A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 38

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 38

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Henry Reynolds was born in Kentucky, and with his parents removed to Tennessee, where he was reared to manhood and married. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that pursuit in middle Tennessee for a number of years, after which he removed to Alabama, settling on vacant land. There he also engaged in blacksmithing, in connection with which he improved a farm, making it his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in October, 1886, when he had attained the advanced age of eighty-six years. He lived the life of a plain mechanic and farmer, never aspiring to public office but respected by all for his genuine worth of character. His wife, who passed away in 1844, was a daughter of John Brown, of Virginia, who became a pio- neer resident of Alabama, where he followed farming throughout his remaining days. In pol- itics he was a Democrat and he became a highly respected and worthy resident of the community in which he made his home. He was twice married, the children of the first union being Mrs. Rany A. Horton and Mrs. Mary Reynolds, while the children of the second marriage were: William, Mort, James, Fred, Tom and Mrs. Dol- ly Reynolds, the second wife of Henry Reynolds, father of our subject; and Ibby.

The children of the Reynolds family were: Andrew, who died in Alabama leaving a wife and two children; Sally, the wife of H. Duke ; John, a blacksmith; Arthur C .; Mrs. Elizabeth Wilborn; Mrs. Ann Maples; David, who served in the Confederate army; Mrs. Nancy Brown; and Mrs. Lucinda Davis.

A. C. Reynolds was born in middle Tennes- see and when ten years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Alabama, where he was reared, remaining under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. In 1857 he re- moved to Titus county, Texas, where he was em- ployed until 1861, when he enlisted in the Con- federate army under Captain Beason in Maxie's regiment, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in many hotly contested engagements and skirmishes, includ- ing the battles of Murfreesboro, Franklin, Per- ryville, Chickamauga and others of less impor- tance. He saw hard service, undergoing all the deprivations and hardships of war. He was never taken prisoner but he was three times wounded, sustaining two flesh wounds, one through a part of the shoulder that has since been a constant source of annoyance to him. He was a faithful soldier, always on duty, displaying valor and loy- alty on the field of battle, and never but once did he receive a furlough and that near the close

MR. AND MRS. A. C. REYNOLDS

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

of the war, making a visit to his home in Febru- ary, 1865. On the expiration of his term he started back to join his command but while on the way heard that Lee had surrendered and re- turned home, so that Mr. Reynolds himself never surrendered.

In August, 1865, A. C. Reynolds was married in Titus county and settled on a tract of unim- proved land, which he at once began to cultivate, remaining there until November, 1877, when he removed to Montague county and later sold the Titus county farm, investing in land in the coun- ty where he still resides. He bought three hun- dred and twenty acres, which he yet owns. He has built a more spacious house here with good barns and outbuildings and now has a well im- proved farm property three miles northeast of Nocona, where he carries on general agricul- tural pursuits, raising diversified crops, and when the open range lasted he raised and handled stock, being quite successful. He largely raises wheat, oats, short cotton and corn and although there have been a few years in which the drought has been detrimental to his harvests he has always raised enough to support his family and in the main has been successful. He is certainly well satisfied with his residence in Texas, for he is surrounded by pleasant neighbors and friends. He successfully carried on his farm work until 1890, when he bought five acres adjoining the corporation limits of Nocona and built there- on a commodious residence and other necessary buildings and retired from active farm labor, turning over the work of the home place to his sons, who were instructed by him in the best methods of carrying on the farm.

Politically Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat but has never sought or desired office, content to devote his energies to his business affairs. He is a wor- thy member of the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife belong to the Order of the East- ern Star.

Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Mary Ma- lissa Loving, who was born in Calhoun county, Mississippi, July 15, 1847, and is a daughter of Solon A. and Ann (Stevens) Loving, both of whom were natives of Alabama, but were mar- ried in Mississippi, whence they came to Texas in 1849, settling first in Marion county, where Mr. Loving engaged in farming and raising cattle. In 1856 he removed his family and stock to Palo Pinto county in order to secure the bene- fit of the wider range and there he suffered the hardships and dangers of pioneer life because of Indian depredations, so in 1858 returned with his family to eastern Texas for safety, while he went with his herd to Montague county and lo-

