A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 129

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 129

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Elisha H. Preston was born in Virginia, Jan- uary 22, 1810, and died in that state February 22, 1848. He married, November 20, 1830, Miss Arabella J. Whitton, who died May 23, 1849. Both were church members. For six

years he filled the office of high sheriff. He owned a plantation and slaves and carried on agricultural pursuits. After his death his land was sold and the estate, including the slaves, divided up among his children; but the war came on, they lost their father's savings and had to make their own way in the world. His children in order of birth are as follows: Mil- dred, wife of J. Jarrett; Mrs. Cleopatra Laz- enby; Sarah, wife of J. Bagget; Julia, wife of C. Lunsford; L. P. Preston, who died in the war of the Rebellion; Isaac N., whose name introduces this sketch; George A .; and Mariah F., wife of D. Hix, of Alabama.

After the death of his parents, Isaac N. Pres- ton made his home with an uncle and would have received a liberal education had his plans not been interrupted by the inauguration of Civil war. In 1861, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted as a member of a company called Roa- noke Grays, made up of college students, with which he served until after the first battle of Manassas, when, on account of disability, he was discharged. Soon afterward, however, he vol- unteered again, this time as one of General Lee's scouts. He remained with Lee until the day before the surrender. Realizing what was coming, he took "French leave" and has never yet surrendered. During his army life he had many narrow escapes, from bullets and capture, and when he returned home at the close of the war it was to find his property all gone. He had plenty of pluck and courage, however, and was not afraid to work. Going to Lynchburg, he se- cured employment in a commission house and remained there a year. The next two years he was a clerk in Lewisville, Tennessee. During his stay at the latter place he was "captured" for the first time. He married and settled on a farm, and continued to reside in Tennessee, car- rying on agricultural pursuits, until 1870, when he came to Texas. His first stop in this state was in Grayson county. He cultivated rented land there a few years, then moved to Bowie, near which place he farmed two years, return- ing at the end of that time to Grayson county and spending another two years there. His next move was to the vicinity of Illinois Bend. Here he at first cultivated rented land. Afterward he bought the one hundred and fifty acres which he has improved and still owns, sixty-five acres of his farm being under cultivation, and most of it in the Red River valley.

Mr. Preston, politically, is a Democrat. While in Grayson county he served as deputy sheriff and since coming to Montague county has been

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

made one of the county's financiers. He was elected to fill an unexpired term as county com- missioner, was re-elected to succeed himself and is now acceptably serving the county in the capacity of commissioner. .

Mr. Preston married Miss Clementine Snapp, a native of Tennessee, born in 1851, daughter of Samuel and Sarah A. (Cox) Snapp, both natives of Tennessee. Mr. Snapp was a Union man, but took no part in the Civil war. After the war he engaged in general merchandising in Lewisville, and remained there until 1870, that year coming to Texas. He bought a farm in Grayson county, settled on it, and there spent the rest of his life and died. He was a Presbyterian, a Royal Archi Mason, and a prominent and much respected man in the localities in which he lived. His widow survives him, at this writing eighty-six years of age. Their children are : Mrs. Mollie Singleton, William L., Mrs. Clementine Preston, John, James, Thomas, Mrs. Minnie McCarthy and Mrs. Fannie Picrce

Mr. and Mrs. Preston have eight children : George, Mrs. Myrta Vance, Mrs. Oriana Wade, Sally, Katie, Ernest, David H., and Gladys.

Both Mr. and Mis. Preston are identified with the Methodist church.

J. G. BARROW is numbered among the citi- zens who came to northwest Cooke county in pioneer days and have shared in the arduous work that has led to the development and per- manent improvement of this section of the state. He was born in Chambers county, Alabama, on the 15th of April. 1839, and was reared to farm pursuits, while his early education was rather limited yet nevertheless he has acquired a good practical knowledge through observation, ex-

perience and reading. His parents were Josiah and Louzania (Bass) Barrow, both of whom were natives of North Carolina but their mar- riage was celebrated in Alabama. The paternal grandfather, William Barrow, was likewise born in North Carolina and was of Irish lineage, his ancestors having settled in that state at an early day. He married a Miss Heath and removed later to Alabama. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and without aspiration for office gave his undivided attention to his agricultural pursuits, carefully conducting his business affairs. When he had reached the evening of life he and his wife removed to Louisiana and spent their de- clining days in the home of their son, both dying there. They were loyal to their professions as members of the Missionary Baptist church and instilled into the minds of their children lessons

of integrity and uprightness. They had five sons and a daughter, Josiah, John, James, Jack- son, Lafayette and Mrs. Mary. Meadows.

