A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 79

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 79

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

alone because of the success he has achieved but also by reason of the straightforward business methods he has ever followed, and his history is proof of the fact that prosperity is not the oucome of genius but is the result of clear judgment, experience and unabating energy.

B. F. ARCHER, M. D. In a history of the early settlers of Western Texas there is per- haps none more worthy of mention than Dr. Benjamin Franklin Archer, who in the prac- tice of his profession has rendered signal and valuable service to his fellowmen. The first home of the Archer family was in Virginia, where its representatives were prominent in public affairs. Many of them were in the co- lonial army during the Revolutionary war. William Archer, the father of Dr. Archer, was closely connected with Dr. Branch T. Archer, who figured prominently in Texas history, hav- ing been closely associated with the formation of the government and of the Republic of Texas. William Archer was a native of Vir- ginia and became a minister of the Missionary Baptist church, devoting much of his time to preaching the gospel, and by trade he was a millwright and followed that pursuit in order to provide a living for his family but engaged in preaching on Sundays and other occasions. In 1849 he removed to Mississippi, settling in Itawamba county, where he spent his remain- ing days. His wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Smith, and was a daughter of Ali Smith, one of the pioneer settlers of eastern Tennes- see. She was born in that state, and was married to William Archer in Campbell county, Tennes- see. She died two years prior to the death of her husband, which occurred in 1884. In their family were twelve children, of whom four sons and six daughters reached years of ma- turity. The eldest son, Alexander, was a cap- tain in the Confederate army and was after- ward promoted to the rank of major. Samuel D. Archer, the second son, died from exposure, following the battle of Bull Run and was a lieutenant in the army. George W. Archer, the youngest son, was a Christian minister and made his home in Baldwin, Mississippi.

Dr. B. F. Archer, whose name introduces this record, is the only son of the family now living. He was born in Hamilton county, Tennessee, April 19, 1834, and obtained his ear- ly education in the country schools. In 1856 he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Long, of Baldwin, Mississippi, and in the winter of 1857-8 he attended the Memphis Medical College, at Memphis, Ten-

nessee, while in 1860-61 he pursued his second course of lectures in the University of Louisi- ana, at New Orleans, being graduated from the latter institution on the 20th of March, 1861. He was in New Orleans when the state voted for secession. His patriotic nature be- ing aroused in behalf of the Confederacy, he immediately returned to his home in Baldwin, Mississippi, and enlisted in the Thirty-second Mississippi Regiment commanded by Colonel M. P. Lowrey, a Baptist minister who was known as the "fighting preacher." Dr. Archer was immediately appointed assistant surgeon of the regiment and acted in that capacity till after the retreat of the army from Corinth, when, the surgeon having resigned, Dr. Archer was appointed to the vacancy and thus contin- ued until the latter part of 1863, when he was attacked by a hemorrhage of the lungs and was retired from field service. During the remain- der of the war he was stationed at various places, sometimes in hospitals and again in the field service as he was needed. Following the close of hostilities he returned to his old home in Lafayette county, Mississippi, settling in the village of Taylor about eight miles south of Oxford on what was then known as the Mississippi Central Railroad. He devoted his entire time to his profession until 1872.

In the winter of 1872 there occurred a vacan- cy in the Mississippi state legislature and the Democratic convention that was convened without his knowledge or consent nominated him for office. When the news of the nom- ination was taken to him he entered the canvass, for thirty days devoting his time to campaign work in the county and won the elec- tion by a majority of one hundred and three. Again in 1873 he was nominated for the posi- tion and on this occasion was elected by a majority of two hundred and sixty votes. The county had a strong Republican majority and the fact of Dr. Archer's election is an indication of his personal popularity and the confidence that was reposed in him by his fellowmen. During the three years in which he was a mem- ber of the general assembly he served in three regular and three called sessions of the legislature and was connected with important constructive measures, but he became so disgusted with the methods employed in political circles that he has never since allowed his name to go before a convention.

