USA > Texas > Indian wars and pioneers of Texas, Vol. 2 > Part 16
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with Gen. Houston and the other heroes, orators and statesmen of the Republic, when in the prime and zenith of their fame.
In January, 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Sturrock, at Natchitoches, La. She was a daughter of Win. and Ann Sturrock, nee Miss Ann Swan, whose mother's maiden name was Miss Agnes Kerr, all of Scottish lineage. The Sturrock family came to America about 1830 and settled on the Hudson, remained there about two years and then went to New Orleans, from which place they moved to Natchitoches, La. In 1836 Mr. and Mrs. Wiess moved to Nacogdoches where he engaged in merchandising, a part of the time occupying the historic stone fort situated in that place. In 1838 he left Nacogdoches with his family and household effects aboard a keel-boat loaded with the first cotton ever transported down that stream to Sabine Pass, and disembarked at Beaumont where, and at Grigsby's Bluff, he mer - chandised until 1840, and then moved to Wiess' Bluff, in Jasper County, where he remained until his death, which occurred August 13, 1868. While living at Wiess' Bluff he was also engaged in mer- chandising, did a large receiving and forwarding business, handling most of the cotton raised in the section, and was interested in steamboating on the Neches river. He left six children : Pauline, who married Abel Coffin (deceased), she is still liv- ing at their old home in Jasper County ; Napo- leon, deceased and buried at Wiess' Bluff ; Mark, William and Valentine, prominent mill-men largely interested in the Reliance Lumber Company, of Beaumont : and Massena, the youngest, who lives at Round Rock in Williamson County.
In all his dealings with his fellow-men, whether as a traveler or trader in the Orient, an owner of vessels plying the pirate-infested waters of the Spanish Main - on the steppes of Russia, in the Indies, in Central and South America, in his counting-room, in Southern Texas - everywhere and always, he manifested a just, generons and inanly spirit.
A favorite quotation of his was the following lines of Philip Massinger : --
" Briefly thus, then Since I must speak for all ; your tyranny
Drew us from our obedience. Happy those times When lords were styled fathers of families, And not imperious masters! when they numbered Their servants almost equal with their sons, Or one degree beneath them! when their labors Were cherished and rewarded, and a period Set to their sufferings; when they did not press Their duties or their wills beyond their power
And strength of their performance, all things ordered
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With such deeorum as wise law-makers, From each well governed private house derived The perfeet model of a commonwealth. Humanity then lodged in the hearts of men, And thankful masters earefully provided For ereatures wanting reason. The noble horse, That, in his flory youth, from his wide nostrils Neighed courage to his rider, and brake through Groves of opposed pikes, bearing bis lord Safe to triumphant vietory ; old or wounded, Was set at liberty, and freed from serviee. The Athenian mules, that from the quarry drew Marble, hewed for the temples of the gods, The great work ended, were dismissed, and fed At the public eost; nay, faithful dogs have found Their sepulchers; but man to man more eruel,
Appoints no end to the sufferings of his slave."
His was the true patriot's heart. He had a deep and intense love for the United States and free institutions. He hated tyranny, oppression and injustice in any form. He liberally rewarded those who served him. He was generous and true to his friends. His charity knew no fainting. He pos- sessed none of that greedy and glutinous spirit that enables its possessor to fare sumptuously and with added zest unaffected by the starvation and the wails of the distressed which are bourne to him upon every breeze. He subordinated his desire for financial independence to the dictates of honor. He was true to every obligation as employer, citizen, hus- band, father and friend, and left behind him an un- tarnished name of which his descendants may feel justly proud. He dicd full of years, loved by many, respected by all. He sleeps with his fathers, a sleep that is the reward of a well-spent life. Peace to his ashes, and honor to the memory of his use- fulness, kindliness and worth.
Mrs. Wiess, for so many years his beloved counsellor, companion and helpmate, who cheered and sustained him in many an hour of trial and difficulty, a truly noble woman, died at Wiess' Bluff, May 17, 1881. The following obituary, written by E. L. Armstrong, of Irene, Hill County, Texas, is a fitting testimonial to her many excel- lencies of character.
