A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 56

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 56

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Mr. Evans is a Democrat. He has always taken a deep interest in politics, attending county and state conventions and using his influence to advance the party's interests, but has never sought official position. He is a member of the Masonic order and the Christian church.

Mr. Evans has twice been married. He first wedded Mrs. Josie Allen, daughter of James Green, an early Texas settler, identified with Montague county as its first high sheriff after the war and is well remembered as an Indian fighter. One of his sons was killed by the In- dians, and he himself received a wound from an Indian arrow which caused his death. After- ward his widow and family moved for safety to Whitesborough and later to Bowie, where she spent the closing years of her life and died. Their children were: Mrs. Josie Evans, Mrs. Maria McDonald, Mrs. Anna McDonald, Mrs. Mary Carter, Mrs. Mattie Thorn, Joe, Mrs. Betty Ford and Thomas. Mrs. Josie Evans died March 4, 1880, leaving three children: Mrs. Lena Aus-

tin, of Greer county, Texas; Mrs. Josephine Car, deceased ; Pearl, wife of J. Boswell of Dur- ant, Indian Territory. All had good educational advantages. Lena and Josephine finished their studies in the Polytechnic College, Fort Worth, and both were teachers, Lena's specialty being art.

In May, 1883, Mr. Evans married Mrs. Susie Witham, who was born in Georgia in 1857, and came to Texas with her mother. By her first hus- band she had one son, Charles Witham, who died at the age of twelve years. She is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Anthony) Roberts, the former of Georgia and the latter of North Caro- lina. John Roberts died in the Confederate army in 1862. His widow, now eighty-three years of age, lives in Oklahoma, with her only son, Asbury. She has another daughter. Mrs. Lue McCannon. Mr. Evans has no children by his present wife.

CALVIN C. HUGHS, devoting his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits with a success that follows earnest and persistent effort, is one of the early settlers of western Texas and now makes his home in Ringgold. He was born in South Carolina, December 5, 1847, and in the pa- ternal line comes of Irish lineage. His father, Cator Hughs, was born in North Carolina and when twelve years of age left the parental home and went to sea. He followed the seafaring life for many years and became a captain and promi- nent vessel owner. As the years passed by he prospered and owned several vessels but later he left the sea and purchased a large tract of land, upon which he placed one hundred slaves. He became a prominent and successful planter and was identified with agricultural interests in the south for many years. He died in 1849 at a ripe old age and thus closed a successful and honora- ble career. He left a large estate and also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He was a man of very social nature and genial and generous disposition and he took his greatest de- light in entertaining his friends, his home being celebrated for its gracious, warm hearted and liberal hospitality. He was charitable to the needy and afflicted and no one was ever turned from his door empty handed. His wife survived him for some time and died at the age of sixty- two years. He had one sister, Angie, who be- came Mrs. Vott. Mr. Hughs was three times married. There was one daughter, Anna, by a former marriage. For his third wife Mr. Hughs chose Anna Gore, a native of North Carolina. The children of the third union were: Franklin, of South Carolina, who served in the Confederate army; William, who was also a

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soldier on the southern side and sustained a wound which eventually caused his death in 1891 ; James, who was a member of the Confederate army and was killed after the close of the Civil war; and Eliza, who became Mrs. Outland and died leaving one child.

Calvin C. Hughs, whose name introduces this review, was reared in South Carolina and re- mained under the parental roof until 1862, when he enlisted in defense of the Confederacy, becom- ing a member of Company A, Tucker's Cavalry. He remained on Cat Island in Wineau Bay for a year and was afterward in the siege at Charles- ton, South Carolina. Subsequently he went with his command to meet Johnson and while on the march became ill and had to remain at a farm house, where he continued until after the sur- render of General Lee. He then returned home, remaining with his mother upon the old family homestead during her life. Subsequent to her death the old home was broken up, the estate was settled and Mr. Hughs started to seek a home elsewhere. In 1869 he made his way to New Orleans, thence by water to Galveston, Texas, and on to Chapel Hill, where he secured employment on a stock farm, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period he settled at Lampasas Springs, where he spent six months. Afterward he went to Dallas, where he was employed at rock quarrying and later he engaged in carpentering and lime burning. Dal- las at that time was but a small village without a railroad and with but little business activity. He remained there for three years and then went to Fort Worth, where he spent three months, after which he went to Gainesville, Texas, where he operated a stationary engine at a flour mill for four years. He was next at Cambridge, Clay county, where he assisted in building a flour mill and after its completion he operated it for four years.

