USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 20
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Mr. McClanahan was married in Caldwell, Texas, August 25, 1857, to Bettie Horton, and they had four children: James W., Tax Collector of Caldwell, Burleson county; John S., a farmer of Lee county; and Mamie and Annie, twins, the former a teacher in the Caldwell school, and the latter in the Lexing- ton school. Mrs. McClanahan died in June, 1874, and in 1882 our subject married Annie Griffin. This wife died in Jannary, 1892.
James Harvey McClanahan, a brother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Law- rence county, Alabama, October 26, 1822, and came with his parents to Texas in 1846. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the late war, in Company H, Second Texas Infantry, and was sent to Galveston. On account of sickness he was soon obliged to return home, after which he was engaged principally on detached service. Mr. McClanahan resides at the old homestead, where he lias 100 acres
of land, forty-eight acres cultivated. In his politieal relations he is a Democrat, and re- ligionsly is a member of the Baptist Churchi.
December 7, 1871, he was united in mar- riage to Dollie A. Jolinson, a native of Ala- bama, who came with her parents to Texas after the close of the Civil war. To this union have been born four children, viz .: Ora, who was killed in a runaway accident; Lee, deceased; Einma, deceased; and Bertha, at home.
HOMPSON F. FOWLER, deceased .- When we survey the useful labors of many men we are often compelled to regret the meagerness of their per- sonal histories left on record. This is especi- ally true of those who from native modesty have shunned rather than courted publicity during their lives. It is one of the purposes of this volume to rescne from oblivion and preserve in its appropriate place an account of the labors of the leading citizens of the locality covered by it, together with brief notes of their personal characteristics and manner of conducting themselves towards their fellow-men. Among those deserving this recognition, mention may here be made of the late Thompson F. Fowler, farmer, stock raiser and influential citizen of Davilla, Milam county. Mr. Fowler was a native of Pike county Missouri, born March 22, 1836. At the age of fourteen he was brought by his parents to Texas, and was reared in Gon- zales and Burnet counties, where they re- sided during his early years. November 2, 1858, he married Miss Martha Smithwick of Burnet county, and in 1860 moved to Cali- fornia, which State, with brief intervals of temporary absence, continued to be his home until 1872. In the meantime having lost
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his wife in California and married a second time in this state, he returned bere and took up his residence permanently in Milan connty in January 1873. Ile continned a resident of this county from that time until his death, which occurred June 14, 1886. He led an active life throughout his whole career and accuinnlated a considerable amonnt of property. Ile was engaged mostly in live-stock business and in trading in lands. At his death lie left an estate consisting of about 5,000 acres of land and considerable personal property, and this after having made provision for his children. He was a liberal and cheerful contributor to all charitable purposes, making his life so far as it lay in his power to do so, an accept- able fulfillment of the golden rule. He left surviving him a widow and four sons, two of the sous being by his first wife, and two by the last.
Mrs. Mildred M. Fowler, second wife of Thompson F. Fowler, was born in Fayette county this State October 30, 1847, and is a daughter of Abner and Maria Kuykendall, who moved to Texas in 1831. Her father was born in Tennessee in 1807, and her mother in Kentucky in 1811. They were among the early settlers in this State, and belonged to the wealthy and cultured class of citizens composed of slave owners and planters in ante-bellum days. They moved from Fayette to Bell county, where the father was for some years engaged in milling and merchandising. IIe died in Johnson county in 1867, aged sixty years. His widow survived until June 1892, reaching the ripe age of eighty-one. Both were life-long members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of which organization they were pioneers in Texas. For many years before her death the mother made her home with
her daughter, Mrs. Fowler, where she re- ccived the care and attention dne her. Since her husband's death Mrs. Fowler lias has had the control of his estate consisting of several thousand acres of land nearly a thousand of which is under enltivation. She farms largely by tenants, for whom she has made ample provision in the way of com- fortable buildings and with whom she gets along pleasantly, and succeeds financially far better than the average man. Her two sons, Engene G., born September 12, 1870, and Thompson E., born July 11, 1874, remain with her, and render her dutiful service. Mr. Fowler's two sons by his first wife, the elder Charles L., born April 6, 1860, being a merchant at Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Wiley, born October 5, 1863, living in western Texas.
Mrs. Fowler was rearcd in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church, having been an active member of that church for many years.
