USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 24
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February 20, 1866, lic married Miss Fannie J. Grant, of Burleson county, she being a |lives at Hartley, Ilartley county, Texas;
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Winnie and Archie. Joseph F. Grant died at Bryan, this State, July 22, 1872, whither he had gone on business,
Henry Gregg was a good citizen, and his death was a genuine loss to the community where he resided. IIe was a sincere friend and a faithful and affectionate husband and father.
The religious connection of Mr. Gregg's family was with the Presbyterian Church; that of Mrs. Gregg's family was with the Baptist Church, to which Mrs. Gregg has be- longed for many years. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Gregg has assmmed the management of his affairs and has succeeded as but few succeed; notwithstanding she has obstacles thrown in her way that many men have the good fortune to escape.
EWIS L. CHILES .- Though no costly shaft marks his last resting place and his name can not be found on the map of the county, the ineinory of Lewis L. Chiles will long live in the annals of this portion of Texas, because of his honorable services as a citizen when those services were most needed, and because of the splendid character which he left at his death.
He was a native of Virginia, born and reared in that great State which has been so fruitful of men of sterling worth, and to which Texas has many times had occasion to make acknowledgment for some of the bravest and best of her citizens. But little is known of his early years. He was left an orphan at a tender age, and, leaving his kinspeople when he was abont eighteen, he became per- inanently separated from them and never knew much of them. He was one of a large family, however, and in the distribution of
these among relatives presumably fared no better than orphans usually do when bereft of parents at so early an age. He abandoned his native State in 1828 and started west for the purpose of making his own way in the world, stopping abont a year in Tennessee, where he had some distant relatives living, after which he came on to Texas. He was still mider age when he came to this sec- tion, but was an energetic and self-reliant youth, and, having heard much of the " far' Southwest," came in search of some of its pleasures and fascinating experiences. Like most of the young men of those days, he had no permanent place of abode for some years after coming to Texas, spending part of his time in the settlements in the eastern part of the conntry and part of it in the settlements along the Brazos river. He found irregular employment with various surveying expe- ditions, and in this way helped at different times to locate a large number of claims for settlers. He served also with the " minute men " as often as his presence was needed to assist in keeping off the attacks of Indians; and finally, when the climax of the troubles with Mexico was reached, moved by patriotic ardor and a zeal for the cause of liberty, he shouldered his musket and marched with the devoted band of patriots under Houston to repel the invasion of the Mexican army under Santa Anna. He was in the battle of San Jacinto, and thus helped to win Texas inde- pendence and render glorious for all time the name of Texas and Texas arms.
For a number of years, both before and after the settlement of the trouble with Mex- ico, he made frequent trips through what is now Burleson county, during one of which he was the guest of the family of James Hitchcock, living on the Yegua near the Washington county line. Here he met and
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later married Emily, one of the younger members of this family, who shared the joys and sorrows of this life with him for twenty- odd years. His marriage led to his perma- ment settlement in Burleson county, which occurred about 1838 or 1839, this being about the time the seat of justice for " old Milam county " was moved from Nashville to the town of Caldwell. He was one of the first settlers at the new county seat, and probably opened the first store at this place. He was actively identified with the history of the place from the date of his settlement here until his death some sixteen or eighteen years later. His marriage took place June 6, 1842. After that date he assumed the serious duties of life with steadiness and equanimity, and became one of the thrifty, industrious and public-spirited men of this locality. He was engaged for several years in merchandising in Caldwell, and later in farming and stock-raising on a limited scale, at which pursuits he accumulated some means which he used with the facilities then at hand for educating his children. He never held any public office, but was active in local and State polities, being a great admirer and life-long friend of General Houston. Judge R. E. B. Baylor, who was then prominent in politics and church matters, was another of his old-time friends, as were most of the public men in this part of the Republic. Although a devoted follower of General Houston's personal political fortunes, he op- posed annexation in 1845-'46, believing that Texas had territory enough for a separate government, and would in due time become sufficiently strong financially to support a government of its own; but he acquiesced in the decision of the majority, and when the secession question began to be agitated in 1860 -- '61 he was as much opposed to Texas
withdrawing from the Union as he had been to ber entering it. When, however, his na- tive State of Virginia withdrew and cast her lot with the Confederaey, he no longer stood out against the movement, but entered with spirit into the plans of the South, and until his death, May 29, 1864, he gave to the " lost canse " the best support of which he was capable, being beyond the age of mili- tary dnty. Ile was fifty-three at the time of his deathi and reasonably well preserved in body and mind. He had led an active life, especially in his earlier years; had been brought in personal contact with the rugged forces of nature as well as of society, but these left no serions marks on his character. When he married and assnmed the responsi- bility of a family his conduet became that of the husband and father solicitons for the wel- fare and good name of those under his charge, and till the day of his death his chief con- cern seemed to be for these. In 1856 he became converted and united with the Bap- tist Church at Caldwell, of which he was soon elected Deacon, and held this position as long as he lived. Next to his love for his family and his church, Texas,-the home of his adoption and whose history he had helped to make,-stood supreme in his affections. He was cast in the mold of the pioneer and was well trained in the seltools of experience. Brave, honest, generous and hospitable, with a serupnlous regard for what he conceived to be right and a broad charity for the failings of others, of sound intelligence on the eomn- mon affairs of life, he was well formed for the life he led.
