USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 8
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
Mr. Branch is a native of Virginia, having been born near Potersburg in 1851 and is a son of Robert H. and Martha Branch, both of whom were natives also of the Old Do- minion. The boyhood and youth of the sub. ject of this sketch were passed on his father's farm, where, in the intervals of his labor as an assistant in the duties about home, he re- ceived the clements of a common English education. The late Civil war, which wrought such havoc in the fortunes of so many of Virginia's best people, brought to the family of the subject of this notice its relative proportion of sorrow and disappoint- ment, and changed in many essentials the plans of the father with respect to the future of his sons. William P. early decided on a career for himself, and at the age of seven- teen, in 1868, left home and went to New York city. where he entered a boot and shoe house, in which he became cashier and book- keeper, a position which at once ushered him into the world of business and brought him much valuable experience. He remained in New York four years, when, in 1872, he turned hi- attention to the "New South- west," then just entering on the era of de. velopment which has since marked its prog-
467
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
ress. From 1872 to February 1874 he re- sided near Palestine in Anderson county, this State, where he was engaged in the mercan- tile business. On the completion of the railroad to Rockdale, on the date last men- tioned, he settled here and this has since been his home. He started with the town, being on the site early enough not only to "get in on the ground floor," as the saying goes, but to start on the ground itself, since there were but few buildings in the place when he came. From that date until the present his fortunes have been linked with those of the town, prospering with its gen- eral prosperity and losing by its reverses and disasters. For a number of years he was engaged in the general mercantile business, but about 1882 changed to furniture, and in the past ten or eleven years he has built up one of the largest trades in this line in Milam county. He also has a branch house at Taylor, which was established about the same time the one was at Rockdale, and which does a large and successful business. Mr. Branch gives his attention exclusively to his business interests, never having been identi- tie:l with any outside enterprises except the Rockdale bank, of which he was for about two years cashier. He has, however, con- tributed to local enterprises financially and assisted in person in getting them on foot. Whatever is calculated to stimulate the in- dustry or promote the general welfare of the community in which he resides he is willing to help in proportion to his means and does so cheerfully. Like most new towns Rock- dale suffered severely in former years by fires. and a member of its citizens lost at different times a large share of their earn -; ings. Mr. Branch being one of this number. and having probably sustained heavier losses than any other man in the town. But he | started in the world. Although an old Texas
has survived these financial disasters, and, maintaining an abiding confidence in the Inture of the town, he has reared upon the ruins of his former establishments his pres- ent splendid business interests.
In January, 1877, Mr. Branch married Miss Ella V. Rogers, then of Rockdale, a danghter of Rev. O. F. Rogers, who moved to Texas from Booneville, Mississippi, where Mrs. Branch was born and reared. Mr. and Mrs. Branch have a pleasant home and lend their aid to the best social interests of the town, as well as to its moral and religious interests.
ARRETT E. KING, a prominent busi- ness man of Taylor, was born in Lown- des county, Mississippi, in 1858, a son of John King, a native of South Caro- lina. In an early day the latter moved with his parents to Mississippi, where he received a limited education. In 1859 he landed in Robertson county, Texas, and was there en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1869. At the opening of the late war he joined Colonel Ford's company, and for about three years served on the western frontier of Texas. During that time he was in constant danger from ambush by the Indians and Mexicans, who at that time were laying waste that part of the country. They were probably in greater danger than those following Lee, Johnston or Jackson. The western soldiers had always to guard against an attack on the rear or against ambush, and. although on an open plain, each sage bush might conceal a savage. After the close of the struggle Mr. King returned home, and. like many others who had fought for their country. found himself as he had
,
468
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
pioneer, he has never taken an active part in political matters, but votes with the Demo- eratie party. Mr. King was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Manahan, and they had four children: G. E., our subject; Ophelia A., wife of A. G. Bass, of Temple, Texas; Florence, wife of II. L. Long, of Bremond, this State; and Laura, deceased at eleven years. Mrs. King died abont 1878, having been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years. In 1879 Mr. King married Miss Florence Ferney. They had three children. -- Katie, John and Otis, Mr. King still continues to reside upon and oper- ate his farm a short distance from Taylor.
