USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 49
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wife departed this life in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Young had twelve children, all but two of whom lived to years of maturity, and three still survive -- W. A., our subject; Mark If., and Josephine, wife of Mat Anderson, of Bastrop county.
William A. Young was educated principally in Winchester, Tennessee, and commenced life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, as a merchant in that city. At tlie breaking out of the late war he was engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business at Larkensville, Alabama. Espousing the canse of the South, he joined Company K, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, May 9, 1862, entering as a private. He took part in the battles of Pine mountain and Richmond, was wounded in the fleshy part of the back of the head in a skirmish at Flat Rock, and was forced to abstain from active service for a month. Mr. Young next took part in the raid after General Straight through Alabama and Georgia, and by a little strategy 450 Confederates, under General Forrest, captured 2,200 United States soldiers. For meritor- ions condnet Mr. Young was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company K. After ar- riving in Rome, Georgia, General Forrest allowed his tired and sleepy soldiers only twenty-four hours' rest, when he monnted and started on a raid through west Tennessee, and they took part in the battles of Jackson, Humboldt, etc. At Parker's Roads General Forrest suffered defeat, and the next engage- ment of importance was Chickamanga, where our subject was wounded on Monday, the last day of the battle, on account of which he was forced to the rear, also spending a time in the hospital. One month later he rejoined his command at Knoxville, and the Fourth Tennessee was then transferred to Gabriel's Brigade. They then took part in
the siege of Knoxville, next fought General Burnside at Dandrige, where Captain Young was wounded for the third time, and thus was forced from his command for eight months. During the absence of the Captain from luis company, the regiment was reorganized in Virginia, nnder General Johnston, but after returning from General Hood's disastrous raid through Tennessee, Lientenant Yonng was elected Captain of his company. The last battle in which Captain Young partici- pated was on the Danville road in Virginia. The battle waxed hot, the Confederates and Federals mixing in a hand-to-liand encounter. Captain Young's right hand was still in a sling, he being obliged to use his left in guid- ing his horse and to fire his pistol, yet in that condition he managed to fire twelve ronnds from his revolver. He was finally obliged to beat a hasty retreat, and would undoubt- edly have been killed bnt for the prompt action of a negro woman, who opened the gate and gave him access to the barn, where he fired at every bluecoat that presented him- self, until the appearance of General Joliu- ston's infantry. The latter put to flight the Federal troops, and released the cavalry, wlio had been for some time in one of the most stubbornly contested skirmishes. Gabriel's Brigade was then returned to Charlotte, North Carolina, and were made the special escort of President Davis and the special train containing Mrs. Davis, Bragg, Lub- bock and Benjamin to Washington. While crossing the river General Gabriel informed President Davis that General Johnston had surrendered the army. The gold and silver was in whisky barrels and boxes, the gold containing from $10,000 to $15,000 per box. All was emptied on the ground, and a division was intended and partly made, when General Brown's Brigade of United States
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troops came across the river and took charge of the prisoners, as well as the money. Captain Yonng had received 860 in gold and $25 in silver for his services, and just at the time when General Brown's troops came he placed $5 more in his pockets, and thinks he could easily have obtained all he could carry. There were fifteen wagons (with from four to six mules attached) filled with gold and silver, and all lying on the ground. The prisoners were finally taken to the city and discharged, and three days later the officers, numbering 100 in all, placed themselves under the direct order of General Gabriel, and traveled to Tennessee, where they separated. Captain Young finally reached home, after many escapes from death from bushwhack- ing parties still in the country. He then returned to the place of surrender, as the United States officer in command had signi- fied his willingness to turn over all the horses captured and retained that could be identified by the Captain or officers in com- mand of the company at the time of the surrender. Captain Young recognized sixty head, for which he received protection papers, and returned them to the men of his com- pany. For this act he received many heart- felt blessings from inen, as well as their families.