Returning to his home Dr. Archer resumed the active practice of medicine, in which he continued until 1880, when he sold out and returned to the old homestead in Baldwin,

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

Mississippi, to take care of his father and moth- er in their declining days.

Following their death in March, 1886, he re- moved to Sweetwater, Texas, and was actively engaged in the practice of medicine and sur- gery at this place from that date until July, 1894. He then removed to Dublin, Erath county, Texas, where he practiced medicine until 1902, when he again came to Sweetwater, since which time he has devoted his attention between his professional service and farming.

In 1897 he pursued a post-graduate course in medicine and surgery in the Polyclinic college of Chicago. During all of his experience in the practice of surgery he has been most suc- cessful, never losing an important case. He has intimate knowledge of anatomy and com- ponent parts of the human body, which, com- bined with a delicacy of touch and keen mental perception, makes him one of the most capa- ble surgeons practicing in Western Texas.

Dr. Archer has been married three times. He first wedded Miss Prudence Oliver, of Ma- rietta, Mississippi, on the 20th of December, 1855. She died February 12, 1857, and in March, 1864, he wedded Miss Johanna B. Boone, who passed away in September, 1884. On the 13th of November, 1887, he was married to Miss M. E. Dodd, a native of Texas. He has never had any children.

Dr. Archer has spent his entire life on the frontier, living in Mississippi soon after the Indians were driven from the state and later coming to Western Texas soon after the red men were driven out of this region. He has ever been recognized as an upright citizen, doing his full duty as a soldier and civilian. As a physician he has enjoyed a large practice and in his younger days met many personal hardships and sacrifices in rendering profes- sional aid to the afflicted. Many times has he given his services when he knew there would be no pecuniary reward and in cases of dire distress he has fed the hungry from his own private means or supplied other necessities of life. His extensive practice has covered a period of about fifty years, and had he made collections of all that was due him he would now be in possession of a large fortune, but his kindness and generosity have led him to give his services on many occasions and to look for the benefit of his fellowmen rather than for private gain. His life has indeed been animated by a spirit of helpfulness and kindliness and in his life he has exemplified his faith as a member of the Christian church and his loyalty to the teachings of the Masonic

fraternity with which he has affiliated for the past forty-two years, having been made a Ma- son in Bay Springs, Tishomingo county, Mis- sissippi, in 1863.

GEORGE SPARKS, M. D., actively en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Sweet- water and throughout the surrounding districts, with a thorough understanding of the profes- sion that makes him one of its leading repre- sentatives in this part of the state, is a grandson of William Crane Sparks, who was born in Virginia, and when a young man emigrated to Texas, settling in Nacogdoches at an early per- iod in the development of that place. He took quite an active interest in politics, was a warm friend of Samuel Houston and fought with the army of Texas in its encounter with the troops of Mexico. He was afterward engaged in stock-raising and up to the time of his death was identified with this industry, which has been the chief source of revenue to the state. In 1847 he removed to Bell county, settling about twelve miles from Belton in a communi- ty which became known as the Sparks Valley settlement, and there he died about 1853. He was twice married and reared several children.

On of his sons of the second marriage was Samuel A. Sparks, who was born in Robert- son county, Texas, in 1845, during a brief resi- dence of the family in that locality prior to the removal to Bell county. He was reared, how- ever, upon a ranch in the latter county and in early life became engaged in the stock business, which he followed until 1884. In that year he was elected sheriff of the county and held the office up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1897, proving a most capable offi- cial, discharging the duties of the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. In all of his business affairs and official duties he was honored for his reliability and trustworthiness and he won the unquali- fied regard of his fellowmen. In July, 1865, Samuel Sparks was united in marriage to Miss Mary Fisher, a native Texan and a daughter of King Fisher, who was active in the warfare against the Indians in Texas at an early day. Mrs. Sparks is still living in Belton and by her marriage she became the mother of nine chil- dren, four sons and five daughters, all of whom are now living with the exception of one son.

