USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I > Part 115
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
WILLIAM ROBERTSON, one of the early settlers of Montague county, is familiar with the history of this section of the state from pioneer times down to the present, living here when there were many unfavorable conditions because of the hostility of the Indians and their many depreda- tions, together with all the hardships and trials which are to be borne in a sparsely settled re- gion. As the years have gone by he has watched with interest the changes that have been wrought and has borne his full share in the work of im- provement.
Mr. Robertson was born in Fulton county, Illi- nois, September 17, 1845. His father, Alexander T. Robertson, was a native of Virginia and a son of William Robertson, also born in the Old Do- minion. Alexander Robertson, the great-grand-
686
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
father of our subject, emigrated from Scotland to the new world and became a resident of Vir- ginia, where he died after rearing his family. Alexander Robertson, the father of our subject, . spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity and when a young man went to Illinois in 1843. There he engaged in teaching school. In 1844 he married Miss Elizabeth Hop- kins, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Jar- rett B. Hopkins, who was a practicing physician of the Buckeye State and afterward removed to Illinois, where he continued in active practice of medicine and surgery for many years or until he put aside professional care in old age. He died in Astoria, Illinois, and in that community was highly respected. He belonged to the Ma- sonic fraternity and in his religious faith was a Methodist. His children were: Lemuel, who emigrated to Texas at an early day, remaining there for one year, during which time he im- proved a small farm, but then sold the property and returned to Illinois, where his death occur- red; Jane; Julia : and Elizabeth, the wife of Al- exander Robertson. The young couple began their domestic life in Illinois and not long after this Mr. Robertson became county surveyor, which office he filled for ten years. He was also justice of the peace and discharged every duty that devolved upon him in a competent and faith- ful manner. A fine mathematician and civil en- gineer, he was elected county surveyor of Collin county. Texas, after his removal to this state in 1854. He purchased land there and improved a farm and he also discharged the duties of county surveyor and did civil engineering in the county. In the early years of his residence in this state he likewise engaged in teaching school and dur- ing the period of the Civil war he served as county judge. During the reconstruction period he retired from that office, but later was elected justice of the peace. His attention was then given to surveying, which he followed for a num- ber of years. After the death of his wife, his family becoming scattered and the home thus broken up, he went to Ardmore, Indian Terri- tory, where three of his sons resided and with them found a good home, his death there occur-
ring' in 1891, when he had reached the ripe old age of seventy-six years. He was faithful to his professions as a member of the Methodist church and was also a valued representative of the Ma- sonic fraternity and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his life record he displayed many excellent traits of character, combining with his reliability and activity in business a charitable disposition, kindly spirit and social nature that made him the friend of the poor and needy and gained him the warm regard of all with whom he came in contact. His wife was also a devoted member of the Methodist church. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children: Wil- liam ; Margaret ; the wife of R. Cutts: Samuel O., of Dallas, Texas: Hiram, who died in the In- dian Territory ; Mary E., the wife of James Ren- neau ; Alexander T., a merchant of Collin county ; Samuel H., a business man of Ardmore, Indian Territory; and Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Simmons, and after losing her first husband married F. Renneau.
William Robertson accompanied his parents on their removal to Texas and was reared to man- hood in Collin county, remaining under the pa- rental roof until 1864, when he entered the Con- federate service in the Twenty-ninth Texas Cav- alry under command of Colonel DeMoss. With the Trans-Mississippi department he served in Arkansas, Indian Territory, Louisiana and Texas. He did much scouting in the territory and took part in a number of hotly contested skirmishes and battles in the vicinity of Fort Smith. He was at Hempstead, Texas, when Gen- cral Lee surrendered and there the command disbanded and he returned home. Although al- ways on active duty he was never wounded nor taken prisoner.
