A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 89

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 89

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After the war he returned to his mother's home in Lauderdale county, Alabama, and a short time thereafter was married to Miss Pat- tie J. Vincent, which happy union has remained true and faithful for nearly forty years. Mr. Humphries came to Texas in 1868, locating first in Palo Pinto county in the western part of the state, where he engaged in the cattle business. In 1873 he acquired a farm on the old Indian reservation in Young county. He was one of the first settlers of that region, before the pres- ent county seat of Graham had been started.

He lived there for about ten years, and in 1882 came to Seymour, Baylor county, which has since been his home and center of business ac- tivity. For nine years he was engaged in the mercantile business here, and then for some time he resided with his son on a farm in this county. He is a stanch Democrat, very popu- lar throughout the county, and in 1902 he was the choice of the people for the office of county tax assessor, which office he has filled to the eminent satisfaction of all. He is regarded as one of the old-timers of this section of the state, is a man of good education and broad mind and in every way a substantial citizen. He affiliates with the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders. He and his wife have one son, Paul Humphries, a resident of Baylor county.

HENRY C. McGAUGHY, a pioneer settler of Montague county, who is meeting with prosperity in his well conducted farming inter- ests in the Red River valley, was born in Lee county, Mississippi, on the IIth of June, 1848. He war reared to farm life with the advan- tages afforded by the common schools. His parents were William L. and Mary (Harris) McGaughy, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, in which state they were married. Soon afterward, however, they removed to Mississippi. The paternal grandfather was G. W. McGaughy, of Georgia, who eventually became a well known and leading planter of Mississippi, where he owned a large number of slaves and conducted extensive agricultural in- terests. He prospered in his undertakings, lived an honorable upright life and was a de- voted and loyal member of the Presbyterian church. His residence in Mississippi con- tinued up to the time of his demise. In his family were the following named: William L .; Carroll and Lee, who came to Texas; Jack, who is living in the Indian Territory ; Benton, also of Texas; and Sally, the wife of John Nicholson.

William L. McGaughy, father of our subject, took up his abode in Mississippi soon after his marriage, there purchased land and engaged in farming, becoming a prominent planter and slave owner of his locality. For many years he successfully conducted his business inter- ests there and he remained upon the old home- stead in Mississippi during the period of the Civil war and until after the re-construction. His farm lay in the path of the contending armies, who foraged on his place and largely reduced the value of his estate. His slaves

440

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

were freed, his property devastated and, desir- ing then to abandon farming, Mr. McGaughy in 1869 turned over the plantation to two of his sons and with the remainder of his family came to Texas, settling first in Grayson coun- ty, where he remained for a year. He then re- moved to Dallas county, where he spent two years, and in 1872 he came to Montague coun- ty, locating in the Red River valley, where his son, Henry C., now resides. He had made a prospecting tour in the spring of the same year and had purchased five hundred acres of valley land, whereon he finally took up his abode, giving his attention to its development and improvement. His remaining days were devoted to agricultural interests here and he remained upon the homestead farm until his life's labors were ended in death in 1874, when he was seventy years of age. He was a consistent and worthy member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church. Politically he was a Whig in ante-bellum days, but at the time of the Civil war he became a stanch Democrat, favored secession and remained an advocate of the party throughout his remaining days. He was too old for active service in the army but he furnished eight sons to the Confederacy. In his business interests he manifested an intelli- gent understanding of all that he undertook, close application and untiring purpose, and his prosperity resulted from honorable and active effort. His wife survived him and died Feb- ruary 20, 1874, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a daughter of George Harris, a lead- ing planter of Mississippi, who died in that state at a ripe old age. There were three chil- dren in his family: George and Glenn, who served in the Confederate army; and Mrs. Mary McGaughy.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. William L. McGaughy were born ten children: Marion P., who was killed in the Civil war and left a wife and three children ; G. W. D., who was also in the army and is now living in Collinsville, Texas; Nehemiah R., who was an army surgeon and died in the service in the Civil war ; James F., who was also in the army and is now a farmer of Dallas county, Texas; W. H., who was a soldier and died at his home in Mississippi ; John, who also wore the grey uniform and is now living in Mississippi; Benjamin, who es- poused the cause of the Confederacy and died in the service; Henry C., of this review, who was connected with the state militia; Sally, became the wife of J. M. Buchanan and died in Mississippi, leaving four children; and Mary

