A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 57

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 57

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and Caroline. The children of Alonzo and Mat- tie White are: Jennie, wife of George Boston ; Ida, wife of Dr. Wilkins; William, deceased ; and Callie, at home. Dr. and Mrs. Wilkins have one child, Louis A., born January 25, 1905. Mrs. Wilkins was reared in the Cumberland Presbyter- · ian church and both she and the Doctor are iden- tified with that church. Dr. Wilkins is a member of the fraternal order Woodmen of the World.

WILLIAM M. SHIELDS. The subject of this notice has aided substantially in the reduction of the valleys of North creek, in Jack county, and his efforts have covered a period of thirty years, for it was in 1875 that he cast his fortunes among the then scattered settlements along this modest and friendly stream. Though poor in purse and young of years his efforts during the passage of years have rewarded him for the sac- rifices his early settlement here entailed.

He came hither from Grayson county and it was there that his birth occurred January I, 1851. George Shields, his father, settled there in 1848 and was assassinated during the war. He was from Green county, Missouri, where his father, Robert Shields, went from Tennessee when George was a mere lad. John, his other son, also came to Texas and passed away in Limestone county, where some of his family re- main. George Shields came to his majority in Green county, Missouri, and there married Nan- cy Dameron, a daughter of Moses Dameron, an old settler there. By this marriage there were born Elizabeth, wife of John Holder, of Indian Territory ; Martha, who married Matthew John- son, of Tulsa, Indian Territory ; William M., of this record; John and George, deceased, and Julia, who married Robert Obert and is now de- ceased. Mrs. Shields married Robert Johnson for her second husband and resides in Indian Territory, having no other issue.

At sixteen years of age William M. Shields began contributing to his own support, and with very scant knowledge of books. He became a freighter for Dudley and Junius Page, hauling goods from Jefferson, Sherman, Shreveport and Sedalia, Missouri. He freighted for Morgan also and eventually equipped himself with ox teams and engaged in the business on his own account. He followed it seven years and made some money out of it but saved little for future use. Quitting this he became a workman on the M. K. and T. Railway, then building through the Territory, and followed it some months. He then spent two years farming in Grayson county and, with the proceeds of all these efforts came to Jack county and began his permanent career.

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

A horse and a yoke of cattle constituted his chief resource as a settler and he took a half interest with his brother John in a quarter section of new land, upon which they erected a cabin, for a few years their bachelor home. While they were surrounded all about with wild nature and the numerous game of the forest their settlement was made too late for interference by the red man, although, in May of 1875, a fight with a small band took place in Lost valley between the State Rangers and them, without white casualties, John Shields being one of the soldiers in the fight. The killing and trapping of the turkey and the slaughter of antelope and deer was as common in those early times as the snaring; and shooting of rabbits is today, and the white man of the fron- tier lived on really "the fat of the land." As the years passed the rewards of well directed ef- fort came to William M. Shields and he found himself gradually going up the scale. Help came to him with marriage and the rearing of a family, and following this needed additions came to his landed domain. Instead of the eighty which marked his original holdings, four hundred and thirty-two acres are listed to him for taxes and a few cattle graze off of his wooded reserve. Corn, cotton and grain, the common products of the county, receive his attention and many of the dollars with which he has increased the size of his farm have been received from this source.

July 20, 1877, Mr. Shields married, in Frank- lin county, Miss Leona Shear, a daughter of Jesse Shear, a native of Texas. Mr. Shear mar- ried a Miss Coats, and of their children Mrs. Shields is one, James, who died in Franklin county, Texas; Sidney, who resides in that coun- ty; and Leona, who was born in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Shields' children are: Jesse W., who mar- ried Myrtle Weir and lives near his father; Emma, wife of William Riggs, died in 1904; John, married Ida Dickson and resides in Jack county with issue; Ora, deceased, and Clyde ; and Olivia, wife of Herbert Oich.

WILLIAM J. FLOWERS. The mail serv- ice of the village of Chico and its rural com- munity is being presided over by the gentleman named in the introduction to this article. While he was for seventeen years identified with the agricultural interests of the locality actively, his standing as a citizen and his political qualifica- tions commended him to the patrons of the Chico office and his appointment as postmaster was made by the department July 25, 1900, and he took charge at once and soon became a citi- zen of the town.

