USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 46
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county a number of years, and then settled in Butler county, where he died May 18, 1857, his wife having survived him many years. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now deceased but four. Matthew W. Grant, the eldest child, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1808, and at the age of thirteen years was apprenticed to his uncle, David McLean, to learn the printer's trade, serving a term of six years. He was married in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 7, 1832. In his autobiography he says of his wife: "A purer-hearted woman than my wife I do not think ever lived, and I am glad here to say that nder God, she has been my earthily sal- vation." Mr. and Mrs. Grant had eight children, viz .: James B., who died of cholera in his twentieth year; Mary J., died of brain fever at the age of ten years; Eliza S. died with spasms at three years of age; Rebecca D., wife of A. F. Ainsworth, of Liberty Hill; and the remainder died in infancy. In closing his antobiography, Mr. Grant, says: "And now, at the close of the year 1860, in the full and perfect enjoyment of all my powers, mental and physical, the retrospect of my life affords me much satisfaction, and canses but little regret. Goodness and mercy have truly followed me all my days, and I see much in the past to call forth gratitude to God, and inspire hope in Him for the future. I have no fault to find with this life, while I indulge the confident belief that to 'depart and be with Christ' I shall be perfectly will- ing when the Master's summons come."
Daniel V. Grant, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1835. At the age of thirteen years he was employed as clerk at Freeport, Pennsyl- vania, and subsequently was engaged as steamboat clerk on a line between Pittsburg
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and New Orleans. In 1853 he came to Texas, was engaged as clerk in a country store near Paris, Lamar county, until 1858, and in that year embarked in business for himself at Gabriel Mills, Williamson county. In 1867 Mr. Grant came to Liberty Hill, and since 1870 has been the leading merchant of the town. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company G, Seventeenth Texas Infantry, was soon promoted Second Lieutenant, and later served as Captain of his company until peace was declared. He remained on the west side of the Mississippi river, and his services were marked with faithfulness and efficiency. In his political relations, Mr. Grant is a Democrat. He is Treasurer of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Steward and zealous worker in the Methodist Church, also a teacher in the Sunday-school.
Captain Grant was married in Lamar county, Texas, May 10, 1855, to Melvina T. Casbeer. They have had nine children, namely: J. M., in charge of the express office at Fort Worth; Sarah L., a teacher in the preparatory department of the South- western University at Georgetown; Rebecca wife of Mr. Harris, of Goldthwaite, Texas; Thomas C., depot agent of the Austin & Northwestern Railroad at Liberty Hill; James B., who died October 31, 1892; Lil- lie, a teacher in the public school of. Gold- thwaite; Melvina, wife Prof. J. H. Moorly, of Liberty Hill; Kate and Margie, at home.
M RS. MARY J. PHEGLEY, an esti- inable lady and widely known resi- dent of Burleson connty, Texas, is one of the largest property owners in the county, being the widow of Merifield Phegley, who was for many years an ener-
getie and progressive citizen of this vieinity, and who contributed in various ways to the advancement and welfare of the community.
Merifield Phegley was born in Kentucky, April 1, 1818, where he grew to manhood. Ile was there married, and his first child was born in that State. In 1847 he moved to Texas and settled in Burleson county, where, after one or two inoves, lie took np his resi- dence near Caldwell, where the remainder of his life was passed. He was poor when lie came to the Lone Star State, but by prudent management and hard work he acquired a comfortable inheritance, and left his family comfortably provided for. At the time of his death, he liad about 1800 acres of valu- able land, there being more than 500 acres mider cultivation on his five or six farms. He spent most of his life in farmning and stock-raising, hogs being his principal pro- duction. He was endowed with more than ordinary energy and enterprise, and being retired and domestic in his tastes, gave his attention strictly to his home interests. He was not active in politics, other than casting his influence in favor of worthy and capable mnen for office. He joined the Baptist Church in early life and was ever a worthy member of that denomination. Of thorongh integ- rity, industrious and kind-hearted, he made many warm friends in his community, by whom he was greatly mourned on his death, August 8, 1892. his memory being still cherished by those among whom so many useful years of his life was spent.
