USA > Texas > A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II > Part 48
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In Smith county Marcus D. Cansler grew up and he made his home with his widowed sister following the death of his parents till twenty years of age. About this time he went to Wood county and was there married November 17, 1870, to Rebecca E. Crone, and the young couple began life as farmers in a most simple and economic way. They came to Wise county before they had achieved much success, for their residence and efforts in Wood and Hill counties had served only to lay the foundation for their future suc- cess. When they had farmed ten years near Para- dise they decided to engage in merchandising in "Old Town," and put about five hundred dollars into a general stock of goods for that purpose. When the coming of the railroad established the "New Town" the Canslers were among the first to accept the new conditions and moved their store intact to their present location. Here its growth has been constant and has kept pace with the demands of the trade and theirs is the prin- cipal general store in the village. Mr. Cansler not only has held to the ownership of his first farm in Wise, but has acquired other land from the surplus profits of his business, and owns all told three hundred and eighty acres of Wise county real estate.
The Crones to which Mrs. Cansler belongs were from Cherokee county, Alabama. Her father, George Crone, married Celia P., a daugh- ter of John Cranford. George Crone died in Pulaski county, Arkansas, in 1855, to which state he had migrated about 1852. His family came on to Texas in 1845, and his widow married Henry Patrick and was the mother and stepmother of twenty-six children, thirteen of whom wore the Confederate gray and did their part toward es- tablishing the independence of the Confederate states. Those of the Crone children who reared families were: Frank and Humphrey, of Wood county ; Mrs. Cansler, who was born in Chero- kee county, Alabama, October 1, 1849; Thomas, who died in Wood county, and Albert, of Hans- ford county, Texas. In the Patrick-Cranford family only Winnie grew up and she married Lonnie Wims and died in Wood county, Texas.
Mr. Cansler is a man of purely business bent. He has touched nothing in a business way with which he was unacquainted and has therefore led a successful life. Mrs. Cansler is in every- thing his partner and to her industry and business judgment much of the family good fortune is due. They attend the Christian church.
D. B. DOSS is a representative of an honored pioneer family of Texas and in his farming and stock raising interests in Montague county has attained creditable and gratifying success, which shows him to be a man of excellent business abil- ity, of unfaltering enterprise and strong deter- mination. He was born in Cooke county, Texas, July 24, 1860, and is descended from Scotch an- cestry, tracing the line back to Sir William Wal- lace and the royalty of Scotland. Parker S. Doss, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Vir- ginia and at an early day removed to Tennessee, becoming a pioneer settler of that country. In 1836 he made his way southwest to the republic of Texas and settled in Red River county with his entire family, numbering nine sons and two. daughters. He also brought with him a number of Kentucky race horses, for at that day horse racing was a very popular sport and one in which Mr. Doss took great delight. He secured a large tract of land and improved a good farm. He owned a number of slaves and was one of the substantial citizens of the country, having valu- able real and personal property interests. In the evening of life he was enabled to enjoy the fruits of former years and enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries that go to make life worth living. He died at the old family homestead in Texas in his eighty-seventh year. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified the spirit of the craft which is based upon mutual helpful- ness and brotherly kindness. Of his children the eldest was born in 1797 and the youngest, Samuel E. Doss, in 1824, all being natives of Virginia.
