USA > Texas > Burleson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
USA > Texas > Travis County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
USA > Texas > Bastrop County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
USA > Texas > Lee County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
USA > Texas > Williamson County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
USA > Texas > Milam County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson counties. Pt.2 > Part 9
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
474
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
were among the early settlers of that district, and in ante-bellmin days were people of means. But the ravages of the Civil war reduced their estates, and this, added to the loss of her husband, left the mother of the subject of this sketch in straitened circumstances. ILer conrage and industry were often put to the test in providing for her four small chil- dren. Of necessity the education which they received was restricted to such as they could get in the local public schools, and even of this the share that fell to John II. was ob- tained in fragments and at irregular intervals, his tine being taken up mostly with his duties on the farm. Tiring of this state of things and being desirous of doing something for himself, he went to a friend one day and borrowed $25, added to it $13 of his own inoney, being all he had, and put the whole of it into a railroad ticket, boarded the cars and came to Texas. Ilis ticket reached to Hearne, in Robertson county. From that point he continued his way west afoot, cross- ing the Brazos and striking into Milam county.
Ife began at once to inquire for work along the route and found his first job at Maysville, in this county, where he took employment at $12.50 a month on a farin. This was in De- cember, 1879. For four years he made that his home and was variously engaged, mostly at farm labor, when, in 1883, he came to Cameron and clerked for a year and a half in a store for B. Vogel, and then about the same length of time for R. F. Pool. January 1, 1887, he went into the Sheriff's office as deputy under A. J. Lewis, and held this posi- tion until 1890, when, in a "free-for-all race," where there were six candidates in the field, he was elected Sheriff by a vote of 2,257 out of a total vote of 4,110. He gave such satisfaction that he was made the Demo-
cratic nominee for the office in August, 1892, by acclamation. and in November following was elected, by a vote of 2,907 out of a total vote of 4,337 cast. It is the generally ex- pressed opinion among the people of Milam county that John Bickett is one of the best Sheriffs they ever had. His conrage, industry and executive skill make him a model officer in a position like that of Sheriff, which re- quires the constant exercise of these quali- ties.
Mr. Bickett married in Brenham, this State, September 10, 1891, Miss Minnie Muse, daughter of Dr. J. S. Muse and sister of Judge E. B. Muse, present County Judge of Milam county.
N IIESTER, deceased, was born near Hamburg, Germany, September 17, 1835, a son of Jolin and Isabella Hes- ter, natives also of that country. He learned the druggist's trade in his native place, and in 1855 emigrated to Texas, locat- ing in Lexington, Lee county. He was em- ployed as clerk for Titus Mundine several years, and at the opening of the late war he enlisted as a private in Gray's company of cavalry, in which he served two years. After returning from the war Mr. Hester continued the sheep industry, in which he had engaged just prior to that struggle. Two years after- ward he sold his sheep and embarked in the drng business, to which he later added a general mercantile stock, and his business prospered and enlarged until he became the leading merchant in his seetion. Mr. Hester was a man of strong character, shrewd in business and of tireless energy. He was a true Christian. and of a generous nature, yielding to the demands of the poor and of
475
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
every good eanse with a feeling akin to pleas- ure. No person was ever turned from his door empty-handed. Ile was liberal in his donations to his church, the Missionary Bap- tist, and was always foremost in advancing its interests. He died October 17, 1889, after an illness of only three weeks.
