USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 41
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
In 1879 he was married to Susan C. Hazel- wood, a danghter of Joshna and Rebecca Hazelwood, of Montagne county. Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Whitton have six children: Znla
711
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
May, Orvil C., Claud D., Ethel R., Lena Leota and Oma. Mr. Whitton affiliates with the Baptist Church, and his wife with the Christian Church. The former is also a member of the Masonic order, the I. O. O. F. and the W. O. W. Mr. Whitton is a man well fitted for his office, as his work reflects his ability, and as a teacher he had the af. fection and esteem of all the pupils, and the confidence and good will of the parents, patrons and all concerned. He is in thor. ough sympathy with the progress of the community on every line of advancement.
W OODSON PATRICK, a merchant of Georgetown, was born in Overton county, Tennessee, Jannary 28, 1835, a son of Dr. Hiram and Polly (Coons) l'at- rick, natives also of Tennessee. The father practiced medicine in Overton and White counties, Tennessee, for many years, and his death ocenrred in Kentucky while driving stock to that State. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and received a land warrant for services rendered in that struggle. His uncle, James Patrick, was a private in the Revolu- tionary war, the family having emigrated from Ireland to Virginia in about the beginning of the Revolutionary period. His younger brother, John Patrick, and the grandfather of our subject, came to America at the age of sixteen years, and his death occurred in 1866, at the age of one hundred and five years. The latter's children, Jack, Cynthia and Hiram, are all now deceased. Cynthia mar- ried Tom Farris. Dr. Hiram Patrick died at the age of sixty years, and his wife de- parted this life in 1876, aged sixty-nine years. They were the parents of twelve children, our subject being the seventh child,
and ten are supposed to be still living, but they reside in many different States. The eldest danghter, Susan Taylor, who died in 1892, at the age of about sixty-nine years, was a resident of Overton county, Tennessee. She was a devont member of the Baptist Church.
Woodson Patrick was reared on a farm, and received his education at Mount Pisgah Institute, Tennessee. He also taught coun- try schools in that State three years. In 1859 he located in Williamson county, Texas, followed his former occupation three years, and in the spring of 1862 enlisted in Com- pany G, Allen's regiment, Seventeenth Texas Infantry, for service in the Confederacy. He took part in Walker's division, and partici- pated in several small battles and many skir- mishes is Missouri and Arkansas. After eigliteen months of service Mr. Patrick was taken sick, and in the fall of 1863 returned home, where he remained until the close of the struggle. He tanght school several years after the war, next followed farming several years, and since 1874 has been engaged in merchandising in Georgetown.
Mr. Patrick was married in Tennessee, in 1856, to Miss Almira Jane Copeland. They had three children: James, a groceryman of Georgetown, married Miss Mollie Burton, and they have one child, Alina; Mary, who died in 1891, aged thirty-one years, was the wife of James Simpson and a member of the Baptist Church; and John, a clerk in his brother's store. The wife and mother died in 1867, at the age of twenty-seven years. In 1868 onr subject married Miss Margaret Donnell, a daughter of S. W. Donnell, a native of Tennessee. He died in 1879, at the age of sixty-seven years, having been a long and devout member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He was one of the old and
45
712
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
highly respected pioneer settlers of William- son county. His wife, who lived for many years near Lebanan, Tennessee, died in 1873, aged sixty-two years, having been also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Donnell were people of emi- nent devotion and signal usefulness, and, passing from earth's activities at a good old age, their memory is a precious heritage to the church and a blessing to all who knew them. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick have had two children: Delta, a pupil in the clas's of the Southwestern University; and Victor, de- ceased in 1885, at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are members of the Bap- tist Church. The former has also filled all the offices in the subordinate lodge Odd Fellows' order. Mr. Patrick has risen steadily in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and deservedly takes rank among the worthy pioneer settlers, whose generous good-will scarcely knows bounds.
E LIAS W. TALBOT, deceased, was born in Vermont, July 17, 1820, a son of Thomas and Phoebe (White) Talbot, natives of England, where they were reared and married. The father was a lineal descendant of John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury, who distinguished himself by valiant deeds in the days of Henry V. and Henry VI., and who died in battle at Chatilon in 1458, aged eighty years. The family came to America in 1807, where William Talbot died, leaving a large family of sons and daughters, and they settled in various parts of New York and Canada. Thomas and Phoebe Talbot, parents of on subject, had six sous: Charles, John, Joseph, Richard, Thomas and Elias. Thomas was elected
Lientenant-Governor of Massachusetts, under Charles Sumner, served out the latter's unex- pired term, and was elected Governor in 1874 and 1878, in the latter election receiving an overwhelming majority. Previous to this he also served two terms in the Legislature, and was chosen to revise the constitution.
