USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 51
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of San Jacinto he received word that his first wife was dying, and he immediately went to headquarters to ask for a leave of absence, stating the reason. He was refused by Houston, who said if he attempted to go he would be shot. However, Mr. Moore went to his tent and prepared to leave, but Mr. Houston ordered a detail to surround him, and to shoot if he moved. Mr. Moore pointed his gun at Honston and told him to give the word if he darcd, but he would be the first to drop, and he returned home in safety. Mr. and Mrs. Puckett have four children,-Thomas, of Runnels county, Texas; Elihn, a resident of Travis county, Leon, also of Runnels county; and Cyrus, at home. Mr. Puckett affiliates with tlie Democratic party.
E. COOPER, editor of the Williamson County Sun, and an attorney of George- town, the subject of this sketch, is a inan of whom Judge Chessher says: " He is a straightforward, reliable and successful busi- ness inan, true as steel and honorable in every way. His success in business has been at- tained in a quiet manner and he has never bored anyone with his paper." Mr. Cooper was born in Manry county, Tennessee, Febru- ary 5, 1855, and came of the noted Cooper family of that State. His parents, Robert T. and Lonise Clementine Cooper, were both natives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married. The former, a farmer of Tennessee, served as Sheriff of Lewis connty for one term, and enjoyed an extensive ac- quaintance. During the late war he enlisted in 1861, was made Captain of Company H, Third Tennessee Infantry, and was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson, being retained
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for about a year at Johnson's island, when he was exchanged and returned to service. During his entire term of service he enjoyed only two short furlonghs and was killed at Raymond in battle near Jackson, Mississippi, in 1863. Colonel John C. Brown, late Gover- nor of Tennessee, in speaking of him, says: " No braver man was in the service than be." Ile was leading his men on to victory, having himself just taken two prisoners, and the company many more, when he was shot in the breast by the cnciny, and only lived about two hours. They were led into ambush and were having a hand to hand eneounter. Two of his company, who saw him fall, ran to his relief, one on either side, and both were in- stantly killed, falling each way dead over him. His age, at deatlı, was thirty-five years. During life he attended the Presbyterian Church, in which faith he was reared, although he was not a member of the church. His father, grandfather of our subject, Robert O. Cooper, served as County Clerk for Lewis eonnty for over twenty years. He had a remarkable memory, and was one of the best read men in the State. He had ten sons and five grandsons in the Confederate army, of whom five of the former lost their lives in the service, four of the others returned home wounded, and only one of the ten eseaped unhurt. In addition to the ten sons in the army, Mr. Cooper had one son physically unable to go into the army, and three dangh- ters, and reared his fourteen ehildren to ma- turity. This honored gentleman died at the age of ninety-four. The maiden name of his wife was Cooper, but she was no eonnee- tion, a native of Iowa, of Irish extraction, her grandparents being natives of Ireland, who settled in South Carolina on coming to this country. Our subject's mother, Lonise Clementine was one of four daughters born
to Robert O. Smith, while her father was a nephew of Robert O. Cooper, our subject's grandfather. The mother was reared by her maternal grandfather, who was a Baptist in religion. Owing to her training she inelined to the same faith and was noted for her sweet and kind disposition, being one of the most amiable of women. So strong was the attach- ment between her husband and herself that she never recovered from the shock of his death, although she survived him until 1867, when she died. She possessed many of the sweet and loving attributes of the wife, mother and neighbor, and so strongly were her acquaint- ances impressed by this fact that they were all her friends.
Our subject is the oldest of five children, two of whom were twins that died in infancy, those living, being: Mary Belle, wife of W. S. Leake, of Georgetown: Robert T. Cooper, who married Miss Corinna Taylor, and is the eolleetor in the First National Bank, and our subjeet. The last was edueated in his na- tive State, and after finishing he engaged as elerk in the Chancery's Clerk's office for about two years, during which time he did a great deal of writing necessary in such a capacity. He then came to Texas, January, 1876, and taught school in Williamson eounty for seven months, being very successful. In spite of his sueeess in the work, he felt that he was better suited for other things, so en- gaged as clerk at Round Rock for Captain J. C. S. Marrow. He came to Georgetown in 1877, and in April of that year started his paper, The Williamson County Sun, to which he gave the present name. Since that time he has been the editor and publisher with the exception of the year 1891-'92. This paper has a cireulation of 1,500, and has been the official paper of the county and eity for many years. The success of the paper has been
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wonderful. Although he started without money, his energy, determination and zeal have amply compensated for that lack. Dur- ing his residence in Georgetown he has been importuned many times to accept office, but has always refused. Being a person who has had the welfare of the county and city at heart, he has done more than his share of the charity work, both as an editor and a private person. He has served as Chairman of the Democratic County Executive Committee, and is now a member from his county of the Congressional Executive Committee, and has always taken a leading part in advancing the best interests of the county.