J., who became the wife of Mr. Walton, who died in the army, leaving two children. Later she married Mr. Van Arsdale and had three children. Mr. and Mrs. William L. McGaughy were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and were people of the highest respec- tability, enjoying the friendship and regard of all with whom they came in contact.

Henry C. McGaughy was reared in Mis- sissippi and remained upon the old home plan- tation until after the war. He came to Texas with his father and the family in 1869, and ac- companied his parents on their removal from Grayson to Dallas county and to his present home in Montague county in the spring of 1872. He made this selection and in company with a brother and a brother-in-law, Mr. Buch- anan, bought five hundred acres of land. His brother and brother-in-law, however, returned to Mississippi, but Mr. McGaughy remained and improved the farm and cared for his pa- rents throughout their remaining days. He yet remains upon the old homestead, where he has resided continuously for a third of a cen- tury. He made a wise selection of land, his farm being a level tract of country, very fertile and productive. Farming at that time was an experiment in Texas, for previously the land had been used simply as a cattle range and it was not known whether crops could be raised profitably or not. The grass, however, was abundant and the range was free and the set- tlers devoted their energies to raising cattle. The country was sparsely settled and but little actual farming was done. Mr. McGaughy, however, secured his claim, which he began to open up and cultivate and he also gave a part of his time to the cattle and stock busi- ness, in which he continued as long as there was free pasturage. He was succeeding well when the country and pastures were taken up and fenced, so he disposed of his herd and has since kept stock only for the support of the farm. He raises both cattle and hogs. Farming is no longer an experiment here but a very profitable industry, and Mr. McGaughy is among those who have demonstrated the value of this work in Texas. He has never failed to raise good crops save on one occasion. He now largely gives his attention to corn and cotton. He is pleased with the country and its possibilities and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of success. He has done much to improve his farm and his land borders on the Red River, so that there is a good supply of water. He has erected a com-

441

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

modious frame residence, good barns and out- buildings and his home stands upon a natural elevated building site, commanding an excel- lent view of the farm and surrounding coun- try. It is a fine home tastefully furnished and the entire place is equipped with modern im- provements and conveniences. In 1887 Mr. McGaughy also embarked in the mercantile business, taking charge of a stock of general goods at Spanish Fort, which he conducted for twelve years. He has since, however, aban- doned that line of activity and gives his entire attention at present to his farming interests.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McGaughy and Miss Minnie Walden, who was born in Virginia in 1862 and is a daughter of C. M. and Henrietta (Purcell) Walden, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Her father was a mechanic, plasterer and brick- layer and followed those pursuits in the Old Dominion in his younger days. He served throughout the war of the rebellion with the Confederate army in Virginia and in 1876 he came to Texas, locating first in Grayson coun- ty, where he rented land and engaged in farm- ing, but in 1878 he removed to Montague county, where he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits. He also gave some attention to the stock business in the Indian Territory. His wife died September 13, 1904, and he has since broken up housekeeping and makes his home with Mrs. McGaughy. He followed his trade until he came to the west and has lived the life of a plain honest mechanic and farmer. Although he rendered active service to the Confederacy during the Civil war he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He is a man of genuine personal worth, faithful to honorable principles and is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife was a member of the Methodist church. They had three children : Lillie, who became the wife of J. Damron and both she and her husband are now deceased ; Minnie, now Mrs. McGaughy ; and R. E., who follows farming in the territory.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born a daughter and two sons: Mary R., at home ; William B., born December 26, 1804; and Henry W., born August 13, 1896. Mrs. Mc- Gaughy is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. McGaughy gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party and is unfaltering in his advocacy of its principles, but has never sought or desired public office. In public life he is progressive but without aspiration for of- fice, preferring to concentrate his energies

upon his business affairs. Those who know him, and his acquaintance is wide, esteem him for his genuine worth and throughout his resi- dence in Montague county he has made for himself an honorable name and a record that any business man might envy.

