USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
His father, James Scott, was a native of Georgia, where he was born June 19, 1804, and where he was also reared. He was a lawyer by profession; settled at Savannah, Hardin county, Tennessee, when a young man and was for a nminber of years engaged in the practice of the law at that place, at- taining some distinction and becoming Judge of the judicial district in which he lived. He abandoned the law after coming to Texas on account of the condition of his eyes and sub- sequently followed farming and stock rais. ing. He met with moderately good success; lived an upright life and died in the enjoy- ment of the esteem of those by whom he was surrounded. He had had very good educa- tional advantages in his youth and amassed by reading and observation considerable in- formation. In his younger years he was act- ive in politics, at all times a man of strict morality and temperate habits. He died at his home in Lee county, in December, 1889.
Mr. Scotts' mother bore the maiden name of Adeline Moore McGinnis. She was a daughter of Christopher H. McGinnis and was born in Hardin county, Tennessee. She is still living being a resident of Lexington, Lee county, this State.
Ten children were born to James and Ade- line (Moore) Scott, of whom John the subject of this notice was the third in age. The others were: Jerome, who died in infancy;
Martha, the wife of Newton J. Russell, of Stephens county, Texas; Zenobia, the wife of Lock K. Billingsley living near Pearsall, Frio connty, this State; Eliza, the wife of Virgil Waldrop of Stephens county; James P., of Dallas; Alonzo, who died young; Fannie, the wife of Yoakum Campbell, of Los Angeles, California; May, the wife of William G. Warren, of Lee county; and Mittie, the widow of J. R. Mcknight, of Lexington, Lee county.
The religious connection of. Mr. Scott's people is generally with the Christian Church and in politics they have been Democrats from time whereof the memory of inan runneth not to the contrary. Mr. Scott ad- heres to the traditions of the family in poli- tical matters but has never been a member of any church organization. He believes how- ever in religious influences and good schools and libraries and all the other humanizing, civilizing and christianizing factors it is possi- ble to liave in a community. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in which he has held most of the offices in the subor- dinate lodge, and also to the Knights of Honor in which he has filled all offices up to and including that of Vice-Dictator.
B T. DENNIS, one of the leading farmi- ers and business men of Williamson county, is a son of John and Saralı (Hood) Dennis. The grandfather of our sub- ject, Allen Dennis, was a prominent farmer in East Tennessee, and was one of the lead- ing men in public affairs in McMinn county, that State. The Hoods are also an old Ten- nessee family, the grandfather, Robert Hood, having passed his life in Polk county. Jolm Dennis was born and raised in McMin
503
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
county, and was married in Polk county in 1853. At the opening of the late war he en- listed as a private in Company C, Forty-third Tennessee Regiment, took part in the siege of Vieksburg, and died of measles during that struggle. In 1866 the mother of our sub- ject married John Mounds, who died in 1881, and she afterward eame with her fain- ily to Texas, locating with a son in Fannin county. She died in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis were the parents of five sons: B. T., our subject; George B., of Fannin county; LaFayette, whose residence is unknown; Frank, of Burnet eonnty; John D., a resi- dent of Fannin conuty. By her last marriage the mother had three children: Joseph, of Grayson county, Texas; Martha, wife of Charles Ross, of Indian Territory; and James, of Burnet county.
B. T. Dennis was born in McMinn county, Tennessee, November 25, 1855, and was reared to manhood in Polk county, that State. He began life for himself at the age of fif- teen years, working as a farm laborer twelve years; and, in 1878, drove a team for his nnele to San Saba connty, Texas. After re- siding a short time in that county he came to Williamson county, in March, 1879. After marriage Mr. Dennis farmed on rented land in Burnet county until 1884; in that year he purchased and made four erops on a farm there, and then came to his present place of 500 acres. His land borders on North Ga- briel, nineteen miles northwest of the county seat of Georgetown, and 120 aeres is under a fine state of cultivation. The farm is now worth $5,000.
In Burnet county, October 24, 1880, Mr. Dennis was united in marriage to Sallie E. Ottinger. They have seven children: Daisy, Cora, Sarah, Pearl, Byron L., Mattie M., Roy and Carl. Mr. Dennis affiliates with
the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is truly a self-made man, hav- ing started in life with comparatively noth- ing, and now owns one of the finest farms in Williamson county. He takes an active in- terest in everything for the good of his county, and is respected by all who know himn.
