A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 90

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 90

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Jesse Eli Gilliland, the subject of this review, was born in Angelina county, Texas, March IO, 1850, and as soon as old enough to ride a pony he began tending cattle for his father on the

plains, and in the years that have followed has given a large portion of his life to this employ- ment. In 1875 he obtained a ranch of his own in Callahan county and operated it as a cattle ranch until 1879, when he sold out.

On the 19th of September, 1885, Mr. Gilliland was united in marriage to Miss Miranda Loette. Tanner, a native of Erath county, Texas, and they now have five living children, Evia, Perry D., Samuel H., Rexie and William Eli. They also lost two children who died in infancy.

In 1889 Mr. Gilliland entered the office of the county assessor as deputy under T. J. Norrell, with whom he remained for thirteen years, and for the past four years he has occupied a similar position in the office of the sheriff and tax col- lector under T. A. Irvin. In this capacity Mr. Gilliland has become a familiar figure in the court house, and he is faithful and diligent in the discharge of his official duties, while in the community at large he is recognized as a valued and esteemed gentleman. Since 1880 he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is in hearty sympathy with the teachings of the craft which has its basic elements in mutual kind- liness and brotherly helpfulness. He has taken the various degrees of the lodge, chapter and council and he is also an Odd Fellow, having joined that organization in 1877.

JOSEPH ALEXANDER KEMP, president of the City National Bank at Wichita Falls, be- came connected with the commercial affairs of this growing town over twenty years ago, being thus an old citizen though not an old man; made a success of merchandising, and then embarked in wholesale grocery trade, with which he is still identified ; has been presi- dent of the City National since 1891, at the same time acting as a conservative and sub- stantial figure in financial circles in this part of the state; has taken the lead in agricultural development, and in the years to come his career will be especially noteworthy for what he has done in promoting irrigation facilities and at the same time opening up countless acres of fine soil for diversified husbandry. An energizing pioneer and one who blazes the way for new enterprise must always bear the weight of responsibility and doubts alone, and his reward only comes when success has smiled . on his efforts and proved his judgment and foresight to have been well directed. Thus, while Mr. Kemp is now looked upon as one of the benefactors of the entire region about Wichita Falls, only a few years ago his posi- tion was that of one who embarks upon an un-

JOSEPH A. KEMP

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HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

tried sea of possibilities and who must endure, if not ridicule, at least the doubting silence . of the wary ones who hold back from the sea of high and bold emprise. But no venture in this new country can be valued more highly than that of Mr. Kemp which has added immeasur- ably to the material wealth of this part of the country, and what in him men formerly es- teemed rashness will always henceforth be considered the acme of good judgment and in- dustrial foresight.

Mr. Kemp is a native son of the Lone Star state, and was born in the town of Clifton, Bosque county, in 1861, a son of W. T. and Em- ma (Stinnett) Kemp. His father, a native of Tennessee, came as an early settler to this state in 1856, locating at Clifton, where he was a prosperous merchant for many years, was also tax assessor of Bosque county, and died at Clifton, aged forty-eight years. His wife is still living, making her home at Wichita Falls. She was born in Missouri, but was reared in Texas, and was married at Clifton.

Mr. Kemp received a good education in the public schools, and grew up in the mercantile business with his father. When he was eigh- teen years old he went into business on his own account in Clifton, and prospered and laid the foundation for his future success. After reaching his majority, in 1883, he came to Wichita Falls, in which town then small in size but with boundless possibilities his ambi- tion and energy would have full scope. He en- gaged in the retail dry-goods and grocery busi- ness, his store being located on Ohio street about where Thatcher's hardware establish- ment now stands. In 1888 he sold out the re- tail business, after five years of excellent suc- cess, and in the following year bought out the wholesale grocery which had been established by C. C. White. He organized the J. A. Kemp Wholesale Grocery Company and became pres- ident of the firm. Under his control the busi- ness prospered exceedingly for a town of the size of Wichita Falls, and for several past years its business ran as high as a million dollars, while 1904 will see the trade reach the million and a half mark. In the latter part of 1903 Mr. Kemp sold his controlling interest in this es- tablishment, but he still is connected there- with as vice president.