Josiah Barrow was born in North Carolina and in his youth accompanied his parents to Alabama, where he was reared to manhood and married. He then took up his abode upon a farm, living there at the time when the Seminole Indians had their reservation in that statc. He purchased land and improved his property, carrying on the work of farming until after the most of his children were born. He became a prominent agriculturist and slave owner of that locality and there resided until 1856, when he removed to Louisiana, where he purchased a plantation and engaged in the raising of cotton and corn. He prospered in his undertakings, giving his at- tention to his farm and as the years passed by his labors were crowned with a very desirable measure of success. The cause of the Confeder- acy awakened his deep sympathy and interest at the time of the Civil war but he was too far ad- vanced in years to enter active service. He lived, however, until after the close of the war and during the period of hostilities much of his earnings of a lifetime were swept away through the emancipation of slaves and the ravages of his property occasioned by tlie foraging of the two armies. He afterward assisted in promoting and erecting a cotton factory, of which he became a large stockholder and one of the directors. This was known as the Arizona Cotton Factory of Louisiana and he gave most of his attention to the management of the plant. He was mak- ing good progress in the enterprise and had placed it upon a safe, financial basis when he became ill and passed away in the village of Arizona in 1871. No longer enjoying the benefit of his stimulating influence and efforts, the fac- tory ceased to be a profitable industry and soon afterward the business failed entirely. Mr. Barrow was born in 1808 and had lived an ac- tive life during much of the century. He was a broad-minded, intellectual man, possessing a most enterprising spirit, and in public matters was helpful and energetic. Everywhere he was highly respected for his integrity and character worth and he left to his family an untarnished name. His wife, surviving him, passed away in 1874. Little is known concerning the history of the Bass family. She had, however, two brothers and a sister: Rev. Isaac Bass, a Bap- tist minister, who engaged in preaching in Jack- son, Mississippi; Edwin Bass, also living in that locality ; and Mrs. Pinny Wilhite.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Barrow there were

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

born thirteen children: Elizabeth, who married a Rev. Barrow, who was a preacher of the Prim- itive Baptist church; Mrs. Harriet Gray; Wil- liam, who served throughout the Civil war, in which he was twice wounded, and has since died ; Mary A., and Martha, who died unmarried ; James G,; Mrs. Sarah Glover ; Josephus E., who served throughout the Civil war and is now in the Indian Territory ; John B. K., a resident of Louisiana ; Mrs. Margret E. Brown; Mrs. Fran- cis Marsh; Mrs. Ida Fortson; and Mrs. Emma Jarrell.

James G. Barrow, whose name introduces this review, accompanied his parents on their removal to Louisiana when eighteen years of age. In 1861 he enlisted for sixty days' service in the Confederate army and went to Richmond, Vir- ginia. He took part in the opening scenes of the great Civil war, remaining at Richmond for about one month and afterward participating in the battle of Manassas, subsequent to which time he returned to Louisiana and joined Company C, of the Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, under command of Colonel Hodges. The regiment was assigned to the army of the Tennessee under General Joseph Johnston and he was also under command of General Hood. He took part in all of the campaigns under those two famous and brilliant military leaders and acted as one of General Johnston's body-guards, being second to Wade Hampton in that service. He took part in the battles of Monterey and Shiloh and at the latter sustained a slight bullet wound in the body, the bullet piercing a double blanket and passing through a canteen and his clothing. Mr. Barrow took part in other hotly contested engagements, long marches and important campaign service, continuing with the army until the close of the war. He had pleasant, social intercourse with both General Johnston and General Hood and other prominent officers and during the latter part of the war had charge of General Johnston's outfit of horses and other equipments. At the time of General Lee's surrender the command was at Charlottesville, North Carolina, and Mr. Barrow was there parolled. He had capably and fearlessly performed his full duty as a soldier, faithfully discharging every task assigned to him and he was often in the thickest of the fight. He underwent all of the hardships and depreda- tions of military life and never faltered in his allegiance to the cause he espoused.