Mr. Hester was married October 9, 1859, in Bastrop county, to Lonisa Wolf, who came with relatives from Dessan, Germany, to this conntry in 1857. She was a daughter of Leopold and Leopoldtina Wolf. The parents came to America in 1884, and made their home with their daughter, Mrs. Hester. Mr. and Mrs. Hester had ten children, viz .: Flora, wife of Professor Clarence Steel, of Goliad, . Texas; Mary, now Mrs. Bayless Fletcher, of Lexington; Elvira, wife of Max McRee, of Lee county; Isabella; Germania, the wife of W. Dowdy of Lexington; and Dora, Bis- mark, Minnie, Tina and Clara, at home. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Hester has continued the management of the business. The trade amounts to about $40,000 to $50,- 000 annually, and represents the leading mer- cantile establishment in Lexington. The fol- lowing was written at the death of Mr. Hester :--
"On Thursday, the 17th inst., Mr. N. Hester breathed his last at liis residence in this place. after a lingering illness of several weeks. Mr. Nicolaus Hester was born at the village of Hedel, Holstein, Germany, Sep- tember 17, 1835. Near his native village was the Elbe river, covered with the shipping of a rising empire. Early in life yonng Nicolans conceived the idea of becoming a sailor. An opportunity was soon offered him to realize the fondest hopes of his adventur- ous spirit. An uncle, who owned and com- manded a vessel, offered to take him on a voy- age to Archangel. The young sailor enjoyed
the voyage across the North Sea, but out upon the Atlantic, near the Loffoden islands, their vessel encountered a terrible storm, and came near being wrecked npon the rocks off the western coast of Norway. The gallant little ship weathered the storm, however, and in due time rounded North Cape with the midnight sun shining low in the southern sky. For weeks during this long voyage the Arctic day prevailed, and the sun never set. Taking a cargo of furs at Archangel, they re- tnrued by the same ronte. During this voy- age of several months the crew endured hard- ships which are unknown to the crews of modern ships, and which completely cured the truant sailor of his nantical proclivities. He then entered a large drug establishment at Altona, where he remained until he ac- quired a thorough knowledge of pharmacy.
`"Again his thirst for adventure asserted it- self, and in 1856 he sailed for North America. Landing at New Orleans, he came West, seeking a home in the new State of Texas. Mr. Hester settled at Lexington, where he found ready employment as a clerk. Here he became acquainted with Miss Louise Wolf, whom he married October 9, 1859. Under the ministry of the late Rev. Cole, lie and Mrs. Hester united with the Baptist Church at this place.
"Mr. Hester's education was essentially European, and he was greatly opposed to the institution of slavery. Yet, when the great Civil war came, he was too good a citizen to desert the cherished cause of his adopted country, and entered the Confederate army, in which he served as faithfully as any man who wore the gray. When the Sonthern flag was furled he came home, his earnings spent, a poor Confederate soldier. For a time he engaged in farming, but without snceess. Again he found employment in a drug store
176
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
at this place, and soon saved enough to begin a small business of his own. His success in business was phenomenal. In a few years he added a stock of general merchandise to his drug store, and at the time of his death, and for many years previons, was one of the most prominent merchants in this county. Mrs. Hester, who survives him. was his companion in adversity, and has contributed largely to his prosperity.
"Mr. Hester was a most devoted Christian, and contributed largely to all religious, chari- table and educational objects. Ile was justly prond of his nationality, and assisted many of his countrymen to come to Texas and to live after landing here. Ilis generosity knew no bounds. He was idolized by his family, and extended his kindness to everybody, regard- less of nationality, race or color. The funeral procession was one of the largest that has ever issned from our village. His remains were interred at Early Chapel burying-ground, by the Knights of Honor of Lexington and Giddings lodges. Rev. G. Ubantke preached an impressive discourse at the grave. The deceased leaves a widow, nine daughters, one son and a brother and sister at Hamburg to mourn his death."
D R. THOMAS A. POPE .- More than two centuries ago there came from England and settled in Virginia one Thompson Pope, who had three sons. One of these sons in early life went to Massaehn- srtts, another to Georgia, while the third re- mained in Virginia. Each of these three men have many descendants scattered thronghont the Union. One of them. belonging to the Virginia branch, a native of that State, mar- ried there in 1783, just after leaving the
Continental army, and fifteen years later with his-family emigrated to Lawrence county, In- diana, where in 1811 Thompson Pope, the youngest of eight boys, was born. When Thompson Pope was eight years old his father died, and shortly afterward his mother. The elder boys with one exception moved west- ward. Thompson while still a youth went to Kentneky, where in 1834 he married Nancy Admire, of Oldham county, that State, whose father was born in Sonth Carolina, and was of French deseent. In 1840 Thompson Pope with his family emigrated to Maconpin county, Illinois, and here, on June 26, 1847, Thomas A. Pope, the seventh child, was born. There were four children younger than Thomas, making eleven children, of whom six are still living. The father died in 1862. The mother, aged seventy-eight, is still hale and hearty, and lives with a danghter in Kansas.
