the name of Reed, of Comanche county, who was rounding up the strays in the country and restoring them to the proper owners. He received from every man to whom he delivered an animal ten per cent of its value, and as there was no scarcity of stray cattle in the country he made a good deal of money out of the business, sometimes taking in as much as eleven hundred dollars in a single week. These earnings were invested in a herd of cattle, which he drove through to Wichita, Kansas, by way of Fort Worth, Texas. He made the entire trip in safety but only to meet with misfortune in the midst of his success, for this was in 1873, the year of the failure of the Wichita Savings Bank, and Mr. Cunningham was among those who suf- ered financially through the bank. He had re- maining only his ranch in Bosque county, and two years later, in 1878, he sold that property and removed to Taylor county, arriving there on the day the county was organized. He took with him a herd of cattle and established a ranch, devoting his attention to a general cattle business, buying and selling and enter- ing upon every deal that promised a sure re- turn. He followed this occupation for a num -. ber of years but later allowed his holdings of cattle to decrease until he eventually withdrew from the business entirely.

In the old Indian days Mr. Cunningham passed through many perils and on one occa- sion he was shot at twenty-nine times by the red men. On another occasion the horse which he was riding was shot from under him and these were only two of his many narrow es- capes. While out after stock on one occasion, with his two little brothers and a Mr. Watson and son and grandson, he ran onto three In- dians. The Indians were overtaken on the Cowhouse creek, in Lampasas county, where they had concealed themselves in the moun- tains. Mr. Cunningham was armed only with a pistol, while the red men had guns and bows and arrows but they succeeded in killing one of the three and wounding the other two. The Indians, however, could not be drawn or

In 1880 Mr. Cunningham was elected sheriff of this county and served at that time for two years. Then after another interval of two years he was again called by popular suffrage to the office in the fall of 1884, serving twelve years, and was then Deputy United States Marshal for two years. He was again elected sheriff in 1898 and he has continuously served in that capacity. This remarkable record, cov- ering as it does a period of a quarter of a century, speaks volumes for his popularity among his fellow citizens and may also be ac- cepted as an index of his personal character and his efficient service. A braver or more determined officer never lived and he is re- garded as one of the best known sheriffs in the state of Texas. All his life he has been noted for his courage and daring, a reputation which has been justly won, for during his youth and early manhood his life was one of ·constant excitement and danger. In his official capacity his courage and ability have many times been displayed and he has never yet been found lacking in any of the requisites of an ideal official. In 1885 he was instrumental in breaking up an organization or gang of criminals known as the Cole and Lemon gang, who committed depredations throughout the vast territory between the upper Red river and the Del Rio. Mr. Cunningham secured a clew in Albany which led to a successful chase, ter- minating at that place.

On the 29th of December, 1864, in Co- manche, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss

620

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

dent of the Denison Driving Park & Fair As- Pecos. He enlisted in the ranger service under sociation and has financial investment in many other interests.

In 1889 Mr. Blackford was united in mar- riage to Miss Eugenia Rue, of Grayson coun- ty, Texas, and they have a daughter, Clara, who was born in Denison. In social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position and Mr. Blackford is a most public spirited man, whose aid and co-operation can always be counted upon to further any movement tending to the benefit of his adopted city. He is indeed a leading spirit in the commercial world here and Denison acknowledges its in- debtedness to his efforts. He is of a very social and genial nature and is heartily welcomed in the best homes of the city. The success of his life is due to no inherited fortune or to any happy succession of advantageous circum- stances but to his own sturdy will, steady ap- plication, tireless industry and sterling integ- rity.

JAMES JACKSON WYLIE, deceased, who for many years was a leading representative of stock raising interests of western Texas, was born in Tishomingo county, Mississippi, in 1834. His father, Robert Kelsey Wylie, was a native of North Carolina, in which state he was mar- ried, subsequently removing to Corinth, Missis- sippi, while in 1854 he became a resident of An- derson county, Texas, where he made his home until his death. In his family there were nine children, seven sons and two daughters, and the sons after the father's death removed to western Texas and entered the stock business, in which they prospered, accumulating considerable wealth.