Mr. Phegley was first married to Miss Sarah A Porter, daughter of Benjamin Por- ter, of Kentucky, who removed to Texas in 1847, and in 1848 settled in Mr. Phegley's neighborhood. By this marriage there were ten children, six daughters and four sons, three of whom died young and seven attained
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maturity. Thomas L. now resides in Burle- son connty; Elmora is the wife of II. C. Hooten, a prosperous stock-raiser of San Saba connty; Mary A. married L. Matingale, and she has since died, Martha A. married G. W. Capps, and she also has departed this life; Virginia married R. E. Thompson, and she died, leaving one child, Nonie May Thomp- son, who is living with her grandmother; Alice C. married W. C. Carroll, and she too, is now deccased; Rufus C. died at the age of sixteen years. The mother of this family died Jannary 3, 1878, after a long life of un- selfish devotion to the interests of her lins- band and children.
July 1, 1879, Mr. Phegley married the subject of this sketch, who was then the widow of A. M. Denman, formerly of Miss- issippi, where they were married November 22, 1866. Mr. Denman was born in Madison county, Mississippi, June 6, 1841, and en- tered the Confederate army before he was grown, in which he served until the close of . the war. Five of his brothers served in the army with him. In 1869 he moved to Texas and settled in Burleson county. By this marriage there were three children; Edward M., umnarried and at home; R. L., who died young, and Alex Harris, also at home.
Mrs. Phegley was the daughter of Harris and Frances A. (Hitt) Samuel of South Carolina. Her father was left an orphan at the tender age of five years, was early inured to toil, and learned that self-reliance and per- severance which contributed to his future success in life. He was a planter and was esteemed a worthy man. He served with bravery through the Florida war and render- ed efficient service to his country. He was a Mason of forty-one years' standing, and was a devoted member of the Methodist Epis. copal Church. He died in Mississippi, | then in Washington county. After remain-
Angust 12, 1869, after a long and useful life.
Mrs. Phegley had, by her second marriage, four children, one of whom died in infancy. Those now living are: Merifield, born May 28, 1880; Joli S., born December 23, 1883; and Frances D., born Jannary 23, 1885.
Mrs. Phegley is a woman of unusual in- telligence and ability, and manages her large possessions with care and profit. She is a useful member of the Baptist Church. Hler long residence and business ability have ren- dered her well known throughout her com- munity, where she is universally esteemed for her many worthy traits of character.
M F. ALEXANDER, a popular and successful real-estate dealer of Gid- dings, Texas, was born in Tennessee, January 15, 1814, son of Adley and Susan (Alexander) Alexander, both natives of Mecklenberg, North Carolina. The father was a farmer and died at an early age from the effects of a fall from a horse, being only twenty-six years of age at the time of his death. The mother survived him many years, living to the great age of eighty eight, and died near Giddings in 1886.
The subject of this sketch was the only child and was reared on a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1872. Jannary 1, 1839, he settled in the vicinity of Victoria, in Victoria county, Texas, his nearest neigh- bor being twenty-eight miles away. The country was wild, all kinds of game, inelnd- ing deer, turkeys and a few buffalo and bear, roamed over the vast tracts of land that had never known the touch of plow or harrow. In 1847 our subject settled near Evergreen, where he lived ten years. This place was
Ate Nelson
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ing there for the time mentioned he moved within a mile and a half of the same place, settling on a farm, which he cultivated for twelve years. About this time he began to engage in land speculation, which he found so profitable that he eventually removed to Giddings, where he has since followed the real-estate business.
Mr. Alexander was married, November 8, 1836, to Miss Louisa Murphree, daughter of Stephen Murphree, and they had four sons and one daughter, all yet living. The wife died July 25, 1855, at the age of thirty-seven years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she was a devout and active worker. After twenty years our subject married again, this second wife being Mrs. Saletha Harrison, who died in 1886, aged sixty-two years. Onr subjeet has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for many years. He does not take very much interest in poli - tics, but is an honest, worthy, publie-spirited and popular man. No one stands higher in the esteem of luis fellow-citizens than the subject of this sketch. He is a man of warm sensibilities, firm in his friendships and un- swerving in the discharge of his duties. Few men in the State are so generally admired and liked by the people and none are more deservedly popular.
