USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
A friend says: "T. M. Rector, Sr., took a- great interest in the education of the young. One of his last aets before leaving Alabama was to assist in building a Masonie hall and female seminary, which was completed in
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1853. He also took part in the organization of Parsons' Lodge, No. 222, at Manor, Texas, of which he was Master for inany years."
Such is an epitome of the life of one of Travis county's most prominent and highly respected citizens.
JOHN ISRAELSON .- Among the Swedish pioneers of Williamson county none is more worthy of mention in this connection thar. John Israelson, who has re- sided here since 1859. He was born in Sweden, March 10, 1833, and was reared to the life of a farmer, becoming accustomed to the hard labor of tilling the soil. His father, Israel Abramson, was a small farmer, and under his careful management the earth yielded him and his family support. He married Anna Stina, and they reared a fam- ily of thirteen children, ouly three of whomn are now living: John is the subject of this notice; Anna married Angust Anderson; and Adla is the wife of Carl Anderson.
The successes of his countrymen in Amer- ica proved a temptation not to be resisted, and he finally set sail at Gotten berg for Bos- ton. After many weeks on the deep, land was reached, and without delay lie proceeded to New York, going thence to Texas. He first went to Austin, and finally to William- son county, where he found employment with John Palın, with whom he remained ten months. He next worked for Mr. Swenson for one year. By this time his experience and observation had tanghit him that it was better to farm for one's self than to hire one's labor to another. Accordingly he rented land, but his operations were interrupted by the breaking out of the civil war. During
this period he did freighting from Mexico to San Antonio, and when at last peace war declared he took charge of a herd of sheer for a Mr. Forsythie. At the expiration of three months he went to Mexico, where he herded sheep and tramped through the coun. try for a period of two and a half years While this occupation was not particularly profitable from a financial standpoint, it was rich in varied experience, and quite worth the time thius spent.
Coming back to Palm valley, hie engaged in driving cattle for the Palm brothers, mak. ing trips to Kansas and other distant points. At the end of another year he determined to abandon his roving life and devote himself to some fixed occupation. He turned his attention to farming, and finally invested his means in land, purchasing 103 acres. He has made most admirable improvements, and has one of the most desirable homes in the connty. He has sixty acres under good cul- tivation, and in addition rents some land. Profits come slowly yet surely, and wise in- vestments are sure to bring a competency.
Mr. Israelson was nnited in marriage in the autumn of 1870 to Miss Mary Kngland, one of his countrywomen; they have had born to thein seven children: Anna, wife of Andrew Johnson; Adla, Gustave, Hannah, Nora, Esther, and one that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Israelson are supporters of the Lutheran Church and most exemplary mem- bers of the community in which they live.
RVIN A. McFADIN, deceased, was born in January, 1842, in Jefferson county, Texas, being the third son of David H. and Jerusha (Dyches) McFadin. Ile was but four years old when his parents re-
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
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inoved to Williamson county, and his youth was passed on the ranch of his father, who was quite extensively engaged in the stock business. His early education was secured in the old-time subscription schools, and upon attaining mature years be settled upon a por- tion of the old homestead, and continued in the farming and stock raising business in company with his father. He was a man of rare business acumen and financial shrewd- ness, amassing a large fortune in the stock business, and that within an almost incredi- bly brief time.
He was married in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth N. Moore, a native of Mississippi, and a daugli- ter of R. W. Moore, who came to Texas about the year 1858 and settled in Milain county, where he passed the remainder of his life. Mr. -- and Mrs. McFadin became the parents of four children: David Guy; Dean; Mary Ellen, who became the wife of O. M. Breeden; and Ira.
Mr. McFadin, like his father, was inde- pendent in his political views. He was a member of the Christian Church, as is also his widow.
Mr. McFadin passed to his reward June 11, 1888, and his devoted wife is still living at the age of forty-seven years.
M AJOR T. V. COUPLAND, deceased, was born in Jefferson county, Ala- bama, October 16, 1836. His father was Hugh Coupland, a nephew of Governor A. J. and ex-Senator Morgan C. Hamilton, bothi noted Texas characters. Mr. Corpland came to Texas a few years before the Civil war and resided in Austin. He was Deputy Sheriff of Travis county, under arriff J. W. Blackburn, for a number of
years. At the breaking out of the war he and Jack Hamilton, John J. Haines and others, not desiring to participate in open re- bellion against the flag of the Union, took refuge in Mexico and made their way to the Union lines at New Orleans. They offered their service in defense of the Union, were accepted, and Mr. Coupland was commis- sioned Major of the First Texas Cavalry. Governor E. J. Davis was the commanding General, Colonel Haines being an officer in the same command. Major Coupland was in active service exclusively in the Western De- partment. He marched from New Orleans to San Antonio, and was there mustered ont in the summer of 1865.
