USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 40
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of the electoral bill and franchise measures which were engrafted in the new constitu- tion. In 1870 he was the Conservative can- didate for Governor, but was defeated by E. J. Davis. Hle returned then to the seclusion of private life and eschewed any further ac- tive participation in the political events of the period, and, falling into ill health, died in Anstin in April, 1875.
Hezekiah Hamilton married Asenath Wood. Their children are James K., Amy J. (wife of C. S. Knott), Morgan A., and Laura. Laura was born February 3, 1862.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond have children as fol- lows: Tennessee, born September 13, 1882; Ed. Van, May 14, 1884; Frederick H., Oc- tober 16, 1886; Amy Relief, Angust 22, 1889; and Virginia, September 4, 1891.
W J. GENTRY, of Baileyville, Milam connty, is one of Alabama's native sons, being born in Macon county, that State, January 13, 1834. He was schooled mnost extensively in the pursuits of the farm, to which his education was almost exclusively limited. He is the son of Archie Gentry, who was born in Greene county, Georgia, and who died when young; there- fore our subject is without any record as to his father's age, it being known that he was a farmer and a blacksmith. For his wife he married Feralı Callahan.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gentry as follows: Asberry, deceased; Sarah Ann, wife of William Graves; James, de- ceased: Caroline married Wright Daniel; Maria, married J. Staples, but is now de- ceased; Frances, deceased, became the wife of Wiley Bridgeman; Jack, died in the Con- federate army; Payne, deceased; Nathaniel
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and W. J., twins, living in Milam county. At eighteen our subject was thrown upon his own resources, having lost his best friend, his mother, at that agc. He then employed him- self at overseeing, which occupation he fol- lowed for five years, saving enough money from his salary to give himself a small finan- cial start, and purchased 100 acres which lie improved and lived on until he came to Texas. In 1862, onr subjeet enlisted in Company D, Forty-fifth Regiment, Alabama Infantry, nnder Captain Black and Colonel Gilgrease, and was attached to the army of the Tennessee. He participated in many . hard and bloody engagements, among them being Murfreesboro, Chiekamanga and the campaign around Atlanta, Georgia. during which last engagement he received a few flesh wounds, which sent him to the hospital at Anburn, Georgia, for a few months. The campaign above mentioned was perhaps one of the most memorable of the war. The army was so hard-pressed for food that it was a difficult matter to keep it even scantily supplied, and many oven suffered front hunger. Grains of eorn were picked up from the ground where the horses had left them and eagerly devoured. Those were terrible times from 1861 to 1865.
Within three years after peace was declared Mr. Gentry sold out his Atlanta interests, and settled in Milam connty. He is desir- ably sitnated at. the junction of the Pond and Hog ereeks, owning over 100 acres of fine black soil. He is a good farmer, makes bountiful crops, and comes out ahead every year.
Gentry is a Democrat, politically, but has never held nor does he desire an office. The family are Baptists, and no man is more enb- stantial and more respected in Baileyville than Mr. Gentry.
W ILLIAM M. PEDIGO, an attorney of Taylor, was born in Miami county, Kansas, in 1866, a son of Lonis J. and Lavenia B. (York) Pedigo, natives of Tennessee. The paternal grandfather of our subjeet, Renben Pedigo, was one of the early adherents of the sect known as. Campbellites or Christians. The maternal grandfather was also a minister of that Church, and both were extensive farmers, but opposed to the hold-, ing of slaves. Consequently, Lonis Pedigo was tanglit from infancy to be opposed to human slavery. At the opening of the late war he joined the United States forces of Tennessee, and served as Sergeant of his company. After the close of the struggle, in 1866, Mr. Pedigo located in Kansas, where he was engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1876 he came to Bosque county, Texas, and is still engaged in that ocenpation. Mrs. Pedigo is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Pedigo had eight children, namely: James A., the eldest in order of birth; Z., a teacher by profession, is a gradu- ate of the Granbury College; Mattie, wife of H. C. Odle, a merchant of Meridian, Texas; William M., our subject; Hattie and Euphe- mia, teachers in Bosque county; and Eva and Eugene, at home.