After the war was fully over onr subject returned . to Alabama, where he remained until 1867, and in that year came on horse- back from Enterprise, Mississippi, to Bas- trop county, Texas, landing August 23, 1867. At that time he had a horse, bridle, saddle and $5 in money. He immediately engaged in agricultural pursuits on the place where lic still resides, a part of which belonged to his wife. Captain Young now owns 130 acres, with 100 acres in pasture and 100 aeres of timber land. In December, 1868, sixty-six years, and his first wife died in 1848,
he was married to Mrs. O. E. Trigg, a daughter of David Arnett, of Franklin county, Tennessee. By her first marriage Mrs. Young had five children-Mary A., now Mrs. W. L. Morris; Della B., wife of James H. Craft; Bettie, wife of Robert Price; Nellie, now Mrs. C. Jenkins, and William A. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had four children, only one now living-John T., who was married in 1887, to Miss Annic Pierce, a native of this county. Our sub- ject and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Young also affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., Gamble Lodge, No. 491, and Bastrop Chapter, No. 95.
C APTAIN J. C. S. MORROW, a com- inercial traveler of Georgetown, was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, November 20, 1839, a son of Preston B. and Elizabeth (Hall) Morrow, natives also of Ken- tucky. The father was formerly a merchant at Versailles, that State, and at the time of his death was employed as a trader. He served as Police Judge for many years, hav- ing been first appointed by the Federal au- thorities and afterward elected to the office; was one of twenty in his county of uncom- promising Union proclivities; and, although a pro-slavery man, approved the emancipation proclamation and was a Henry Clay Whig. He was a conscientious Christian, and a Rul- ing Elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years. Mr. Morrow was three times married, first to the mother of our subject, next to Miss Davis, who lived but a few months after her marriage, and his third wife survived him about two years. His death occurred February 1, 1875, at the age of
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aged about twenty-seven years. They were the parents of five children, namely: Bell, wife of Otto W. Harding, of Louisville, Ken- tucky; J. C. S., onr subject; Jennie, unmar- ried, and residing with her uncle, Dr. Stewart, Superintendent of the Feeble Mind Institute; Samuel, deceased in 1851, at the age of twenty-one years; and Moses II., who died at the age of ten years.
Captain J. C. S. Morrow, was educated in the public schools of Versailles, where he was afterward employed as a clerk until 1857. He was engaged at work in Frankfort, Ken- tucky, one year, served as bookkeeper in the dry goods store of Richard Knott at Lonis- ville, that State, two years, and then, with eight young men, clerks and bookkeepers by occupation, he left that city on the boat, Paytona, on his twentieth birthday, for Texas, via New Orleans. Five of the party landed at Galveston, Texas, and the remaining three, Robert and David Vance and our subject, reached Indianola, December 15, 1859. Mr. Morrow stopped with an old friend of his father, Colonel Slaughter, at Guadaloupe for a time, and February 14, 1860, landed in Georgetown, Williamson county. A week later he was employed by the District Clerk, receiving $60 in gold for one month's work, was engaged as bookkeeper for Josiah Taylor one month, and was then engaged in the rame capacity with Sampson & Ilendricks, proprietors of the largest store in Austin, one year. In July, 1861, Mr. Morrow enlisted for the late war, in acompany raised by Cap- tain Mullen, of which he was made Lieuten- ant Colonel, bnt afterward resigned his posi- tion. During his first two months he was in the State service, as Orderly Sergeant, soou afterward was elected First Lieutenant, and while camping below Harrisburg was taken sick. After much persuasion he was induced
to return to Georgetown, but soon afterward his regiment was requested to report at Little Rock, Arkansas, and he then went a day ahead of his company to that city. They were the only organized regiment in the army when General Price crossed the river. They took part in the battle of. Searcey, where they lost only three out of 100 men, and the enemy lost sixty-fonr men, and their next fight was at Cotton Plant. After the first engagement our subject was elected Captain of his com- pany. Ile served in Arkansas and Lonisiana, and their last battle was at Yellow Bayou. They disbanded where Calvert now stands, and our subject missed only one battle out of the thirty-seven engagments.
