USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 41
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
" Aaron Burleson, one of the oldest and best known citizens of this connty, died sud- denly at his home near Govalle, some two miles east of Anstin, yesterday morning. He was one of the purest men and best citizens Texas ever lost. As a Imsband, father, citi- zen and a Christian he had no superiors and very few equals. In 1849 he and his wife were happily converted, and, although Bap- tists in sentiment, from great attachment to the pastor, Rev. Finis E. Foster, Alford Smith and others, they joined the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. In 1859, im- pelled by early conviction and mature inves- tigation to admit that the Baptists were right, lie bade a respectful and tender farewell to his beloved Presbyterian brethren, and was baptized into the fellowship of the Anstin Baptist Church by the pastor, the Rev. Wood- lief Thomas. He was ordained a Deacon in 1860, and served faithfully in that important office twenty-five years. But to his modest, pure and loving heart, ' home was the dear. est spot on carth,' and in his home and among his immediate neighbors his virtnes shone ont most resplendently.
" llis tenderness and devotion to his fam- ily, mingled with firmness, no language can express, and among his neighbors he was loved as a peacemaker. To his elear judg- ment, common sense and honest heart his
cheerfully accepted his advice and decisions. By economy and antiring industry he acen- inulated a large fortune, and made most ample preparation for the education and com- fort of his twelve children. He died sud- denly, just entering his three-score years and ten. lle had been complaining for some weeks, but felt better and rode down to his lower plantation. On returning he com- plained of a severe pain in his breast, but his family physician gave him medicine which seemed to relieve him entirely, and he scemed stronger and more cheerful than for weeks. On the fatal morning of the 13th he walked ont on his farm to look after some stock. After walking some distance he called out, ' I feel like falling.' The boy canght him and laid him on the ground, but he never spoke. A freedman, living near by, ran for his family and a physician. Ilis devoted wife and children ran to his relief. His no- ble heart for the first time was mimoved by their sobs and crics. All medical skill was in vain. He never breathed. The doctors prononneed it apoplexy. But the weight of seventy winters and the ceaseless wear and tear of seventy years on the tented field, on the track of the bloody savage, as well as on the farm, had completely exhausted all the powers of nature. The silver cord was loosed, the golden bowl was broken, the pitcher at the fountain, and the wheel at the cistern.
"Thus lived and died Aaron Burleson, a grand type of a gennine old Texan. Ilis check never paled in the thickest of the bat- tle, and his heart and purse were open to the eries of the widow and orphan. Ever ready to live or die for his country, yet he never sought or accepted office. lle lived seventy years amid all the bloody and exciting scenes of frontier life withont a stain, and died with-
300
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
out a groan. Oh, what a model for his sons. his relations and the youth of America! With a nation of such citizens our Republic would eclipse Greece and Rome, and shine on with ever increasing splendor till the stars grow dim. Ile was the last of his noble father's fourteen children, except one half- sister, Mrs. Texas Burleson Brooks, wife of C. W. Brooks, of Georgetown, Texas."
Jefferson W., the eldest living son of our subject's first marriage, was born November 11, 1841. He had just arrived at manhood when the war broke out, and, like all loyal young men of his time, willingly enlisted in tlre service of his country. He became a member of the Eighth Texas Cavalry, Terry's Rangers, and participated in the battles of Shiloli, Murfreesborongh, Perryville and Chickamauga. After the last-named engage- ment he returned home, and did not again enter the army. Mr. Burleson lived in the Colorado valley, near Webberville, until 1890, when he came to Manor for better ednea- tional advantages. Ile is one of the leading farmers in Travis county, and has 500 acres of land under a Ene state of cultivation. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party; socially, is a Master Mason; and relig- iously, a member of the Baptist Church.
September 26, 1867, in Travis county, Mr. Burleson was united in marriage with Fannie Browning, a native of Washington county, Texas, where her parents had moved from Arkansas. She was a daughter of William and Celenah Browning. They had three children: W. H., of Lampasas, Texas; Jolm P., of Malvern, this State; and Mrs. Burle- son. Mr. and Mrs. Burleson have had nine children: Lena (now Mrs. L. II. Glasscoek, of Austin). Jefferson, Woodson, Maggie, Baylor, Eugene, Aaron, Clarence and Olin.