ALBERT H. GLASSCOCK displays in his life the notable traits of open frankness and cordiality which is stamped on the native Texan. He is generous to a fault and is always willing to extend the hand of friendship and hospitality. At the same time his sense of justice and honor are developed to a marked degree, which would make him resent an injury or stand unfalteringly in support of the principle which he believes to be right. His father, George Washington Glass- cock, was a Kentuckian by birth, his natal day being April 11, 1810, and at an early age he re- moved from Kentucky to Texas, settling first at Bastrop, and later on moved to Travis county, and about 1841 took up his abode on a farm in the fork of Gillian's creek and the Colorado river, about thirteen miles east of Austin. There he carried on general agricultural and mercantile pursuits, surveying and contracting, and early took an active interest in the development of the county. He was the contractor who built the lunatic asylum, at Austin, Texas, but through some complications which arose during its con- struction the time he needed for the work so exceeded that which had been specified for its completion that the whole thing resulted in a loss rather than a gain to him. However, he became a large land-owner, having investments in various parts of the state and because of his extensive business relations, and the active and helpful part which he took in public affairs, he became well known to the people in the different sections of the commonwealth,' and was re- spected and honored, wherever known. For a period of three terms he served his constituents in the state legislature and took an active inter- est in constructive measures which have for their object improvement and benefit of the common- wealth along various lines. Eventually he left his farm on Gillian's creek and removed to Georgetown. He gave the land for the town site there and the new municipality was named in his honor. He was closely identified with its early material improvement and development, and erected there a flouring mill which he operated for several years. During the exciting and try- ing period that followed Texas' declaration of independence when she threw off the yoke of Mexican government, Mr. Glasscock laid aside

442

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

his surveying instruments for the weapons of war, and with others of his friends and associates marched to the assistance of the young republic in opposition to its oppressors and was in several battles, among which were the engagements, at Grass, Fight and Alamo. While living in Ken- tucky, before coming to Texas, he was a per- sonal friend of Abraham Lincoln, and on several occasions they made trips together on flat boats on the Sangamon and Illinois rivers. Mr. Glass- cock was a Mason of high standing, taking vari- ous degrees of the York and Scottish rites.

On the 25th of May, 1837, George W. Glass- cock was married to Miss Cynthia Catherine Knight, a native of Tennessee, born July 30, 1815. In their family were ten children, of whom seven, three sons and four daughters, reached adult age. Mr. Glasscock was a typical Texas pioneer, and lived through many vicissitudes in the history of the state, and personally experi- enced many of the hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier. Starting out for himself when a poor boy he acquired, through his well directed labors and business relations, a comfort- able fortune so that at the time of his death, which occurred on the 28th of February, 1868, his estate was estimated to be worth from sev- enty-five to one hundred thousand dollars.

Albert H. Glasscock, an esteemed citizen of Abilene, was born on his father's farm on Gil- lian's creek, February 15, 1847, and attended school at Austin for two terms, while for a short time he was a student in a private school con- ducted by T. J. Johnson, in Hays county, about seventeen miles from his home. After the death of his father, he and his eldest brother, G. W. Glasscock, now a prominent member of the state senate, went to Georgetown for the purpose of operating a mill which belonged to their father there. The plant was later destroyed by fire and the brother then returned to Austin, while Al- bert Glasscock gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits.

