USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 47
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
entered the service in the Trans- Mississippi Department, serving in this department until the close of hostilities.
The war over he began freighting between Galveston and interior towns, and was profit- ably engaged in this for about four years. Hle then turned his attention to the stock business, buying and driving to Alexandria, Louisiana, then the great cattle market of the Southwest. Ilc followed this for about fif- teen years, when he bonght his present farm, situated five miles southwest of Caldwell, which he stocked and at once engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Since that date he has ac- tively and energetically carried on these two pursuits together. He has about 400 head of cattle, 350 head of sheep and other stock in proportion, and produces the average yield of general farm products, of which cotton and corn are the chief staples. Mr. Gilley's farm is one of the best located places in Burleson county, lying well with respect to water, timber, drainage, market and other conveniences, and is above the average in point of general improvements. His resi- dence, occupying an eminence of more than a hundred feet above the general surroundings, commands a fine view of the farm as well as of the country for several miles around. Mr. Gilley is devoted strictly to his daily pur- suits, giving but little attention to public matters. He interests himself in matters of general concern to the farming community, and lends a helping hand to all movements calculated to stimulate industry or in any way benefit the cause of husbandry. Unproved incthods of agriculture, immigration of de- sirable settlers, public schools supported by State government, the observance of law, the preservation of order, a fostering of a moral and religious feeling, and the general interest
of society, tind in him a ready advocate and willing helper.
January 12, 1866, Mr. Gilley married Miss N. E. Brymer, a daughter of A. R. and Ashtie Brymer and a sister of William Bry- mer, in whose sketch, which appears in this volume, will be found the facts in reference to Mrs. Gilley's ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Gilley have had nine children, the two eldest of whom were twins and died in infancy. The others are: Henrietta, now deceased; William Edward, John C., Emma, Harold, Maggie and Annie.
The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist Church. Mr. Gilley's father, the Rev. Hays B. Gilley, was for many years an active minister of this church, and was widely known in central and south- ern Texas. Reference to him will be found in the sketch of Thomas F. Gilley, which ap- pears elsewhere in this volume.
A DEN J. WORLEY, of Rockdale, Milam county, is a son of Aden and Mary (Burden) Worley. The great- grandfather of our subject, William Worley, came from Ireland to America, lo- cating in North Carolina. He took part in the struggle for independence, and lived to the age of ninety-five years. The grandfather of onr subject, William Worley, was a sol- dier in the war of 1812, and raised his family in North Carolina. Aden Worley, Sr., was born in that State in 1801, after attaining his manhood moved to Georgia, was there married, and after the birth of his third child removed to Randolph county, Alabama. In 1859 they came to the Lone Star State, stopping for a short time in Panola county, and then located in Upshur county, whero
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the mother died in 1863 and the father in 1867. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, namely: Nancy, now Mrs. Thomas Weaver, of Upshur county; John W., of Arkansas; America T., now Mrs. Riley, of Wheeler, Upshur county; J. M., of Milam county; Aden J., our subject; Mary M., wife of D. L. Berry, of Milam county; Sarah J., Cynthia A. and Martha J., deceased; and Rebecca T., wife of Samuel Patrick, of Parker county, Texas.
Aden J. Worley was born in Randolph county, Alabama, February 1, 1845, where he passed his boyhood days. In 1859 he came with his parents to Texas. In 1864 he joined the Confederate army, was mustered into service at Fort Jerusha, Lonisiana, in Company H, Eighteenth Texas Infantry, a consolidated regiment, and saw immediate action. They were surrounded by a Federal force 15,000 strong, under General Banks. · and after a desperate resistance, during which the little band of 500 killed more than they lumbered, they were compelled to surrender. Mr. Worley was taken prisoner, and remained at the Picayune Cotton Press prison until July 14, when he was exchanged and re- turned home. A short time afterward he again joined his command at Monticello, Arkansas, and at Camden witnessed the trial and execution of Captain Grimes for alleged treason. Mr. Worley was paroled at Hemp- stead. In 1868 he came to Milam county, locating four miles from the present site of Rockdale, where he remained until 1873. In that year he purchased his present farm, ten miles from this city, but in 1892 he moved to Rockdale. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, and, socially, is a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows orders.