Mr. Kemp became president of the City Na- tional Bank of Wichita Falls in 1891, and has held this position ever since. The bank was organized in 1890, and it has ever since been the conservator and supporter of the commer- cial and industrial prosperity of Wichita Falls

and the immense agricultural territory tribu- tary thereto.

The Lake Wichita Irrigation and Water Company as an industrial enterprise of great pith and moment had its inception and its suc- cessful working out through Mr. Kemp. The carrying out of this undertaking required "nerve," for everybody discouraged him, or tried to, and it was due to his indomitable will and confidence and perseverance that his labors in the end bore fruit. It was some three years ago that this project took definite shape in his mind. He personally explored Holliday creek for many miles and figured out the prospects for water in every detail. Then with the indubit- able facts and figures in support of his conten- tions, he enlisted the aid of outside capital, a large amount of which was contributed by his partner, M. Lasker, a well known capitalist of Galveston. The Lake Wichita Irrigation and Water Company was formed, a large dam was built across Holliday creek forming one of the largest artificial lakes in the country, three thousand acres in extent. The lake is situ- ated five miles south of Wichita Falls, and the land which it can reach by ditching is all ad- jacent and tributary to Wichita Falls. The company owns four thousand acres, which it is selling, with water rights, for seventy-five to one hundred dollars an acre ; altogether at least ten thousand acres can be brought under culti- vation through irrigation from this lake. Thus soon the effect of the enterprise has been felt on the commercial status of Wichita Falls, and for all years to come the city and surrounding country will receive wealth from the soil watered by Wichita Lake. Experienced agriculturists have begun the raising of all kinds of vegetables and fruits on this land, where canteloupes es- pecially thrive, and the city is thus becoming noted as a shipping center. Similar irrigation plants, following the successful outcome of this one, have been established, and will continue to enrich the city and territory hereabout.

Mr. Kemp is a large owner of business prop- erty in Wichita Falls and also of large farming tracts and is thoroughly identified with the busi- ness affairs of city and county. He has made a remarkable success from small beginnings, and takes front place among the foreful and enter- prising men of affairs in North Texas. Fratern- ally he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.

He was married at Clifton, in 1882, to Miss Flora Anderson, a native of this state. They have five children: Emma Sibyl, Mary Jewel, Flora Charlotte, Bertha May and Joseph Ander- son, all at home.

446

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

T. A. IRVIN, sheriff and tax collector of Cal- lahan county, making his home in the city of Baird, is a son of William R. Irvin, whose birth occurred in Coweta county, Georgia, on the 2d of January, 1853. He was sixteen years of age when he left his native state with his parents and came to Texas. His father was Russell Irvin, and his mother's ancestry can be traced back to the coming of the Mayflower to this country. The family name cannot be ascertained, but it is definitely known that they were of Dutch stock, while the Irvins are of Scotch lineage. William R. Irvin settled in Cass county, Texas, where he lived from 1868 until 1882, in which year he arrived in Callahan county, making his home in the southeastern part near Cross Plains, where he engaged in farming. In his family were nine children, three sons and six daughters, all of whom are yet living.

Thomas Alvah Irvin, the eldest member of the father's family, was reared upon the old home farm and was educated in the public schools. He devoted his attention to study in the winter months and in the summer seasons aided in the labors of the farm. His time was thus occupied until he was sixteen years of age, after which he became a student in College Hill Institute, at Springtown, Parker county, devoting two years to study there. He afterward began teach- ing school, which profession he followed for eight years, spending nearly the entire time in Callahan county. He was principal of the schools at Cross Plains for four years and at Cottonwood for two years and was regarded as a capable educator, having the ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. During the periods of vaca- tion he engaged in clerking in the grocery store of Norton & McGowen, at Baird, remaining with that firm for eight months. On putting aside the work of the school room he entered political life in the spring of 1900 as a candidate for the office of sheriff and tax collector, having six opponents for the nomination. However, at the primaries he received the highest vote and was duly elected in the following fall. So acceptably did he discharge his duties that in 1902 he was re-elected and once more, in 1904, so that he is now serving for the third term.