M AJOR A. B. SUMMERS, a farmer of Bastrop county, was born in Ruther- ford county, Tennessee, March 8, 1834, a son of Alfred and Lucinda (Summers) Summers, natives of North Car- olina. The parents were of the same name, but no relation. The father, a carpenter and millwright by trade, served through the . Mexican war, and in 1847 came to Cherokee connty, Texas, where he followed his trade and farming. Mr. and Mrs. Summers were the parents of ten children, viz: Ellen, de- ceased in Tennessee; Malinda, wife of J. E. Wells, of the Panhandle of Texas; C. L., deceased, was a soldier in the late war; A. B., our subject; William, who was killed at the battle of Mansfield; Jane, deceased, was the wife of A. Yost, and they had three children; Rebecca, who has never married, and resides with her brother-in-law, A. Yost; Thomas J., deceased while a prisoner of war in Illinois; Mary E., widow of J. G. Lee, resides on a farm in this conuty; and the youngest ehild died in infancy. The father de- parted this life in 1868, and the mother afterward made her home with a danghter in this county until her death, in 1872.
In 1847, at the age of thirteen years, A B. Summers, our subjeet, came with his father to Cherokee county, Texas. He re- mained under the parental roof until twenty
594
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
years of age, after which he followed freight- ing until the opening of the late war. He walked seventy-five miles to enter the Con- federate service, and June 13, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Third Texas Cavalry, was consigued to the Trans-Mississippi Depart- ment, ordered to Missouri, where he took part in the battles of Wilson ereek and Pea Ridge. He then participated in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, continued on the east side of the river during his four years of service, and took part in all the principal battles and skirmishies. The company was mustered in with 114 men, and at the sur- render only fourteen of the original number were left. The command was first under General Bragg, then Joseph E. Johnston, and last under General Hood. At the sec- ond battle of Elkhorn, Mr. Summers re- eeived a slight wound in the left arm, re- ceived a flesh wound in the hip in the battle of Corinth, and at Kenesaw mountain was shot through the body. The minie ball entered his left side and lodged near the skin on the right side, where it was removed by a surgeon: He was disabled by this wound two months. At the close of the struggle the command was on Jackson and Vicksburg road, on Black river, went to Vicksburg, where he received his parole from General Canby, and then returned home. Mr. Summers followed freighting until 1873, and in that year purchased 210 acres of his present farm, then raw land, in the Colorado valley. He has added to liis original pur- chase, and has 150 acres of his place under a fine state of cultivation.
Mr. Summers was married March 7, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Yost, who was born in Bastrop county, Texas, Jannary 10, 1853, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Yost, of German descent. They came to Texas about
1839, locating in this eounty, where they . died a few years ago. Our subject and wife have had six children, five now living- Charles F. attending school; William N., Mary E., Thomas J. and Jessie L., at home. The wife and mother died Mareh 13, 1892, having been a devoted and consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Summers affiliates with the Democratic party, but never aspires to public offiee.
F. GILLEY .- Hays B. Gilley was a native of Georgia, born in the historie year of 1812; Hancy Hall was born in North Carolina in 1815. Both were reared in Alabama and in the town of Mont- gomery, that State, were married in 1834. One year later, in 1835, they came to Texas and settled at the mouth of the Brazos river, where the town of Quintana now stands. Following this date Mr. Gilley resided for a number of years in southern Texas, wliere he was engaged at liis trade as a carpenter and later as a minister of the gospel. He was thus a builder in a two-fold sense, and in each a most eapable workman. He drew the plans and specifications for a number of the first business houses erected at Galves- ton, where he was a resident at an earlier day, being well known to most of the earlier settlers of the lower country. About 1845 lie turned his attention to the ministry, join- ing the Methodist conference and from that time on until his years on earth ended, la- bored zealousy in the cause of Christianity. For a long time he did itinerant work, but was later given regular elarges, having in this way preached to many churches in cen- tral and southern Texas. He died at Cald- well in 1884, ripe in years and in Christian
.
595
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
grace and experience. His widow is still living, though well advanced in years and feeble in health. She has been a member of the Methodist Church for more than a half century and is a most devout Christian woinan.