At twenty-five years of age Mr. Gentry William M. Pedigo, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, and at the age of four years entered the common schools of Kansas. After locating in Texas, at the married Mary, a danghter of Esquire D. W. Gassaway, of Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry have three children: Anna, who married James Simington; Mary L. and Zera. Mr. | age of seventeen years, he entered the Gran-
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bnry College, at Granbury, Hood county, where he spent one term. At the age of nineteen years he entered the Sam IIonston College. at Huntsville, graduating at that in- stitution in 1886, at the age of twenty years. Previous to that time, in 1876, he taught school two years. After coming to Taylor, Mr. Pedigo was elected to the principalship of the public schools, which position he held two years, and during that time was also en- gaged in reading law. In 1886 he entered the law office of Lockett & Lockett, at Me- ridian, where he remained until admitted to the bar, in 1888. Mr. Pedigo was admitted to practice in all the courts of Texas under Judge J. M. Hall, of Cleburne, September 29, 1888. Since 1889 he has followed the prac- tice of liis chosen profession in Taylor. In 1891 he was elected to the position of City Attorney. Mr. Pedigo is a inember of the K. of P., Alamo Lodge, No. 53.
S B. LANE, a successful farmer of Travis county, was born in Walker county, Alabama, June 9, 1849, a son of Rev. A. G. and Maria (Pate) Lane. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject came from Ireland to Virginia in Colonial days, and the grandfather, Simon Lane, moved to Georgia. The father was born in that State in 1801, and moved with his par- ents to Tuscaloosa county, Alabama, where they both subsequently died. He educated himself at home, was a minister in the Meth- odist Church for some years, and then took up the profession of the law. Mr. Lane was married in Alabama, after which he moved to Itawamba county, Mississippi. and, while there, was a member of the Legislature two terms. In 1840 he returned to Walker
county, Alabama, where he continued the the practice of law until 1859, and in that year located in Lampasas county, Texas. After locating in this State he took up the ininistry exclusively, although, in 1823, he hrad left the Methodist Episcopal Church to join the Methodist Protestant, and was a member of that sect until his death, which occurred in Lampasas county, June 28, 1888. The mother died in 1852, when onr subject was three years old. They had ten children : Nancy J., now Mrs. Harper, of Alabama; Elizabeth S., now Mrs. Young, of Franklin county, Tennessee; George D., of New Mexico; Martha, now Mrs. Taylor, of Ala- bama; Sarah A., wife of a Mr. Walker, of San Saba county, Texas; Rebecca, deceased; Andrew J., deceased; A. V., of Mills county, Texas; J. P., now Mrs. Brown. of Lampasas county; and S. B., the subject of this sketch. After the mother's death, the father married Emily Clark, a native of Walker county, Alabama, who now resides in San Saba county, Texas. To this union were born eight children, namely: Albert G., of Run- nels county, Texas; J. D., of Lampasas county; Lou, now Mrs. Patton, of San Saba county; Robert, also a resident of Runnels connty; Melinda, now Mrs. Martin, of Cisco, Eastland county, Texas; Victoria, married, and residing in San Saba county; and Jean- ette and Hattie, still unmarried.
S. B. Lane, our subject, remained in Ala- bama until ten years of age, since which time he has resided in Texas. His young manhood was passed on the frontier, and during the late years of the war he took some part in its protection. After reaching a suitable age he began the stock business in Lampasas county, which he continued several years. In 1878, he removed to San Saba county; in 1880 re- turned to Lampasas county, and in 1884, he
£
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
eame to his present location in Travis eonnty, six and three-quarters miles southeast of Ans- tin. Mr. Lane owns 250 aeres of black prairie land, 210 aeres of which is cultivated.
Mr. Lane was married in San Saba county, in August, 1872, to Morgan Henrietta Lewis, who was born and raised in Texas, a daughter of Rev. S. M. Lewis. The family came to this State from Alabama about the year 1848. Rev. S. M. Lewis, a minister in the Cumber- land Presbyterian Chmureh, still lives in San Saba county. Our subjeet and wife have had eight children, namely: Francis A .; Van Alex. Minnie Lee; Preston G .; Myrtie C .; Renben, deceased; Ola and Lena II. Mr. Lane is an active worker in the Democratie party, and the family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
A NDREW CHASTAIN MURRAY, a prominent farmer and popular citi- zen of Burleson county, is a represen- tive of an old family of this section, and connected by blood and marriage with many of the people whose records appear in this volume. His parents, Samuel Jackson Murray and Elizabeth A. (Broadns) Murray, were natives of Virginia, his father having been born in that State in 1814. The par- ents were married there, and in 1854 removed to Texas, and settled in Burleson county, where they died. The father was a teacher in early life, a man of good intelligence and a finished scholar. Ile taught but little after coming to Texas, turning lis attention, after that date, to farming and stock-raising, which lie followed with reasonable success. IIe served as Tax-Collector of Burleson county for abont three years during the war, and had been Colonel of militia, by appointment of
the Governor, while a resident of Virginia, but, with the exception of these two oflices, never held any position, civil or military, either in his native State or this one. IIe was a son of Samnel Jackson Murray, a native of Scotland, who came to America near the elose of the last century, or about the beginning of the present, and settled in Virginia. Elizabeth A. Broadns was a dangh- ter of a Virginia-born gentleman, who became a citizen of Burleson county, and was for many years after that date a prominent law- yer of this seetion and Judge of his judicial district, being a resident of Caldwell, where he died.