cated his ranch on Victoria Peak. He still suf- fered because of the Indian thieving propensities but continued to hold his ranch for a number of years. He was the first white man that ever drove a herd of cattle through the cross timbers of Montague county. He continued to hold his ranch until 1861, when he left his stock with his herdman and enlisted for service in the Con- federate army, where he continued for a year, when on account of illness and an accident he was paroled and sent home but never recovered his health sufficiently to return to the army, remain- ing in eastern Texas. While he lived at his home there his hired man continued to conduct the ranch and sold beef cattle, reducing his herd in this manner until finally he sold out entirely from the cattle business. Later he removed to his farm in Titus county, where he lived until 1877, when he bought a large farm in Montague coun- ty, of which he is still the owner. This he con- ducted successfully for a number of years but he is now living retired at Nocona, where he and his wife reside in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He has invested in some stone business houses here and he now possesses a competency for old age. He is widely known and highly respected, being recognized as a man of unquestioned integrity in his business affairs. His wife, Catherine A. Stevens, was born in Alabama, April 17, 1828, and was a daughter of Joseph G. and Salina (Pruitt) Stevens, the for- mer a native of the District of Columbia and of Irish descent, while the latter was a native of South Carolina. Her father was a farmer by occupation and settled in Mississippi, where he conducted a plantation with the aid of his slaves. He served for two years in the Confederate army and both he and his wife died in Mississippi, his death occurring in 1864, while his wife passed away in 1870. The members of the Pruitt fami- ly were: Valentine, M. M., Salina and Eleanor. Salina became the wife of a twin brother of Jo- seph G. Pruitt prior to her marriage to the last named and both brothers were soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Her children by her first marriage were: William, John, Mrs. Betsy Brock and Mrs. Nancy Yarnell. The mother was a Presbyterian in her religious faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens became the parents of ten children: Margaret E., now Mrs. Williams; E. D., who died in Mississippi; Mrs. Catherine A. Loving; Mrs. Ulrika Thompson; Mary F., the wife of Dr. Land; Salina G., the wife of Dr. McKrut; Isaac S., who died in childhood; Joseph R., a farmer and stock dealer ; John, who died in the army ; and Horace M., an agricultur- ist.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Loving was blessed with six children: M. Malissa, who is now Mrs. Reynolds ; Joseph, living in the Indian Territory ; William, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Martha, who died at the age of five years ; Anna, who married Mr. Gray and after his death be- came Mrs. Bush; and Chapman, who is living in Bowie, Texas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loving are consistent members of the Methodist church, highly esteemed by all who know them.

To Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have been born thirteen children: Dora, the wife of S. Allen; Robert, who died and left a wife and one child ; Fanny, the wife of John Davis ; Maggie, the wife of John Fitzworth; Sallie, who died at the age of fourteen years ; Maud, the wife of W. Maples ; Flora, the wife of A. Brown; Ord, who married J. Dobbins ; Rose, who wedded E. Taylor ; Nona M., who died at the age of six years; Henry, who is a student in a business college; David Crockett and Arthur, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have every reason to be proud of their family, for their sons and daughters have taken up the work of life in able manner. The parents, having a wide acquaintance in Montague county, enjoy the good will and confidence of all who know them and justly deserve mention in this volume.

THOMAS FLINN SWEAZEA. The gén- tleman whose life achievements and whose family genealogy are treated in the following article is one of the substantial citizens and successful farmers of Clay county. On his advent hither in 1878 he pre-empted a tract of land five and a half miles northwest of Bellevue and, with his limited means, began its improve- ment and cultivation. His industry and his thrift worked marked changes in it during the twelve years he occupied it and when he de- serted it to take possession of his present home it had the appearance of a Clay county farm.

In 1888 Mr. Sweazea bought three hundred and sixty-four acres of land two miles north- west of Bellevue, which has been transformed, under his magic touch, into one of the most at- tractive and valuable farmsteads near Bellevue. Good land was only worth four dollars an acre when he purchased his, and this tract, together with the one he entered from the state, gives him a holding of more than six hundred acres in the county.