Following the close of his military experience Mr. Robertson resumed farming, in which he continued until the time of his marriage in 1869, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Lit- tle, who was born in Washington county, Arkan- sas, April 10, 1849, a daughter of John D. and Parmelia (Bounds) Little, both natives of Mis- souri, the former born in 1822 and the latter in 1828: They were reared, however, in Arkansas,
687
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
where their parents located at an early day, and in that state were married. Mrs. Little was a daughter of William Bounds, of Tennessee, who spent his youth in Missouri and afterward went to Arkansas, where he remained twenty-nine years, and then came to Texas in 1858. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, how- ever, for he died here January 28, 1859. John D. Little was a blacksmith and followed that trade in connection with farming until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of gold, he went to California. His health became impaired there, however, and he returned home, where he died in January, 1853. He left a widow and one child, now Mrs. Robertson. In 1854 Mrs. Little and her daughter came to Texas with her brother, residing with him in Collin county until 1855. In that year Mrs. Little gave her hand in mar- riage to W. E. Brown, of Virginia, a farmer by occupation. He was active and influential in community affairs, served as justice of the peace for a number of years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, and was a mem- ber of the Methodist church. In 1876 he re- moved to Montague county, where he followed farming until his death, November 7, 1885. He was captain of a company in the Confederate army and was wounded at the battle of Perry- ville, Arkansas. He also took part in the en- gagements at Elkhorn, Pea Ridge and other hotly contested battles. His widow yet survives him and now finds a good home with her daughter, Mrs. Robertson, in Montague county. By her second marriage she had but one child, Samuel K. Brown, who is now in Oklahoma.
Mr. and Mrs. Robertson began their domestic life upon a farm which he purchased, but later he sold that property and bought another tract of land near Pilot Point, while subsequently he engaged in the grocery business at the point, continuing successfully in the trade until 1876, when he closed out and came to Montague county, purchasing land in Willowally valley. It was a timbered country and he erected a cabin and began the development of a farm. There were but few settlers in this part of the country and little farming was being done. Wild game
of all kinds was plentiful and there were many wild beasts roaming through the forests and over the prairie. The difficulties and hardships of pioneer life were to be met and with resolute courage Mr. and Mrs. Robertson faced these con- ditions in order to make a home. He first pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he remained for a number of years, and then purchased an improved farm, while still later he bought where he now resides. He yet owns all three farms and has altogether two hun- dred and fifty acres of land under cultivation. This land he rents and it brings to him a good income.
In an early day for the transaction of legal business in this part of the county he was ap- pointed notary public and served for a number of years. He was also elected justice of the peace, acting in that capacity for many years, and during his service he conducted seventy-six crim- inal cases, fearlessly rendering his decisions in accordance with the law and the evidence. In 1895 with a partner he engaged in the jewelry and stationery business at Gainesville, continuing for two years, and in connection with his brother he conducted a grocery, saddlery and harness business at Ardmore, Indian Territory, for three years. He now gives his supervision to his in- vested interests and business affairs. In early days he was a fine penman and taught writing school at many places throughout this country. Among his pupils are numbered many bankers, merchants and professional men now prominent in public life. In those early days a goose quill was used and Mr. Robertson became an expert pen maker, whereby he became known by the sobriquet of "goose quill" Robertson.
In his political views Mr. Robertson has al- ways been a stanch Democrat, using his influ- ence for the party, and has done much for its success in his home locality. For many years he has been correspondent to papers and maga- zines and is a well-known writer. He belongs to the Methodist church, in which he has served for many years as trustee, and is still filling the position. He is also a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held
688
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
all of the offices, and is a member of the Good Templars, Farmers' Alliance and Farmers' Union. He is deeply interested in all that per- tains to the agricultural progress and develop-' ment of the state and through many years has been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred as the work of improvement has been carried forward in this section of Texas.
