USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 36
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).
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
261
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
A UGUST SWENSON, one of the popu- lar, progressive and thrifty farmers of Williamson county, was born near Jaukoping, Sweden, Jne 30, 1835. According to the Swedish custom he does not bear the name of his father, Swan Nelson, who was born April 1, 1797. Mr. Nelson was a farmer by occupation, and also carried Mr. Swenson was married in 1858, to Jo- hanna Peterson, and four children were born to them: Matilda is the widow of Mr. Peter- son and resides in Austin: Carl, Annie and Esther are at home. They have been given exceptional educational advantages, which have been well improved. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. on a milling business. Ile married Annika, a daughter of Nels Peterson, and there were born to them six children: N. J., a son, took the surname Westberg; he is a resident of Williamson county; Magdalena is the wife of P. M. Peterson; Angust is the subject of this biographical notice; P. M. is a resident of Sweden; Annisteno is the wife of John Peter- son, and still lives in Sweden. August Swenson seenred a thorough education, the lawful heritage of every native of his conn- try. For a number of years he followed farming, and finally turned his attention to cabinet-making, being desirous of mastering a trade. He became very proficient in the use of tools, but money came slowly to hint, and he was anxions to make more than a mere living. Ile coneluded to seek a home in the New World, where he might secure many advantages to himself and family, and with this in view embarked at Guttenberg. sailing by way of Hull and Liverpool for New York; thence he came by water to Gal- veston, and on to Anstin by the usual route, arriving at his destination in 1868. His first year in America was spent in farming, and the two years following in carpentry: he was foreman of a Inmber-yard in Anstin, and afterward held the same position in a cabinet- shop and planing-mill. He was not disap- pointed in his hopes of laying up a little money, and in 1882 he had accumulated a At the beginning of hostilities between the North and South he declared himself sufficiently large sim to invest in mim- proved farming land. This proved a most 'ready to do and dare for the fair Southland.
profitable venture, and he has since developed one of the most desirable farms within the borders of Williamson county. He owns 400 aeres, 250 aeres being in an advanced state of cultivation. IIe has also erected a com- fortable residence, and all his buildings are of a most substantial character.
H ON. FELIX E. SMITH, deceased, whose record is an honor to his country and a just source of pride to his descendants, was born in Lincoln connty, Tennessee, August 10, 1831. He seenred an inferior education in the common schools of his day, but by close application to his studies fitted himself for teaching. This profession was not followed through life, however, but was abandoned for agricul- tore, which he regarded superior to all other callings, in that excellent health was easily secured, as independent living was certain, and leisure time for intellectual pursuits could be enjoyed. Ilis residence in Texas began in 1851, when he located with his father near Bluff Springs. seven miles south of Austin; there he lived, prospered, reared a family, and died, the date of his passing in- to the great unknown being February 5, . 1891.
£
262
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Ile was commissioned First Lientenant of Captain Carrington's company, and served in the trans-Mississippi Department; he was later transferred to the Rio Grande country, and his company drew the last rations issued by the Confederate government. Before the war he was elected County Commissioner, and frequently held the office of Justice of the Peace, conducting the affairs of this office with entire satisfaction to the public. His name was presented as a candidate for the Fourteenth General Assembly of the State of Texas, to which he was elected. Recognizing his superior ability and unusual fitness for the management of public business, he was returned to the Sixteenth, Eighteenth, Nine- teenth and Twenty-first Assemblies. He in- trodneed the bill that gave Texas her mag- nificent capitol; he was largely instrumental in passing the bill creating an endowment fund for the State University, and was es- pecially the representative of the agricultural interests of the State; he labored zealously for the passage of the laws looking to the amelioration of the condition of farmers. Possessing a wide and deep sympathy for the sufferings of limanity he was every ready to lend assistance to the needy and distressed, and his charities extended to all classes. He was one of the most extensive farmers of the county, and owned besides his homestead of 700 acres lands in Travis and Hays counties, aggregating 2,000 acres. He was a promi- nent Mason, belonging to the order of Knight Templars.