Garrett E. King, the subject of this sketch, was brought to Robinson county, Texas, when only a few months old, and at the age of ten years moved with his father to the immediate vicinity of Grand View, Johnson county, where he attended the country schools. He accompanied his father through various conn- ties in Texas, and at the age of nineteen years began life for himself, as manager of a plantation. Mr. King managed success- fully different farms for four years. At the age of twenty-three years he engaged in the beer and ice business at a small place known as Milano Junction, but in 1883 came with his family to Taylor, although he had previ- onsly established a beer trade in this city. After locating here Mr. King purchased the coal business from the Taylor Hardware Com- pany, and since that time has had a large and Incrative trade. In addition to his other in- terests, he also owns a fine farm of 800 acres near Taylor, 200 acres of which is cultivated. and he feels a large number of cattle and hogs. Ile also owns considerable city prop- erty.
:
December 7. 1852, Mr. King was married to Mrs. Mary W. Allen, a daughter of Willis
: and Mallie (Dennis) Johnson, natives of Vir- ginia. To this mion have been born four children: Ethel, Mamie, Lewis and Frank. Mrs. King is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject affiliates with Alamo Lodge, No. 53, K. of P.
JOHN HI. E. POWELL, one of the phy- sicians of Bastrop county, was born in Northampton county, Virginia, March : 7. 1853, a son of John II. and Sallie J. (Nottingham) Powell, of English and Welsh parentage. Both families came to America long before the war for independence. The Nottinghams located in Northampton county, and were among its early settlers. The ma- ternal grandmother of our subject, formerly : a Miss Floyd, was a member of the Floyd family of Virginia. John H. Powell was born in Maryland, and was a farmer and mer- chant by ocenpation. He died in Virginia, leaving two children, -Dr. Powell and Leah, wife of N. B. Wescott.
Dr. Powell received his literary education in his native connty, and at the age of twenty- four years began the study of medicine. During the same year he entered the Medical Department of the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, afterward graduating at the University of Maryland in 1879. He practiced his profession a short time in Maryland, and in 1880 came to Texas, locating in the neigh- borhood where Smithville now stands, in February, 1881. where he immediately bogan the practice of medicine. The Doctor has twiced moved to California since locating in this State, remaining there abont one and a hall' years, and during that time practicing medicine in Downey. Los Angeles, California. Since 1850 he has followed his profession
469
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
continuously in Smithville. Prior to his last trip to California, and during the year of 1887 he attended the New York Post-Gradu- ate School for physicians, taking a general course of study. In addition to his medical practice. Dr. Powell is a member of the drug firm of C. E. Deckers & Co., and is engaged in ginning for the public at Smithville.
The Doctor was married January 15, 1885, to Rachel Jones, a native of this county, and a danghter of B. F. and Margaret V. (Wil- son) Jones, one of the early pioneer and hon- ored families of Bastrop county. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have three children: Leah M., Franklin J. and John II. Mrs. Powell is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Doctor affiliates with J. Nixon Lodge, No. 421, with the A. F. & A. M., Smith- ville Lodge, and with the K. of P., No. 92. Politically,'he is a staunch Democrat of the old school.
C APTAIN B. I. ARNOLD .- Twenty- eight years' residence in Texas has made of this gentleman what that number of years' residence would naturally make of a man of intelligence and observation, an entini- siastic believer in the State's future, a stanch supporter of her institutions and a loyal de- fender of her people. Although a Northerner by lineage, birth and early training, it is doubtful whether in an assembly of a hundred native-born citizens he could be distinguished from the most typical Texan, and certainly even in such an assembly he would not yield to any in his allegiance to his adopted State and to all that is peenliarly Texan in name and character.