Most of the early life of the subject of this sketch was spent in the schoolroom, his father being exceedingly anxions to educate his children; but in August, 1861, the fourteen- year-old boy determined to see something of the war that was then enveloping the south- ern half of the Union, and ran away from home, going to St. Louis, where it was his intention to enlist in the Federal army. But meeting at that place an acquaintance who then held the position of assistant quarter- termaster, young Pope was offered and ac- cepted a place in his office, which gave him an opportunity of being with the army but not in the ranks. In company with his sn- perior officer he left St. Lonis early in Sep- tember, 1861, on an expedition np the Mis- sonri river, the objective point of which was Lexington, that State. On reaching that place, however, they found it besieged by the Confederates under General Price, and got
477
HISTORY OF TEX.LS.
ouly near enough to witness part of the bat- tle from the opposite side of the river. With General Fremont's command he spent the winter of 1861-'62 in western Missouri, and in the spring of 1862 was present at the bat- tle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where the Union army under Curtis and Sigel won the vic- tory over McCulloch and Price. Young Pope then accompanied Curtis' army to Helena, Arkansas, and in November, 1862, left the army and returned to St. Louis. He remained there but a short time, when he went to Lo- gansport, Indiana, for the purpose of com- pleting his education, but after the excite- ment of the past year it was impossible to be contented in the quiet seclusion of the school- room, and after a month or so spent in school he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, with which he served from the siege of Vicksburg through Banks' cam- paign in Lonisiana and Burbridge's in Ken- tucky and Virginia, nntil the regiment was innstered out of service at Louisville, Ken- tncky, September 11, 1865.
Immediately afterward he went to Madison University, New York, where he spent two years. Then he returned to Indiana, and after a short season there he went to the far West and spent a year in Colorado and Mon- tana. Like many others, his westward ven- ture was not a success, and instead of having, as he had hoped, snfficieut money to return to school, he, as soon as he reached civiliza- tion, which was then western Iowa, had to take a school and teach it for a livelihood.
In 1870 he left Iowa and came to Texas. At that time there was no railroad connec- tion with the north and west, and the only way to reach Texas was by the water route, via New Orleans, or by stage. Passing through Galveston and llouston he went ou to Navarro county, and at Spring Hill opened
a private school, which he taught until Jan- uary, 1872, when he was appointed superin- tendent of public schools in and for Milam and Burleson counties, and organized the first free schools in those counties. In 1873 a change in the school law abolished the office he heid.
On February 18, 1874, he married Miss Martha A. McCown, daughter of J. W. Me- Cown, of Milam county, Texas. This fam- ily, whose history may be found elsewhere in this volume, has been well and favorably known iu Texas since some time in 1836, when J. W. MeCown, Sr., brought his fam- ily from Tennessee and settled in Washing- ton county, this State. The mother of Miss McCown was a daughter of Josiah W. Turn- ham, one of the first settlers of Milam county, and a consin of ex-Governor L. S. Ross.
In 1877 Thomas A. Pope graduated with lionors at the Louisville Medical College, having been selected the class orator.
On returning to Texas he located at Wil- derville, in Falls county, where he secured a large and lucrative practice, whichi constantly increased until he left there in 1886 to locate in Cameron, his present place of residence. His principal object in moving to Cameron was to educate his children. Since coming to this place he has succeeded in establishing for himself a large practice, the most exten- sive in the county. No one has labored harder to deserve the confidence of the peo- ple by proficiency in liis profession than Dr. Pope. Even in the midst of a large and grow- ing practice, he finds time every year or so to attend the schools and hospitals in the larger cities for the purpose of keeping up with the progress that is constantly being made in the science and practice of medicine. With such habits of study, conpled with nat- ural ability of a high order, his advance in
478
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
his profession has been rapid and confirmed, and he stands at this time in the front ranks, possessing the full confidence of the laity and the respect and esteem of his professional brethren.
The Doetor has four children, the two older girls, the two younger boys; and these bright children and a pleasant home presided over with grace, dignity and kindness by an intel- ligent and most estimable wife, make his home life a source of never-failing happiness.
Dr. Pope is company surgeon at Cameron for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Rail- way; is president of the Board of Examiners (Medical) of the Twentieth Judicial District, and is ex-president of the Milam County Medical Society.
While not a politician, the Doctor has a large infinenec with the voters of his connty, and his assistance is eagerly sought by those who aspire to office in the connty or district. In 1892 he was a delegate to the National Republican convention at Minneapolis.