" After his discharge from the service Major Coupland returned to New Orleans, where, December 21, 1865, he was married. He continued his residence in that city eighteen years, or until 1883. For a number of years he was Collector of the port of New Orleans. He was then appointed Deputy Clerk of the United States Circuit Court, and served in that capacity until 1883, when he came to Texas and took charge of that portion of an estate bequeathed to him by Morgan C. Hamilton. He was engaged in farming and ranching on Brushy creek, and many hundred cattle bore his familiar brand. Ill health forced him to dispose of his stock interest, but he gave his attention to his farm until the time of his death, which occurred January 3, 1890. Mr. Coupland was a gentleman of fine character, pleasant address and inost con- genial manner. He made friends wherever he lived. The death of no man in the county has caused a more general and deep-seated regret than that of Major Coupland. Iie was a Mason and a member of Linwood Lodge, New Orleans. He took no interest in politics after coming to Texas, but while
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
in New Orleans he was an active and ener- getic supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party, and np to the time of his death was true to his convictions. He mar- ried Fannie, daughter of Captain Wardwell Ci and Ann (Cunningham) Flanders.
"Captain Flanders was an old sea captain, and was one of the early settlers of New Orleans. He was born in New Hampshire, February 16, 1811, just before the opening of our second war with England. His father, Joseph Flanders, was a sturdy patriot and participated in many battles of the American Rovolution. One day while he was absent from home the Indians raided the country, devastating homes and murdering women and children, but his brave wife made her escape with her children and reached Salis- bury a few days later. Captain Flanders' ancestry in America dates back to 1650. When a lad the Captain, having a desire to go to sea, was placed under a sea captain for training, and for a number of years was on a whaling vessel. In 1826 he established his home in New Orleans, and twelve years later he married. When the Mexican war was in progress Captain Flanders commanded a ves- sel engaged in transporting troops to the Mexican coast. He was a popular officer. When the California gold fever broke out his ship was crowded with seekers of the precious metal, bound for the new El Dorado. It would require many volumes to detail the Captain's adventures at sea, the hardships le endured and the privations he encountered while in a convoy of vessels near one of a group of the South Pacific islands. He wit- nessed the stranding of a vessel and the ter- rible atrocities perpetrated upon the defense- less men. He spent one winter in Behring sea. During the Civil war he remained in New Orleans, taking no active part in the
conflict; but, being the son of a Revolution- ary soldier, his heart was full of love for the Union and his sympathies unmistakably with the Federal army. After the war he was appointed surveyor of the port. Then, for thirteen years, he was inspector of hulls, being peculiarly fitted for that position be- cause of his familiarity with all classes of vessels. Benjamin F. Flanders, brother of the Captain, was once Military Governor of Louisiana and for many years a chief in the United States Treasury Department at New Orleans. Captain Flanders and his wife had children as follows: Relief, the wife of F. A. Woolfley; Fannie; Florence A., now Mrs. D. J. Goss; Clement C., cashier of the Metro -. politan Bank of New Orleans; Will W., en- gaged in the lumber business at Lake Charles Louisiana; and twelve children, deceased.
The only child of Major and Mrs. Coup- land is Frank Hamilton Coupland, now resid- ing with his mother and engaged in farming. He was born in New Orleans, December 27, 1866, and was married November 8, 1888, to Miss Sophia M. Heilhecker. They have two little daughters: Fannie R., born January 10, . 1890, and Gladys S., July 8, 1892.
On Mrs. Coupland's farm was fought one of the most celebrated battles known in Texas history,-that of Battle Creek,-in which Jake Burleson, a brother of General Edward Burleson, was killed.
H. COFFIELD .- The claim is some; times made by the citizens of Rock- dale, and it seems to be well founded in fact, that theirs is a town of young men. A hasty glance at the personnel o the business inen of the place certainly re veals the fact that very few of them are mer of advanced age, while a large number ar
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HISTORY OF TEXAS.
actually as yet young in years. Young blood counts for a great deal in the affairs of this life, and the youthful energy and enthusiasm that have been infused into the enrrents of traffic and development in the little town of Rockdale during the twenty years of its ex- istence, have told wonderfully in its history.