Emily Ilitchcock, who, as above noted, be- came the wife of Lewis L. Chiles, was a na- tive of Georgia, born December 13, 1824, and was a daughter of James and Betsy Hitchcock, who were natives of Virginia,
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where they were married July 31, 1799, and moved thenee to Georgia, settling near the South Carolina line. Mrs. Chiles was one of a large family of children, most of whom were reared in Georgia, where they married and settled, never becoming residents of this State. One brother, however, Andrew J. Hitelieoek, came to Texas at an early day, enlisting in Fannin's command, with which he was captured at Goliad and fortunately made his eseape. He had a checkered eareer, having been twice to Sonth America, several times to Mexico, and an early immigrant to the Pacific coast. He died at Denton, this State, in 1887, near the eightieth year of his age, losing his life at that place by the burn- ing of a hotel. Sarah Ann Hitchcock, an- other sister of Mrs. Chiles, was married to Arthur Eldridge, who was the first District Clerk of Burleson county. Mrs. Chiles' par- ents died in this county, being well ad- vanced in years when they came out and settled here. Mrs. Emily Chiles is one of the pioneer women of Burleson county and one whose virtues entitle her to mention in this inonograph of her deceased husband. Under the preaching of that eminent pioneer preacher of Texas, the Rev. William Tryon, she was converted and baptized in girlhood, and, uniting with the Baptist Church, led a consistent Christian life until her death. She had been reared under the old regime in Texas and learned to keep open house in the style of the early days; she was free with all she had, a dutiful housewife and faithful friend and neighbor.
Ten children were born to Lewis L. and Emily Chiles, but six of whom are living, most of whom, however, became grown and married and left children in this county. Their eldest ehild was a daughter, Virginia, who was married to R. A. Higgason, since
deceased, the issne of which nuion was eight children, as follows: Mary, the wife of Jud- son Harris; Virginia C., the wife of Albert Snyder; Maggie, the wife of Jolin MeCowen; Ruben, who died at the age of three; Vara; May; Velma and Lee, the last two of whom died yonng. The second ehild of Lewis L. and Emily Chiles was Lizzie, who became the wife of Isaac Winston, and died leaving two children, James and Jolin. The third child of Lewis L. and Emily Chiles was James, who was born in 1846, enlisted at the age of fifteen in the Second Texas Infan- try, and died at Vicksburg, Mississippi, dur- ing the late war. The fourth ehild was a daughter, Barbara, who died at the age of sixteen while at Baylor College at Independ- ence. The fifth was Mary L., who was married to W. T. Womble, by whom she has had ten children: William C., Judson, Drew, Lewis, Charles (deceased), Lucy, Ethel, Leo- nora, Stanley Grey, and Clyde Carroll. The sixth child of Lewis L. and Emily Chiles was William Tryon, of whom mention will be inade further on. The seventh was Dabney; the eighth, Thomas C., who married Lulie Fielder, by whom he had one ehild, and died in October, 1880, at the age of twenty-three, his widow being the present wife of Dr. H. H. Darr, of Caldwell. The ninth child of Lewis and Emily Chiles was Baylor, and the tenth was Emily, who was married to Charles S. Williams, and died leaving two children, Mabel and Marye Dabney.