He returnel to Tennessee in 1856, and there the 23d day of October was united in marriage to Mary S. Mann, a daughter of Matthew Robinson Mann. Mr. Mann was a native of Virginia, and was left an orphan in childhood, his mother dying when he was three weeks old, and his father passing away a
few years later. He married Elizabeth Turner, a danghter of Captain John Turner, of the war of 1812. and of this mion ten children were born: Newton, Martha E., deceased, was the wife of Benjamin Frame; Samira Ann, deceased. was the wife of Charles Woods; Judith Eveline, deceased, married John W. Syler; John Turner, deceased; Sarah, died in carly life; Mary S., born April 18, 1838, is the wife of the subject of this sketch; Mat- thew R. died in military prison at Fort Don- elson; Susan, deceased, was the wife of a Mr. Syler; Ruth, the youngest, married Joe Syler.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had born to them a family of twelve children: Elizabeth Alma, born Angust 20, 1857, is the wife of Robert F. Roundtree (deceased), and the mother of six children; William Stark, born October 7, 1859, resides in Los Angeles, California; he married Novella, a daughter of Dr. Stovall; Nancy, born April 15, 1862, is the wife of William H. Thaxton (see sketch); Matthew Mann Smith is a graduate of the State Uni- versity and of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and practices in Austin; James N., a graduate of the State University, is practicing law in Austin; John Turner, born March 2, 1870, was educated as a civil engi- neer; Wade Morris, born August 6, 1872, is a student at the State University; Mary Leonora, born December 31, 1874. is also a student at the State University; Felix Ezelle was born October 31, 1876; Lewis and Law- rence, twins, were born November 24, 1878; Lawrence died at birth, and Lewis at the age of two years; Georgie Ruth was born March 11, 1884.
The Rev. William S. Smith, father of the Ilon. Felix F. Smith, was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, in 1797, the youngest son of William and Mary Smith, natives of
1
А. У. Дсав. И.Г.
263
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Virginia. In 1817 the parents removed to Lincoln county, Tennessee, where the father died in 1830, and the mother in 1824. Dur- ing the Revolutionary struggle every member of this family stood in defense of the young country against her cruel mother. The Rev. Mr. Smith emigrated to Texas in 1851. He was twice married: first, to the beautiful Miss Mildred Roundtree, who died with her infant child within two years after her marriage; the second union was with a sister of the first wife, Miss Naney Roundtree, a most accom- plished and amiable woman; they lived in peace and happiness for fifty years, and reared a family of eight children: Lientenant John M. Smith died in the Confederate ser- vice in Arkansas; two other sons are planters in Travis county, and the fourth son is he whose name stands at the beginning of this biographical sketch; the four daughters are all married to men of high standing in their communities. The father was a well-known and greatly respected man, a most efficient clergyman of the Baptist Church; his wife, an exemplary woman, was well fitted to be the companion of so worthy a man, and both lives were dedicated to the service of God, in that they were devoted to aiding their fellow- men.
A V. DOAK, a prominent physician of Taylor, was born in Tallahatchie conn- ty, Mississippi, Angust 2, 1838, a son of John M. and Mary A. (Rowe) Doak, the father of Scotch-Irish deseent, and the mothier a Virginian by birth, of English family. The father was born in Tennessee, and the name is still prominently and favor- ably known in that State. ITe came to Washington county, Texas, with his family
in 1846, and in 1859 located permanently on what was then known as String Prairie, Burleson county, now Lee county. Mr. Doak and James Shaw were the most prominent pioneers of that section. The former was a surveyor for the Anstin colony, of which he was one of the leading spirits; platted and staked off the town of Lexington in 1850, out of the James Shaw headright, and pur- chased 640 acres of that traet adjoining the town, paying $1 per acre. At that time, in 1849, there were not half a dozen families on String Prairie. Mr. Doak continned to live there until his death, in 1866.
A. V. Doak, the subject of this sketch, attended school in Lexington, Texas, until 1857, and from that time until 1860 pursued his studies at Lexington, Mississippi. He then entered the medical department of the University of Virginia. At the opening of the late war Mr. Doak entered the Confeder- ate army, in the medical department, served as hospital physician and surgeon at Char- lotteville and Danville, Virginia, was then appointed Surgeon of the Twenty-fourth Vir- ginia Cavalry, and during the last year of the war was Senior Surgeon of Gary's cavalry brigade. He was surrendered by General Lee at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. Mr. Doak was then engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at his boy- hood home, Lexington, Lee county. Texas, until 1879, when he went to Taylor, William- son county, then a small town. While in that place he served ten years as local surgeon of the International & Great Northern and the Missonri, Kansas & Texas Railroads, his experience of four years as an army surgeon having well fitted him for that position.