HOMAS H. GRAVES .- The true heroes of America are those who, from time to time, have left the comforts of civilized life and planted the seeds of new States deep in the wilderness. Of this number were Dr. John H. Graves and wife, who were for many years residents of Milam county and who thoughi now deceased have left lasting monuments to their memory in the lives and character of their descendants. They had six children, five of whom became grown and four of whom are now citizens of this county, sketelies of three of them appear- ing in this volume. Dr. Graves and wife were natives of North Carolina, where they were born now nearly a century ago. They
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married there and moved thence in 1852 to Texas, settling in Independence, Washing- ton connty. After a residence at that place of six years they came to Milam county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, he dying here in April, 1888, at the ripe old age of eighty-two, and his wife in November, 1890, at the age of seventy-six. In earlier life he was devoted to the practice of his pro- fession - that of dentistry - but later engag- ed in farming and stock raising. He was a prominent Mason and both he and his wife were life-long members of the Baptist Church. Both were diligent in the discharge of their duties as parents and as members of society, as is fully evidenced not only by the testi- mony of those who knew them, but also by the industrious, exemplary Christian lives which their sons and daughters are leading. Their six children are: Hattie, who is now the wife of S. M. Dunlap of Ballinger, Run- nels county ; Thomas H., the subject of this sketch; Preston, who died yonng; Fred A., of Milam county; Julia, the wife of D. Davis of this connty; George S., also of this county.
Thomas H. Graves was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, February 16, 1842. He was just ten years old when his parents moved to Texas and settled in Washington county and sixteen when they came to Milam connty. He received such educational ad- vantages as were offered in the localities where he grew np. At the age of nineteen he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in 1861, in Company D, Fourth Texas Cavalry, Green's brigade, with which he served dnr- ing the first year of the war in New Mexico and Arizona. llis command then returning, he joined the forces operating west of the Mississippi river, from which time on until the close of hostilities he served in Arkansas,
Louisiana and Texas. He took part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated, these including the recapture of Galveston in 1863, but was never wounded nor taken prisoner. At the close of the war he returned to Milam county, where he scraped together sufficient means to bny a small pair of mules and engage in farming. Hle followed this and worked for others as a farm and stock hand at $15 a month, his wages being increased as his services became more valnable, until he saved a few hundred dollars, which he invested in lands. At length he began trading in stock and branched out in his farming operations until he now owns abont 2,500 acres of valuable land, abont 400 acres of which is in cultivation, on which he raises an abundance of Texas staple prodnets, cotton and corn. His land is divided into farms, which he leases to tenants, giving his personal attention to buying, feeding and marketing cattle for beef. He feeds from 600 to 800 head annually, which he generally succeeds in disposing of to good advantage. Mr. Graves has succeeded ad- mirably in life, and his success and talent for business might justify him in aspiring to a higher career if he chose to do so; but he has never sought distinction of any kind nor exhibited an nudne desire for wealth. His wish seems to be to live up to the full measure of his responsibilities as a man and a citizen, and leave the glamour and tinsel, the glory of wealth and fame to others. Ile interests .himself actively in everything of importance relating to the welfare of the comunity where he resides, being a stannch supporter of the schools and churches. Hle and his brothers, Fred A. and George S., donated the land and erected at their own ex- pense a good school building in their neighborhood, where they have conducted for
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eiglit months in the year as good a country school as can be found in Milam county.
In 1880 Mr. Graves married Miss Addie Tribble, danghter of George C. and Rebecca Tribble, who moved from Mississippi to Texas in 1875 and settled in Milam county, where the mother died in 1889 and the father in 1891. Mrs. Graves was born in Mississippi, October, 1858, and was a young lady when her parents moved to this State. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have had six children born to them, five of whom are living: George, born Jannary, 1881; Ilenry, born October, 1883; Lura, born October, 1885; Paul, born Jannary, 1888; and Estell, born Jannary, 1890.
W B. HENRY, one of the old set- tlers of Texas was born in Wayne county, Tennessee, July 21 1829, son of Franklin and Tabitha (Canada) Henry, both natives of east Tennessee. The father was a farmer, born, reared and married in Tennessee, who removed to Alabama in 1830, remained there until quite an old man, then returned to the State of his nativity, settled in Lawrence connty, middle Tennessee, where he remained until 1850, when he started for Texas, but only reached Memphis when his wife was taken sick and died. He then re- turned to Franklin county, Alabama, where he lived on a farm until he died, about 1855. He had a family of four children, namely: our subject, Nancy, Caroline and Alexander.