" Wiess - Died at Wiess' Bluff, Jasper County, Texas, May 17th, 1881, Mrs. Margaret Wiess. She was born in Scotland, near Dundee, June 12, 1814. Was married to Simon Wiess at Nachi- toches, La., January 6th, 1836, with whom she lived happily until his death, which occurred in August, 1868.
"She came to Texas during the struggle for in- dependence, and was intimately acquainted with
Gen. Sam Houston, Rusk and other noted men of the day.
"Forty-one years ago, she, with her husband, settled at Wiess' Bluff, where she lived until re- moved by ' relentless death.'
"She was the mother of six children, five of whom still live ; the eldest died some years ago.
"She was a woman of extraordinary endow- ments, possessing all the rare excellencies that combine to make the true wife, the devoted mother and a successful keeper of home and the affairs of home.
" She was fully equal to the emergencies of life.
" As a mother she was the embodiment of kind- ness, guiding her children by the law of love ; their success in life is attributable to the care and culture imparted at home.
" As a wife it was her chief joy to make her husband happy - to this end she lent her energies without stint, and her success was wonderful.
" As a friend she was true, devoted and obliging. " She was truly benevolent to the poor and needy - never turning them away empty-handed.
"Her great heart was touched when suffering befell her kind, often giving to those that were better able to help themselves.
" She was reared a Presbyterian, but never united with the Church, not being situated so that she could do so.
" She was a woman of prayer and loved her Bible.
" I met her twenty-eight years ago and our ac- quaintance matured into mutual and abiding friend- ship ; having spent many days and hours under her hospitable roof.
" Last December I saw her for the last time on earth - worn and emaciated by age and disease.
" She feared not the approach of death.
" At her request I read for and prayed with her, and conversed with her in regard to the approach- ing end ; she had no fears, but trusted in the atoning blood.
" We are informed by her sons that her end was peace.
" We are to hear no more the hearty welcome to her home, nor note the many acts of kindness per- formed to make the weary itinerant comfortable and happy. But we will remember her through all the days of our pilgrimage.
" We extend to her children our heartfelt sym- pathy and invoke the blessings of heaven upon each one of them.
" May they also be ready."
MRS. SIMON WIESS.
INDLIN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEX.IS.
477
EMIL KARGER,
COMFORT,
. Was born January 1, 1851, in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany, and came to this country with his parents, who settled at Comfort and pursued farming, to which calling he was reared. His father, John Karger, is mentioned elsewhere in this book, in the notice of Charles Karger. Mr. Karger was married May 14th, 1876, to Miss Sarah Wille, a daughter of Herman Wille, of Comfort, at which place she was born January 16, 1859. Mr. Wille died in 1877 at forty-one years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Karger have seven children, viz. :
Hermann, Louise, Lena, Edward, Gustav, Mary and Amelia.
Mr. Karger is a thorough business man, a suc- cessful farmer, and is esteemed throughout his eom- munity for his excellent traits of character. He is trustee of his school district, one of the three sur- viving charter members of the Comfort Liedertafel, the vocal musical organization of that town, and has been for many years its leader.
He owns a well improved farm of 260 acres at Comfort. -
FRANZ SCHAEFER,
ANHALT,
A wealthy farmer and esteemed citizen of Comal County, came to Texas with his parents in 1815, when about eight years of age. His mother died the year of their arrival in New Braunfels. His father, Franz Schaefer, Sr., was a cooper by trade, but followed various occupations in New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Llano, and San Antonio, doing contraet work for the government at the latter place. Mr. Franz Schaefer, Sr., never married again after his wife's death, remaining truc to her memory until the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1868, in San Antonio. He bought 160 acres of land near Anhalt before the war
`between the States, and from time to time added thereto until he now owned about 3,000 acres. Franz Schaefer was the only child born to his parents. He learned stone-cutting at Cincinnati. Ohio, and worked at his trade in Texas until the war broke out, and then enlisted in the Confed- erate army, in which he served in Capt. Kemp- mann's Company until the close of hostilities. Since the war he has been engaged in farming on the family estate at Anhalt. Mr. Schaefer mar- ried in May, 1867, Miss Matilda Kaubert, daughter of Lawrence Kaubert, of San Antonio. His farm is highly improved, and consists of about 2, 100 aeres.