Mr. Worley was married in Upshur county,
Texas, June 20, 1865, to Mary, a daughter of Angnstus Bishop. To this nnion have been born eleven children, viz .: Eliza, now Mrs. P. J. Gillespie, of Rockdale; Martha, wife of J. M. Field, of Milam county ; James, at home; Luln, now Mrs. W. W. Clark, of this county; Aden O., deceased; Ivey, John, Emma, Frank, Ola and George at home. The family are Methodists in their religious belief.
RANK CLEMENT, a farmer and stock raiser of Milam connty, is a son of Jolin and Sarah (Walker) Clement. The first member of this family in America, Pope Clement, came as a stowaway from France, and was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Clement, was raised in North Caro- lina, and died in Tennessee. Jolin Clement, the father of our subject, was born and raised in Granville county, North Carolina, bnt when a young man went to Tennessee. He was married in Dickson county, that State, in 1829, and a short time afterward located in McNairy county, where he died in 1890. He was a well-informed man, took a great interest in politics, voted with the Demo- cratic party, was a prominent secessionist, and a leading worker in the Methodist Church. The maternal grandfather of on subject, Nelson Walker, was a soldier under Jackson in the war of 1812, and. was orig. inally from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Clement had six children: Frank, our subject; Eliz- abeth, now Mrs. Short, of Jackson, Tennes- see; Nancy and Sarah, deceased; Brunette, now Mrs. Jester, of Chester county, Tennes- see; and Susan, also of that county. The mother died in 1859, at the age of forty-two
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years. The father afterward married a Miss Jester, and they had two children, only one of whom is now living.
Frank Clement was born in McNairy county, Tennessee, October 3, 1831. IIe was employed as a carpenter in his native State until 1859, and in that year came to Titus county, Texas. Ten years later he located on his present place in Milam county, ten miles west of Rockdale, where he now has 550 aeres, 150 acres eultivated. In ad- dition to general farming, he has also given considerable attention to stock-raising. Mr. Clement is independent in his political rela- tions, and, socially, is a Master Mason, a member of Rockdale lodge, also of the Odd- Fellows, K. of H. and the K. L. of H.
In McNairy county, Tennessee, December 20, 1854, he was united in marriage with Martha Bryant. They have had ten children, mainely: Lillian B., wife of .T. II. Bonds, of Milam county; A. J., a graduate of Vander- bilt College, practiced law in Cameron, Texas, one year, and died of typhoid fever; Frank, of Cameron; Annie, deceased, was a teacher in the public schools; William K., attending the Georgetown University; George C., a law student; Samuel J., attending the Huntsville Normal School; Jack B., Mattie and Jones W. at home.
B H. YOUNG, a farmer and stock- raiser of Williamson county, was born in De Witt county, Texas, May 1, 1848, a son of II. R. and Celina W. (Bird) Young. The father was born in Warren county, Missis- sippi, in 1806, and is said to have been the first male child born in that county. The mother was born in North Carolina, on December 24, 1814. The parents were married in Mis.
sissippi, and came to Texas in an early day, when the Indians were still numerous. Mr. Young was wounded in the Indian fight at Pepper's creek, and also took part in many other battles. After locating in DeWitt county, he assisted in the founding of York- town, was a leader in his political party, and at one time served as County Judge of Go- liad county. His principal ocenpation was farming and stock-raising, and after his ehil- dren had left home he came to Williamson county, where he lived with his son. Ilis death oeenrred on November 4, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of seven children, viz .: Martha, who married George Hubert, who died in the army, and she now resides in Gonzales county; Maggie A., wife of W. R. D. Stockton, a Methodist minister of Belton, Texas; Mary, who was first married to William Clements, and after his death she married Joe Denson, she also is now deceased; Betsey, wife of L. F. Hurt, a farmer of Williamson county; Ann, who married Edd Denson and is now dead; and B. H., our subject.
The last named was taken by his parents to Goliad county when an infant, where his mother died in 1851. In 1855 he was taken to Gon- zales connty, where he grew to manhood, and was reared to farm life. At the age of eight- een years he found employment in the cattle business, in driving to Shreveport, Lonisiana, and Kansas. In 1867 he made his head . quarters in Williamson county, but did not permanently locate here until 1869, and in that year bought the land where he now re- sides. He has since added to his original purchase, and 106 acres of the farm is under a fine state of cultivation, a part of which he rents. Mr. Young is giving special atten- tion to the improvement of his stock, having a premium Percheron horse, a fine animal.
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
His farin and residence are located about one mile from the village of Corn Hill.