Dr. Doak graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York, in 1873. attended a special course at the New York
17
261
HISTORY OF TEX.A.S.
Polyelinie in 1883, and again in 1889. Since | that time he has had a lucrative practice in Taylor although his time and attention is much drawn upon in other matters of busi- ness. He is Mayor of the city of Taylor. president of the Taylor Street Railway Com- pany, and a member of the firm of Doak- Gano Land Agency. Dr. Doak is identified with almost every enterprise of a public nature in Taylor. It was through his energy and push that Taylor has a free-school build- ing, which cost $45,000, was for a number of years president of the Board of School Trustees, and is regarded as the champion of public free-schools and education under the graded-school system. He now lives to enjoy the pleasure of seeing over 1,100 children attending a uine-months free school in the year. The Doctor is also interested in the West Side, a beantifnl addition to Tay. lor, through which the Tayor Street Railroad runs, and it embraces the most choice resi- dence property in the. city. In company with J. E. Tucker, Dr. Doak is interested in the Commercial Hotel, a magnificent three- story brick building, 90 x 100 feet, and is recognized by the traveling public as one of the most commodious and comfortable hotels in the State.
December 6, 1866, the Doctor was united in marriage, in Charles City county, Vir- ginia, with Miss Martha Tabb Ferguson, a daughter of Anstin H. Ferguson, who was for forty years professor and superintendent of Northwood Academy, of Charles City county, a noted educational institution of that State. Mrs. Doak is a favorite in the social circles of Taylor, and at all times is a ready and willing worker in any enterprise of a religions or moral nature. She is now a member of the Executive Board of Lady Managers for the Columbian Exposition of
the State of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Doak have had seven children : Annie, Ferguson, Elizabeth, Vernon. Edward, Wyeth and Sloan. Dr. Doak and family are members of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor is also a member of the A. F. & A. M .; the R. A. M., Solomon Lodge. No. 484; the K. of P., Alamo Lodge. No. 53; the L. of II. and the K. of II. Ile enjoys the confidence and esteem of his community, and is an ornament to any country in which he may live.
I OIIN SCOTT, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Williamson county, was born in Rappahannock, Virginia, Feb- rnary 25. 1849, a son of Jolm and Tabitha (Lockhart) Scott, natives also of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The Scott family settled in Virginia in an early day. The father of our subject still resides in that State, aged eighty-three years, and his wife died in 1890. They were the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Tabitha, wifeof A. A. Pink- ard; William, who was a soldier in the Civil war; Frances, deceased; David, also a soldier in the late war, died in October, 1861; Ann, deceased; Armstead, who was a conscript officer during the war; Kate, deceased, was tlie wife of A. Holland; Rachel, wife of Will- iam K. Rndasill, of Virginia; Jolin, onr snb- ject; and Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of A. Compton.
John Scott, the only one of the above fam- ily to come to Texas, remained with his parents nutil twenty-two years of age, when, in April. 1572. he came to Williamson connty, this State. He first found employ- ment as a farm hand, and in 1873 bought a sinall tract of land, to which he has since
265
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
added until he now owns 580 aeres. His en. tire farm is fenced, 240 aeres under a good state of cultivation, with a good residence, ete. Since 1887 Mr. Scott has been engaged in the sleep and eattle business, starting with 150 head of sheep, and lias sinee sold, in mnt- ton and wool, to the amount of $2,300, and has a good herd left. Ile handles a fine grade of cattle. His home is located within five miles of both Bartlett and Granger.
In Virginia, in February, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Fanny B. Ru- dasill, who was born in that State December 16, 1854, a daughter of a Philip Rudasill, of German descent, and one of the earliest set- tlers of Virginia, where he spent his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have had three children, one now living, Edd, born March 22, 1884. Mr. Scott is independent in his political views, but at the last election voted with the People's party.
subjeet; William: Arelia, who married J. Knox; Constantine, of Alabama; and Charles. A. J., Constantine and Charles are the only ones now living.
A. J. Durant remained with his parents until thirty-three years of age, when he began farming for himself. In 1846 he removed to Mississippi, one year later went to Louisi- ana, and in 1853 came to Williamson county, Texas, having brought a number of slaves with him. He located on Donalmue creek, purchased and improved two smal! tracts of land, and after the close of the war bought his present farm of 1,600 acres. He has also given land to each of his children. Mr. Du- rant has 600 acres of his farm under a fine state of eultivation. In 1864 he entered the Confederate army, served principally on Gal- veston island, under Colonel Sam Easley and Captain Berry, and in the following spring received a furlough and returned home, with the understanding that he was to return to the war if needed. Since the close of the struggle he has been engaged in general farming and stoek-raising, in which he has been very successful.
