USA > Texas > Indian wars and pioneers of Texas, Vol. 2 > Part 47
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 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
In 1892 be was nominated and elected State Sen- ator and served as Chairman of the Finanee Committee of the Senate of the Twenty-third Legis- lature. The reputation that he earned in the Legislature led to his nomination and election two years later by the Democracy of the State of Texas to the high and important office of Lieutenant- Governor, which he now (1896) holds and so well adorns. At the recent Democratic Convention he was renominated for and at the approaching elec- tion will be re-elected to the office of Lieutenant- Governor.
He is truly a representative man of the people, having worked his way, through many difficulties, to the place he now occupies in the social, political and business world.
C. R. COX,
HINKLE'S FERRY.
Christopher Randolph Cox, one of the best known and most highly respected of the old Texas veterans who still abides with us, was born in the town of Bowling Green, Warren County, Ky., August 31, 1828. His parents emigrated to Texas in Decem- ber, 1829, and settled in the town of Brazoria, now in Brazoria County. His father, a physician by profession, and a leading citizen in that section, died in August, 1833, and his mother in November, 1841.
Mr. Cox has lived in Brazoria County continu- ously since 1829, with the exception of four years spent in Houston and one year in Matagorda County. It has been sixty-seven years since he landed in Texas by schooner from New Orleans, and during all that time, through the many changes he has witnessed and through the many vicissitudes of circumstance and fortune that he has been called apon to encounter, he has come fully and squarely up to the stature of good citizenship, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he has dwelt.
Hays' regiment, and served during the Mexican War under Gen. Zachary Taylor. He partici- pated in the battle of Monterey, was at the storm- ing of the Bishop's Palace and other Mexican strongholds in and around the city, and was in all the engagements in which his command took part, bearing himself with the gallantry of a true soldier. The war over, he returned to his home, and in 1856 was elected County Clerk of Brazoria County, and was re-elected in 1858 and 1860. In 1862 he was elected County Judge and in 1864 was re-elected to that office. In 1866 he was elected Tax Assessor and Collector of that eounty ; was appointed Sheriff and Tax Collector in April, 1877, and filled that office until December 1, 1878. He was elected County Commissioner in 1882 and resigned that position in October, 1883, since which time he has held no public office:
Although in his sixty-ninth year, Mr. Cox is still as vigorous, mentally, as in his prime, and his physical health is such as to justify his friends in the hope that he will be spared to them for many
In 1846 he joined Capt. Ballowe's company, years to come.
676
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
A. T. ROSE,
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
Hon. A. T. Rose, the efficient superintendent of the Texas School for the Deaf and Dumb, is well known throughout the State as a financier and leading promoter of many useful public and private enterprises in the section of the State in which he for so many years made his unofficial home. He was born in McLennan County, Texas, in June, 1858. When a boy he attended a preparatory school at home and then entered the Texas Mili- tary Institute at Austin, where he graduated in 1877. He married Miss Lillie Thomas, a young lady of Austin, in 1878, and settled upon a farm at his old home near Waco. In 1887 he moved to Hillsboro, where he went into the real estate busi- ness. By dint of energy, careful business habits and superior financial ability, he rapidly enlarged his interests, and took position as one of the most effective workers for the upbuilding of Hillsboro and the section tributary to it. He is now the vice-president of the Hillsboro Investment and Electric Light Co., and president of Rose Hill Improvement Co., which owns and controls a large addition to the city of Hillsboro. He also owns other property in Hill and MeLenuan counties. His married life has been blessed with four chil- dren, the oldest seventeen years of age and the youngest eleven. His wife has many friends in
Austin who grew up from childhood with her, and is a social favorite. The superintendency of this State institution came to Mr. Rose without his seeking. When it was first tendered to him in January, 1895, he hesitated to accept, as by doing so his varied interests might have to suffer, but it was his wife's wish to move back to Austin, and he yielded to her desire. He has now been at the head of the institution for nearly two years, and it has prospered greatly under his management, and the wisdom of his appointment by the Governor has been fully justified by results. This eleemosy- nary institution is second in importance to none maintained by the State, and requires for its proper administration, qualities of heart and mind of the highest order, and these the present super- intendent has shown himself to possess in full measure, and it is to be hoped, in the interest of the unfortunates now in his charge, that he will remain at its head for many years to come. His energies and brain could not be employed in a nobler cause than that in which they are now enlisted - a life-work worthy to become the life- work of any man whose ambition is of that high order that animates to noble deeds in the ser- vice of others, and in the interest of a broad humanity.
JOSE MARIA RODRIGUEZ,
LAREDO.