Ten children were born to Hays B. and IIancy Gilley, as follows: John J., Henry H., William H., Sarah, Nathan, Mary, Mar- tha, James A. and Anna. Of these John J. died in the hospital at Quitman, Mississippi, during the late war, being a member of the Second Texas Infantry, and William H., who was a member of the same cominand, was captured while in a hospital at Oxford, Mississippi, and it is supposed died in a north- ern prison, as he was never heard of after- ward. The eldest danghter of the family, Sarah, was married to A. D. Gallion and died in 1874. Nathan died in infancy. Mary was married to J. J. Noel and died in 1884. Martha was married to D. H. Noel and died in 1873. Henry H. and James A. are farm- ers, residing in Burleson county, and Anna was married to T. E. Elsie and lives in north Texas.
Thomas F. Gilley, sixth son and youngest child of Hays B. and Hancy Gilley, was born in Washington county, Texas, June 27, 1858. His parents moving to Caldwell when he was an infant, his boyhood and youth were passed in this place and on a farm in this county, where he received such educa tional advantages as were afforded by the schools when he was growing np. Having been reared mainly on the farm he took np farming when he began doing for himself and nntil 1882 was actively engaged in ag- rienltural pursuits. Having always shown a fondness for mathematics and an aptitude for books he took up the study of book-keeping, which he mastered and in the year last
named quit the farm and began book-keep- ing for the firm of Jenkins & Jenkins, Ium- ber merchants of Caldwell, and has been with them continuously since. He retains his farming interests, however, owning a well-improved place of abont 370 acres in the vicinity of Hookerville, over half of which is in cultivation, which he leases. For ten years past Mr. Gilley has stuck closely to business pursuits and in fact lias never held any public office, but occasionally takes an active interest in State and local politics, being a Democrat " in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning." He has also been connected with some local enter- prises and always stands ready to do his part in fostering those interests that tend to the general welfare of the community in which he lives.
February 24, 1892, Mr. Gilley married Miss Samantha King, of Caldwell, a dangh- ter of J. M. and Mary King, and the eldest of a family of five children. Mrs. Gilley was born in Burleson county, December 19, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Gilley have one child, a boy, Thomas Sion.
ESSE HARRIS, deceased .- The subject of this notice was a native of Greene county, Georgia, where he was born in 1809. He was reared in that county and there, December 20, 1838, married Miss Louisa C. Rainwater, with whom he settled on a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1853. He then came to Texas and located in Washington county and, put- ting out at interest what money he had, en- gaged in overseeing one year, when he rented land and engaged in farming there till 1870. Hle moved that year to Burleson county, where he purchased 650 acres of land on which he settled and began farming for him-
596
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
self. Ile died on this place in 1878. He was an industrious, good citizen, a consistent Christian gentleman, a kind and accommo- dating neighbor and a devoted husband and father.
Mrs. Louisa C. Harris, widow of Jesse Harris, was born in Pendleton district, South Carolina, April 30, 1821. Her parents were John and Martha Rainwater, who were na- tives, the father of Pendleton district, South Carolina, where he was born in 1790, and the mother also of South Carolina, where she was born in 1796. The parents of John Rainwater were Solomon aud Ruth (Felton) Rainwater, of Scotch origin. Solomon Rain- water was a South Carolinian by birth and died in his native State in 1815, at about the age of fifty. The children of Solomon and Ruth Rainwater were: Diliex, who married Richard Phillips, a Baptist minister; Job; John; Rebecca, who was married to Aaron Oliphant; Rachel; Rhoda, who was married to Lasen Cox; Abner; Asenith, who was married to a Mr. Morehead, and Elisha. Martha Rainwater was a daughter of Richard and Mary (Parker) Adans, whose children were: Martha (Mrs. Rainwater), Parker, Annie, Rebecca, Clarissa, Richard and James. John and Martha Rainwater's children were: Mary Louisa, who died young; Addison Franklin; Louise C. (Mrs. Harris); William Jasper; John Bayless Earl and Ibsan Haines- worth, twins; Francis Marion; Pulaski Lafay- ette; Adeline Amanda, who first married Oliver Carrington, and after his death a Mr. Hosea; Mary Clemantine, who married Will- iam Hall, and George Miltou.
John Rainwater died in Greene county, Georgia, July 22, 1836. He had enjoyed good educational advantages in early life and was a teacher for many years. After his death his widow took charge of his estate
and inauaged it with success until her death. Mrs. Louise C. Ilarris was reared in Greene county, Georgia, and received a fairly good education in the schools of that county. Ou the death of her husband in 1878 she took charge of his interests and has since man- aged thiem successfully. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Harris are: Celeste Missouri, who was married to Adolph Testard, and is now deceased; Martha 'T., who is the widow of Benjamin Delamater and now matron of Baylor Female College at Belton; Eliza Jnlia, wife of Judge Alexander W. Mclvor, of Caldwell; Jolm W. deceased; Lucy El- dridge, wife of James H. Hill; James Ad- dison, deceased; Adaline Clementine, who died young; Adoniram Judson; William Jesse; Mary Ellen, who first married Judson H. Hill, and after his death John Hill; and Georgia Lou, the wife of F. F. Bledsoe, of Lampasas.
