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 65
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 65
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About eight years ago Mr. Woody re- tired from farming, turned his land all over to
his children, and since that time he and his wife have resided in the neat little home he built near Veal's Station. Here, surrounded with all the comforts of a happy Southern home, he expects to spend the closing years of his life.
S ERGEANT JOSEPH A. BILLING- TON, a well-known farmer of Tarrant county, Texas, claims Tennessee as his native State, the date of his birth being April 4, 1833. He was reared on a farm, was married in early life, and settled down on the old homestead and remained there until 1877. That year he came to Texas, first locating in Wise county, and, in 1881, removing from there to Tar- rant county and buying the farm upon which he has since made his home. Here he has 160 acres, ninety of which are under culti- vation, producing cotton, corn and oats. At the time he made purchase here this land was all in its wild state. Mr. Billington is also engaged in stock raising, and makes a specialty of horses, keeping the Percheron stock.
The subject of our sketch won his title as Sergeant in the late war. In September, 1862, he entered the Confederate army un- der General Forrest, and was in all the important battles of the Army of the Ten- nessee. At Middletown, near Murfrees- borough, he was among five or six hundred who were taken prisoners. They were held eight months at Camp Chase, Ohio, after
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which they were taken for exchange to City Point, and returned to their command. At the time of Hood's raid on Nashville Mr. Billington was taken sick with chronic diarrhea, and was left behind his command. He dodged the Yankees, escaped capture, and returned home, and for a year was un- able for any kind of labor. At the time of the surrender he was at his home in Ten- nessec. The ravages of war had swept away the greater part of his property, and, after he had sufficiently recovered his health, he resumed farming, having to begin almost from the start. He continued farming oper- ations there until, as above stated, he took up his abode in Texas.
Mr. Billington is the youngest in a family of nine children, his parents being James and Sally (Walker) Billington, natives of North Carolina. James Billington was a boy of twelve years when he went to Ten- nessee with his father, Ezekiel Billington. The latter was born near London, England, was educated in a military school, and dur- ing the war of the Revolution the cadets, of which he was one, were requested to volun- teer for service and come to America. He volunteered and came to this country, but with the intention, however, of deserting the English and joining Washington's army as soon as opportunity offered, which he did. He received a sabre wound from the Tories, his shoulder blade being split, and, although he lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years, he never recovered from that wound. He received a pension the rest of his life.
After the war he settled in North Carolina, where he married, and from whence at an early day he removed to Tennessee, rearing his family in the latter State. His son, James, followed the occupation of farming, and was a prominent man in his community, serving for a number of years as Magis- trate. . He rendered efficient service in the war of 1812, and received land warrants for his service. He died during the late war. The Walker family is of Irish origin. Grand- father Walker spent about seven years in the war of the Revolution. He also died in Tennessee, going there from North Carolina about the time of the removal of the Bil- lington family. Of the eight children com- posing the family of James and Sally (Walker) Billington, we make record as fol- lows: John, an enrolling officer during the late war; Jesse, who moved to Illinois previous to the late war; Mary, widow of Harvey Hogg, is a resident of Kentucky; Elizabeth, wife of Hiram Hogg, died in Arkansas some years ago, leaving a large family; Ezekiel, who died at the age of eight years; Reuben, a veteran of the civil war; James, who was a Captain in the war; and Joseph A.
Joseph A. Billington was married in 1851 to Miss Martha J. Taylor, who was born in Tennessee, October 21, 1836, a daughter of James M. Taylor, a prom- inent farmer of that State, who is still living at the old home place, and now eighty years of age. Sergeant Billington and his wife have had eight children, viz. : Sally B.,
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wife of R. Shires, died January 11, 1891, leaving nine children; Cleopatra J., wife of James P. Stevens, died April 3, 1891, leav- ing three children; Virginia T., wife of George Buck, died January 21, 1888; Thomas, engaged in farming in Parker coun- ty, this State; John M., Elgin R. and Charles D., all engaged in farming in Tar- rant county; and Mary A., who died June 26, 1889.
Mr. Billington and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church. Like his worthy sires, he acts with the Democratic party, and has always taken a commend- able interest in public affairs; and, while he has never aspired to official position, he has served as School Trustee and filled some other minor offices.