Samuel E. Doss accompanied his parents on their various removals to Tennessee and to Tex- as, arriving in the Lone Star state in 1836 when twelve years of age. Here he was reared to man- hood, remaining under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he was employed by his brother, Washington, as a clerk in his store. There he remained for a number of years, after which he purchased a stock of goods and carried on business for himself at Bonham, conducting a retail mercantile enterprise for several years. In 1852 he was married and about the same time he sold his stock and removed to Cooke county, Texas, where he established what became widely known as the Hog Eye (or # 2) ranch. He pur-
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chased some land, built a home for himself and family and there engaged in the stock business, expecting to make his permanent abode at that place, but later, because of Indian depredations, he had to move his family to Gainesville for safe- ty. He continued in the cattle business, however, on the free range until 1870. During the recon- struction period in 1865 and 1866, for the safety of his interests, he sent five thousand head of cat- tle to the Concho river country and established a new ranch. Later in the fall of 1866 a raid was made on his ranch and stock by men who ap- peared to be Indians, but it is thought that they were white men painted up to resemble the red race. They, however, were assisted by Indians, and Mr. Doss' entire herd of cattle was driven off. The few settlers, however, rallied and started in pursuit. They had a running fight of fifteen miles, at the end of which time the thieves were reinforced and drove the settlers back, and other available property on the ranch was then taken. This caused Mr. Doss to abandon the Concho ranch and he returned to Cooke county, picking up the remnant of his herd and starting anew at the old # 2 ranch, where some stock had been left. At the opening of the Civil war he had used his influence in behalf of the Confederacy and at first sent a substitute to the eastern army, while to his cowboys and others who wanted to go to the war he furnished horses and equip- ments, thus doing much to forward the cause of the Confederacy. Later Mr. Doss himself joined the regiment under command of Colonel James Bowland and remained in the frontier service. He was active and influential in community af- fairs, and he served as juryman at Gainesville at the trial of the traitors when a large number of men were hung for that offense, after having re- ceived a fair and impartial trial before a jury of the best men of the county. Mr. Doss was a slave owner and became a wealthy and substantial cit- izen. He was identified with all important busi- ness interests of his community and his efforts contributed in large measure to the material im- provement of the part of the state in which he made his home.
After the war was over and the reconstruction period had passed Samuel E. Doss sold the old # 2 ranch and again turned his attention to stock ranching elsewhere. He purchased seventy-four hundred and eighty acres of land at the Bowland Station, in the Red River valley of Montague county, fenced this and made permanent im- provements there, establishing his home and mak- ing it his place of residence throughout his re- maining days. He was quite successful until the big break in the price of stock in 1883-4, which
affected him materially. He was at that time feeding for the market nine hundred and sixty head of big steers, but of this number four hun- dred and forty-five head died of a disease. This caused another heavy loss, from which Mr. Doss never fully recovered. He was a gentleman of strong purpose, of indefatigable energy and a good financier, and though he suffered losses it was not through lack of management but be- cause of the condition of the times. In politics he was a strong Democrat, but never aspired to po- litical preferment. In the Masonic fraternity he attained the Royal Arch degree. He was a man above the average size, portly and fine look- ing, and moreover he commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was char- itable to the needy, sympathetic with the afflicted and was a faithful friend and neighbor who never betrayed a trust.
Samuel E. Doss was married to Miss Sarah A. Bowland, an estimable lady, whose natural cul- ture and refinement endeared her to many. She was born in Tennessee and was a daughter of James Bowland. The father was born in South Carolina and was a son of Benjamin Bowland of the same state, in which he was married, while his children were also born there. He after- ward removed to North Carolina and later to Kentucky, which was at that time being opened up to civilization. It was the period following the discoveries of Daniel Boone, and he secured land there and remained a resident of that locality un- til 1844, when he removed to Texas, spending his remaining days in this state, his death occurring in Fannin county. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. Two of his sons had preceded him to Texas, John M. having come in 1838, while James Bowland arrived in 1839. Both became very prominent and were actively connected with events that formed the history of the republic and also the early annals of the state of Texas.