Mr. Flowers was born in Gibson county, Ten-

nessee, November 18, 1833, a son of John Flowers, who went there with his parents a youth and died in 1859. The latter was born in Simp- son county, North Carolina, in 1812, of parents Henry and Dicy (Barfield) Flowers, people of English extraction and tillers of the soil, whose other children were: Wiley, Blake, Edward; Annie, wife of Ben Keene; Polly, who mar- ried M. S. Wilks; and Dicy, who never married. The father lived to an advanced age and died in 1854, while the mother's death occurred about 1840.

John Flowers passed through life as a farmer and became a man of means and standing in his community. He married Margaret Gregory, who died in 1854, and Thomas J., who died at Chico in 1903, was their second child, William J., our subject, being the first. Then followed Martha, who died in Green county, Arkansas, as the wife of James Dickson; Dicy, who lives with her brother of this review; Mary C., wife of B. A. Keene, of Tennessee; Adaline, wife of D. F. Halliburton, of Tennessee; Maggie, widow of Robert Wiley, of Tennessee; Sarah, Mrs. R. Sikes, of Chico, Texas; Malinda, who married J. W. Boyett and lives in Tennessee; and Lu- cinda, who lives in her native state as Mrs. Brad Halford.

The log cabin schoolhouse with puncheon benches, the goosequill pen and old blueback Webster were the things William J. Flowers had to do with while getting an education. In those days almost any book of history was used as a text book, the life of Davy Crockett coming for a share of popularity among the pupils. He put in his summers always in the field and never missed a crop and made his home under the par- ental roof until he established a home of his own. He lived in the proverbial log cabin for some years and was undisturbed in the quiet of his home, save for the troubles of the Civil war period when conditions occasionally forced his retirement to the brush to evade the conscript officer of the Davis government. While the county where he lived was almost wholly dis- union he remained true to the stars and stripes.

He left Tennessee in January, 1884, and pur- chased an eighty acre tract of Cooke county school land which he improved and was identified with till his removal to Chico to become postmaster of the place. In the office he succeeded Mr. L. Williams and his granddaughter, Ora Flowers, is his assistant and chief of staff.

February 26, 1857, Mr. Flowers married Susan A. Sims, a daughter of James T. Sims, middle Tennessee folks. Mrs. Flowers passed away in Chico February 14, 1905. Their married life,

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

extending over a period of nearly a half century, was rich in the associations and fruits of united effort, and by her fidelity and Christian helpful- ness she was and is still remembered as a woman worthy of respect and veneration. She was the mother of William H., of Wise county, who mar- ried Josie Crocker, and has children: Ora, Hen- ry M., Connie, Edgar, Annie, Ruby, Nolia, Bes- sie, Armon and Glenn.

Mr. Flowers became a Republican during the war period, voted the ticket from Grant to Roose- velt and grows daily stronger in the faith. He was made a Blue Lodge Mason in 1873 and has long been a member of the Baptist church.

REV. W. H. FITTS. The business and pro- fessional activity of Rev. W. H. Fitts has touched many lines and his life of usefulness is crowned with the honor that is always accorded in recog- nition of high principles, of manly and sincere action and of unselfish devotion to the general good. He made a creditable military record as a soldier of the Confederate army and is now known as a leading farmer of western Texas, as proprietor of the Travelers' Hotel of Belcher and as a minister of the Methodist church. He was born in Lee county, Virginia, November II, 1841, his parents being Cornelius and Sarah (Randolph) Fitts. The Fitts family were early settlers of Virginia and were of Irish lineage.

Cornelius Fitts was reared in the Old Domin- ion and there spent his entire life, becoming a well known farmer and slave owner of Lee coun- ty. He attained wealth through the judicious use of his opportunities and was recognized as one of the influential and representative men of his community. Politically he was an old-line Whig and a supporter of Clay, and during the campaigns he used his aid and influence for the furtherance of party successes but never aspired to office himself. At the time of the Civil war he advocated the Union cause and opposed seces- sion but was unable physically to take any active part in the war. . His family, however, were divided on this issue and he had sons in both the northern and southern armies. After the close of hostilities all returned home and the same friend- ly relations between brother and brother were re- sumed that had been known prior to their es- pousal of the Union and Confederate causes re- spectively. The family home was in the path of the contending armies and the troops carried off the stock and other property of Mr. Fitts, leav- ing the farm bare, and this together with the loss of the slaves greatly reduced the value of the estate. The neutral position which Mr. Fitts maintained brought many threats against his

