USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 43
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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
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good state of enltivation, and his residence is bnilt on the bluff, overlooking the entire valley, and presenting one of the finest view's in Texas.
Mr. Wood was married April 26, 1854, near where he now lives, to Martha, a danghter of Silas and Jane (Craft) Glover. The two families were intimately acquainted in Ala- bana, and the fathers were both engaged in splitting rails. They were able to split abont 800 a day while working together. Our subject and wife have eight children, namely: George W., who resides fonr miles below his father, in Bastrop county; James F., married Mattie Manor, and is engaged in farming near his father; William M., married Mattio Poe, and resides in the same locality; Mary Ellen, wife of Spence Poe, a farmer of Travis connty; Henry E. married Mary Poe, and is a blacksmith by ocenpation, at home; Lee E., married Bulah Busbey, a farmer of Bastrop eonnty ; Mattie Lon, wife of Edd Burleson, a merchant of Webberville; and Walter W., who married Mollie P. Steward.
Politically, Mr. Wood votes with the Dem- acratie party; socially, is a Master Mason; and religionsly both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
R OBERT S. SIIANNON, a prominent physician of Travis county, is a son of Thomas Shannon, who was born in Kentucky, in 1795. The latter moved to Indiana when it was yet a Territory, locat- ing near Hanover, where he followed farm- ing. lle was a Whig in his political views, and was a member and Elder for many years of the Associate Reformed Church. He was en- gaged for years in the breaking up of the com- mon use of liquors. His death ocenrred about
1873. Thomas Shannon was a son of George and Aun (Reed) Shannon, natives of Penn- sylvania. The father located near Lexington, Kentucky, in an early day, was a farmer and surveyor by occupation, and his death occurred in Indiana. The Shannon family came from Ireland to America in an early day. The mother of our subject, nee Eliza- beth Spear, was a native of Kentucky and a danghter of Robert and M. Spear, both now deceased. The Spear family are of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shannon had seven children: Robert S., the subject of this sketch; George, who lived at Rome until of age, resided at Kansas City for a time, and after starting on a journey to Fort Scott on business he has never been heard of since, and it is supposed he was murdered by Indians, as they were then numerons; Martha, wife of David Moore, a native of Penn- sylvania, and at one time was Superintendent of Public Institution in Pennsylvania, after- ward went to Mississippi, where he engaged in teaching; Lowry of Hanover, Indiana; Sarah, wife of John Matthews, also of that place; James, deceased in infancy ; and John, who died at the age of twenty-two years.
Robert S. Shannon, our subject, was born near Hanover, Indiana, September 11, 1823. Ile was engaged at farin labor until eighteen years of age, after which he spent two years in a preparatory school, and then entered the Hanover College, graduating at that institu- tion in 1848. In Angust, same year, he went to Salem, Mississippi, and engaged in teaching, in company with David Moore. They began with only six pupils and in March, 1853, they had over a hundred. At this time Mr. Shannon entered the Medical Department of the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelpia, remained there until March, 1855, and then came by way of
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Mobile to Texas. He was first engaged in the practice of medicine at La Grange, also tanght at the Cumberland College for a time, followed his profession in Oso, in 1866 went to Columbus, Colorado county, in 1869, ou account of an overflow there, returned to Oso, one year later went to Lockhart, in the fol- lowing year took charge of the school at Prairie Lea, in 1872 removed to Georgetown, and two years later came to Fiskville. Since that time he has been continuonsly engaged in the practice of medicine. Dr. Shannon was appointed one of the Examining Surgeons for the Fourth Judicial District, but was detailed for practice at home.
In 1860 our subject was united in marriage with Mary Sloan, a daughter of William and Eliza Sloan, natives of Tennessee. Two chil- dren were the result of this union, both of whom died in infancy. The wife and mother died in 1864, and in October, 1866, Mr. Shannon married Nettie M. Wilford, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of Renben M. and Clara A. Wilford. They have had five children: R. Wilford, a merchant of Llano; Robert L., engaged in the same occupation in Fiskville; Arthur, a farmer of Travis county; Franklin, a student at Aus- tin; and one child died in infancy.