Dr. George Sparks, whose name introduces this review, was born upon the old homestead in Bell county, Texas, where he also spent his boyhood days. He early learned to ride a horse and care for the cattle on his father's ranch.

MR. AND MRS. JOHN MOORE

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

He attended the country schools of the neigh- borhood and afterward continued his studies in Belton until sixteen or seventeen years of age, subsequent to which time he became a student in Centenary College at Lampasas, Texas, where he remained for three years. Having determined upon a professional career, in 1891, he entered the medical department of the University of Texas at Galveston and after a thorough course was graduated from that institution in the class of 1894. He served for one year as house physician in the John Sealy Hospital at Galveston and has been in the active practice of his profession at Bel- ton and Sweetwater up to the present time, having located in the latter city in February, 1899. Here his ability soon won ready recog- nition in a liberal patronage as he demonstrat- ed his ability to successfully cope with the in- tricate problems that continually confront the physician in his efforts to restore health and alleviate suffering.

Dr. Sparks was married first in 1896 to Miss Bernice Brooker of Rogers, Bell county, Texas, but she lived for only about a year after their marriage and in 1901 he wedded his pres- ent wife, who bore the maiden name of Maude Whitaker. Dr. Sparks and his wife occupy a very enviable position in social circles here and their own home is noted for its generous and attractive hospitality. The doctor is a member of the Masonic lodge in Sweetwater and in the line of his profession is connected with the Nolan County Medical Society, the West Texas and Pacific District Medical Society and the Texas State Medical Association. While a young man, he has already won prominence as a leading physician of Sweetwater, and among his patrons are numbered some of the best families in this section of the state. He is an earnest and discriminating student and keeps in touch with modern research in the medical world.

JOHN MOORE, working as a farm hand in his youth, thus laid the foundation for the success which he is now enjoying. A life of industry has been crowned with a satisfactory financial reward and he is now accounted one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Wichita county, where he has made his home since 1889. His birth occurred in Madison county, Illinois, in July, 1850, his parents be- ing Major Franklin and Talitha (Elliott) Moore. His paternal grandfather, Abel Moore, was one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, locat- ing in Madison county in the early days of its

development. He and his family made ar- rangements to join an expedition that was or- ganized in Kentucky for the purpose of found- ing a town in Missouri. The project was fos- tered by Daniel Boone and the new town was to be called Boonville. Abel Moore and his family, on their way to join this colony, stopped in Illinois at a point opposite the mouth of the Missouri river, which had been agreed upon as a meeting place with others who were to join them, but after waiting for several months and vainly looking for his friends, Mr. Moore de- cided that he would locate in Madison county. Illinois was then a territory and much of its land was still in possession of the govern- ment. Mr. Moore secured a claim and devel- oped a farm which is still in possession of his descendants. He took an active and help- ful part in the work of early improvement and progress there, and his name is indelibly in- scribed on the pages of the pioneer history of Madison county.

'It was upon the old homestead there that Major Franklin Moore was born and reared, aiding in the arduous task of developing new land and transforming the wild prairie into richly productive fields. He built a house of bark which became a notable historic place in Madison county and for many years he carried on agricultural pursuits. At the outbreak of the Civil War he organized a cavalry company at Upper Alton, became its captain and was afterward promoted to the rank of major. He was engaged in active service throughout the war and after its close he was one of those chos- en to re-establish the Forts in Texas along the Rio Grande river, and therefore was not mus- tered out of the service until the close of the year 1865. He made his home in Upper Alton until July 12, 1905, when he was called to his final rest. His wife, who was born in Knox- ville, Tennessee, died in 1872.