W A. SMITH, a farmer in Williamson connty, is a son of P. P. and Mar- tha J. (Berryman) Smith. The father was born in Buckingham county, Vir- ginia, in 1796, was there married in 1824, and afterward moved to Cumberland county, that State, where he died in 1847. He was a Baptist clergyman by profession, and at- tained such a prominent position in ehnreh circles that his life was written and published in book form. Ile made a fine reputation as a revivalist. The Berrymans were also a noted family in Virginia, were very wealthy, and prominent in professional circles. Many members of the family were ministers
in the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of eight children,-Ada- line, deceased; Susan, deceased; Decker, who died in a Federal prison during the late war; W. A., the subject of this sketeh; George L., a farmer and miner of Centerville, Colorado; Elizabeth, deceased; Martha JJ., wife of Cap- tain George W. Minor, of Columbia, Cum- berland county, Virginia; and Mary M., de- ceased. After the father's death the mother married R. R. Minor, a noted Baptist minis- ter. She died in 1879.
W. A. Smith was born in Buckingham connty, Virginia, September 5, 1831. At the age of twenty-one years lic engaged in mercantile pnrsnits in Jackson, Missouri, where he remained four years; then taught school in St. Lonis connty, that State, three years; next followed the same occupation in Johnson county two years, and then entered the Missouri State troops, which afterward became a part of the regular Confederate army, as a member of Captain King's com- pany, Bateman's regiment. Mr. Smith took part in the battles of Carthage and Oak Hill, Missouri, and Elkhorn, Arkansas, soon after which he was appointed hospital stew- ard, and served in that capacity until the close of the struggle. He then came to this State, tanght school in Florence fourteen years, and in 1881 moved to his present lo- cation. He now owns 240 acres of good land, 140 acres of which are cultivated. In his political relations, he votes with the Dem- ocratic party, and during the latter part of 1870 was elected Connty Superintendent of Schools, and has also served as County Com- missioner six years, for the Third district.
Mr. Smith was married in Jackson, Mis- souri, to Susan Brevard, who died one year later. They had one child, also now de- ceased. He was again married, March 17,
£
Pam A. Easter
:
479
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
1867, in Florence, to Mrs. Martha M. Love, nee Stapp, who was born in Overton county, Tennessee, and came to Texas with her par- ents in 1850, at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had eight children,- W. A., Decker, Joslina (deceased), Sallie M., Horace and Homer (twins), Birdie M. and Elmer B. Our subject is a Master Mason, and a member of the Odd Fellows order. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church.
C OLONEL SAM A. EASLEY, a farmer and sheep-raiser of Williamson county, is a grandson of Robert Easley, who was a native of Virginia but who moved to Sonth Carolina in 1786. He served as a private in the Revolutionary war, and was an influential planter and slave-owner. His son, John Easley, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia, and when about eight years of age, went to South Carolina with his par- ents, being reared and educated in that State. He married Miss Elizabeth King, a danghter of John King, of English descent, and Or- derly Sergeant in Washington's life guard during the Revolutionary war. His death oc- curred in South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. John Easley had six children, viz. : John, Jr., deceased at the age of thirty years; William, who served as Major of a cavalry company during the late war, and who died in Sonth Carolina in 1872, leaving a family; Sam A., onr subject; Robert, who came to Williamson county, Texas, in 1853, and who died in 1856, leaving a wife and two children; Mary, de- ceased in November, 1890, was the wife of D. McSloan, who also came in 1853 to this county, where he still resides; and Martha, wife of William Wilcox, was married in
Texas, while here on a visit, and her death ocenrred in 1863. Mr. Easley died at the old homestead in 1862, and his wife died in Texas, in 1874.
Colonel S. A. Easley, the subject of this sketeli, came overland to Texas in 1853, and purchased in Williamson county, 3,350 acres of land, which he immediately began in- proving. He lias since sold a part of this tract; lias also given his children land, but still owns 1,600 acres. He erected the first cotton gin in the county, and during his second year here purchased two Spanish jacks and two stallions, and engaged in the stock business. In 1858 he began sheep-raising, and in 1860 had increased his herd to several thousand head. Mr. Easley has his farm under a fine state of enltivation, and has about 1,000 head of sheep and other stock. In 1863 he assisted in raising for the State service a regiment of 100-day men, and was made Colonel of the same. At the expiration of his term of service lie selected a company from the regiment. He was made Captain of this cavalry company, and was engaged in picket duty on the beach near Galveston, where he was located at the close of the struggle. After returning home, Mr. Easley freed about fifty slaves, since which time he has rented a part of his land, and farmed the remainder by hired help.