C. II. Coffield is now but little past his forty-fifth year, and of his life eighteen years have been spent in Rockdale. IIe is one who has had much to do with the making of its history, and one whose name should re- ceive mention in a review of its growth and development.
Mr. Coffield's life, like the lives of most of the successful business inen of this place, has very little 'in it of the romantie or un- usnal. Romantic careers are not, as a rule, successful ones from a business standpoint.
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his arms at the general armistice, happy in the thought that he had borne himself as be. came a true Southern boy.
Ile returned home and went to work for wage- driving cattle and doing whatever else of honest labor that came to hand, being variously engaged for ten years after the close of the war, when. in August. 1875, he took up his residence in Boekdale. His first employmen there was as bookkeeper in a drug store, which ocenpation he followed for three or four years. lle then formed a partnership with lingh L. Witcher under the firm name of Witcher & Coffield, and engaged in busi- ness for himself. There are several mercan- tile establishments in Rockdale that seem to an outside person marvels of growth when told of their history, and their enterprise noted is not the least of this number. From a small line of common hardware and cheap farining implements with which it began fif - teen years ago, it has come to embrace a stock carrying all lines of hardware, implements, vehicles of one kind and another, harness and saddles, furniture and so on, representing an annual business of $90,000.
Born in Martin county, North Carolina, in 1847, he was brought by his parents; in 1859, to this State and for two years resided on a farm, where his time was divided be- tween his duties as a farm hand and his at- tendance at the then well known school of Soule University, at Chapel Hill. He was in this school at the time of the breaking ont Mr. Coffield has given this business close attention since it was started and has helped to build it up to what it is. In Jannary. 1890, associated with other gentlemen of Rockdale, he organized the First National Bank of that placc, and he was elected presi- dent, which position he has since held. He is also a stockholder in the Rockdale Im- provement Company, owners and operators of the water works and electric-light plant; in the Cotton Oil Mill, the Cotton Platform Company, the coal mines and other repre- times to contribute of his means to anything of the Civil war, and, with the ardor of youth, ran away from the institution and entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Border's regiment, composed of cadets and yonths like himself, whose chief recommendation as soldiers was their ardor for the cause which they had espoused, and the fact that Texas having a vast stretch of Gulf coast to be de- fended, was willing to accept boy soldiers for this service. From the date of his enlistment until the close of hostilities between the two sections, yonng Coffield carried a musket. sentative enterprises, standing ready at all discharging his duties acceptably in field and camp, and having had the good fortune to ; looking to the development of his town and escape wounds and imprisomnent, laid down county .
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For three or four years past he has given . North, South. East and West: $1,000,000 particular attention to the real-estate interest of Rockdale and vicinity, and has done a great deal toward calling attention to the advant- ages of this locality for farming, stock-rais- i ing, frnit-growing, mining, manufacturing, etc.
Mr. Coffield is one of those men who keeps things about him moving, not being content to plod along and make a living, but wishing to see everybody at someting and everybody doing well, and particularly desirous of see- ing his own town and county develop to their full capacity, their waste places filled with happy homes and their thoroughfares and markets crowded with trade. To this end he has bent his energies since he began fonr years ago to direct attention to the possibili- ties of this section for capitalists and home- seekers, and he is enjoying the satisfaction now of seeing his efforts crowned with at least partial success. Ilis epitomizing of the claims of Rockdale and vicinity are so clear and succinct that it will bear repetition. Ile says: " Rockdale is the best town of 2,000 people in Texas; it has railroad connection
taxable values; low rate of taxation ; Baptist, Methodist. Presbyterian, Christian and Catholic churches; best free school in the State; good banking facilities: efficient sys- tem of water works and electric lights; ample hotel accommodations; brick kilu making 2,000,000 brick of superior quality annually; cheap lumber; an unsurpassed fruit, vegetable and melon district; average cotton crop, one-half bale to the acre; best weekly newspaper in the State: and inex- haustible mines of lignite coal."
Mr. Coffield has been too busy in the past fifteen or twenty years to develop his claims as a politician. He has hell but few office- -none except local positions. He is a Dem- ocrat in faith and in work- when there is need of his working for the success of hi- party. He i- a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and of the Knight- of Honor.
On September 14. 1571. he married. at Salado, in Bell county. Miss Mary E. Bonner, daughter of J. C. Bonner, of that place, an old Texan whose residence in this State dates from 1831.
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N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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