USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.1 > Part 50
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transportation to Wilmington, North Caro- lina, and from that place he was obliged to go on erntches to his home, a distance of forty five miles. During the latter part of his imprisonment he was a victim to that terrible disease called senrvy, which rendered him aeripple for one year after reaching home.
In the latter portion of 1865 Mr. Frink embarked in the turpentine business in South Carolina, and one year afterward returned to North Carolina, where he followed farming about three years. In the fall of 1869, via New Orleans and Galveston, he came to Texas, spent two years in Chapel Hill, Wash- ington county, was engaged in the transfer business at Belton, Bell county, until 1876, and in that year began the lumber trade in Taylor. The town then contained about ten residences, two dry-goods stores, one grocery store, three saloons, one hotel, and a popula- tion of about one hundred. Mrs. Frink was the second white lady to permanently locate in what is now the flourishing city of Taylor. In 1879 Mr. Frink was appointed to the office of Postmaster, under Hayes' administra- tion, was re-appointed by President Arthur, and again by Cleveland, holding the office from 1879 to 1891. In 1880 the office paid about $1,600 a year; in 1881, 81,500; in 1882, $1,600; and during the latter portion of President Arthur's admicistration it was made a third-class office. It now pays about $1,900 a year. During his last six years as Postinaster Mr. Frink also conducted a sta- tionery and jewelry store.
In 1890 he was elected to fill the nnex- pired term of Mayor of Taylor, and in 1891 was re-elected to that office, in which he served until April, 1892. In the spring of the latter year he embarked in the real-estate business, and in addition to his city property he also owns a fine farm of 100 acres, located
within one mile of the railroad depot. He also abtained an eighth interest in the Wash- ington Heights addition to the city, consist- ing of over 200 acres of land, 900 lots of which have been laid ont. The land is lo- cated on high ground within the city limits, and is one of the prettiest additions to Taylor. March, 7, 1893, Mr. Frink sold his interest in the Washington Heights addition and em- barked in the grocery business, under the firm name of Curry, Frink & Company, where they do an extensive business. Mr. Frink is also business manager for this com- pany.
In 1866 onr subject was nnited in mar- riage with Miss Amanda M. Powell, a native of Columbus county, North Carolina, and a daughter of A. F. and Narcissa (Norton) Powell. To this union were born two chil- dren,-Araminta and John M. The wife and mother died in 1869. She was a member of the Baptist Church. In 1871 Mr. Frink mar- ried Miss Fannie A. Powell, a consin of his former wife, and a daughter of Robert M. and Catherine Powell, natives of Robertson county, North Carolina. They have three children,-Herbert L., Willian O). and Albert F. Mr. and Mrs. Frink are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth. The former also affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., the K. T., of Austin, and the K. of II., of Taylor.
A J. LEWIS, ex-Sheriff of Milam coun- ty and present Mayor of the town of Cameron, was born in Wilcox county, Alabama, November 27, 1849. Ilis parents were Andrew Jackson Lewis and Elizabeth, ner Keiser, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother a native of Alabama. The father was a volunteer in the
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Confederate army during the late war, served through the struggle and died just at the close, April, 1865, having attained the rank of Sergeant-Major of his regiment. The mother is still living, making her home in Cameron. Bnt two children survive of their marriage: a daughter, Mrs. Amanda Bloxam, wife of Albert Bloxam of Grant parish, Louisiana; and Andrew Jackson, the subject of this sketch. The latter was reared mainly in Choctaw county, his native State. Deccmn- cember 19, 1872, he married Miss Mary R. Campbell, a dangliter of Captain A. G. Camp. bell, of Choctaw county, and three years later, December, 1875, came to Texas, settling in Milam county, where he engaged in farming. Ile resided on a farm in this county until Jannary, 1881, at which date he became Deputy Sheriff of the county under Wyatt Lipscomb, and served as such until Novem . ber, 1886. He was then elected Sheriff, and re-elected two years later, holding the office until November, 1890, when he voluntarily retired from the office. April, 1892, he was elected Mayor of Cameron, which office he still holds. As an officer Mr. Lewis has al- ways given great satisfaction. He is a man of superior executive ability, being prompt, energetic, determined and self-reliant. His administration of the office of Sheriff of Milam county is spoken of by citizens of the county in terms of unqualified praise. As Mayor of Cameron he has given equal satisfaction, and measured by the demands of the office his administration of it has been equally success- ful. A Democrat from his boyhood up, he has at all times given to his party the best support of which he was capable. He has served as chairman of the executive commit- tee of his county and as a member of the executive committee of his Congressional district. The Odd Fellows and Knights of /
HIonor mmnber him on their rolls as an efli- cient worker, and in all other things that con- cern the social and material welfare of the community in which he lives he stands ready to do the part of a good citizen.
