USA > Texas > Tarrant County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Tarrant and Parker counties; containing a concise history of the state, with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named counties, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 45
USA > Texas > Parker County > History of Texas, together with a biographical history of Tarrant and Parker counties; containing a concise history of the state, with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens of the above named counties, and personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families > Part 45
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Besides attending the village schools, Boyd Porter spent one term at Knoxville University. Early in life he evinced a liking for the handling of dry goods, and when he was eleven years old was employed in the establishment of Crawford & Granger, in Knoxville, Tennessee, his duty being to sweep and do errands. His next employer was Mr. H. L. Bradley, of the same city, who sent him to Maryville, Blount county, Tennessee, as assistant salesman, and he remained there until coming to Texas in 1876. His first employers in Weatherford
were L. W. Christian and A. L. Morris. Afterward he worked for Hutchison, Lewis & Company, and in 1885 he engaged in business for himself, the firm name being Porter Brothers & Kidwell. This firm built a handsome business block on South Main street. In three years Porter Brothers suc- ceeded Porter Brothers & Kidwell, and in 1891 this firin closed up business. Our subject then entered the Citizens' National Bank of Weatherford as teller. January 1, 1894, he resigned his position in the bank and again embarked in the dry-goods business, this time with Mr. Sawtelle as his partner, the firm being known as Porter & Sawtelle.
Mr. Porter has carved out his own career. His original capital was his labor. His earnings he saved up or invested in young stock, together with those of his brother B. F., and both accumulated a bunch of cattle on the range. Their purchases were con- fined mostly to young heifers, which they crossed with good blooded stock, and soon owned a fine herd. It wasin 1877 that they began buying, and in 1884 our subject sold out for $16,000.
July 2, 1887, Mr. Porter married, in Colorado City, Mitchell county, Texas, Miss Lillian H. Bard, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her father was H. C. Bard, a Kentucky gentleman and a lawyer, and her mother was before marriage a Miss Bernard, daugh- ter of General Joseph L. Bernard, General Bernard's wife being formerly a Miss Holmes, of Virginia. Mrs. Porter's only sister is Mrs. J. B. Lucas, of Burnett, Texas.
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Mr. and Mrs. Porter's children are Lil- lian Estelle and Anna Lucas.
Mr. Porter is a member of the Presby- terian Church of Weatherford, and is a Dea- con in the same. He is also a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias frater- nities, and is Treasurer of Phoenix Lodge, No. 275. F. & A. M., of Weatherford.
. He affiliates with the Democratic party, but has never held or sought political office.
ILLLIAM HENRY DAVIS, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Fort Worth, Texas, is descended from a line of worthy sires and has every reason to take a just pride in his ancestry.
Mr. Davis was born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, in 1820, son of Will- iam H. and Sallie (Fisher) Davis. His mother was a daughter of John Fisher who came from Germany to the United States at an early day and who married Elizabeth Wyckliffe, daughter of Robert Wyckliffe, a noted Kentucky gentleman. The grand- father of our subject was also named Will- iam II. He was a member of a prominent Virginia family, some of whom had come to America from Wales early in the reign of King Charles, and about the same time that the Fisher family settled in this country. Mr. Davis' father was born in Virginia and when he was quite young went with his parents to Kentucky and settled on what was then the frontier. He served under General William H. Harrison in the cam-
paign against the British in Canada and was present at the surrender of the British Gen- eral Proctor. His life was spent in agricul- tural pursuits, and hismany estimable quali- ties brought him into favor with all who knew him. He and his good wife had four sons and one daughter, namely: John Fisher, who died at the age of seventy years; Will- iam Henry; Elias Wyckliffe, who died at the age of sixty-nine years; Benjamin Thomas, who died at the age of fifty-seven years; and Mary Elizabeth, widow of William H. Pace, of Missouri.
The mother of our subject died when he was ten years old, and when he was fifteen he began the battle of life for himself. He had acquired a good common-school educa- tion. When he started out for himself it was as an employe on the river flatboats. Later he was engaged in steamboating be- tween Louisville, Kentucky, and New Or- leans, and was for some time on the famous steamer Shippen, the fleetest steamer of her day. That was at a time when racing was popular and when bacon and lard were used for fuel by competing steamers. He fol- lowed the river for about twelve years. Then, being a victim of the California gold fever, he sought the Pacific coast, making the journey overland in company with a large party and with ox teams. They were four. months and sixteen days in making the trip. Arrived in California, they began mining at old Weaver Town, now in El Dorado county, where they did fairly well for a time. They next mined at Rough and Ready, where
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William H. Davis and his brother John struck one of the finest placers that had been discovered. They soon exhausted it, however; and, John's health failing, he re- turned home, while William H. went up the Yuba river and continued his mining opera- tions. After three years spent in the Cali- fornia mines, our subject returned also, bringing with him more than $3,000, a large sum for a working inan in those days.