Elias Talbot was educated in Massachu- setts, and during his youth was a great reader, close observer and indefatigable student. Ile worked in mills and factories with his broth- ers while in Massachusetts, and at the age of fifteen years, on account of his widowed mother's health, went to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he was employed as collector in the mercantile business of his two broth- ers, Joseph and Jolin. In 1853 Mr. Talbot caine to Georgetown, Texas, and immediately began merchandising in a large two-story building on the corner north of Steele's bank. On account of ill health he closed the store soon after the war, and afterward lived a retired life, giving attention to such busi- ness only as could be done out of doors on his ranch. His death occurred December 21, 1876, he having been a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Talbot was married in St. Louis, July 18, 1849, to a daughter of Rev. Isaac S. Ketchum, of that city. They left that city immediately after marriage, on account of the dreadful scourge of cholera which was then prevailing, having been equipped to establish a home for themselves and to work out a noble destiny. Rev. Isaac S. Ketchum was born and reared in Poughkeepsie, New York, was a very devout man, a thorough student, of scholarly attaiments, and liis spotless life, his fidelity and integrity will be cherished by all who knew him. To know him was to love him for his many sterling qualities of head and heart. He was a min-
713
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ister from boyhood, and his labors were prin- cipally in Michigan and New York. Mr. Ketelim was Chaplain in the Federal army during the first part of the war, and his death occurred during that struggle, at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Ketclmin were the parents of six children, viz .: Ada- line, aged seventy years, married John Tal- bot, and they reside in Centerville, Michigan; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Tal- bot; Platte, who married a merchant of Cali- fornia; Mrs. Elias Talbot; Lizzie, who died in St. Louis in 1849, at the age of fifteen years; and Theodore, a resident of California. Mrs. Ketchum died at the age of eighty-six years, she having visited in Texas two years before her death. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot liad three children: William, a member of the lumber firm of Whittle & Talbot, of George- town; Edward K., a merchant of El Paso, Texas; and Ada, wife of James W. Whittle, engaged in business with his brother-in-law, William. Mr. and Mrs. Whittle have four children: George Dilley, Bessie Bell, Jennie Hughes and Hazel Nadine. Mrs. Talbot has been a member of the church from early childhood, is a valuable citizen and a mnost estimable lady. Mr. Talbot was a member of the Masonic order and the I. O. O. F., was kind and generous in giving to any one in want, and was such a man as any com- munity might be glad to claim for one of its most worthry and esteemed citizens.
ok
with his parents to the Cherokee Nation, where he was reared to farm life. In 1847 le came with his father to Texas, locating in Rusk county, but afterward returned to Ken- tneky and attended school. In 1852 Mr. Thompson came again to this State, and, in company with his brother, W. M., engaged in the saw-mill business in Rusk county, having erected the first mill in that county, and possibly the first in the State, and many of the old families of central Texas are still living in honses of which the lumber was sawed by Thompson Brothers. They used the single sash saw, the mill having a capacity of 3,000 feet per day, and the lumber sold for $20 per thousand at the mill. Mr. Thompson continued in the lumber business until 1882, when he began his present occu- pation in Trinity county. He is also engaged in farming in Gregg county, where he now resides. During the late war he espoused the cause of the South, and in 1861 joined the Confederate army,-Colonel W. P'. Lane's regiment,-and was appointed Captain of his company. Previous to this he had raised a company which was in the Eastern Depart- ment. He afterward secured a transfer, re- turned home and raised the second company. He served in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, and took part in all the battles fought against Banks on his raid to Shreveport. He was once severely wounded in the fleshy part of the leg in a skirmish on Red river. After the close of the struggle Mr. Thompson found himself financially ruined, but being a man of recognized business ability, he had no trouble in securing assistance necessary to again start in life.