In his political relations, Dr. Shannon acts with the Republican party, and is Postmaster at Fiskville. While a resident of La Grange he was ordained an Elder of the old-school Presbyterian Church, and his wife is also a member of the same denomination.
D R. JOHN WILLIAM HUDSON, physican and surgeon of Milan county, is a native of Ohio county, Kentucky, which county is also the birth-place of
his parents, John Hudson and Betsy Ano Jones. His people on both sides were among the early settlers of western Kentucky, his grandparents, Joseph Hudson and wife and Dr. James S. Jones and wife, settling in what is now Ohio county early in this century. Joseph Hudson, who was of German extrac- tion and a Virginian by birth, was a rugged old pioneer, brave, honest, generons, inde- pendent and self-reliant. James S. Jones was a man of more polish; he possessed a good education, was a successful physician and a valuable citizen. Both died at advanced ages, in the homes of their adoption. Jolm IIudson, father of Jolin William of this article, was born in 1814. He was reared in his native county and passed most of his life there engaged in farming. Ile moved to Texas in 1884 and settled in Cooke county, where he died six years later. He met with good success, especially in early life, and en- joyed to the end of his days the esteem and good will of those among whom he lived. His generosity was well known and he gave liberally to all public and religions purposes and to all deserving individuals who sought his charities.
The mother of our subject was a woman of superior intelligence and enjoyed excellent educational advantages, by reason of which she exercised over her children a strong and beneficial influence, training them to habits of industry and inspiring them with pure thoughts and generous inpulses. She died in 1854. John Hudson and Betsey Ann Jones were married in 1843 and were the parents of four children, of whom the sub- ject of this article is the eldest. IIis two yonngest brothers, James Isaac and Ander- son M., are residents of this State, the former living in Cooke county and the latter in Childress county, both farmers; Elizabeth
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Ann, the youngest of the family. is the wife of John Jones of Gilbertsville, Kentucky.
John William Indson was born Decem- ber 21, 1845, as before stated, in Ohio county, Kentucky. He was reared in his native place to the age of fifteen, when, October 8, 1861, he entered the Union army, en- listing in Company A, Captain Jolm Belt, Twenty-sixth Kentneky Infantry, commanded by Colonel Cicero Maxwell. He was one of the four members of this regiment who did not see inch of the hardship common to soldier life until the battle of Shiloh or Pitts- burg Landing. From that time on he was considered a soldier and he conrageonsly did his part. He was in hospital several times, but during most of his period of enlistment he was with the regiment until he was mustered ont, July, 1865. Ile was neither wounded nor captured during the war.
Returning to his home at the close of the great conflict, he took up farming, and at the same time began the study of medicine nnder an uncle, Dr. John Fields, pursuing these until 1871, at that date engaging in the drng business at Livermore, Kentucky, which he followed successfully at that place for about six years. In the meantime he secured a license to practice medicine and in 1877 moved to Island Station, where he practiced and conducted a drug store for three years. IIe then moved to Central City, that State, and in 1882 to Texas, set- tling at Milano, Milaln connty. After mak- ing his last move he turned his attention ex- clnsively to his profession. In 1886 he gradnated at the Memphis Hospital Medical College, and in the medical department of the University of Louisville in 1889. The Doetor has built up a splendid practice in the vicinity of Milano and one that is constantly growing. He is held in high esteem both as
a physican and a citizen, and although he be- gan a few years ago with nothing and has spent considerable in qualifying himself for the practice of his profession he has managed to save some from his earnings. He is greatly devoted to his profession, possessing a natural aptitude for it and spearing no pains, as the foregoing facts show, to fit himself for its successful pursuit. He is a member of the Milam County Medical Society and of the Texas Medical Association, a member also of the Knights of Pythias and of the Knights of Honor, being Medical Examiner at Milano for the latter order. In politics he is a Re- publican, but has never held any public office and has never cared to.
In 1867 the Doctor married Miss Lonvenia Atherton, a native of McLean county, Ken - tueky, and danghter of John G. and Matilda Atherton, who were also native Kentuckians. Two children were born to this nnion: Beulah, who died at the age of two, and Clandie, now a young lady nineteen years old, educated and accomplished and success- fnl as a teacher in our public schools. In 1880 the mother died, and the Doctor mar- ried a second time, Miss Fannie Stroud, daughter of John and Mary E. Stroud of Central City, Muhlenberg county, Kentucky. The Doctor and his family are members of the Baptist Clinrch, in which he has been Clerk and Moderator.