J M. RICE, a prominent farmer of Tarrant county, was born in Todd county, Kentucky, February 28, 1846, a son of John C. and Jane (McDon- ald) Rice, natives also of that State. The father was a soldier in the late war, in the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry, under General Crittenden and Colonel James Shackelford, in the Army of Tennessee. Mr. Rice came to Tarrant county, Texas, in 1870, where he died August 24, 1872, his wife having departed this life in Kentucky, July 25, 1870. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rice, namely : Napoleon B., who died while serving in the Federal army; Parmelia, who was first married to S.
Latham, who died in 1869, leaving four children, and she afterward married Will- iam Whitaker; William served in the Federal army during the late war, and now resides in Kentucky; Emma first married John Latham, who also died in the army, leaving two children, and she is now the widow of William Lyon, and resides in Ken- tucky; Green B., a soldier in the late war, died in the hospital at Cincinnati; F. M., deceased in 1864; J. M., the subject of this sketch; La Fayette, of Kentucky; and John H., a resident of Oklahoma.
J. M. Rice spent his boyhood days with his parents on a farm, and received a good education. He spent two years as a clerk, also two years in a tobacco warehouse at Paducah, taught school for a time, and in 1870 came with his father to Texas, locat- ing first in Tarrant county, where he re- mained one year, and then pre-empted 160 acres of land five miles from where he now lives. Selling that land, he bought where he now lives, having been the first settler in this locality, and has made all the improve- ments on the farm.
In January, 1873, Mr. Rice was united in marriage with Miss L. J. Moseley, born in Cherokee county, Texas, February 15, 1850, a daughter of Henry and Amanda J. (Smith) Moseley, who came to Texas in 1846. The father assisted in building the first house erected in Rusk, the county seat of Cherokee county, also helped build the court-house and jail, afterward moved to Young county, and next came to Tarrant
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county, where he died April 15, 1890. He was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, and assisted in the frontier service during. the late war. Mrs. Moseley departed this life in 1879. They were the parents of ten children, namely : Mrs. Rice, Georgia A., Sarah E., Estella, Eurilda, Malina, Greenup, William N., Mary P., and Rosa. , Our sub- ject and wife have also had ten children : Einma (wife of Charles Billington, a farmer of Tarrant county), H. J., James C., Sarah A., Eurilda J., John F., Mary A., Luellen, Edmond H., and Laura M. Mr. Rice is a member of the Masonic order, Azel Lodge, No. 601, and takes an active interest in political matters, having been formerly identified with the Democratic party, but now votes with the Populists. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
S MAGERS, a prominent farmer of Tarrant county, Texas, dates his birth in Barren county, Kentucky, October 7, 1828. Left an orphan at an early age, he was reared by a man by the name of Adly Neagle, who was of Scotchi-Irish ori- gin, and who was not noted for his kindness to the boy. Young Magers remained with him, however, until he was twenty, and then, one day, without telling Mr. Neagle of his intentions or even saying good-bye, left his place, and never returned. After visit- ing some relatives, and remaining with them
about a year, he entered the employ of a Mr. Kidd, for whom he worked a year, and then, in 1852, came with him to Texas, first stopping in Kentucky Town, Grayson coun- ty. There he was employed at farm work and in running a mill for about two years at $10 per month. In 1855 he came to Tar- rant county, where he was employed by John Robinson to do all kinds of work, to help build a mill and to run his grist and saw mill, at $15 per month, and remained with him from January until July. He was mar- ried in July, and on the the 22d of the following month moved to Parker county. There he bought a tract of land and opened up a farm and resided on it until 1863. In the meantime the war had broken out, and calls were being made for troops .. In 1863 he took his family to his wife's mother and left them with her while he entered the army, enlisting as a member of Collin's company and McCord's regiment. For thirteen months he was on frontier service, and at the end of that time was discharged on account of ill health. Returning to his farm, he sold out and removed to his present location in Tar- rant county. Here he owns 281 acres of land on Clear fork, eight miles from Fort Worth, and has developed this into a fine farm, now having it all under fence and 125 acres under cultivation. Wheat, oats, corn and hay are his principal products. Some years ago he handled stock extensively, but now raises only enough for the support of his farm.