Mr. Irvin was married in 1894 to Miss Eva Aycock, a native of Coryell county, Texas, who died two years later, and in 1898 he wedded Miss Mamie C. Aycock, a sister of his former wife. Their family numbers one son and two daugh- ters, namely, William Buel, Irma Lee and Freda Lurlene.

Mr. Irvin is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and is also identified with the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World in Baird. He was reared in the Methodist faith, although he is not a member of any church, and his wife holds membership with the Seventh Day Adven- tist church. Although a young man he has oc- cupied a position of prominence and trust, and has been active in the public and business affairs of the county. At all times his fidelity to duty, genuine worth and unfaltering integrity have gained the esteem of his fellow men, and he en- joys the unqualified regard of those with whom business, social or political relations have brought him in contact.

JUDGE ISAAC NEWTON JACKSON. The Jackson family are originally from Kentucky, and the grandfather, whose name was John Jack- son, removed from that state to Missouri, where he died. One of his sons, Isaac Newton Jack- son, was born in Missouri, near St. Louis, and on leaving that state went to Arkansas, where he afterward made his home. He was married there to Miss Elizabeth J. Pride, whose people came to the middle west from Alabama. Her people, however, lived originally in Maryland, later in South Carolina and afterward in Ala- bama, whence they removed to Arkansas. Her father, William Pride, was a native of Mary- land. Isaac Newton Jackson died in Arkansas in 1861, but his wife still survives and makes her home in the southwestern part of the state. They had a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter is now deceased. After losing her first husband Mrs. Jackson married again, becoming the wife of A. J. Park, now deceased, by which marriage there were three children, a son and two daughters.

Judge Jackson, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Sevier county, Arkansas, until 1879. His birth had occurred in the town of Paraclifta, that county, on the 3d of January, 1858, and his early education was acquired in the public schools there, while subsequently he at- tended the Washington high school. In 1879 he came to Texas and secured employment at Belle Plaine, where he remained for a year and a half, after which he entered the office of the district and county clerk in the fall of 1880, serv- ing as deputy under John W. Newman for a period of two years. In 1882 he was elected dis- trict and county clerk of Callahan county, and acceptably and creditably filled the position for twelve consecutive years, retiring from office in 1904, as he had entered it-with the confidence

447

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

and good will of all concerned. In that year he turned his attention to the land business and the' raising of cattle, which interests claimed his at- tention for a number of years, but in 1902 he was again called from private life and was elected to the office of county judge, which posi- tion he filled so creditably that he was accorded re-election in 1904, and is therefore the present incumbent in the office.

On the 13th of September, 1888, Judge Jack -. son was married to Miss Elma Richardson, a native of Texas, born near Marshall, and a; daughter of David Richardson. In their family are four children, three sons and a daughter, namely: J. Rupert, Leland Forney, Clara Pearl and Isaac Newton.

Judge Jackson is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges in Baird. His has been a successful career as the result of an active life, well directed effort, keen sagacity and unfaltering enterprise. His possessions in land and cattle are principally in Callahan county, his realty possessions aggregating over twelve thousand acres in Callahan, Shackelford and Taylor counties, but principally in the former. Judge Jackson, according to the laws of Texas, is also ex-officio county superintendent of pub- lic instruction. His long experience as an offi- cial has given him an excellent knowledge of legal matters, and while not regularly a mem- ber of the legal profession he has presided over the affairs of the county court in an able manner. He has always been interested in the educational department of the county, to which he has given a large portion of his time. In a business way he has been prosperous and is regarded as one of the largest tax payers in Callahan county.