Our subject came to Texas in 1854, and settled on a farm in Williamson county after his marriage in 1856. For his wife he wedded Elizabeth Thompson, which lady is still living. During the late war our sub- ject lianled cotton for the Government, run-
ning several ox teams. Since the war he has been farming, wagoning and freighting. Ilis wife is a native of Alabama, daughter of G. G. and Milanda Thompson, who came to Texas with their family in 1854. Mrs. Henry was one of seven children, namely: Martha, Mrs. J. Wade; Mrs. Henry, living in Texas; Thamar, living in Texas; Catherine, Mrs. T. W. Marrs; Ervin, a farmer of Bel! county, Texas; Eliza, Mrs. Ben Adkinson; and T. J. Thompson, now living at Bertram, Texas.
Our subject and wife have four children, uamely: George, married to Mrs. Iligh, liv- ing in east Texas; Mary C., wife of James Willingham, residing in Bell county; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Marion Ray, residing in east Texas; and Lucy, Mrs. Solomon Presley, a farmer. Mrs. Henry is a member of the Baptist Church, in which she takes an active part. Our subject is one of the pioneers of this part of the State, and during his long residence liere has gained the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. He has always been industrious, honest and worthy of any confidence that might be reposed in him. He and his estimable wife enjoy the good wishes of every one who kuows themn. These good people are well deserving an honorable place among the worthy citizens of Williamson county.
S P. RITCHEY, one of the pioneer farmers of Williamson county, resid- ing at Beaukiss, was born in Benton connty, Alabama, in 1842. At the age of twelve years he was brought to Texas, and has since resided in the Lone Star State. His father, G. W. Ritchey, was a native of South Carolina; he removed thence with his parents
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and for a time lived in Georgia before locating in Alabama; he was an extensive planter and inet with great prosperity. Ilis father, Jo- seph Ritchey, was also a native of South Carolina; he had two sons, William and G. W .; the latter was united in marriage to Emeline Willis, a daughter of John and Ann (Milligan) Willis, and one of a family of eight children, named as follows: William, Nelson, Harvey, Betsey, Emeline, Margaret, Cynthia and Flora. G. W. Ritchey and wife had a family of seven children: Martha, wife of Alfred Griffin; Steward, deceased; S. P., the subject of this notice; Johnson; Kate, wife of Jolm Kelly; Margaret, wife of Mr. Cook; and Hugh Anderson.
The public-school system had not reached its perfeet development during the youth of Mr. Ritchey, and even district .schools were few, and eondneted quite indifferently. He lived a quiet, uneventful life until the fall of 1861, when he entered the Confederate ser- vice, joining Captain Buckholtz's company; he was assigned to the First Regiment of Sibley's brigade, and was sent to the western frontier, and, although there were several en- gagements, Mr. Ritehey was prevented from participating on account of a severe attack of a more subtle, though not less dangerous foe, smallpox. In June, 1862, he assisted in re- taking Galveston, and spent the following winter in Texas. The next year witnessed many important movements of the Confeder- aey, but Mr. Ritchey's company was com- pelled to fall back through Arkansas to Texas and go into eamp at Moseby's Ferry; there he remained until the cessation of hostilities and the inauguration of peace. Returning to Williamson county he resumed his former occupation of farming. In 1867 he located on his present place, a traet of wild, nnim- proved land. His first purchase was of one
hundred acres. His efforts have been re- warded by a most generous response from mother earth, and his harvests have been bountiful. He has purchased an additional seventy acres in this county, and owns 366 aeres in Burnet county. Ilis land is devoted to the culture of cotton, and he holds his erops for satisfactory prices. In 1892 he disposed of crops of 1890, 1891 and 1892 for $9.50, his neighbors having sold the same crops for $6 and $7.
In September, 1862, Mr. Ritchie was united in marriage to Cornelia Woodruff, a daughter of John and Sarah (Smithi) Wood- ruff. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff reared a family of four children: Eliza, wife of Eli Nations, Miranda, Julia and Mrs. Ritehie. Both the father and mother had children by a former marriage. Mr. Ritchie and wife had born to them a family of twelve children: Almon, Robert and Anna (twins), Mary, Frank, Ada- line, Bettie, Thomas, Irene, Callie, John, and Charlie. Anna is the wife of J. F. Riles. The family are connected with the Baptist Church, and are highly respected in the com- munity.
