A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 117

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 117

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In public affairs Mr. Avis has always taken an active and helpful interest and has been the cham- pion of many measures which have fostered pub- lic stability and substantial progress. When he was but eighteen years of age he was appointed deputy sheriff of Montague county, occupying that position at a time when the duties of the office were often hazardous. He is now a member of the city council of Wichita Falls and in this capacity has charge of the plans that are now be- ing carried out to grade and improve the streets of the city and establish good sidewalks. He was strongly urged to become a candidate for county commissioner upon the Democratic ticket and is now serving in that position.

At Montague, March I, 1885, Mr. Avis was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Bush, and they have a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. In his fraternal relations Mr. Avis is a Mason and has attained the Knight Templar degree. Endowed by nature with a strong character, he was so situated in his child-

hood that his latent powers were developed and strengthened and he became a successful busi- ness man. Today, however, he is not more hon- ored on account of the enviable position which he occupies in business circles than because of the upright course which he has ever followed in his dealings with his fellow men and by reason of his loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship.

WILLIAM L. GWALTNY. In the pioneer days of the history of the republic of Texas the Gwaltny family was established here and Wil- liam L. Gwaltny of this review has spent the greater part of his life in the Lone Star state. He was born in Posey county, Indiana, July 29, 1834, and is a son of John and Mary (Wylie) Gwaltny, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Indiana. When a young man the father made his way westward to Indiana and was married in Posey county, where he purchased land and improved a good farm, establishing his home near Poseyville, where he remained until after the birth of all of his chil- dren with one exception. In 1839 he joined a small colony and emigrated with horses and wagons to the republic of Texas, arriving in Fannin county, where most of the colony made settlements. Mr. Gwaltny secured a homestead claim of six hundred and forty acres, which he transformed into a good farm. It was pleasantly located on Honey Grove creek and there he de- voted his remaining days to general agricultural pursuits. This creek was named by David Crockett, the celebrated pioneer and discoverer, because of the great number of bees and the large amount of honey found there. Mr. Gwaltny became a valued, influential and prominent rep- resentative of the county and was a minister of the Primitive Baptist church. His political views were in accord with the principles of Democracy and for a number of years he filled the office of justice of the peace and coro- ner, but was not an active politician in the sense of office seeking. He preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business dealings and his church work and he successfully carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction and made a reputation which was unassailable be- cause of his unfaltering fidelity to all that is straightforward and honorable in man's relations with his fellow men. He lived here in pioneer days when the Indians of the western part of the state were hostile. They once advanced to within sixteen miles of his home and had a

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

fight at the block house of Bailey English, where the town of Burnham has since been es- tablished. Mr. Gwaltny died in 1859 at the age of sixty-four years. He was a typical Texas settler, whose hospitality was greatly enjoyed by many friends and the settlers who came his way, for the latch string was always out, so that his neighbors and the wayfarer might enjoy the welcome and comforts of his home. No charge was ever made for the entertainment of the stranger, as he took great delight in extending his warm hearted, liberal and generous hospi- tality. He died in the year 1859 at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife passed away in 1840. She belonged to an honored pioneer family of Posey county, Indiana, whose repre- sentatives were largely devoted to farming in- terests and spent the greater part of their lives in the Hoosier state. The members of the Wylie family were: Thomas, Light, Luke and Mrs. Mary Gwaltny. Thomas was a steamboat man on the Ohio river and other waterways of that part of the state.

Mr. and Mrs. John Gwaltny had a family of seven children : Nancy, who became the wife of Isaac McMinarry ; Matilda, the wife of William Martin ; Anna J., the wife of S. Allen ; William L., of this review; Francis M., who served throughout the war of the rebellion, taking part in fifty-six battles, in one of which he was wounded ; George W., who died while in the service of the Confederacy in the Civil war; and Sophronia, who was born in Texas and is the wife of H. Whittenburg. All were married in Texas.

