USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 34
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
One gun, two horses and one wagon, one carriage or buggy, and all saddles, bridles, and harness necessary for the use of the family.
Twenty head of hogs and twenty head of sheep.
All current wages for personal services.
TEXAS AT THE WORLD'S FAIR OF 1893.
Were it not for an implied inhibition in the present State constitution, made in haste to cover more ground than was probably intended, Texas would have surprised the
world at the great Columbian Exposition at Chicago with exhibits of her vast resources and preseut stage of development. Possibly she would have surpassed every other State in the U'nion, if not every country in this wide world, as a favorable section for imuri- gration, which she could have easily done had it not been for that fatal clause in her constitution and the political collisions which it occasioned between the granger and anti- granger element of the people.
A tremendous effort was made by a few of the most zealons friends of Texas to have a respectable and worthy exhibit at Chicago, despite the obstacles just mentioned, but all proved abortive except the movement inan- gurated by the two private organizations denominated the Gentlemen's World's Fair Association of Texas and the Texas Women's World's Fair Exhibit Association, all the work being devolved upon the latter, headed by the brave and executive Mrs. Beuedette B. Tobin, of Anstiu, who was elected presi- dent of the board of managers and took charge of the Texas State building at the fair. The career of the enterprise is a long story, bnt remarkable from the fact that it was successfully carried through by Southeru ladies. This was probably the greatest undertaking by women of the South in the history of the whole country. They suc- ceeded iu obtaining subscriptions from various parties in the cities and towns throughout the State, until they raised sufficient funds to place upon the fair grounds at Chicago the best arranged State building there, at a final cost of about $28,000; and it was really a magnificent structure, even in comparison with all the other State buildings, which were erected under appropriations from the respective general State treasuries. The architect was J. Riely Gordon, of San
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Antonio. Considering that the ladies did not commence work until the Angust pre- ceding the opening of the fair, the grand success of the enterprise seems still more remarkable.
A splendid oil painting representing a life- sized equestrian statue of General Ilonston, in the act of giving orders in action in the battle- field at San Jacinto, adorned the wall in the rear of the rostrum of the building.
The officers of the association were: Mrs. Benedette B. Tobin, President; Mrs. J. C. Terrell, Mrs. W. F. Ladd and Mrs. E. A. Fry, Vice Presidents; Miss Mary J. Palm, Secretary; S. J. T. Johnson, Superintendent of the State building; Board of Directors:
Mes. B. B. Tobin, J. W. Swayne, J. L. Henry, J. M. Boroughs, E. M. House, A. V. Doak, A. D. HIearne, C. F. Drake and Val. C. Giles; Vice Presidents at Large: Mes. John W. Stayton, R. R. Gaines, John I .. Henry, George W. Tyler, George Clark, Ella Scott, Ella Stewart, E. M. Honse, W. W. Leake, C. F. Drake. J. B. Scruggs, Wm. 11. Rice, Mollie M. Davis and Miss Hallie Halbert.
Besides the above building, a few enter- prising business men and women contributed a small exhibit, notably Mrs. Mary B. Nickels, of Laredo, who had in the Ilortienl- tural building probably the grandest cactus exhibit ever made in this country.
£
DH NeJadin
Jarusha Mpo Fadin
MILAM, WILLIAMSON, BASTROP TRAVIS, LEE AND BURLESON COUNTIES,
D AVID H. McFADIN .- In portraying the lives of the pioneers of Texas, the heroes of San Jacinto and the first set- tlers of what is now Williamson county, none are more worthy of mention than the sub- ject of this sketeh, whose energy and perse- veranee have contributed to the placing of his community among the best in the State, which holds front rank among the sisterhood of the nation.
Mr. MeFadin was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, May 22, 1816, and is the only child of William and Sarah (Jett) Me- Fadin, both of whom were natives of the same State as himself, where they were reared and where they resided for many years. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, also David Meladin, was a native of Ireland and came to America in an early day. The father of Mr. MeFadin of this notice was a farmer, who joined the tide of western emigration in 1828, moving with his family slowly and laboriously overland from the home in Tennessee to the new and wild eon- try which was then a part of Mexico, but is now the great State of Texas. There were
but few civilized settlements in this part of the country at that time, and one of these was situated in what is now Liberty county, in which the MeFadin family east their lot and there set about making their frontier home.