It was during that time that Mr. Hughs was married, in 1876, to Miss Rebecca Campbell, who was born in Mercer county, Missouri, in 1857. a daughter of Henry and Mary (Goodin) Campbell, both of whom were natives of Ken- tucky. They came at an early day to Texas, settling in Gainesville, where the father engaged in farming and freighting. Later he removed to Kaufman county, where his last days were passed. His wife survived him and removed to Bonham, where her death occurred. She was a member of the Baptist church and both were people of the highest respectability, held in warm regard by many friends. In their family were seven children: Thomas, a show man ; Rebecca,

now Mrs. Hughs; Charity, deceased ; Molly, the wife of F. Banks; Ida, the wife of Joshua Furr; William, a farmer ; and Allie, the wife of William Groves.

Mr. Hughs remained at Cambridge, Texas, for about four years. He visited western Texas when the country for miles around was black with buffaloes and he is thoroughly familiar with pioneer history and the experiences which fell to the lot of early frontier settlers. He re- moved from Cambridge to the Fitch farm on Red river, where he spent two years and then took up his abode in Kaufman county, where he purchased land and raised one crop. On selling out there he removed to Las Vegas, where he spent three months, subsequently going to Fort Wingate with the Texas Pacific Railroad Company, for which he made and hauled ties. This proved a profitable venture and when he had executed his contract he returned to Hot Springs, New Mexico, where he engaged in teaming for the Santa Fe Railroad for more than a year. He then returned to Texas, again locat- ing at Cambridge but later removed to the In- dian Territory, where he devoted his time and energies to farming and the cattle business for eight or ten years. In 1894 he bought land in Montague county, whereon he yet resides, thus becoming owner of one hundred and seventy- eight acres, to which he has since added until he now owns four hundred acres. He incurred an indebtedness . of fifteen hundred dollars, but this has all been cleared away and he now has a large and well improved farm under a high state of cultivation. Upon the place is a commodious residence and substantial outbuildings and the house, being situ- ated on a natural building site, commands a fine view of the Red river and valley. The farm is well supplied with stock and with modern equipments and Mr. Hughs is regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of his com- munity, having carried forward his work along practical, progressive and profitable lines. He raises the various crops adapted to soil and cli- mate and also much stock. His corn always yields a good harvest and his shortest wheat crop was six bushels per acre, but the usual crop yields nineteen bushels per acre, although at times he has harvested thirty-three bushels of wheat per acre. He is well pleased with the country and its prospects and is thoroughly con- tented in his present home and in the profitable management of his business affairs.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hughs have been born ten children: Viola, the wife of J. Mckinney ; Tum-

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mie, the wife of F. Tucker; Edna, the wife of W. H. Houston; William, Fannie, Belle, Jennie, Henry, Thomas and Avis, all at home.

Mr. Hughs was reared in the Democratic faith and continued to support that party until Cleveland's administration, since which time he has been a Republican, but is without aspiration for office. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he and his wife and most of their children are members of the Methodist church. They are held in high esteem in the locality where they reside and the circle of their friends is an extensive one.

DAVID W. CLARK, M. D., who, maintain- ing a high standard of professional ethics and manifesting a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of medicine in his practice, justly de- serves representation in this volume as a leading and influential resident of Montague. He was born in Sumner county, Tennessee, October 20, 1868, his parents being, Charles and Martha (Brown) Clark, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, in which state their marriage was also celebrated. The paternal grandfather, William F. Clark, removed from the north of Maryland to Tennessee at an early epoch in the development of the state and was a leading divine of the Methodist church, devoting his life to the dissem- ination of the gospel and to the uplifting of his fellow men. He continued his labors in Ten- nessee until called to his final rest and his mem- ory yet remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. He reared a family of nine children: Melissa, Jane, Reuben, David, Ed- ward, Eleanor, Sophia, Charles and Betsy, most of whom have become members of the Metho- dist church.