A J. DURANT, a farmer and stock-raiser of Williamson county, was born in Ala- Mr. Durant was married in 1840, to Miss Sarah J. Me Neill, a daughter of Samnel and Margaret (Jones) McNeill, natives of Georgia, and of Irish descent. The parents afterward inoved to Mississippi, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Durant have had nine children, namely: Lehellar, who married Samnel Me- Langhlin, and both are now deceased; Saralı J., wife of Thomas Jones, a farmer of Bell county, Texas; Otho, engaged in the stock business at Abilene, Taylor connty; Arillia, deceased, was the wife of C. Williams; Shelby, a farmer of Williamson county; A. J., also a farmer of this county; Randolph, engaged in the stock business at Abilene; Mildred, wife bama, March 14, 1811, son of Lateli- ley and Mary (Hall) Durant, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of Florida. His mother survived the massaere of St. John's, Florida. The father was a Captain in the war of 1812, was a prominent slave-owner, and his death occurred at Pensa- cola, Florida, in 1853. The maternal grand- father of our subjeet was an early settler of Florida, and lived near St. John at the time of the massaere, but was engaged as a seout during that time. Mr. and Mrs. Latehley Durant were the parents of seven children, viz .: Sarah 1 .. wife of Samuel Adams; Mar- tin. who never came to this State; A. J., our of L. M. Minton, a stock-raiser of Indian Ter-
266
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ritory; and Nancy A., wife of R. Bartlett, a farmer of Williamson county. Mr. and Mrs. Durant have twenty-five grandchildren. Our subject takes an active part in public affairs, votes with the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
W D. MILLER, one of the most pro- gressive and intelligent farmers of Travis county, resides near St. Ehno. At the close of the late war he came ont of the Confederate service and joined his family, refugees from Missouri to one of the eastern counties of the Lone Star State. He resided in Newton connty, Missouri, before the war, and had been engaged in farming, lumbering and the handling of live-stock. Ilis father, Hezekiah Miller, was a farmer by ocenpation, though in early life he had worked at cabinet . making; he was born in Richmond, Virginia, in the year 1800, and was a son of John Miller, a native of England; the latter had emigrated to America and had assisted in fighting the battles of the war that ended in the complete independence of the United States. About the year 1820 Hezekiah Miller left the State of his birth and removed to Kentucky; there he was married, in Cumber- laud county. and it was here onr subjeet was born January 13, 1831. Ten years later Mr. Miller removed his family to Randolph county, Missouri, where his son, W. D., received his education and grew to manhood. Upon attaining his majority he went from home to work for wages; but this sort of ocenpation was not in harmony with his independent nature; so he undertook the management of a farm on his own respon- sibility: this proved a satisfactory venture.
In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Mitchell: he participated in the Pleasant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry en- gagements, and was in many skirmishes. At the close of hostilities he was paroled at Shreveport, Lonisiaua, and a few weeks later joined his family at Douglasville; shortly afterward he located on land in Travis conuty. IIe fonnd his financial resources much crippled, but this serious condition of affairs did not depress him. He engaged at onee in the raising of cotton and corn, and was soon getting ahead of the world. Five years later he and his wife were driving on the road sonth of Anstin, when Mrs. Miller remarked, "I wish we were able to bny that farm over there." The "wish was father to the deed," as she indicated the place they now own. They have since added to the original purchase, and now have 562 acres; 310 acres are under enltivation and yield abundant harvests.
Politically Mr. Miller is a Democrat of no uncertain type.
The paternal grandfather of Mr. Miller married a Miss Ellington, and they had a family of eleven dangliters and two sons, one of whom was Hezekiah Miller; he was twice married, the children of the first nion being: John D .; W. D .; J. C .; Elizabeth, deceased; Mary, deceased, wife of Quilla Wallace; and Kittie; the mother died in 184S; there was one child of the second marriage, Major Miller, of Missouri.
