USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 42
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E. B. Barker was left an orphan at a tender age, and as stated at the beginning of this sketch, had only the advantages of gaining the limited edneation given the children of pioneers. At the age of twelve years he be- gan to care for himself, and worked for wages and occasionally tilled the soil on the shares. At the age of twenty he began to farm for himself on a small scale, and continued with
varying degrees of snecess. Shortly after the war he decreased the amount of live-stock on his land, and entered more extensively into agrienIture. From 1861 to 1865 he was a heavy loser, having supplied horses and innles to the Confederate government, which were paid for in Confederate money. His military service was of three months' dura- tion, during which time he was a member of Colonel Allen's regiment. He owns a fine farm of 1,300 aeres, ten miles sonth of Tay- lor, admirably adapted for growing cotton and raising live-stock. Here, during the winter season, he feeds a hundred head of choice cattle for the Jnne market.
Mr. Barker was united in marriage in Feb- rnary, 1857, to Mary, danghter of James Harvey, a pioneer of Burleson county. Mr. Harvey married a danghter of Jack Reed, of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Barker are the parents of nine children: R. E., J. E., R. L. and J. T., twins, Sallie, wife of B. Dar- lington, J. L., Emsy, Dudley and Eddie. Mrs. Barker is a consistent member of the Christian Church, and the family enjoy the regard of the entire community.
ACK STEELE, manager of the banking firm of Steele & Sparks, was born in Georgetown, Texas, October 30, 1867, a son of Moses E. and Nep (Ake) Steele, the former a native of Kentneky, and the latter of Arkansas. In an early day the grandfather of onr subject located many acres of land in Texas, and after his death, and before the war, Moses eame to this State to look after his interests.
Moses E. Steele was born Angust 31, 1833, in Christian county, Kentucky. His mother, nee Miss Edrington, died when he was an in-
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fant, and his father, William II. Steele, com- mitted the care of Moses to his brother, John A. Steele. Moses spent his boyhood days in Kentneky with his uncle, and began his busi- ness life in Nashville, Tennessee, afterward returning to Hardin connty, Kentucky. In 1855 he came on a business trip to George- towu, Texas, and a month later returned to Kentucky, bnt was so pleased with the peo- ple, climate and conntry of Texas that he re- turned in the fall of the same year. He was employed as clerk by the most prominent merchants, E. V. Talbot, Josiah Taylor and M. M. Rogers. Iu 1860 he embarked in merchandising, in Georgeton, on his own re- sponsibility, and in October, of the same year, was married. The war soon came on, a financial crisis occurred, and at the elose of the struggle Mr. Steele was penniless. He then tried farming, but failed in that enter- prise; next embarked in hotel-keeping, and later opened a store in connection with his hotel. He next dropped the hotel and con- nected banking business with his store, and subsequently sold the store and directed his energies to the banking business. Mr. Steele was a kind and provident father, a devoted and affectionate husband, and his death, which occurred March 17, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years, left a void in the business and social circles of the town which will long be remembered. In early life he displayed that energy and business capacity that in later life enabled him, purely by his own nn- aided efforts, to have a competeney for his declining years. The mother of our snbjeet is a dangliter of John J. and Jane (Williams) Ake. The father, a native of Alabama, af- terward removed to Arkansas, and in 1850 came to Williamson county. He was first a hotel keeper, next a farmer, was widely and favorably known, and his death oeenrred in
1864, at the age of fifty-three years. Both he and his wife were members of the Chris- tian Church. The latter died in 1873, also aged fifty-three years. Mrs. Steele, their only child, is still living, an honored resident of Georgetown, and a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Steele had seven children, namely: Mary, wife of Beaumont Leavel, of this city; Jennie, widow of E. II. Slaton and a resident of Georgetown; Jack, our subject; Bell was the next in order of birth; William II., a clerk and bookkeeper in the bank; Susie, a pupil of the collegiate department of the Sonthwestern University, in the class of 1892; and Nellie, a member of the same class but now in school at Staunton, Virginia.
Jack Steele, the subject of this sketch, at- tended the Southwestern University, and af- ter completing his education was employed as bookkeeper and collector in his father's bank. Since bis father's deatlı he has had complete control of the bank. Mr. Steele was married in 1889, to Miss May Horton, a daughter of Rev. H. C. Horton, a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Seguin, Texas. She is one of a large family of children, and the parents are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one child, M. E. Mrs. Steele is a member of the Methodist Church. Our sub- ject affiliates with the K. of P., in which he is Master of the Exchequer. He takes no interest in politics.