Edward Burleson, the eldest son of Aaron
Burleson by his second marriage, was born February 26, 1857, and was educated in Aus- tin and at the Waco University. Ile is now a farmer and resides in Webberville. In 1885 he was united in marriage with lda Taylor, who died July 20, 1890, leaving one child, Inez. October 25, 1892. Mr. Burleson mar- ried Mattie, a daughter of James Wood.
Rufus C., the youngest son of Aaron Burleson by his second marriage, was born July 21, 1865, and was educated in the com- mon schools and at Adrian College. He now owns a farm of abont 450 acres, 250 acres of which are cultivated. Mr. Burleson was married at Austin, December 4, 1889, to Martha, a daughter of Mrs. E. II. Deats. To this union have been born two children: Norma and Edward. Mr. Burleson affiliates with the Democratic party.
W J. SNEED, one of the most highly respected citizens of Delvalle, is a pioneer of Travis county. having re- sided here since 1848. Ile was born at Fay- etteville, Arkansas, February 19, 1844, and was a child of four years when his father, S. G. Sneed, emigrated with his family to the Lone Star State. He attended the common schools of that day, and at the age of sixteen years, then a zealons patriot. joined Captain Fisher's company; he was assigned to the Sixth Texas regiment, Colonel Garland, and was ordered to Petersburg, Virginia, and afterward joined the Army of the Tennessee. IIe participated in the engagements at Arkan- sas Post, where the brigade were captured and held prisoners at Camp Butler for about five months; then at Chickamanga and Mis- sionary Ridge. At the latter place he was severely wounded, a minic ball piercing his
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Inngs. At the end of six months spent in the hospital he was granted a furlough, and was not again in service. He was married the year the war closed, and the following year settled in his present home. He owns a fine farm of 500 acres, and has placed 150 aeres under good cultivation; the soil is of a most desirable quality, and yields abundant harvests.
Although a pronounced Democrat, until recently Mr. Sneed has not taken an active interest in politics. During a recent cam- paign between the two Democratie factions in Texas, he annonnced himself for Hogg, and aided very materially in carrying his box for him.
S. G. Sneed, father of W. J., was born in Missouri in 1802; there he grew to maturity and was educated for the legal profession. IIe removed to Arkansas at an early dateand practiced law there before coming to Texas; he held the office of County Judge before the war, and when the questions arose that led to the war declared himself for secession. He was united in marriage to Miranda Adkins, and they reared a family of eleven children: Edward, deceased; Louisa, wife of John B. Costa; Thomas E., an attorney of Austin; Susan E., widow of Dr. R. S. Morgan; Mary C., deceased, was the wife of S. Mnssett; S. G., County Superintendent of Schools of Travis county; Miranda, wife of J. A. Bled- soe; Isabella, wife of T. G. Anderson; W. J., the subject of this biography; Matilda, de- ceased, was the wife of Calvin Goodloe; and Newton, a farmer of Dallas county.
Our subject was married in September, 1865, to Mary E., a danghter of Nicholas McArthur, an early settler of Travis county, who came as early as 1836; he reared a family of three children: Mary E., J. P., and John T. Mr. and Mrs. Sneed are the
parents of five children: Fannie, the wife of Victor Oatman; William G., Loda J., S. ! T., and Mack A. The sons were educated in the district schools, and the daughters in the Catholic schools, the mother being a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
R. PEARCE, a well-to-do farmer of Travis county, is one of the leading citizens of Delvalle. He is a native of Tennessee, born in Bradley county, February 28, 1854. His father, James Pearce, a Virginian by birth, removed to Tennessee about the year 1845, and there became prom- inent in his county; he held the office of Sheriff at the time of his death. He was a secessionist at heart, and contributed liberally of his means to the Confederacy. He died in 1862, at the age of forty-five years. He had just succeeded in securing a contract with the Confederate Government for supplying a large quantity of lead for the manufacture of ammunition. His father, Lewis Pearce, was also born in Virginia, and followed farming in the latter years of his life. He was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and when the strug- gle between Texas and Mexico caine he joined the forces of the young Republic and aided her in winning her independence. He re- turned to Tennessee, where he died at an ad- vanced age. James Pearce married Mary, a daughter of Thomas Burch of Virginia; her mother's maiden name was Mary Smith, and she was one of a family of seven children: John, deceased; Reuben, Eliza, wife of Mr. McCoy; Mary. J. C., Houston, and Mark. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce were the parents of eight children: James, deceased; Mary, wife of Alexander JJohns: T. R., whose name heads this notice: John, W. G., and three children who died in infancy.