Mr. Cooper was married in 1878, to Miss Mary Sansom, daughter of Colonel Richard Sansom of Georgetown, an old settler and ex-County Treasurer, also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875. He died in 1880, at the age of fifty-four. Our sub- ject and wife have three children, namely : Jessie A., Lonise S. and Edgar L. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church, in which the former has been an Elder for many years. He is a member of the K. of Il. and Knights and Ladies of Honor, and Knights of Pythias.
C APTAIN J. L. BRITTAIN, a mem- ber of the marble firm of Brittain & Spencer, of Georgetown, Texas, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, November 29, 1833. His parents were Nathaniel and Eineline (Faught) Brittain. The mother was a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Panl Faught, an old and highly-esteemed pioneer citizen, and an extensive farmer of Putnam county. His death occurred in that county. Onr subject's father, formerly a farmer of
Indiana, came to Texas in 1845, and his death ocenrred at Brittain Springs (named in his honor), Denton county. He was one of the early pioneers of that locality, was well and favorably known, and was acquainted with the hardships and dangers incident to Texas pioncer life. He died in 1847, at the age of forty-three years. Ilis wife departed this life in 1845, soon after coming to Texas. She was a good and devont member of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Brittain were the parents of seven children, four of whom are still living, and all are in Texas except one brother, James, who resides in Louisiana.
Captain J. I .. Brittain, the second of the seven children, and the subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life. He came to George- town, Texas, in 1852, and soon afterward en- gaged in the mercantile business, as a clerk. He next conducted a business for himself seven years. Mr. Brittain was elected Sher- iff of this connty just before the war, serving about six months, and when the dark clond of war arose, although an anti-secessionist, when the State seceded he took the side of the State, and enlisted in 1862 as a private. In 1861 he was in the ranging service on the border. Secession coming on, Governor Houston called them in, after a service of some six months, and our subject served as acting Adjutant, with the rank of Captain. He saw hard service, chased many Indians, and passed through 200 miles of conntry, which was then filled with buffaloes. James Brittain, a younger brother of our subject, then aged about fourteen years, on one occt- sion was out with a surveying party of abont fifteen. He served as their errand boy. When ont from the office of the surveyor abont fifteen miles, they put him on a horse to return to the office for something they had
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forgotten. He attended to the errand and was back in due time. While he was gone the party had been visited by a lot of blood- thirsty Indians, who had killed the entire party, and this alone was perhaps all that saved him from a like fatc. He found their bodies scattered here and there, and all were sleeping that sleep that knows no waking. Our subject served on this side of the Mississippi river, in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, was in no great battles, bnt saw much hard service. He was with General Marmaduke, of Missouri, for the most part. Mr. Brittain returned home in May, 1865, resumed farm- ing, but soon afterward took a drove of horses to Arkansas, which proved a successful trip. He was next engaged in merchandising about twelve years, and then, in 1875, returned to his farm, where he followed that ocenpation and trading in live stock. He still owns a ranch near town, and also a drove of horses in the West. In 1891 Mr. Brittain embarked in the marble business in Georgetown, with O. L. Spencer, in which they are doing well.
Our subject was married in 1869 to Miss Julia Posey, a daughter of James C. Posey, of this county. They have five children, viz .: Mand, wife of Jack Duke, of Round Rock, this county; Pat C., attending the Sonthwestern University; Posey; Frank L. and Jessie May. The wife and mother died in 1879, aged thirty-three years. Mr. Brit- tain is a member of blue lodge and chap- ter, and religionsly is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In early days our subject was well acquainted with snch men as Pinkney Anderson, Sam Houston, Philip Clayburn, Bert Simons, Bob Taylor and others whose naines figure in Texas pioneer history. These gentlemen were not afraid to do and dare, and to them the civilization of the present day is greatly due. Captain
Brittain, like many others, has done his part in opening up the frontier and preparing the way for the pace of civilization and progress, which the present generation now enjoys. He has ever been in thorough sympathy with the progress and growth of the community on every line of advancement.