AMES A. THOMPSON, a member of the firm of Thompson & Co., was born in Rusk county, Texas, January 2, 1855, Mr. Thompson married Miss Lulu MeCord, a daughter of W. P. and Lulu (Miller) McCord, of Mississippi. The MeCord fam- a son of J. M. Thompson, who was born in Georgia in 1827. Ile received a liberal edu- cation for that day, and when a child removed ily are numbered among the early settlers
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
of Texas, and the father is better known as Colonel McCord. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had six children, four now living, viz .: J. A., onr subject; B. F. and W. P., of Milford, Texas; and Luln Della, wife of W. R. Crim, of Kilgore, this State. The wife and mother died in 1870. She was a member of the old- school Presbyterian Church. In 1871 Mr. Thompson married Miss Emina Holt, and they had six children: Cherry, Louis, La- gette, Hoxie, Alexander and Anna May. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the old-school Presbyterian Church, and the former also affiliates with the A. F. & A. M.
James A. Thompson, the subject of this sketeh, received his education in the common schools of Rusk connty. At the age of twenty-three years, in company with his father, he engaged in the dry-goods business at Kilgore, Texas. Eight years later, in 1884, lie moved to Kyle, where he embarked in the lumber business with his father, but three years afterward went to Lockhart. In 1891 he eaine to Taylor and became a mem- ber of the firm of Thompson & Co., and they now have one of the largest lumber yards in this seetion of the State. In addition to their yard at Taylor, where they conduct a bnsi- ness amounting to $65,000, they also have a yard at Lockhart valued at $40,000. The firm have a saw and planing-mill at Willard, Trinity county, with a capacity of 90,000 feet daily, and the planing-mill has a capacity of 125,000 feet daily. The firm of Thomp- son & Co. are also engaged in the real-estate business; have erected many houses on their own property, and have aided materially in the development of Taylor. In October, 1891, Mr. Thompson, in company with other gentlemen of the town, organized an electric- light plant, with a capital stock of $40,000,
of which our subject is Director and Treas- urer. The plant began operation March 1, 1892, and they now have sixty are lights and 625 incandescent lights. The firm of Thomp- son & Co. also have stock in the Taylor Na- tional Bank.
In 1879 our subject was united in mar- riage with Miss Jennie Alexander, a native of Gregg county, Texas, and a daughter of Rev. T. and Jennie (Hall) Alexander, natives respectively of Tennessee and Alabama. The parents came to Texas in an early day, where the father was one of the pioneer ministers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and also one of the first school teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had five children: Lonis, Alexander, Lucile, Effie (deceased), and one nnnamed. Mr. Thompson is a men- ber of the old-school Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The former is also Presi- dent of the Y. M. C. A., of Taylor, which was organized in September, 1892, with only seventy members, but it now has a member- ship of 160. Mr. Thompson was largely in- strumental in its organization. He is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., Solomon Lodge, Nc. 484, the R. A. M., and the K. of P., Alamo Lodge.
B F. HUDGINS, a farmer of Bastrop county, was born in Henderson, Rusk county, Texas, October 18, 1849, a son of J. W. and Margaret E. (Warren) Hud- gins, the former a native of Georgia, and the latter of Mississippi. The paternal grand- father of our subject was a native of South Carolina, of English descent, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and afterward located in Georgia. The maternal grandfather was a
715
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
brother of Colonel Warren, who was well known throughout Texas. The Warren fam- ily are well known in this State and the East. J. W. Hudgins came to Rusk county, Texas in 1844, was there married, and later moved to Arkansas, where he died in 1879. He was a prominent fariner and slave owner, and also followed merchandising before the war, but was financially ruined during that struggle. Mrs. Hudgins died in 1868. They were the parents of eight children, viz .: Mary E., wife of T. C. Anderson, Professor of a school in Arkansas; B. F., our subject, IV. C., of Smithville; J. T., also of this city; Susan B., wife of Mr. Wilkinson, of Navarro county; James W., a resident of Birmingham, Alabama; Maggie, widow of J. Cook, a farmer and editor in Arkansas; and Maud, who died when young.
B. F. Hudgins, the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life, and remained at home until reaching years of maturity. In 1868 he engaged in railroad work at Houston, com. mencing at the bottom of the business, but was promoted to the position of conductor. In 1875 he embarked in the wood and coal trade in Houston, but two years later came to Bastrop county to take charge of the large plantation of his father-in-law, J. R. Nichols. This farm contained over 2,000 acres, and after Mr. Nichols' death, December 26, 1888, the estate was divided, Mr. Hudgins receiving 1,100 acres, 900 acres cultivated. Mr. Hudgins is now giving attention to the raising of Berkshire hogs and Jersey cattle. In 1880 he opened a general stock of mer- chandise, but sold the store three years later. He has a public, steam-power gin, where he makes about 800 bales of cotton annually.