personal safety but he was never molested. He did not live to see the return of peace, however, but died in the winter of 1864 and '65. He was a man of quiet manner, yet social and genial disposition, was charitable and liberal in his views and possessed a kindly spirit and helpful disposi- tion that made him beloved by all with whom he came in contact. His widow, a native of North Carolina, survived him for a number of years and remained upon the old homestead until her death, which occurred in 1880. She was a daughter of Wilbur Randolph, a minister of the Missionary Baptist church and a leading farmer, who had a wide and favorable acquaintance in the locali- ty where he made his home. His death occurred prior to the Civil war. In his family were seven children : Wilbur, Jr., William, Stanton, Brooks, Mrs. Sarah Fitts, Mrs. Lovey Muncie, and Mrs. Polly Fletcher.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Fitts became the par- ents of nine children: Andrew; Frankie, the wife of T. Coleman; Susie, the wife of A. Cole- man; James, who served in the Federal army; Henry, who died while serving in the Mexican war; Martha, the wife of Joseph Parker, who was a Union man and was killed by bush-whack- ers ; John, a farmer ; W. H., of this review ; and Brook, who was in the Federal army and was captured by rebels, after which he was never heard from again.

Rev. W. H. Fitts, whose name introduces this review, attended the common schools in his home locality and was reared upon the old home farm there, remaining under the parental roof until his marriage. It was on the 13th of June, 1859, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Eliza J. Anderson, a native of Cumberland Gap, Virginia. Through many years she has been a worthy wife and good helpmate to him. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Anderson, both natives of Vir- ginia. Her father, a blacksmith by trade, pre- ferred to live the life of a quiet, plain mechanic without aspiration for office or public notoriety but his genuine personal worth gained him thor- ough respect, his integrity and honor being above reproach. Both he and his wife died in Virginia, where they had lived as faithful members of the Methodist church. They had but three children : Eliza J., now Mrs. Fitts ; John, who served in the Confederate army ; and Maggie D., the wife of G. Flenor.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fitts began their domestic life upon a farm and to its improvement he devoted his energies until 1861, when he raised a company for service in the Confederate army, of which he was made captain. This was Company K .of the Sixty-

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

fourth Virginia Cavalry. He served through- out the period of hostilities with Lee's Army of Virginia and surrendered the remnant of his company to Colonel Dillard at Cumberland Gap. At first he had one hundred and twenty-five men and at a later date, when Captain Tyler de- serted his company belonging to the same regi- ment and joined the federal army, the two com- panies consolidated, with Captain Fitts in com- mand of both. He thus had charge of two hun- dred and fifty men at the, beginning of the war but less than half of that number returned home at the close of hostilities. Captain Fitts had a battle with a squad of Federalists at the old homestead. who were foraging from his father's granaries. One of the captain's brothers was on the Federal side and after the smoke of the guns had cleared away Captain Fitts found that he had succeeded in making prisoners of all but his brother, whom he learned afterward had hid himself under the barn floor. Captain Fitts captured the entire squad, also the mules and . wagons. The only man who escaped was his brother, who, however, was later captured by the Confederates and as stated was never heard from again. Captain Fitts was a valued soldier, always on duty in the front ranks and his own bravery inspired his men. He bore unflinchingly the hardships and exposure of war and was almost daily in skirmishes and participated in many of the most hotly contested battles of Lee's army. He had one horse killed from under him and he was grazed by several bullets but was never seriously injured nor was he captured. His company was known throughout the army as the Coon Dog company with a splendid repu- tation for fighting.