The parents of Jesse Harris were Wilmot E. and Kate (Morris) Harris, who were natives of North Carolina. They moved to Georgia early in this century, where they died, the father in 1846 at the age of seventy, and the mother in 1852, well advanced in age. They were the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, who married Joshua Cannon; Patience, who married L. B. Jackson; Jesse; Benjamin T .; Charles and James, twins; Simon; Frederick; and Mary, who married John Eidson. Jesse Ilarris was for a number of years a member of the Baptist Church, of which Mrs. Harris has also been a life-long member.
C CAPTAIN JOHN J. MONCURE, a prosperous farmer of Bastrop conuty, was born in Caroline county, Virginia, March 16, 1829, a son of William A. and
597
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Lucy A. (Gatewood) Moncure, natives also of that State. The Monenre family are French Huguenots, and fled from France to Scotland abont 1608, and from there the an- ccstor of the present family came to Amer- ica, in the person of Rev. John Moncure. He was born in the parish of Kinoff, now county of Kincardine, Scotland, in 1709 or 1710, emigrated to Virginia in about 1733, and died March 10, 1764. His wife, nee Frances Brown, was a daughter of Dr. Gus- tavus and Frances (Fawke) Brown, natives of Maryland. The Fawkes are a noted family of England. Rev. Moncure engaged in teaching in Northumberland connty, studied theology, returned to England, and received ordination at the hands of the Lord Bishop of London. After returning to Virginia he bc- came assistant minister to Rev. Scott, rector of Overwharton parish, Stafford county, Vir- ginia, and after the latter's death he became his successor. He was the father of five children: John B., born July 13, 1744, died in infancy; Frances, who married Travers Daniel; John, born January 22, 1746, mar- ried Ann Conway; and Jean, born in 1753, was married in 1775 to General (also Gov- ernor) James Wood, of Virginia, and died in 1822. The second son, Jolin, was the father of five children: John; William; Agnes, who married John Robinson; Edwin; and Ann. who was twice married, to Thomas and Rich- ard Garkins. The eldest son, John Moncure, married Alice Peachy, and they had nine children, viz .: John, Alice P., Frances A. (who married John G. Hull), Thomas G., Hannah (who became the wife of Michael Wallace), William A., Richard C. L., Edwin R. and Henry L. Thus the first born son of each of the early families was called John, and this form still continues. The grand- father of our subject was the fourth in a di-
rect line from Rev. John Moncure, and was born November 1, 1772. He had nine chil- dren, of whom William, the father of our subject, was the third in order of birth. He was born November 27, 1803, and died in March, 1862. Ile was married March 4, 1828, and had thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to years of maturity, namely: John J .. our subject; William Cassins, who was married in 1860, to Allenia M. Cottrell; Thomas J., was twiee married, first to Fannie Washington Moncure, and afterward to her sister, Margarete Moncure; Anna George, became the wife of Daniel W. Norman; St. Leger Landon married Lucy George Oliver; Enstace Conway married Fannie M. Irby ; Mary Alice became the wife of Samuel Burk ; Rubynetta married William H. Glasscock; Cassandria Oliver became the wife of William II. Lyne; Richard Travers married Ann J. Gaskins; and Lucy, who died unmarried.
Hon. William A. Monenre, the father of our subject, was educated in William and Mary's college, Virginia, and in early life was engaged in farmning. H served his native county as Representative to the State Legis. lature for four years, and was then elected to the State Senate, but resigned that position after serving a few terms. He next served as Auditor of Public Accounts nntil his death, having devoted the most of his life to the public. Mr. Moncure's brother, Hon. Rich- ard Cassins, served as President Judge of the Virginia Court of Appeals from 1852 to 1864. He received the honorable degree of LL. D., at the Washington and Lee Uni- versity, in 1872. He was the father of Hon. John C. Monenre, of Louisiana.
