A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, 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: 972

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

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

in official circles in El Paso and his worth is acknowledged by all who are familiar with his services. He likewise has real estate interests in El Paso, having made judicious investment of his means in property here which has greatly appreciated in value, owing to the rapid growth of the city.

In 1883, in El Paso, Captain Stacy was mar- ried to Miss Clara Jane Dargitz, and they now have two daughters and a son: Mrs. Lydia Belle Taylor, of this city; Mrs. Minnie Alice Rader, of Del Rio; and Arthur Lee Stacy. Captain Stacy is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Woodmen of the World, Woodman Circle, and the Pioneer Association of El Paso, and is also captain of John C. Brown Camp, No. 486, Unit- ed Confederate Veterans. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the city which has now been his home for a quarter of a century and the circle of his friends has constantly broadened as the circle of his acquaintance has extended.

COLONEL ROBERT A. MYERS, filling the position of county clerk in Jones county, is a native of Bedford county, Tennessee, his birth having occurred in the middle portion of that state September 30, 1840. His father, John Myers, was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, and when a young man went to Wis- consin and was a participant in the Black Hawk war in that state. Later he returned to Ten- nessee and was married there in Jackson county to Miss Nancy White, a native of that county. They continued residents of Jackson county for a time and afterward removed to Bedford county, where the father engaged in the manu- facture of bagging made from hemp, a material which was used as a covering in baling cotton. In 1855 the family came to Texas together with other colonists from that locality, there being a heavy emigration to the state that year. John Myers settled in Bell county, where he arrived on the 28th of November, 1855, and there he made his home throughout his remaining days, covering almost a quarter of a century, his death occurring in 1879, when he was seventy-four years of age. He had long survived his wife, who died in 1860 when about forty years of age. They reared a family of three children, two daughters and a son, all of whom are living.

Robert A. Myers was a youth of fifteen years when he came with the family to Texas and he lived upon the home farm until after the break- ing out of the Civil war. In April, 1861, how-

ever, he enlisted in the Confederate service at Belton, Bell county, Texas, joining McCol- lough's regiment. This command, however, was disbanded in the spring of 1862 and was reorganized at Brownsville, Texas, on the Rio Grande in what was known as the First Texas Cavalry, Colonel Buchell commanding. Mr. Myers was serving as captain at the time of the formation of Colonel McCollough's command, and was the senior captain at its dis-organiza- tion. On the organization of the First Texas Cavalry Mr. Myers was made major, but at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, Colonel Buchell was killed and Major Myers was pro- moted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He served throughout the entire war and took part in a number of important engagements, includ- ing the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Man- sura, Peach Orchard and Yellow Bayou. This was a series of engagements that covered a period of about thirty days between the Union army under General Banks and the Confeder- ate army under General Taylor, all of the fight- ing taking place in Louisiana. Colonel Myers was mustered out of service on the 24th of May, 1865, after having taken part in all of the en- gagements of his regiment, while his promotion from the ranks to the lieutenant colonelcy came to him in recognition of his meritorious service and valor upon the field of battle.

Following the close of the war, Colonel Myers returned to his home in Bell county, where he remained for a number of years. In 1867 he and his father engaged in the milling business on Salado Creek about seven miles southeast of Belton, the mill being principally used for the manufacture of flour. With the same water power he also put in operation a saw mill and cotton gin, which the firm con- ducted for a number of years. Mr. Myers con- tinued in active business in that place until 1890, when he came to Jones county, locating at Anson. During the first three years he fol- lowed farming and afterward took charge of the Anson Roller Mills, which he operated for about four years. He was then called to public office, entering the office of the county sheriff and collector in the capacity of a clerk under W. S. Swan. There he remained for eight years or during Mr. Swan's term of service. In the fall of 1904 Colonel Myers was elected county clerk of Jones county, which position he is now capably filling. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed and in the discharge of his duties he is proving a capable and reliable official.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

In the family of Colonel Myers are five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters: Alice L., the wife of John Castles, of Baird, Texas; Mc- Kie M., who is a deputy in his father's office; Ninnie S .; Robert M .; and Frank M.