A J. NELSON, whose history is here outlined in brief, is worthy of reeog- nition as one of the prisoners of Will- iamson county. A resident of the State since 1856 he has become identified with many early events, and has witnessed the development and growth of the frontier into one of the most admirable of the bril- liant galaxy of States. Mr. Nelson is a na-
tive of Sweden, born July 24, 1835; he was reared to the life of a farmer, learning the habits of economy and industry that insure success. Without capital except the energy bestowed by nature, and withont inheritance except a good name, he determined to try his fortunes in the New World. He embarked at Gottenberg in company with his father's family, arriving at New Orleans by way of Boston, and continuing the journey thence to Texas. The father located four miles south of Georgetown in Williamson county, and there with the aid of his son developed the most excellent traet of land and built a home; they labored and managed together with inde- fatigable zeal until the opening of hostilities between the North and the South. A. J. Nelson then entered the Confederate service, and was detailed to transport supplies. When the war was ended lie accepted the result as a satisfactory solution of the great problem, laid aside his uniform for the garb of a eiti- zen, and resumed his former occupation. He was extensively engaged in the live-stoek trade, which he was condueting with much profit, when the stringency in the money market of 1872 compelled him to suspend operatious, though without loss. He afterwards invested his capital in real-estate, and turned his atteu- tion especially to agriculture. The first pur- chase of land was a tract of 450 acres; six years later, in 1866, he made an additional purchase, and in 1871 bought the old home place. Of late years he has been feeding eattle for the market, shipping annually from 100 to 200 head. His landed estates aggre- gate 8,000 acres, 2,000 acres of which are in an advanced state of cultivation. Reaping large harvests, he does not dispose of a crop until he can do so with profit.
The father of onr subject was born in the year 1802, and died in 1884; he was a man
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of sterling worth. and was highly respected. Ile was married to Emma Hanson, and they reared four children: Matilda, wife of A. Newlin; A. J., whose name heads this notice; Angust, who died in 1866, and Lena, wife of A. J. Palm: four children died in infancy.
Mr. Nelson was married in January 4, 1870, to Hattie, danghter of John Nelson. She was born in 1850, and at the age of seventeen years came to Texas; they are the parents of six children: Mary B., Carl A., Oscar A., Elda, Thomas and Walter.
Upon the organization of the First National Bank, of Georgetown, Mr. Nelson became one of the heavy stockholders, and was elected Vice-president of the corporation, a fitting recognition of his superior ability as a finan- cier. Politically, he affiliates with the Dem- ocratic party; in his religions faith he adheres to the teachings of the Lutheran Church.
K ENNETH MURCHISON, one of the leading farmers and pioneer settlers f Bastrop county, was born in Travis county, Texas, December 17, 1841, a son of Alexander and Mary (Nicholson) Mur- chison, natives of North Carolina, and of Scotch parentage. The parents spent four years in Tennessee, and in 1839 came by water to Texas, landing at the month of the Brazos river, at what is now known as Vel- asco. They then hired ox teams of a Mr. Moore, and landed in Travis county, in June, 1839. At that time only a few people re- sided in the county, and their daughter, Nancy J., is supposed to be the first white child born in Travis county. Mr. Murchi- son erected many of the first houses in Ans- tin, but remained in that city only a few ycars, after which he began farming on Gil-
den's creek. Three years later he embarked in the manufacture of hats in Bastrop, having been a hatter by trade, and after the annexa- tion of Texas to the United States came to Cedar Creek. He followed farming and stock- raising until his death, which occurred in 1873. Mr. Murchison did not participate in the war of 1846, but was a member of the minute men of his country, and took part in a number of engagements with the Indians. During his residence in Cedar Creek the In- dians were very troublesome. During the late war he esponsed the canse of the South, and donated of his means to support the army. At that time he owned a large body of land, an immense herd of cattle, was con- sidered one of the most successful raisers of hogs in the county, and furnished the Blind and Insane Asylum, of Austin, with pork. When Mr. Murchison first came to the county, milling was done on the San Marcos river, a distance of about forty miles, and it required a week to make the trip. Society was of rough nature, but pure and honest, and churches and schools were scarce. A brother of Mr. Murchison, Daniel Murchison, was one of Austin's very first settlers, and was a noted land locater. After the Germans came into Texas he inoved to New Browns- ville, was looked upon by the Germans as a leading man, and located most of their land for them. He afterward married a German lady, and his death occurred in that county. During the war he was a Union man, and af- ter the close of the struggle was a member of the Reconstruction Convention of Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Murchison were the par- ents of seven children, five of whom grew to years of maturity: Isabella, widow of II. T. Holt, and a resident of this county; Mary C., of Georgetown, is the widow of Dr. J. F. DeBardleben; Kenneth, our subject: Peter,
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
deceased, whose widow resides in Bastrop connty ; Alexander D., also of this county. The mother was born July 8, 1804, and now lives with her son, aged eiglity-eight years. Her mother lived to be about 110 years of age.