When the war was over Mr. Barrow returned to Alabama and made a visit, after which he went to his home by way of New Orleans. He re- sumed work upon the farm and in September,

1866, he was married, the lady of his choice be- ing Miss P. E. Spears, who was born in Alabama, July 26, 1850. She has been a worthy wife and good helpmate to him and is a most estimable lady. Her parents were John W. and Mary A. (Goldsmith) Spears, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Alabama, in which state the marriage was celebrated. Her grandfather was Wilie Spears, of North Caro- lina, a prominent farmer and slave owner. He was also a leading member of the Methodist church, and, living an earnest Christian life, he won the esteem and trust of all with whom he came in contact. He died in Louisiana, while his wife passed away in Alabama. In their family were the following named: John W .; Mrs. Sallie Sewell; Mary, who became Mrs. Havis, and after the death of her first husband married Mr. Tompkins; Green; and Brigs, who died in his fifteenth year.

John W. Spears was reared to manhood in North Carolina and Alabama and at the time of his marriage began farming, while later he turned his attention to merchandising and also operated a cotton gin. He continued to reside in Alabama until after the birth of all his children. In 1855 he removed to Louisiana, where he settled upon a farm, there continuing until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he joined the army and took part in all the campaigns of Gen- eral Johnston and General Hood. He served in the same company with Mr. Barrow of this re- view, and was with his command until after the cessation of hostilities. He then returned home and resumed farming, remaining in Louisiana until 1873, when he came to Texas, joining Mr. and Mrs. Barrow, with whom he found a good home. He died while visiting a neighbor in 1873 and his wife survived him, passing away at the home of her daughter in 1885. Her father was John T. Goldsmith, who was of Irish descent and was a prominent agriculturist, spending his entire life in Alabama. In his later years he was converted and became a preacher of the Baptist church. His children were: William, who died in early manhood; Mrs. Elizabeth Shaw, who after losing her first husband be- came Mrs. George ; Elbert ; Martha; Mrs. Mary A. Spears ; Sarah and John. By a second mar- riage there were four children: Amanda, Fannie, George and Sophrona.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Spears were born three children: Wilie, who came to Texas, and died leaving four children : James T., of Quanah, Tex- as ; and Sarah, now Mrs. Barrow. Unto our sub- ject and his wife have been born four children :

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Lucius L., of Haskell county, Texas; Ladonia, the deceased wife of Rev. J. P. Rutledge; Etta I., the wife of J. Cochran, who is postmaster and a merchant of Marysville, Texas; and John, who died at the age of twenty-two months.'

At the time of his marriage Mr. Barrow began farming on his own account and after raising one crop he invested all his means in the stock of the Arizona cotton factory, which later failed and he never regained but twenty-seven dollars on all that he had put into the enterprise. He had some slaves before the war and the loss of these together with the losses in the factory left him almost penniless, but with stout courage and strong heart he began farming and so continued until 1870, when he came to Texas on a pros- pecting tour. Being pleased with the country he engaged in the cattle business here, gathered a herd and drove them to Kansas, after which he returned to Texas and later to his home in Louis- iana. In 1871 he brought his family to this state and settled in Cooke county on land which he had purchased, a tract of one hundred and ninety acres, on which he yet lives. He has added to this, however, from time to time as his financial resources have increased until he now owns over one thousand acres of prairie soil. He has en- gaged in cattle-raising and farming, having one hundred and eighty acres under cultivation. He has been quite successful and although he has lost quite heavily through going security for his friends he yet is in possession of a comforta- ble competence acquired through his own labors. In the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons and is today a gentleman of broad, practical knowledge and culture. He took part in one Indian raid soon after coming to this state. The red men ran off a large herd of horses and Mr. Barrow and other settlers pur- sted them and brought them to a stand, having a fight in which several Indians were killed. The settlers succeeded in regaining possession of the stock and there were no casualties among the white men. When Mr. Barrow located here but little farming was done. Corn was a much needed commodity and the settlers made an agreement that twenty bushels was the limit that could be sold to one man. Buffaloes, deer and game of all kinds were very plentiful upon the prairies and in the forests. Mr. Barrow has aided in planting the seeds of civilization and has watched the rapid changes that have brought about the present prosperity and progress of the county. He has seen villages established, churches and schoolhouses built and the work of improvement carried forward. until it is almost