William Tryon Chiles, the sixth of this pioneer family and the eldest male member of it now living, was born December 12, 1854, in Caldwell, Burleson county, where he was also reared and edneated. He was varionsly engaged up to 1886, at which time he was elected Constable of Caldwell precinct, which office he held for four years, when he was
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elected Clerk of the District Court, being the present incumbent of that office. Mr. Chiles' character and conduct, officially and otherwise, are well known to the citizens of Burleson county, and need no comment in this connection. He bears an honored name, and is a worthy representative of it. Re- specting his personal or family history, one further fact may be recorded. January 31, 1883, he married Miss Bettie Heslep, dangli- ter of W. N. Heslep, an old settler of Burle- son connty, she also having been a native of this county. She died Jannary 24, 1890, at the age of thirty one, leaving two children, Bernice and Madaline.
Hi (ON. R. H. WATERS, ex-Representa- tive of Milam county, a progressive and prosperous farmer residing near Burlington, traces his ancestry to South Carolina, where the line ascending for three generations finds its source, so far as now can be determined, in one Colonel Phil Waters, a gallant soldier who served under Washington in the French and Indian wars, and under the same distinguished soldier in the Revolutionary struggle. Phil Waters bore a conspicuous part in these wars and by his activity incurred the especial hatred of the French and British cominanders against whom he served. It is preserved as one of the traditions of the family that at the sur- render of Fort Necessity, where Colonel Waters killed two French soldiers and three Indians, a special demand was made on Major Washington, commander of the Colon- ial troops, by the French commander for Colonel Waters, but that Major Washing- ton refused to honor the demand and Colonel Waters escaped the vengeance of the wrathy
Frenchman to do valiant service for the colonies in their subsequent revolt against the mother country. The military trappings of Colonel Waters are still in existence, being now in the possession of a sister of the subject of this notice, Mrs. T. M. Bragg, re- siding in Greenville, Alabama. Colonel Phil Waters had among other children, a son named Wilkes, who was born in Sonth Caro- lina and who married a Miss Manning, by whom he had three children, the eldest of whom was a son, Phil B., born in Newberry district in 1808. Phil B. Waters went to Alabama when a young man, locating in Butler connty, where he met and married Sarah Ann Womack and became the father of eight children, four sons and four dangh- ters, the sixth of whom, being the youngest son, was Richard H., the subject of this sketch.
Richard H. Waters was born in Butler county, Alabama, in 1851. He was reared in his native county, and educated at the Greenville Collegiate Institute. He came to Texas immediately on leaving school, and took up his residence on the line of Free- stone and Navarro counties, where for three years he engaged in farming. Returning to Alabama, he began the study of law under a distinguished lawyer of his native State, and after eighteen months spent in preparation, was admitted to the bar before Judge John Henry. Another year was spent in prepara- tion for the practice of his profession, after which he returned to Texas and located at Fairfield, Freestone county. He shortly afterward became a candidate for the office of County Attorney, of Freestone county, but was defeated. He then abandoned the law, and going to Robertson county, clerked abont a year for his brother there in the mercantile business, when, in 1882, he took
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up his residence in Milam county, where he has since lived. For ten years he has been engaged in farming, stock-raising and mer- chaudising. He now owns an interest in a ranch of about 620 acres lying on the north line of Milam county, and an interest in a mercantile business and gin at Burlington, and in recent years he has been somewhat active in politics. Mr. Waters received the Democratic nomination for the State Legis- lature from Milam county in 1890, was subsequently elected and served during one session. He made a good representative, and his career met with the general approval of his constitneney. He was a member of the following committees: Privileges and Elec- tions, Agricultural Affairs, Stock and Stock- raising and Countics and County Boundaries. He favored the railroad commission law, made an effort to rid the State of Jolinson grass by introducing a bill declaring it an offence to allow the grass to go to seed on one's place, and by request introduced a bill providing for the annulment of the marriage bonds in cases of insanity.