H ARRY GARRETT, one of the leading railroad engineers of Taylor, was born in Ohio, in 1845, a son of Gaorge and Susan (Davis) Garrett, the former a native of Ohio, and of Pennsylvania-German descent, and the latter of Scotch parentage. The maternal grandfather of our subjeet
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came direct from Scotland to Ohio, where Mrs. Garrett was probably born. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett were the parents of eight chil- dren, viz .: Isabella, wife of W. S. Sheck. of Missouri; Mary, wife of John Jones, of Mis- souri; Rebecca, now Mrs. Anderson, of Ne- braska; Adeline, deceased, was the wife of W. F. Sheek; David, deceased; Henry, onr subject; Andrew, of Colorado; and Isaiah, of Texas. The father died in Robinsonville, Henry county, Missouri, in 1860. The war coming on about that time, Mrs. Garrett was left with eight children to care for, and she resided at Leesville, Missouri, until the close of that struggle. The eldest son, David Garrett, was compelled to enter the service, and he joined Company C, Forty-fifth In- fantry, United States Army, in the Army of Tennessee. His first engagement was at Jefferson City, where his company was en- gaged with the remainder of the command in fighting General Price's army. Mr. Gar- rett was killed between Johnsville and Nash- ville, Tennessee, in what is known as the battle of Nashville.
Harry Garrett, the subject of this sketch, moved with his father to Marion county, Missouri. in 1858, in 1859 went to Benton county, that State, and one year later located at Robinsonville, Henry county. On account of the death of his father and eldest brother during the war, he was left in charge of his mother and younger brothers and sisters. After it became necessary for people to take sides with one canse or the other, Mr. Gar- rett cast his lot with the United States forces and joined the Seventh Missouri Cavalry for three months, but was afterward transferred to Company C, Eighth Regiment of thirteen veterans, for the remainder of the war. Ile participated in all the battles fought against General Price on his raid through to Missouri has never missed a pay day. In 1879 he
from Jefferson City to Big Blue, and at the latter place Mr. Garrett received a severe flesh wound in the left leg. Previons to this he was wounded in the chest by a bush- whacker. This would probably have proved fatal had not the same ball first penetrated the upper portion of his horse's head. The animal fell on Mr. Garrett, and the same person who shot him would have completed his work had not an officer arrested his hand. Our subject was carried fifty miles on horse - back before surgical aid could be found.
After the close of the struggle he returned to Henry county, Missouri, where he learned the trade of distiller of spirits and malt liquors, and followed that ocenpation two and a half years. He was next employed as manager of a farm three years, and during that time also followed freighting from Se- dalia to varions places. In the latter part of 1869 Mr. Garrett began staging, following various occupations from 1870 to 1871, in the latter year began farming during the summer and railroading in the winter, and in 1872 came to Texas. After arriving in this State he found employment in the livery stable of L. S. Owens, ex-Governor of Ari- zona, for one year, after which he began railroad work on the Choctaw division of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, where he remained eighteen months before receiv- ing an engine. He remained on that divis- ion seven years, was then given a run from Denison to Fort Worth, afterward from the latter city to Waco, from 1882 to 1886 ran from Alvarado to this city, and since that year has been on the Bastrop division, from Taylor to Boggy Tank, a run of ninety-eight miles a day. Mr. Garrett has been engaged in railroad work since September 17, 1873, and from that date until January 5, 1893,
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was employed as foreman of the company's yards eleven months. When he first came to Taylor it contained only about 500 in- habitants, and three stores, two saloons, one livery stable, and two boarding-houses com- prised the business portion of the place. IIe erected a one-story dwelling, which was burned in 1886, and in the following spring he built a good, two-story frame residence.
Jannary 3, 1870, Mr. Garrett was united in marriage with Miss Julia Thrailkill, a na- tive of Golconda, Illinois, and a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crmmpton) Thrailkill. Our subject and wife have had five children: Cora, wife of James Renand, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Emery, deceased; Harry; Claud and Annie. Socially, Mr. Garrett is a mem- ber of the B. of L. E., Gabriel Division, No. 307. He has always taken a active interest in the affairs of the city of Taylor, and in 1892 was elected to the position of School Director, for a term of two years.