Andrew Chastain Murray was born in Caroline county, Virginia, July 8, 1848, and was in his sixth year when his parents moved to Texas and settled in Burleson county. He was reared in this eonnty, and in the sehools of the same received what education fell to his lot. Having been brought np on the farm he early turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. In June, 1869, he mar- ried Miss A. E. Stamps, thien of Burleson eonnty, but a native of Mississippi, and a dangliter of William Stamps, who moved from Mississippi to Texas.
Settling on a farm, Mr. Murray gave his attention exclusively to his business pursuits until 1880, at which date he entered politics for the first time as an aspirant for office, be- eoming a candidate for the office of Assessor of Burleson eounty. He met with defeat in this, but the same year received the appoint- ment of Deputy Tax-Collector of the connty which he held for eight years. He was the appointed Depnty United States Marshal and filled this position acceptably. He was next appointed assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the House in the Twenty-seeond Legisla- ture, and, following this, was elected in Nov-
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ember, 1892, Flotorial Representative for the district composed of the counties of Burle- son, Washington and Lee. He has thus been in official life, in one capacity or another, for the last twelve years, and the faithfulness and efficiency with which he has discharged the duties assigned to him is shown by the length of his service, and by the fact that, at each snecessive election, or appointment, he has been given a lnigher and more responsible posi- tion. He was elected last fall (1892) by a ma- jority of 1,838 over a combined opposition of Populists and Republicans, and in a race where every possible effort was made to defeat the regnlar Democratic nominees. Ilis career in the Legislature was marked by the same devotion to duty that characterized his pre- vious official action, and in all essential par- tienlars gave eminent satisfaction to his constituents. He served on a number of im- portant committees.
Mr. Murray is an enthusiastic Mason, and stands high in the order, being a Knight Templar, Master of his lodge, High Priest of his chapter, and was, for six years. District Deputy Grand Master. He is also Past Com- mander of Burleson Council, Legion of Honor.
He has a family of six children: Ida V., Samnel Jackson, William W., Nancy A., Eleanor A. and Eurelia V.
Civil war, when he proved his devotion to his adopted country by enlisting in the de- fense of his section. In April, 1861, he entered Company II, Fourth Texas Infantry, and soon took part in the battle of Eltham's Landing, and then the battle of Seven Pines, where he was wounded. For twenty-two years he carried that wound in his ankle, ntil 1884, when an amputation became nec- essary, since which time onr subject has been enjoying good health.
Notwithstanding his wonnd, our subjeet did service in the Quartermaster's Depart- ment and the War Department at Richmond, as he was a good penman. His service ended in 1864, and for a time he nursed his wound, then rented a sawmill, sawed up cedar brake, and about that time was converted and soon afterward entered the ministry of the Cuni- berland Presbyterian Church, and since 1873 has been filling pulpits. At present he is serving the church at Rockdale, having served this people for the past thirteen years. Eleven years ago he moved to his present farm. Ilis work on this place has always been in favor of education and morality. For eleven years he has been Sunday-school superintendent, and through his encouragement and assist- ance the public schoolhouse was built, he at that time serving as Mayor of the place.
Mr. Copeland has been in the employ of the railroads as agent and operator for some time, holding his present position for the past three and one-half years, in which he gives entire satisfaction. Onr subject has lately met with serions loss by fire, whereby his house and fine library were destroyed.