William L. Gwaltny came with his parents to this state when about five years of age and was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm on Honey Grove creek. About the time he at- tained his majority he was employed at the car- penter's trade and in 1857 he married and set- tled upon a farm, devoting his energies to its cultivation until 1862, when he enlisted in the Confederate service as a member of Company D of Stephenson's regiment. The company was commanded by Captain Cobbs and he joined the command in Arkansas and served in the Trans-Mississippi department. While in the Indian Nation he was detailed for shop work at Fort Washitaw repairing wagons and other such mechanical work as needed to be done. There he spent seven months and was then or- dered to join his command in Texas but again they had one daughter, Mrs. Hortense Glenn. he was detailed for shop work at Bonham, where he remained for four months. He then once

more joined his regiment in Louisiana and was at the battle of Perry Grove, Arkansas, and also the fight at Yellow Bayou, Louisiana. He was never wounded nor captured and was at Hous- ton, Texas, when Lee surrendered, but being far from any Federal troops his regiment was not forced to surrender, but disbanded and the soldiers returned to their homes.

Mr. Gwaltny resumed farming operations in Fannin county, where he remained until 1872, when he sold his land there and removed to Grayson county, where he purchased a farm and mill, continuing the cultivation of the former and the operation of the latter. During this time he also bought wheat for the Denison Mills and was engaged in the lumber business for three years, but on the expiration of that period he sold out and bought a farm in Ar- kansas, to which he removed his family. Much of his time, however, was spent in Texas in the lumber trade. His family occupied the farm for two years, after which the land was rented and the family home was established in the town that the children might enjoy better school ad- vantages. Mr. Gwaltny, however, retained the ownership of his Arkansas property for six years, when he sold out and removed his family to Bowie, Montague county, Texas, where he opened a hardware store, conducting the enter- prise with a profitable measure of success for ten years. Within that period he bought the land whereon he now lives. Removing to Bel- cherville, he was engaged in the hardware trade there for three years, and in the meantime was having improvements made upon his farm. About 1897 he sold out his business in Belcher- ville and took up his abode on the farm, where he yet remains, having here over four hundred and eighty acres of rich land, all of which is under fence, while two hundred and twenty acres has been richly cultivated and yields good harvests. A large tract is devoted to pasturage and he owns a good herd of cattle. He follows diversified farming, raising various cereals and also handling stock and he thus produces many supplies for home consumption. The farm is well improved with a commodious frame resi- dence and good outbuildings and there is a large bearing orchard. Everything about the place indicates his careful supervision through its neat and thrifty appearance and the farm is pleasantly and conveniently located about three and a half miles north of Belcherville near the Red river.

Mr. Gwaltny was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wright, who was born in Alabama, April

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

5, 1836, and is a lady of intelligence and natural refinement. Her parents were William and Clarissa (Self) Wright, both of whom were na- tives of North Carolina, in which state they were married, later settling in Alabama. In 1851 they came to Texas and established their home in Fannin county, where the father spent his remaining days as an enterprising, indus- trious and respected agriculturist. His wife died in Arkansas. Both were members of the Prim- itive Baptist church and in their family were seven children : Isam and William N., both of whom follow farming; Susan, the wife of J. Dobbs; Mrs. Zina Melvin; Mrs. Mary A. Gwaltny ; Jasper, a farmer, and Mrs. Lavina J. Johnson.

Mr. and Mrs. Gwaltny have become the pa- rents of seven children : Henry C., who died in California; Elbert A., who is living in Jacks- boro, Texas ; Jennie, at home; Mattie, the wife of J. Harper; George, a farmer; Ella, the wife of J. Mulcox; and William, who also carries on agricultural pursuits. Mr. Gwaltny is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and his wife be- longs to the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy but he is without aspiration for office, preferring to de- vote his time and energies to his business affairs which, capably conducted, are bringing to him merited success.