N ICHOLAS DAWSON, a prominent farmer of Travis connty, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1819, a son of George and Mary (Blackmore) Dawson. The Dawsons are of English descent, and are from the earliest of the Colonial families, having settled near
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where Washington now stands, about 1620. Members of this prominent family have been found in Legislative halls and prominent positions under the Goverment, and at the time of the Revolutionary war did valiant service on the field of battle. About the beginning of that struggle, our subject's great-grandfather, Benoni Dawson, located in western Pennsylvania, in a section which is now Beaver county. He was a personal friend of George Washington, the two fam- ilies having been on intimate terms, and a member of the former family piloted Wash- ington through the wilderness when he made his famous trip to Fort Dugnesne. Both the grandfather, Thomas Dawson, and the father of our subject passed their entire lives in Beaver county. The latter raised a family of five sons and one daughter, three of whom are now living, Benoni and William, still at the old home place in Beaver county; and Nicholas, the subject of this sketch.
The latter remained in his native county until nineteen years of age. At that time he resolved to see more of the world, and, having a fair English education, nsed the same as a means of furthering his desires, having tanglit school in a number of different States, North and Sonth. Mr. Dawson is one of the two survivors, who, in 1841, first performed the difficult feat of crossing the plains and Rockies in wagons, a full account of which appeared in the Century magazine ot November, 1890, written by the other sur- vivor, Hon. John Bidwell, of California. The following year Mr. Dawson found him- self on the Pacific slope, where he spent two years, the first engaged in merchandising, and the second in seal-hunting. The old desire for new scenes then came over him, and he again took up his wanderings. This time the famons land of the Monteznmas
was in his vision, and, with a pony and a brace of " navy sixes " for company, made his way sonthward. Mr. Dawson made the entire journey alone, and for the most part. without being molested, arriving safely in the city of Mexico in the spring of 1844. From there he journeyed to Vera Cruz, and then returned to the States, where he tanght school as before until the gold fever of 1848 again set his blood tingling for the center and source of a new excitement. Leaving his wife, whom he had but recently married, with her parents, he joined an expedition, going by the sonthern route to the gold fields. The guides lost their way on the great Staked Plains, and for days they wandered in a vain search for water. The wagons were finally abandoned, that they might press on faster, and animal instinct was relied on to bring them to water. A mule was turned loose, and, after several hours of wandering, finally found refreshment. Ten long, weary months were consnmed in this trip. Mr. Dawson was successful in his diggings, but made money more rapidly in freighting. In 1851 he returned to Arkansas, and in the same year came to Travis county, Texas. He first located several miles south of Austin, on the San Antonio road, but after the close of the war came to his present location, seven miles sonthwest of Austin. He bought a small tract of land, thirty acres of which was cleared, and he now owns 372 acres, 190 acres of which is under a fine state of culti- vation.
Mr. Dawson was married in Sevier connty, Arkansas, March 29, 1848, to Margaret Wright, who was born and raised in that county, and was formerly a pupil of her husband. She was a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Wilson) Wright, natives respect- ively of Tennessee and Kentucky. The
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Wright family were originally from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have had seven chil- ren, four now living: Mary J., principal of the public school in South Austin; Nancy E., a teacher in the high school at Anstin; Nicholas A., a lawyer of that city; and Belle, attending the University of Texas, at Austin. Mr. Dawson is independent in his political views, although he votes principally with the Democratic party. Ile is also liberal in religious affairs, belonging to no church so- ciety, but favors Universalism.
H UGHI GOODWIN, a farmer of Will- iamson connty, was born in Louisa county, Virginia, February 22, 1833, a son of IIngh and Nicie Am (Cole- man) Goodwin, natives also of that State. The father is a son of Ilugh Goodwin, and this family originally came from England. The father of our subjeet, a slave owner and prom- inent farmer, died in Virginia, in 1850. He had thirteen children, nine of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: Robert, IIuldah, William, IIugh, Andrew, Jolm, Coleman, Bettie B. and Arehie Tallach. William and Coleman eame to Texas in 1859. The former practiced medieine in Burleson county from that year until the opening of the late war, when he enlisted in Parsons' brigade, served through the entire struggle, after which he went to Atlanta, Georgia, where he died in 1880. Coleman engaged in farming in Washington county. Hle also entered the army, and died while in service. Mrs. Good- win died in 1848.