James Bowland, who was more familiarly known as Colonel Bowland, was reared to man- hood in Kentucky and was there united in mar- riage to Catherine Wells, after which he removed to Weakley county, Tennessee, where he engaged in buying and selling slaves and horses, which he took into Alabama and Mississippi. Later he was connected with others in horse racing ventures and after meeting with some financial reverses he came to Texas in 1839 to recuperate his lost for- tune. Northern Texas was then settled as far west as the present site of Paris, and in that lo- cality Mr. Bowland established his home. He found two families there and cast in his lot with the pioneer residents. He was made deputy sur- veyor and after one year's service he found a
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community south of Honey Grove, on Sulphur creek, in which locality he settled. Later he had many encounters with the Indians, and he took a helpful part in resisting their attacks and depre- dations, and was also closely associated with other events of importance in the pioneer district. He was appointed by President Samuel Houston to the position of collector of duties along the Red river to the Louisiana line, where he became involved with the United States officers, who claimed goods that Mr. Doss had stored, and when he refused to relinquish the goods the United States officers tied him and took the goods from his custody. Later for this act the United States government had to pay the republic of Texas twenty-six thousand dollars, Following the annexation of Texas to the Union in 1844 the war of Mexico came on and General Taylor called for volunteer recruits, at which time Colo- nel Young and Colonel Bowland raised a large force of men and marched to San Antonio, where the latter halted his forces, while he went on to Matamoras to see General Taylor, who directed him to return to San Antonio, as General Wool would be there and attend to that part of the com- mand. Before Wool arrived, however, Colonel Harney had taken the command with four com- panies of dragoons and crossed the Rio Grande. General Wool, however, ordered the troops to re- turn in charge of Colonel Young and Colonel Bowland. He then informed them that all sol- diers would be sworn in for three years, or during the war, and that no new regiments could be re- ceived, but that all could join other regiments. All this caused the men to become dissatisfied and some enlisted, while others, with the two colonels, returned to their homes in Texas. Later Colonel Bowland removed to Cooke county and settled a large tract of land at Delaware Bend, where he improved an extensive farm, remaining there un- til the ordinance of secession was passed by the state, he taking an active part in the proceedings. He raised a regiment which was assigned to duty in protecting the border and patroled the Red river, where many skirmishes and fights with the Indians occurred. His headquarters were at Gainesville and there were many exciting events, not only because of the Indian uprisings, but also because of the number of traitors who were found, several of them being hung after a fair trial. Colonel Bowland was wrongfully accused of instituting the agitation that resulted in the hanging and was marked for the vengeance of the traitors' associates, as was Colonel Young. On one occasion the two were riding on horse- back to Colonel Bowland's farm, when shots were fired at them. Colonel Young was mortally
wounded, but Colonel Bowland escaped injury. After the close of the war he spent his remain- ing days at the old homestead, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. Subsequent to his return from the Mexican war he was elected and served for two terms in the state legislature. He was prominent in all the development of Texas and in many of the events which framed the his- tory of that state. He was married three times and the only child of the first union was Marga- ret, now the wife of George James, governor of the Chickasaw Nation. There were two daugh- ters by the second marriage: Sarah A., who be- came Mrs. Doss, and Mrs. Nancy Day. Of the third marriage there was one son and one daugh- ter: William, who is -living in Dexter, Cooke county, Texas, and Mrs. Lora Barnett. Colonel Bowland was a Mason and a very prominent cit- izen, his name being inseparably associated with the annals of the state because of the active and helpful part which he took in its substantial im- provement.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel E. Doss were born four children: J. P., who is living in Seymour, Texas ; D. B., of this review ; Ida, the wife of T. H. LaForce, and Samuel, who died in Eastern Texas, leaving three children. The mother of our subject died at Gainesville, Texas, in 1880. She was a consistent and worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
D. B. Doss acquired a common school educa- tion and was reared to the stock business. He re- mained at home after putting aside his text books, assisting his father in his farming and stock-rais- ing interests during the latter's life, and after the death of his father he and his brothers took charge of the estate, which they settled up, pay- ing off all indebtedness and thus sustaining the honor of the family name untarnished. In 1890 D. B. Doss engaged in business for himself in trading and handling cattle, which he yet con- tinues. He commenced with a small tract of land that belonged to his father's estate, but later he extended the boundaries of this place by addi- tional purchase. He still resides upon the farm and he has placed some of the land under cultiva- tion for the purpose of raising feed. He buys and handles cattle and gives nearly all of his at- tention to this business, in which he is quite suc- cessful. He was engaged for a short time in merchandizing at Ringgold, but prefers the out- door life and is now successfully conducting his cattle interests.