Mr. Young was married in 1870 to Miss Evaline Donnell, who was born in this county, August 3, 1855, a daughter of S. W. and Martha (Wilson) Donnell, natives of Tennes- see. The parents came to Texas in 1850, where the father died in 1880, and his wife in March, 1873. Onr subject and wife have eight children, namely: Nanny L., born April 6, 1872, is the wife of R. N. O'Neal, a farmer of Williamson county; Ilattie, born December 5, 1875, is at home; Betty, born Jannary 14, 1878; Annis, February 4, 1883; Maggie, March 16, 1885; Barnet R., Janu- ary 15, 1887; Virga, July 27, 1889; and Willena, December 11, 1891. Mr. Young takes a leading part in Democratie politics, but never aspires to public office. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
D R. A. C. ISAACS, a retired physician and a prominent, prosperons farmer of Milain county, was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, November 16, 1826. His parents, Abraham Y. and Agatha (Burford) Isaacs, were natives of Virginia and Georgia, respectively. They were, however, residents for many years of Tennessee, where their par- ents were early settlers. The mother died in Tennessee in 1838, aged forty-two, and the father in Texas in 1868, at the age of eighty- four. They belonged to the plain, substan- tial, farming class of citizens, having suffi- cient wealth to give their children reasonably good educational advantages; had an appre- ciation of these opportunities, as well as many of the higher graces of life. They had two sons and seven daughters. all of whom at- |
tained maturity, but only three are now living. The older son, Solomon B., was for some years a prominent and successful lawyer of Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he was assassinated in his office about 1840. All the daughters but two are dead, Lncinda Mc- Cown and Maria Kincaid, both living in Texas.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county in Tennessee, spending his boyhood and youth on the home farm and enjoying the benefit of such schools as were in reach, his literary education being obtained mainly at a local academy in Madison county, Alabama, near which he lived. He selected medicine for his profession when abont twenty years of age, and at once began reading under Dr. Robert Forbes, of Limestone county, Ala- bama, with whom young Isaacs spent the greater part of two years. He afterward took a course of lectures at the Louisville ( Ken- tucky) University, and, on completing his studies, settled for practice in Lincoln connty, Tennessee, where he was engaged in profes- sional duties between two and three years.
Having married in the meantime, he turned his. attention to Texas, which had but shortly before been admitted into the Union, and was offering flattering induce- inents to energetic and ambitious young men of all professions and business callings. He moved to that State in 1851, settling in Lavaca county, where he invested what means he had in land and at once began the active prac- tice of his profession and the proseention of his farming interests. Ile prospered for ten years, both as a physician and farmer, until the outbreak of the late war, when, with the general dissolution of the business interests of the country, not only his planting opera- tions subsided in a considerable measure, but his practice also suffered severely. His ef-
48
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
forts, however, were undiminished, and throughout the tronblons times of 1861-'65 he devoted his entire energies to relieving the wants of the families of Confederate soldiers and to producing, from the fruitful fields under his supervision, the sinews of war. On account of his professional attaiments, his executive ability and his general stand- ing in the community, he was the mainstay of a large number of people in the locality where he lived. But with the enforcement of the proclamation of emancipation and the great drainage of resources necessitated by the war, Dr. Isaacs found himself at the close of hostilties, like thousands of others, stripped of almost all his property and placed practically where he had begun ten years be- fore. Converting what he had into money, lie moved in 1866 to Milam eonnty, settling at Cameron, where he began the practice of medieine and continued to reside there, en- gaged in aetive professional duties, until 1873. Having in the meantime bought land, he settled on it in the last named year, and sinee then has given his attention almost ex- elusively to his farming interests. He is now one of the largest and most successful farmers of Milam county, owning 3,000 aeres of land, more than one-third of which is in cultivation, and all of which is susceptible of it, which prodnees well of the staple prod- ucts, corn and cotton.
He has always allied himself with the in- terests and infinenees favorable to the farm- ing community, and has been recognized as a champion of the rights of the agricultural elass in all movements affeeting their welfare. Hle has been active at different times in polities and has been honored with official trusts. He represented Milam county in the fifteenth Legislature -- the first general as- sembly following the date of the adoption the Mexican war, as a seont, and was one of a
of the present constitution .- and took part in the important legislative proceedings in- eidental to the inauguration of the present judicial, fiscal and economie system. Up to within a few years Dr. Isaacs always affiliated with the Democratic party and was always loyal to its principles, as enunciated in its platforins and official organs; but he has of late become dissatisfied with the old party, and has eleeted on several occasions to pur- sne an independent course with reference to pending issues. In 1892 he was made the nominee of the People's party for the State Senate, and, although defeated, made a good race and won considerable popularity among the people of this section.
