A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume I, Part 90

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 90

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).

The Merchants' and Planters' Bank at Chico, in which Mr. Hawkins is interested, and of which he is cashier, has a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars.

JAMES TAMBLING STALLINGS. In his capacity as a citizen the subject of this review has filled a niche in the civil and industrial de- velopment of Montague county, and the quar-

536

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

ter of a century which he has passed within its limits have been years of rural effort which told and had its bearing on the great aggregate of substantial results achieved for the county. Coming hither as a sort of second relief, rather than as a pioneer settler, he found but scarce a beginning made in the direction of nature's re- duction, and the civilized and enlightened com- munity of today was only a hope, a wish, in the breast of the isolated settler.

The stock and farming interests of Montague county have known James T. Stallings ever since his advent to the county in 1877. The new, unopened farm which he bought at that time was a tract of a quarter section of Hill county school land, near Queens Peak, then a little set- tlement near one of the conspicuous natural landmarks of the county, and this tract he ever afterward made his home. He made a success of his stock venture, and as the years passed and his circumstances justified he expanded, by purchase, his original domain until he owned a section of land. As age crept upon him and his physical powers were curtailed and his fam- ily support dropped off one by one it became de- sirable to diminish his real holdings to conform to the boundaries of his original homestead, and today we find him in semi-retirement, a modest farmer and in possession of a competence suffi- cient for his future needs.

It was in 1868 that Mr. Stallings came to Texas, and he settled in Denton county, where he pursued his favorite vocation until his entry into Montague county. He was an emigrant from Jackson Parish, Louisiana, where he had lived since 1847, when his father, Jeptha G. Stallings, established the family from Russell county, Alabama. In this latter county and state he was born February 7, 1840.

The Stallings were of Irish origin, and the American ancestor who founded the family in Virginia was the great-grandfather of our subject, James Stallings, a native Irishman. The latter married a Scotch lady, a Miss Pogue, and of their family of three sons and two daughters, James, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia. The parents afterward migrated

into the state of Georgia, where they died, and from whence their posterity scattered over vari- ous states of the American union.

James Stallings the second was born and came to man's estate in Jones county, Georgia, where he married Mary Huff, who bore him five sons and six daughters. He devoted his life to the farm and died in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, in 1862.

Jeptha G. Stallings was born in Jones county, Georgia, in 1807, and married Frances, a daugh- ter of Tambling King. He went into Alabama and was a farmer there until his removal to Louisiana in 1847. His wife died in Louisiana in 1856, the mother of six children, and when he came to Texas he located first in Smith county, then lived awhile in Navarro, afterward a season in Denton and finally to Montague county, where he died at the home of his son in 1903. During his active life he was known in local politics, a leader of a minority party. He was first a Democrat, became an adherent of the American or Know-Nothing party, and when it ceased to exist he gave his voice to more or less independence in politics, until the formation of the Populist party, when he cast his lot with it. He was a man of opinions and capable of ex- pressing them intelligently in private or in pub- lic, and he had some reputation as a public speaker. In his church relations he was a Mis- sionary Baptist.

The surviving children of Jeptha G. and Frances Stallings are: Lavonia L., widow of Matthew Lindsey, of Bowie; James T., of this notice: Laura J., who married James Alsa- brook, of Ryan, Indian Territory, and Harriet M., wife of James Simmons, of Denton county. Those children who died leaving families are : Missouri, who married Clinton Pipes and died in Louisiana, and Fannie C., wife of James Brown, who passed away in the same state.

James T. Stallings secured a liberal education in the Louisiana school prior to the war, and was in uninterrupted enjoyment of the farm un- til the outbreak of the rebellion. He enlisted April 21, 1861, in Company K, Second Louisi- ana, which regiment was sent to Virginia, where

537

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

it became a part of Longstreet's division. It was in the Yorktown campaign and on Lee's second invasion of the north, where, at the battle of Gettysburg, Mr. Stallings was wounded, putting him out of service for six months. He rejoined his regiment and remained in Virginia, aiding in the desperate fighting of the last two years of the war, and being on the ground with the army at Appomattox when General Lee gave up the struggle and the war ended.