WILLIAM J. MOORE,
MYERS,
A large planter of Burleson County, Texas, was born in Perry County, Ala., in August, 1845. Son of Alfred and Martha ( Hanna) Moore who were natives of Spartanburg Distriet, S. C., sad carly immigrants to Alabama, where they
lived many years, the father dying there in 1854. and the mother in 1863. One unele of the subject of this sketch, Thomas Moore, commanded a regi- ment of troops at Charleston, S. C., in the War of 1812 and another, A. B. Moore, was twice
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Governor of Alabama. Ilis people, however, were but little in public life, being mostly plant- ers.
William J. was reared in Perry County, Ala. ; there he enlisted in the Confederate army at the age of sixteen, at the opening of the late war, join- ing a company of cadets which became a part of the Seventh Alabama Cavalry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities. During six- teen or eighteen months of his service he was under the celebrated cavalry commander, Gen. Forrest, and took part in most of the operations in which Forrest was concerned, in Western Kentucky, Middle Ten- nessee, Northern Alabama and Mississippi. He took part in the battles at Columbia, Spring Hill, Frank- lin, Nashville, Paris Landing, Johnstown, Pittsburg Landing and many minor engagements. Served as a private and was never captured or wounded. Laid down his arms at Gainesville, Ala., at the close of hostilities.
In March, 1866, Mr. Moore came to Texas and
settled in Brazos County, where he leased the Allen farm, which he cultivated for two years. The un- settled condition of affairs led him to sell out at the end of that time and return to Alabama, where he remained for four years, when he came again to Texas, settling this time in Burleson County. For twelve or four- teen years he was engaged, alternately, in farming and merchandising, when, in 1885, he purchased a large body of Brazos bottom-land and embarked extensively in cotton planting, which he has followed steadily and successfully since. He owns 2,100 acres, 1,500 acres of which are in cultivation. He raises from 600 to 700 bales of cotton annually, besides considerable eorn and other farm products ; is one of the largest planters in Burleson County and has made every dollar he has within the past fifteen years.
Has never married and has but few relatives, his only sister, Mrs. James Garrity, of Corsicana, hay- ing died in February, 1893, childless.
ROSWELL SKINNER,
LAMPASSA COUNTY.
The action of the Texas Veterans' Association making priority of residence and the performance of some sort of civil or military service conditions of membership in their order, has given rise to an opinion, more or less general, that only those who meet these conditions are entitled to be called pioneers and to share in the honors generally ac- corded those so designated. But this is erroneous. The conditions imposed by the association are per- fectly proper so far as the objects of the association are concerned, but, viewing the matter in a broader light, there is a historical propriety in making the term " Pioneers" sufficiently comprehensive to include those who arrived in the country during the eight or ten years following annexation, many of whom performed no public service of a civil or military character, but were, nevertheless, impor- tant factors in the settlement and development of the communities where they located. The faet is there were hundreds of men living in the older States who took great interest in the struggle of the colonists, lending material aid in numberless in- stances, who intended all along to finally make their homes in Texas, but who, for various reasons, did
not take up their abode here until the struggles with Mexico, and, in a measure, those with the In- dians, were substantially over. These were the real builders of the commonwealth ; men of indus- trious habits, possessing a thorough knowledge of the arts of civilization, believers in the supremacy of the law, and the maintenance of order and good government ; lovers of their homes and advocates of all the influences tending to elevate, improve and adorn society.
