A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I, Part 80

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 80

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

for some time and then re-organized, Mr. Har- rison becoming a member of Company I under command of Captain James Bumpers, of Dallas. The company was attached to Col. Hope's regi- ment and assigned to General Cooper's command in the Indian Nation. Later the regiment was with General Tom Hindman in Arkansas, and afterward with Kirby Smith in Louisiana and Texas, being at all times connected with the Trans-Mississippi department of the Confederate army. Mr. Harrison was continuously on active duty and took part in a number of hard-fought battles and various skirmishes. The most im- portant engagement in which he participated was at Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He did much skirmishing in Louisiana and the troops were led into a trap at Barrax Bay, Louisiana, and had to fight their way out. They were nearly a month in getting to Texas, being engaged in a daily running fight in which many men were killed on both sides. Mr. Harrison also partici- pated in the engagement at Yellow Bayou. He was never made a prisoner nor was he wounded. The command was at Hempstead, Texas, at the time of the surrender and he afterward returned home with a creditable military record, for he never faltered in the performance of any duty but loyally obeyed every command-which is the lot of the true soldier.

When the war was over Mr. Harrison re- turned home and assisted his father in the opera- tion of his farm until February 10, 1867, when he married and settled upon a rented farm. The lady of his choice was Miss Permelia Newkirk, who was born in Union county, Indiana, March 15, 1846, and has been to him a devoted and faithful wife and helpmate. Her parents were James D. and Permelia (Thomas) Newkirk, also natives of Union county, Indiana. Her paternal grandfather, Jacob Newkirk, a native of Penn- sylvania, made the journey on foot to Union county, Indiana, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that locality. He lived the life of a plain honest farmer and was well known and highly respected. In his family were the fol- lowing named: Jacob, Isaac, James D., Noah, Hannah, Louisa, Mary J. and Dosha.

James D. Newkirk was born and reared in the county of his nativity and after his marriage set- tled upon a farm there. After a year he removed to Blooming Grove, Indiana, where he learned the cabinet maker's trade, opened a shop and began the manufacture of furniture, continuing in business at that point for twelve years. His first wife died in April, 1846, and he was again married at Blooming Grove. Later he removed to Hancock county, Indiana, where he purchased a farm and also worked at his trade, continu- ing to reside, however, upon the old family home- stead until his death which occurred July 10, 1897. His earnest and indefatigable labors had created a good estate. His second wife died in 1890, but the children were all born of the first marriage. Mr. Newkirk was a consistent Meth- odist and an earnest church worker. He was also a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in the latter he filled all of the chairs of the local lodge and was also representative to the grand lodge. His life was characterized by hon- orable principles and manly conduct and his ex- ample is indeed well worthy of emulation in many respects. At the time of the Civil war he was drafted for service in the army but hired a substitute. His first wife, Permelia Thomas, was a daughter of Richard Thomas, one of the early settlers of Union county, Indiana. After the death of his daughter Mr. Thomas sold out and removed to Texas, bringing with him his grand- daughter, Mrs. Harrison, who at that time was five years of age. He reared and educated her and cared for her kindly. Mr. Thomas died during the period of the Civil war, but his widow afterward kept her family together and ably cared for them. In 1867 the little granddaughter, now grown into womanhood, gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Harrison. She had never heard from her father from the time she left Indiana. He was opposed to her being brought to this state by her grandparents and had lost all trace of her after the removal of the Thomas family to Texas. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison our subject made investigations, got trace of her father and wrote to him, and Mr.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Newkirk and his wife immediately afterward paid a visit to Texas and induced Mr. and Mrs. Harrison to remove to Indiana. In 1875, Mrs. Thomas, grandmother of Mrs. Harrison, departed this life. The children of her family were: William, who died in Indiana; Permelia, who became Mrs. Newkirk; Richard B .; Sarah J .; Oliver ; Frances E .; Francis M .; Hannah ; Thomas ; and Mary A.