ISAAC M. WILLIAMS, a prominent citi- zen and farmer of Williamson county, is a son of James B. and Sarah (Coffey) Williams. The paternal grandfather, Isaae Williams, raised his family in Madison county, Kentucky, and afterward moved to Arkansas, where he subsequently died. James B. Williams was born and raised in Kentucky, was there married in 1834, imine- diately moved to Washington county, Arkansas, in 1849 settled on the land our subject now owns in Williamson county, Texas, and in 1852 removed to San Saba
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county, this State. While there the father was a member of a company of State Ran- gers, nnder Captain Jolin Williams, who was murdered by the Indians at Baby Head, Llano county, Texas. Mr. Williams served several years. He died July 1, 1891, the mother having departed this life in 1862. They were the parents of eleven children, namely: William Mason, deceased, was a minister in the Christian Church; Elizabeth, wife of W. M. Howell, of Williamson county; Isaae M., onr subject; Jane, wife of Evan Mankins, of this eounty; David, deceased; Kels II. and Jolm, of Williamson county; Ellen, wife of George Taeket, of Erath county, Texas; Lynn, Maggie, and James, deceased. After the mother's death, the father married Martha Ward, and they had three children: Etta and Einma (twins), and Lee. Mr. Williams was a farmer and stock- raiser by occupation, a Democrat in his politieal views, and a member of the Chris- tian Church. The Coffey family were early settlers of Kentucky, the mother of our sub- ject having been born and raised in that State, and many of her relatives still reside there.
Isaac M. Williams, the subject of this biography, was born in Washington county, Arkansas, April 19, 1844, and came to Texas at the age of five years. In 1861, at the opening of the late war, he enlisted in Com- pany A, Morgan's Cavalry Company, served on the west side of the Mississippi river, and took part in the battles of Gravel Ridge, Cape Girardeau, Old Jackson, White Water, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, etc. He had two horses shot under him, one at White Water and the other at Old Jackson, but was never wounded or captured. After returning from the army Mr. Williams resmined farming and stoek-raising, and has resided on his
present farm about twelve years. He owns 3,500 acres of good land, 1,000 acres of which is under a fine state of cultivation, and located about four miles from Georgetown. This is one of the best ranches in Williamson county.
Mr. Williams was married in this county, July 13, 1864, to Elizabeth Roberts, who was born in Burleson county, Texas, but raised in Williamson county. She is one of seven children, most of whom reside in Brown, Wood and Howard counties, Texas. The Roberts family have resided in this State for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have had eight children, namely: William Mason, deceased; Einzy D., of Williamson county; Sallie, wife of J. W. Styles; King, a resident of this county; Lucy, wife of W. W. Edwards; and Fannie, Willie, and Maggie, at home. In his political relations, Mr. Williams affiliates with the Demoeratie party.
EORGE IRVINE, a manufacturer of artificial ice, and proprietor of the City Mills of Georgetown, was born on Orkney Islands, March 21, 1841, a son of Thomas and Jennette Irvine. In early life the father was a contractor and builder in Scotland, but in 1848 emigrated to Canada, where he followed farming until his death, in May, 1891, at the age of eighty- four years. He was a member of the Uni- versalist Church, held many of the minor offices of his county, and was well, favorably and extensively known. His memory is cherished by all who knew him, as a tender, generous, noble man and a worthy citizen. The mother, born in 1805, died June 6, 1893, at the age of eight-eight years. She was a member of the Universalist Church, but both
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she and her linsband were formerly Scotch Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine had five children: Thomas, who died in George- town in 1885; Edward, a resident of Lineoh county, Ontario; George, our subject ; Jennette, wife of Thomas Theal, a farmer of Lincoln eounty ; and Absolom T., who was for many years manager of the lumber business of our subject, but is now bookkeeper for Whittle & Talbert. He married Miss Jennie Patterson, of Ontario. Thomas married Eliza M. Cobb, whose parents resided in Michigan.