ALLEN G. FLOURNOY. On the roster of county officials in Montague county appears the name of Allen G. Flournoy, who is now serving as one of the board of commissioners. He is likewise well known as a prominent farm- er, whose business ability and energy form the foundation of his success. He is numbered among the native sons of Texas, his birth hav- ing occurred in Wood county on the 17th of May, 1858. His parents were Mercer W. and Julia (Jones) Flournoy, the former a native of Mississippi, and the latter of Georgia. They were reared, however, in Texas and were mar- ried in Wood county. The Flournoy family was established in America at an early period in the colonization of the new world. Samuel M. Flournoy, the grandfather, was a native of Vir- ginia and became an early settler of Mississippi whence he removed to Texas in 1853, settling in Nacogdoches county among its pioneer resi- dents. Later he became one of the early set- tlers of Wood county and was among the first promoters of farming interests in eastern Texas. He became an extensive and prominent agricul- turist and slave owner, having fifty slaves. Thus

his plantation was almost like a little vallage with its numerous cabins for the colored people. At the time of the Mexican war he espoused the cause of his country and served as captain of a company. He was always interested in public progress and improvement, giving generous and liberal support to every movement calculated for the general good. He figured prominently in public affairs and while in Mississippi he served as sheriff of his county for several terms, but after coming to Texas his business interests were too extensive to admit of his giving any time to public office. However, he used his in- fluence for the nomination of good men and helped elect them and he ever stood as a cham- pion of right, progress and improvement. He was beloved and respected for his good qualities, kindly spirit and generous disposition. He was a considerate master to his slaves and furnished them not only with the necessaries, but many of the comforts of life, trusted them and had their love. ' After the war, when the proclama- tion had set them free, they regretted leaving him, but he advised them to the best of his ability and told them to go out and do for them- selves. He was a consistent Christian gentle- man and his entire life was actuated by honor- able and upright purposes. He died about 1870 when eighty years of age. His first wife died in 1863, after which he was married again. The children of the first union were: Mitchell, a farmer who served in the Civil war; Mercer W .; Thomas, also a Confederate soldier and after- ward a farmer; D. H. and William, who wore the grey uniform ; Samuel and Robert, who were killed while members of the Confederate army; Mrs. Mary Malory ; Mrs. N. Holmes; and Mrs. Belle Good. For his second wife Samuel M. Flournoy married Mrs. Allen, a widow, and gaged in the tilling of the soil and also in rais-

Mercer W. Flournoy was born in Mississippi and with his father's family came to Texas in an early day, spending his boyhood and youth in this state. He was reared upon the old home plantation and was trained to habits of industry and enterprise, giving supervision to the crops and to the slaves. He remained under the pa- rental roof until the time of his marriage and then settled in Quitman, where he carried on mercantile pursuits until after the inauguration of the Civil war. At that time he closed out his business interests and entered the Confed- erate army with Lane's Regiment of Cavalry. He was made sergeant of his company and served in the Trans-Mississippi department in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. He did much

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

skirmishing and was in many hotly contested battles but was never captured nor wounded. He was in Louisiana at the time of the close of hostilities, after which he returned to his home to enter business life anew, for he found that he had everything to make and nothing to lose. He engaged in farming as the only source of support for his family and in this way gained a start. He also filled some offices, acting as deputy sheriff for a number of years and he was also elected assessor, in which position he served for many years, or as long as he would consent to fill the office. He was recognized as a leader in local ranks of the Democracy and he took an active interest in the county and state cam- paigns and conventions, his opinions carrying weight in the party councils. As the years passed by and he devoted himself assiduously to his business interests he secured a good farm and home and he yet resides upon the old home- stead in Wood county at the ripe old age of seventy-two years. His success is well merited, for it is attributable entirely to his own earnest and honorable labor. He is a typical southern gentleman, social and hospitable, generously en- tertaining all who come to him. The poor and needy never seek his aid in vain, or is any one ever turned from his door hungry. His spirit of generosity and helpfulness is indicated by a little incident in his life. At a time when corn was very scarce and hard to get Mr. Flournoy had plenty in his bins. A gentleman called and wished to purchase all that he had but Mr. Flournoy told him that he would not sell to him for cash, but would keep the corn for his neigh- bors to buy from him on credit. He is a man of unblemished integrity and upright principles, whose life record is indeed well worthy of emula- tion. He and his wife yet reside at the old homestead in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, she being now sixty-seven years of age. She is a daughter of Sidney Jones one of the pioneer settlers of Wood county, who came to Texas from Georgia, bringing with him a large number of slaves, after which he began farming. He was well known in his locality as a man of influence and prominence and attained success in his well directed labors. He did not long survive his removal to Texas, however. His wife was a worthy member of the Christian church. In their family were eleven children : Augustus and Asberry, who follow farming; Clark; Rusk; Thomas; Mrs. Emma Mitchell; Mrs. Puss Hix; Georgia A., the wife of Dr. Vin- ing; Susan, the wife of R. Armstrong; Mrs. Julia Flournoy; and Tuda, who married a Mr. Hearst and afterward become Mrs. Grant. Mr.