After his marriage, which occurred in 1853, Mr. Davis settled down to farming in southwestern Missouri, and continued there until 1866. The ravages of war had so depleted his fortune that he was glad to sell out and leave. For his property he re- ceived $2,800 in depreciated greenbacks. With this amount he came to Texas in 1866, settled at Fort Worth, and engaged in the mercantile business on Houston street, and did a successful business for ten years. Retiring from the mercantile business, he turned his attention to the purchase of real estate and to the erection of buildings for rent. This he has followed ever since, and in this way has been a prominent factor in bring about the growth and development of the city. While he has been a conservative business man, his generosity has been un- bounded, both his time and means being given freely for the advancement of any movement or enterprise he deemed for the good of Fort Worth. He was a liberal contributor to the fund which built the First Baptist Church here, and he also did much to secure the railroad lines. He was one of
the first to agitate to building of the Santa Fe road, and it was principally through his persevering efforts that the road was secured.
Mr. Davis was married in Callaway coun- ty, Missouri, in January, 1853, to Miss Sarah Ellen Peyton, daughter of John Pey- ton, a descendant of the famous Peyton family of Virginia. Her mother was an Overton, and was a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have one child, Sarah Elizabeth, wife of N. H. Lassater, a rail- road attorney of Fort Worth. When he first came to Fort Worth Mr. Davis resided on Houston street. His present commodious and attractive home is on the southeast corner of the block, with Jackson street on the south and Taylor street on the east, and is surrounded with a beautiful shady lawn. He and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church, and he is also identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a mem- ber of Fort Worth Lodge, No. 148, and of Chapter No. 58.
ALTER T. MADDOX, senior member of the popular firin of Maddox, Ellison & Company, wholesale dealers in furniture, Fort Worth, Texas, was born in Troup county, Georgia, in December, 1844.
He is a son of William A. and Mary E. (Mays) Maddox. His father and both his grandfathers were wealthy planters and słave owners. Grandfather Edward Mad- dox was a native of Virginia, and a descend-
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ant of Colonial ancestors. His maternal grandfather, William Mays, was a pioneer of Georgia, and from there removed to Louisiana, where, for many years, he was Treasurer of Bienville parish. At the time the war broke out William A. Maddox, the father of our subject, was a prominent and wealthy citizen of Louisiana. He readily enlisted in the ' Southern cause, and was made Colonel of the Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry, and went to the front, where he participated in many severe engagements, among which were the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Shiloh. At the latter place he received two severe wounds, which disabled him from further active military service. At the close of the war he gave his attention to farming in Louisiana until 1876, when he came to Texas and settled at Fort Worth. His family is composed of eight sons and one daughter, all occupying honor- able and useful positions in life. The oldest, Robert E., was for ten years Assessor and Collector for the city of Fort Worth. J. E. is a business man of Phoenix, Arizona. S. P. is on the city police force of Fort Worth; and James H. is Chief of Police here. E. P. was Mayor of Lane Pasos, Texas, two terms. Payton served several years on the police force. Pike is with a mercantile firm of Fort Worth. The father resides with his son, Robert E., on a fine farm near the city, where they are engaged in breeding fine horses, their place being known as the Maddox Stock Farm.
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Walter T. Maddox grew to manhood on 7
his father's plantation in Louisiana and re- ceived his education at Homer, that State. The war, however, came on before he had completed his studies, and, young as he was, he enlisted in the Confederate service in 1863, becoming a member of the Fifth Louisiana Cavalry, under Colonel Harrison. He continued on duty until the war closed. In the latter- part of his service he was un- der General Brint, a brave and dashing of- ficer who selected the Fifth Cavalry as one of three regiments to form his brigade. They saw hard service against General Banks on Red river. Young Maddox was generally on staff duty and scouting service. He was for a time on the staff of the famous . General Polenac, who detailed him for cer- tain important as well as difficult service, during which time he went ten days and. nights without removing the saddle from his horse.