As before stated, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison be- gan their domestic life upon a rented farm in Texas, living in true pioneer style with scarcely more than the necessities of life for about a year. They went to Indiana, making the journey by wagon and team, to the former home of Mrs. Harrison in order to visit her father, and they remained in Hancock county, that state, for six years, after which they returned to Texas, where Mr. Harrison resumed farming. In 1887 he came to Cooke county and purchased the Lorin ranch with over nine hundred acres of land. This he yet owns and here he carries on stock farming. The Lorin ranch was once a stage stand and is one of the well known landmarks in this part of the country. Mr. Harrison suc- cessfully continued its operation until 1895, when he again became a resident of Hancock county, Indiana, going there in order to care for his wife's father. He remained in the north for four years, or until after the death of Mr. New- kirk, and the settlement of the estate. His wife being the only heir, inherited the entire prop- erty. In 1899, however, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison again came to Texas. About that time the town of Myra was platted and they became interested in the ownership and development of the new village, building the first house there and open- ing a hotel which Mr. Harrison yet conducts. He also built a livery barn, which he is now carrying on, and when a milling company was organized he purchased over twelve thousand dollars' worth of stock in that enterprise, in which twelve or fifteen men were interested. There was a board of directors and a manager and bookkeeper were employed, but later the

mill was mortgaged and the venture proved a failure, for some untrustworthy men had used the money that had accrued from the milling busi- ness and no account was given for it. The bank that had loaned the money foreclosed and the property was sold, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Berge- man purchasing the mill. They are yet conduct- ing this productive industry and they also ope- rate an elevator, shipping grain. The mill is a frame structure, three stories in height, supplied with all modern improved machinery and has a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour daily. Mr. Harrison also has two store buildings in Myra and three residence properties which he rents, and has done more for the upbuilding and promotion of the town than any other citizen. He may well be termed its founder because of the active part which he has taken in its develop- ment and on all sides are seen evidences of his progressive spirit and tangible effort in the good buildings and substantial business concerns which have made Myra a thriving and prosper- ous village.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison has been blessed with three children: James, Henry and Alford. The first two are married and are well settled in life. The youngest son is yet single and is operating his father's ranch. Mrs. Har- rison is a devoted and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist church and is a most estim- able lady, esteemed for her genuine worth and many good traits of heart and mind. Mr. Har- rison is a stanch Democrat, but does not desire office as a reward for party fealty. He is a self-made man and though he received some as- sistance from his father-in-law's estate he has led a very active, industrious and energetic life and has displayed good business ability and en- ergy in the management of his affairs. His in- tegrity is never disputed but stands as an un- questioned fact in his business career and his keen foresight and discrimination have been val- ued factors in winning his present desirable prosperity.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

LEONARD H. ALDRIDGE, who carries on general farming and stock raising, his home be- ing near Saint Jo, was born in Grayson county, Texas, on the 18th of November, 1872. His paternal grandfather, Edward Aldridge, of Ken- tucky, went to North Carolina and afterward to Georgia at an early day and taking up his abode in the latter state there spent the remainder of his life. He became a leading and influential agriculturist of his community, respected for his genuine worth. His children were: James, Joseph A., William, John, Marion, Thomas, Sarah and Mary J.

Joseph A. Aldridge, the second son of Edward Aldridge, was born in Georgia, March 7, 1840, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. After arriving at years of maturity he was married to Miss Texan Bryant, whose birth occurred in Georgia, February 18, 1845. Her parents were Gains and Mary ( Pertle) Bryant, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Georgia. They were married in Georgia, where Mr. Bryant followed the carpenter trade and also had farming interests. He had a wide and favor- able acquaintance in the locality where he made his home and in later life he removed to Ten- nessee, where he died. His wife was a daughter of Jacob Pertle, a well known farmer and slave owner of Georgia, in which state his death oc- curred. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bryant there were nine children, as follows: Gains, Olmstead, Shade, Stephen, James, William, Lucy A., Betsy A. and Lodusta. The children of Gains Bryant were: Elijah, a minister of the Christian church; Jacob; Stephen; William; Alonzo; Elizabeth ; Mary A .; Texan, who became Mrs. Aldridge, and Mrs. Lodusta Kiker.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Aldridge they began their domestic life in Georgia, where he followed the blacksmith's trade that he had learned in early manhood. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Confederate army and served faithfully for four years, meet- ing the usual experiences, hardships and expos- ures incident to a soldier's life. He continued to follow his trade until 1869, when he removed to Texas and settled in Grayson county, where he