Thomas F. Sweazea was born in Shelby county, Texas, June 13, 1848. His father, Matthias Sweazea, was a Wayne county, Mis- souri, settler and located in Shelby county about 1846. The latter's birth occurred in Mis-

souri about 1820 and his death in Shelby county, Texas, in 1865. He left brothers in Wayne county, Missouri, and had a brother, Jeff, who passed his life in California. Matthias Sweazea was a Confederate soldier, having served inter- mittently under several enlistments, and died in the prime of life at the close of the war. He married Hannah L. McFadden in Wayne county, Missouri, who, at the age of eighty-one, is active and is in the enjoyment of life among her several children. She was married to Mr. McFadden prior to her union with Matthias Sweazea and had the following issue: Nancy J., who died in West Texas, as Mrs. Fernando Wheeler, leaving children; Artemissa, who passed away in Robertson county, as Mrs. Joe Bolton, also leaving children; Mary Ann, Mrs. Charles Bolton, who died in Robertson county, was the youngest child and she also left heirs. Thomas F. was the first Sweazea, and the others were: James F., of Castro county, Texas; Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel Wilson, of Indian Territory; Amanda J., who resides in Greer county, Oklahoma, as the wife_of James Watson; Matthias, who died in Oklahoma, leaving a family, and Laura, wife of Rankin Clark, of Portales, New Mexico.

The school advantages of Thomas F. Swea- zea were poor. He grew up during and just after the war when conditions were very un- stable and when facilities for educating the young were very meager. The log schoolhouse with slab benches was the natural habitation of the children of the war period and the teach- er's occupation was, oftentimes, that of keep- ing school instead of teaching it.

Mr. Sweazea became acquainted with work very young in life. He began life at "cropping" about the first years of the '6os, and his efforts had won him an eighty-acre farm before he left Shelby county. He pocketed the proceeds of its sale in 1873, when he started west, and had spent the most of it in search of the "right place" before he concluded his four years of wandering. After he finally settled down "he made up for lost time" and is today in a finan- cially healthy condition. Grain, feed and cattle- raising has he devoted himself to and with what success the county tax rolls will positively re- veal.

In Nacogdoches county, Texas, Mr. Sweazea married, in December, 1865, Candace A. Bryant, a daughter of Mrs. Clarissa A. Bryant, Texas settlers from Georgia. Mrs. Sweazea was born in Georgia in July, 1848, and is the mother of : Thomas Matthias, Modeline, a Wise county teacher who died at twenty years of age ; Jeff.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

who married Ida Mills, has children, Loma and Edith, and farms the old family homestead ; Elbert, Stella, wife of Walter Mills, of Castro county, Texas, with one child, Jay, and Odie and Bertie.

Although nearing his sixtieth year, Mr. Sweazea appears in robust health and it is evi- dent that his years of unremitting toil have not imperiled his constitution. His efforts here have redounded to the substantial develop- ment of Clay county and he deserves credit for his success.

WILLIAM D. HUDGINS. Texas offers splendid opportunities to the farmer and stock- raiser, its broad prairies and rich land furnish- ing excellent pasturage, or if placed under culti- vation returning rich and bountiful crops. Mr. Hudgins, recognizing the possibilities for suc- cessful accomplishments here, is now carry- ing on general agricultural interests near Smithfield, where he owns three hundred acres of valuable land. He is a native of Jackson county, Alabama, born December 30, 1847. His parents were Elnathan and Sarah (Proctor) Hudgins, both of whom were also natives of Alabama. In the year 1854 the father came with his family from that state to Texas, mak- ing his way to Tarrant county and, settling on the present site of Grapevine, he was one of the first residents of the locality and aided in mak- ing the place a habitable district with modern improvements and the evidences of an advanced civilization. There he continued to reside until called to his final rest, passing away in March, 1902. His wife has also departed this life. At one time he served as justice of the peace and he was ever interested in the public welfare, co-operating in many movements for the gen- eral good. The public schools especially found in him a helpful friend. He was for many years a consistent member and pillar of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, holding membership with the congregation in Grapevine, of which he was practically the founder. He became well known as a pioneer local preacher of his time and his efforts in behalf of the church were far reaching and beneficial and contributed in substantial measure to the moral development of the community. He was twice married and had a large number of children. Of those sur- viving four are residents of Grapevine : Molly E., the wife of J. N. Willis; Laura, the wife of J. B. Richmond; Eliza, the wife of Alexander Dye, and James C. In the death of the father Grapevine lost one of its pioneer residents and well known citizens, whose memory will be

long enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him, his influence remaining as a blessed bene- diction to those with whom he was associated. The Methodist Episcopal church there, of which he was the founder, contains a memorial window and portrait of Mr. Hudgins, placed there in his honor and in recognition of an up- right life that was so important a factor in re- ligious progress of this portion of the county. He was likewise an exemplary member of the Masonic lodge at Grapevine and joined it on its organization.