Of this number is the subject of this sketch. Roswell Skinner was born in Nelson County, Va., February 1st, 1807. His father was Bird Skinner, and his mother bore the maiden name of Nancy Austin, both of whom were Virginians by birth. The father died in his native State, after which the widowed mother moved with her family to Ken- tucky about 1814 or 1815, and settled in what was then Washington, now Marion County. In that county the boyhood and youth of the subject of this article was passed. He grew up on the farm, where he had but meager edneational advantages (none to speak of) but- received good moral training, and reached man-
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hood well prepared for the discharge of its duties. Soon after attaining his majority, he married a neighbor girl, Theodosia Dever, who had been born in Virginia and taken to Ken- tucky by her parents, John and Winnie Dever, while she was still young. Settling on a small farm ini Marion County, Mr. Skinner devoted the next twenty years of his life to making a home for himself and those dependent upon him, and succeeded in paying for and putting under cultivation a farm of over 200 acres, but the steady advanee of land values in that State made the task of providing for his children, seven in number, as he wished them provided for, a very difficult one, and as the easiest solution of the problem, he decided to move to Texas, where land was cheaper, and conditions, in general, more favorable. With his family, consist- ing of his wife and five children, two danghters having married, one of whom was deceased and the other gone to make her home in Indiana, he left Louisville the 25th of November, 1849, taking the river route to New Orleans. From New Orleans he went by sail vessel to Galveston, crossed the bay at that point and reached the town of Liberty, his des- tination, the 15th of December following. He had friends residing at Liberty and partly through their influence, and partly because he liked that section, he settled there, buying a tract of land and open- ing a farm four miles from the county scat. Mr. Skinner was a resident of Liberty County for forty- six years, only recently leaving there to make his home in Lampasas County. During his long resi- dence in old Liberty, he was honorably connected with the county's history as an industrious, law- abiding citizen, but was very little in public life. He always felt that the deficiency of his education disqualified him for holding public office and there- fore persistently refused to allow his name to be used in that connection, but was once induced to accept the office of Treasurer of Liberty County, which he held for two years, resigning it at the end of that time. His chief pursuits were those of agriculture in which he met with a fair degree of suecess. He was exempt, by reason of age, from inilitary duty during the late war, but furnished three sons to the Confederate service and gave the cause his active sympathy and support at home. Mr. Skinner was a Whig in former years, having east his first vote for President for William Henry Harrison in the famous " log cabin and hard cider" campaign of 1810. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for over sixty years and has actively interested himself in all kinds of Church work. Ilis habits have been unexceptionable and Le is, perhaps, to day one of the best preserved men
of his age in the State. He will be ninety his next birthday, yet his mind is clear and not only is his memory good, but his reasoning is sound, and his conversation, in general, spirited and entertaining, full of interesting reminiscences and apposite allu- sions, and, until he was injured by a fall from his horse some ten or twelve years ago, he could get around as well as men of half his age. Asked to what he attributed his longevity and well-preserved condition, he said, first to the sound constitution which he inherited, and second to correct habits of life. He never indulged in the ruinons pastimes of youth and therefore reached and has enjoyed man- hood in health.
He was never intoxicated but onee, that being when he was a boy, and, though he used tobacco for nearly thirty years, he quit it when he found it was injuring his health. In all the relations of life he has endeavored to live along the lines of fair- ness, sobriety and moral rectitude, seeking to do what was right from a sense of justice and taking every act and every motive before the tribunal of eonscienee. Ile has not been one to eavil or com- plain, but has accepted the good things of life with gratitude and has borne its ills with resignation. Petty biekerings and small quarrels he has known nothing of, having always been self-respecting and respected by others. The domestic virtues pre- ponderate in him and bis home cirele before it was broken up by death, and the marriage of his children was eharming and pleasant.
Mr. Skinner lost his wife in March, 1861, her death occurring at the old homestead in Liberty County. Of his three sons and four daughter, but three are living, though all became grown and were married. The eldest, a daughter, Eliza Jane, was married to Buford Brown and died many years ago in Indiana. The eldest son, James D. Skinner, is a prominent citizen of Galveston. The next, a daughter, Cynthia Ann, was married to Anthony Drance and died in Marion County, Ky., a short time after her marriage. William P. Skinner, the second son, died at Liberty, Texas, in 1864, from disease contracted in the Confederate army. Julia Ann was married to Agnilla J. Beard and died at Liberty, Texas, in 1895. John F. Skinner, the youngest son, is a citizen of Lampasas, and Sarah A., the youngest daughter, is the wife of Wilson R. Swinney and resides in Lampasas County. Mr. Skinner has a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his youngest son being nearly sixty years old. It is estimated that his descend- ants number between eighty and one hundred. All, so far as they have assumed the duties of life, are filling respectable places in society.