302
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
A meager education was all that Mr. Pearce could seenre, and at the age of fifteen years he was forced from the shelter of his own home by a stepfather. In search of work he went to Murfreesborongh, Tennessee, but the scourge of cholera which swept the land compelled him to return to his home. A month later he went to west Tennessee, and seenred employment near Paris, where he remained nntil 1875. Having aceumn- laed a small sum of money he came to Texas and located in Travis county; he first worked for a Mr. Vance in a dairy, and afterward was in the employ of W. D. Miller. Real- izing the advantages of cultivating land for himself he rented a tract, and kept "bach- elor's hall." In 1887 he removed to his present home, his wife having inherited a fine farm of 4163 acres; he subsequently purchased 200 acres. For the past fifteen years he has made a specialty of feeding cat- tle for market, and ammally sends some ex- cellent specimens to the city trade.
He was married December 24, 1877, to Mattie A., a daughter of Robert Jones; she was born November 6, 1851. They are the parents of seven children: Mary Iola, L. Ernest, A. D., Lulu Belle, R. J., J. W., and C. A.
W ILLIS AVERY, deceased, was a brother of V. R. C. Avery, and was another one of the substantial yco- men of Williamson county, Texas, residing in the same precinct with his brother. Ile was born in Bastrop county, Texas, April 8, 1840. Like other boys of those early days, much of his time was spent in working with cattle and farming, rather than in the school- room, schools at that time being few and far between.
The toesin of war found him on the threshold of manhood, and willing to "do and to dare" for the fair Southland. He ae- cordingly enlisted in the service and reported with the rest of his company for anty. "The spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak." Willis Avery had never been a strong boy, and now that a duty presented itself that needed none but strong men, he found himself not equal to the task. Taking advantage of a detail, therefore, he returned home, and was not again asked to go to the front ...
Much of his early manhood was given to the business of freighting, the Williams boys being his employers. He finally concluded to begin farming, and, buying a tract of land near that of his brother, V. R. C., at $6 per acre, he built him a home. After experience proving the location a poor one on account of its sickly character, he invested in the tract now owned by his widow, and built the home she occupies. The farm consists of some 415 acres, traversed by Brushy creek, well tim- bercd, and furnishing 235 acres of tillable soil of the rich, black variety peculiar to this section. The connty line dividing William- son and Travis erosses it, the nearest trading point being the flourishing little town of Ilutto, about six miles distant. In 1892 sixty-eight bales of cotton were made on the place, requiring six men to work the crop.
Mr. Avery married the lady who now sur- vives him, January 22, 1862. Mrs. Avery's maiden name was Sallie Reid, she being the daughter of Hutchinson and Elizabeth (Cur- tis) Reid. She was born and reared in Texas, together with the following family: James, who enlisted in the Confederate service, and was killed in battle; Bartlett, living in Gon- zales county, Texas: Sarah, born October 11, 1840, is the widow of our subject; John,
303
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
living in Bastrop county; Van Zandt and William, both of Gonzales com.ty; and Mary, now Mrs. Swain, of Travis county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Avery were born children as follows: Nora, born July 11, 1863, is the wife of W. A. Mayhall, and has three chil- dren, the Mayhall family residing with Mrs. Avery; Thomas, born November 10, 1865. married Callie Carroll, and has four children, their home also being on the old farm: the other children are single: Melinda, born In- gust 25, 1867; James, September 18, 1869; ' John, February 9, 1872; Dora, July 16, 1874, is deceased; Martin, September 19, 1575; Hugh, November 12, 1877; Nancy, October 22, 1879; Albert, Jannary 16, 1882; and Mary E., January 22, 1885. Mrs. Avery is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the faith of which church she is rearing her family.
Mr. Avery departed this life January 6, 1889. .
OSEPII J. DAVIS is one of the well- known, substantial farmers of Travis county, and, although not a Texan by birth, is yet of sufficient years in the State to merit the name of old settler. He is a son of Jenkins and Jane (Calvert) Davis, both born and raised in Tennessee. After mar- riage they spent ten years in Arkansas, re- turned to Tennessee in 1842, and in 1852 moved to Texas, loeating south of Austin, Travis county, in the neighborhood of where our subject now resides. The mother died August 27, 1862, and the father after- ward moved further north in Texas, finally dying in Hood county. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were the parents of twelve children, viz .: Andrew C., Mary 1., John A., Martha J., Rebecca, Joseph JJ., our subject; W. R .. of
Creedmoor, Travis county; Charity, wife of James A. Hewitt, also of this county ; Samuel (., David:E., George 11., deceased; and F. E.