impossible for the traveler today to believe that within two or three decades past this was an al- most unsettled country. In politics Mr. Bar- row is an earnest Democrat who has used his influence to aid this party and upon its ticket he has been called to various offices of public hon- or and trust. He has served as county commis- sioner and in all positions has been loyal to the general welfare and to honorable principles. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church and served as one of its clerks for a number of years but at the present time is connected with no church organization. His wife, however, is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow are well known in this part of the state and the hospitality of many of the best homes of Marysville and the northwestern part of Cooke county is cordially extended to them.

RICHMOND CUTTER JENNE. There has been no death more uniformly regretted throughout Wichita county than that of Rich- mond Cutter Jenne, who was one of the most highly respected, influential and prominent citizens-a man whom to know was to honor and esteem because of his upright life, his fidelity to duty, his loyalty in citizenship and his faithful discharge of every obligation that devolved upon him. He was born in Norwich, Vermont, October 10, 1862, a son of Lemuel R. and Katharine (Cutter) Jenne, both of whom were also natives of the Green Mountain state. The father was a prominent civil engin- eer and railroad man of Vermont and in Novem- ber, 1876, he removed from New England to Texas with his family, that his sons might have better business opportunities in the new and growing country. They settled in Tarrant county near Fort Worth and there began farm- ing and stock-raising, the sons assisting their father in his agricultural pursuits. Lemuel R. Jenne continued to engage in farming there until 1878, when he was called to his final rest. His wife survived him for a number of years and re- moved with her sons to Wichita county, where her death occurred in May, 1901. They had one daughter, Mrs. I. N. Stewart, of St. Louis, Mis- souri, and three sons, Frank T., who was born in Norwich, Vermont, in 1856, Richmond Cut- ter, born October 10, 1862, and Lewis B., born in Norwich in 1865. The children were educat- ed in their native town, receiving good school privileges and after the removal of the family to Texas they became associated with their father in farming and stock-raising. An ideal family and business relation existed be- tween them and the three brothers continued

RICHMOND C. JENNE

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

their interests together until the death of Rich- mond C. Jenne, and since that time Frank T. and Lewis B. Jenne have been associated in business. They recognized the possibilities of this new country and in January, 1886, removed from Tarrant to Wichita county, settling six miles north of Wichita Falls. They made ju- dicious investment in land and became the owners of seventeen hundred acres, the ranch being about six miles north of Wichita Falls. At once they began to improve this, turning the first furrows in the fields, which are now extensive and well cultivated, yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor be- stowed upon them. In addition to this they became extensively engaged in stock-raising, having good grades of cattle, and their annual sales of stock brought to them an excellent in- come.

On the 5th of September, 1901, Richmond C. Jenne was united in marriage to Miss Nan- nie M. Gardner, a daughter of M. J. Gardner, and they became the parents of one child, Alice Elanora, who was born April 1, 1903. In his family Mr. Jenne was a most devoted husband and father, his interest centering in his home. He possessed strongly domestic tastes and put forth every effort in his power to enhance the welfare and promote the happiness of his wife and the interests of his little daughter, to whom he was most strongly attached.

Mr. Jenne was prominent in public life in the county, exercising strong influence in community affairs. At the time of his death, which occurred on the 24th of March, 1904, he was serving his second term as county com- missioner and no more competent official had ever occupied that position. With an extraordinary grasp of details and comprehensive knowledge of conditions his service proved of much value to the county and his aid was always of a practi- cal and progressive character. He likewise filled the position of school trustee for a num- ber of terms and was instrumental in develop- ing the Freberg school into one of the best of the county. He was ever deeply interested in all that pertained to public progress and im- provement and his aid and co-operation were never sought in vain in behalf of any movement that tended to advance the general welfare. His Christian faith was manifest in his daily life and was also indicated by his membership in the Freberg Methodist Episcopal church, to which he contributed generously. He also took a helpful part in the various church activ- ities, served as one of its trustees and did valu- able work in connection with the erection of