Ilugh Goodwin, the subject of this sketch, remained under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age, when he made a visit in Kentucky. After returning home he
again went to that State, where he was en- gaged in trading two years, and in 1851 lo- cated in Missouri. Hle then went overland to California, arriving in that State in 1852, where he remained until 1866, and during the first five years of that time was engaged in mining, and later in the sheep business. IIe handled laage herds besides those on his own ranch, and also drove to Montana. In 1866 Mr. Goodwin sold his interests in Cali- fornia aud returned to Virginia, but, the war having passed over and devastation taken the place of peace and plenty, and the slaves gone from the old home, he remained in that Stato but a few months. In 1867 he came to Texas, visited many of the best sheep ranches of that State, after which he eoneluded that this was not a sheep country. Mr. Goodwin was next engaged in the wool business in Galves- ton two years, but after the Eastern buyers became so plentiful he began cattle-buying, making trips through the country towns as far north as Magnolia, and sold the produet at Galveston. In 1875 he came to what was then the terminus of the International & Great Northern Railroad, at Roekdale, where he was the only cotton-buyer for many years. Two years later he made his first purchase of land in this eonnty, which he at once began improving, and he now owns about 800 acres, 400 acres enltivated. He rents most of his land, and his attention is devoted principally to the raising of cattle, buying and feeding for the market. Ilis farm adjoins the town of Hntto, is beautifully located, and it is only a short walk from the depot to his stately mansion.
August 13, 1884, Mr. Goodwin was united in marriage with Miss Mary Farley, who was born in Trinity county, Texas. March 9, 1861, a daughter of W. Il. and Lucy (Hargrove) Farley, the former a native of Alabama and
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the latter of North Carolina. The father lo- cated in Harrison connty, Texas, in 1846, was there married, subsequently moved to Trinity, and in 1870 came to Williamson county. Ile is engaged in farming, and is also employed at the depot. Mr. and Mrs. Farley had seven children: W. H .; Mary; J. II .; Forrest: Walter; Hally and Arthur. J. 11. Farley died in November, 1886, and the remainder of the children reside in William- son connty. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin have had five children: Lncy; Hnldah; Ilugh, de- cease at the age of fifteen months; William and Spencer C.
Our subject affiliates with the Democratic party, and his wife is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.
R OBERT J. MOORE-In portraying the pioneers of Texas and the first settlers of Travis connty, it is highly essential that the Moore family occupy a conspicuous place in the pages of the his- tory.
For three generations they have figured prominently in the business interests of Travis county and of Texas. As is well known, Texas was formerly a part of Mexico, but the country was a barren waste inhabited by Indians and wild animals, and in the early part of this century but little was known of it by the Anglo-Saxon race. At that time Tennessee was the frontier of civilization. The early settlers of that country were a hardy and brave race, and among them were the ances- tors of our subject. As in all frontier settle- ments the pioneers had but little occasion for preserving family history; their time is consumed in defending their families from
the savages and developing the country for posterity, and the Moore family is no ex- ception to the rule.
January 10, 1808, Thomas A. Moore was born in Tennessee, the third child and oldest son of Nathaniel and Rebecca ( Adamns) Moore. The father was born March 10, 1780, and the mother May 12, 1788, were married July 2, 1801, and raised six children. Upon the best authority we have we find Thomas A. Moore following the example of his fore- fathers and locating in Texas abont the year 1821, being among the very first white set- tlers of the State. Ile first located in southern Texas, on Cana river, where he eluded the scalping knife of the Indians for about twelve years, having many narrow escapes and fre- quently forced to flee from the dreaded sav- ages. During his early settlement here the principal food of the family was dried ven- ison for bread and fresh venison and other wild game for meat.