Resuming civil life, Mr. Stallings renewed his acquaintance with the farm and confined his efforts to Louisiana until his removal to Texas in 1868. July 19, 1866, he married Miss Susie Calcote, a daughter of Levi G. Calcote. Mrs. Stallings was born in Louisiana in 1849 and is the mother of: James B., of New Mexico; Rufus J. and Jeptha G., of the Chickasaw Na- tion; Lee C., of Oklahoma; L. Alsabrook, of Portales, New Mexico, and Oscar C. and Walter J., yet with the old home. The daughters are Nellie J., wife of Jesse P. Darrow, of Montague county ; Laura J. and Katie J., still with the parental home.

Mr. Stallings has taken little interest in poli- tics of late years, but is a Democrat, and has served in whatever official capacity he has been chosen. In 1878 he was elected justice of his precinct, and he filled the office for eight con- secutive years. In 1904 he was again chosen, and is performing the duties of the office with satisfaction to the public. He has not been a professional joiner, and is a member of no so- ciety, beyond that of Bowie Pelham Camp, U. C. V., of which he is adjutant.

SAMUEL L. McCOOL, who is extensively contributing to stock-raising interests and who is a factor in the business life of Muenster, being vice-president of the Muenster Bank, was born in Bates county, Missouri, on the 5th of January, 1851. His youth was devoted to farm labor and to the acquirement of an education in the common schools. His parents were James and Lucinda (Terry) McCool, the former a native of Bowling Green, Ken- tucky, and the latter of Indiana. Their mar-

riage was celebrated in Missouri, to which state James McCool had removed when a youth of twelve years. There he was reared upon a farm and after arriving at adult age he en- gaged in merchandising, in which he continued for many years. He employed others to per- form the active work of the farm. for he owned a large tract of land and a number of slaves. He was prominent, popular and influential in his home locality. During the agitation concern- ing the admission of Kansas into the Union as a free or a slave state he was prominently con- nected with events of that period, served as captain of a company and was actively con- nected with the same through the entire strug- gle. He was also a prominent figure in the war, for he was a stalwart secessionist and took an active interest in all matters pertaining to the Confederacy and the establishment of a spirit of government in the south. In 1861, at the opening of hostilities, he joined General Price's command of Missouri troops and made some important campaigns under that leader- ship. He participated in the battle of Dry Wood, Kansas, after which he and two other men were making a reconnoiter of the country near Fort Scott when they captured a train of mules and some men. Mr. McCool continued with Price's forces until late in the fall of 1861, when the feeling of strife rose to such a height in Bates county that the lives of his family were endangered and he removed with them to Texas, settling near Gainesville in Cooke coun- ty. After comfortably providing for his wife and children he joined Colonel Bourland's regiment of federal guards, with which he con- tinued until after the close of hostilities, look- ing after deserters from the army and those who were traitors to the country and also hold- ing the hostile Indians in subjection. The red men became very troublesome, stealing stock and often massacring entire families, burning houses and otherwise destroying property. Mr. McCool went on many raids after the savages and took part in a number of engagements with them. He sustained no injury at their hands although many times he was in grave danger.

538

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

He helped to subdue the red men and drive the wild beasts out of the country and performed an important public service in the reclamation of his district for the uses of the white race.

Following the close of the war Mr. McCool. purchased a farm in Grayson county, Texas, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits. Later he sold his property in Bates county, Missouri, and made a permanent set- tlement in this state, purchasing a large tract of land upon which he engaged in stock farm- ing. He was a great admirer of the horse and he raised and handled many fine horses. He also handled the best grades of cattle and gave his entire attention to his farming and stock- raising interests, being practical in both de- partments of his work and successful as well. He was enterprising and public-spirited, was also very charitable and was ever ready to as- sist poor and needy. His integrity and honor were above reproach and he enjoyed the confi- dence and good will of his friends in a remark- able degree. In politics he was a Democrat, strong and influential in his party, but he never aspired to political office. Later in life he sold all of his Texas possessions and removed to Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he died in Decem- ber, 1900, and his wife preceded him to their final home, passing away in 1889. She was a descendant of an honored pioneer family of Indiana and little is known concerning her his- tory. She was a worthy member of the Bap- tist church.