JOHN FAUBION, of Williamson county, is a son of William and Rosanna (Ayers) Faubion. This is one of the oldest families in the State, and of German descent. Grandfather Jacob Faubion emigrated to America about the middle of the eighteenth century, married an English lady, and lived for a time in Pennsylvania. In 1760 they moved to the eastern part of what is now Tennessee, settling in what afterward became Cocke county, where he raised a large family. Several of his sons participated in the war of 1812. William Faubion, father of our sub- ject, passed his entire lifetime in that county. He was married at the age of eigteen years, and they had eight children, four now living: John, our subject; Frethias, of Cocke county, Tennessee; William, of Milam county, Texas; and Tillman A., of Burnet, this State. The Fanbion family have been farmers and black- smithis by ocenpation, and are Baptists in their religious views. The mother of our sub- ject came from South Carolina to Tennessee. While making the journey the wagon needed repairing, and they camped at the blacksmith shop of Mr. Faubion, where they became ac- quainted, and were married the following morning. Her parents continned the journey to middle Tennessee. Mrs. Fanbion died a few years after marriage, and her husband departed this life in 1839.
John Faubion, the subject of this sketch, was born in Cocke county. Tennessee. Febru-
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ary 6, 1812. In the fall of 1853 he bronght his family and a number of negro slaves to Texas, landing in this vicinity in the follow- ing December. Mr. Fanbion has since lived in the neighborhood, has done much toward the development of this beautiful and natur- ally favored section, and is now ready to re- tire from life's duties. In 1861 he built the beautiful and commodious stone residence he now occupies. Mr. Faubion has in his pos- session many deeds and land warrants, aud the following is taken from an old deed given his grandfather in Cocke county, Tennessee. It is described as "a certain tract of land con- taining forty-two acres, lying in the county of Cocke, on the end of a ridge called Widow's Ridge, beginning at three black oaks, and running thence west forty-two poles to a black oak and white oak, south forty-five, west eighty-three poles to a black oak sapling, south again sixty poles to a stake, east forty-five to a stake on his deeded land," etc.
In 1833, in Cocke county, our subject was inarried, and in the course of life they had seven children, viz .: . William, of Leander, Texas; Jeremiah, of Lampasas county ; James R., also of Leander; John, of Bell county; Luther, of Leander; Mary, widow of a Mr. Wilson, and resides three miles from her father's home; Isabella, deceased, was the wife of Andrew Pickle, of Leander. The wife and mother died in 1849, and October 3, 1851, Mr. Faubion married Elizabeth Stephen. Their child died in infancy. Mr. Fanbion has been an active worker in the Methodist Church for many years.
William Faubion, the eldest son, was born in Cocke county, Tennessee, February 28, 1835. and was nineteen years of age when his parents came to Texas. After marriage he spent two years in Burnet county, but at the
opening of the late war, on account of Indian tronbles, he returned to Williamson county. Ile enlisted as a private in Company D, Six- teenth Texas Infantry, served in the Trans- Mississippi Department until the surrender, and took part in the battles of Milliken's Bend, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and in Bank's expedition on Red river. Mr. Faubion now owns 515 acres of fine land, 150 acres of which is cultivated. The place was pur- chased in 1878, is located two miles north- west of Leander, and contains over $7,000 worth of improvements. He erected a wind- mill at a spring a quarter of a mile from his house, and forced the water to a 500 gallon wooden tank, raised ten feet. But, not satis- fied with this, he built a cemented circular reservoir of stone, five feet deep, and abont twenty feet in diameter, on a point higher than his stables, and thus has a constant sup- ply of water. He also has several fine varie- ties of fish in the reservoir.