J. J. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Arkansas, September 19, 1840, and was twelve years of age when he came with his parents to Texas. Ilis life has been that of the hard-working, successful farmer and stock-raiser, and he is now a good business man. His ranch consists of 1,000 acres of fine pasture and farm land, 350 acres of which is cultivated, and the remainder affords an excellent range for stock. The land lies be- tween Slanghter and Onion creek, eight miles southwest of Austin. During the late war Mr. Davis served as a State ranger under Captain John Dix, and assisted in guarding the frontier.
In the fall of 1865 he was united in mar- riage with Mary E., a daughter of Judge Thomas W. Nolen, a pioneer settler of Travis county. To this union were born six chil- dren: Finis, who died on reaching manhood; Jennie, wife of Nicholas A. Dawson, a law- yer of Austin; and Cordie, Joseph, Daisy and Mary, at home. The wife and mother departed this life February 1, 1883. Dr. Davis afterward married Miss Blumen Hughes.
Politically, he acts with the Democratic party, and is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Onion Creek Lodge, No. 220. Mr. Davis holds the respect and esteem of his neighbors, and is one of the leading men of Travis county.
OSEPH R. ROWLAND, a successful merchant of Rockdale, Milam county, is a native of Texas, having been born in Lamar county in the historie year of 1846,
304
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
and comes of one of the early settled families of this county. His father, Pleasant Roland (who always spelled his nante in this way al- though the majority of the family spelled it with a w), was a native of Alabama, where he was born in the first year of this century and where twenty-eight years later he married and came to Texas, in 1842, settling in Lamar county. He took up his residence with his wife and two children on what was then the outposts of civilization, where he lived for nine years. At the end of that time he lost his faithful helpmate, and dis- couraged and broken up in home he returned to his native State, but came again to Texas at a later date and passed the remainder of his life in Collin county, where he died in 1879, after a long life spent in the quiet parsnits of the farmn.
For a few years after his mother's deatlı the subject of this sketch made his home with a married sister, a Mrs. Davis, in Collin connty. Then a stripling at the age of ten, he began the serious duties of life for him- self. For a number of years he worked among the neighboring farmers at cominou farm labor or whatever else he could get to do, earning a livelihood, growing strong in body and in sturdy self-reliance. The second year of the war found him a youth of suffi- cient age and strength to bear arms, and he was accordingly eulisted in the Confederate service, entering Company F, Martin's regi- ment, with which he served in the Trans- Mississippi Department. He discharged his duties acceptably in camp and field, and after the surrender returned to Collin county, In 1867 Mr. Rowland married Miss Sallie M. Lee, a daughter of W. J. E. Lee, who moved to Texas about 1859 and settled at Palestine. Mrs. Rowland was born in Sum- ter district, South Carolina, and was a girl where he turned his hand at once to the pur- snits of peace. lle took up carpentering as a means of support and followed it for a unuiber of years. Then about 1870 he en- gaged in merchandising and was so engaged | about eight years old when her parents
at the towns of Bremond, Wortham and Pahner along the line of the Houston & Texas Central Railway, which was then being built north toward Red river for about four years. In the latter part of 1874 he located at Rockdale, where he shortly afterward em- barked again in mercantile pursuits, which he has since steadily followed at this place. He is thus one of Rockdale's oldest mer- chants, and one who has met with marked success throughont his whole career in this place. He has handled almost all kinds of merchandise since he has been in business here, and has had partnerships at one time and another with many of Rockdale's lead- ing men. For four years past he has been handling general merchandise and has a trade varying from 840,000 to $50,000 a year. In addition to this he owns good property in the town, consisting mainly of business build- ings but including also a neat, modest resi- dence, and has some stock in a few of the local enterprises. What Mr. Rowland owns lie has made since settling in Rockdale, and having succeeded reasonably well he is naturally much attached to the place and all of its interests. Whatever tends to stimu- late the industry of his town or promote its general welfare receives his hearty support and assistance. For twenty years past he has been devoted wholly to business, having taken only such part in public matters as might be expected of any citizen. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Ma- sonie fraternity and of the Knights of Honor, to all of which he gives an earnest support.