Mr. Magers' parents, James and Malinda
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(Hamilton) Magers, were natives of Ken- tucky. His mother died when he was quite small, and his father a few years later, leav- ing four children and no estate. Very little is known of the history of either family. The subject of our sketch is the eldest of the family, the others being Elizabeth, de- ceased wife of Milton Magers; William, a resident of Kentucky; and Mary, wife of Erwin Hawkins, also of Kentucky.
Mr. Magers married Miss Nancy Ann Burke, daughter of E. H. and Mary (Over- ton) Burke, natives of North Carolina and Missouri, respectively. Mr. Burke was a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Mis- souri. In 1844 he came to Texas with his father-in-law, Mr. Overton, bringing a herd of stock, and intending to locate here. He then returned to Missouri for his family, and while there died. Shortly after his death his widow and children made settlement in this State. As the years passed by, sons and daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ma- gers, ten in number, one of which died in infancy. A record of them is as follows: Frank, a stock farmer of Stephens county, Texas; Mary, wife of H. Stevens, a farmer of Tarrant county; Lee, wife of Frank Mc- Teer, a resident of Weatherford; William, a Tarrant county farmer; Belle, at home; Sally, wife of Louis Tribble, a farmer of this county; Martha, who died at the age of six years; John, attending school; Alice, wife of R. Jewell, a hay farmer of this county; and Annie, at home. The wife and mother departed this life January 8, 1892, 18
at the age of fifty-two years. She was a devoted member of the Christian Church.
In his political views Mr. Magers is in harmony with the Democratic party. He takes an interest in public affairs and has held some minor offices, but has never aspired to official position.
ILLIAM WINANS DAVIS was born in Franklin, Mississippi, August 20, 1848, the son of Rob- ert J. and Caroline (Thomas) Davis, the father being a second cousin of Jeffer- son Davis, President of the Confederacy, and the schoolmate and friend of his distin- guished kinsman at Transylvania Univer- sity, Lexington, Kentucky, until the lat- ter's removal to West Point.
The subject of this sketch, in his in- fancy, was removed by his parents to Milam county, Texas, and lived at home until after the civil war, in which struggle he was de- barred from participating, on account of his youth. In January, 1866, he entered Wash- ington College, Lexington, Virgina, now Washington and Lee University. (At this time General R. E. Lee was president of that institution, which, by his able management and unbounded personal popularity, he had raised to the front rank of American col- leges.) Mr. Davis soon obtained recogni- tion as a brilliant, scholarly young man, taking a high stand in his class, which he maintained throughout his collegiate career. By his assiduity in study and modest but
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dignified bearing, he won the respect of his professors and his fellow students. General Lee himself paid him marked attention, and watched with interest the development of his innate talents. It is probable that the personal influence which General Lee exercised over his pupil at this important period of his life brought out certain noble traits in the character of the latter, which, in later years, marked him as a man of great moral worth, and won the sincerest admira- tion from those who were privileged to know him intimately. It is certain that Mr. Davis always loved and esteemed his distin- guished patron, and emulated his noble ex- ample. In his after and later years it was a keen pleasure to Mr. Davis to recall and rehearse personal reminiscences in connec- tion with the great Southern general and educator. He graduated with honor in June, 1869, with the degree of A. B., and soon after commenced the study of law in Galveston, Texas, under Judge Asa H. Willie.
About this time the trustees of Doug- lasville (Texas) College applied to General Lee for a teacher of Latin and Greek. He recommended W. W. Davis to them in the highest terms for his intellectual attain- ments and moral worth. Mr. Davis very reluctantly, and against the wishes of Judge Willie, left his study of law for the more lucrative position offered him, intending to return within a year. This he did not do, however, and taught two years with great success. On October 20, 1871, he married
Miss Amelia Carlow, of Douglasville, one of his former pupils, and, with her, went imme- diately to Dallas, Texas, where he conducted a school for one year. His reputation as a suc- cessful teacher having spread as far as Weath- erford, Texas, he soon received an offer of a position in that place, which he accepted, and taught there during the years of 1872 and 1873. . About this time he and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which communion he remained to his death.