To Mr. and Mrs. McCool were born nine children : Dorothy H., who became Mrs. Broth- ers and at her death left six children; Samuel, of this review; Mrs. Mary J. Phillips; Zacha- riah J, who died at the age of twenty years; Mrs. Dixie Stewart; Lee Sterling Price, a stock farmer; Mrs. Victoria Barnett, who is a merchant of Mckinney; Mrs. Anna L. Whit- aker, and Rufus T. J., a stock farmer.

Samuel L. McCool was born in Bates county, Missouri, and with his parents came to Texas in 1861, being then a lad of ten years. He re . mained under the parental roof until twenty five years of age, when he was married, the

wedding taking place in 1875, the lady being Miss Izora Duka Harris, who was born in Alabama, July 15, 1859, her parents being J. T. and Olivia (Ringgold) Harris, both of whom were natives of Alabama, where they were married. They settled upon a farm in that state and Mr. Harris continued successfully in general farming there until the opening of the Civil war, when he enlisted, remaining in the service until the close of hostilities. He was found upon the firing line in a number of im- portant battles and was wounded in the elbow, which has occasioned his arm to remain stiff. He was often in the front ranks and was al- ways on active duty, slighting no task that was assigned him no matter how difficult or dangerous. When the war was ended he returned to his Alabama home and in 1866 he removed to Texas, settling in Fannin county, where he purchased a farm, which he con- ducted successfully for some time. Later he sold out and again located near Whitesboro, Grayson county, where he bought and con- ducted a farm, but later he sold that property and came to Cooke county, where he purchased a large tract of land near the present site of Muenster. Here he engaged in cattle ranching for three years, when he took up his abode in Gainesville, purchasing property which he owned and occupied for five years. On the ex- piration of that period he sold his ranch and his Gainesville property and went to the western part of Montague county, where he bought a large ranch there, raising cattle for a number of years. When parties were making a pre- liminary survey for locating the Rock Island railroad he used his influence in getting the crossing of the roads on his land and soon afterward he platted the town of Ringgold, which he thus named in honor of his wife. He did much to boom the town, building hotels, business blocks and residences. He remained in the stock business for several years and then removed to Fort Worth, where he purchased a fine home that he yet occupies. He is now plat- ting and selling farms from the Ringgold ranch, dividing it to suit the purchasers and

539

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

this will enhance the values and lead to the upbuilding of the town. Mr. Harris is an en- terprising and public-spirited man, who is also charitable to the needy and afflicted, and in his business career he has shown keen discern- ment and ready recognition and improvement of opportunity. Through his unremitting dili- gence and honorable effort he has accumulated a large estate since the close of the war. His labors have been concentrated in Texas and he has continuously progressed in his business life. In politics he has always been a Demo- crat and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge. Of his brothers, David Harris served throughout the Civil war and is now a cow man. Griff was also in the army and is now a farmer of Texas. John follows farming in this state. James continued a resident of Alabama. The wife of Mr. Harris bore the maiden name of Olivia Ringgold and was born and reared in Alabama. She was a devoted and loving wife, a faithful mother and was beloved by all who came in contact with her, exempli- fying in her life the truth of the saying "The way to win a friend is to be one." She was an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist church and when she was called to her final rest her death was deeply and sincerely regret- ted by many friends as well as her imme- diate family. She passed away in October, 1905, at the age of sixty-seven years, leaving behind many precious memories which are cherished by her children and those who know her.

To Mr. and Mrs. Harris were born seven children : Euphemia, who became Mrs. Drake, but is now a widow; Izora Duka, now Mrs. McCool; Viola B., the wife of S. B. Stephens, both now deceased, leaving two children who have been reared by Mr. and Mrs. McCool; Joella, who became the wife of F. D. Hendricks and who now lives in Quanah, Texas; Alla, who died in 1895; Mrs. Olivia Taylor ; and Howell, a railroad man residing in Amarillo, Texas.