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D EMPSEY C. PACE, of Travis county, Texas, is a son of Demsey C. Pace, Sr., who was born in Tennessee. He afterward moved to Colorado county, Texas, where he died in 1851. He was a stock- man by occupation, was an active, en- ergetic business man, was a soldier in the Mexican war, served as Sheriff of Colorado county, and was a Democrat in his political views. His father, Gideon Pace, was born in Tennessee or Mississippi. The Pace family are of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother of onr subject, nee Elizabeth Dabney, was a native of Kentucky, but afterward moved to Tennessee, where she was married in 18 . They had four children, -Wayne W., who died at Houston, Texas, in the Con-
federate army; Robert J., of Inling, this State: Lanra, wife of M. G. Keylich; and Dempsey C., the subject of this sketch.
The latter was born December 3, 1351, and remained with his mother until twenty- one years of age, engaged in farm work and driving cattle, having made several trips to Kansas. At that age he embarked in the hide business, in company with his brother- in-law, M. G. Keylich, which he continued two years. He then resnmed agricultural pursuits, but afterward was employed on the police force in the city, and since that time has served as Superintendent of the poor farm. In 1879, Mr. Pace was appointed Deputy Marshal in which capacity lie served eight years, and, in 1880, was elected to the office of County Commissioner.
In 1873 he was married to Alice J. Moore, who was born in Tennessee, in 1853, a daughter of Thomas W. and Lucy E. Moore, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Pace have five children, -- Edgar F., Laura E., Clara L., Cora A. and Dempsey C. Mr. Pace is independent in his politicai views, but on national questions votes with the Republican party, and is a member of the United Workmen and the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Pace is a member of the Christian Church, of which our subject is a liberal supporter.
HARLES BURNSIDE STODDARD. -Before the landing of the May- flower, early in the history of the Colonies, three brothers, named Stoddard, and of Scotchi ancestry, entered into the for- tones of the New World, in 1619. During the Revolutionary war five brothers of this historie family participated in the struggle
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for independence, holding the rank of officers in the army. From this progenitorship came Hon. Henry William and Minerva (Hayden) Stoddard, the former a native of Danbury, Connecticut, and the latter born near Rochester, New York. The father was an architect and builder, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He was born in 1796, and died at thic age of eighty eight years. Mr. Stoddard held many offices of profit and trust, carried the confidence of the people, was well and favorably known and a universally respected citizen. The mother of on sub- ject, born in 1800, also died at the age of eighty-eight years. The parents lived for a time after marriage in Rochester, New York, and finally became established in l'ortage county, Ohio, in what was known as the Western Reserve. Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard had eleven children, onr subject being the tenth child, all of whom grew to years of maturity, and six are still living. Cassius Clay, the ninthi in order of birth, was a natural genins with a horse, having being a teacher of Rarry, of Ohio, who had a national reputa- tion as a horse tamer. Cassins Stoddard traveled over the world, and his rare genius was everywhere applauded. He has been known to go to a stable and turn out twenty horses, which he had never before seen, and with that peculiar power he had over the animals, and with only a whip in his hand, would make them come to him, lie down, and do many other feats. He is now thought to be in Australia. The eldest sister of the family, Emily, married Charles Burnside, a brother of General Ambrose Burnside, of the late war. The former are both now deceased. The Stoddard family, in its vari- ous branches, has a proud record in litera- ture. among them being .- Il. II. Stoddard, the author; R. H. Stoddard, the poet;
Charles, a literary genins of the Pacific coast, and others who have distinguished the family. The Shermans and Stoddards of Ohio, for many generations have been re- lated and the distinguished General who discharged the youthful soldier (as noted be- low) is a near kinsman of the family.