the house of worship. He continued to carry on his business until a week prior to his death, when feeling ill a physician was summoned. Pneumonia developed and although every ef- fort was made to check the disease he passed away on the 24th of March, 1904. The fu- neral services were conducted by the Rev. F. L. Farrington, of Hydro, Oklahoma, and were attended by a large concourse of people, for no man in Wichita county was held in higher es- teem than was Richmond C. Jenne. A genial nature, kindly disposition and deference for the opinion of others had endeared him to all with whom he came in contact and his many sterling qualities of heart and mind had gained him a circle of friends which was co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

Since the death of their brother Frank T. and Lewis B. Jenne have carried on the business and are the proprietors of one of the best ranches in this part of the country. They are both men of marked enterprise and excellent executive force, carrying forward to completion whatever they undertook and they, too, enjoy the regard of those with whom they have been associated in business and in social life.

Frank T. Jenne was married on the 24th of November, 1901, Jennie Fammen, a native of Germany, and they have one child, Theo- dore Rosefeld Jenne, born on the 3Ist of Oc- tober, 1902. Lewis B. was married October 10, 1899, to Rachel Dunn, a native of Missouri, and their one child, Mary Catherine Jenne, was born on the 26th of November, 1902.

DANIEL S. LEATHERWOOD represents one of the pioneer families of Montague county. He was born in Cook county, Tennessee, Feb- ruary 3, 1845, and was reared to farm life, while in the common schools he acquired his educa- tion. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Leath- erwood, was a native of Virginia, and removed from the Old Dominion to South Carolina, while later he became a resident of Tennessee. He served in the war of 1812 and in some of the Indian wars, gave his political allegiance to the Democratic party and was a member of the Bap- tist church. His death occurred in Tennessee. His children were four in number: Daniel, Sarah, Francis and Willis.

Willis Leatherwood, father of Daniel S. Leath- erwood, was born in South Carolina but was married in Tennessee to Miss Elizabeth Shults, a native of that state and a daughter of Martin Shults, a well known agriculturist, whose death occurred in Tennessee. She was one of a family

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

of eight children, namely : Philip, who served in the Federal army in the Civil war and died in Tennessee : Jacob; John; Pleas ; Preston; Polly ; Mrs. Elizabeth Leatherwood; and Anna. This family was Methodist in religious faith.

Following his marriage Willis Leatherwood began farming, in which he continued success- fully until the Civil war. His sympathies were with the Confederacy and while not able to do active field service he did duty with the state militia and used his influence to advance the southern cause. Through the ravages of war his estate was largely reduced in value and in order to make a new start he came to Texas in 1866, taking up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres on a branch of Clear Creek in Mon- tague county. Here he built a cabin and began farming. The county at that time was sparsely settled and little farming was done, but he was soon raising crops sufficient to support his fam- ily. Game of all kinds was plentiful and there were many wild beasts. Hardships and trials were to be borne in the reclamation of this dis- trict for the purposes of civilization. Mr. Leath- erwood had to do his milling and trading at Gainesville and Sherman. The Indians were hostile, frequently raiding the country, murder- ing the inhabitants and stealing the stock. Al- though they made raids into the neighborhood where the Leatherwood family lived they were never molested at the house. Two of the sons, John and Daniel, were on the range hunting stock when a large band of Kiowas overtook them when they were unarmed and helpless. The Indians, however, had good firearms and shot John Leatherwood, killing him instantly, then scalping him and taking his horse. As Daniel Leatherwood rode a better horse he man- aged to make his escape and lives to tell the tale of the horrible atrocities committed by the red men. The alarm was spread among the settlers, who followed the Indians and a fight ensued. It is thought that a number of the red men were killed but how many could not be ascertained, as they carried their dead away with them. During this raid ten white people were killed, including Nathan Long, Mr. Man- asko, A. Parkhill, T. Fitzpatrick, his wife and one child and three of the children of the Shegog family. This occurred in January, 1868. There were many raids after that time and fighting fre- quently occurred. Much stock was stolen and the settlers lost heavily by reason of the Indian depredations, which were kept up until 1872.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 129

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