JAMES D. PICKENS. The ancestry of James D. Pickens, of Jones county, can be traced back to the Carolinas, whence different branches of the family have made their way into various states. Samuel Pickens, the grand- father of our subject, removed from North Car- olina to Alabama, where he spent his remaining days. One of his sons, William H. Pickens, was born in the old North state and was a young man when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Alabama. Subsequently he became a resident of Louisiana about 1848 or 1849 and lived there for only a few years, when he re- moved to southern Arkansas, where his death occurred in 1860, when he about fifty years of age. He was married in 1839 to Miss Julia A. Brown of Lowndes county, Alabama, represent- ing a prominent family of that state. Mrs. Pickens, who was born in 1820, is now living in Fannin county, Texas. In the family were nine children, of whom six are yet living, three hav- ing died in infancy.

James D. Pickens, son of William H. Pick- ens, was born in Lowndes county, Alabama, September 2, 1843. In his youth he had but limited opportunities, being reared upon a small farm, his parents being in limited financial cir- cumstances. His father died when he was about sixteen years of age, after which he gave his attention to the many duties connected with the management of the home place and the im- provement of the land. His time was thus fully occupied until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he entered the Confederate service in the early part of that year, joining Company E of the Third Arkansas Infantry. He served the most of the time with the Army of Northern Virginia, save for a period of about seven months, during which he was stationed in east- ern Tennessee in the vicinity of Chattanooga and Knoxville. In April, 1864, he returned to the Virginia army and was with his command in all of the engagements fought by the Army of Northern Virginia. Three times he was wound- ed, first in the side at Sharpsburg, second in the hand near Richmond at what was called the battle of Darbytown, and third in the leg in an engagement near Bermuda Hundreds between Richmond and Petersburg. He first entered the

service as a private but was elected second lieu- tenant in eastern Tennessee in 1863, in the spring of 1864 was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and in the spring of 1865 was com- missioned captain. A few days later the sur- render of the southern forces occurred at Ap- pomattox Courthouse.

Following the close of the war Captain Pick- ens returned to his home in Arkansas, where he engaged in farming on his own account until 1869. He then accepted a clerkship with a large mercantile firm in the city of Camden, Arkansas, where he resided until the spring of 1874. In that year he came to Texas and embarked in merchandising on his own account at Cooper, Delta county, where he resided for six years. He then went to Honey Grove, Fannin county, where he was engaged in the same business for three years and in 1885 he arrived in Jones county, where he made a permanent location. He had made a prospecting tour to this county the year before, after which he returned to Honey Grove and settled up his business before removing his family to Jones county. He con- ducted a drug store in Anson for two years, but closed this out because of the hard times occasioned by the great drought in the country during the years 1886 and 1887. Subsequently he engaged in freighting and farming combined with stock raising.

In 1894 Captain Pickens was called to public office, being elected county clerk of Jones coun- ty, in which capacity he acceptably and credit- ably served for ten consecutive years. Since that time he has given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock and he has a valuable farm just north of Anson under a high state of cultivation. However, he was again called to public office in April, 1905, when elected mayor of the city of Anson. He brings to his official duties the same business- like qualities, dispatch and enterprise which have characterized the conduct of his private interests and has therefore made a splendid record as an official.

In September, 1875, occurred the marriage of Captain Pickens and Miss Alice M. Davis of Hempstead county, Arkansas. Their family numbers eight children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Ettie Ouida, Imogene, Ruby, Emma Lynn, Willie May, James D. and Winnie Davis. Captain Pickens has been commander of Anson camp, No. 612, Confederate Veterans Association amost continuously from its organ- ization. He was also lieutenant colonel of his regiment, the Second Regiment of the Fifth

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Brigade, and since that time has been appointed inspector general of the Fifth Brigade on the staff of General B. B. Paddock. His affiliation with the Masonic fraternity covers the inter- vening years from 1872 to the present time,and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon brotherly kindness and mutual helpfulness.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF AN- SON, TEXAS, was organized in 1894 by R. V. Colbert as a private banking institution. It was purchased by C. H. Steele in 1900 and became a national banking institution in January, 1902, under the name of the First National Bank of Anson with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars. At the present time the bank has about six thousand dollars in surplus and profits. The officers are C. H. Steele, president; B. F. Bailey, vice-president, and J. J. Steele, cashier. The building which is owned by the company was erected in 1904 and is a handsome brick struc- ture, a credit to the town.