DRS. J. B. and R. L .. DUDLEY, under the firm name of Dudley Brothers, are engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Marys- ville, Texas, and have attained considerable prominence in their profession. They are natives of Gordon county, Georgia. J. B. Dudley was born June 19, 1864, and R. L. Dudley on the 2Ist of June, 1867. They are the sons of Dr. Marion J. and Julia C. (Lewis) Dudley. Their father was born in Georgia, October 4, 1832, and was descended from a very prominent and hon- ored family of that state. He became a highly educated man and an eminent physician, prac- ticing his profession for many years with great success. He served throughout the rebellion as surgeon of the Fortieth Georgia Regiment and represented his district in the state legislature in 1876, being called to that office by fellow towns- men who recognized his ability and wished him to represent them in the law-making body of the state. He was a strong and influential Demo- crat, yet was without political aspiration, but un- doubtedly could have had for the asking any office within the gift of the people. For many years he was a popular physician and druggist of Sonoraville, Georgia, and was widely known and highly respected, his integrity and honor being above reproach. For many years he was a consistent and worthy member of the Mission- ary Baptist church and also an exemplary repre- sentative of the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the Royal Arch degree. All matters of public progress were of interest to him and in all of his public work he was actuated by the spirit of definite and immediate serviceableness. He was president of the board of education of his county and was one of the directors of the state asylum for the insane. He was also president of the Gordon County Medical Association and vice-president of the Tri-State Medical Associa-
tion. He died at his old homestead in Sonora- ville, Georgia, June 20, 1903, honored and re- spected by all who knew him. His widow yet survives him and finds a good home with her sons. She was born in South Carolina in 1840 and was a descendant of an honored and promi- nent pioneer family of that state. Her father was Captain J. W. Lewis, of South Carolina, who served throughout the Civil war with honor and distinction. He was often in hotly contested battles and underwent the various deprivations and hardships that are meted out to a soldier. He, too, was an earnest and faithful member of the Missionary Baptist church. His children were: H. D .; Henrietta; W. T .; Julia C., who became Mrs. Dudley : James L., and M. L.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Dudley were born three sons and a daughter : J. B. and R. L. Dudley, whose names introduce this record; Lucille, the wife of J. F. Easley, of Ardmore, Indian Terri- tory ; and Marion, who is professor of chemistry in Mercer University at Macon, Georgia.
The early life of J. B. and R. L. Dudley was spent on a farm in the usual manner of farm lads and later they assisted their father in his busi- ness at Sonoraville and also attended school. Their early education was acquired in the com- mon schools and later Dr. J. B. Dudley was a student in the Joe Brown College at Dalton, Georgia, while subsequently he continued his edu- cation in the State University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1886, A. B. course. During that time he began reading medicine with his father, Dr. M. J. Dudley, as his preceptor, and also assisted him in his drug store, and he became associated with his father in active prac- tice, thus gaining good practical knowledge. He also spent two terms as a student in Bellevue Medical College in New York and was gradu- ated on the IIth of March, 1889. He likewise received a diploma for the work done in a course in chemistry. He then entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Sonoraville, Georgia, where he remained for two years, when in De- cember, 1889, he removed to Marysville, Texas, where he yet remains.
Dr. R. L. Dudley, who is associated with his brother, acquired a good elementary education in the common schools and afterward attended the
JE, Dodson M.A.
689
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
state university of Georgia in 1887-8. He then pursued his first course of lectures at Atlanta, Georgia, subsequent to which time he attended the U. S. Grant Medical University at Chatta- nooga, Tennessee. He was there graduated in 1892, after which he became associated in busi- ness with his father, Dr. M. J. Dudley, both, in practice and in the conduct of the drug store. This association was maintained with good suc- cess for two years, and in 1894 Dr. R. L. Dudley came to Texas, joining his brother at Marysville and forming a partnership, which has since been maintained. They have given close and earnest attention to their practice, which has been at- tended with good success. Thus they merit the confidence of their many patrons and their busi- ness is now large and profitable. Their duties in this connection are discharged with a sense of conscientious obligation and in their work they conform to a high standard of professional eth- ics. They are now investing their surplus in farm lands and assisting materially in the devel- opment of the county. They have a well equipped office and it has all modern appliances to facili- tate their work as physicians and surgeons. Both are members of the County and the State Medi- ยท cal Associations of Texas and also of the Amer- ican Medical Association. They were reared in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church, from which they have never departed, and both are worthy members of the Masonic fraternity.