We next find him engaged in assisting in moving the soldiers to Fort Prairie, which was many miles north of any civil- ized community, and it is supposed that he drove the first wagon to the Colorado river, and, being enchanted with this beanti- ful country and the richness of the fertile soil, he decided to make this his permanent home and lay the foundation for a home for his posterity; consequently, early in the '30s, he permanently located in what is now Travis county, but here he found the red man as troublesome as he had been in southi- ern Texas, and he was constantly on the alert for the treacherous savage. He took an act- ive part in all the Indian wars, and was ever ready to lend a hand in preventing their hos- tile depredations. Hle took part in the his- torie Spring creek fight, a notable event of frontier service, in which the Indians made
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a rush upon the settlement and sacked the small store and post office, appropriating the ready-made clothing, which they donned in a most grotesque fashion. A ruming fight ensued in which the marauders were handled in a severe manner, and met with a heavy loss. At another time Mr. Moore, with three com panions, was coming ont from Anstin toward Webberville, and came suddenly upon a small band of Indians who had in captivity a little fellow named Colman. The fonr brave men made a desperate assault npon the redskins and released the prisoner, with only the loss of Mr. Moore's horse. Attacks from the Indians were almost of daily occur- rence, and the settlers were not safe from the arrows of their hostile neighbors even in their own door-yards.
After living in constant watchfulness of the Indians for a period of fourteen years, another trouble came up of an equally serious nature. By this time Texas had several set- tlements of civilized people, and by their thrift and energy had excited tlie jealonsy of the Mexican government, who imposed bur- dens in the way of taxation that were mm- bearable, and upon the people's refusal to submit to this exorbitant taxation the Mexi- cans declared war, giving their officers in- structions to exterminate the American set- tlers, in which some bloody butchery took place; but the decisive battle of San Jacinto took place April 21, 1836, which gained for Texas her independence, and she formed an independent republic.
April 21, 1839, Mr. Moore participated in the Battle creek fight, in which he lost his horse and came near being captured.
It were such sturdy pioneers as Mr. Moore who had the courage to come to this wild and barren conntry and subdne the savages and Mexicans, and lay the foundation for the
greatest and most fertile agricultural State in the Union, and the posterity of these men are now enjoying the peaceful and cultured homes made possible by the hardships and privations of these first settlers.
It innst not be imagined that the pioneers were withont amusements, and, as now, one of the principal sources of recreation was that of horse-racing; and Mr. Moore was an ardent lover of this sport, and always kept a number of these valuable animals. At times the parses were worth a trial. As early as 1849 Mr. Moore won a purse of $2,000, and his horse was ridden by our subject. It was among these wild surroundings that Mr. Moore passed his life and accumulated a large estate, having at the time of his death several thousand acres of Travis and William- son counties' best soil, which increased rap- idly in valne as the conntry settled up.
His wife, whose name before marriage was Mary Williams, bore hin eight children : Robert J., Rebecca Ann, Nancy E., Mary L., Nathaniel J., Thomas W., Sarah Jane and Maggie S. He departed this life in April, 1852, and his wife died April 10, 1884.
Robert J. Moore, our subject, was born in a tent nider a live-oak tree on Gilliland's creek, about eight miles from where Web- berville now stands, September 23, 1833; is the oldest son and child of the above, and is one of the oldest native-born white citizens of Travis county. During his boyhood days there were but few settlers in the county and educational facilities were ahnost unknown. HIe was reared to the life of farming and stock-raising, and resided with his parents until he was twenty years old, when he be- gan business for himself, engaging in agri- cultural pursuits.
In 1854 he went to Lampasas county, fol- lowing, as had his ancestors, the frontier,
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and there engaged in farming and stock- raising, meeting with eminent success until the breaking out of the late Civil war, when he offered his services to the Confederate government to assist in preserving her titne- honored institutions. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Colonel Darnell's regiment, but soon afterward joined a regiment of Missouri State troops, with Captain Crisp in command of the company and Colonel Coffey at the head of the regiment. He was in the service of the State about six months be- fore being mustered into the Confederate service proper. He was made lientenant and, as one of his soldiers told the writer, a kind- lier, pleasanter officer did not serve in either army. Lieutenant Moore had tho implicit confidence and affection of every soldier in the company. IIe participated in only one general engagement, that of Newtonio, Mis- souri, but he was in many skirmishes, as will be readily seen, as his regiment was brigaded with the famous Joe Shelby.
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