Mr. Faubion was married in this neigh- borhood, December 22, 1858, to Marinda Black, a daughter of W. M. Black, who emi- grated from this State to Arkansas in 1848. To this union have been born ten children: John, of Jones county, Texas; Mollie, at home; W. C., of Hill county, this State; James, at home; E. H., of Williamson county; Maggie, wife of Travis Harrel, a medical student; Frank, Louis, Gilbert and Abbie, at home. Mr. Faubion affiliates with the Democratic party.
James R. Faubion, the third son of John Faubion, was born in Cocke county, Tennes- see, July 15, 1839, but was reare'd to man- hood in Texas. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company A, Morgan's battalion, and took part in the bat- tles of Arkansas Post, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, in Bank's expedition, and in Marma-
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duke's raid to Cape Girardeau. He now owns one of the finest farms in Williamson county, consisting of 200 acres, 100 acres of which is cultivated. He also has 200 acres of pasture land in Burnet county. In his political relations, Mr. Fanbion is a Demo- crat; socially, is a Master Mason, has served as Worshipful Master of his lodge several times, and is now Senior Deacon; and in his religious views, is a member and Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as Sunday-school Superintendent many years.
Mr. Faubion was married in Williamson connty, in 1858, to Cilinda Babcock, who was born in Illinois, but came with hier par- ents to Williamson county, Texas, at an early age. Mr. and Mrs. Faubion have three children: Charles, a clerk in the Assessor's office at Georgetown; John, telegraph opera- tor at Buda, Texas; and James, engaged in the same occupation at Fairland, this State. The wife and mother died in 1881. At Lil.erty Hill, Texas, in 1885, the father mar- -. ried Mary Potts, a native of Arkansas, who also came to this State when a child. They have five children: Eulah, Bessie, Walter, Lilburne and Arthur.
EORGE T. JACKSON, a member of the Legislature, a prosperous farmer and worthy citizen of Burleson county, Texas, was born in Scott county, Mis- sissippi, October 1, 1851. He is a son of W. B. and Virginia C. (Keahey) Jackson, na- tives of North Carolina and Mississippi, re- spectively, who moved from the latter State to Texas in 1852, and have been for many years prominent and of respected residents Burleson county. After forty-five years of
married life, they are in the full enjoyment of health and happiness, with their children grown up and comfortably situated around them. This worthy couple landed in Texas in the January following the birth of the sub- ject of this sketch, where he has ever since resided, having been reared to farm life and stock-raising. He received a good education for the times in the common schools of his vicinity, after which he taught two terms. He lived under the paternal roof until he was thirty-three years of age, when he was mar- ried. Preparatory to this event, he bought 143 acres of raw land, on which he built a honse, and after marriage began to clear and improve it. He now has eighty acres fenced, fifty of which are well cultivated to cotton and corn, besides which he raises sufficient pork to supply his home with lard and meat.
His marriage occurred December 23, 1883, to Miss Thomas L. Lovelace, an estimable lady, born in Alabama, April 4, 1861. Her parents, William R. and Marthia Lovelace, were natives of Georgia, who moved to Texas in 1867, and first settled at Jones' Prairie, in Milam connty, whence they subsequently removed to Burleson county. Here the de- voted mother died in 1876, and the father is now residing in Brown county. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have had five children, three of whom died young. Those surviving are: William R., born June 29, 1885, who was a twin, the other one having died; and Ruby T., born May 25, 1888.
Politically, Mr. Jackson follows in the footsteps of his father, being a strong advo- cate of Democracy. He was nominated to his first office in 1892, and elected a member of the Legislature to represent his district, his opponent having been a third-party man. Those who know Mr. Jackson and appreciate his sterling qualities of character, may rest
A Jeffeinaty
Émilie Heinaty
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assured that his constituents will be ably and honorably represented.
Fraternally, Mr. Jackson affiliates with the Royal Arch Masons. He and his devoted wife are earnest members of the Baptist Church, to which his family have belonged for several generations. He and his wife are worthy people, and enjoy the universal es- teem of their community.