June 19, 1890, Mr. Lewis lost his estimable wife, who died after having borne him a faithful companionship for nearly twenty years, the greater part of which time covered his carly struggles. Three daughters and a son, together with the father, constitute the surviving members of the family.
OHN W. HIAMBLEN .- On August 12, 1848, the subject of this sketch took np his residence in Milam county. He was therefore among thie county's earliest settlers and is at this writing (1893) one of the few left of that brave band of pioneers who rekindled the fading fires of the retreat- ing savages and planted in their hunting- grounds the seeds of civilization.
Mr. Hamblen is a native of Tennessee, born in Hawkins county, that State, May 27, 1820. His parents, Pascal B. and Mary (Williams) Hamblen, were natives of the same State and county,-born, the father in 1785 and the mother in 1795. Their families came originally from Virginia, being of English extraction. Daniel H. Hamblen, the father of Pascal B., was born and reared in Prince Edward county, Virginia, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Pascal B. Hamblen was reared in Tennessee and in early life engaged in school-teaching in his native State. IIc married Mary Williams, a daughter of Jolin Williams of that State and moved to Manry county. whence he emi- grated in 1834 to Texas. The journey from the old State to the " new West " was accom-
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plished in a manner common in those days, being made from Nashville to New Orleans on a flat-boat and thence to the mouth of the Brazos river, in a schooner, called the Exert. April 1, 1834, this vessel was wrecked at the mouth of the Brazos, but fortunately no lives were lost.
Pascal B. Hamblen made his first settle- ment at the mouth of Chocolate bayon, in Brazoria county, but the same year moved to Oyster creek, fifty miles further toward the interior. He remained at the latter place un- til March 3, 1836, when on the approach of the Mexicans under Santa Anna he took his family for greater safety to Opelousas, Louisi- ana, where they remained until October, when they returned to the settlement in Brazoria county. In 1837 lie moved to Ilarris county, where he died in 1844, of yel- low fever, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. The mother, moving to Milam county in 1851, made this county hier home until her death, in December, 1878, being then in her eighty- third year. Of their ten children only four arrived at maturity: William K., now a resi- dent of Bell county; John W., the subject of this sketch; Claiborne A., who died in 1870, at Austin; and Sarah, who was the first wife of Shiloh Glasscock, and secondly of William Barge, being now deceased.
John W. Hamblen was just turning into his fourteenth year when his parents came to Texas. One of his earliest and most vivid recollections of Texas was the scarce and flight of the settlers that preceded the march of Santa Anna in the spring of 1836,-the pell-mell retreat known as the " Run-away- Scrape." That forced flight brought its hard- ships and sorrows to the Ilamblen household. Only two days before the retreat began the mother gave birth to a child, and in this critical condition she with the infant was
loaded into a wagon and the journey under- taken amid the general fright and confusion. Then, on the return in the fall, one son and two daughters were buried, and another sou the following year.
After the death of his father in 1844, John W. Hamblen and his elder brother, William K., assumed control of affairs at home, and four years later, in 1848, came to Milam county, purchasing land on the San Gabriel river, where they settled. At that date the western part of Milam county was very sparsely populated. East of where Mr. IIamblen located about a mile lived Jesse Mercer, whose brother had been killed there by the Indians five years previously; east of him a mile farther lived William Langhlin, and east of him about the same distance lived Judge Aaron Dodd. These constituted the settlers toward Cameron. North toward Bell county there was a small settlement in the vicinity of where Davilla now stands, a man named Seaver and one or two of the Rosses living there. West, in the edge of William- son county, was Tom Allen, and between him and Georgetown was a man named Barton. South the nearest settler was James Ste- phens, who lived about two miles below the present town of Rockdale. What little trad- ing was done by the settlers in the western part of the county was done at Cameron, to which place they also went to court and to get their blacksmithing done, the three principal things that called them away from home. Stock-raising was the chief industry, and Mr. Hamblen soon had a large bunch of cattle ranging in the bottoms of the San Ga . briel and on the adjacent prairies. He and his brother opened a small store near where they settled in 1854, and for six years -- un- til the opening of the war -- were engaged in the mercantile business at that place. On
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locating in the county Mr. Hamblen bought a tract of 620 acres of land, paying therefor 623 cents an aere. While land was yet cheap be invested his means as they accumulated in this way; and as a result of these prudent investments at this writing he owns 3,000 acres lying along the San Ga- briel river, a considerable part of which is un- der cultivation. He has resided on his old homestead since settling there in 1848, and has at all times been interested in farming and stock-raising. He is also still interested in mercantile business, owning a hardware and saddlery house at Rockdale, which does a business of from $25,000 to $30,000 a year.