After the war he continued to reside in Louisiana, and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1873. That year he came to Fort Worth, Texas, arriving on the 2d of January, remembered by all as a remark- ably cold day. Here he at once engaged in the livery business, which he continued for about eight years, with only fair success. He was elected Sheriff of Tarrant county in 1880, and gave such satisfaction to his constituents that they twice re-elected him for that position, and he served three terms, -six years. After retiring from office he handled real estate for a short time, and in 1887 became associated with his present
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partner, under the name of Maddox, Elli- son & Company, wholesale and retail deal- ers in furniture and undertakers' supplies. Theirs is one of the two wholesale furniture firms in the State, and their annual sales amount to about $150,000.
At the time he was first elected County Sheriff Mr. Maddox was Chief of the Fire Department of Fort Worth. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic order, the K. of P., and the Mystic Circle. He is also an active member and director of the Commercial Club of the city, a business men's club. Personally Mr. Maddox is a gentleman of pleasing address, genial and courteous, and has a host of warm friends.
He was married in Louisiana, in 1865, to Miss Sarah E. Hightower, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moreland) High- tower. Her parents were both descended from prominent and wealthy Georgia fam- ilies. Her uncle, W. F. Moreland, was for many years a member of both branches of the Louisiana Legislature. They have five children living, viz .: Rosa E., Walter T., Jr., Emma, Beula L., and H. C.
Mr. and Mrs. Maddox are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
J. BOAZ, the subject of this sketch, was born in Hickman county, Kentucky, August 26, 1840, the third son of Samuel Boaz, a prosperous farmer. He was educated at a country school called Mount Zion, situated
on the public road leading from Seliciana to Columbus, then the shipping point for al- most that entire country situated on the Mississippi river.
In the year 1859 Samuel Boaz, with all his family except W. J., emigrated to Texas, settling at Birdville, in Tarrant county. W. J. remained in Kentucky to dispose of the unsold properties and to follow on in the fol- lowing spring.
On April 15, 1860, he arrived at his father's home with about $1, 800 in gold be- longing to his father, having carried it upon horseback the entire distance, -700 miles, -and at an age less than twenty years. To transact the business and to bring this amount of coin so great a distance, through a sparsely settled Western country, was no small matter for a boy of his age, when we consider 1859 and '60 were within the period when State bank circulation was the money principally used among the people, and that kind of money which was most preferred in one State was at a discount in another. Kentucky bank money being the principal medium of circulation in that State, it would naturally follow that prop- erty sold there would be paid for in that paper. Texas being at that time a specie State, having no banks of issue, all paper money was of course at a discount anywhere within her borders. The varied values of the moneys then used in the different States hindered, or, we might say, almost prohib- ited banks from issuing exchange, as they now do, from one point upon another; and
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there was no express company doing busi- ness in north Texas. Young Boaz bravely assumed the task, and, as stated above, brought his father the money that has never been discounted.
In 1862 he enlisted in Colonel George H. Sweet's regiment as a private, Fifteenth Texas Cavalry. The regiment subsequently became a part of General Deshler's brigade, and Mr. Boaz served in General Hindman's Division of the Trans-Mississippi depart- ment. After several battles of minor im- portance the entire command was captured at Arkansas Post, Jannary 1, 1863. The 8,000 prisoners were shipped by transfer boats to Alton, Illinois, thence by rail to Camp Douglas, Chicago, arriving at the lat- ter place in January, 1863. On the night of March 16 following, young Boaz, with a comrade, William Hayworth, effected their escape by scaling the prison wall, and after traveling fifteen miles on foot arrived at a station on the Illinois Central railroad, where they purchased tickets and took pass- age for the South.
The war closing, Mr. Boaz returned to Birdville, Tarrant county, Texas, his former home, since which time he has been en- gaged in several lines of business, in all of which he has been successful. In 1867 he was employed as a clerk at Birdsville, Texas, five months. Then he engaged in trading in horses and cattle; next, in company with his brother, R. Boaz, conducted a mercan- tile business at this place until 1870; and in the latter year formed a partnership with J.
F. Ellis at Fort Worth, Texas, the firm hav- ing a capital of $2,000 After four years, successful mercantile business, in 1874, he bought the interest of M. B. Loyd in the California and Texas Bank at this point, re- maining with that institution three years.