W. D. Miller was married December 26, 1854, at Millersburg, Calloway county, Mis- souri, to Nancy Northeutt, a dangliter of Eli and Ellen (Ellis) Northentt, who had ten children: J. K., deceased; W. H., deceased; T. D .; H. Clay: Mary; James McClintock ; Nancy; Elizabeth C .; George: and Willis,
265
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
rington's company and Colonel Ford's regi- ment. He participated in several skir- mishes on the Rio Grande river, and his en- gagements were almost entirely confined to the Texas department. When at last peace was declared, he was at home on a furlough. Hle has been one of the leading spirits in the development of the resources of this State, and is unmbered among the most progressive agriculturists of this section.
J W. MOORE .- Among the original pioneers who beeamne well known in this territory, was the father of our snb- ject, T. A. Moore. It is eoneluded from the best authority that he came to Texas about 1821. He was born in Tennessee, Jannary 10, 1808, a son of Nathaniel Moore, who was born March 13, 1780, and was nnited in marriage, July 2, 1801, with Rebecea Adams. She was born May 12, 1788, and became the mother of the following named children: Nancy, born October 16, 1802; Sarah, born November 1, 1804; Diana, born November 28, 1805; T. A., the father of T. W., whose name heads this notice; Eliza- beth, born April 12, 1810; and Nathaniel, born December 24, 1812.
fond the conditions the same with regard to the Indians; he was ever on the alert for the treacherous savages, and was ever ready to join expeditions against them, on which he had the most thrilling experiences. Ile aecmnulated a handsome estate, leaving at his death several thousands of acres in Will- iamson comity and property in Travis connty. Hle was exceedingly fond of fast horses, and kept a number of valuable animals. In 1849 he won a purse of $2,000, his son, Robert J., being the rider.
Returning to the family record: Diana married James Gilliland. deceased, and is now a resident of Anstin; Nancy married Zebulon Edinson; her second husband was John B. Robinson, and her third marriage was to Mr. Strong. T. A. Moore married Mary Williams, and they became the parents of the following children: Robert J., born September 23, 1833; Rebecea Am, August 10, 1835; Naney E., February 23, 1838. aud married Ezekiel Warren; Mary L., July 2, 1840, is the wife of A. II. Meeks; N. J., born in 1842, married Rebecca Burleson; Thomas W., the subject of this sketch, was born November 10, 1844; Sarah Jane, born November 21, 1845; Maggie S., born Angust 26. 1851, married John S. Hill, a native of Tennessee, who died January 12, 1874, aged twenty-nine years.
Upon coming to this new and thinly settled T. W. Moore was reared to the life of a famner on the southwestern frontier. The schools of that day being inferior, he gained only an ordinary education; but as experience is a thorough teacher, time made up for the lack of opportunity in his youth. He has always devoted his energies to agriculture. and has raised live-stock. Ile resided in Travis county, where he was born, until 1874. country, T. A. Moore located in sonthern Texas, on Cana river, where he resided about twelve years. The settlers were frequently attacked by the Indians, and were often forced to flee from the dreaded tomahawk. They provided themselves with a simply constructed two-wheeled cart that moved almost noiselessly, and in this vehicle made their escape from the ferocious red man. ; and then came to Williamson county, locating When he came to Travis county, Mr. Moore I on the Moore league, which was the head-
Mr. Mary D. Moore.
269
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
right of his father. Ile and Mrs. Hill re- tain their respective interests in the estate, and reside together. Ile has eighty acres in an advanced state of cultivation, the chief prodnets being corn and cotton. He has been quite successful in the undertakings of life, and enjoys the esteem of a wide circle of friends. Mr. Moore is ummarried.
D McSLOAN, a farmer of Williamson connty, was born in Piekens district, Sonth Carolina, September 21, 1827, a son of Thomas MeSloan, a native also of that State. The latter's father. David Me- Sloan, was a native of Virginia, an early set- tler of South Carolina, and was Captain of a company in the Indian fight at King mount- ain. Thomas MeSloan married Naney Blas- sengane, a native of South Carolina and of French descent. That family were early set- tlers in this country, and were soldiers in many of the early Indian fights. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McSloan had fifteen children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, and nine are still living. Our subjeet and one sister are the only ones of the family to eoine to Texas, and the latter is the wife of Sam- uel Early. The remainder of the ehildren still reside in South Carolina. Six sons took part in the late war, one of whom died while in service, and one shortly afterward, from the effects of wounds received in the army. Another son, Benjamin McSloan, is professor in Columbia College, of South Carolina. The family were all strong seeessionists.
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.