and Mrs. Flournoy became the parents of eleven children ; Mrs. Josephine Robins; A. G., of this review; Mrs. Gertrude Rhodes; Frank M., a farmer ; Mercer J., now deceased; Emmer, who died at the age of sixteen years; Mary, who died in infancy; Thomas, a merchant ; C. E. and Samuel who follow farming, and Birda, who died in childhood.

Allen G. Flournoy spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in his parents' home and ac- quired his education in the common schools. He was trained to the labors of the farm and gained practical knowledge and experience there. At the age of twenty-seven years, in 1885, Mr. Flournoy was married to Miss Mis- souri Richards, who was born in Wood county, Texas, July 30, 1861, a daughter of Willis J. and Missouri A. (Wylie) Richards, the former a native of Mississippi. and the latter of Georgia. They were married, however, in Alabama and in 1840 came to Texas, settling in Harrison county. Her father was a school teacher and followed that profession for many years. He also owned and conducted a farm. Later he re- moved to Smith county and subsequently to Wood county and in each locality he followed teaching, devoting his energies to that profes- sion during the period of the rebellion. He was also a member of the Home Guard at that time. After the close of the war he engaged in merchandizing at Quitman and he had his farm operated through hired help. After carrying on his store for a number of years he built a store and established a business on his farm. In 1887, however, he sold out there and removed to Belcherville, where he carried on merchan- dizing until a fire destroyed the town and his business was lost in the conflagration. This oc- curred in 1893. He continued to make his home in Belcherville, however, and in 1894 he made a visit to Bryant. There he became ill and died November 21, 1894, at the age of seventy-seven years. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and filled various offices of honor and trust, serving for a number of years as justice of the peace. He was a mem- ber of the Missionary Baptist church and fra- ternally was a Royal Arch Mason. His wife yet survives him and finds a good home with her daughter, Mrs. Flournoy. She too is a de- voted Baptist and she has reached the ripe old age of eighty-two years. In the family of this worthy couple were ten children: James W., a farmer, now deceased; Mrs. Frances London ; Janet, who became Mrs. James and is now Mrs. Thurman; Willis T., who is a merchant and is very prominent in Masonic and Odd Fellow

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

circles; John Q., a farmer; Columbus, a specula- tor and prominent Mason ; Mrs. Emily Toombs; William, a merchant; Missouri R., now Mrs. Flournoy; and Robert L., a traveling salesman who has attained the 32nd degree in Masonry. All lived to be married and only one death has occurred in the family.

In early life Mr. Flournoy was quite active in political circles and was serving as tax as- sessor at the time of his marriage. He soon settled upon a farm, however, having purchased a tract of land in Wood county, to the develop- ment and improvement of which he devoted his energies until 1888. He then sold that prop- erty and came to Montague county, at first locating in Belcherville. He bought a farm, which he rented. Farming at that time was something of an experiment in this part of the state, as many did not believe the soil would prove productive. Mr. Flournoy bought and sold several tracts of land and finally began farming on his own account. He now owns three well improved farm properties but rents all save his homestead place, where he is en- cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits. He ing stock for the support of the farm. He has been very successful, nor has he failed to raise good crops, having plenty for his family and his stock. He possesses good financial ability, keen discrimination and enterprise and his labors have been attended with a fair measure of prosperity. He is a strong and influential democrat, who has attended county and state conventions and has acted as chairman for the party in his precinct. He is now filling the po- sition of county commissioner and is recognized as a public spirited and enterprising citizen, favoring every movement that tends to promote the general welfare. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in all life's relations has com- manded the good will and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.