William D. Hudgins of this review was rear- ed to adult age at Grapevine, having been brought to this state by his parents when a lit- tle lad of seven summers. He was educated in the public schools and the knowledge therein gained was supplemented by experience of a practical business career and the information obtained through reading and observation. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Lucy E. Turner, a sister of I. E. Turner, of Smithfield, Texas, and they became the parents of ten children: Florence, the wife of A. O. Robinson, of Birdville, Texas; F. Albert, who is living in Memphis, Texas; Henry T., also a resident of Memphis; T. Edward, who makes his home in Hartley county, this state; El- nathan, of Memphis; Johannah, the wife of George Dixon, of Paul county, Texas; Willian W., who makes his home in Dallas, Texas; Mary K., who is with her father ; Laura A., the wife of Albert Gibbins, of Fort Worth, and James M., also at home. The mother of these children departed this life in April, 1900, and Mr. Hudgins afterward married Mrs. Ella Grif- fin, of Dallas, Texas.

Over a quarter of a century ago Mr. Hudgins settled upon his present farm near Smithfield and is devoting his time and energies to gen- eral agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, both branches of his business proving profit- able. The farm is well equipped with modern conveniences and in its thrifty and attractive appearance indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods. All he possesses has been practically acquired through his own labors and he may therefore be said to have won the proud American title of a self-made man.

Mr. Hudgins belongs to Grand Prairie Lodge No. 455, A. F. & A. M., at Smithfield, in which he is a past master. For years he has taken an active part in its work and is thoroughly in sympathy with its tenets and teachings, be- lieving firmly in its basic principles concern- ing the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. His religious connection is with the

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Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Smith- field, in which he served for over a quarter of a century as steward and is now acting as one of the trustees of the church property. Patriotic and public spirited in an eminent degree, he has labored persistently and earnestly for the wel- fare of his community as well as for individual success, and his life has at all times been actu- ated by honorable principles and worthy mo- tives.

JESSE J. NUNNALLY, present city audi- tor of Fort Worth, has been in various capaci- ties connected with the administration of city and county affairs here for more than twenty years, and is one of the most popular and effi- cient public officials in Tarrant county and the city of Fort Worth. He has achieved a high degree of self-attained success in life, and from a farmer boy has reached a position of great esteem among his fellow citizens.

He was born in November, 1858, in Barren county, Kentucky, being a son of B. P. and Clara (Holloway) Nunnally. His grandfather was brought by his parents to Barren county in 1817, among the pioneers, and he followed farming nearly all his active career, and now lives in Metcalfe county, Kentucky, a vener- able old citizen. The mother is deceased.

Mr. Nunnally was brought up on the Ken- tucky homestead, and farming is an occupation to which he was inured from early years. He got his education in his native county, and at the age of eighteen began teaching school. He continued this for several terms, and in 1881, when twenty-three years old, he came to Tar- rant county, Texas. In the spring of that year he taught the old Watson school near Arling- ton, completing a three months' term. On the first day of August following he was intro- duced to a long official career in the county by beginning work as a clerk in the office of County Clerk John F. Swayne, of Fort Worth. He remained in that office almost continuously until July 1, 1889, and following that he served four years as deputy tax collector under Frank Hovencamp. On December 15, 1896, he was appointed city auditor to fill a vacancy, and on April 8 of the following year was elected to this office at the regular city election, and has been re-elected for each subsequent term.

Mr. Nunnally has affiliated with the Knights of Pythias for a number of years, and is past chancellor commander of Queen City Lodge of that order. He was married at Sulphur Springs, Texas, to Miss Fannie Becton, whose father, Dr. E. P. Becton, of that city, was a prominent

man and was for several years superintendent of the State Asylum for the Blind at Austin, and who had come to Texas in 1841, in the days of the republic. Mr. and Mrs. Nunnally have three children, Dorothy, Fru and Jesse J., Jr.