Mr. Doss was married to Miss Anna Easley, who was born at Clayton, Illinois, June 14, 1866, and is a lady of intelligence and culture, whose parents were William and Phebe (Tetor) Easley,
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the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Illinois and in 1875 removed to Texas, where her father was well known as a popular physician and farmer. He was also a veteran of the Mexican war and was one of the California argonauts, who went across the plains to the Pacific coast in 1849 at- tracted by the discovery of gold. He was enter- prising and public spirited and co-operated in many measures for the general good. He held membership in the Masonic fraternity and was a devoted member of the Christian church. In poli- tics he was originally a Republican, and after- ward became a stanch Prohibitionist, but he never sought or desired office. His many excellent traits of character gained him warm regard and high esteem and wherever he lived he became widely and favorably known. He died in April, 1883, and is yet survived by his wife, who is now living at Waco, Texas, at the ripe old age of seventy-one years. Their children were: Jessie, Aaron C., who is principal of the commercial de- partment of the Texas Christian University ; Mrs. Anna Doss; George, an insurance agent; Thom- as, a dentist ; Julia, the wife of C. Robinson, and Dudley, a farmer.
, Mr. and Mrs. Doss have become the parents of two interesting children: Carl, born April 14, 1891, and Delbert, born November 16, 1892. Both the parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Doss is an exemplary repre- sentative of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. Politically he is a Democrat and in all matters of public improvement and progress he is interested to the extent of giving his co-opera- tion to any movement for the general good.
URIAH G. TAYLOR, a capitalist and real estate dealer, whose operations in the latter line have been of substantial benefit in the upbuilding and improvement of San Angelo, claims Ken- tucky as the state of his nativity. He was born in Hart county April 17, 1853, of the marriage of A. J. and Nancy (Alexander) Taylor. His father was of a Virginia family, but for many years re- sided in Hart county, Kentucky, where he died. There his widow is still living upon the old Tay- lor homestead. Their son, Samuel Evans Taylor, is a prominent lawyer of San Angelo. He ac- quired his literary education at Bowling Green, Kentucky, also studied law there and was ad- mitted to the bar at San Angelo. He has served for two years as district attorney and four years as county attorney of Tom Green county and he has a large private practice connecting him with much of the important litigation tried in the
courts of his district. His wife is Jemmie (Cain) Taylor.
Uriah G. Taylor supplemented his early edu- cational privileges by a course of study in Gilead Institute, in Canmer, Kentucky, where he pre- pared especially for the profession of civil engi- neering. He was afterward elected county sur- veyor of Hart county, but thinking that he might win more rapid advancement in business life in Texas he made his way to this state in 1882, set- tling in San Angelo, Tom Green county, where he has lived continuously since. For six years he was county surveyor here, and was also at one time city engineer at San Angelo. In the former capacity he surveyed nearly all of the land in Tom Green county, the boundaries of which extended at that time to Pecos river, and thus he became thoroughly familiar with the en- tire district of western Texas and recognized its possibilities and value. From the beginning of his residence here he has made a special study of real estate in San Angelo and the surrounding coun- try and has been engaged in this business for many years, meeting with unvarying success. He has negotiated some very important realty trans- fers, one of the most prominent operations of realty being Angelo Heights, the beautiful resi- dence district on the east slope of the North Concho, extending within four blocks of the court house. This land, covering a tract of four hundred acres, was purchased by Mr. Taylor and was divided into residential lots, sixteen hundred in number. This is now being sold exclusively to home builders, and is a splendid suburb, hav- ing all the city improvements, including water- works, electric light and telephone systems. The land lies high and dry and is an ideal home build- ing site. There are permanent restrictions against saloons and other objectionable features, and no lots will be sold to Mexicans or negroes. Before Mr. Taylor had exploited this property he made a personal investigation of suburban buildings in some of the older eastern cities, especially with a view to put in effect the restrictions above re- ferred to, it being his object to make Angelo Heights a district in which people might have homes in a refined neighborhood and be forever free from the danger of undesirable neighbors or business enterprises. Mr. Taylor donated fifteen acres of this suburb to the city for a public park. His work in this direction is certainly most com- mendable and in the development of the enter- prise he has shown excellent business ability, ex- ecutive force and keen sagacity. Moreover his work deserves the credit and praise of those who wish to have homes in an exclusive residence dis-
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trict that they may bring up their families in the midst of an atmosphere of culture and refine- ment. Angelo Heights will long stand as a mon- ument to the business enterprise and public spirit of its founder.