The subject of this sketch, Kennethi Mur- chison, entered the army at the age of nine- teen years, joining Company B, Seventh Texas Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel R. T. P. Allen, and later under Colonel G. W. Jones, Sr., of Bastrop. He served in the Trans-Mississippi Department, took part in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, after which, with Walker's brigade, was or- dered back to Texas. Mr. Murchison was captured at Pleasant Hill, but exchanged eleven days later, for Confederate soldiers captured on the east side of the river, after which he rejoined his command at Alexandria, Lonisiana. Previous to the above mentioned battle, our subject took part in several minor engagements, the most noted being Milliken's Bend, Louisiana, where Walker's regiment was engaged against a regiment of negroes. He was elected First Lieutenant of his company, and surrendered at Clear Creek, Texas. On entering the army his company comprised 125 men, but at the close of the struggle only thirty of the original number were left. After returning home Mr. Murchisou engaged in farming and stock- raising, and remained with his parents until 1870, when he purchased his present farm of 500 acres. Only forty acres of the place was then under cultivation, and the walls of his present residence were then standing. The floor was also made by a Mr. Litton, with a whip saw. Mr. Murchison has 150 acres of his place under cultivation, and is engaged quite extensively in the stoek business. At tlie opening of the late war his father had
10,000 head of cattle, but at the close of that struggle only a few head were left, which were brought front Llano county, they having been taken there in 1857.
December 24, 1868, our subject was united in marrige with Miss Martha Willmoth White, a native of Bastrop county, and a daughter of Hamilton and Tabitha (Hutchin- son) White, natives of Virginia. They came to Texas in 1836, were among the pioneer settlers of Bastrop, and also resided in eastern Texas. The father was a noted Indian figliter in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Mur- chison have had eight children, five now liv- ing: Peter A., Celestia, Nora, Stella and Kenneth. Mr. Murchison is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Red Rock Lodge, No. 310.
M RS. SARAH J. WALKER, is the widow of William W. Walker, who was born and raised in Alabama. He came to Texas with a sister, Mrs. P. Allen, in 1836. His brother, Martin Walker, came to this State the year previous, served in the Texas revolution, and was wounded at the battle of San Jacinto, from which he never fully recovered. He made his home with his brother the most of his life, and his death occurred in March, 1889. He had a small estate, which he left to his brother's children. William W. Walker located at Bastrop when that place contained only two honses, and the second night after his arrival here he was wounded in the shoulder with an Indian arrow, while looking after his horses. He made several trips to Houston in the freighting business, served in the ranging service for a time, had many skirm- ishes with the Indians, and experienced all
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the hardships and privations of pioncer life. Mr. Walker continned farming in this county until 1849, and in that year went overland to California, where he followed freighting and mining for two years, returning to Bas- trop county in July, 1853. Previous to going to that State he had purchased 250 acres of land of a Mr. Chambers, which his brother Martin had partially improved while he was absent. After returning to this county he began farming on this place, where he died December 25, 1888.
Mrs. Sarah J. Walker is the daughter of James and Mary A. (Aplin) Stevenson, natives of Kentneky. The father was a son of John Stevenson, who moved to Missouri, where he afterward died. He was a Meth- odist minister. James Stevenson came to Bastrop county, Texas, in 1852, where he followed agricultural pursuits three years, and in 1885 purchased land and located in Hays county. His death occurred in that county in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson were the parents of eleven children, namely: Celia A., who married R. Williams; Sarah J., now Mrs. Walker,; John Y., a resident of Kyle; Joe, of West Texas; Constant D., widow of L. Collier; Azariah B., engaged in the Land Office at San Antonio; William L., of Kyle; Taylor, a rancher at Fort Stockton; Margaret, wife of Thomas Brudlove, of Drip- ping Springs, Texas, and Mary, wife of B. Davis. Mrs. Stevenson died in November, 1892, at the age of eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were married in 1854, and reared a family of nine children, as follows: Annie B., widow of E. Watson and a resident of Burleson county; Walter, deceased at the age of twenty-three years; Eddie, a farmer of Caldwell connty; Wellmain, engaged in the same occupation in Bastrop county; and Charlie, William, John, Robert E., and
Viola, at home. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Methodist Church, and her husband was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
G® ALLANT R. DAVIS, a retired farmer of Elgin, Bastrop connty, was born in Georgia, April 25, 1829, a son of James L. and Naney (Floyd) Davis, natives also of that State. The father was a farmer and minister, and, in connection with Parson Trian, organized the first Bap- tist Church in Texas. He subsequently moved to Limestone county, and his death oecnrred while on a visit to his danghter, Mrs. Clamp, in Georgetown, March 8, 1879. His wife died in January, 1878. The parents were married July 29, 1823, and lived to- gether fifty-four years, six months and fifteen days. They had eight children-Richard W., the eldest in order of birth; Martha, wife of J. E. Sherrod; Gallant R., onr subjeet; Asena, wife of Mr. Clamp, of Georgetown; Mary, now Mrs. William Stanley; Sarah J., wife of Giles G. Nantz; Emma E., now Mrs. James Demovel, and Keziah H., wife of William Cleveland.