Following the close of the war Captain Fitts returned to his home and family and resumed his farming operations, in which he was quite suc- cessful, maintaining his residence in the Old Do- minion until 1881, when he emigrated to Texas, first locating in Collin county, where he rented a farm for two years. He then bought land in Hunt county, whereon he remained for five years, when he purchased other land, afterward buying and selling several farms. In this speculation he was fairly successful. In 1888 he removed to Montague county and rented farm land near Red River Station, where he lived for ten years and he bought two hundred and forty-two acres near by. This was entirely wild and unimproved. While renting land he was quite successful but on one occasion everything that he had was de- stroyed by fire. After he purchased land he made improvements on the property, fencing, the place, building a house and placing his fields under

cultivation. He was making satisfactory prog- ress when in 1897 a cyclone destroyed almost everything upon the farm. The house was de- molished together with its contents, but the fami- ly escaped. Once more he had to commence busi- ness life anew, but not discouraged he hopefully took up the task, believing that he would be pro- vided for. Success has since followed his labors and with increased energy he has continued the work of improving his farm, raising many pro- ducts that provide a good living for the family. He has had a few short crops but no failures and he is now accounted one of the substantial agriculturists of the community. During the first years he was paid one dollar per bushel for corn, and people came seventy-five miles to purchase that cereal from him. Wheat and oats did well and he has always been satisfied with the country and what he could raise here. He has found pleasant neighbors and associates and has taken a helpful and active part in the work of progress and improvement.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fitts has been blessed with ten interesting children: Cornelius, who is now a railroad contractor living at Green- ville, Texas; Andrew L., who died at the age of four years; Brook R., a stockman living in Ok- lahoma; Fleming W., who occupies the old homestead farm ; Joseph B., who is manager of a coal mining company at Pratt City, Alabama ; Worth S. and William C., who are railroad en- gineers ; James T., of Brownwood, Texas, who served in the Spanish American war and in the Philippines; Mary R., who was born in 1880 and died while attending Greenville Seminary in 1898, having been a consistent member of the Methodist church and a devoted Christian ; and A. L. Nearly all the members of the house- hold have become identified with the Methodist church.

Rev. Fitts was a member of the church prior to the war and in Virginia following the war. he was licensed to preach by the conference of Lee county and has since been a local Methodist minister. In Texas he was ordained a deacon with all the functions of the office by Bishop Haywood of Texarkana, Texas. He has since filled various appointments and vacancies and has ever had good audiences, for he is a strong and forceful speaker, thoroughly in earnest and there- fore his pulpit work has been a power in the church. He has been frequently called to marry couples and while living on the farm has mar- ried as many as seventeen in a single month. In 1902 Mr. Fitts turned over the active work of the farm to his sons and purchased property at Belcher with large grounds. Here he has

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

made additions and remodeled the house and has beautified the place in many ways. He opened a hotel for the accommodation of the traveling public and with the assistance of his estimable wife now conducts an excellent hostelry in which all comers are made welcome and comfortable.

Rev. Fitts has also figured prominently in political circles as a supporter of the Democracy and when in Virginia he served as deputy sheriff and constable for twelve years. Since taking up his abode in Montague county he has served as deputy sheriff for two years and in 1904 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he yet fills. He is also ex-officio notary public and is well qualified to execute legal papers of any kind. For fifteen years he has served on the school board and is now president of the board of education at Belcher. Mr. Fitts has ever been the champion of right, progress, re- form and improvement and his influence is strongly given on the side of intellectual, material and moral advancement. His worth to the com- munity is widely recognized and as a representa- tive citizen he deserves mention in this volume.

DR. CHARLES B. RAINES, JR., who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Mineral Wells, was born in Nacogdoches county, Texas, November 30, 1846, his parents being, Dr. Charles B. and Mary Ann (Pope) Raines. The father was a native of Virginia and came to Texas in 1835, locating in Brazoria county. He was one of the delegates to the con- vention which declared the independence of Texas and secession from Mexico early in 1834. When the movement of secession was inaugurat- ed he journeyed to Tennessee, raising a command of soldiers and was on his way to Texas with them when at New Orleans he heard of the bat- tle of San Jacinto and the surrender of Santa Anna, which occurred on the 21st of April, 1836, and accordingly he disbanded his company as they were then not needed. Returning to Tennes- see he remained in that state for a few years and about 1844 he again came to Texas. Here he en- listed as chief surgeon in Woods' Regiment in General Taylor's command for the Mexican war and was with his regiment in Mexico during that conflict. He died in 1896 at Rusk, in Chero- kee county, having lived for some time, however, with his son, Dr. Raines, in Palo Pinto county, spending six years here. His life was devoted to the practice of medicine with the exception of a few years prior to his death, when he lived re- tired. He was one of the successful physicians of his day and locality and as a soldier he was also brave and loyal and there were in his life's history

many elements worthy of commendation. His wife was born and reared in Marion county, Tennessee, and her death occurred in 1863.