At the time of his marriage Mr. McCool set- tled upon a farm and took up the work which had been begun by his father. He soon began

handling cattle and has since continued in the stock business, at first on the open range, where the cattle roamed at will. Noting the signs of the times and that the free range would soon become a thing of the past, he and his brother purchased a large tract of land and they were the first in Cooke county to use wire fencing and enclose their pastures. In addition to their own land they have a lease on twenty-four hundred acres, which they also utilize in their stock-raising interests. They are now reducing their cattle business, however, and putting their land under the plow, having five hundred acres under a high state of cultivation, largely raising grain. Mr. McCool, however, still raises and handles Shorthorn cattle and has been a practical and successful agriculturist and stockman. Moreover, he has successfully extended his efforts to other lines of business, having assisted in the organization of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Muenster, of which he is a stockholder and the vice-presi- dent. This is a private banking institution, do- ing business under the laws of the state and is one of the strong financial institutions of north- western Texas. It was established in July, 1904.

Mr. McCool is an earnest Democrat and also has strong prohibition proclivities but has never aspired to office nor sought public no- toriety of any kind. His attention has been concentrated upon his business affairs, which have resulted successfully, and now he is the owner of valuable property and has a splendid- ly stocked farm from which he is annually re- ceiving a good financial return.

CHARLES W. MACKENZIE, a general con- tractor of El Paso, where many evidences of his handiwork and business ability are seen, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of William and Luck (Hitchborn) Mackenzie. The father was for many years one of the prominent build- ing contractors of Boston, where his death oc- curred in 1887. Mrs. Mackenzie, who is now living with her son Charles in El Paso, comes of an old Massachusetts family, the Hitchborns

540

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

having been known in New England at an early day, representatives of the name being actively and prominently connected with naval engineer- ing and construction.

Mr. Mackenzie, of this review, was reared. and educated in his native city, benefiting by the excellent school system there. He also served his apprenticeship in carpentering there, and when twenty-one years of age he made his way westward, locating first in Los Angeles, Califor- nia, where he began dealing in sporting goods, firearms and other equipments of that character. Beginning in 1890 he continued in business in southern California for four or five years, and for a short time was similarly engaged in Ari- zona, but on account of extreme financial de- pression following the money panic of 1893 he lost the fortune that he had accumulated after removing to the west, so that when he reached El Paso in 1896 his capital consisted of but thirty-five cents. It is a remarkable fact that this gentleman who began life practically penni- less in this city is now one of the representative business men of El Paso, and is meeting with splendid success, which has been won through his energy, ability and skill as a general build- ing contractor. To this line of activity he has devoted his energies and attention in undivided manner since coming to this state. He has been connected with most of the important building operations of El Paso, which is rapidly being improved in this direction. He took the con- tract for the construction of the beautiful Brazos apartment house, for the building of the South- western Telegraph & Telephone Company, the Federal Smelter, the school building at Las Cruces and others. He maintains the highest credit and financial standing in business circles, and that he has prospered is indicated in his own beautiful home at the corner of Brown and Nevada streets.

Mr. Mackenzie was married to Miss Nellie Brennick, of a New York family. Mr. MacKen- zie has been a leading figure with the famous volunteer fire department of El Paso, almost continuously from his arrival here, is now fore- man of Hose Company No. I, and has been

enthusiastic in maintaining the efficiency and reputation of the department in the contests in which it has engaged throughout the state. He belongs to the chamber of commerce of El Paso, is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his name is an honored one in business, social and political circles.

MARCUS L. KENNARD, numbered among the pioneer settlers of Johnson county, is a well- known representative of agricultural interests and also a prominent factor in financial circles, being vice-president of the Farmers & Mer- chants National Bank at Cleburne. His life record began in Grimes county. Texas, on the 23d of March, 1850, his parents being Anthony Drew and Sarah (Smith) Kennard, natives of Alabama. The paternal grandfather, Anthony Drew Kennard, Sr., was born in Tennessee and having arrived at years of maturity was married there to Sarah Moore, a native of the same state. They afterward went to Alabama where the birth of Anthony Drew Kennard, Jr., occurred in 1818. At a later date they returned to Tennes- see, and in 1830 came to Texas, settling in Grimes county, where the father of our sub- ject was reared to manhood. His educational privileges were afforded by the common schools and at an early day he served as a soldier with the Texas troops, being actively engaged in mili- tary service for two years, during which time he participated in several skirmishes with the Indians. When he again took up the work of civil life he gave his attention to farming and stock-raising in Grimes county, continuing his residence there until 1853, when he received two grants of land from the state of Texas for mili- tary service previously rendered. One tract was located in Grimes county and the other near Grandview in Johnson county and to the latter property Mr. Kennard removed in 1853, taking up his abode, however, upon land which was given him by his father-in-law, Mr. Smith. For several years he remained upon this ranch and then removed to a place nine miles from Cle- burne, where he was extensively engaged in stock-raising. In 1854 he held the office of county commissioner and was recognized as a leading and influential citizen of that commun-