Gallant R. Davis, the subject of this notice, came with his parents to Texas in the fall of 1838, at the age of nine years, locating on New Ycar's creek. They spent the following three years in Rhodaville, Fay- ette county, lived near the town of Travis, Anstin connty, for a time; purchased and lived on a farm six years in Washington county; spent the next ten years in Anstin county; two years in Milam comty; during the years of 1851-'52 was at Round Rock, Williamson county, and then came to Bas- trop county. During all these moves Mr. Davis was accompanied by his father. The
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former formerly owned a farm eighteen miles north of Bastrop, where he raised a large family of children. In 1887 he came to Elgin, invested his means in town property, which he rents, and also has a good, eom- modious residence. During the late war Mr. Davis enlisted in Company C, Allen's regiment, in the Trans- Mississipi Depart- inent, and served in Arkansas and Louisiana. During the march from this State to Camp Nelson, Arkansas, in August, nearly the en- tire regiment became sick. After remaining ill for a long time, Mr. Davis received a final discharge, and returned home, but after recovering his health served on detached dnty, having been principally engaged in driving beef cattle.
At Round Rock, Williamson county, in 1852, onr subject was united in marriage with Miss Emily Pettijohn, a daughter of Andrew and Mary Pettijohn, natives of Indiana and Illinois, respectively. The pa- rents located in Williamson county, Texas, in 1852, but afterward came to Bastrop county, where the father died in 1868. The mother departed this life five days previous to her husband. They were the parents of six children, viz: John, who died while in service in the late war; Emily, now Mrs. Davis; Jacob, who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, returned home, and died at Rock- dale, in 1892; Rachel, deceased in 1879, was the wife of B. T. Middleton, who served as Captain in the Civil war, and died at Rock- dale, December 15, 1892; Andrew, also a soldier in the war; and Samnel, a farmer of Erath county, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had nine children, six now living, as follows: Andrew J., a farmer of Wichita eounty, Texas; Mary A., wife of Dr. F. Martin, an eminent physician of Kyle, this State; James W., engaged in the himber
business at Manor; Gallant W., a stock- raiser of Wyoming; Nanny D., wife of Rev. M. T. Martin, a minister of Mississippi, and Dora L., wife of B. J. Gresham, a merchant of Smithville, Bastrop county. Mr. Davis is independent in his political views, affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
H ENRY II. GILLEY, a prominent farni- er and stock-raiser of Burleson county, Texas, was born at the month of the Brazos river in this State, in 1846. At the age of fifteen, before he had any edu- cational advantages he entered the Con- federate army, enlisting in the Second Texas Infantry, with which he went at once to the front, rendezvousing in west Tennessee and north Mississippi, reaching them in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh and the en- gagement at Corinth. He was in all the sub- sequent operations to the investment and fall of Vicksburg. The mettle of the boy soldier was tried many times during these few months, but he acquitted him self worthily on all oc- casions, and more than once received the com- mendation of his immediate commander. While the Federals were tunnelling under Vicksburg, volunteers were called for upon one occasion in the vicinity of where his com- pany was stationed, for the purpose of at- tempting to dislodge a party of workmen who were vigorously prosecuting their labors just outside the Confederate breastworks. Young Gilley offered his services, and for four days he and his comrades devoted themselves ener - getically, and finally with success to the task of routing the Federals. After the fall of Vicksburg, young Gilley eune west and again
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