R. and Josephine F. Nichols, natives of Virginia. The parents were married in their native State, and came to Texas in 1850. The father was a natural mechanic and black- smith, and made a large fortnne by hard work. He loaned his money on lands at this place, which he was obliged to bny in, and also owned a large tract adjoining Greenville. Two of his sons now own the latter place. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Nichols was employed as overseer in Virginia for Thomas Jefferson. Her father, T. G. Garth, was a lawyer by profession, a prominent politician, and a large planter and slave owner. His family consisted of ten children, of whom Mrs. Nichols was the eldest, and she and Jesse L. were the only ones to come to Texas. The latter located at Bryan, where he owned two steam gins and a lumber yard, He died in 1889. Mr. Nichols died in 1888, and his widow now finds a good home with her dangh- ter. Mr. and Mrs Hudgins have had three children,-all of whom died when young. Mr. Hodgins affiliates with the Democratic party, is a member of the A. F. & A. M. & R. A. M., the Knights of Pythias, and is a progressive and enterprising man.
JOHN W. HILL, a member of the mer- cantile firm of Yeager & Hill, Smith- ville, was born in Alabama in 1837, a son of M. M. Hill. In 1335 the latter came to this State, where his sister, Mrs. John Mc- Gill, was then living. He and his brothers J. B. J. and Wiley Hill, purchased land to- gether and in the same year M. M. Hill re- turned to Alabama. His brothers remained Intion of 1836, and participated in the battle
At Bastrop, this county, September 18, in this State, and was here during the Revo- 1872, Mr. Hudgins was united in marriage with Miss Sally L. Nichols, a daughter of J. | of San Jacinto. In 1838 Mr. Hill came
716
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
again to Texas, settling on the land he had before purchased, in Bastrop county, twelve miles southeast of Bastrop city, on the Col- orado river, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. When he first located in this county General Ed. Burleson lived a mile and a half west of lis farm, a family of Hunts, about two miles; and a widow lady and Mr. Craft and Moses Gage, were the only settlers between Mr. Hill's farm and the town of Bas- trop. In 1842 the Indians made a raid in this settlement, stole a number of horses from Mr. Burleson and others in the neigh- borhood, and a party of settlers started in pursuit. They succeeded in capturing most . of the stolen stock, and also captured the camp equipment of the Indians. Mr. IIill never participated in any raids after the red skins, although he assisted materially in furnishing outfits for young men to assist in suppressing any outbreak. He remained on his original purchase until death, in 1850.
John W. Hill, the subject of this sketcli, received his education in the village of Bas- trop, and for two years before the opening of the late war was employed as a clerk. In 1858 he went to Mexico, purchased a drove of horses, which he sold in this State. In 1861 he joined Company D, Terry's Texas Rangers, or the Eighth Texas Calvary, and was a member of the Army of Tennessee. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville and Murfreesboro. At the last named engagement Mr. Hill had his horse killed under him, was captured, and taken to Camp Donglas December 31, 1862, and ex- changed at City Point, Virginia, April 7, 1863. Rejoining his comunand at McMinn- ville, Tennessee, he took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw, New Hope, Atlanta, Bentonville, and also many minor engagements. During the struggle Mr. Hill
had several horses killed under him, many holes shot through his clothing, but was never wounded. He entered the war as a private, but at the close of hostilities was a non com- missioned officer. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Hill engaged in the saw milling industry on Colorado river, which he continued two years. He then purchased a farm on that river, in the neighborhood of where he was raised, re- maining there until 1875. In that year he took up his residence in the city of Dallas, but remained there only a short time. From the fall of 1875 to 1888 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Alum creek, aud in the latter year came to his present location. The firm of Yeager & Hill has been in ex- istance since 1875, and they now carry a gen- eral mercantile stock amounting to about $15,000, and have an aunnal trade of from $40,000 to $50,000. In addition to his mer- cantile interests, Mr. Hill also owns a ranch of 2,300 acres, 300 acres of which is culti- vated.
In 1868 he was united in marriage with Mariah Yeager, a daughter of John C. and Mariah (Kinkle) Yeager. They had one son, who is now a member of the firm of Yeager & Hill. The wife and mother died in the city of Dallas, December 29, 1875, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Hill affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., J. Nixon Lodge, No. 380.