purchased a farm, on which he lived for two years. He then sold that property and bought land at Red River station, after which he fol- lowed blacksmithing and also improved his land, but on account of hostile Indians he remained for but one year. He then sold out and took up his abode in Hopkins county, where he raised one crop and worked at his trade. In 1874 he re- moved to Saint Jo, where he purchased land and made a permanent home. Abandoning black- smithing, he gave his entire attention to farming and stock raising, purchasing at first a small tract of land to which he afterward added as his financial resources increased until his holdings embraced thirteen hundred and twenty acres. He made a good selection and his is the finest farm in the vicinity of Saint Jo. Excellent improve- ments were placed upon the property, a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings were erected and the latest improved machinery was added. There is an excellent water supply upon the place and Mr. Aldridge engaged in rais- ing, feeding, handling and shipping cattle. He placed six hundred acres of his land under a high state of cultivation and produced the various crops best adapted to soil and climate. He estab- lished two tenant houses on his place, also rented some land and became known as a most prosper- ous, extensive and successful farmer and stock- man, recognized by all as a broad-minded, intelli- gent business man and good financier. He owed his success to his energy, determination and inde- fatigable diligence and thus he created a large estate. The uprising and hostility of the Indians delayed his permanent settlement for two or three years and occasioned him much uneasiness in the early days, but he was in none of the fights with the red men. He assisted materially, however, in the reclamation of his portion of the state for the purposes of civilization and as the years went by his labors proved a valued factor in the devel- opment of the county. In politics he was a strong Democrat, but without aspiration for office, never desiring political preferment as a reward for party fealty. He was a consistent and worthy member of the Christian church, in which he served as deacon for many years and

JOSEPH A. ALDRIDGE

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

in the work of which he took a helpful interest. After many years devoted to business he deter- mined to spend the evening of his life in ease and comfort and removed to Saint Jo. Soon afterward he became ill with smallpox, which occasioned his death March 28, 1901. He is yet kindly remembered by his many friends, who greatly miss him. His wife yet survives and resides upon the old homestead farm. This worthy couple were the parents of ten children: Jacob, who died in childhood; Joseph S., a prominent stock farmer; John, who is living in the Indian Territory; Leonard H., of this re- view; Samuel, who died in 1898; Mrs. Myrtle Hillman; Mrs. Alba Varney; Ernest, who died in 1892; Mrs. Ord Davis; and Robert, who is living upon the old homestead farm. The mother is also a worthy and faithful member of the Christian church.

Leonard H. Aldridge was born in Grayson county and upon the old homestead farm was reared. He yet remains here, carrying forward the work inaugurated by his father. He has pur- chased the interests of some of the other heirs in the property and is now caring for his mother and is conducting his farm work on an extensive scale, giving undivided attention to the produc- tion of wheat, corn and oats and to the raising of stock. He is progressive in all that he does and he was the first man in his county to do plowing with a traction engine and gang plow. He seeds from three to five hundred acres of wheat and annually harvests splendid crops. There are two tenant houses on the farm and he rents land to the men who occupy these and who raise cotton and other crops. Some years as high as one hundred acres have been planted to cotton. Mr. Aldridge also operates a threshing machine dur- ing the season. He is a most energetic man, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by strong determination and honorable purpose, and as an agriculturalist he has been a leader in the onward movement. He uses the best improved machinery to facilitate the work and he has tele- phone connections with the business centers.

On the 18th of September, 1899, Mr. Aldridge was married to Miss Polkey S. Howell, who was

born in Texas, November 20, 1880, and is a most estimable lady. Her parents were J. P. and Susan R. (Lillard) Howell. Her mother was born in Tennessee, March 9, 1849, and was a daughter of William and Lucretia (Blevins) Lillard. Her father was a son of Jackson Lil- lard, of Missouri, who went to Tennessee, where he was married and spent his remaining days. He was a farmer by occupation, served as high sheriff of his county and was a soldier of the War of 1812. In the community where he lived he was regarded as a popular and influential citizen. His children were: Monroe, a minister of the gospel; Morgan ; William; MacMinn, also a preacher ; Asberry ; Thomas K .; Francis ; Cyn- thia A., and Mary.