C. B. Stoddard was born in Portage connty, Ohio, Jannary 10, 1848. At the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to Michigan, and two years later cn- tered the United States army, but was sub- scquently discharged by General W. T. Sherman, on account of his youth. One year later, however, he again joined the service, and remained at the headquarters of General Thomas, in Government employ. Mr. Stoddard took a regnlar course in both literature and medicine in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, also attended the University of Pennsylvania, the Dental Col- lege of Philadelphia, and the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati. He began the prac- tice of his profession in 1866, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, but in 1869 removed to Chicago. During the great fire of that city he lost his entire possessions, and in 1873 resumed practice in New York city, where he re- mained five years, and during that time made money rapidly. Warned by failing healthı, lie went abroad, traveled for a year, and then resumed the practice of his pro- fession in Galveston, Texas. After another two years, sojonrn in Europe, he came to Anstin, in 1880, where he has built up a large and Incrative practice. Dr. Stoddard has a reputation not inferior to the ablest and most scientific gentlemen of the entire country engaged in the practice of dentistry. As a discoverer he has won an enviable place in the world of science and art. In 1876 lic discovered the application of electricity
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as a motive power to dentistry; was also the discoverer of the Inminions properties of nitrous oxide gas, the same year, for which he received a high compliment from Henry Norton, one of the most distinguished chem- ists of America. Recently his genious has been exhibited in the discovery and inven- tion of a small electric illuminator of the mouth, by means of the ordinary battery used in telegraphy. Not the least among the achievements of science, is Dr. Stoddard's painless extraction of teeth, by means of a hypodermic injection into the gums of Huid known only to the discoverer. As a trav- eler the doctor is nntiring and intelligent, liaving visited almost every part of the world, -Europe, Asia, Africa, the islands of the ocean, as well as his native continent. He usually spends about one-third of his time in this pleasant way.
He was married in 1866, his wife dying in 1869. Onechild was born to this union but did not survive the mother. Dr. Stod- dard became a member of the G. A. R. Post in 1884, and is now Commander of Joseph A. Mower Post, No, 10, Department of Texas. He has been a delegate many times to the National Grand Lodge, when it met in San Francisco, St. Louis, and Columbus, Ohio. In 1892 the Doctor was made a member of the National Council of Ad- ministration of the G. A. R., and attended and took part as an officer in the National Encampment at Washington, in the same year. He was in the saddle from nine A. M., to 6 P. M, as an officer and an aid, and even then did not see the end of this grand body of old veterans. This was the largest national encampment in its history, and the largest body of men in one grand review ever known on the continent. They were over nine hours in passing a given
point, were from thirty to eighty deep, keeping step to 300 bands of music on Pennsylvania avenue. This body of grand old veterans have had their annual meet- ings since their organization in 1866, and as the organization grows iu age it increases in interest. The following is taken from. the Washington Post, September 22, 1892. "Colonel C. B. Stoddard, Commander of Joseph A. Mower Post, No. 10, Anstin, Texas, and a member of the National Council of Administration, G. A. R., is a native of Ohio, and a near relative of General Sher- man. He went to Texas soon after the surrender, and has always taken an interest in Grand army circles. He has won many friends to the Lone Star State, and at the capital thereof is recognized as one of the leading and most public-spirited citizens." Mr. Stoddard is also a Thirty-second Degree Mason, of the Ancient Scottish rite, and a inember of the K. of P.
D R. M. JENNINGS, of Williamson county, was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, November 18, 1828, a son of William and Elizabeth (Hopper) Jennings. The father was born and raised in Fairfield district, South Carolina, afterward removed to Georgia, next to Tennessee, afterward to Missouri, and was there married. The grad- father, John Jennings, was a lad of fourteen years at the opening of the Revolutionary war, and served the entire time in the Conti- nental army. The Jennings family are of Irish descent. On the mother's side the family moved from Indiana to Missouri.
Dr. M. Jennings, the subject of this sketch, was raised to farm life, and remained under the paternal roof until abont twenty-one
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years of age. In 1849, in company with a brother-in-law, he came to Texas, and spent the following five years in the drug business in Georgetown. Ile then located where he now resides, where he owns 1,200 acres of land, 250 acres cultivated. The farm is . located three miles west of Leander; and Mr. Jennings also owns and conducts a drug store at that place. Ile never attended a medical school, but, after studying medicine for a time alone, gradually came into an extensive practice, which he continued until a few years ago. He was obliged to abandon the prac- tice on account of failing health.
Dr. Jennings was married in this county, in 1856, to Sarah E. Huddleston, a native of Tennessee, who came to Texas in 1852. To this union have been born six children: Will- iam, of Leander, Texas; Edward, deceased; Milton; Sanford and Charlie, of Leander; and Lou E., wife of Emmett C. Perkins, who also resides near Leander. In his political views Mr. Jennings is a Democrat. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and is a believer in the Church of Christ, although he is not a member at the present time.