On May 1, 1844, Mr. Hamblen married Sarah Thompson, then of Harris county, Texas, but a native of Alabama, having been brought to this State by her brother-in-law, L. S. Campbell, when she was twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs. Hamblen have only one child, a son, Henry F., who is in charge of his father's farming interest.
A lack of desire for popular applanse, or perhaps a consciousness that such applause is a very unsubstantial thing on which to lean in the struggles of this life, has kept Mr. Hamblen out of public office, and aided no doubt on the other hand in making of him equally as useful and highly respected a citi- zen as any official career to which he might have aspired would have made. He has in- terested himself, liowever, in matters relating to the welfare of this State and county, is well inforined on such matters and holds concern- ing them decided opinions which when oc- casion demands he can set forth with clear- ness and maintain with intelligence and sound reasoning. Ile has always been a Democrat, but has dared at times to differ with the leaders of his party. He opposed both annexation and secession, but when
both were accomplished by a majority vote of the people he went with the State and gave it his active sympathy and support. He was always a warm supporter of General Hous- ton, and voted for him in 1841 for President of the Republic before reaching his majority. His first vote for President of the United States was cast in 1848 for Lewis Cass, the regular Democratic nominee.
Mr. Hamblen and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and have been for many years, this being the church of his mother, who spent a long and exceptionally pions and useful life in its service. His elder brother, William K., is a minister of this church, and under its influence and teaching all the children of his brothers and sisters and his own have been reared.
John W. Hamblen's name must stand al- ways in the history of Milam county as one of her worthiest citizens. While he has not been a public character he has been a maker of history. He has scen the rugged forests and wild prairies reduced to cultivated and arable fields. Identified with the county while it was Mexican territory, he has lived to see many changes, and to be an ac- tive participant in both the peaceful and vio- lent revolutions that went on around him, living under five governments: Mexican, Texan, United States, Confederate and again United States. He witnessed the gradual expulsion of the red man and the steady ad- vancement of the white race. He occupied Texas soil when the people cast off Mexican government. He saw the country change from a dependency to an independent repub- lic, and was not an nninterested spectator when the new bnt vigorous republic asked for admission to the American Union. Hle witnessed the movement that made Texas free and the peaceable settlement by which she
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became one of the sisterhood of States; and he has lived long enough to know that this State is destined to become the greatest in the American galaxy.
Hle was eminently equipped by nature for the life he has lived: of rugged constitution, adequate conrage, persevering energy, gener- ons in nature, hospitable, kind and faithful; with clear and well defined convictions, sound judgment and honorable impulses. Although he began life with comparatively little, he is now one of the wealthiest men in the county, and still it can not be said of him that he ever sned or oppressed a debtor. Concerning those things that have engaged his mind, he has been an accurate thinker, and his judgment is deferred to by those who know him long and well. He has lived soberly, honestly, nprightly, and there is no stain on his honor, no blot on his character.
of Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Ilis father, Edmond Harvey, was a pioneer in Alabama.
Samnel H. Harvey was twice married, his first marriage ocenrring in 1840, when he wedded Catherine Prewitt, who was a native of Alabama and a daughter of James A. and Nancy (Wilder) Prewitt, early settlers of that State. Her parents moved to Texas about 1833, where they died. Her people were pioneers thronghont, the Prewitts being of English extraction, and the Wilders of Scotch. Mrs. Harvey died in 1847, leaving three children: Martha, who was married to James B. Gee and is now deceased; William W. of this sketch; and James, who died in Burleson county, Texas, abont 1846. Samuel H. Harvey married the second time in 1848, Samantha Oldhain, who was a native of Tennessee, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Burleson connty, this State. By this marriage he had one child, Mary Samantha, who is now the wife of William Daniels, of Williamson connty, Texas.