James J. Wylie removed from Anderson county in 1860 and took up his abode on Bar- ton's Creek in Erath county, which at that time was an Indian country, the red men being more numerous than the white settlers. He turned his attention to the stock business, trading from there to IIenderson and Anderson counties. Af. ter a few years he confined his operations to the country between the mouth of Oak Creek on the Colorado river to Horsehead crossing on the

Captain M. B. Lloyd, now president of the First National Bank of Fort Worth. This company was afterward transferred to the command of Captain Whitesides, who was killed in the Cisco cyclone.

After serving three years as a ranger he re- turned to Barton's Creek, Erath county, and was married in 1877 to Miss Mary V. Anderson, a sister of R. G. Anderson. She is a native of Anderson county, Texas, born in 1861, and is a daughter of John C. Anderson, one of the pio- neers of this state. With three children she yet survives her husband. These are Kelsey C., Rena and Mabel C. Wylie.

In 1881 Mr. Wylie came to Taylor county, where he established a home for his family. Selling his stock interests in Runnels county to his brothers, he here engaged in the wholesale grocery and ranch supply business in Abilene, which he carried on for about five years. He continued to maintain his stock interests in Tay- lor county, however, up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 26th of March, 1896. He lived for many years upon the extreme edge of civilization and was engaged in numerous skir- mishes with the Indians, their principal offense, however, being horse stealing, in which they en- gaged at every possible opportunity. To such men of courageous spirit, strong determination and unconquerable energy Texas owes her growth and her transformation from a wild un- settled district into a region of advanced civili- zation. Hostile savages vainly tried to stem the westward tide of progress but Mr. Wylie and his contemporaries carried on the work, hewing out the roads over which the onward march of material, intellectual and moral development has been made, until the country is dotted here and there with churches and schools as well as the business interests representing commercial and industrial activity, together with the splendid farms and ranches which indicate the efforts of the agriculturist. Mr. Wylie was in this part of the country as early as 1868, traveling all over western Texas as a ranger. He had large cattle interests in the Pecos valley, which he main- tained there for many years.

Although his educational privileges were

JAMES J. WYLIE

621

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

somewhat limited he was a deep thinker and had the principles and theories of medicine and especially keen judgment in business matters, was practical in his application of his knowl- which resulted in his successful accomplishment edge to the needs of his patients. He com- manded the respect of his fellowmen both as a physician and as a citizen and he represent- ed the second ward in the city council as a Re- publican member. of whatever he undertook. Industry was one of his strong characteristics, while his determined purpose enabled him to overcome the privations and hardships of frontier life. He took great interest in the development of Abilene and was a staunch advocate of educational and moral progress, although he did not personally hold membership with any church. To his family he was devoted, giving his best thought and labor for their welfare and since the death of her hus- band Mrs. Wylie has continued to manage her portion of the estate.

MRS. ELIZA A. WILLIAMS, who is held in the highest respect for what she has accom- plished in the business world since the death of her husband, is now conducting an insur- ance and real-estate office in Denison. A native of West Virginia, she is a daughter of Luke E. and Marietta (Drown) Ray. Her father re- moved from West Virginia to Jefferson City, Missouri, when the daughter was nine years of age and there she spent her girlhood days and in 1861 gave her hand in marriage to Dr. George W. Williams, who for a number of years occupied a prominent position profes- sionally and socially in Denison. He was born in Tennessee and with his father went to Missouri in his youth. He pursued his pro- fessional education in St. Louis (Missouri) Medical, College and in Hahneman Medical College, Philadelphia, being a graduate of both institutions. He entered upon the practice of his chosen calling in southwestern Missouri and in 1873 came to Denison, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred on the 2nd of August, 1888. He was one of the first physicians of this city and was very active at the time of the cholera epidemic, giving valua- ble assistance in checking the ravages of that disease and in impeding its further progress. He was an earnest and conscientious practition- er, careful in the diagnosis of a case and at all times put forth his best effort to alleviate hu- man suffering and restore health. He studied

At the time of the Civil war Dr. Williams espoused the cause of the Union, enlisting in the Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry. He was de- tailed as hospital surgeon and was mustered out with the rank of first lieutenant and adju- tant after three years of active service, dur- ing which time he rendered signal aid to the sick and wounded who came under his care.

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.

A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I, Part 103

Author: Paddock, B. B. (Buckley B.), 1844-1922; Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Paddock, B. B. (Buckley B.), 1844-1922; Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis publishing co.
Number of Pages: 968