Mr. Waters has exercised a wide influence in the community in which he resides, giv- ing liberally of his time, means and personal effort to the building of the material, social and moral interests of that community.
M RS. MARTHA ALLEY, widow of G. W. Alley, Georgetown, Texas, is the only one of lier father's family now living. She is an old settler of Will- iamson county, very intelligent and popular, and is as highly respected as she is widely known. She is the daughter of James and Martha (Seals) Knight. The latter was a widow when she married James Knight, her
first husband's name being Benjamin Smal- ley, and he and his wife had several children, one of them being named William, and he, when abont thirteen years of age, was cap- tured by the Delaware Indians at some place not now known in Pennsylvania. At this same time his father, Benjamin, was killed in an encounter with the savages. William lived with his captors until he became a man and seemed to liave lost all desire to return to his people, but after many years returned to civilization and lived with them until his death. He, William Smalley, rendered great service afterward in carrying a flag of truce under Gencral Wayne, as he could talk many dialects of the Indian language. He was gone many months and much fear was enter- tained that he would not return, but he was absent no longer than he thought necessary. He lived for a time near Clarksville, Ohio, and later moved to Vermilion county, Illi- nois, where lic died. He cared for his widowed mother, and raised a large and re- spected family. William Smalley married Prudence Legget, and one of his children was Rev. Freeman Smalley. The latter came to Texas on a visit in 1824, and while visiting at Pecan Point on Red river, preached the first protestant sermon ever prcached on Texas soil. He was a monber of the Missionary Baptist Church. Later he settled in Will- iamson county, where he died, and he was the first cousin of our subjcet. James Knight, our subject's father, was a native of Mary- land, a farmer by occupation and. a very worthy man. At an early day he removed from Maryland to Miama county, Ohio, and opened a large farin on the river below Troy. He went to Illinois, Vermilion county, near Danville, in 1829, and opened a large farm there, and from thence to Texas in 1847, to Brushy, Williamson county. He was with
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and a personal friend of General Harrison, and took part in some of his battles, one of them being the battle of Tippecanoe, on the Tippecanoe river, near LaFayette, Indiana. He was a pioneer of the pioneers in Ohio, Illinois and Texas. On account of his well known goodness of heart lie was appointed Trustee of the poor, and discharged every duty in a most faithful and praiseworthy manner. James and Martha Knight had eight children, namely: Dr. William Knight, born April 28, 1799, and died February 11, 1851. He was an eminent physician for those days and a more honest, honorable or worthy man was seldom, if ever seen. He came to Brushy in 1847, and to Georgetown in 1848. His wife was Mary A. Baugh, and their children were as follows: James, tlie present Postmaster of Georgetown; Martha, now Mrs. Westley Bullock; Caroline, wife of Cyrus Hubank; Joseph B .; Eliza, now Mrs. James Montgomery; Nancy, widow of W. K. Foster. The second child born to James and Martha Knight was Rachel, now Mrs. Joseph Adamson; John S .; Benjamin; Martha, our subject; Dr. D. Fortner; Nancy, wife of Dr. J. Anderson, father of Ed. R. Anderson.
Martha (Knight) Alley, the subject of this sketch, was born October 16, 1814, near Troy, Ohio. She is a highly respected pioneer of the county. None know her but to do lier honor, as her life has been blameless and ex- emplary, and its influence in the hearts of those who know her speaks more eloquently than any complimentry words we might pen. Her first marriage was to Samuel Makenson, who died in 1850, leaving six children, name- ly : Hon. William K .; D. R., J. K., deceased in 1874; Sophronia, Mrs. Archie Ilart; Eliza, now Mrs. II. F. Rosewood and S. B. Her second marriage was in November 1852, to G. W. Alley, who died in Colorado, Novem-
ber 19, 1879, aged sixty-four. By this mar- riage there were two children, namely: G. L. and Helen, wife of W. F. Steele, with whom our subject resides. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one child, Mattie Lou. Our subject since her girlhood has always been a con- sistent and active member of the Baptist Church. Her father, James Knight, was born July 10, 1776, and died January 10, 1848. His wife, Martha (Seals) Knight was born in 1870, and died October 2, 1844. They were good, old pioneer people, ever in the home of the poor, in the ranks of the toilers, in the hearts of all lovers of humanity. They were the ideals of honor, gentleness, trutlı, fidelity and love.