Dr. Isaaes is a man of strong personality, accustomed to doing his own thinking and fearless in the expression of his views. His standing in the community where he lives is of the first order, and he has many friends. Even those who differ from him widely in matters of opinion respect him for his devo- tion to what he believes to be right, and for the courage and earnestness with which he maintains his views.
W P. DEVER, proprietor of a livery, feed and sale stable of Georgetown, was born in Texas, June 22, 1838, a son of William Dever, a native of North Carolina. The father left his native State at the age of seventeen years, and in 1824 located on the Brazos river, near the town of Washington, Texas. He was a member of Ilouston's army, and would have participated in the battle of San Jacinto, but during that time was sent np the river to move all the families east of the Brazos. He was a promi- nent Indian fighter, took an active part in
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
company sent to the relief of General Fan- nin, the commander of the Alamo, but that city fell before the company could get to their relief. Mr. Dever was married in Texas, to Miss Catherine Earley, a native of Missouri. Two of her brothers served as privates through the Mexican war. Thomas, formerly Sheriff of his county, recently died in California; and John, died of a cancer, in Washington county, Texas, in the '70s. Mr. and Mrs. Dever were the parents of nine children, viz .: Sinia, who was first married to Jerome Parter, and after his death she married J. M. Martin; Nancy, deceased, was the wife of George Kessee; Mary, wife of W. W. Henley, of Georgetown; W. T., our sub- ject; Sarah, deceased at the age of ten years; Fannie, who died at the same age; Nathan, who married Rebecca Foster, and resides at Brenham, Texas; John, deceased when young; and Alice, also deceased. The mother died in 1866, aged sixty-eight years, and the father in 1868, at the age of seventy-one years. Both were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. P. Dever, the subject of onr sketch, en- listed in the late war in 1861, in Company B, Perry's regiment, Captain Whorton's com- pany, and served nnder Sydney Johnston, General Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston. He took part as a cavalryman in all engagements of the Army of the Tennessee, at one time had a horse shot under him, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. He never re- ceived a furlough during the war, and did valiant service. After the close of tlie strug- gle Mr. Dever was engaged in farming and stock-raising in Washington connty, Texas, until 1890. In the following year he pur- chased the livery business of W. W. Dimmitt, since which time he has been extensively and successfully engaged in
that ocenpation. He also owns a small farm near this city.
Mr. Dever was married in 1866, to Miss Lulu Clay, a danghter of Tacitus Clay, and a relative to Henry Clay. Mrs. Dever's mother, whose maiden name was Mccrary, was a relative of the Congressman of the same name. Onr subject and wife have had fourteen children, as follows: Mary Beli, widow of Johnston Bell, and has one child, Willie Johnston; Willie Clay, who died in 1889, aged twenty-one years; Tacitus, a farmer of Colorado; Kate, the next in order of birth; Nathan IIendley, engaged in bnsi- ness with his father; Clay, a trader of stock in Washington connty; Annie Corine and Pearl, pupils of the Sonthwestern Univer- sity; Tula, Inis and Hallie W., attending the public school; Pharis, deceased at the age of six years; Vivia, at home; and one deceased in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Dever are member of the Methodist Church. Our subject stands high as an honorable, honest, worthy and well-to-do citizen.
A G. SUTTLES, a prominent farmer of Williamson county, is a son of Micajah and Sallie (Ford) Snttles. The Suttles family were of English descent, and came to the colony of Virginia in a very early day. The grandfather of our subject was living there at the time of the Revolutionary war, in which he served as a private soldier. After the close of the struggle he moved to Georgia, took an active part in the settlement of that State, and lel many expeditions against the Indians. At one time he was taken prisoner by the Cherokee tribe, but escaped while his four guards were asleep. This fact is mentioned in a history of that
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time. Mr. Suttles finally located in De Kalb county, Georgia, where he resided until death. Micajah Suttles, the father of onr subject, was born in Elbert county, that State, where he lived his entire lifetime, dying in 1846, at the age of eighty-four years. He had sixteen children, fourteen of whom grew to years of maturity, and nine are now living, as follows: Harriet, wife of Barnet Geta, of Chambers county, Alabama; Ineinda, now Mrs. Jesse Sewell, and a resi- dent of Coweta county, Georgia; Charlotte, wife of John Roberts, of Fulton county, Georgia: Lennie, who resides with her brother in that county; Rhoda, wife of Willis Roberts, of Paulding county, Georgia; Wiley and J. B., of Fulton county; A. G., the sub- ject of this sketch; and Joseph, of Fulton county, Georgia. The mother died in 1835. Mr. Suttles was the owner of a large estate, and was a Whig in his political views, but never aspired to public office. The Ford family are of French descent, and were also originally from Virginia.