After the close of the struggle his possess- ions consisted of a horse, saddle and bridle, and he then went to visit his father and re- latives in Kentucky. He next purchased $14,000 worth of goods of different kinds, on 60, 80, 120 and 160 days' credit, associated himself with Frank L. Price, and the firm of Morrow & Price opened the first stock of goods in this county. In 1870 they erected the first saw mill in the county, also purchased 2,000 acres of land, but after five years and one month they dissolved partnership, having made during that time about $35,000. Mr. Morrow's expenses at the mill amounted to $23 a day, and he employed abont twenty-five men. In 1873 he sold the mill, and the same year engaged in the mercantile business, buy- ing the structure across from where the post- office now stands. In 1876, the railroad hav- ing reached Round Rock, he removed the store to that city; in 1878 moved his family to his place on Galveston bay; bnt the fol- lowing year on account of sickness came again to Galveston. Since that time he has traveled for W. D. Cleveland, a wholesale grocer and cotton dealer of Houston. Mr.
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Morrow was President of the Board of Trns- tees of the Georgetown College, and also secured the location and worked two years on the Southwestern University of Georgetown. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees at Galveston, after having previously elected Rev. F. A. Mood, Regent, they accepted the bid made by the citizens of Georgetown and Williamson county, tendering them the Georgetown College building and grounds, and a subscription list of $100,000. This action located the Southwestern University at Georgetown. Our subject has been connected with the different. enterprises of the town, and was also one of the building committee.
He was married Angust 1, 1866, to Miss Nannie E. Houston, a daughter of General Samuel Houston. Mrs. Morrow was one of eight children, namely : Samuel, married Miss Lucy Anderson, now deceased; Nannie, wife of our subject; Maggie, widow of W. L. Williams; Mary W., widow of J. C. Morson; Nettie P., wife of W. L. Bringhurst; Colonel A. J. Honston, who first married Miss Carrie Parnell, and afterward Miss Gorde; William R ; and Temple Houston, who is married. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow have had six children, Maggie Houston, wife of Robert A. Jolin; Emily Preston, who died January 3, 1892, aged twenty-three years, was the wife of D. E. Decker, and they had one child, Stiles Morrow; Jennie Bell; Preston Perry, at work in the priuting office of the Georgetown Sun; Temple and Beth. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former also affiliates with the Blue Lodge and Chapter, has held the office of Worthy Master in the Bine Lodge two years, and was a delegate to the Grand Lodge seven or eight times. Captain Morrow has always been well to the front in everything ยท of a publie nature, and his position, influence
and ability have ever been at the service of the community when her best interests are involved. As a man and citizen he is held in high esteem for his striet integrity and ster- ling qualities of head and heart. He possesses good business ability, and that enterprising spirit which overcomes obstacles, and lie can truly be styled a self-made man.
W T. GOODMAN, a prominent and in- fluential farmer of Bastrop county, was born in Wilchil, England, April 11, 1852. In 1853 he was brought by his parents to America, landing in New York, but immediately proceeded to Boone county, Illinois. Six years later the family located in Anstin, Travis county, Texas, where they remained until the close of the late war, and the father then purchased 1,000 acres of land in Bastrop county, in the Colorado river val- ley, three miles above Bastrop, where our subject grew to manhood. The father died in 1887. He was a plumber and painter by trade, but after locating in this county, gave his attention entirely to farming. The mother still survives, aged over sixty years. They were the parents of nine children, seven now .
living: Eliza, at home; W. E., engaged in business with his brother; W. T., our subject; Mary J., at home; Annie M., widow of George Fink; Fannie D., wife of D. Fitz- williams, a farmer of Bastrop county; and Virginia L., at home. The family are mem- bers of the Episcopal Church, and are Demno- cratic in their political views.
In 1880, in company with his brother, W. E., our subjeet purchased 1,200 acres of land adjoining the old homestead. 400 acres of which is now under a fine state of enltivation. They have eleven tenement houses on the
H. F. Wells.
Mary G. Wells
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place, and rent about one-half of the farm. The old homestead is farmed in the same way. Mr. Goodman and his brother have never married, and reside with their mother.
W AYMAN F. WELLS, deceased .- In portraying the lives of the pioneers of Texas, the heroes of San Jacinto and the first settlers of Bastrop and Travis counties, no name is more worthy of mention than that of the subject of this sketel. In looking over the now thickly populated and finely cultivated country it is difficult for one to imagine what great changes have taken place during the active lifetime of as early a resident as Mr. Wells.