The bank was afterward merged into the City National Bank, in which Mr. Boaz holds a large stock. In June, 1877, the firm of Boaz & Ellis, real-estate and loan brokers, was formed, and they conducted a prosperous business until 1881. In that year Mr. Boaz organized the Traders' National Bank, was its president seven years, and is yet a prominent stockholder. He was president of one of the first build- ing and loan associations in Fort Worth, and, learning the advantages gained to the people by the operation of that association, decided to apply them in the conduct of his private business, thus helping many work- ing men to secure homes who might not otherwise get them. In February, 1893, at the organization of the American National Bank of Fort Worth, Mr. Boaz, not desir- ing to assume its active management, was elected vice-president.
August 22, 1868. in Bexar county, Texas, he was united in marriage with Miss May Belle, a daughter of William Anderson, a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation. The mother was a daughter of John B. Dickson, a Major in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had the following chil- dren: May Bell, wife of our subject; J. W., deceased; Irvin A., a farmer by occupation;
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Hugh A., a farmer and stockman of Jones county, Texas; Mrs. G. H. Mulkey, of Fort Worth; Mrs. J. W. Dickey, of Tarrant county; and Miss Nannie Anderson. Mr. Boaz has two sisters, -Mrs. S. E. Elliston, of this city; and Mrs. M. F. Davis, of Hick- man county, Kentucky. Our subject and wife have had eight children, namely: Luther I., cashier of the American National Bank; William L., deceased in 1887; Samuel D., with the firm of H. H. Lewis, of Fort Worth; Clement, employed by Butts Brothers; Wallace, a collector for the Ameri- can National Bank; Mariola and Ernest P .; and Jessie A., a daughter four years old.
In political matters, Mr. Boaz affiliates with the Democratic, party, his first presi- dential vote having been cast for James Buchanan. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, is a devoted, liberal and cordial work- er in the Sunday-school, and is a friend to all benevolent enterprises. His wife is also a member of that church.
ILLIAM B. TUCKER, one of the influential.citizens of Fort Worth, Texas, is a pioneer of the city and has been a prominent factor in its growth and development.
Mr. Tucker was born in Casey county, Kentucky, October 5, 1824. His forefathers settled in America long previous to the Revolutionary war, and all along the line they have been people of the highest re-
spectability, occupying honorable and useful positions in life. William Tucker, his grandfather. was an officer in the war for American independence; and Grandmother Tucker, whose maiden name was Nancy Lee, was a member of the famous Lee fami- . ly of Virginia, a relative of the celebrat- ed Robert E. Lee. Their son, Dandridge Tucker, was born in Bedford county, Vir- ginia, November 12, 1780. He married a Miss Suttles, whose birth occurred in that same county, August 23, 1785. " She was a daughter of Newman Suttles, a well-to-do planter and prominent citizen. Dandridge Tucker passed his life as a farmer, accumu- lated a large property, and was well known and highly esteemed for his many sterling traits of character. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, namely .: Matilda, born July 4, 1801; Lee, May 4, 1803; Francis, March 1, 1805; Newman, June 1, 1807; Spottswood D., born April 13, 1810, died in 1880; Nancy, May 23, 1812; Caroline, August 1, 1814; Dabney, May 8, 1816; Kidy Ann, in June, 1819; Therressa, May 23, 1821; William B., Octo- ber 5, 1824. The mother died December 13, 1857. August 19, 1858, the father married Catherine Rucker, but by her had no children. He died July 3, 1863, in Kentucky, where he had spent a long and useful life.
William B. Tucker grew to manhood on his father's farm in Kentucky. Like many other farmer boys of that day and place, his schooling was neglected, while his time was
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spent at work in the field. He was, how- ever, determined to secure an education, and his evenings and Sundays were devoted to reading and study. Thus he developed both physically and mentally into a strong man. In 1852 he decided to seek a home and for- tune in Texas, and accordingly came to Tar- rant county and took up his abode at Fort Worth, which at that time, and for two years after he came, was garrisoned by United States troops. He located 320 acres of land four miles north of the village, which has since been known as the Tucker place, and here he engaged in farming, be- ginning with limited means. By his many excellent qualities he soon won hosts of friends, and ere long his friends saw in him good material for County Sheriff and in 1856 elected him to that office. He filled the position two years, and at the end of that time declined a re-election. He was then elected District Clerk, and filled that office four years. In 1862 he was the choice of the people for County Judge, which position he occupied until 1865, when he was asked to resign by the Federal authorities. He has done as much, and perhaps more, to promote the growth of Fort Worth as has any other man not residing in the city, and he is about the only one left who settled here as early as 1852. He platted 170 acres of land south of the Texas Pacific Railroad, known as Tucker's Hill, in 1867, and this tract has since been covered with business houses and residences. The building, how- ever, has been done principally since 1884.