He was united in marriage June 8, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Sloan, who was born in South Carolina, May 11, 1828, a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Sloan, natives also of that State. The father has the reputation of being the finest planter in his district. Mr. and Mrs. Easley have had eight children, six now living, -Mamie, wife of D. P. Wilcox, a farmer of Williamson connty; Samnel A., formerly a merchant and sheep-raiser in Crockett county, but now a farmer of this
480
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
connty; Nannie, wife of M. Barnell, a tin- ner of Taylor; Lizzie, who married Fred Turner, also a farmer of this county; Sonthey, wife of J. L. Root, a dry-goods merchant of Taylor; and Florence, wife of Harry Durrett, engaged in the hardware trade at Wichita Falls, Texas. Mr. Easley is independent in local politics, and was formerly identified with the Democratic party, but during later years has cast his vote with the Prohibition party. In 1874 he was elected a member of the Legislature, his dis- trict comprising seven or eight counties. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and religionsly both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.
JULIUS F. COBB .- The subject of this sketch is a native of Georgia and a mem- ber of that distinguished family of Cobbs who have figured so conspienonsly in the history of Georgia for the past three- quarters of a century. His father, Frank A. Cobb, was a Georgian by birth and spent his entire life in his native State, dying at Clop- ton, Alabama, in 1860, while yet a compara- tively young man. He was a teacher by pro- fession, a man of scholarly taste and superior intellectnal attainments.
. The mother of Julius F. Cobb was a Geor- gia-born lady, her maiden name being Mary J. Collier. She is still living, being a resi- dent of Caldwell, where she makes her home with her son, the subject of this sketch.
Julins F. Cobb is the only child of Frank A. and Mary J. Cobb, and was born in Chat- tahoochie county, Georgia, October 15, 1859. He was reared in his native county and in Russell county, Alabama, whither his mother moved when he was about ten years old. Ilis 1
edneation was obtained in the country schools of the localities where he grew up, being com- pleted by a business conrse in a school at Dawson, Georgia. From this school he went to Opelika, Alabama, where he seenred a clerk- ship with Kalm & Bloomingfelt, merchants, with whom he remained until coming to Texas in February, 1881. He came to this State by the advice and through the influence of his uncle, Professor J. P. Collier, then su- perintendent of the public schools at Cald- well, at which place young Cobb located. IIe began his business career in this town as a clerk for W. G. Wilkins, with whom he con- tinned abont a year, when Wilkins sold ont to A. F. Carroll & Company. With this firm Mr. Cobb remained until Angnst, 1886, when, having married and with the aid of his wife saved between $400 and $500, he opened a small millinery and notion store. Mrs. Cobb had charge of the business during the first two years, Mr. Cobb being the local agent of Wells-Fargo Express Company, to the business of which and to buying cotton he gave his attention. The sales of the store for the first year were abont $7,000; the second year they were a little better. Then, in July, 1888, D. P. Moser became a partner in the business, putting in $5,000, at which time the lines were extended to include la. dies' and gentlemens' fine dress goods and furnishings of all kinds. The business ran prosperously under the firm name of Moser & Cobb nntil Jannary 1, 1890, when Mr. Cobb bonght Mr. Moser's interest, assuming exclusive ownership and control which he has since held and exercised. Mr. Cobb is rated at $10,000, bnt is safely worth $12,500. Ile does a business of $35,000 a year, two-thirds of which is for cash. He carries one of the cleanest, neatest. best-kept stocks to be found in any town of comparable population in
481
HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Texas, and is doing a safe, conservative but constantly increasing business. Strict atten- tion to the demands of his trade, a reputation for fair dealing, the best goods for the lowest living prices and a competent corps of clerks, backed by vigorous brains, keen business foresight, tact and good management have made this business what it is and have placed it on a basis where it gives promise of excel- ling its past record by more than it would be discreet here to say.
Mrs. Cobb who has given the business her personal attention from the first and who has rendered most efficient aid in building it up to its present standard, was born in Missis- sippi, but reared in Burleson county, Texas, where she was brought by her parents while but a child. Her maiden name was Rowena Davidson, she being a dangliter of William Davidson, a native of Mississippi and a rel- ative of the Davidsons of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb were married October 15, 1884. Both are members of the Baptist Church and Mr. Cobb is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workinen and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
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.