Charles Clark was reared in Tennessee and following his marriage began farming and deal- ing in stock. He yet resides on the old home- stead there at the age of three score years and ten, while his wife is in her sixty-seventh year. His farm is the original homestead of his father, who settled upon the land and developed the property in pioneer days in Tennessee. The dwelling in which he was born is still standing and is now one hundred and twenty years old. Thus for more than a century it has looked out upon the surrounding country, a mute witness of the great changes that have occurred. It is built of hewed logs, weatherboarded, is well finished and is one of the comfortable old south- ern homes in which hospitality has ever reigned supreme. Throughout the years of his manhood Mr. Clark has carried on general farming and stock-raising and for many years engaged in

trading in horses, mules and cattle. His busi- ness interests have been capably and profitably conducted and in all the trade relations he has maintained a reputation for integrity and straightforward dealing that is above question. He and three of his brothers served in the Con- federate army and Reuben, Edward and David gave their lives for the cause which they so dearly loved. When the war was over Charles Clark returned to find his home greatly damaged through the ravages of war, for both armies foraged on the place. He at once set to work to retrieve his lost possessions and again bring the farm up to its usual advanced state of im- provement and cultivation. While in the army he had served under General John Morgan and General Forrest and had been a brave and faith- ful soldier. He has always been a stanch Demo- crat but is without political aspiration, prefer- ring to devote his energies to his business affairs. His wife is a daughter of the Rev. Barton B. · Brown, a native of North Carolina, who became an early settler of Tennessee and was widely known as an able minister of the Methodist church and an early missionary among the In- dian tribes of Tennessee and Alabama. He was also a farmer and he enjoyed in unquali- fied measure the confidence and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. His death occurred in Tennessee at the age of seventy-five years. In his family were seven children: H. D. and Robert K., who also became Methodist ministers; Alford D., a physician, who died in 1881; Martha L., the wife of Charles Clark; Thomas H., a farmer of Tennessee ; Jennie K., the wife of C. H. Adams of Dallas, Texas; and Tennie, the wife of J. H. Mathews.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark have a family of three sons and two daughters: Jennie, the wife of J. F. Parker ; David W .; Charles B., who died in 1892 ; Emma, at home; and Fulton B., who is agent for the Cumberland Mills of Nashville, 'Tennessee, and makes his home at Birmingham, Alabama.

David W. Clark acquired a good elementary education in the common and high schools of Beach Hill, Tennessee, and after completing his literary course determined upon the study of medicine as a preparation for a life work. After some preliminary reading he entered the medical department of Vanderbilt University of Nash- ville, Tennessee, in 1889, and was graduated in 1894. He then entered upon active service at Hendersonville, Tennessee, but later because of illness in his family returned to his old home. Subsequently he pursued another course of lec-

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tures and in 1895 came to Texas, locating in Montague, where he has continued successfully to the present time, a liberal patronage being accorded him. In 1901 he pursued a polyclinic course in New Orleans, thus further promoting his efficiency and skill. He has a well equipped office that is supplied with all modern appliances and he keeps in touch with the latest thought, research and investigation of the profession, so that he renders to the public valuable service as a physician and surgeon. Soon after coming to Montague he purchased a commodious resi- dence surrounded by large grounds located close to the business center of the town and here he now makes his home. He occupies a prominent position professionally and socially and the circle of his friends as well as the number of his pa- trons is constantly increasing.

MRS. ANNA JORDAN, living in Nocona, is the widow of David C. Jordan, deceased, who was a prominent rancher and cattleman of Montague county. He was born in Kentucky, July 24, 1842, and spent the days of his boy- hood and youth upon a farm in that state. His father was Pleasant Jordan, a native of Cul- pepper county, Virginia, and a farmer by oc- cupation, who died in Carter county, Kentucky, in 1846, when David C. Jordan was a little lad of four years. His wife was Ann Burchett, also a native of Virginia, and she survived her hus- band only four years. In their family were eleven children and D. C. Jordan was left an orphan when eight years of age. He was a young man at the time of the outbreak of hos- tilities between the north and the south, but he manifested his spirit of bravery upon the battle- fields, enlisting in the Confederate army with the Fifth Kentucky Infantry. He served until the close of the war, after which he returned to his home. About that time the building of the Union Pacific Railroad was attracting the attention of laboring people and he made his way to the west with the view of finding a business opportunity in that section of the country. In Kansas he hired out to drive an ox team to Laramie and he was afterward em- ployed with a government freight outfit to make trips to Fort Dodge. Subsequently he engaged in feeding cattle in Kansas and later was in the service of contractors who furnished beef to the Indians at Fort Sill, in the Indian Territory. Three years were spent in that way, at the end of which time with a co-worker, William Broadus, he began contracting on his own account in 1869. During the six months in which their contract lasted they cleared