Captain Arnold is a native of Ohio, born in the town of Carlisle, Clarke county, Febru
ary 3, 1841. Ile was reared in northern Illinois, whither his parents moved when he was young. Before he reached his majority he entered the Union army, enlisting Sep- tember 2, 1861, in the Fourth Ilinois Caval- ry, with which he began service at Fort Henry and served till the surrender, taking part in all the engagements in which his command participated. covering the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Lonisiana and Arkansas. At the close of the war his regiment was consolidated with the Twelfth Illinois, placed under General Custer and sent to Texas as an army of ocenpation. For about a year Captain Arnold was sta- tioned at Brenham, where he served in the Freedmen's Bureau department. In May, 1866, le quit the service and for two years engaged in farming in Washington connty, then in the mercantile business, which he followed till March, 1870, when he came to Cameron to accept the office of Sheriff of Milam county, under appointment from E. J. Davis, then Governor of the State, under reconstruction measures. Ile held this office till May, 1874, discharging its delicate and diffienlt duties acceptably both to the court and the people.
At the expiration of his term of office he located permanently in Cameron, engaged in business and has since made this place his home. For sixteen years past he has con- dneted a successful real-estate and insurance business, has served two terms as Mayor, and has been identified with every movement looking to the improvement of the town and county. Ile has fairly won his way to the confidence and esteem of the people of this locality by his loyalty to them and their in- terests, and has established his reputation as a sound man of business by the success he has attained in his own affairs. A Republican
470
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
in polities, his opportunities for political ac- tivity have been restricted to the arena of conventions, where however he has been a constant attendant and an effective worker. Ile is one of the lights of Republicanism in the State, but the recipient of few favors from Federal anthority, adherence to party being with him a matter of principle and ac- tivity in its behalf withont thought of per- sonal gain.
Angust 28, 1873. Captain Arnold married Miss Mary Tucker of Cameron, a daughter of William II. Tucker, an old and respected citizen of Milam county. Mrs. Arnold was reared in this connty. and is one of that type of Texas women, not unfrequently met with, who have grown to full maturity in sound sense and all the essentials of true woman- hood without the aid of those numerous ac- cessories of boarding schools and popular conservatories now thought to be so neces- sary to the proper training of young ladies. A pleasant home, graced by three daughters, now promising young ladies, and a large circle of friends, go to make the domestic life of Captain Arnold as happy as his offi- cial and business career has been successful.
in 1866, and the father a year later. Both were thrifty. industrions, law-abiding and home loving people, members for many years of the Lutheran Church, and faithful in the discharge of their domestic and religious duties. The daughters married in this State, the elder, Teresa, marrying Joseph Hajek and residing now in Houston, and the younger marrying first Pant Wickophen, and after his death, Joseph Angusta, with whom she now resides on a farm in Burleson county.
Thomas Kraitcher, the subject of this notice, was the youngest of the above family. He was reared mainly in Houston, in the schools of which city he received a common English education. December 17, 1867, he married Anna Mikeska, of Houston, and for the next three or four years continned his residence in that place, being varionsly en- gaged. In 1869 he moved to Washington connty, where he settled on a farm and fol- lowed farming pursuits for the next year. Ile then moved to Burleson county, where he engaged in farming for seven or eight years, after which he embarked in the mercantile business at Caldwell, and has followed the same ever since. Mr. Kraitcher was one of the first settlers of Bohemian birth in Burle- son county. The first five families that set- tled in this county came in the following order: Thomas Kraitcher, Frank Mikeska, Thomas Elshik, John Gavenda and Joseph Obadal, but two of whom now remain in the county. these being Mr. Kraitcher and Mr. Gavenda. The colony, however, has been greatly angmented by other arrivals. In 1870 there were five Bohemian votes in Burleson county; there are now about . 550. among his people, having won their conti-
HOMAS KRAITCHER, senior men- ber of the well-known mercantile firm of Thomas Kraitcher & Son. of Cald- well, Burleson county, is a native of Austria, Bohemia, where he was born April 8. 1848. Ilis parents were Thomas and Anna Kraitcher, natives also of Bohemia. the father born in 1799 and the mother in 1509. The parents, with their three small children, two daughters and one son, emigrated to Mr. Kraitcher has always been a leader the United States in 1855 and settled at Houston, this State. There the mother died , donce and respect by his business sagacity.