Captain John James Moncure, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the schools of Hanover county, Virginia, under Rev. Fox. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in
598
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
agricultural pursuits in his native State, and in 1852 came to Texas. After landing at Galveston, he taught school for a time in Harris county, and left that county for the purpose of joining the rangers, but did not serve in that struggle. In the latter part of 1852 Mr. Moncure located in Bastrop connty, where he was engaged in farming, stoek- raising and surveying until about 1862. In that year he was elected to the position of Sheriff. but resigned that office before the ex- piration of liis term of service. In 1861 he joined Captain Hysmith's company, Parsons' regiment, of which he served as Second Lieu- tenant until the re-organization, when he re- sigued his commission and joined the Thirty- fourth Texas Cavalry, Company I, under Colonel A. W. Terrill, in the Trans-Missis- sippi Department. Mr. Moncure was elected First Lieutenant of his company, participated in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, was constantly engaged in battles and skir- mishes for thirty-two days, and his last en- gagement was at Yellow Bayou. After remaining home a short time he returned to his command, and was with Colonel Terrill in his defense at Morgan's Ferry, Atchafalaya, Louisiana. Mr. Moncure was promoted from Lientenant to Captain, and later held the rank of Major. They disbanded at Corsicana, Texas, and after returning home our subject at once resumed farming and stock-raising. He owns 1,200 acres of fine land, and has also given his two eldest children eaelı a farm. He has the finest orchard in the county, consisting of fifteen acres, devoted to pairs, peaches, plums, apples, etc. He also raises standard-bred horses, Durham cattle and other stock. In 1866 Mr. Monenre was elected as Representrtive of Bastrop county, but was removed from office with ex-Gor- ernor Throckmorton. Since that time he
has never accepted a political office, although he has been frequently nominated to posi- tions of trust.
In 1855 he was united in marriage with Julia Deckard, a native of Tennessee, and a daughter of Benjamin and Julia (Henderson) Deckard. Mr. and Mrs. Monenre had nine children, only three of whom lived to years of maturity: Bettie Alice, deceased, was the wife of Robert A. Jeffries; Anna G., wife of Walter Norman, of Smithville; and Cassius Lee, who married Miss Hattie Nuckols, and resides in Bastrop. The wife and motlier died March 5, 1870, having been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1871 Mr. Moncure married Ann Deckard, a sister of his former wife, and they have had seven children: John, deceased; Mary Wise, deceased; Lucy George, deceased; Charlotte; Jemmnie; Walter N. and Benjamin S. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moneure are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and the former also affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., Bas- trop Lodge, No. 244.
*0
AMES W. BRANCH, a successful farmer of Williamson county, Texas, was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, December 24, 1816, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hurst) Branch. The father was raised and married in North Carolina, where lie also raised his family, consisting of six children. Two daughters are still living: Eliza, aged ninety years, is now Mrs. Sledge, and a resident of Florence; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Culp, of Obion county, Tennessee. The Branch family were prominent in North Carolina in the early days, and John Branch, one of the first Governors of the State, was a near relative of the father of our subject.
James Dr. Page
£
599
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
James W. Branch, the subject of this sketch, was deprived of a mother's care, when only one year old, after which he lived with relatives for a time, and finally made his home with a married sister nntil reaching manhood. In 1840, in company with his brother, Nicholas, he came to Texas, locating first in Shelby county. Five years later, in the early part of 1846, he arrived in William- son county, where he first purchased 525 acres of land, but now owns only abont 300 acres, 175 acres cultivated.
In Shelby county, in 1842, Mr. Branchi was united in marriage with Nancy Matthews, who was born in Mississippi. She was early left an orphan, and came to Texas with her brother-in-law, Rev. M. H. Jones. To this union were born nine children, namely: John Wesley, engaged in the sheep business, near Sherwood, Texas; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife . of J. L. Rucker, of Georgetown, Texas; Eliza J., wife of A. H. Arnold, of Columbia, Missouri; Virginia A., wife of Crockett Colyer, of Georgetown, Texas; Sarah F., deceased; Martha K., deceased; James A., of Gabriel Mills, this State; Nich- olas, of Sherwood; and Joseph, at home. The wife and mother died April 16, 1876, and two years afterward Mr. Branch married Minerva Spears. Politically, lie affiliates with the Democratic party; socially, is a Master Mason; and religionsly a member of the Methodist Church.
AMES W. PAGE, a well-known and public-spirited citizen of Burleson conn- ty, Texas, is deserving of some per- sonal consideration on the pages of this work. For twenty years he has been a resident of this State, coming here to better his financial
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.