In 1826 Mr. Wells, then a lad of eleven ycars, accompanied his father's family from their home in Alabama to this new and wild country, at that time belonging to Mexico. There were then bnt few small civilized eet- tlements in what is now the great State of Texas, one of which was situated in what is now Fayette connty. With this last settle- ment the Wells family cast their lot during the first year. The next year, however, they pushed their way forward to the frontier, until they came to what is now Bastrop county, which locality was then principally inhabited by Indians and wild animals, the Wells family being among the first settlers, the mother and sisters of Mr. Wells being the first white women that had ever ventured as far northi on Texas soil. Amidst these surroundings the youth of Mr. Wells was passed, his time being occupied in assisting his father in opening up the frontier farm and in caring for the stock. The farm was sitnated on what has since been known as Wells' Pyramid, fifteen miles from where
the city of Bastrop now stands. For some years Mr. Wells' life was spent much like that of other boys of his age, but in those days boys matnred to man's estate carly, and, being the oldest son, many of the cares of the farm and stock devolved on him, thus ma- terially strengthening his independence and natural firmness of character.
This sort of life continned without inter. ruption until. the year 1835, when the op- pression and tyranny of the Mexican govern- ment became so strongly felt that the settlers resolved to bear their burdens no longer, and war was declared. Mr. Wells was among the first to join the army, which was composed of as brave inen as could be found on the' globe. On account of his familiarity with the country Mr. Wells was selected by his commander as a spy, and through his efforts the army was enabled to seenre much im- portant information of the movements and number of the enemy. He participated in the celebrated battles and defeats at San Antonio and Goliad, and followed the for- tunes of the Texas army until its reorganiza- tion under General Sam Houston, when it was resolved to make a last resistance. Ac- cordingly, on April 21, 1836, the battle of San Jacinto was fonght, when a little army of 783 brave men, poorly equipped, scantily clothed and half starved, marched up, and in less than half an hour (eighteen minutes, says Houston in his report), ernslied to atoms an army of 1.500 men, splendidly accoutcred, well fed and ably generaled by Santa Ana. This is little short of marvelous, but these men were each a Herenles; their war cry was, " Remember the Alamo," and ten thousand men could not have dannted their conrage. They were fighting for their lives and those of their loved ones, as well as avenging the death of those who had been murdered by the
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Mexicans. This little army was made up of sneh men as Mr. Wells, and they followed their leader, ' General Houston, with no thought other than victory. It is such men that gained for Texas her independence and made her a Republic. It is such men as these that have made Texas the greatest State in the Union which constitutes the grandest nation on the face of the earth, and the pos- terity of these men will look back over the history of Texas with pride in the knowledge that their forefathers were the ones who so nobly fought and bled that they might lay the foundation of a commonwealth of peace- ful and happy homes, which their posterity now enjoy. Too much cannot be said in honor of the veterans of San Jacinto. They will live in the memory of their posterity as well as in that of the newer comers, who are enabled to enjoy the fruits of their conrage and valor.
Besides serving in the Texas and Mexican wars, Mr. Wells subsequently took an active part in all the Indian wars, and his extensive knowledge of the frontier aided the settlers materially in keeping the savages at bay.
The early record of his life having been omitted, it is now inserted. Mr. Wells was born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, May 11, 1815, and was the oldest son of Martin and Sally (Boyd) Welle, both natives of the same Stat .. and county. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Marengo county, Alabama, where his father followed agricultural pursnits until the latter emi- grated to Texas in 1826. As previously stated, Wayman lived at home with his father until the outbreak of the Texas and Mexican war, which he entered at the age of nineteen. After the war Wayman returned home, where, during the same year, 1836, his father died, leaving the care of the family
and farm to him. The family consisted of five sons and three daughters, two daughters being then married.
He efficiently eontinned the management of the homestead until 1855, at which time he removed to Travis county. He there first purchased 1,800 acres on Walnut creek, to which he afterward added 160 acres more, and subsequently bought 175 acres of timber land. He was here extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death. Besides his large landed estate and extensive stock business Mr. Wells owned numerous slaves, of which latter property he was de- prived through the result of the late war. Not being discouraged by the loss of his property, however, he pushed on, and being a shrewd trader he continued to increase the value of his property, and at the time of his death was considered one of the wealthy men of his section of Texas.