The subject of this sketch, who was then twelve years of age, was for three years engaged in assisting his father to open up a new farm. The very hardships of those early days, however, served to quickly mature pre- cocious intellects and teach self-reliance and independence. Thus it was that at the early age of fifteen, young David became desirous of beginning life on his own account. Ac- eordingly left the parental roof to accept em- ployment in the stock business, which he followed without interruption until the spring of 1836. By this time the oppression and tyranny of the Mexican Government became so strongly felt that the settlers resolved to endure it no longer and war was declared.
Mr. MeFadin joined the army, which was composed of as brave a class of men as any to be found on the globe, men who knew and were willing to emulate the example of those
16
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
heroes who fell at San Antonio and Goliad. This little army was reorganized under the able leadership of General Sam Houston, who re- solved to make a last resistance to Mexico. Accordingly the battle of San Jacinto was fonght, on the 21st of April, 1836, when a gallant little army of 783 brave men, poorly equipped, seantily clothed and half starved, marched pp and in less than half an hour (eighteen minutes, says General Honston's report) disintegrated an army of 1,500 men, splendidly accontered, comfortably clothed, well fed, and under the able generalship of Santa Anna. This is little short of marvel- ons, but each man was a Herenles of deter- mination, and their war ery was, " Remember the Alamo!" Ten thousand men could not have dannted their conrage, for they were fighting for their lives and those of their loved ones, besides avenging those who had been innr- dered by the Mexicans. This little army was composed of sneh hardy, determined men as Mr. McFadin, and they followed their great leader, General Houston, with no thonght but that of victory, and it is snch men who gained for Texas her independence and placed her among the greatest States of the Union. The posterity of these men will look baek over the history of Texas with pride in cog- nizanee of the fact that their forefathers fonght so bravely to lay the foundation of privileges which the younger generations now enjoy. Too much cannot be said in whose names will live in the memory of their descendants and also in that of the newer comers, who enjoy the fruits of those brave men's conrage and heroism.
honor of these veterans of San Jacinto, attended his efforts and prosperity smiled on his endeavors.
1836. he was married to Miss Jerasha Dyches, a native of Lonisiana and a dangh- ter of Joseph Dyches, a well known pioneer. She came to Texas in 1832. She possessed great force of character with superior ability, and was well fitted to become the companion of a man who had his own fortime to make in a frontier country. She contributed her full qnota to that snecess which he achieved, making for him a comfortable and happy home, consoling him under misfortune and encouraging him to renewed endeavor.
After the. war, Mr. MeFadin engaged in the stoek business on his own acconnt, follow- ing the same snecessfully for a number of years. In 1842, he was elected Sheriff of Jefferson connty, and discharged the duties inenmbent npon him with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He also served at various times in many minor offices of responsibility and trust. He subsequently traded with his consin for a headright of land in what is now Williamson county, but which was then on the frontier of civilization. In December, 1846, he re- moved with his family to this land and began the task of making a permanent home in the midst of a vast solitnde and interminable plain, there being at that time but four white men within the borders of what is now Williamson county. He cultivated his land and engaged extensively in the stock business and was the owner of a few slaves. Success
Mr. MeFadin was cosmopolitan in his views, far seeing and of great probity of character. He was a true and tried patriot, and as his birthplace was in a nuion of States, he was opposed to disintegration.
After serving six months in the Texas army and helping to gain the victory at San Jacinto, Mr MeFadin returned to his home Like his old commander. General Houston, in Liberty county. where, in November, and many other noble men, he opposed se-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
cession with all his force, and when the State finally seceded he took no part in the en- sning struggle. He has been highly snecess- ful in his undertakings and has accumulated a large and valuable amount of property and means, which he uses to the best advantage, in surrounding himself and family with all the comforts and many Inxuries of life, as well as contributing liberally to all worthy enterprises tending to advance the welfare of the community in which he lives.