305
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
came to Texas. She was reared mainly in Louisiana and a daughter of John and Re- Palestine. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have but | becca (Trion) Griffith, natives also of that one child, Alice Pearl, now a young lady verging on womanhood. State. The father died in his native State, and the remainder of the family afterward came to Texas, locating near Montgomery. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith had ten children, all of whom lived to years of maturity, and only one is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis have had one child, William J., born January 8, 1877, and died in 1888. In his social re- lations, our subject is a member of the A. L. of II.
OHN P. STURGIS, a member of the firm of Womack & Sturgis, of Taylor, was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1851, a son of John and Eliza (Cook) Stnr- gis. The father was engaged in mercantile business in Columbus, and his death oceurred when our subject was but three years of age. The mother afterward moved to this State, landing in Montgomery, Montgomery county, on Christmas day, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Stur- gis were the parents of five children: Lney, widow of Joluni C. Womack; Laura, deceased; Sallie C., deceased, was the wife of W. T. Nobles; John P., onr subjeet; and Josephine, wife of Charles Peynghans, of Madisonville, Texas.
H ENRY LOCKWOOD, lumber mer- chant of Rockdale, Milamn county, is a native Texan, having been born in Harris connty, October 18, 1855. Ilis father, William R. Lockwood, was a native of Comeeticut; born November 13, 1805; reared in that State and in New York, near the city of Buffalo, whither his parents moved when he was young. Ile left New York at the John 1'. Sturgis, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of Mont- goinery, Texas, and completed his education at Dolbear's Commercial College, New Or- leans, graduating at that institution at the age of nineteen years. After returning home he was employed as a laborer on a railroad, next followed contracting one year, served as Deputy County and District Clerk of Mont- gomery connty one year, spent the following year as bookkeeper for the firm of Gary & Nobles, and then formed a partnership with J. W. Womack and W. T. Nobles, under the age of sixteen and came South, stopping at New Orleans, where he shortly afterward en- gaged for a whaling voyage, during which time he was in foreign seas for a year. He then returned to New Orleans, aud about 1823 or 1824 eame to Texas on a tour of ex- ploration. After making two or three trips back and forth between Texas and New Or- leans, he settled in Houston, Harris county, where he engaged in cutting and shipping wood from that locality to Galveston. Later he moved to Tarkington's prairie, which was " then in Liberty county, and there in 1839 firm name of W. T. Nobles & Co. In addi- married Elizabeth McDonald, a native of tion to his other business interests, Mr. Stur- Louisiana and daughter of John McDonald, gis has served as vice-president of the First a veteran of the war of 1812, who moved to National Bank since its organization in 1883. ' Texas about 1806. From Tarkington's prai-
In 1876 our subject was mited in mar- rie he returned to Harris county, taking mp riage with Miss Anna Griffith, a native of . his residence on Green's Bayou, where he
306
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
lived mutil his death, which occurred June 20, 1867. He was a mechanic, being a skilled workman in wood and iron, and in earlier life gave his attention to the trades, but abont 1852 took up farming and stock- raising, which he followed successfully until his death. He was elected Sheriff of Harris connty once in an early day, but refused to serve, having no taste for public position. lle was Demoerat in politics, a member of the Masonie order and a zealous supporter of the churches, but not a member of any church organization. The Lockwoods from whom the subject of this sketch descended came originally from England, emigrating to America in Colonial times and settling in New England, probably in Connecticut. The McDonalds of his mother's side of the house were Scoteli, carly innmigrants also to this country.
The eight children of William R. and Elizabeth Lockwood are Hannah Jane, the deceased wife of II. M. Lewis; Elizabeth, now residing near Industry, in Austin county; William, a farmer and stock-raiser of Harris county; Frank, a farmer in Harris county; Mary Ann, the deceased wife of Jnlins Sternenberg of Austin county; Henry of this notice; Warren, a miner in New Mexico; and Elam, a merchant of Nelsonville, Austin county.
Henry Lockwood was reared in Harris county, this State, where he was born, and began to look ont for himself at the age of seventeen. In 1875, about the time he reached his majority. he went to Austin connty, where he rented land and began farming. In 1879 he moved to Bell county, where, in connection with his brother, Frank, he bonght a small place and farmed for four years. lle then clerked for about two and a half years in the mercantile business at Tay-
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.