John Moore spent the days of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, was edu- cated in the public schools and was trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farnı. He started out in life on his own ac- count at the age of twenty-two years by secur- ing a tract of land in Madison county, Illi- nois, upon which he engaged in farming for two years. On the expiration of that period he took a trip to California and Oregon, re- maining on the coast for two years, and in February, 1876, he came to Texas, purchasing land in Kaufman county, about five miles south- east of Forney. There Mr. Moore remained un- til 1889, when he removed to Wichita county,

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

where he has since made his home, devoting his time and energies to the raising of grain and stock, in which he has been very success- ful. His place comprises six hundred and for- ty acres and is pleasantly located about seven miles north of Wichita Falls. The land is well adapted to the purposes for which it is used and he secures good crops and annually sends to the market many head of cattle, so that his sales return to him a very desirable income.

Mr. Moore was married in Kaufman county, Texas, in July, 1877, to Miss Sarah J. Daugher- ty, a representative of one of the old families there. They have seven children: Mrs. Nel- lie Sides, James F., Amy, Oda Abel, Sidney, Sybil and Hazel; the mother died March 30, 1902. The family is well known in Wichita county and the members of the household have many friends in this part of the state. Mr. Moore belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Wichita Falls, was one of its organizers and has filled some of its chairs. His life has been one of untiring activity and his perseverance, diligence and capable management, form the secret of the success which has crowned his . labors.

WILL STITH is a typical American busi- ness man, alert, enterprising and progressive, and his history is notable in that he owes his advancement entirely to his own efforts. Not only his financial success but his education has been acquired through his own efforts and his life record proves the value and the sure re- ward of character. Forty years ago he came to Texas when there were no railroads in the state, except a little spur of the Galveston, Houston and San Antonio line, running be- tween Galveston, Harrisburg and Houston. His parents were Richard M. and Harriet C. (Furguson) Stith. The maternal grandpar- ents lived at Mount Sterling, Kentucky. The grandfather owned the site upon which the city has been built. Mrs. Stith was born in Kentucky and Richard M. Stith was also a native of that state, although his parents were Virginians. They became the parents of ten children, although several of the family died in childhood. The year 1864 witnessed their arrival in Texas.

Richard M. Stith, the father, was a soldier in the Confederate army under General Price and at the close of the war he, with others, was induced to join Price on a trip to Mexico, but on reaching San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Stith decided to remain there and did so until the occupation of the city by Federal troops, when

he removed to Galveston, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1866. Galveston was a mere village when he located there, but it has grown from a small place to a city with brick buildings, pavements and other modern improvements.

Will Stith was born in Jackson county, Mis- souri, April 24, 1856, but the family were driv- en out of the country by Quantrell and his men, who hid in the hills in that part of the state. His boyhood days were therefore passed in Galveston, the family taking refuge in that city, and he acquired his education in the face of many difficulties, earning the money which enabled him to pursue his studies in private schools of that city until he was fifteen years of age. He afterward engaged in clerking in a wholesale and retail grocery house for eight years and during that time, ambitious to obtain a good education, he attended school at night, becoming a student in a commercial college. Later he obtained a position as bookkeeper with the firm of Clark & Courts, opening for them their first set of books. They were sta- tioners and printers and with them he remained for eight years, when becoming tired of work- ing on a salary and seeing that advancement in that way could come but slowly, he resolved to engage in business for himself and removed to Abilene.

Here Mr. Stith turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business, in which he has since been engaged, being now the senior partner of the firm of Will Stith & Company. They have a large clientage and do a gratify- ing business in both departments, the firm be- ing a strong and reliable one, their name hav- ing become a synonym for honesty and square dealing. They transact a business equalled by few firms or individuals in their line in Abilene and their efforts in the sale of property have contributed in substantial measure to the im- provement of the city. Mr. Stith is decidedly a man of affairs. One cannot be in his pres- ence long without feeling his alert, energetic manner. He has the ability to quickly rec- ognize an opportunity and to utilize it, and furthermore he has made for himself an hon- ored name in connection with all business tran- sactions. In addition to his business in Abi- iene, he has for a few years owned an interest in a cattle ranch in El Paso county, Texas.