WILLIAM WANTLAND. The bar of Clay county is worthily represented by Henrietta's esteemed citizen whose name introduces this bio- graphical review. For twenty-one years his life, in this county, has been an open book and of his varied and wide-spread dealings among his fel- lowmen its pages contain no embarrassing or disparaging record. He has gone about his every-day affairs with that honesty of purpose and purity of motive which invariably marks the citizen of a sincere type, and the nature of his calling and the character of his daily life have wielded a positive and beneficent influence upon the social life of his county.

The Wantlands in Texas are as old as the state itself. The year of its admission the father of our subject settled in Navarro county, and his first years here were passed as an humble and youthful citizen around Corsicana. His age was about seventeen when he entered the state and his circumstances were such that his daily la- bors were depended on for his support. With- out trade, profession or superior education he won his way with his hands and the first well dug in the Court plaza in Corsicana was the product of his toil. When he finally chose his location it was in Grayson county and there he eventually became a farmer. As he grew and prospered he branched out into the cattle busi- ness and, in time, became widely known for his varied and extensive interests.

Charles F. Wantland was the founder of this pioneer Texas family, as previously asserted, and during the period of the Confederate war he was in the Home Guard, a captain in the service, and when hostilities had ceased and civil business again resumed he became a freighter and en- gaged extensively in transporting merchandise between Texas points and Forts Sill and Ar- buckle in the Indian Territory. While success- fully prosecuting this business he met the well known Indian, Smith Paul, of Paul's Valley no- toriety, and entered a deal with the latter to open out a large farm on the Washita river, and he fenced, broke out and otherwise improved an ex- tensive tract and farmed the same with much profit to himself from 1869 to 1881. He also held large stock interests on the Canadian river and the subject of this review bedded cattle where the city of Norman, Oklahoma, now stands.

32H Gardes

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Charles F. Wantland was born somewhere in East Tennessee and in early childhood was taken into Illinois by his parents and was reared near Salem, in Marion county. He learned little about the three "R's" and consequently began life under the embarrassment of semi-illiteracy. He preced- ed his parents to Texas and his father, of French antecedents, passed his last years in Navarro county. Returning to Grayson county from Paul's Valley he located near Sherman and prosecuted the live-stock business with vigor and success. He was secretary of the Kimberlin Real Estate and Live Stock Association, doing business chiefly in Northwest Texas, but with interests also in Grayson county. After the open- ing of Oklahoma he became interested in its development and the prospect of still further business conquest lured him on to Noble where he is engaged in the banking business.

His marriage occurred in Grayson county in 1853, the lady of his choice being Miss Lucy Jennings, whose father, Jack Jennings, was one of the most widely and favorably known of all Grayson county farmers. The latter came to Texas from Jackson county, Missouri, did his part toward the improvement and development of Grayson county and died there. Five children were born to this union, of which William was the middle one. Lewis C., of Purcell, Indian Terri- tory, and Marion W., who died at Siloam Springs, Arkansas, being older, and Mrs. W. T. Shannon, of Belton, Texas, an only sister, and John M., of Chickasha, Indian Territory, being younger than William.

In Paul's Valley and in Grayson county was William Wantland brought up. He was born near Sherman, August 30, 1857, and was educat- ed in the common schools and in the Bonham Christian College. Charles Carlton, well known to many Texas youths of that time, was his teacher, and the influence of his teacher was par- amount to that of his books. To be exact, the first impressions gained in a school were gathered at Red River Station, where a sort of stockade enclosed or protected settlers against the Indians and the school conducted in proximity to this picket fortification was presided over by Prof. Phillips, one of the type of old-time school- masters who paid more attention to manners than to books and believed in producing ladies and gentlemen rather than scholars. Leaving Bon- ham College, Mr. Wantland became a student in the law department of Trinity University, at Tehuacana, where he finished the course in 1878 and was admitted to the bar at Corsicana, soon afterward, before Judge D. M. Prendergast, of Mexia. He, with a few others, were entrusted

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 38

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