Mr. Taylor also deals in country and city real estate, much of which he owns himself. He is likewise the owner of four business buildings on Chadbourne avenue, the main business street of San Angelo, together with other valuable prop- erty, and in addition to his realty interests he is director in the Western National Bank.
Mr. Taylor was married in 1896 to Miss M. A. Potter, of West Troy, New York. He has fra- ternal relations with the Knights of Pythias and with the Masons, having taken the degrees of the Royal Arch chapter and of the commandery. He is likewise a member of the Business Men's Club. He is justly regarded as a sound, conservative business man, always avoiding speculation, and the safe policy. which he inaugurated commends itself to the judgment of all. He is a typical rep- resentative of that class of citizens, who, while promoting individual success, also contribute in large measure toward the development and progress of their section of the country.
J. B. CARMICHAEL, M. D., who in the practice of medicine and surgery in Nocona has demon- strated his superior ability and his right to rank with the more capable members of the profession in Montague county, was born in South Carolina, September 14, 1864. His parents were J. L. and Mary (Spears) Carmichael, the former a native of Georgia and the latter of South Carolina. The father was a son of William Carmichael, a native of North Carolina, who in that state owned a large plantation and many slaves. He was an influen- tial resident of his community and took an active part in its public life. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years and in all life's rela- tions was highly respected, his genuine worth winning him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. He died in 1886 at the age of eighty- three years. He held membership in the Primitive Baptist church, was one of its deacons and was widely and favorably known for his integrity and honor, which were unassailable. The mem- bers of his family were: Hilliard, who died in Georgia ; Marion and Daniel, yet living ; Joseph L., father of our subject; Elizabeth, the wife of J. Fowler; Polly, the wife of William Johnson ; Dora, the deceased wife of A. B. Chastain; Jane, the wife of William Chafin; and Emma, who married A. B. Chastain after the death of her sister Dora. The four sons all served as members of the Confederate army in the Civil War. The
family were reared in the Baptist church, with which the members of the household all became identified.
Joseph L. Carmichael was reared in Georgia, where he was married and made his home for many years. He served in the Civil War and later carried on agricultural pursuits in the state of his nativity until 1893, when he came to Nocona, where he was engaged in the operation of a cotton gin. The loss of his father's slaves during the Civil War greatly crippled the finances of the family and it was necessary for Mr. Car- michael to depend entirely upon his own re- sources and labors for a living. Subsequent to. his removal to Texas he was prospering in his business undertakings but death claimed him on the 8th of May, 1898. While living in Georgia he served as justice of the peace for a number of years and in Nocona was elected to the office of alderman, which position he was filling at the time of his demise. His wife still survives him and now at the age of sixty-three years is living with her son, W. D. Carmichael. Her father, Josiah Spears, was a native of South Carolina, where he carried on farming and milling and he filled a number of offices of honor and trust. He merited the confidence which was uniformly ex- tended him and his upright life was in many respects worthy of emulation. His death oc- curred in Georgia in 1902 when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. In his family were eight children: Mrs. Anna Saye; Mrs. Mary Carmichael; James, a farmer ; Rhoda, the wife of N. Patterson ; Ellen, the wife of J. Edge; Joshua, a successful agriculturist who served as sheriff of his county for eight years ; George, a farmer; and Isaac, who was conscripted at the time of the Civil War and being taken prisoner died at Camp Chase, Ohio.
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