A. PATTON, Postmaster and mer- chant, of Oak Hill, Travis county, is a son of J. M. and Sarah (Smithson) Pat- ton. 'The father a native of Tennessee, and a son of Samuel Patton. The family resided in Alabama and Mississippi, and in 1838 came to Bastrop county, Texas. Samuel Patton was prominently identified with the early political history of the State, having served Bastrop county in the first Legislature that met at Austin, and was a member of . and in 1886 was appointed Postmaster of several following sessions. He is remembered ; Oak Hill. Our subject occupies a position as a man of sterling virtues, and did his part of influence in his community, is respected
-- nobly in laying the fondation of this great empire. J. M. Patton was reared to man- hood in Texas, and was identified with the scouting and ranger service for several years before and after his marriage. That event occurred in Bastrop county, in December, 1845, to Sarah J. Smithson, who was born in Jefferson connty, Alabama, Christmas day, 1828. Her parents came to Texas in 1836, locating on Cedar creek, in Bastrop county, where both afterward died. For three years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Patton lived in Bastrop county, and then removed to Lock- hart, Texas, where the former served one term as Sheriff, and remained there five years. They then lived in Comal county until after the close of the late war, spent one year in Llano county, twelve years at Oatmanville, Travis county; in 1882 removed to Blanco and for the past few years have lived with their children. Mr. and Mrs. Patton were the parents of seven sons: Columbus, a farmer, of Dripping Springs, Hays county, Texas; William, at Cedar Valley; J. A., of Oak Hill; John Mac, of the same neighbor- hood ; Anson, who resides near Austin; Tom Green, of Hays county, and Robert Lee, of this county.
J. A. Patton, the subject of this sketch, was born at Lockhart, Texas, Jannary 12, 1853. In 1870 he located in Travis county, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Patton started in life for himself at the bottom round, having no means, except that which he earned, but by industry and good business dealings, is now the owner of 500 acres of good land, 125 acres cultivated, and also has property in Hays county. He em- barked in the mercantile business in 1879,
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and esteemed by all who know him, is a Demo- erat in his political views, and is a member of the Christian Church.
Mr. Patton was married in Travis county, January 27, 1875, to Virginia Bishop. They have two children: Andrew and Rosa.
M ARGARET CHAMBERS, of Bas- trop county, Texas, was born in North Carolina, a daughter of Leah- man and Sarah (Forehand) Broker. She came with her parents and husband, Josiah Willbarger, to Texas in 1827, settling first at LaGrange, and then spent one year at Matagorda. In 1831 they came to Bastrop county, locating ten miles west of this city, on what is now known as Willbarger's prairie, and were accompanied by the families of Walters, Northcroft and his father-in-law. Mr. Wilibarger erected a block-house on the river bank, where he remained until the stampede in 1835. In company with four families they then went to the Natchez river, returned to this county the same year, bat found the Mexicans had carried away everything on the prairie except a few cattle, and these were so wild that they could hardly be collected. The Mexicans made their second forage in the county, and Mr. Will- barger then removed to Washington county, bnt remained there only a short time. After his return he again found everything gone; even the flooring of his dwelling was used to make boats to transport the corn and other things from the place. A short time after- ward the family went to Troy, Lincoln county, Missouri, remaining there one year. They went by way of New Orleans, and just be- fore reaching that city a severe storm oc- curred, and for fourteen days they were lost
at sea. They returned to Bastrop county, Texas, with a number of immigrants, travel- ing through Arkansas and the Indian Na- tion, crossed Red river at Gains' ferry, and the Indians at that time were numerous. Mr. Willbarger participated in a number of raids after Indians, but was never in the State service. In 1832 he went on a business trip to Austin, and while looking at some land, in company with four others, they saw one Indian, gave chase, but he escaped. At Denison, on the same day, they were attacked, and Mr. Willbarger was four times wounded, was sealped, and thought to be dead. He was shot through the cheek and a portion of his neck, his clothing taken from him, and he re- mained in that condition from 2 r. M. until the evening of the following day, when he rescued by a number of men sent out for the purpose of burying him. He was taken home in a sled, in which he could be carried easier than in a wagon, and it was some time before he entirely recovered from his wound. Mr. Willbarger died on his farm, five miles north of Bastrop, in 1845, leaving a wife and four children. They had seven children, two of whom lived to be grown: Harvey and John. The latter was killed by Indians on the Rio Grande river, while in the ranging service. He joined a company at the age of fourteen years, and his sole object was to avenge his father's death, which occurred be- fore he was twenty years old. Both he and his companion were killed while eating dinner, aud the other companion was wounded. Harvey died in 1873, leaving seven children.
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