Jose Maria Rodriguez was born in San Antonio, Texas, October 29th, 1829, of pure Spanish lineage. He is the son of the late Ambrosio Rodriguez.
His mother, before marriage, was Miss Ma J. Olivarri. She is still living in San Antonio.
The father of the subject of this sketch was born in San Antonio, in 1807, was First Lieutenant in Gen. Houston's army and participated in the deci- sive battle of San Jacinto.
Jose Maria sprang from a warlike family on both sides. His maternal grandfather. Andres Cour- biere, was a sergeant in the Spanish army that
occupied San Antonio at an early date. He re- tired from the army and married at San Antonio, and his descendants are scattered throughout the State of Texas.
Jose Maria, when quite a boy, witnessed a fight in the county courthouse of Bexar County, in which his father was a participant, between Texians and Comanche Indians, a full account of which is to be found under the proper heading elsewhere in this work.
Jose Maria Rodriguez was educated in Texas and New Orleans, La., and in addition to the Enghsh
677
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
language became also proficient in Spanish and French, the two foreign languages generally in use in the locality of his residence at that time. Ile lived in San Antonio until 1861 and then moved to Laredo, where he still resides, engaged in raising stock -- sheep, horses and cattle - on his ranch in Encinal County, Texas. His ranch at present is one of the largest and finest in that county.
Mr. Rodriguez married Feliz Benavides, a daugh- ter of Basilio Benavides, who was one of the publie- spirited and wealthy citizens of Southwest Texas, and who represented his district in the Constitu- tional Convention of 1859-60. They have had two children : Natalie and Jose Ambrosio. Natalie, the daughter, received a fine education at San An- tonio, and the son, Jose Ambrosio, was educated at St. Mary's University, at Galveston, Texas.
Mr. Rodriguez has been an active Democrat and participant in political affairs. He was Assessor and Collector of Taxes for Bexar County, and Alder- man for San Antonio in 1857-8. Removing to Webb County he commeneed the study of law, was ad- mitted to practice in the District Court in 1864, and in 1879 was elected County Judge. He is a man of fine intelligence and business habits, and the fact that for years he was elected to the important position of County Judge of his county, is the very best evidence that his fellow-citizens have the highest confidence in his integrity and ability. Judge Rodriguez is a true and exemplary Catholic and consistent Christian gentleman.
He has been a public-spirited man, ever ready to unite with his fellow-eitizens in improving the local- ity of his home city.
GEN. THOMAS N. WAUL,
GALVESTON.
Gen. Thomas Neville Waul, of Galveston, one of the most distinguished citizens of the common- wealth of Texas, was born near Statesburg, S. C., January 5th, 1813, and is the last living descendant of the Wauls of that State.
His ancestors at an early day emigrated to Vir- ginia, and their children scattered thence through New Jersey and the Carolinas, and were among the early settlers of the Western States. His great- grandfather settled on the Yadkin and Pedee rivers in the southeastern portion of South Carolina, and his grandfather on the Santee river.
His father, Thomas Waul, was married to Miss Annie Mulcahay, daughter of a leading citizen of South Carolina.
The grandfathers of Gen. Waul, on both sides, were active Whigs and soldiers in the Revolutionary struggle that achieved independence for the Ameri- can colonies, and at its close settled in South Caro- lina near their comrade in arms, the gallant and illustrious Gen. Sumpter, "The Gamecock of the South."
With such a lineage, rich in such memories and reared in such an atmosphere, it is not surprising that genius, courage and patriotism are distinguish- ing characteristics of Gen. Thomas N. Waul. _ At an early age he entered the University of South Carolina, at Columbia, but left it in 1832 withont
graduating, owing to feeble health, straitened means and the death of his father. He had early lost his sainted mother. He generously gave his stepmother, as a recognition of her affection for him, his interest in the small estate left by his father. Having determined upon the study and practice of law at the age of seventeen, he mounted his horse and, with no other possessions than the contents of his valise and testimonials as to his scholarship, capacity and integrity, set forth sus- tained by a courageous spirit, to tind or make for himself a place in the world. Turning his horse's head westward, he stopped at Florence, Ala., in- tending only to make a short stay, to recuperate his strength. A vacancy occurring, upon his application, he was elected principal of the male academy situated at that place. Here he taught one session but, becoming im- patient to take definite steps to enter his chosen profession, relinquished the position as principal and with high testimonials from the trustees of the academy, proceeded to
Vicksburg, Miss., where he formed the acquaint- ance of S. S. Prentiss. Prentiss at that time, though a young man, had already exhibited much of that capacity which afterwards made him so fa- mous ; for his brilliant genius, even then, had won for him a commanding position at the local bar.