J. B. Dudley was married, in Georgia, to Miss Minnie M. Kinman, who was born in that state, September 26, 1868, and is a lady of intelligence and culture. Her father was Esquire J. P. Kin- man, of Georgia, and with the troops of that state he enlisted for service in the Confederate army. He vet resides in Georgia, where he is well known and highly respected. He has but one child, Minnie M., now Mrs. Dudley. Unto J. B. and Minnie Dudley have been born two children: Laura C., born July 24, 1894 ; and Ada W., born March 19, 1898. The mother is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
Dr. R. L. Dudley was married in Georgia to Miss Willie J. Royster, who was born September 25, 1874, and is a daughter of Professor W. T. Royster, an eminent educator of Georgia for many years, well known as a prominent repre-
sentative of school life. He yet resides in that state, where he is highly respected. His children are : Jane, Katie, Samuel, Thomas and Willie J.
Both Dr. J. B. and Dr. R. L. Dudley are recog- nized as capable physicians and surgeons, who have become thoroughly informed concerning the principles of the medical science, and their work has been eminently satisfactory, bringing to them a position in the ranks of the medical fraternity second to none in this locality.
DR. JAMES E. DODSON. Dr. James E. Dodson is a physician of high standing both professionally and socially at Vernon, Wil- barger county, where he has been engaged in the active pursuit of his profession for the past fifteen years. He has spent many of the years since boyhood within the borders of this state, having been brought here over fifty years ago, but his professional work has been done in vari- ous parts of, the south, and he has had a broad and useful career.
.He was born in Hickman county, Tennessee, May 12, 1847, and his father, Elias Dodson, who was born near Danville, Virginia, and came to Tennessee when a young man, died in Hickman county in the same year. The father followed the occupation of farming. Dr. Dod- son's mother, Frances (Lee) Dodson, was a native of Virginia, and in 1851 moved to Corsi- cana, Texas, which city remained her home until her life came to its close in 1868.
From the age of four years Dr. Dodson was reared in Corsicana, Texas. When the Civil War came on he was not yet fifteen years old, but being a typical Dodson, the members of which family as a rule attained to mature physical growth in early life, and his patriotic ardor being none the less on account of his youth, he was among the early enlistments and became a boy soldier of the Confederacy. At first he was a member of Captain Melton's company, in Colonel Bates' regiment, in service along the Texas coast at Velasco and vicinity. In 1862 he was discharged from that service, and he then joined Company G, Waller's bat- talion, Green's brigade, in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was in the battle at Mans- field, Louisiana, whence he went down the Red river and participated in the skirmishing at
690
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
Thompson's Plantation. He was campaigning with his regiment all through Louisiana and Arkansas, and remained in military service until the army was disbanded and he was paroled at Bentonville, Arkansas, in 1865.
At the age of eighteen young Dodson re- turned home to take up the course of educa- tional training and perfect himself for profes- sional life. He finished his literary education at Franklin, Tennessee, in the private school of Pat Campbell, a well known educator, and at Professor McNutt's private school, also in Franklin. He obtained his medical prepara- tion in the medical departments of the Uni- versity of Nashville and of Vanderbilt Uni- versity, which at the time of his graduation in 1875 were affiliated institutions, and he received his diploma from both of them and also re- ceived a gold medal in gynecology. In 1875, following his graduation, he began his practice at Lyndon, Perry county, Tennessee, where he was located for about three years, after which he continued his work in Humphreys county, of the same state. His practice in the two counties extended from 1875 to 1885, and in the latter year he received a federal appointment during the term of President Cleveland as physician and surgeon to the Osage Indians, his headquarters being at Pawhuska, Osage Nation, Indian Territory. He filled that posi- tion until 1889, and since then has carried on his practice at Vernon.