IRA SEEDS, a representative of the farming interests of Montague county, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, May 28, 1850. He was reared to the work of the farm, while in the public schools he acquired a good practical education. His parents were Samuel and Fanny (Campbell) Seeds, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. The Seeds family is of Irish lineage and the father was reared to the occupation of farming in Ohio, where he was married and continued to make his home until 1854. He then removed to Iowa, settling in Appanoose county, which

was a frontier district, in which he pre-empted land and improved a farm, making it his home for two years. He then removed to Missouri, where he again entered a claim from the gov- ernment, devoting his energies to its cultiva- tion until 1861, when his life's labors were ended in death. His family remained on the farm for a year later and then removed to Lewis county, Missouri, where they resided until after the close of the Civil war. In 1866 they came to Texas, settling in the eastern part of Montague county, where Mrs. Seeds pur- chased land upon which a few improvements had been made. Later she sold that property and bought again near Forestburg. She was afterward married a second time, becoming the wife of Mr. McIlroy. During the early days of her residence in Montague county the In- dians were hostile and committed many depra- dations which robbed the labors of the people of their profits. The Seeds family lost a horse and experienced other hardships and trials in- cident to frontier life. The mother, however, kept her little family together and reared her children to become honorable, upright men, whose life records are a credit to the family name. She continued to reside upon the home- stead near Forestburg until her death. She was a consistent and devoted member of the Christian church, to which Samuel Seeds also belonged. Their sons were: John, who is living in Fort Smith; Ira, of this review; and Andrew, whose home is in Montague county.

Ira Seeds, the immediate subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood days in his mother's home and assisted her as his age and strength permitted until he had reached the age of sev- enteen years. He then started out in life on his own account, earning his living by work- ing as a farm hand. Later he was employed in the government mills in Wise county, where he remained for eighteen months, when he went to Jackson county and accepted a posi- tion as teamster for the government, hauling forage for soldiers. Later at Austin he spent a brief period and then returned to the old homestead, where in the year 1871 he raised a crop on his mother's farm. He afterward went to Kansas, where he assisted with a herd of cattle and later he again returned home, while the following year he devoted his time to breaking horses.

It was during the year 1872 that Mr. Seeds was married and thus with a renewed impetus for business activity and close application he took up his abode upon a tract of rented land,

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

which he cultivated for a year, after which he removed to Red River Station and bought a small farm. He retained possession of this, however, for only a brief period and on selling that property he rented land from J. M. Gray- son, on which he remained for two years, when in 1875 he went to the Indian Territory and operated land which he leased at different places. His residence in the Territory covered twenty-seven years, during which time he was successfully engaged in farming. He also profited by sub-letting land and by va- rious business trades. He also built two cotton gins, which he operated for a time and then sold, and he likewise owned and operated a threshing outfit. He was also en- gaged in merchandising at Terrill for four years and still owns property there. He leased large tracts of land between three and four thousand acres which he sublet, making money by the operation. He is a man of excel- lent business ability, of keen sagacity and sound discrimination and his thrift and untir- ing energy have proved the basis of very grati- fying success. He spent one year at Chick- asha and afterward came to Montague county, where he had a small tract of land, to which in 1892 he added one hundred and sixty-five acres, so that his landed possessions here now comprise two hundred and thirty-five acres, constituting a good farm. He settled upon this place, began its cultivation and continued the work with good success, so that he has been enabled to extend the boundaries of his property and now has over six hundred acres in the homestead, of which four hundred and fifty acres is under a high state of cultivation. The improvements thereon are modern and at- tractive and indicate the practical and progres- sive spirit of the owner. The house is a com- modious frame structure, favorably located, so that it commands an excellent view of the Red river and the valley. He can also see far into the Territory with Terrill and other villages in the distance, and there is a fine view of the southern part of the nation. In the rear of his home are substantial outbuildings for the shel- ter of grain and stock, good feed lots for the stock and rich pasturage. His soil is very productive and he annually harvests good crops. He has had one or two short crops since locating here, but never a complete failure. Wheat and oats give him good crops, averag- ing about fifteen bushels per acre in oats and the corn crop averages about fifty bushels per

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 117

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