GEORGE B. SCOTT. Among the young men active in business affairs and public life in Callahan county is George B. Scott, who through his own efforts has risen to a place of prominence and influence, his labors being crowned with success, while his efforts in be- half of public improvement have been far- reaching and beneficial. A native of Alabama, he was born in Clay county on the 14th of April, 1876. His ancestors were originally from Virginia and afterward removed to Geor- gia, while later they became residents of Ala- bama. Freeman T. Scott, the father of our subject, was born in Georgia, and after arriv- ing at years of maturity wedded Miss Ella E. Pool, likewise a native of that state. They came to Texas in the fall of 1878, settling in

Bryan, Brazos county, where the father en- gaged in farming. He afterward took up his abode in Bexar county, and still later removed to Callahan county, where he arrived in Octo- ber, 1885. About four years ago he removed to San Angelo, where he is now engaged in merchandising, being one of the enterprising and valued business men of that place. In his family there are six children, three sons and three daughters.

George B. Scott, the eldest, spent the greater part of his youth upon a farm, being for five years in Brazos county and for three years in Bexar county, after which he lived upon a farm in Callahan county until 1892. Prior to that date he was a public school student and in the vear mentioned was graduated from the high school at Cottonwood, Callahan county. De- sirous of obtaining a still broader education he went to Howard Payne College, in Brownwood, where he spent two years, remaining there un- til the spring of 1894. In that year he entered upon his business career as an employe in a dry goods store owned by B. L. Boydston, at Baird, Texas, remaining in his employ for eighteen months. He afterward worked for T. E. Powell in the same line for two years, dur- ing which period he gained practical knowl- edge of business methods. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the grocery busi- ness on his own account and continued the trade for three years, after which he again en- tered the employ of Mr. Powell, with whom he remained for two years. In the spring of 1904 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of district and county clerk and was elected by a good majority so that he is now filling the office and in the discharge of his duties he is found prompt, faithful and effi- cient.

Mr. Scott was married on the 15th of Sep- tember, 1898, to Miss Adelia Cutbirth, a daughter of J. B. Cutbirth, one of the early residents of Callalian county. Two children have been born of this marriage, Maggie and Annamyrl. Mr. Scott is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and has been identified with the Masonic lodge for five years and the Woodmen camp for four years. He has well earned the success and the enviable reputation that he now enjoys, standing high in public regard and esteem for his honesty in office, his integrity in business affairs and his reliability in all relations of life.

448

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

HON. B. L. RUSSELL, mayor of Baird, ex- county judge of Callahan county and an active practitioner of law, represents one of the old families of the south. His paternal grand- parents were George and Leah J. Russell, of Alabama. Their son, Rev. G. D. Russell, was born in Franklin county, Alabama, April 29, 1824, and became a prominent minister of the Baptist church, devoting his life to the cause of Christianity, his services as pastor being sought in some of the eastern states as well as in Texas at a later day. He was married on the IIth of August, 1842, to Miss Emily M. Stovall, a daughter of A. L. Stovall, also a minister of the gospel, who officiated at the marriage.

The Rev. Mr. Russell was ordained to the ministry in his native county on the 17th of September, 1849, and from that time until 1853 his labors were confined to northern Alabama. In the latter year he removed to Lee county, Mississippi, where he engaged in preaching and also in teaching school for eighteen years. In the fall of 1870 on account of failing health he removed to Texas and settled near Lexing- ton, then in Burleson but now in Lee county. After a short residence in Milan county he re- moved, in the winter of 1875, to Williamson county near Circleville and in 1882 he became a resident of Lampasas, where his death oc- curred on the 16th of February, 1884. In his family were twelve children, seven sons and five daughters.