A. G. Snttles was born in De Kalb county, Georgia, March 10, 1830, where he grew to inanhood. In the spring of 1865 he camne to Williamson county, Texas, where he now owns 980 acres of good land, 200 acres under cultivation. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the late war, in Company E, Captain Wiley's Company, Jones' Regiment, and was first ordered to Pensacola. Two months afterward they went to Virginia, took part in the battle of Harper's Ferry, after which his term of enlistment expired, and he re- turned home. Mr. Suttles afterward rejoined the army, entering LeyJen's Artillery, and did considerable fighting mider General Humphrey Marshall at Knoxville, Tennessee; one year later was sent to Virginia, where. under General MeCozlin, he participated in
the battles of New River Bridge and Lynch- burg; thence to Richmond, and remained there with Lee's army until the surrender, taking part in the engagements at Chancel- lorsville, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Rich- mond and Petersburg. Ile surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. Mr. Suttles is a Dem- ocrat in his political views; socially, is a Master Mason and a member of the Odd Fel- lows order; and religiously, affiliates with the Missionary Baptist Church.
In the fall of 1866, in Williamson county, our subject was united in marriage with Mrs. Norvell, nee Martha Anderson, who was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, in 1833. She came with her parents to Texas in 1839, settling in Bastrop county. The father, a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, died in the spring of 1842, and the mother departed this life when Mrs. Suttles was eigliteen months old. The latter was first married in Bastrop county, in 1850, to Samuel Norvell, who died in Williamson county, Texas, in 1863.
S P. STUBBLEFIELD, a farmer of Williamson county, is a son of Wil- liam and Agnes (Etridge) Stubblefield, of Welsh descent. The father was born and raised in Oglethorpe county, Georgia, was left an orphan at an early age, after which he lived with Stephen Potts. In young man- hood he went to Dallas county, Alabama. where he met and married the mother of our subject in 1815. The latter died in 1826, and the father afterward married a Miss Smith, and they then came to Texas, locating near Gaines' Landing, on the Sabine river. A few months afterward they went East, stop- ping in Mississippi, intending to return to
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Alabama, but while there mnet old acquaint- ances on the road in Yazoo county, and with others located elaims in that connty. Mr. Stubblefield died there in 1858. He was one of the most prominent planters in Mis- sissippi, was a Whig in his political views, a Presbyterian in faith, and a man of wide influence. By his first marriage he had six children, viz .: Elizabeth, deceased; Marlin, of Yazoo county, Mississippi; Ilenry, a farmer of that county; Francis A., deceased; Stephen P., the subject of this sketch; and David, of Yazoo connty, Mississippi. To the last union were born nine children, -- John, deceased; Sarah, wife of R. H. Griffin, of Colorado, Texas; Calvin, who died in the army; Simon, a resident of the old homestead in Yazoo county; Allen, deceased; Iona, wife of a Mr. Dixon; and Mary, of Yazoo county. The inother of these children died in 1875.
S. P. Stubblefield was born in Dallas county, Alabama, August 13, 1824, and was reared to manhood in Yazoo county, Missis- sippi. In June, 1846, he enlisted for ser- vice in the Mexican war, entering Company A, Jeff Davis' Regiment. He participated in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista, and was wounded in the right hand at the last named battle, and now draws a pension. His brother Henry was also wounded in the same engagement. Mr. Stubblefield lived in Yazoo county, Mississippi, from 1831 to 1852, during the following eleven years was engaged as overseer on the large plantations along the Mississippi river, in 1863 was obliged to refugee to Columbia company, Arkansas, in 1870 came to Liberty Hill, Texas. After locating here he followed the mereantile business until 1881, and in 1883 moved to hiis present farm of 170 aeres, located on the north fork of the Gabriel, six- teen miles west of Georgetown. Ninety
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