C. H. STEELE, the president of the First National Bank of Anson and a prominent factor in financial circles in Jones county, was born in Calhoun county, Mississippi, January 13, 1867. His father, Ira M. Steele, was a native of Georgia, born near Decatur, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Angie Armstrong, was a native of Mississippi. In 1872 the family removed to Texas, settling five miles south of Arlington in Tarrant county, although the town had not yet been founded. Fort Worth was at that time a small place and the enterprise and progress which have wrought such great changes here were hardly noticeable at that pe- riod. Ira M. Steele located on a farm and has since followed agricultural pursuits, his home being now in Anson. In the family were six children, three sons and three daughters, who reached adult age.

Charles H. Steele was only about five years old when brought by his parents to Texas. His early educational privileges were supplemented by study in Granbury College at Granbury, Hood county, to which place the family removed from Tarrant county in 1884. His literary edu- cation being completed he entered upon the study of law with the firm of Cooper & Estes of Granbury and was admitted to the bar before Judge C. K. Bell, then district judge. This was in 1889 and in 1890 Mr. Steele entered upon the practice of law. In the fall of that year he was elected county attorney of Jones county and

continued in the office for four years. In 1895 he was appointed by Governor Culberson as district attorney for the thirty-ninth judicial dis- trict to fill a vacancy, and in the fall of 1896 Mr. Steele was a candidate for the office, to which he was elected. He continued to serve until 1897, when the district was changed and Jones county was placed in the forty-second district, which was a means of cutting Mr. Steele out of the district and he resigned. Since that time he has practiced his profession at Anson, being associated a part of the time with J. P. Stinson under the firm name of Steele & Stinson. In 1902, however, Mr. Stinson was elected county attorney and the partnership was dis- solved, since which time Mr. Steele has been alone in practice. He is a capable lawyer with broad knowledge of the principles of juris- prudence and has won many notable forensic victories. In addition to his law practice he has the management of the First National Bank, of which he is the president.

On the 3rd of June, 1894, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Steele and Miss Julia Hale of An- son, a daughter of H. C. Hale, one of the early settlers of this portion of the state, and they have one child, Anne May Steele. Judge Steele is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is also identified with the lodge of the Wood- men of the World, at Anson. An active and suc- cessful business man and lawyer, he has worked his way upward to the front ranks of his pro- fession in western Texas and also occupies a leading position in financial circles. He is well known throughout the state and has won a de- sirable reputation in the practice of both civil and criminal law.

J. J. PETTUS. The ancestry of the Pettus family can be traced back to England, whence representatives of the name emigrated to the United States, settling in Virginia. John Pet- tus, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, married Miss Susanna Winston, a descendant of a distinguished family. The children of this marriage were: Thomas T., born April 17, 1755; Sarah, September 7, 1757; Amos, August 17, 1761 ; John Pettus, August 17, 1765 ; Susanna. April 20, 1769; Overton, August 16. 1770; Mary, December 7, 1772; Horatio, April 15, 1775; William, June 9, 1777; Elizabeth, November II, 1781. The descendants of these ten children are in almost every southern state, being perhaps most numerous in Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and Mississippi.

Horatio Pettus, the great-grandfather, born

J. J. PETTUS

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

April 15, 1775-just four days before the bat- tle which inaugurated the Revolutionary war -was a native of Lunenburg county, Virginia, and after arriving at years of maturity was united in marriage to Miss Mary Poindexter, a daughter of Phillip Poindexter, of Virginia. Their family included Winston P. Pettus, who was born in Charlotte, Virginia, on the 4th of March, 1806. He married Miss Mary D. Wil- liams, daughter of Amos and Mary Williams, who went to the frontier with Daniel Boone.