seventeen thousand dollars. The partners then concluded to continue in the cattle busi- ness and in 1873 located in Montague county, Texas, where they began business with twelve hundred head of cattle. The range at that time was free, the rancher being able to pasture his ,cattle wherever he desired. The partners con- tinued actively in the business, purchasing and handling large herds of cattle. About 1881 they found it necessary to own pastures, began buy- ing land and within a short time controlled twenty-two thousand acres. In this they con- tinued successfully and later they sold to actual settlers twenty-five different farms. At length the partnership, which had been continued for a number of years, was dissolved by mutual consent, personal property and lands being divided. Mr. Jordan took as his portion thirty- six hundred acres of land adjoining the cor- poration limits of Nocona, although the town at that time had not been established. His- success in business was due entirely to his own labors and he was a self-made man whose well directed efforts proved of much value in the acquirement of prosperity. His business was carefully conducted along honorable lines and he was highly respected. He erected a com- modious house and other buildings on his ranch and he continued actively in farming and cattle- raising up to the time of his death, which oc- curred on the 21st of October, 1902. After the time that Nocona was established he built and sold a number of houses there and was other- wise connected with the development of the place. He was a man of superior education, broad intelligence and gifted by nature with strong mentality, and he made for himself an honorable position in business life and in the regard of his fellow men. He was left an orphan at an early age and whatever success he achieved was attributable entirely to his own labors. He was recognized as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men of Mon- tague county and was highly esteemed for his integrity and value in all life's relations. In his death the community lost one of its highly respected citizens.

In 1877 Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Anna Berry, who was born in Grayson county, Texas, on the 7th of March, 1860, her parents being James and Elizabeth (Myers) Berry, the latter a native of Illinois and of German descent, while the former was born in Ten- nessee. They were married in Texas. Mrs. Berry was a daughter of Samuel Myers, of North Carolina, who subsequent to his removal to Tennessee was married. Not long after-

Jordan

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

ward he took up his abode in Ohio, and 'later went to Illinois, whence he started for Texas in 1837. Mrs. Berry was born October 9, 1829, and was therefore eight years of age when her parents left Illinois for the Lone Star state. The Indians, however, were reported to be hostile and the family did not continue their journey beyond northern Arkansas, where the father rented a farm, spending his remaining days in that locality. His wife also died there. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pur- suits and though he never sought to figure be- fore the public he lived a life of uprightness that commended him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. He held membership in the Trinity Baptist church, while his wife was a member of the Presbyter- ian church. In their family were eight children : Matilda, Lydia, Abraham, Jessie, John, Sarah, Eliza J. and Mrs. Elizabeth Berry. The last named is the only one of the family now living and she finds a good home with her daughter, Mrs. Jordan. After the death of the parents in Arkansas the sons and daughters of the household at different times made their way into Texas and it was subsequent to her re- moval to this state that Elizabeth Myers be- came the wife of Mr. Berry. She came to Texas with a brother and sister and they had settled in Grayson county. She had first mar- ried Franklin Davis, of Tennessee, who was a blacksmith by trade and subsequent to his marriage was employed by the government in that line of work, spending one year in the Indian Territory. He then returned with his family to Grayson county, where he died in 1853, leaving two children, one of whom died in early youth, while the other, Micjah Davis, is a farmer. In 1857 Mrs. Davis was again married, becoming the wife of James Berry, a native of Tennessee and they settled in Gray- son county, where they remained until 1873, when they came to Montague county. Mr. Berry was a saddler by trade and followed that pursuit prior to his removal to Montague county, but here he located a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near the present site of Nocona and run cattle for three years. He im- proved and developed a good farm, remaining, thereon until 1877, when he was accidentally killed. He never sought political preferment, but lived a quiet, useful and honorable life as a mechanic and agriculturist and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church South. Mrs. Berry is also an earnest Chris- tian woman, belonging to the Methodist church. In their family were the following named: Mrs.