ANTHONY D. KENNARD

541

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

ity. In 1858, however, he went to Jack county, and Mrs. Anthony Drew Kennard, Jr., were the Texas, where he carried on stock-raising and · parents of six children: David S., who was cap- tured at Arkansas Post and died at Camp Doug- las, Chicago; Elizabeth and Michael, both de- ceased; Rachel V., the deceased wife of T. M. Westbrook; Marcus L., of this review; and Nancy M., the deceased wife of M. Hart. The father was a member of Granview lodge No. 266, A. F. & A. M., also of the Royal Arch chapter No. 69, and the commandery at Cleburne.

also engaged in the manufacture of salt. In 1859, however, on account of Indian troubles he sought safety for his family by returning to his former location in Johnson county, and after two years he bought a tract of land that adjoins the farm upon which Marcus L. Kennard now re- sides. He continued the further improvement and development of that property up to the time of his demise, which occurred October 21, 1885. During the period of the Civil war he joined the Home Guards and for a short time was in the state service. He was well known as an ex- tensive land speculator, making judicious in- vestments and profitable sales and he was re- garded as one of the most prominent and in- fluential residents of the county, which he as- sisted in organizing. There were hardly one hundred voters in the county at that time. In all the work of public progress and improve- ment he was deeply interested and his efforts proved a potent element for good along lines of general upbuilding. In 1841 Anthony Drew Kennard was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Smith, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Pugh) Smith, natives of Alabama, in which state Mrs. Kennard was born in 1822. When a young lady of seventeen years she accompanied her parents to Texas, the family home being established in Austin county, but her father died in Grimes county in 1853, while on a business trip there, passing away at the home of Anthony Drew Kennard, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our subject. Mr. Smith had extensive property hold- ings in Johnson and Ellis counties, covering a large acreage. He rendered military service in his native state when a young man by aiding in the subjugation of the Indians and after coming to Texas he was engaged in locating certificates in the name of the county. He and his wife reared a family of nine children : John, de- ceased; Nancy, the deceased wife of W. D. Cor- nett; Jane, who became the wife of Reason Wooley, and has also passed away; Mrs. Sarah Kennard, who has now reached the advanced age of eighty-three years; George W., Elijah, James and David, all deceased; and Maria, the wife of J. T. Quinn of Ellis county, Texas. Mr.

M. L. Kennard spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Johnson county, Texas, pursuing his education in the schools of Waxahachie and Cleburne. When twenty-one years of age he started out upon an independent business career, giving his attention to farming and stock- raising, but continued to make his home with his father until twenty-six years of age, when he removed to the place which he now owns, then comprising two hundred acres which was given to him by his father. He has since in- creased his property holdings, however, until within the boundaries of his farm are now com- prised ten hundred and seventy-three acres in the midst of which stands an attractive residence while in the rear are good barns for the shelter of grain and stock. In fact, he has a splendidly equipped property supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. There is running water supplied by deep wells and he has tele- phonic communication, so that it is possible for him to superintend the business of the ranch although living twenty miles away. Country life in Johnson county is no longer a synonym for isolation for it is established with all modern conveniences and comforts, for the agriculturists of this section of the state have kept in touchi with the general progress. Mr. Kennard also owns in Johnson county a ranch of four thou- sand acres, of which four hundred acres has been placed under cultivation and in Hill county has four hundred acres, of which two hundred and fifty acres has been cultivated. He likewise has an interest in lands in other places. He is en- gaged in the feeding of beef cattle as well as in other agricultural pursuits, feeding in the winter of 1905-6 about six hundred and fifty head of cattle. His efforts have been extended to other lines of activity and his name is an honored one

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 90

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