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F. HEINATZ, deceased, was a well and favorably known character in Willian- son county, and especially in the region known as Bagdad prairie, where he had been the leading business factor for nearly forty years. As the name indicates, he was of German birth and parentage, having been born in Prussia December 6, 1822. He early learned the blacksmithis' trade, and fol- lowed that occupation in the fatherland until 1848, when he determined to try his fortunes in the New World. Arriving at Galveston November 27 of that year, Mr. Heinatz spent the first few years in traveling throughout the North and West. In the early '50s he returned to Texas, and, after a sojourn in Shelby county, located at Austin, where he soon afterward married Miss Berthia Raven. She died one year later withont issne. In the fall of 1853 our subject located on the strip of prairie afterward known as Bagdad prairie, having been among the earliest set- tlers in that part of the county. Ile followed lis trade in a stone blacksmith shop for a number of years, after which, on account of failing health, he embarked in the mer- cantile business. By honesty, fair dealing and good business judgment Mr. Heinatz gradually built np a large trade, mount- ing from the condition of obscurity and
poverty to a position of influence and wealth.
December 10, 1863, at Austin, he married Emilie Kromm, who still survives, and whose many good qualities of mind and heart made his success possible. Mrs. Ileinatz was born in Princelau, near Berlin, Germany, Septem- ber 3, 1842, a daughter of Carl and Emilie Krohn. In 1854 the family came to Austin, Texas, where the father has ever since re- sided. The mother died in Austin, Texas, January 25, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Heinatz had eight children, viz .: Charles F., Mary, John, William, Dora, Shelton, Marvin and Sarah. The last suffered death January 13, 1891, by a most distressing accident. Her clothing caught fire while she was standing in front of a fire-place, and death ensued in a few hours. J. F. Heinatz died May 4, 1891, after a long illness, his demise occurred at his home in Bagdad. The busi- ness world remembers him as a successful and leading merchant, but the community in which he lived will always feel his loss as a promoter of every good work, as he was liberal of his means, and untiring in his ef- forts to promote the general welfare of the community. He was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and in his church papers we find that, " He was a Steward for many years, and looked after the interests of the church with a jealous care." As a Sunday-school Superintendent he was a success. On his death bed, as the minister entered the room, he turned to his wife and said: "Mamma, get that purse and make that settlement at once." That being done, he expressed his satisfaction, and said he was now ready to depart. His last words were: "I am happier to-day that I have been for a long time."
Charles F. Ileinatz, eldest son of the above, and who now successfully carries on the busi-
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ness left by his father, was born at Bagdad, October 12, 1866. He began mercantile life at the age of sixteen years, as a clerk for his father, but after two years left the counter for the free life on the plains. In June, 1888, the firm of J. F. HIcinatz & Son was formed, since which time he has carried on the busi- ness. It is now entirely his own enterprise, and is the largest business in the new town of Leander, a town built from the ruins of old Bagdad. Mr. Heinatz was married in Burnet county, Texas, October 1, 1890, to Ida M. Yett. They have had two children, Robert II., and Roy Jolin F., twins. Thic latter is now deceased.
ASA JACKSON, a well-to-do farmer and respected citizen of Burleson coun- ty, Texas, is a native son of the Lone Star State, having been born in Hill county, June 19, 1856. His parents, W. B. and Vir- ginia C. (Keahey) Jackson, are natives of North Carolina and Mississippi, respectively, and moved from the latter State to Texas in 1852. They settled in Johnson county when the subject of this sketch was about five years of age, and there remained five years. They then removed to Burleson county, where young Asa attained his growth, was married, and where he has ever since made his home.
Mr. Jackson, of this notice, remained under the paternal roof until he was twenty- four years of age, when, in 1880, he was mar- ried. He then rented a traet of land which he farmed until 1882, when he bought 200 acres of wild land, 100 of which is now under fence, with about sixty aeres under cultiva- tion. Ile rents part of his land, but grows the remainder to cotton and corn, and raises sufficient pork to supply his home with lard,
cte. Ile taught school about three years, but now devotes his attention entirely to his farming interests.
In 1880 Mr. Jackson married Miss L. R. Collier, an intelligent lady, who was born in Alabama, April 3, 1860, and came to Texas with her parents in 1878. She is the daugh- ter of Professor J. P. and Mary A. (Rogers) Collier, also natives of Alabama. Her father has followed teaching nearly all his life, and both parents now reside in Llano, Llano connty, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have had six children, two of whom died young. Those surviving are: Paulina E., born May 30, 1882; Roy C., born January 20, 1884; Rowena V., born April 2, 1886; and Mary R., born April 30, 1889.
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