Mr. Stith was married, in 1887, to Miss Eula P. Thompson, of Chapel Hill, Washing- ton county, this state. He belongs to the Epis- copal church although he was reared a Methodist, and he is a member of the Star of the West Lodge

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

No. 43, K. of P., of Abilene, in which he has filled all the chairs. He is indeed a self-made man. Thrown upon his own resources at a very early age through the exigencies of the war, maintaining his own support while at- tending school, he has in the business world constantly worked his way upward from the ranks of the many to stand among the success- ful few, following methods that neither seek nor require disguise, and at the same time making steady and definite progress toward that success which is the goal of all business endeavor.

H. R. WOOD, who since 1886 has perman- ently resided in El Paso and for sixteen years has been engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business, is a native son of Texas, his birth having occurred in Galveston, May 31, 1857. His parents were Edward S. and Anne Eliza (Otterside) Wood. The father was born in New Jersey but was reared in Virginia, from which state he came in the early '30S to the Texas country, then a part of Mexico. He located at Brazoria and afterward removed to Galveston, taking an active part in the war for independence which culminated in 1836 in the establishment of the Republic of Texas. He became one of General Sam Houston's friends and associates in shaping the affairs of the new republic and his name is inseparably interwoven with the events of that period. At Galveston he embarked in merchandising and became a prominent business man of that city, taking an active and helpful part in promoting the commercial prosperity of the Texas sea- port. In that day before the advent of rail- roads Galveston was a supply point for the entire state of Texas and the only wholesale center in the state. Edward S. Wood con- tinued a resident of that city until 1878, when he departed this life. He was the president of the Society of Veterans of the Texas Revolu- tion and was a prominent and influential resi- dent of the eastern part of the state. His wife who was born in Philadelphia, was reared and educated in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was descended from an old English family.

H. R. Wood spent his youth in the city of his nativity, where he attended school and early entered mercantile life, being first associated with his father, while later he engaged in mer- chandising on his own account. He made a trip to El Paso in 1882 and in 1886 returned to make his home permanently in this city. Here he established a store and carried on general mercantile pursuits until 1889, when he sold

out and opened a real estate and insurance of- fice. In this business he has since engaged and he has taken an active and helpful part in the upbuilding and improvement of the city. Ne- gotiating many important realty transfers, he has thus been a direct factor in the improve- ment of El Paso and his efforts have ever been exerted for the benefit of this part of the state, for he stands as the champion of progress, re- form and improvement.

Mr. Wood was married in the city of Hous- ton to Miss Madeline B. Crosby, a daughter of J. Fraser Crosby, now deceased, who was a prominent character not only in the early his- tory of El Paso, where he located in pioneer times, but in the state of Texas as well. He was a veteran of the Civil war and made a rep- utation as a gallant soldier and prominent law- yer of state-wide reputation and a judge of scholarly attainments who on the bench made a splendid record.

JAMES M. WHITE, labor contractor in El Paso, is a native of Wilkinson county, Missis- sippi, his birthplace being near the historic tavern of Cold Springs, while his natal day was October 16, 1864. He is a son of William D. and Rebecca (Ross) White. The father was born at Cold Springs, June 15, 1811, and reached the age of seventy-eight years, passing away on the 12th of December, 1889. The White homestead was located near the old Spanish trail leading from New Orleans to St. Louis. The father was a man of exceptionally fine character and of marked influence in his community and left the impress of his individu- ality for good upon the public life of Wilkinson county.

Mr. White of this review enjoys the distinc- tion of being the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, Andrew White, who was born in Wales in 1760, and when four years of age was brought by his parents to America, settling in Delaware. In 1777, then a youth of seventeen years, he joined the Continental army and was twice wounded during the war for independence, sustaining one wound at Saratoga. He served under General Gates and General Morgan and after the war became one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky and Tennessee, contributing in substantial measure to the development and progress of those states. In 1800 he located at Natchez, Mississippi, and again figured in con- nection with a movement of liberty, assisting in subjugating the Spaniards there. He was a gunsmith and blacksmith by trade and built and conducted a shop at Natchez, where he re-

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 79

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