Mr. and Mrs. MeFadin had eight children, three of whom attained maturity and two reared families of their own. John N., de- ceased, who was an able man of affairs in this vicinity; William D., born in 1840, en- tered the army during the Civil war in 1862, and has not been heard from since; Irvin A., who was also a prominent citizen of this com- munity; Sidney, who died aged two years; George, who died at the same age; Sarah died in infancy, as did the two youngest. July 7, 1880, Mr. McFadin was called upon to monrn the death of his faithful wife, who had been his loving companion for forty-four years, enduring with him the privations and hardships of frontier life and participating with him in the prosperity which followed their united and intelligent efforts. She lived to see her two sons happily married and surrounded by families of their own, and in the enjoyment of prosperity and the re- spect of the community. She was an active member of the Christian Church and promi- nent in all good works, and her death was a signal for nniversal sorrow. In 1881 Mr. MeFadin was married to Mrs. Armstrong, widow of the late Colonel James Armstrong, an attorney of more than ordinary promi- nence. She was born in Kentneky, but was reared in Missouri. Her life was spared for eleven years after marriage, her death occur-
ring Jnne 9. 1892, many friends remaining to mourn her loss. Previously, in 1887, Mr. MeFadin was bereft by death of his son Irvin, and November 4, 1891, his only sur- viving son, John, joined the other members of the family in the spirit world. Thus Mr. MeFadin has lived to see his whole family pass away from this transitory sphere, and he now resides on his old homestead, surrounded by his grandchildren, who relieve him, as far as they are able, of all the cares and respons- ibilities of the management of his large estate. He is a prominent and useful mem- ber of the Christian Church, to the success of which he has largely contributed.
He is a man of more than ordinary ability, and while in his youth, owing to the newness of the country and the disturbed condition of frontier life and consequent lack of school facilities, he was deprived of educational ad- vantages such as are now gained in classical institutions. IIe, however, attained, by ob- servation and reflection and by contact with the world, that practical information essential to snecess. He is a deep thinker, honest in his convictions, firm in their execution and consistent in action.
In polities he is independent and has never sought office, but in consequence of his known integrity, exact knowledge of affairs and energy in execution of his duties, he has been called upon to contribute his share toward the general advancement of the com- munity. He served with his usnal ability as Commissioner of his connty for twelve years. He is a member of the Grange and the Farm- ers' Alliance, to both of which he has devoted his best endeavors. He is an extensive reader, is well informed upon all the leading topics of the day, and able to disenss them intelligently and effectively. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living settler
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
of Williamson connty, where he is well and favorably known. No one is more deserving of miversal veneration than this veteran and hero of San Jacinto.
W II. THAXTON, a highly respected citizen of Bluff Springs, Travis connty, was born in San Saba conn- ty, Texas, Angust 8, 1862. His father, William Thaxton, was one of the pioneers of of the sonthiwestern frontier, coming to Texas in 1848. Hle stopped first in Barnet county, and eight years later went to San Saba connty, where he spent most of his life thereafter. He was a man of superior edu- cation and was trained to the profession of civil engineering. During the war he was conscript officer of the Confederate Govern- ment; he had raised a company and it was his intention to go into active service, but his health failed, so he remained at home performing the duty mentioned.
After the close of the war he engaged in driving cattle from Texas to Kansas, and continued in this business three years. He next turned his attention to agriculture and superintended the cultivation of land until his appointment as Deputy under Sheriff Zimmerman of Travis connty. He was practically Tax Assessor during the time T. W. Noland was the inenmbent of that office, a period of one term. Ile then retired from publie business and made his home with his son during the remainder of his life. The place of his birth was Warren county. Ten- D A. TODD, a citizen of St. Elmo, has been identified with the history of Travis county since the first day of nessee, and the year 1827. He was married to Barsha Campbell, daughter of Henry Campbell, of Fayette connty, Missouri, to June, 1857. He then located on his present which State his family had removed when he ; farm and engaged in tilling the soil until the was a mere lad. The children born of this ; breaking out of the Civil war, when he en-
union were five in mimbor: Susan, deceased, was the wife of G. W. Campbell; she left a family of seven children; Sallie W. died unmarried: Mary, deceased, was the wife of T. W. Garvin and the mother of three chil- dren; Ola, deceased, was the wife of Joe Martin and the mother of three children; W. H. is the subject of this biographical sketch. The mother of this family died in 1866.