Colonel Thomas F. Pettus, son of Winston P. and Mary D. Pettus, was born in Florence, Lauderdale county, Alabama, August 12, 1828, and remained in his native state during his youth and early manhood. He became a prom- inent factor in public affairs in early life and was elected doorkeeper and sergeant-at-arms of the Alabama senate for the season of 1851-2. The following year he was chosen colonel of the Eleventh Regiment of Alabama Militia. A stanch adherent to the principles of the Whig party during its existence he did much to mold public thought and opinion in the localities with which he was connected and throughout his entire life has been a man of influence. In 1859 he removed to Mississippi, settling in Jackson and soon afterward he took up his abode in Morton, Scott county, Mississippi, where he resided for fourteen years except for a short period spent as a member of the Con- federate Army. He raised the first company that was mustered in for war, May 23, 1861, and was elected its captain. In August, 1861, his company was in Lynchburg camp of in- struction and became Company H of the Twentieth Mississippi Regiment. From that point he was ordered to West Virginia with his troops and joined General Lee's command. He was affected with hemorrhage of the lungs and for this reason was discharged from the service after a connection of only a few months with the army.

In 1865 Colonel Pettus joined Major J. R. Stevens and Robert Willis in the establish- ment of a firm for the conduct of a general mercantile enterprise under the style of Pettus, Stevens & Company, and was identified with its interests for about six years, or until 1871, when he sold out to his partners and entered into partnership with his brother, Horatio O. Pettus. In 1873 he removed to Newton, Mis- sissippi, taking charge of the business estab- lished there under the firm style of Richardson & Company. He managed this until 1881 and in 1883 he sold his interest to W. B. Richard-

son, while in 1884-5-6 he engaged in the pur- chase of cotton as a commission merchant. He was thus an active factor in commercial cir- cles from the time of his military service until 1887, when he disposed of his business inter- ests upon receiving his appointment to the consulate in China. In September, 1886, he was appointed by President Cleveland consul to Ning-Po and arrived in China in December of that year. He served for four years, or until June, 1890, when he was removed by President Harrison, owing to the change of administra- tion. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1884 and again and again served as a delegate to state conventions and is widely recognized as an influential and prominent representative of his party, having from the time of the dissolution of the Whig party been a stanch advocate of the Demo- cracy. He has been called to a number of local offices, serving as mayor and notary public of Newton, Mississippi, his election to the former office occurring in 1892, 1894, 1895, 1896 and 1897. Following his return from China he re- moved to Albany, Texas, in March, 1899, feeling that the dryer climate of this state would prove beneficial to his health. He was engaged in the dry goods business there from the Ist of January, 1899, until August, 1904, when he re- moved to Moran, where he has since con- ducted business as a dealer in dry goods and groceries, being one of the leading representa- tives of commercial interests in his part of the state. His life has been one of great activity, actuated by a spirit of definite and immediate service. He was one of the trustees of the Jackson (Mississippi) insane asylum, resign- ing that office in January, 1899, upon his re- moval to Texas. Colonel Pettus is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, has been identified with the Masonic fraternity since 1851 and holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of Honor. His life has been one of untiring activity and he has ever been ac- corded the respect and honor of his fellow men because of an upright career and fidelity to every duty.

While living in China Colonel Pettus lost his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Annie M. Cowley and was a daughter of the late Steven Cowley, of Virginia. Her birth occurred in Portsmouth, Virginia, and she died in China on the 19th of January, 1888, when forty-seven years of age. By this marriage there were five children, three sons and two

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

daughters, of whom two sons and a daughter are yet living: J. J. Pettus, of Sweetwater; Frank P., of Moran, Texas; and Mrs. W. C. Sanders of this state. Those deceased are Bessie L. Burke and Stephen W. Following his return from China Mr. Pettus married Mrs. Elizabeth Hart at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the Ist of September, 1901.