M P. MILLER, an extensive and pros. perous farmer of Travis county, is a native of the State of Texas, born in Bastrop county, August 22, 1851. His father, J. T. Miller, was a well-known and highly-respected pioncer of Bastrop county, whither he removed from Arkansas
717
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
four years before the birth of his son, M. P. John Miller, grandfather of our subjeet, was a citizen of Illinois, and there reared his fam- ily; he removed in later life to Arkansas, where he followed agriculture the remainder of his days; he died in Arkansas in 1875, at the age of ninety years. His son, J. T. Mil- ler, received only a limited education, and in his youth was trained in all the details of in- telligent farming. He followed this occupa- tion until he came to Texas, where he em- barked in the livery business at Bastrop; he removed to Austin in 1853, and here estab)- lished himself in the same business, winning a large and profitable patronage. Investing lris suphis means judiciously, he became in time quite independent. In 1876 he sold his livery establishment to his son Monroe, and from that time until his death was employed in the management of his lands and other interests. When he came to Texas his capital comprised two horses and a wagon; at the time of his death an inventory of his re- sources footed $185,000.
John Miller married Miss Sims, and four of their seven children survive. J. T. Miller inarried Miss E. A. Spencer, a daughter of the Rev. William Spencer, of the Baptist 'Church. There were born of this union nine children: Amanda, wife of M. M. Long; Jef. ferson, who was killed in Monterey by the Mexicans, in 1883; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of W. H. Milligan, also -deceased ; Monroe; M. P., the subject of this biograph- ical sketch; Emma, deceased, was the wife of G. B. Westlake; Wallace; Ella, wife of Jolin Whitis; and Clara, wife of Joe Shumate.
The youth of M. P. Miller was not more eventful than that of the usual "young Amer- ica." He seenred a very good education in the common schools, and at the age of eight- een years engaged in the livery business,
forming a partnership with his father and brother. This relationship continned until 1873, when he became foreman on his father's ranch, continuing in this capacity until the death of the latter and through the adminis- tration of the estate. In 1888 he purchased his present farm, a most desirable tract of 1,000 acres, 960 acres being under cultivation. Here Mr. Miller is the center of a small com- munity, giving employment to twenty-two men, and supporting ninety-eight individu- als. Five hundred acres are planted to cot- ton, 300 to corn, and the balance to grass. Mr. Miller has erected a gin at an expendi- ture of $6,000, where he takes care of his own product and does ginning for the neighboring public. He is possessed of much more than ordinary business ability, and is one of the leading spirits in all movements tending to advance the interests of the general public.
He was nnited in marriage October 14, 1873, to Miss Imogene Conlson, a danghter of Harrison Coulson, of Bastrop county, and one of a family of seven: A. B., O. A., Har- rison, Jr., Imogene, Bart., E. O., and Kossie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the pa- rents of one child, John T., born February 25, 1875.
E B. BARKER, a resident of Taylor. Williamson county, Texas, is one of the pioneers of the Lone Star State. Here he was born in Bastrop county, Janu- ary 25, 1835, a son of Jesse Barker, a native of North Carolina, born in 1791. He was reared on the southwestern frontier, and had only limited opportunities for acquiring an education. Jesse Barker removed to Missouri about the time she became one of the Union. and resided there until 1833, when he was caught in the tide of western emigration and
@18
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
drifted to Texas, then about to become a Re- publie; he settled in Bastrop county, and for some time was engaged in the frontier service against the Indians. Calvin Barker, grand- father of our subject, was a native of Eng- land; lie was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fonght at New Orleans under General Jackson. During his absenee his wife had no communication with him, and as the months stretched out into years she eonelnded he was dead. Seven years after his depart- nre he returned to find his wife married again and three children added to the family. After a long and friendly consultation it was decided to submit to the wife the question as to which should claim her; the answer was in favor of the second husband, and Mr. Bar- ker departed, seeking another home in a new contry. His children are: John, Wilson, Leinon, Jesse, Billie, James, Betsy and Ke- ziah. Jesse Barker married Malinda Weeks, and ten eliildren blessed their union: Calvin; Henry, deceased; Thomas, deceased; Elzina, who married William Daniels, and died in 1855; E. B .; Jane, who died in early life; Finis, deceased; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of William Rice; Jesse, who died in 1862; and Amanda, wife of William Rowlett. The mother of this family died, and Mr. Bar- ker was married a second time, this union being with Emily Johnson; they have one ehild, Lemon Barker, a resident of William- son county.
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.