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John F. Skinner, youngest son of Roswell and Theodosia Skinner, was born in Marion County, Ky., February 16th. 1839; enlisted for six months in Capt. James Wrigley's Company, Confederate States serviee, in 1861 ; served the term of his en- listment on Galveston Island, and then entered Waul's Legion for three years or during the war ; served in that command until the fall of Vicksburg, when he was paroled, returned to Texas, and served again on Galveston Istand and coast country until the close of hostilities. After the war he en- gaged in the mercantile business at Liberty, Texas,
which he followed at that place until 1883, when he moved to Lampasas, where he had previously be- come interested in the stock business, and which has since been his home. He is president of the First National Bank of Lampasas and has ranehing interests in Lampasas County. November 7th, 1871, at Liberty, Texas, Mr. Skinner married Miss Nannie Hardin, a native of that place and a dangh- ter of Frank Hardin. The issue of this nnion has been five children: Helen, now Mrs. J. F. White. John F., Jr., Christie O'Brien, Wickliffe and Ruth.
B. E. HURLBUT,
BROWNWOOD.
B. E. Hnrlbut, son of Eli D. and Emma E. This, as indicated by the name, was originally eon- fined to hardware but has grown to embrace all kinds of merchandise except groceries, and has two factories, one for making saddles and harness, and the other for tin and sheet metal goods. The Hurlbut Hardware Company occu- pies commodious quarters in the center of busi- ness at Brownwood, owning a two-story stone block fronting a hundred feet on one of the main thoroughfares and extending a hundred and twenty feet to the rear, being divided into compartments. each of which is especially fitted up for some branch of business. A stock ranging from $85,- 000 to $90,000 is carried and an annnal business of $225,000 is done. The employees number from twenty to twenty-seven, three traveling salesmen being included in the list, and a territory embrac- ing twenty-six counties is drawn on for trade. Mr. Hurlbut gives this business his strict personal at- tention, and while a liberal supporter of all public enterprises and interested in everything affecting the public good, he lias never taken part in politics nor suffered himself to be drawn into any schemes of a speculative nature. He was the first president as trustee of the city schools. Ilis establishment has of itself helped to strengthen the commercial credit of Brownwood in a marked degree besides adding greatly to the taxable wealth of Brown County. Hurlbut, was born in Courtland County, N. Y., Angust 22, 1858, and was reared at Windsor, Henry County, Miss., where his parents settled in 1864. He began his mercantile career in the hard- ware . house of Huey & Philip, of Dallas, Texas, entering the employ of the firm at the age of eighteen. Though the youngest employee of the firm he soon developed a capacity for business and earnest work that brought him continued and rapid promotion, and won for him the position of con- fidential clerk and buyer before he was twenty-one years old. His health becoming impaired from overwork, he resigned his position with Huey & High to accept one with F. W. Carruthers of Cor- sicana, at the same time receiving a substantial increase in salary. In 1884 he formed & partner- ship with Frank J. Semple under the firm name of Hubert & Semple, and opened a hardware business at Lampasas. The firm carried on a large and profitable trade at that place as long as it continued the western terminus of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway. In 1888, after the road extended West, the business was moved to Brown- wood where it has since continued, the partnership . of the Brownwood Board of Trade and has served terminating in 1891, at which time the present name, the Hurlbut Hardware Company, was adopted. Mr. Semple was never actively connected with the management of the business, but received good returns - four dollars for one -on the amount he had invested in it. Mr. Hurlbut has, since the reorganization, owned ninety per cent of the busi- ness, and has at all times had full control of it.
Mr. Hurlbut has attained noteworthy success and the secret of it lies near the surface. It is to be found in his natural aptitude for business, in the
J. S. CROSS.
A
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INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
excellent business training which he enjoyed and the adherence to practical methods in the conduct of his business. His treatment of his employees as friends and associates is especially worthy of men- tion, since in this way he has helped to lay the foundation of independent careers, and by selling to them at different times a small interest in his business has enlisted their best efforts in building it up. He worked for others nearly eight years himself during which time in recognition of his services he received each year an increase in wages without asking it, of which fact he is prouder than
anything he has accomplished since he has been engaged in business for himself.
On September 23, 1884, Mr. Hurlbut married Miss Licia H. Brown, daughter of James S. and Martha Brown, and a native of Owen County, Ky., Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbut having first met at Lampasas where she was visiting friends and relatives. The issue of this union has been three sons and two daughters. Mr. Hurlbut's parents reside in Brown- wood and he has a sister, Mrs. W. W. Glover, living in Sedalia, Mo., who, with those just men- tioned, constitute all of his immediate relatives.
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