John Jones Pettus, who was born in Scott county, Mississippi, on the 19th of October, 1862, acquired his early education in the com- mon schools of Scott and Newton counties. At the age of fifteen years he entered his father's store, receiving therein practical business training. He was thus engaged until 1886, when he came to Texas, spending one year in Decatur, after which he removed to Mojave, California, and for two years was in the em- ploy of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as billing clerk in the freight department, re- turning thence to Decatur, Texas.

In January, 1890, he formed a co-partnership with J. M. Bennett and W. B. Portwood for the conduct of a dry goods business at Waxa- hachie, Texas, under the style of Bennett, Pettus & Company. He sold out to his part- ners and in 1892 he formed a partnership with his father and conducted a dry goods business in Kansas City, Missouri, under the style of Pettus & Company.

On the 21st of February, 1894, Mr. Pettus was married to Miss Rose Lillard, a daughter of J. W. Lillard, then of Nevada, Missouri. In 1896 he removed to Albany, Texas, where he became manager of a dry goods store and sub- sequently he conducted similar enterprises in Abilene and Merkel. In March, 1901, he came to Sweetwater, where he entered into partner- ship with S. A. Lillard, of Decatur, and they purchased the dry goods stock of Wight & McHan. In 1902 they erected their present building, which was constructed of rock and is located in the center of the business district of the city. They do both a retail and jobbing business under the firm style of Lillard & Pettus, but in their advertisements are known as the Sweetwater Mercantile Company. Their trade is drawn from a wide area covering sev- eral counties and theirs is the largest mercan- tile house in this part of the state. In connec- tion with their store they also own a ranch in Nolan county and are quite extensive dealers in horses, mules and cattle. Their business methods are in keeping with modern ideas of progress and will bear the closest investiga- tion and scrutiny. Utilization of opportunity

and an earnest desire to please their patrons, straightforward dealing at all times and unre- mitting diligence are the strong and salient characteristics in the business career of the Sweetwater Mercantile Company.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pettus have been born four children, three sons and a daughter, Thomas Warren, Annie Margaret, John Jones, Jr., and Thurmond Lillard. Fraternally Mr. Pettus is connected with the Masonic lodge and chapter at Sweetwater, with the com- mandery at Abilene and with Hella Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He also affiliates with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. A typical American business man, alert and enterprising, he has steadily worked his way upward in commercial circles from the position of a humble employe until he stands at the head of one of the large mercan- tile establishments of western Texas, having the entire management of the business. Ener- getic and reliable, he possesses in large degree those qualities that are essential to success and has found that prosperity is ambition's answer.

HORRY A. WARD, filling the position of county treasurer in Jones county, is also the owner of valuable landed interests here, and by taking advantage of conditions and improving his opportunities he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence. He is a native of northern Tennessee, having been born in Weakley county on the Ist of June, 1849. His father was Simeon Ward, a native of Harde- man county, Tennessee, but reared in Henry county, that state. The family originally came from either North Carolina or Virginia. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth McAdoo and was of Scotch Irish descent and was born in Henry county, Tennes- see, her parents having removed to that locality from North Carolina. Mrs. Ward became the mother of ten children, four of whom reached adult age, and her death occurred on the Ist of January, 1870. Simeon Ward afterward mar- ried again, his second union being with Mrs. Susan Meacham, nee Boaz, now deceased. His death occurred on the 9th of November, 1876, and he is survived by one son of the second mar- riage.

Horry A. Ward was reared upon his father's farm and made his home there until the time of his marriage. When a boy he attended the country schools of his neighborhood for a few months during the winter seasons until he was old enough to make a hand on the farm. When

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he was eighteen years of age his father again gave him opportunity of attending school and for ten months he again gave his attention to study, but this was about all of the education he ever received in the school room. Through ex- perience and observation, however, he has learned many valuable lessons and has become a practical business man.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, 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: 972

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: 972