W. H. Thaxton seenred only a fair En- glish education, leaving school at the age of sixteen years. Ile then began in an inde- pendent line to work out his own destiny. Industrions and economical in his habits, he saved his small earnings nutil he had acen- innlated a sufficiently large sum to make an investment in land; this he did with more than ordinary discernment, and he now owns a tract of 600 acres ten miles south of Ans- tin. He has 400 acres nnder enltivation, the whole being nnder his personal supervision.
Mr. Thaxton was married February 14, 1883, to Nannie Smith, a daughter of the Hon. Felix E. Smith, whose history is given in full in this volume. The children of this nnion are four in number: Willie S., born Jannary 25, 1886, died Jannary 3, 1891; Mary Barsha was born April 4, 1888; and Clara and Clande, twins, were born February 15, 1891; Claude died March 5, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Thaxton are intelligent members of the Baptist Church.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
listed in Captain Carter's company, which was assigned to the Fourth Texas Infantry, under command of Colonel Hood, who after- ward gained the title of General. Mr. Todd's first engagement was at Eltham's Landing on York river; then followed in rapid succession the Seven-Days' fight, second Manassas, . Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg. Gettysburg, and all the other battles which led up to the cap- ture of Richmond, and was surrendered with Lee's army at Appomattox. He did not re- ceive a single wound. Returning to Nash- ville he remained in his Tennessee home for a period of eight months, during which time he suffered from a long illness. In the fall of 1865 he came to Texas, and purchased a tract of forty acres near Austin, which he cultivated for two years. He disposed of this property and embarked in the dairy business, locating on the Dock Sneed place, 200 acres of which he had inherited; to this tract he added by purchase 427 acres; he has 125 acres under cultivation, and has conducted a large and prosperous dairy business since 1872.
Politically he loyally supports the issnes of the Democratic party. His wise counsel and sound judgment recommending him to the people of his precinct, he was chosen by them to fill the office of County Commis- sioner in 1876; he has served many times as Magistrate, deciding all questions with im- partiality.
Colonel David Todd, father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1797, and there passed his youth; when nearly grown to ma- turity he removed to Tennessee, where he engaged in farming; he was married in War- ren county, Tennessee, to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Leech, a planter from North Carolina, whose wife was Miss Stewart. Colonel and Mrs. Todd were the parents of seven children : Mary, wife of R. M. Johnson;
Lonisa: J. Albert; Lottie J., wife of M. L. Young; Alcena, wife of HL. M. Hay; Mar- garet, deceased, and D. A., the subject of this biography. The mother of this family died in 1836, and the husband married a second time, being united to Mrs. Mayfield; they had two children, Van Buren, and Har- riet, deceased. Colonel Todd removed to Mississippi in 1837, and located at Holly Springs. After the death of the Colonel in 1843, our subject was thrown upon his own responsibility; he passed two years in De Soto county, Mississippi, and then went to New Orleans by water, taking a boat there for Galveston and Port Lavaca; by stage he journeyed to Austin, where he arrived June 1, 1857.
He was united in marriage to Tennessee A. Jones, a daughter of J. M. Jones, whose his - tory is found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Todd was born in 1852. Of this union ten children have been born: Sallie Ann, Jeff D., William H., John H., Alfred C., Walter N., W. S., Ruth, Robert Grover, and Grace.
MR-2
W C. BEARD, a farmer and pioneer settler of Williamson county, was born in Cumberland county, North Carolina, July 10, 1814, a son of Neil and Elizabeth (Carver) Beard, natives also of that State, the former of Scotch and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. The maternal grand- father was a Revolutionary soldier, Neil Beard was a millwright and farmer, and served as Major of a militia company. He was the father of eight children, of whom onr subject was the fifth child, and the only one to come to Texas. All are now deceased but him and one daughter, Elizabeth, widow of a Mr. Ellis, and a resident of Mississippi.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
W. C. Beard was reared to farm life, and at the age of sixteen years found employment as a clerk in Fayetteville. Three years later he moved with his father to Mississippi, where the Indians were still numerous, fol- lowed freighting from Memphis a number of years, and later conducted a grocery store in Grenada, that State. In 1837 he located in Jefferson county, Texas, where he followed farming, also boating on the Natchez river, and the following year obtained a certificate for a grant of land, which he located in Williamson county. Mr. Beard moved to this farm in 1850, where he owns 640 acres, all now nder fence, and 400 acres enltivated. In 1839 he joined a ranging company of 370 men, commanded by Colonel Neil, and they succeeded in driving the Indians from this part of the country. When our subject first located in this connty he drove liis ox team to Houston for supplies, and at that time had only about six neighbors.