March 4, 1848, Mr. Wells was married to Miss Mary E. Bacon, native of Tennessee, born in Washington county, October 30, 1817. Her parents, Thomas and Julia Ann (Harderman) Bacon, were both natives of the same county as herself, where they were mar- ried, and whence they emigrated, in 1835, to Texas. They first settled in San Augustine county, but in 1839 removed to Wells prairie, Bastrop county, and afterward to Travis county, where Mr. Bacon died in 1851, and Mrs. Bacon in 1859.
Were but simple justice to be done to the memory of the subject of this review, it would be most consonant that more particu- lar attention be directed to those noble char- acteristies which were a dominating power in his life and which animated his every action during the long years which were a power for good to the extent of their duration. He maintained a lively interest in all that
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tended to conserve the welfare and advance- ment of the community in which he lived and he contributed liberally to publie insti- tutions of all denominations and his benevo- lence was as unstinted as it was unostenta- tious. IIe was particularly coneerned in the providing of educational facilities for the yonth of the State, and contributed largely to the building of the Southwestern University of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Georgetown, and the Baptist High School at Walnut Creek. All public enterprises fonnd in him a ready friend. He was one of the Board of Trustees of the State Insane Asylum, under Governor Lubboek, and simultaneously served as County Commissioner. He had ever a responsive recognition of the sufferings of the fatherless and the widow and was never known to refuse the extending of a helping hand. A inan cast in the finer mold, one who dignified humanity and made the world better for his having lived, there was in his death a consistent consummation which can but rob the grave of its vietory and death of its sting.
Mr. and Mrs. Wells had nine children, six of whom lived to be grown and five of whom still survive: Amanda, wife of George La Rue; Sally Boyd died aged seventeen; Julia Ann died aged four; David 1. and Martin Thomas died in infancy; Peter C., of Elgin, Bastrop county, married Katie Walling and they have five children; George Henry mar- ried Annie Anderson and resides in El Paso, Texas; J. M .; and Wayman Thomas.
Mrs. Wells is a lady of strong foree of character and was well fitted by nature and experience to be a helpinate for a man mak- ing a frontier home. She dispensed hospi- tality with a cheerful hand to friends and strangers alike, in true Texas style, and in a way known only to the true Texas frontier
families. She has survived her husband, and now, at the age of seventy-six, retains in a remarkable degree the vigor of her youth. She is a devoted member of the Baptist Church and interested in all good works.
After a long, active and useful life in Texas, Mr. Wells was called to his last home, February 25, 1878, but before his death, he esponsed the canse of Christ and died with a full conviction that he would be saved and meet his loved ones in that place which knows no parting. He was deeply monrned by lis loving family and a large eirele of friends. His wife lost a loving and tender husband, his children an indulgent father, and the community a generons, charitable citizen. He was identified fraternally with the A. F. & A. M., under whose auspices lis funeral services were conducted.
S B. PURCELL, a prominent farmer and citizen of Williamson county, is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Smalley) Purcell. The father was born and raised on the Wabash river, in Indiana, where he was first married. To that union was born seven children. The wife and mother died, and previous to that time Mr. Purcell had moved to near Springfield, Illinois. While there he was again married, but this wife lived only a short tinc. He afterward married the mother of our subjeet, and they had ten chil- dren, namely: B. S., of Lee county, Texas; S. B., our subject; A. L., who was a member of Waul's legion, infantry, died of disease in 1863, at Holly Springs, Mississippi, and his widow, nee Rachel Lennel, now resides in Medina county, Texas; P. R., of Burnet county; Sarah, wife of Jolm Bell, of Fayette county; Daniel E., of Burnet county; Ro-
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becca, deceased, was the wife of James Holt, of Lavaca county; Calvin, deceased; and Noah, of Williamson county. The family lived in Illinois nutil 1846, and in the fall of that year started to Texas, crossing Red river Jannary 1, 1847. They located in Fayette county, where the father died in 1867, and the mother departed this life in Burnet county, in August, 1890. The former was a farmer by occupation, was qniet and reserved, a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and was a very religious man.
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