George Irvine, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Canada, and also tanglit school in that country several years. In the fall of 1867 he located in Bee county, Texas, but shortly afterward removed to Refugio connty, following carpentering and building there eleven years, and in 1878 came to Georgetown. He followed the same occupa- tion in this city until 1881, and in that year associated himself with his brother, Thomas, in the lumber business and contracting, which partnership continued until the broth- er's death in 1885. Mr. Irvine continued the business alone until 1890, when he sold the lumber yard and purchased the gristmill, where he grinds about 100,000 bushels annnally. The ice factory was purchased in 1886. From 1880 to 1890 Mr. Irvine had from fifteen to fifty employes on his pay roll, and in addition to these interests, he is also a stockholder in the Georgetown & Granger Railroad. He served as Justice of the Peace in Bee county, and has been Alderman of Georgetown for the past seven or eight years.
In Canada, in 1871, he was nnited in mar- riage to Rebecca Kent, a native of Canada, and of English descent. They have five chil- dren: Eva, Edgar, Chester, Etta May and George Oscar. Mr. and Mrs. Irvine are members of the Episcopal Church, of which
the former is a member of the Vestry and Senior Warden. He has been a member of the Masonic Order for twenty-seven years, of the chapter and blue lodge, and is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is an accommodating gentleman, a trne Scotclunan, and has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
J W. PARKHILL, the subject of this notice, is a son of a former well-known citizen of Burleson county, David Park- hill, who moved to this county in 1851, and was a resident of the same until his death, more than twenty- five years later. David Parkhill was a son of Eli Parkhill, and was born in the State of New York, August 12, 1817. Accompanying his parents to Michi- gan in his yonth he grew up there, and there, in the town of Owosso, on the 2d of March, 1843, married Delia Pratt. Eight years later he came to Texas and settled in Burleson connty, where he spent the remainder of his life. He learned the trade of carpenter in his early manhood and followed it both in Michigan and in this State, having planned and superintended the construction of many of the houses that were erected at an earlier date in Burleson county. About 1865 Mr. Parkhill gave up business pursuits and gave his attention to politics, in which he was an active participant for a number of years. He was elected Treasurer of the county in 1868, and held the office until his death ten years later. He was an upright and capable officer, and enjoyed to the end of his days the con- fidence of his fellow-citizens. Of a nervons and restless disposition, he constantly bnsied himself with his personal interests and the duties of his office, and worked almost np to
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the day of his death. He belonged to the Baptist Church, with which he was connected for many years. His widow died March 14, 1883, at the age of fifty-eight, the same day on which her mother died, the latter at the age of one hundred. The children of David and Delia Parkhill were: Emma L., who was born January 15, 1844, was married to J. W. Farmer and died in Burleson connty in 1877; Eli S., born November 9, 1845, now a resident of Caldwell; Albert, born Novem- ber 21, 1849, now living in Llaño county; Trmman W., of this article; Edward F., born July 17, 1855, now deceased; Alice M., born May 25, 1857, was married to C. R. Porter and resides in Llano county; Nina, born Oc- tober 2, 1859, was married to J. J. McMillan and is now deceased; and George H., who was born March 21, 1861, and is now deceased.
Truman W. Parkhill was born in Burle- son connty, Texas, December 12, 1852. He was reared here, having been bronght up on the farm. On the thirty-first day of Decem- ber, 1874, he married Miss Cornelia Houston, a danghter of T. J. Honston, an old settler of Burleson connty, Mrs. Parkhill having been born in this county. She died March 13, 1877, and on May 26, 1881, Mr. Parkhill married Miss Sallie Burns, then of Lee county, and a daughter of William and Anna Burns, who moved to this State from Arkan- sas about 1865. The present Mrs. Parkhill was born in Columbia county, Arkansas, where her people were for several years resi- dents. Her mother's maiden naine was War- ren, and she was a member of a prominent family of Arkansas, being a sister of Edward A. Warren, who was a Congressinan for many years from that State, and a sister of B. W. M. Warren, who was in the State Senate several years in Arkansas. Mrs. Parkhill's family moved from Mississippi to Arkansas.
Her father was born in Bedford county, Ten- nessee, and her mother in Greene county, Alabama. They were married in Salem, Tippah county, Mississippi, in 1842, and in 1850 moved to Arkansas, settling in Colum- bia county, and resided in that State -- mostly in Camden - nntil their removal to Texas fifteen years later. Mrs. Parkhill is one of seven children born to her parents, the others being Edward Burns, the present Assessor of Lee county, this State; William J., who is now deceased; Lavenia, wife of William Doak, of Lexington, Lee county, Texas; Mint, who was married to Charles Davis and is now deceased; Mary, who was married to Abe Mathis and resides in Bell county; and Jennie, who died at the age of sixteen.
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