In 1837 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. May, who was born in North Carolina, May 26, 1823, a daughter of Robert B. May, a native also of that State. The latter's father, J. May, was of Scotch descent, held a high commission in the Revolutionary war, and drew a pension for services ren- dered in that struggle. Robert May was a prominent farmer, served as Justice of the Peace, and at one time was captain of a steamboat. He moved to Mississippi when the Indians were still there, spending the re- mainder of his days in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have had fifteen children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity, viz .: Robert, deceased at the age of twenty-five years; William, who died at the age of twenty years; Rilla, wife of Benjamin Starks, a farmer of Williamson county; Tabitha, widow of Tom Barnes; Elizabeth, deceased, was the
wife of A. Morris; Eugene, who died Janu- ary 15, 1892, leaving a family; Josephine, deceased at the age of sixteen years; John, whose residence is unknown; Emma, wife of C. M. Jones, a railroad agent at Granger; and Jerufns, deceased. Two sons served in the late war, and one was captured and held prisoner two years at Ship island. Mr. Beard takes an active interest in the Democratic party, but never aspires to public office. Re- ligiously, his wife is a member of the Chris- tian chinreh. Our subject is well and favor- ably known in his community, has lived to a ripe old age, bnt can still ride horseback over his plantation, looking after the details of his farm. Hc and his wife live happily at the old homestead, in the full enjoyment of a well-spent life.
S AMUEL A. SCOTT, a prominent pioneer of Texas was born in Alabama, December 4, 1824, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bruce) Scott, who were born and married in North Carolina. The father was a son of James Scott, a native of Vir- ginia, who served as a private through the Revolutionary war. Joseph Scott was a soldier in Jackson's army during the war of 1812, and was a planter by occupation. His death occurred in this State in 1832, his wife surviving nntil 1842, and both are buried in Washington county. Her brothers became prominent men, and one was a celebrated physician of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Scott were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Phillip, who reared a large family in Burle- son county, Texas, and died in 1888; Robert W., deceased in that county in 1880, also raised a large family of children; Blackman,
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
deceased in 1880; Jolm W., who died of , the Metho list Church. Mr. Scott has made yellow fever in Corpus Christi county, Texas, in 1869: Samuel, our subject; and Andrew A., of Bee county.
Sammel A. Scott landed with his father at the mouth of the Brazos river, in Texas, in March, 1831. He lived the first year in Fort Bend county, spent six years in Wash- ington county, and in 1837 removed to Burle- son county, where he grew to manhood and attended a boarding school five years. After reaching a suitable age he embarked in the stock business, which he contiuned uutil 1869, and during that time made many trips with his stock to Kansas. In 1857 Mr. Scott came to Williamson county, and the following year bought his present farm of 320 acres, 100 acres cultivated, a part of which he rents. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In 1861 he entered the State service for one year, assisted in guarding Galveston island, and nine months later engaged in the Confederate serv- ice. Mr. Scott was appointed Second Lien- tenant in the State command, and after the reorganization served as Lieutenant until the close of the struggle. The regimeut dis- banded at Galveston.
In 1851 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Posey, who was born in South Carolina in 1831, a daughter of James C. and Rhoda (Evans) Posey, natives also of that State. The father was a prominent farmer and slave owner. Mr. and Mrs. Scott had two children: Izora, wife of W. M. Key, Supreme Judge of Austin; and Samuel W., a lawyer of Haskell county, Texas. The wife and mother died in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have four grandehildren. Our subject votes with the Democratic party, was in favor of secession, but never aspires to public office. The family are members of
his home on the same farm in this county for thirty-five years, and when he first located here it was only sparsely settled. Ile was educated for the practice of medicine, but preferred agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He holds an enviable position in the hearts of his acquaintances, and is es- pecially esteemed among his old comrades in arms, as when camp life tried men's hearts and patience he was never known to speak a harsh or unkind word.
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