J OIIN SCOTT, the veteran photographer of Rockdale, was born in the little town of Savannah, Hardin county, Tennes- see, on January 21, 1846. His parents mov- ing to Texas when he was about seven years old (1853), he was reared mainly in Bastrop county where they settled. He grew up on the farm and stock range and received such schooling as the meager educational advan- tages of that day afforded. At the age of seventeen he entered the Confederate armny, enlisting in January, 1864, in Company G, Second Texas Infantry with which he served during the remainder of the war along the Gulf coast in the vicinity of Galveston, at which place his regiment disbanded at the close of hostilities. When the war was over he returned to Bastrop county and accom- panying his parents in 1865 settled on a farm near Lexington in what is now Lee, then Burleson county, where for two years he worked on the farm and managed his father's interests. In 1867 he returned to Bastrop
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connty and for a year filled the position of Deputy Distriet Clerk of that county under John C. Buchanan. The year 1868 was spent in the stock business driving beef cattle from interior Texas to New Orleans- after which he returned to the farm, where he remained until the winter of 1869. He then began clerking in the mercantile busi- ness at Lexington and for three years was en- gaged at this in that town and at Giddings, being first with the firm of More & Mont- gomery, later with Montgomery alone, then with A. Deicher and lastly with C. P. Vance. In Jannary, 1872, he formed an acquaintance with an itinerant photographer, named F. M. Hall, then stopping at Heslep's store in Burleson county, and becoming interested in the art of photography decided to learn it and turn his attention to it for a livelihood. He picked up the rudiments of the art under Hall and located sometime during the summer of that year at La Grange, this State, where he engaged iu the picture business un- til the spring of 1874. In February of that year, on the completion of the International & Great Northern Railroad to Rockdale he came to this place shipping his tent and fix- tures in on the first regular train that reached the new town. He immediately opened a gallery and thus became the pioneer photog- raplier of the place. With the exception of a year and a half he has resided here continu- ously since and has made pictures by the thonsands for the people of this locality. He has devoted his time almost exclusively to the picture business never having had any other business pursuits and never having held but one office, that being the office of As- sessor and Collector of taxes for the town of Rockdale, which he filled by appointment and election for about five years. He adminis- tered the affairs of his office like he makes
pictures, according to his own ideas of how and when the thing should be done, but his conduct met with general approval and the town was greatly benefitted financially by the vigorous, impartial and consciencions manner in which he discharged his official duties.
For what he is as an artist Mr. Scott is in- debted to himself. His advantages have been limited aud on account of the size of the town in which he is located and the sparsely settled condition of the country around, his patronage has never been large enough to permit of his purchasing the appliances and adding the accessories which go so far to- wards facilitating the work of picture-making and rendering a studio attractive; but in all the essentials of the art; a knowledge of phys- iognomy, the manipulation of the lights and shades and a keen perception of the artistic, he is a past master and will hold his own with any country photographer in Texas. He has never made a great deal of money out of his business; not nearly as much as he has de- served to. make nor as much as he might have made, had he been possessed of a greater love for the " almighty dollar," but he has made a reasonably good living; has rendered the service which all require at some time in life to be done-some many times-namely, the preservation of the " human face and form divine," and has added to the common fund of aesthetic knowledge and the sources of re- fined pleasure by the teaching of correct ideas and the inculcation of good taste respecting the truly artistic in form and color.
In May, 1874, Mr. Scott married Miss Amanda Cordelia Parsons of Kosse, Lime- ¿ tone county, Texas, Mrs. Scott being a native of Utah county, Utah. The issue of this union has been ten children now ranging in age from one to eighteen years and about equally divided as to tlreir sex. Their names
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are: Vivia Eva, Louisa Adeline, Clara, James Kennard, Grace, Alma, John, Cecil Homer, Robert Aubrey and Susie.
Mr. Scott has not wandered far from the scenes of his youth and many of his relatives, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, live in this general section of the State. The follow- ing facts respecting his family history will form a suitable close to this brief sketch of himself.
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