On the 16th of December, 1872, Mr. Glass- cock was married to Miss Rebecca Northington, who was born in Georgetown, this state, March 9, 1850. He took his bride to his farm, living on a little place about a mile and a half from Georgetown, where he lived until 1881. He then took up his abode in Taylor county, settling at Buffalo Gap, then the county seat, where he was engaged in the sheep business, at that time a profitable industry, conducted on the open ranch. In March, 1883, having disposed of his flocks, he removed to Abilene, since which time he has been engaged in stock-raising and farm-

ing. He owns a ranch about seven miles south- east of the city on Lytle creek, which originally constituted twenty-four hundred acres, but he has since sold a portion of this and now has eleven hundred and twenty acres, a part of which is under cultivation. He belongs to that class of successful agriculturists who have readily recognized the natural resources of the country, the fertility of the land and the excellent advan- tages here afforded and have so utilized these as to win prosperity.

As the years have gone by five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Glasscock, who are yet living, three sons and two daughters, namely: Elizabeth J., now the wife of A. R. Christopher, proprietor of the Abilene Drug Company; George W., John Albert, Mary A. and Earl Horton, all living in Abilene. Both Mr. and Mrs. Glasscock have been devoted members of the Baptist church for the past twenty-five years. The latter is a daughter of Marshall Washington Northington, who was a prominent citizen of Williamson county, Texas, for a quarter of a century. Fifteen years of that time he was assessor and collector of the county. A native of Georgia he came to Texas in 1838, during the time that it was an independent re- public, and he built the first log cabin in Danger- field, Titus county, in the eastern part of the state.

HON. A. G. WEBB. The activity of A. G. Webb extends into various fields of business, for he is now a stockholder and director in the Home National Bank of Baird, is conducting a general abstract, loan and real estate busi- ness and is also the owner of a good ranch in Callahan county, devoted to the raising of horses, mules and cattle. To every work he undertakes he brings strong purpose, unfalter- ing diligence and unabating energy and these have served as the strong and safe foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of his success.

His father, B. R. Webb, was a native of North Carolina and in early life removed to Alabama, whence he afterward went to Ponto- toc county, Mississippi, in 1846. There he was married to Miss Martha Givens and entered upon the teacher's profession, which he suc- cessfully followed. He was an earnest Chris- tian gentleman and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He held fraternal relations with the Masons and was a member of the grand lodge, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit and brotherly help-

443

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

fulness which form the basic features of the craft. Equally prominent in political circles, his ability for leadership and his devotion to the public welfare were well recognized in his election to both branches of the Mississippi state legislature and further honors were .ac- corded him in his election to the office of sec- retary of state, in which position he was serv- ing at the time of his death in January, 1860. His life was one of intense and well directed activity and his public service was an honor to the state which honored him. The surviv- ing family numbered his widow and three sons and also two daughters by a former marriage. One of the daughters, Mrs. W. Y. Webb, is now living at Gloster, Mississippi. The other daughter became the wife of Dr. S. C. Webb, of Liberty, Mississippi, and died several years ago, leaving several children, one of whom is Professor Charles F. Webb, a resident of Fort Worth, Texas, where he is engaged in teach- ing in the high school of that city. Of the three sons, S. E., B. R. and A. G. Webb, all are still living, the eldest being a resident of Baird, where he is engaged in the live stock and real estate business in connection with his brother, A. G. Webb. The second son, B. R. Webb, Jr., is an attorney at Fort Worth, Texas, and for ten years has been a reporter in the state courts of civil appeals. The mother, Mrs. Martha Webb, now nearly eighty years of age, resides with her youngest son in Baird, 'Texas.