William Lillard was born and reared on a farm in Tennessee and in early manhood joined the Methodist ministry, holding active relations to the conference for a number of years. In later life he became a local preacher. He owned a farm and was an extensive trader in negroes and mules, which he sold on the public market. In connection with his brother MacMinn, he owned copper mines in Virginia and spent much time in that state. He was a practical business man as well as an able preacher and was highly re- spected for his genuine worth and fidelity to principle. He was also an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, and his funeral ser- vices were conducted under the auspices of that order. Both he and his wife died in Tennessee, Mrs. Lillard preceding her husband to the home beyond. She, too, was a devoted member of the Methodist church and she was a daughter of David Blevins, a prominent farmer of Tennessee, in whose family were eight children: James ; John; Hugh; Susan; Mary; Sarah; Mahala; Lucretia, who became the wife of H. Thomas, by whom she had two children, Sarah and Hugh, and then after the death of her first husband married William Lillard. To this marriage there were born six children : Myra, the wife of W. A. Smith; Amanda, the wife of B. K. Blevins ; John, who entered the Confederate army at the age of fifteen years, as a member of the Tennessee Cavalry and was killed in a cotton gin in the

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Indian Territory : Susan R., the mother of Mrs. Aldridge, who, since the death of her first hus- band, married Stephen A. Bryant and is the sec- ond time a widow; Emily, who died in child- hood; and Mrs. Mary Holman.

Susan R. Lillard was born and reared in Ten- nessee and was there married to Jackson P. Howell, whose birth occurred in that state, No- vember 15, 1847. He was a son of John and Elizabeth Howell, both natives of Tennessee, the former a prominent farmer and slave owner who became successful in the management of his business interests. He was too old for active service at the time of the Civil war, but gave his influence to the Confederacy, and for this reason he was shot down at his home by federal soldiers. He was standing at his gate and fell into the arms of his daughter. Later his family became scattered and his widow came to Texas with a daughter and died in this state. Both parents were devoted members of the Methodist church and were highly respected. Their children were as follows : William ; Samuel H., who served in the Confedcrate army; Joseph, who was one of the proprietors of Saint Jo in its early days ; HIouston, who entered the army in Texas and served throughout the period of hostilities ; John, who was also a soldier and died in this state; Jackson P., the father of Mrs. Aldridge; Mary, the wife of Thomas Whaley; and Rachel, who became Mrs. Whaley and after the death of her first husband married a Mr. Tuttle.

Jackson P. Howell, having arrived at years of maturity in his native state of Tennessee, was married there in 1871. Soon afterward he came to Texas, settling in Cooke county, where he rented land and raiscd two crops. In 1873 he came to Saint Jo and spent nearly three years in the town. He then bought land five miles west of Saint Jo, taking up his abode in a little cabin about twelve feet square in which he lived until he could erect a better house. He added to his first purchase of land and made a good farm, becoming a successful agriculturist. He also raised stock. In politics he always voted with the Democracy and in community affairs was interested in the welfare and progress that works

for civilization and the general good. His death occurred March 28, 1885. In his family were four children: Mason, a machinist possessing much natural mechanical ingenuity; Polkey S., now Mrs. Aldridge; Nellie and Jackson T., yet at home. Following the death of Mr. How- ell his wife remained upon the old homestead farm which she yet owns and she supervised its improvement for six years. In 1890 she became the wife of Stephen A. Bryant and has since re- sided at the Bryant homestead. Her sccond hus- band was an early settler of Saint Jo and was a prominent and prosperous farmer and stock man. His death occurred January 18, 1903, in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church, in which he held membership. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

To Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge have been born two daughters: Thelma, born April 1, 1902; and Marvel, born August 30, 1904. The parents have many warm friends in Saint Jo and this section of the state, and their own home is celebrated for its pleasing hospitality. Mr. Aldridge is in- deed one of the representative agriculturists of his county with extensive interests which are capably conducted and result in bringing to him a creditable and gratifying measure of prosperity.