471
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
his honesty and uprightness, and his uniform kindness and indulgence to them. He has also taken standing among the best citizens of the community where he resides, regard- less of nationality, being a progressive, enter- prising and public-spirited man. He has served as Alderman of the town of Caldwell for two years, and is now a member of the board, being on his second term. Ile has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1877, and has held a number of posi- tions in the order. He belongs to the Knights and Ladies of Honor and to the Bohemian Benevolent Association, of which last order he is now State Collector. While on the farm Mr. Kraitcher was identified with the best interests of the farming com- munity, being a member of the State Alli- ance, of which he was Vice-President.
Mr. Kraiteher has had two children, Mary and Thomas, the latter being now the junior member of the firm of Kraitcher & Son. Thomas Kraiteher, Jr., married Mary Kocou- rek, a danghter of Joseph Koconrek, of Burle- son county, in 1890, and has one child.
profession. The mother died when our sub- jeet was three years of age, and the father was again married. While in Texas the latter made his home at Webberville, where his practice extended for miles. Ilis death oc- enrred in 1849.
Washington Anderson, the subject of this sketch, came with his father to Texas in 1835, at the age of eighteen years, landing at Port Lavaca in February, of that year. During his first year he taught school nine miles from where Austin is now located, on the Colorado river. In February, 1836, he en- listed in the army of the Texas Revolution, took part in the battle of San Jacinto, and witnessed the capture of Santa Anna. Houston's command had only 718 men, and Santa Anna had 1,700, but the latter had over 700 men killed, and Houston had only two killed and twenty-seven wounded. Mr. Ander- son was a member of the Rangers three months, and took part in a battle with the Indians, near where Taylor now stands, where they lost four valuable men. At one time the house in which he was staying, with seven others, was attacked by forty Indians. During the late war our subject served as Confederate Assessor. Mr. Anderson fol- lowed farming in Bastrop county. Texas, until 1845, when he came to this locality, then known as Milam district, and he erected the sixth house in this county. He after- ward returned to Bastrop county, but in 1858 came again to this place. He assisted in the organization of Williamson county, served as County Commissioner during the founding of Georgetown. and has witnessed nearly tho entire development of this county. Ilis farm, which adjoins Round Rock he now rents.
W ASHINGTON ANDERSON, a pioneer settler of Williamson county, was born in Pennsylvania county, Virginia, January 31, 1817, a son of Dr. Thomas Anderson, a native also of that State. The latter's father, Richard Anderson, was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and a prominent planter in Virginia. The mother of our subject, are Chloe Glascock, was also a native of Virginia, and both families were of English descent. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Anderson had two sons: Washington, our Mr. Anderson was married in Bastrop subject. and John, who died in 1849, on the county. Texas, in March, 1838, to Mary .1. (inadaloupe river, having been a lawyer by | Glascock, who was born Anne 3, 1820. a
30
179
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
daughter of John Glascock, a native of Vir- ginia. The father came to Texas in 1835, locating in Washington county, but afterward removed to Bastrop county, where he died abont 1852. aged seventy-five years. He took an active part in public affairs, and, although he did not participate in the Texas Revolu- tion. took part in many skirmishes with the Mexicans, among them being the Cordiway fight. Two of his sons served through the Mexican war of 1847-'48. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had two children,-Chloe, who married R. II. Taliaferro, a Baptist minister. died in 1885, leaving five children; and the youngest child died in infancy. Mr. Anderson has always taken an active interest in public affairs, voting with the Democratic party. Religionsly, both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
C HARLES A. W. SNOW, a farmer of Williamson county, is a son of Isaac and Sarah G. (Harrison) Snow. Over 200 years ago two brothers named Snow came from England to America, and they were the first of the family in this country. One settled in Salem, in the Massachusetts colony, and the other in Connectient. The latter was a direct ancestor of our subjeet. The family afterward became residents of Providence, Rhode Island, our subject's great -grandfather's farm having been what is now the west side of that city. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and took a prominent part in the stirring events of that time. John Snow, the grandfather of our subject, continued to reside in Rhode Is- land until his death, which occurred in 1848. Ile served as clerk in the Manufacturers' and Merchants' Bank for fifty years. Isaac Snow