R EV. W. E. COPELAND, minister and railroad agent at Rockdale, Texas, was born at Dinfries, Scotland. Ile received a superb education at a col- Our subject was married March 4, 1867, to a lady who was a widow of James Clark, and they became the parents of four children: lege at Dumfries, coming to America in 1858. Immediately our subject came to Washing- ton, Texas, by way of Galveston, and con- John, who died in 1887, at the age of eigh- ducted a sawmill until the breaking ont of the , teen years: James, who is ticket clerk for our
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
subject; Robert, who is on the anditing board of the Palestine Railroad; and Mary, who graduated at the Rockdale publie school. Mr. Copeland is a man who possesses the esteom of every resident of the little city of Rockdale.
N M. WILCOX, photographer, was born in Tippah county, Mississippi, January 28, 1845. His parents were Nathan M. and Mary A. (Carter) Wilcox, the father a native of Kentucky, and the mother of Illinois. The father was a cabinet maker, who died in 1867, at the age of sixty-three. He came from Kentucky to Mississippi in 1842, and to Texas in 1852, with his family, settling in Honston, which was then a small town. In 1854 he went from there to Col- orado county, settling on the Navidad river, where he erected a gristmill. Fishing was then excellent at that point, water was clear, aud prairie chickens were so pleutiful that at times they would come and feed with the tame fowls. Mr. Wilcox remained in this vicinity for only a year, living in several places. In 1863 he finally settled 'in Sulli- C I. DUEY, County Treasurer of Lec county, was born in Missouri Febru- ary 6, 1833. His parents, David and Mary G. (Harvey) Dney, were natives of Ohio and Virginia, respectively. The former was a farmer and followed that vocation all his life, coming to Missouri at the age of seven. Ile was reared in the family of Von Blaragrim. Later he became prominent as a faithful worker in the Christian Church, but died in 1859, at the early age of forty-eight. Ilis wife survived him many years, dying in 1870, aged abont sixty-six years. Nine children, eight sons and one danghter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dney, who reached mature van, on the Brazos river, where he died. IIe was a member of the M. E. Church, and his wife is still living. Mrs. Wilcox is seventy- two years old, and resides alternately in Aus- tin and Georgetown, with her children. Hor father was John Rohrer, of German descent and a native of Kentucky. Our subject is one of eight children, three having died in infancy. Their names are: William C., a carpenter, residing in Brenham, who married Bell Campbell; N. M., the subject of this sketch; Charles IL., residing in Anstin, is a commercial man, and his wife was Miss Bicie McSwain; Walter W. is a member of the firm of Harold and Wilcox; Laura C. mar- | years, eight of whom are now living. Our
ried Frank M. Dunkin, a farmer near Waco. Our subject came to Texas with his parents and engaged in cabinet-making with his father, with whom he remained eighteen years. Ile then took up photography at Burnet, where he was thus occupied for three years. At the end of this time he came to Georgetown, where he has been for nearly four years, meeting with marked success in business, and has the best display in Texas. his work comparing favorably in artistic taste with any in the State. He is complimented from all quarters, as his work is first-class.
He was married March 14, 1882, to Miss Minnie G. Snead, of Austin, the daughter of Captain S. G. Snead, and they have four chil- dren: Mary F., Lebe, Maggie and Fannie. Our subject is a member of the Knights of Honor and the A. O. U. W., being a Trustee in the latter association. He is a natural artist and a photographer of merit, and is deeply devoted to his profession, in which he takes much delight.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
subject, the oldest in the family, came to Texas in 1853. After a residence of four years he returned to Missouri, but came again in 1869, locating in Lee, then known as Burleson, county. At that time he could ride a whole day without seeing a single honse. Game was so plentiful that deer, wild turkeys and bear could be seen from the door. Indians abounded in large numbers and would often come down upon the defense- less settlers, stealing their horses and chil- dren. The land was very wild and unbroken and the neighbors were few and far between. The schools, which were mostly subscription, were very limited in number and of meager facilities. It was the desire of the Indians to obtain the white girls as wives for their chief's, so that it was very dangerous to live in the Lone Star State at that time. Not allowing any of these difficulties to discour- age him our subject continued on his farm until 1888, when he was elected to the pres- ent position. At the termination of his first term of office he was re-elected without any opposition, and is now a candidate for re- election, without opposition. So perfect has been his manner of condneting the business of hi's office that not a single criticism has been passed upon his official ability. He rents his farm and resides in Giddings at present.