678
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
Naturally, young Waul was captivated by his mag- netic power and engaging eloquence. The esteem was mutual, and at the invitation of Prentiss the young aspirant for legal knowledge became a stu- dent in his office, received the advantage of his training and enjoyed the friendsbip of that illus- trious man throughout his life. The eager student made rapid progress, and in 1835 was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of Mississippi. He
home. He followed his profession with such ardor and success that in a few years he was able to aban- don the general practice and confine himself to busi- ness in the Federal, Chancery and Court of Appeals, and to special engagements in important cases. Hav- ing by his exertions acquired a sufficient fortune to justify some degree of respite from toil, be, in December, 1850, removed to Texas and established a plantation on the Guadalupe river, in Gonzales
. GEN. THOMAS N. WAUL.
was previous thereto appointed District Attorney for the wealthy and influential river district, includ- ing within its limits the towns of Vicksburg and Natchez and the counties on the Mississippi river. He resided a short time in Yazoo City, and thence removed to Grenada. In 1836 he married Miss America Simmons, a highly cultured and accom- plished young lady of Georgia, descended from one of the leading families of that State. She now pre- sides with elegance and grace over his hospitable
County. Having still interests in Mississippi, he opened a law office in New Orleans, and for a few winters practiced in important cases in the higher courts of Louisiana.
When the Know-Nothing party threatened to ob- tain control of the country he found much of the ability and many of the leaders of the Democratic party the strongest supporters of the new movement. at the head of which, in Texas, was the great name of Houston. He attacked the principles and prac-
679
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
tices of the Know-Nothing organization, sought its champions upon every battle-ground, and invited controversy upon the hustings with all who upheld its dangerous doctrines.
Though never in his long career a seeker for political office, the people called him from his retirement on the Guadalupe in 1859 as the proper champion of Democratic principles and put him for- ward as a candidate for Congress.
Though the party was defeated and the Hon. A. J. Hamilton (the opposition nominee) elected, the character and eloquence of Gen. Waul shone with unabated brilliancy in the midst of party defeat.
Afterwards, in 1860, Gen. Waul was selected as one of the electors of the State at large on the Breckenridge and Lane ticket and in the historic canvas that followed, delivered some of the ablest speeches of his life. An eye and ear witness re- lates that during the delivery of one of these speeches at Seguin, somebody in the audience called out: "But, Gen. Waul, suppose that Lin- coln should be elected, what would you do then?" Without a moment's hesitation, he replied : " God Almighty grant that that day will never come, yet should that evil day arrive, then, as under all other circumstances, I shall remember that I am a native son of the South, and shall say to her as Ruth said to Naomi, ' Whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God. Where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried : the Lord do so to me and more also, if aught but death part thee and me.' " The crowd was elec- trified, shouts rent the air, tears moistened hundreds of cheeks and the gathered thousands saw in him the embodiment of chivalric and manly grace, sin- cere devotion to country and magnetic oratory.
He demonstrated the importance of a united South as the only hope of averting impending war. As to secession, be said that, as to some of the States, it could not be averted and in case of attempted coercion, Texas could not remain inac- tive against a united and aggressive North. Con- tinuing, he argued that there was a hope that this aggression might be obviated by the display of a united South. He therefore invoked this union as a measure of patriotism, disregarding on his part, and asking others to sink all party issues. Subse- quent events rendered war inevitable, but it was doubtless owing to these masterly appeals that the great majority of the bitter opponents of secession took arms for the South when coercion was attempted.
The State having seceded, Gen. Waul was sent to the Provisional Congress at Montgomery and,
with his usual sagacity, urged upon that body the necessity of adequate preparations for a struggle, as the most effective method of se- curing a satisfactory arrangement between the sections or, if necessary, to fight for an lion- orable peace. Before his term of service ex- pired it was obvious that an amicable adjustment was impossible. He declined re-election, being resolved to take the field. He succeeded in raising over two thousand troops. They were organized as " Waul's Legion," went into camp in Washington County and proceeded thence to Vicksburg and Corinth, where Federal and Confederate troops were being concentrated. At Holly Springs he heard of the defeat of the Confederate forces, and was ordered to the front to protect and cover their re- treat. Thenceforth, the Legion under the command of Gen. Waul was actively engaged in hard service. Its valor and discipline made its name a household word in Southern homes never to be forgotten. Gen. Waul knew perfectly the topography of Mis- sissippi and by virtue of this knowledge and his ability as a commander, was assigned to the per- formance of arduous and responsible duties in de- fense of the State. He urged the importance of defending Yazoo Pass and, though engineers had reported that entrance through that channel was impossible, his dissenting views were adopted by the government and, at the instance of the Presi- dent, by Gen. Pemberton, he was ordered to the defense of the Yazoo and Tallahatchie river. The Commanding General requested him to make his selection of troops in the field to aid the Legion in this responsible undertaking. His choice fell upon the gallant Second Texas, commanded by that brave old soldier, Col. Ashbel Smith, whose efficiency and gallantry had been demonstrated in many en- gagements.