B. L. Russell, whose name introduces this review, was born October 25, 1864, at Verona, Lee county, Mississippi, and was the youngest son in his father's family. When about six years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Texas. His early life was practically spent on a farm and his early edu- cation was acquired under the direction of his father and in the public schools of his home lo- cality. When he had become qualified for teaching he secured a school in Eastland coun- ty and devoted his attention to that work for three terms, but he regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, desir- ing to become a member of the bar. Accord- ingly he entered the office of T. B. Wheeler, then of Cisco, who was afterward lieutenant- governor of Texas and also studied under Col- onel De Berry, with whom he remained for sev- eral months, giving close attention to his stud- ics through the summer of 1887. Being com- pelled through lack of sufficient means to earn his own living he. in the mean time, worked

in a cotton gin for John F. Patterson, being thus engaged at intervals through the fall and winter of 1888. In the autumn of the latter year, however, he received financial assistance from C. U. Connellee of Eastland, whereby he was enabled to enter the University of Texas at Austin. Subsequently he taught a private school at Cross Plains, Callahan county, for two months. It was his intention to return to the university, as an older brother had pre- viously offered to furnish him money for this purpose, but failing to receive a reply to his request, the letter from his brother repeating his offer of assistance being miscarried, Mr. Russell abandoned the project of completing the university course and accepted a position in the public schools of Cross Plains, where he taught for seven months. He was also in charge of another private school after the close of the public school term. About this time at the solicitation of his friends he accepted the nomination for prosecuting attorney of Calla- han county and was elected in the fall of 1890, serving for a term of two years. He then re- turned to Cross Plains, where he taught an- other school and in the meantime he was mar- ried and both he and his wife taught in the same school during the terms of 1892 and 1893. In the fall of the latter year he became a teacher in the public schools of Baird and in the spring of 1894. following the close of the school, he accepted a clerkship in the mercan- tile establishment of T. E. Powell, with whom he remained until the summer of 1896. He then again became a candidate for county at- torney, receiving the nomination at the pri- maries and was elected in the fall of that year. At the close of his term he was offered the nomination of county judge and was duly elected to that position in the fall of 1898. He served as judge of the county for four terms, having been re-elected in 1900 and in the fall of 1902 he was again a candidate for nomina- tion but was defeated. Since that time he has devoted his attention to the general practice of law and is accorded a liberal clientage, his law business being of a distinctively representative character, so that he is connected with the most important litigation tried in the courts of his district. In the spring of 1904 he was once more called to public office, being elected mayor of Baird, in which position he is now serving, giving a public spirited administra- tion that is characterized by the same fidelity and interest which he displays in his private business affairs.

J. H. MATTHEWS

449

HISTORY OF NORTH AND WEST TEXAS.

On the 12th of April, 1892, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Katie Surles, a daughter of John Surles, one of the early set- tlers of Callahan county. In their family are three children: Olbern, Wendell and Ben- jamin.

Judge Russell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Baird chapter No. 182, and also to Baird lodge No. 47, K. of P., in which he has filled all of the chairs. He is now district deputy grand master of the Masonic order for the state of Texas, and likewise district deputy for the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to that class of men known as self made, being compelled in his younger years through force of circumstance to carve out his own success, and he accomplished it in spite of disadvantages and unfavorable environment. He has, however, steadily worked his way upward, winning a posi- tion of prominence scarcely excelled by one of his age. In the performance of his public duties he has been guided by a sense of justice and right and extensive knowledge on legal matters, and he has therefore discharged his duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a gentleman of pleasing per- sonality, of tact and excellent business qualifica- tions and undoubtedly a broad field of useful- ness and success lies before him.

JOHN HILL MATTHEWS. A just tribute to those whose lives have been inseparably con- nected with substantial development of a com- munity and the noontime of whose careers has been reached in the complex service of man and his municipality prompts us to a personal refer- ence, the subject of which forms a centerpiece in the beautiful civil and commercial mosaic, set in Bowie's domestic escutcheon. It is our privilege, in this instance, to take up only one of these settings, for it marks plainly a character forming one of the main supports to the town in its march from hamlet to city and from an infant village to a strong and vigorous rural metropolis.

John H. Matthews, as events have shown, has been a positive force, a tower of strength and a shining light in Bowie's urban develop- ment and to its achievement as an important trade center he has given, unstintedly, of his energy, his money and his time. Becoming identified with it, as he did, when it was a vigor- ous infant, in 1882, he has been one of its con- stant attendants and wise fashioners until in its full majority it presents a healthy, growing corporation and bids defiance to all rivals.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of north and west Texas, Volume II, Part 90

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