Mr. Duey was married April 12, 1855, to Miss Nancy Shaw, danghter of John and Elizabeth Shaw, the former of whom died May, 1892, in his eightieth year, but his wife is still living, aged seventy-seven. Mr. Shaw was a zealous member of the Chris- tian Church for many years. He and his wife reared a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. Our subject and wife are the parents of the following children: Mary E., wife of S. B. Carr, has six children and they reside in Nebraska; Maggie, wife of L.
C. Baker, was a member of the Christian Church and died when twenty-two years of age; Louellam, wife of J. C. Childs, resides near Elgin, Texas; David is in the stock business in Wyoming; Ninettie, Adaline, Ilattie, Katie and May, the last two in school. Our subject, his wife and all the children save one are members of the Christian Church, in which Mr. Dney has been an Elder for many years. Mr. Dney takes but little in- terest in politics. He and his interesting family are highly respected wherever they have chanced to live and have made many friends.
S K. P. JACKSON, Treasurer of Will- iamson county, was born in Giles county, Tennessee, September 18, 1840. His parents were Thomas G. and Elizabethi (Caleurt) Jackson, both natives of North Carolina. The father was a farmer, and was quite successful, coming to Texas with his family and settling in this county near Florence. He was the third settler on the head of Salado creek, and came there in 1851. At that time there was but one bnsi- ness house in Georgetown, the country around there being so sparsely settled. Mr. Jackson died May 8, 1855; he was a member of the Christian Church, in which he was an Elder. Ile was a good, respectable inan, who was quite well known for his time in, Texas. IIis wife died in 1885, at the age of seventy- six years. She was a member of the Chris- tian Church and was very active and devont in all of her church work. There were twelve children born to this union, six of whom are still living, five in Texas and one in Indian Nation.
Our subject started in life on the farm, where he remained until thirty-five years of
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age, when he went West. He then clerked in a store and later became proprietor of a gen- eral merchandise store in Florence, which continned a little more than a year. He was elected in 1890, to his present position, for which nine men were running, butMr. Jackson was came out ahead, as he nearly always does. Ile was nominated by the convention, and was over 3,100 votes ahead. In 1892, he had a majority of 2,340, showing a high de- gree of appreciation of his merit by his con- stitnency.
He was married Jannary 10, 1865, to Mrs. M. E. (Whittenburg) McGnire, daughter of J. L. and Lavina Whittenburg. She was a navive of Alabama, and her parents of Ten- nessee. They are still living, on a farin near Florence. Onr subject and wife have two children, Lucy B., wife of G. C. Adkinson, a drnggist of Florence. Their two children are Charles B. and William Terreso. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Christian and Methodist Episcopal Churches respect- ively. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and was an officer while he lived in Florence. He is an esteemed friend, a worthy citizen, an efficient officer, a genial and court- eons gentleman.
OHN M. WHITTON, County Assessor of Williamson county, was born in Campbell county, Tennessee, September 24, 1851, a son of Howard G. and Minerva L. (Keeny) Whitton, who were born, reared and married in Campbell county. The father, a farmer by occupation, was well and favor- ably known in his neighborhood, and in every way was a worthy man. lle went to Pike's Peak in 1860, where he died two months later with mountain fever. Mr. Whitton was
a devont member of the church. and by his many acts of Christian kindness enthroned himself in the hearts of those who knew him. Mrs. Whitton was a member of the same church as her husband, and she also endeared herself most affectionately to the hearts of her associates, as well as to all who knew her blameless life and high Christian char- acter. They were the parents of five chil- dren, viz .: John M., our subject; Stok- ley C., a farmer of Iowa; James C , following the same occupation in Williamson county, Texas; and Edmund W., a successful farmer of Missonri.
John M. Whitton was educated at Edin- bnrg, Tennessee, after which he followed teaching in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Texas. His first school in this State was in Ellis county, which then nmnbered eleven pupils, bnt three months afterward it in- creased to seventy-five, only fifteen of whom resided in Palmer's Station. He was obliged to employ one assistant. Mr. Whitton has tanght more than 3,500 pupils, from the ages of fonr to forty-five years. In 1888 he was elected Tax Assessor of Williamson county, re-elected in 1890, and again in 1892. In his first election he had four opponents in the convention, but received more votes than the four combined, and at the general elec- tion he received the highest vote, having had no opposition. At the third election he had 4,031 votes, receiving a majority over his opponent of 2,504 votes. Mr. Whitton is a most efficient county officer, is kind, pleas- ant and courteous to all, and is possessed of the same genial spirit which characterizes all his associates in county official positions.
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