ROBERT W. LEMOND, for a number of years identified with the cattle industry and business interests of Hale county, in the plains country. Mr. Lemond represents, both per- sonally and historically, that section of Texas.

He was born in Tippah county, Mississippi, in 1847. His father, J. W. Lemond, was born in North Carolina, and his mother, Nancy (Brown) Lemond, in Tennessee, but both lived in Gonzales county, Texas, from 1852 till their death.

Mr. Lemond's educational advantages were very limited. Hc was only a boy when the war between the states broke out, and at the age of fifteen he enlisted in Company E, Benevide's Regiment, Texas Cavalry. He served till the close of the war, and as fourth corporal com- manded at the last fight of the Confederates at Rancho Palmetto. He is now known as the

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"Baby" of Stonewall Jackson Camp, U. C. V., being the youngest of the veterans of Stonewall Jackson's camp, who followed the stars and bars of the Confederacy.

Continuing to make his home with his father until he was twenty-seven years old, he then married Mrs. Mattie J. Spath, nee Price, daugh- ter of J. T. and Julia A. Price. In 1878 he moved to Coleman, Texas, which was then just beginning to grow to the village size, and lived there till the death of his wife, who left him with three small children, namely : Cornelia A. (Mrs. Claxton), Kate H. (Mrs. McWhorter), and R. West Lemond.

In 1882 Mr. Lemond took a bunch of cattle up to the Cherokee strip in Indian Territory, where he ranched them for Hewins, Titus and Dunman until the cattlemen were given notice by the Cleveland administration to vacate the Strip. While in the Territory he married Miss Lena Hale, daughter of Quincy A. and Lucinda Hale. There are three children by this mar- riage : Walter T., Grover C. and W. Howard.

From the Strip Mr. Lemond went north to Sumner county, Kansas, and from there re- turned to Texas in 1892. Going out to the plains country, he began the cattle business on an extensive scale in Lubbock county in part- nership with his brother Thomas H. His pas- ture at one time occupied the entire northwest- ern corner of Lubbock county, there being fifty- seven sections under fence, and on this large demesne he annually raised large numbers of cattle. His place now consists of about thirteen sections. Mr. Lemond is one of the enterpris- ing men who have successfully conducted exper- iments in cotton culture in this part of the state. He has cultivated the crop scientifically and in accordance with the most approved methods, and has conclusively demonstrated at least what may be accomplished in this line when the proper enterprise and capital are applied to the industry. Mr. Lemond has not lived on his Lub- bock county ranch since 1897, in which year he moved to Hale Center, in Hale county, where he has since made his home. For two years he was in the mercantile business at this point,

being a member of the Hale Center Mercantile Company, who operated the largest store in Hale county, the other members of the firm be- ing Mr. Akerson, Mr. Ewalt, Mrs. Alley and R. West Lemond.

Mr. Lemond has taken an active part in Ma- sonic affairs since he was twenty-one years old. He was made master of Shuler Lodge No. 317, A. F. & A. M. at the age of twenty-three, and has since been master of four other lodges of which he has been a member. On leaving Kan- sas he was given a banquet and presented with a past master's jewel in the shape of a fine pin. He is past master of the local lodge, and is father of the Royal Arch chapter at the county seat, Plainview, having organized the chapter and been its first high priest. He was for a number of years D. D. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Mr. Lemond has spent a great deal of his time, as well as money, for the advancement of the Order of the East- ern Star in the state of Texas, and has been re- warded by being made successively, associate grand patron, grand patron, member of commit- tee on jurisprudence and chairman of the board of trustees (of which he is still a member) of the Grand Chapter of O. E. S. of the state of Texas.

Mr. Lemond is an upright Christian gentle- man and member of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, in which he was made an elder, like his father before him. He takes a deep in- terest in any movement which tends to build up the community in which he lives, religiously or otherwise, and donates his money freely for the common good. He is always willing to lend a helping hand to a fellow man.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I, Part 80

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