Mr. Tucker erected the first residence south of the railroad, which is on an elevation, and commands a magnificent view of the city and surrounding country.
Mr. Tucker was married in Kentucky, September 7, 1848, to Mahala Ann Myers, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Catlan) Myers, the former of German descent and the latter of Irish. . They became the parents of seven children, viz. : Pocahontas, born September 12, 1849, died June 8, 1852; Anntisha, born August 7, 1851, was married September 2, 1874, to J. J. Walker, of Aus- tin, Texas, and died July 25, 1876; Donzella, born October 31, 1853; Rowan H., born September 30, 1855, married Miss Lou Archer, and has two children, Cornelia B., born November 15, 1857, married B. F. Reed, January 8, 1880; Florence P., born . November 10, 1859, was married July 21, 1892, to General R. P. Smyth, and died April 13, 1894; and William B., Jr., born September 5, 1864, died November 8, 1887. The mother of this family departed this life September 23, 1887. She was a woman of brilliant intellect, and most amiable dis- position, and was loved by all who knew her. Mr. Tucker's second marriage was June 9, 1892, to Mrs. Rebecca Jane Poindexter, nee Cravens, a most estimable lady. She has one son, Arthur Poindexter.
Mr. Tucker and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
The above, although a brief and imper- fect sketch, will serve to show something of the life of this worthy man.
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a ILLIAM DAWSON HARRIS, Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial District of Texas, and a resident of Fort Worth, is a gentleman who is emi- nently deserving of the proud position he occupies; and it is with pleasure that we present the following sketch of his life in this work.
Judge Harris is of Scotch-Irish descent. Maynard Harris, his great-grandfather, grew to manhood in the western part of North Carolina, volunteered for service in the Revolutionary war, and was killed in the battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780. He left a widow with several children, among whom was David Harris, grandfather of the Judge. David Harris reared a large family of children, four of whom were sons, the eldest son, Maynard W., being our sub-
ject's father. Maynard W. Harris was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, and was reared to farm life. Subsequently he became a pioneer of Cherokee county, Georgia, settling there early in the thirties, and helping to remove therefrom the Chero- kee Indians. Later he made perinanent settlement in Murray county, Georgia. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Martha M. Holland, and who was a native of South Carolina, became the parents of twelve children, nine sons and three daugh- ters. They were consistent members of the Baptist Church, and reared their children with a view to making them useful citizens in this life and preparing them for the life to come. Maynard W. Harris, although a
farmer, was called to fill several responsible positions in Murray county, among which were the offices of County Treasurer, Tax Collector and Assessor. He died in 1881, aged sixty-seven years. One of his children, a daughter, died in infancy. Another daugh- ter died in the bloom of young womanhood, and the third is married and still living. One of the sons is deceased. The others are as follows: James F., a prominent physician of Murray county, Georgia; William D., whose name heads this article; John F., a physician of Dalton, Georgia; Thomas J., a farmer and teacher, resides at the old home place in Murray county; David H., a dentist of Dalton, Georgia; Maynard B., a lawyer of Fort Worth, Texas; Samuel, a leading phy- sician of Nashville, Tennessee; and George, who is now, 1894, completing his course in the Baylor University at Waco, Texas.
Judge William D. Harris was born in Murray county, Georgia, April 6, 1852. He grew up on his father's farm, his boy- hood days being spent in all kinds of farm work. At intervals he attended short terms of school, and when he was twenty-one he went to school one term in North Carolina, his teacher there being Prof. E. B. Olm- sted, who later taught in Murray county, Georgia, where young Harris continued his studies during 1873. Early in 1875 he went to Dalton, Georgia, where he attended the Crawford High School one term under Pro- fessor Wilkes. In the fall of 1875 he en- tered the North Georgia Agricultural Col- lege at Dahlonega, a branch of the State.
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