W ILLIAM W. HARVEY, of Rock- dalc, Milam county, is a son of Samnel H. Harvey, who was a native William W. Harvey, with whom this sketch is principally concerned, was born in Burleson county, Texas, Jannary 22, 1843. At his father's death seven years later, he was taken by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Prewitt, who then lived in Hill county, and given a home in her family nntil the marriage of his older sister. He then went to live with her and formed one of her household until her death five years later. He was then thrown at the age of fourteen on the world, when he began the battle of life for himself. of Alabama, born near the town of Bowling Green on a farin where he was reared, whence after his marriage he came about 1837 to Texas and settled in Burleson county. There he lived nutil his death, which ocenrred in 1850. He was a farmer by occupation,-a fairly successful one for his day, an industri- ons, good citizen. He was in the ranging service in this State soon after coming here, but never filled any civil offices. He came of good autecedents, the Harveys being substantial, well-to-do planters of Alabama, originally of English descent, the early Ile worked for wages as a stock-herder and farm-hand until the opening of the late war, when, in May. 1861, he entered the Confeder- representatives of the name having settled in the Atlantic seacoast States in colonial times, whence they drifted west and south by way | ate army, enlisting in Company A, Sevon-
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teenth Texas Regiment, with which he served during the war. His services were west of the Mississippi. and he was at Hempstead, this State, at the time of the surrender.
Returning to Burleson county at that time, he worked for a year as a farm-hand. Then, in 1866, he married, and after a short residence in Tarrant county he moved to California, where he lived until 1870, engaged in the stock business and teaming. Return- ing to Texas in 1870, he bought a place in Milam connty, on which he settled and engaged in farming. Ile farmed for twenty years on this place, when, in 1890, he moved to Rockdale, where he purchased a livery business, to which he has since given his attention. He still owns his farm, however, a good place consisting of 480 aeres, and be- sides this and his livery stock owns other property, all of which represents his carnings since coming ont of the war in 1865.
Mr. Harvey married, as stated, in 1866, the lady being Miss Ellen Fletcher, of Milam county, whose parents, Thomas and Martha Fletcher, settled in this county about 1858. The father died here in 1879, and the mother in Comanche county in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. . Harvey have had nine children born to them: Alice, who is now the wife of James Rogers, of Comanche county; Martha; Charles L .; Dovie; Addie; Effie; Ada; Edna; and William W. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey are members of the Baptist Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Honor.
in Owen county, Kentucky, in an early day. lle was a farmer by ocenpation, as was also his son, T. J. The latter married Mary E. Elmore, a native of Kentucky and a daugli- ter of John and Elizabeth (Headley) Elmore. The father was one of the leading farmers of his native county. Thomas J. Brown still resides on his farm in Kentucky, where he and his wife reared a family of nine children: James S., of Kentucky; Sarah, wife of W. 1. McCansland; John S., our subject; Felicia, wife of George W. Hamilton, of Missouri; Mary, wife of James Remmington; Lulo, now Mrs. Charles Boener; Oliver, deceased; and Ernest.
John S. Brown, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the Kentucky Uni- versity and Eminence College. At the age of twenty-one years he began the study of medieine, and in the following year entered the Lonisville University. After graduating he began the practice of medicine in Trimble county, Kentucky, and since 1877 has fol- lowed his profession in Taylor, Texas. Ile has been very successful both as a physician and surgeon. In 1889 he attended a post- graduate school in New York.