was born and reared in that State. but when a young man emigrated to Georgia, where he was married. and then located in McIntosh county. Ile was a merchant and Postmaster at Darien, that county, the remainder of his life. Mr. Snow was a good business man, a leader of the Democratic party, and was fre- quently connected with the city government, as Mayor and Conneilman. Ile was also a prominent Mason, and although not a mem- ber of any church was an active worker in the Presbyterian denomination. One of his relatives, Elder Joseph Snow, was a minister in the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the sixteen who withdrew from the old John Cotton congregation in 1746. IIe then es- tablished the Congregational Church, was the first pastor. and remained there about fifty years. The mother of our subject, nee Sarah G. Harrison. was born and raised in MeIn- tosh connty. Georgia, and descended from the French Hugnenot stock. Her father, a physician by profession, was born in Vir- ginia, and was one of the same family of Harrisons as William Henry Harrison, Pres- ident of the United States. Other members of the family were prominent in professional eireles. Mrs. Snow, when a girl, studied medicine under the direction of her father and practiced for a time in her neighbor- hood. Mr. and Mrs. Snow were the parents of sixteen children, only six of whom grew to years of maturity, -Charles A., the sub- jeet of this sketch; William I., of Provi- dence, Rhode Island; Alice, widow of Will- iam U. Hickman, of Jacksonville, Florida; Henry Y., of Atlanta, Georgia; Jane E., now Mrs. MeMillan, and also of that city; and Horace C., deceased. The father died in 1841, and the mother in 1889.
Charles 1. Snow was born in McIntosh Georgia, August 20, 1825. When about
473
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
fourteen years of age he was sent to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and lived with his grandfather until his marriage, receiving his education in the schools of that city. At the age of sixteen years he entered a drug store; in 1846 continned the same occupation in Augusta, Georgia; one year later returned to his former employer; and in 1848 engaged in the drug business in Providence, under the firm name of Snow & Mason. Four years afterward he sold his interest in the store to his partner, and returned to his widowed mother in Georgia, but after two years there his health failed and he deter- mined to come West. In 1856 Mr. Snow landed in Cass county, Missouri, where he was among the pioneer settlers, and while there did his first farming. In 1877 he came to Williamson county, Texas, spent the first seven years ncar Hntto, and then came to hris present location, seventeen miles north- west of Georgetown. He owns a ranch of 910 acres, 140 acres cultivated, and all under fence. In addition to general farming, he is also giving considerable attention to stock- raising. During the late war Mr. Snow re- sided in Cass county, Missouri, where he often saw men taken from their homes and shot, and fights occurred on his own farmn. With other citizens, lie was ordered to re- move from the county, and he went to his property in Kansas. He remained there one year, and took part in the chase after Quan- trell, the noted guerrilla chief.
November 23, 1847, in Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Amanda M. F. Hazard, who was born and reared in that city, as was also her father. The family were English Quakers in early times, and were originally from New Hamp- shire. Mr. and Mrs. Snow have had ten children, namely: James B .; Jane E., Will-
iam and Henry, deceased; C. L. of Burnet county, Texas; C. S., who resides on his father's farm; Harriet, wife of A. R. Smith, of Burnet; William, deceased; John C., Burnet county: and Alice E., at home. Our subject is a Democrat in political matters, has been a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church since sixteen years of age, and has been identified with the Grange since its organization.
OIIN H. BICKETT. In the old State of South Carolina, which has furnished to the New Southwest so many men of sterling worth and ability, John H. Bickett, the present popular and efficient Sheriff of Milam county, was born March 19, 1861. He bears the Christian name of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, being fourth in descent from John Bickett, a native of Ireland, who came to this country some time during the last century and settled in Abbeville district, South Carolina. This John Bickett, as tradition lias it, was a man of industrious, thrifty habits and an active, ingenious mind, a planter by occupation and the builder of the first gristmill in the locality where he settled. The father and grand- father of John H. Bickett were born in Abbc- ville district, and there the grandfather died, a man of some means, but no record beyond that of a useful citizen. The father was killed in the late war, at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 29, 1864, being a member of the Nine- teenth South Carolina Regiment. IIe was a brave soldier and good citizen. The mother of John 11. Bickett bore the maiden name of Sarah Weed, and was a daughter of Andrew J. Weed, a South Carolina planter of Abbe- ville district. The Weeds, like the Bicketts,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.