Jane Loving; Anna, now Mrs. Jordan; Mrs. Mary King ; J. Monroe, who is a stock farmer of Texas; Sophia, who died at the age of seven- teen years; Mrs. Josephine Hamilton; and John, a resident farmer of this state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jordan were born five children : William C., a cattleman ; Thomas, who is assisting his mother in the management of her cattle and farming interests; Nellie and Kitty, who are attending school ; and David A., who was born November 1, 1899. Mrs. Jor- dan is a member of the Methodist church. Since her husband's death she has given her attention to her children and her farming in- terests and is recognized as a lady of ex- cellent business ability and executive force. The loss of the husband and father was felt not only by the immediate family, but also by many friends, for he had endeared himself to friends by his genuine worth.

HENRY A. WILKINS, M. D. The sub- ject of this sketch is a prominent physician and surgeon who has within the past few years identi- fied himself with the interests of Bonita, Mon- tague county, Texas. He is a son of Harrison and Harriette (Jackson) Wilkins, both natives of Georgia, where they were married in 1855. They lived for some years on a farm in Georgia, moved thence to Alabama, and in 1872 came to 'Texas, locating in Grayson county, where they bought a farm and where they made their home for over twenty years. Both of the doc- tor's grandmothers spent their last days and died in Texas. Little is known of his family history back of them. Selling his farm in Gray- son county, Harrison Wilkins moved to Clay county, bought and sold property there and came thence to Bowie, Montague county, where he purchased a farm. At this writing, however, he and his wife are living with their children. They are worthy members of the Missionary Baptist church and are highly respected by all who know them. Their children are: Lafayette and William, stock-farmers in Texas; Thomas O., a physician and surgeon, Paduca, Texas; Henry A., the subject of this review ; Sally, wife of C. Clark ; Mattie, deceased wife of W. Molden ; Joseph, a physician of Wellington, Texas.

Dr. Henry A. Wilkins was born in Polk coun- ty, Georgia, January 5, 1865, was reared on a farm and received his early education in the pub- lic schools. Later he attended Grayson College at Whitewright, Texas, and after leaving college he was employed as assistant at the County Farm, a position he filled four years. At the age of twenty-five he began the study of medicine under

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the preceptorship of Dr. T. O. Wilkins, with whom he remained for some time and where he gained much practical experience as the doctor's assistant. In 1899 and 1900 he took a course in the Medical Department of Fort Worth Uni- versity. After receiving his degree he entered upon the practice of his profession at Joy, Clay county, Texas, where he remained two years and was successful. Thinking to better his condition, however, he moved to Petersburg, Indian Ter- ritory, and during the three years of his residence at that place he built up a good practice ; but the climate was not conductive to health nor was the society what he wanted, and in November, 1904, he came to Bonita, bought a home and estab- lished himself here. His office is equipped with modern appliances, and he was not long in gain- ing recognition as a man abreast with the times in his profession, and he has won the confidence and respect of all who know him.

Dr. Wilkins married, in 1898, Miss Ida White, who was born in Grayson county, Texas, November 18, 1870, daughter of Alonzo and Mattie (Eubanks) White, the former a native of Illinois, the latter of Texas. Mrs. Wilkins' grandfather, Ambrose White, was born in Ohio in 18II, pioneered to Illinois and located near Springfield, and in his young manhood shoul -. dered a gun and went to the Black Hawk war, in which he fought bravely until the close of hostilities, returning with the rank of captain. It was in that war he met the young lady, Miss A. E. Murdock, who became his wife in 1833. During one hard day's fight she was by his side molding bullets while he shot Indians. From Illinois Captain White came to Texas. He staked off the town of Whitesboro, built the first house in it, and gave the town its name. He lived to see it prosper and was honored by being elected its mayor, an office which he filled for many years, up to the time of his death, which occurred December 17, 1885. He was the fa- ther of seven children: Jayson, Elizabeth, Alon- zo, Loot, Cassie, Lena and June. Alonzo White- when a boy came with his parents to Texas, where he grew up on a farm and later learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked in his younger days. Later he ran a hotel at Whitesboro. After his father's death he served several terms as mayor of the town. He still re- sides there and is as highly respected as he is well known. During the war of the Rebellion he was on the frontier in the Confederate service. He married Miss Mattie Eubanks, daughter of Alford Eubanks, a prominent farmer and stock- man. In the Eubanks family were eight children : Mary, Mariah, Nancy, John, Hines, Julia, Mattie,

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 56

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