Dr. Brown was married in 1870, to Miss Julia Stapp, a native of Madison, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Julia (Reed) Stapp, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Stapp had the following children: Hamilton, of this State; Robert; Charles, deceased: Julia, wife of our subject; Ida, wife of Jolm Mc- Gregor, State Senator from Jefferson county, Indiana: Russell, a merchant of Des Moines, lowa; James A., a resident of Chicago. Mr. Stapp was for many years a wholesale and was a nephew of General Milton Stapp, well-
OHN S. BROWN, one of the prominent physicians of Taylor, was born in New i retail merchant of Madison, Indiana. HIe Liberty. Kentucky, in 1844, a son of Thomas JJ. Brown, also a native of that State. known in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have The latter's father, Thomas Brown, located ; had three children: Ernest, deccased,
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Russell and Bernard. The Doctor is interested in both town and county real-estate, and is one of the prominent medical practitioners of his county. Socially, he is a member of the F. M. C., of Taylor, and in religion both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
C ARL SWENSON, one of the worthy representatives of the foreign popula- tion who have aided so largely in the development of this country, is a native of Sweden, a son of Angust Swenson. He was born April 18, 1863, and was brought to the United States with his parents when a child of five years; they located in Austin, Texas, where Carl was educated in private schools. At the proper age he went to serve an appren- tieeship in the cabinet shop of which his father was foreman; there he remained three years, and then came to Williamson county for the purpose of improving the farm his father had purchased.
The small eapital given him by his father when he started out to meet the responsibili- ties of life and win his own fortnne, was ju- diciously invested, and in 1886 he purchased his present farm, a choice traet of 200 acres, lying six miles from Taylor; the improvements are substantial and models of convenience. Mr. Swenson has placed 120 acres under cultiva- tion, and with the assistance of one man plants and gathers his crops, which he varies with keen insight into nature's laws. He is a man of nntiring energy and strong purpose, and has made the ntinost use of all oppor- tunities to further his interests.
A loyal citizen of his adopted country he casts his vote with the Democratic party, thongh beyond the performance of this duty his interest in politics does not extend.
Mr. Swenson was mited in marriage in December, 1884, to Mary Ann Newlin, a daughter of A. Newlin, one of the old set- tlers of Williamson county who reared a family of eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Swenson have one child, Albert Walter, born January 17, 1887.
D AVID EPPRIGHT, of Travis county, Texas, is a son of Jacob Eppright. who was born in Maryland, in 1790. lle afterward moved to Tennessee, next to Indiana, later to Missouri, and his death occurred in the latter State in 1851. He was a miller by trade, and was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Eppright was married to Catherine Wolfe, a native also of Maryland. They had twelve children, viz .: Susan, who married Adison McSpadden, a resident of Texas, but both are now de- ceased; Anna, who married a Mr. Combs, both also now deceased; Jonathan, a farmer of Missouri; Napoleon, deceased; David, the subject of this sketch; Isaac and Jacob, twins, the former in Texas and the latter in Missouri; Polly, wife of Mr. Triplet; Benja- min, a resident of Missouri; Joseph, deceased ; and Jane, who died when young.
David Eppright, our subject, was born in Maryland, in 1817. At the age of four years he was taken to Greene county, Tennessee, later to Indiana, and next to Missouri. He remained with his parents until 1841, and worked at whatever he could find to do. At the age of twenty-four years, in con- nection with farming, he was employed as a wheelright. In 1846 Mr. Eppright came to Texas, where he followed the same veen- pation until 1875, and in 1889 moved to his present home. lle now owns abont 800
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acres of good land, and has also given his children 600 acres each, and has town property.
In 1841 our subject was united in mar- riage with Mary Ann Smelson, a native of Missouri and a danghter of Harrison and Eliza (Jones) Smelson, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Eppright have had eight children, viz .: Cath- erine, wife of Sterling Chamberland, of Travis comty; Mary Jane, wife of A. E. Lane, also of this county; Martha Ann. widow of Ren- ben Riggle, of Travis county; Jolin Thomas, deceased; Jacob, a resident of this county; Exer, deceased; Alice, wife of Ira Johnson; and Eugenia, deceased. Politically, Mr. Epp- right affiliates with the Prohibition party; socially, is a member of the Masonic order; religionsły, both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
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E ZEKIEL STEELE MATTHEWS, a farmer of Travis county, is a son of Abner Matthews, who was born in North Carolina, in March, 1792. In 1812 he located in Manry county, Tennessee, and afterward, in 1883, in Tipton county, same State, where he was engaged in farming. In 1840 he left that county for Texas, going down the Mississippi river to New Orleans and on the gulf to Galveston, thence by schooner to Matagorda, and next by wagon to lay- ette and Travis counties. Mr. Matthews was present at the first sale of lots in Austin, in 1839, in September. of that year, rented land near the city, and then purchased a place within the limits of the condemned land of Anstin, where he resided until 1862. He served as Lientenant under General Jackson,
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