A. G. Webb, well known in Baird and Calla- han county, was born August 9, 1855, near New Albany, Mississippi, and in 1869 he ac- companied his mother and elder brother, S. E. Webb, on their removal to Gibson county, Tennessee, where he spent several years in school and in farming. In 1878 he came to Texas, settling first in Anderson county, where he spent two years engaged in general farming and also in teaching in the country schools. In December, 1879, he returned to Tennessee and for a year lived with his mother and brother on a farm there but once more came to Texas in December, 1880. During the year 1881 he traveled over the greater part of Texas as a salesman for the Gilbert Book Company, publishers of law books at St. Louis, but his health failed early in 1882 and he gave up that work, settling in Baird, which was then a new town. Here he entered into part- nership with his brother, B. R. Webb, in the live stock and real estate business, his brother having located at Baird a few months earlier

in the practice of law. In the mean time his mother and eldest brother, S. E. Webb, had sold the farm in Tennessee and the mother and three brothers became residents of Baird. Among the early enterprises which they un- dertook in this locality was the conduct of a horse ranch, in which the brothers combined their forces. This proved to be a very wise course, especially during the great droughts and low prices of 1886 and 7, when the ac- counts were heaviest on the wrong side of the ledger and it became necessary to draw on the other resources and lines of business to tide them over this period of depression which extended throughout Texas.

In the meantime A. G. Webb was married, on the 30th of October, 1883, to Miss Mary Julia Wright of Trenton, Tennessee. Three children were born unto them, of whom two died in infancy, while the third and youngest, Preston Wright Webb, died May 10, 1904, at the age of seventeen years. He was a student in Carlyle's Military School at Arlington, Texas, when taken sick.

As the years have advanced Mr. Webb has overcome the difficulties and obstacles that barred his path to success and has prospered in his undertakings. He is now operating in real estate in Baird and Callahan county and is also conducting a general abstract and loan busi- ness. He likewise owns a valuable ranch de- voted to the raising of horses, mules and cattle and the annual sales of his stock bring him a gratifying income. He is likewise a director in the Home National Bank of Baird and in all of his dealings with his fellow men he has sus- tained an unimpeachable reputation and is re- spected for his great energy and determina- tion, qualities that have placed him in the front rank among the successful business men of his community. Mr. Webb is widely known in connection with his work in behalf of the temperance cause. He has labored earnestly for the temperance movement and prohibition work. Through his efforts the cause has been greatly benefited and strengthened and he has at the same time convinced the general public, whether friend or foe, of his earnest and con- scientious purpose in temperance work. He has made sacrifices in his financial contribu- tions in order to rid his home town and county of what he considers the worst and most de- grading as well as damaging evil that rests on the American people to-day-the saloon evil with all of its attendant vices and influences. He has the encouragement and support of

444

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

many of the better class of citizens of this com- munity. His influence and aid are always given in public measures relating to the gen- eral progress and improvement of the county and he bears an unassailable reputation for veracity and honorable purpose. He became a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, upon its organization in Baird in 1882 and has since been one of its official members.

JESSE ELI GILLILAND. There is prob- ably no older family living in Callahan county to-day and connected therewith through con- tinuous residence than the Gilliland family. John T. Gilliland, the father of Jesse Eli Gilliland, was the youngest child of Eli Gilliland, and the family came from southwestern Tennessee to Texas, having previously lived in the vicinity of Memphis. Eli Gilliland served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under General Jackson, and later rendered military service to his country in the Mexican war under General Taylor. It was about the year 1826 that Eli Gilliland came to Texas, at which time the state was under Mexi- can rule. He obtained a land grant from the Mexican government which he located in An- gelina county, consisting of a league and a labor of land amounting to four thousand seven hun- dred and eighty-two acres-which was the usual amount given to the heads of families as an in- ducement for them to settle here.

John T. Gilliland was four years of age when brought by his parents to this state. Following the attainment of his majority he lived in Nacog- doches and in Angelina until 1852, when he re- moved to Tarrant county, residing there con- tinuously until 1871. In that year he took up his abode in Brown county, whence he afterward went to Callahan county in 1874. The latter became his permanent place of abode, although his death occurred in Hood county, in 1878, when he was fifty-six years of age. He had been married in May, 1849, to Miss Rebecca Mon- teith, who was of Irish descent, and was born in Monroe county, Tennessee. He was a stock- raiser by occupation, and was principally en- gaged in that business throughout his active life. His wife died in Callahan county at the age of sixty-two years. They reared a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of the eleven children who were born unto them.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 89

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