Dr. Charles B. Raines was reared at Rusk, in Cherokee county, and when only sixteen years of age he enlisted as a member of Company A, Second Texas Cavalry, C. S. A., commanded by Charles Pyron. He served in the Trans-Mis- sissippi department in Texas and Louisiana. His regiment lost heavily at the battle of Thibodaux, Louisiana. In the latter part of the war Dr. Raines saw service along the Rio Grande river.

When hostilities had ceased Dr. Raines re- turned to Rusk and completed his education there. Desiring to prepare for the practice of medicine he attended medical lectures at the University of Louisiana, now Tulane University, and when he had prepared for his chosen profes- sion he became a student in Louisville Medical College, where he was graduated in 1871. Im- mediately afterward he came to western Texas, establishing his home at Weatherford, Parker county, in July of that year. In the following May he located for practice in Palo Pinto, Palo Pinto county, at that time being the center of the Indian wars and depredations that oc- curred in western Texas from 1865. until 1874. The records show that Dr. Raines was in sev- eral fights against the Indians that took place in this county. After his arrival here he was commissioned by Governor E. J. Davis to raise a company, but he turned this responsibility over to Captain W. C. McAdam, who lives in the north part of Palo Pinto county. However, he did not shirk his part of the fight but, as men- tioned above, took part in many engagements and did everything in his power to protect the rights of the frontier settlers.

Dr. Raines lived at Palo Pinto for ten years and then came to Mineral Wells, where he has since made his home. He is a successful physi- cian and surgeon of large practice and experi- ence, with due regard to a high standard of pro- fessional ethics. He keeps in touch with the ad- vance of thought and growing efficiency of the profession, his reading, and investigation continu- ally broadening his knowledge and promoting ' his skill. He belongs to the county, state and American medical societies, and to the Northwest Texas Medical Association, having at one time been president of the last named.

Dr. Raines was married to Mrs. Maggie L. Wilson, formerly Miss Maggie L. Loving, a sis- ter of George B. Loving and a daughter of Oliver Loving, who was killed by the Indians on the Pecos river, in western Texas. The Loving fam- ily are prominent as pioneers and cattlemen in

W. E. ANTHONY AND FAMILY

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

the western part of the Lone Star state .. Dr. and Mrs. Raines have a large circle of friends, enjoying the hospitality of many of the best homes of the county. He belongs to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks. His atten- tion, however, is chiefly given to his professional duties, which are many, for his skill and ability have secured him a liberal and constantly grow- ing patronage.

W. E. ANTHONY, a pioneer of Saint Jo, Texas, who has been prominently identified with the development and progress of the county, was born in Georgia, August 25, 1841, and was reared to farm pursuits, which claimed' his attention when he was not occupied with the duties of the school room. His parents were Mark and Mary (Montgomery) Anthony, both of whom were natives of Georgia. . The grandfather, Lewis Anthony, was a farmer, who died in Georgia, and his children were Mark, Richard and Samuel, the last named a prominent Methodist minister and the presi- dent of Americus College.

Mark Anthony was reared in the state of his nativity and after his marriage began farming on his own account, continuing his residence in Georgia up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1844. He had no aspiration for public office, but was content to devote his time and energies to his agricultural pursuits and to his work as a member of the Methodist church. He was one of its leaders and filled various offices within the gift of the church, being most devoted to its work and upbuilding. His fidelity to principle and his upright man- hood gained him the respect and honor of all with whom he was associated. His wife sur- vived him, afterward removed to Alabama and subsequently came to Texas with her son, W. E. Anthony, with whom she found a good home throughout the remainder of her days. She was a daughter of Robert Montgomery of Georgia, who was a well known agriculturist and slave owner there, remaining in that state until his death. He was very popular in his home locality and was regarded as a leader in public affairs of his community. His wife was an earnest Christian woman, belonging to the Methodist church. To that worthy couple were born eleven children: John, James, Wil- liam, Cicero, Nancy, Sally, Elizabeth, Amanda, Anna, Louisa and Mary.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 57

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