In 1874 he removed to Denton, Texas, teaching there for one year, at the end of which time he returned to Weatherford and commenced the practice of his chosen pro- fession, the law, in partnership with I. W. Stephens, a former schoolmate at Wash- ington College, now (1895) Associate Justice of the Court of Civil Appeals of the Third Judicial District of Texas. His legal prac- tice did not extend over a great length of time till he went into the mercantile business.
Soon afterward he engaged in the cattle trade, and in a few years entered into the cotton and commission business with W. H. Eddleman. He continued in the latter un- til 1886, when he began his banking career as cashier of the First National Bank of Weatherford, of which A. F. Starr was then president. He fulfilled his duties as cashier until 1890, when he was elected president. The duties of this office he discharged with marked ability and great success until his' death. He also served as vice-president of
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the Weatherford Mutual Building & Loan Association, as a director of the Crystal Palace Flouring Mills Company, and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Weatlı- erford College. He was one of the leading members of the Methodist Church, South, for twenty-two years, being a Steward twenty years, and Sunday-school superintendent fourteen years. He died on April 20, 1894, at his home in Weatherford, leaving a widow and eight children, the eldest being twenty- one, and the youngest four years of age. Their names are: Robert William, Louis Andrew, Carrie Maggie, Kate Aurelia, Lucy Nellie, Frederick Allison, Lily Wathen, and Abbie Louise.
W. W. Davis was a man fitted by natural endowments and acquired knowledge for almost any station of power or responsibility. His was a nature, however, that shrank from forcing itself into prominence. Social and domestic in his habits, he preferred the quiet joys of home to the noisy plaudits of the multitude. He led a pure and exalted life, putting into practice in daily business the principles of Christianity. Of a happy, sanguine disposition, he never succumbed to reverses, but always appeared hopeful and confident of ultimate success. His was a nature that towered in the strength and grandeur of its individuality, and in its power to impress all other natures with which it came in contact. Everywhere he went his influence was felt for good, his ability was recognized as a potent factor. With the power to foresee results, that at
times seemed almost inspiration, he stood firm amid conflicting opinions, and, by his unquestioned integrity and honesty of pur- pose, he inspired confidence in the hearts of the faltering. Every day his advice was sought by men in many different occupa- tions, and to each one he gave the best of his sound practical sense, unselfishly striv- ing to help and uplift humanity. Malice and envy were foreign to his nature. Against no one did he ever harbor ill-feeling, how- ever great the provocation. At all times he tried to see the good in mankind and deal charitably with the faults.
A distinguished friend of Mr. Davis thus speaks of him:
"I knew him intimately for twenty years and had ample opportunity for introspecting his character. The more I knew of him . the more I esteemed him. He was a man who steadily grew in the estimation of those most familiar with him. He was of genial, amiable disposition, courteous and kindly in his bearing and conduct, by his manner- ism inviting confidence and respect, and readily approachable, whether in social or business affairs. He was a scholarly man, and to this accomplishment he added the resources which came from conversance with the best literary and scientific authors, and elaborate personal reflection. Colloquial intercourse with him was always enjoyable and instructive. His perception was quick and comprehensive, and his judgment ex- ceedingly accurate. His experience as a teacher contributed, in a great degree, to
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his powers in this respect. His investiga- tion of any subject was always exhaustive. Whatever he undertook was well done, and he filled the measure of competence and use- fulness in all his pursuits. His greatest business achievements were in banking. He studied it in all its practical bearings, and acquired rapidly and readily a thorough un- derstanding of its scope and purpose, discov- ering wonderful adaptation to grasp and apply its utilities. There were few, if any, better bankers than he was. He possessed the natural and acquired ability to have suitably conducted the affairs of any large financial institution. Had he lived to riper years and greater experience, it is quite probable that his talents and capacity would have been summoned to a larger sphere and more extended usefulness than that occupied by him at the time of his death."
Mr. Davis died very suddenly in the hight of his mental power. No death had occurred in his family up to that time. He himself, though he did not anticipate an early end, often spoke of death as a mere change of environment, an entrance into the nobler, grander state. His life was con- secrated to the cause of Christ, a prepara- tion for the life eternal. His death was a triumphant example of that dearest princi- ple of his life's teaching:
"There is no death, what seems so is transi- tion.