Dr. Dodson is very successful as a physician and surgeon, and is an energetic, hard-working, serious-minded practitioner of the most im- portant profession to humankind. This is shown by his large practice and his high stand- ing throughout Northwest Texas. He is presi- dent of the Wilbarger County Medical Society, and is a member of the Texas State Medical Association and the American Medical Associa- tion. He is local surgeon for the two railroads at Vernon, the Frisco and the Fort Worth and Denver. He is also medical examiner for the leading old-line life insurance companies. He is one of the prominent Masons of this vicinity, and has attained the Knight Templar degree.
Dr. Dodson's first wife and the mother of his children was Miss Mary B. Thomas, to whom he was married in Tennessee and who died
while they were living in Osage Nation. She was the mother of the following children : Robert E., of Houston ; Mrs. Fannie, wife of T. G. Lomax, Beaumont, Texas; Miss Mary B .; Dr. James E., Jr. ; Miss Jessie ; J. Meeks, at Beaumont, and Clabe A., at Houston. Dr. James E. Dodson, Jr., was born in Perry county, Tennessee, in 1876, received his medical educa- tion in the medical department of the Fort Worth University and is now practicing with his father.
In August, 1902, Dr. Dodson was married at Henderson, Texas, to Miss Ida Buford, who was born in Tennessee, but was reared in Hen- derson, being a member of the well known Bu- ford family of that place.
GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, a prominent farmer and stockman of Montague county, who has resided in this section of the state from an early period in its development, was born near Nashville, Tennessee, January 19, 1833, his parents being Jeremiah and Polly (Cooler) Wil- liams, both of whom were natives of North Car- olina, in which state they were married. Soon afterward they settled in Tennessee in a district which was then new and unimproved. Some years later they removed to western Tennessee, where the father died. He had been a leading farmer of his community and was highly re- spected by all for his genuine worth. He pos- sessed a social, charitable nature and in him the poor and needy found a friend. Both he and his wife were consistent and worthy members of the Missionary Baptist church. In their family were six children: William; Alford, who came to Texas; Mrs. Palma Bryant; Mrs. Nancy Rich- ards; George W., of this review ; and A. J.
George W. Williams remained under the pa- rental roof until 1856, when he came to Texas, first locating in Upshur county, where he re- mained for a year. He next settled in Lamar county, and after three years came to Montague county in 1860.
While in Upshur county, in 1857, Mr. Wil- liams was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Robertson, a native of Tennessee, who has been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. She is a daughter of Davidson
691
HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.
and Martha (Leonard) Robertson. Her father was a farmer by occupation and owned a num- ber of slaves. He came to Texas in 1852, set- tling in Upshur county, where he became promi- nently identified with farming interests and won success by his well conducted business affairs. In all of his dealings he was strictly honorable and upright and his entire life was in harmony with his professions as a member of the Baptist church. He remained in Upshur county until his death, which occurred in 1861. His children were: Charles, John, James, Robert and Levan, all of whom served in the Confederate army in the Civil war and some died while at the front ; Tabitha, Cynthia, the wife of our subject, and Jane, the wife of W. Williams.
Soon after arriving in Montague county Mr. Williams of this, review purchased a tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres and made permanent settlement in Willowally valley, near Hardy, although the village at that time had not been founded. Later he added another survey of a section of land, making a total of nine hundred and sixty acres. When he made his first purchase there was a log cabin on the plain and about twenty acres were under cultiva- tion. He worked hard, carefully managed his business interests, and in due course of time had about thee hundred acres under cultivation, this being one of the largest and best improved farms of the county. Mr. Williams also engaged quite market. He found this a profitable business and extensively in raising hogs, which he fed for the his land also yielded abundantly, so that he had plenty of feed for his stock and also some to sell. He has known all of the experiences of pioneer life in western Texas, for after he set- tled here the Indians became hostile, raiding the country on moonlight nights, stealing stock and often killing the men, women and children. The country was so sparsely settled that the few resi- dents could hardly cope with the savages, who came in large bands, terrorizing the entire com- munity. Mr. Williams owned some very valuable horses, which he watched closely, but in spite of his care the Indians succeeded in stealing them, eight in number. On one occasion it was an- nounced that religious services would be held on Sunday a few miles from his home and he took
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.