This life of mortal breath is but a transport to the Life Elysian.
Whose portal we call Death."
3 OHN G. REYNOLDS, one of the pioneer farmers and self-made men of Parker county, Texas, was the first settler in his locality, his home being about a mile from Azle and his land extend- ing up to the Tarrant county line.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Dickson coun- ty, Tennessee, January 20, 1826, and on a farm in his. native county spent the first twenty-one years of his life, his educational advantages being limited. In 1847 he came to Texas, stopping first in Upshur county. The following year his father and family joined him in this State, and in Upshur county his father opened up a farm, some years later removing from there to Parker county. In the spring of 1849 the subject of our sketch returned to Tennessee for "the girl he had left behind," and brought his bride to his frontier home. He continued in Upshur county until 1854, when he sold out and came to Parker county, settling on Ash creek, where he has since resided. He first pre-empted 160 acres of land here, un- der the fifty-cent act, to which he added by subsequent purchase until now he has 250 acress, 100 of which are under cultiva- tion. He also owns another fine farm, 390 acres, with 110 under cultivation; both farms rented. And he owns property at Spring- town. In 1870 he built a fine gin and mill, operated the same for about eight years, and then had the misfortune to lose the whole establishment by fire, the loss being about $5,000. As stated at the beginning of this ' article, Mr. Reynolds is a self-made man.
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When he arrived in Texas his worldly be- longings consisted of $2. 50 in money and a half interest in a wagon. From this start he has, by his own honest toil and good management accumulated a nice estate and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. . At that early day ganie of all kinds was plenty here; the Indians, too, were all around him, but the Indians never bothered him until during the late war, when they stole some of his horses. He was on several raids after the red men, but never had any fights with them. During the war he was in the State service, stationed on the frontier until the close of the conflict.
The parents of Mr. Reynolds, William and Martha (Greene) Reynolds were born in Tennessee. Grandfather John Reynolds was of Irish descent, was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the first settlers of Tennessee. William Reynolds was a vet- eran of the war of 1812, followed the trade of saddler in early life, and later turned his attention to farmning, coming to Texas, as already stated, and here developing two farms. He died in Parker county about 1863, at the age of sixty-nine years; and his wife in 1865, at the age of sixty. They had a family of seventeen children, four of whom died in infancy. Of the others we make record as follows: Frances, deceased; James B., Wise county, Texas; Haskey, deceased; Mark, deceased; John G., the subject of this article; Nancy, deceased, wife of James Sea; Freshey, wife of D. White, Upshur county; Caroline, widow of Mat Bullion and now the
wife of T. D. Stevens, Parker county; Sarah, wife of a Mr. Bell and a resident of Indian Territory; William and N. B., both resi- dents of the Indian nation; C. C., de- ceased; and Gustavus N., who died in Vir- ginia during the war.
John G. Reynolds married for his first wife Miss Frances Ham, a native of Tennes- see and a daughter of Y. D. and Susan Ham. She died October 4, 1866. Of her children we record that William D. is engaged in farming in Parker county; Marshall W. is in the Indian nation; Andrew J. and Benjamin F. are farming in Parker county; Leora is the wife of A. K. Parker, and lives in the Indian nation; Mary is the wife of Charley Bankhead, Hunt county, Texas; Martha is deceased; Lewis T. W. is a druggist of Weatherford, Texas; Gustavus N. is a farmer of Parker county; and Tennessee is de- ceased. January 20, 1867, Mr. Reynolds married Mrs. Martha Tucker, daughter of a Mr. Hart, who came to Texas from Illinois at an early day and died here. The chil- dren of this union are as follows: Flora, widow of Dr. J. W. Dameron; John, a prac- ticing physician of Keller, Texas; Robert and Laura, at home; James M. and Maggie, both of whom died when young; and the seventh born died in infancy. This wife and mother passed away September 12, 1888. Oc- tober 23, 1890, Mr. Reynolds married Mrs. Mary Nichols, his present companion. She was born in Tennessee, February 17, 1838, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hobbs) Epperson. Mr. Epperson came to Texas in
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