He proceeded to a strategic point near the con- fluence of the Yalobusha and Tallabatchie rivers and promptly commenced the erection of a fortification of cotton bales. The Federal General, Ross, with troops and gun-boats, had already entered the river and was approaching with a well-appointed land and naval force. But the narrowness of the river and the want of knowledge of the channel somewhat re- tarded the Federal advance, and utilizing this slight delay, the Confederates toiled all through the night in the mud to complete their works. Simultane- ously with the dawn of morning the Federal fleet appeared and the fortification received its last and only large gun.
Notwithstanding the heavy armament and supe- rior force of the Federals, they were driven back and for a time Vicksburg and the Mississippi were
680
INDLIN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
saved to the Confederacy. Gen. Loring arrived on the eve of the engagement, but his report of the battle truthfully gave the credit for the victory to the brave Texians and their commander. At the siege of Vicksburg Gep: Waul's command did active service in the reserve, their presence being required to repel every attack along the lines, and it suffered greatly in loss of officers and men. After the surrender of Vicksburg he was ordered to Richmond and there promoted for gallant service in the field to the rank of Brigadier-General. He was then sent to Texas to recruit his Legion and increase his battalions to the full complement of regiments and to organize the command into a brigade of cavalry and report for duty in the Cis- Mississippi Department. Before the orders could be executed, Gen. Banks appeared with a force to invade Texas, and Gen. E. Kirby Smith, com- manding the Trans-Mississippi Department, offered Gen. Waul the command of one of his best brig- ades. He accepted and led it in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, in both of which he bore an active and conspicuous part. When the Division Commander, Gen. Walker, was wounded, Gen. Waul was placed in command of the division and was subsequently placed in command of the field by Gen. Taylor for personal gallantry and military skill displayed in the successful massing of the troops. The reputation earned by him on pre- vious fields was more than sustained at the battle of Saline, or Jenkins' Ferry, which, on account of the mud rendering the use of the artillery impossi- ble, was fought exclusively with muskets and bay- onets. The Federals were driven from the field with great slaughter. On the Confederate side the heaviest losses were suffered by the Texas troops. Of their three generals two were killed and Gen. Waul severely wounded.
After the close of the war he returned to his home on the Guadalupe and, against his protest, was elected to the first reconstruction convention. In obedience solely to a sense of duty, he accepted the position, and having done so employed every influence that he could command to secure a con- stitutional recognition of the rights of the people of Texas and to allay sectional animosities. His course in the convention, brave and wise, was warmly supported by friends and respected by political foes. He urged reciprocal compromises and the guarantee of the inalienable rights of the vanquished in justifiable war as the only means of establishing sectional peace and national prosperity. The effect of his councils and presence in that body cannot be overestimated. Having lost his material possessions by the war, he removed from the Gua- dalupe to Galveston and resumed the practice of
law. His talent and devotion to business secured for him a lucrative practice and placed him in the front rank of active practitioners. He was soon called by the profession to the presidency of the Bar Association, over which he has since presided. His practice is chiefly in commercial, corporation, and admiralty matters, and in the Federal and Supreme Courts, in cases involving large transac- tions ; he is intimately acquainted with the princi- ples and practice of all branches of the law. His broad capacity of mind, intuitive good judgment. and the untiring labor bestowed upon his cases suf- ficiently account for his success during the various epochs of his professional life. Though devoted to the law, he has found time to cultivate amenities of literature, as well as make researches in the domains of science and philosophy. He is partic- ularly partial to botanical studies and devoted to the cause of popular education. For intellectual accomplishments and breadth of culture, he is with- out a superior in the State. He has aided, to the full extent of his means and opportunities, every commendable enterprise, and has contributed more than his distributive share to the development of the resources and institutions of Texas and the Southwest.
His personal, like his mental, characteristics are strongly defined. With every attribute of moral and physical courage, of the most undaunted char- acter, is mingled justice and generosity. A mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and seeking to be a true Christian, his highest ambition is under all circum- stances to do his whole duty to God and to his fellow-men.
He is one of the noblest surviving representatives of a race that has shed undying luster upon the Southern name, and is a citizen of whom Texas is justly proud.
Since writing the foregoing we have learned that Gen. Waul has retired from the practice of his pro- fession, and removed from Galveston to a farm he established some years since in Hunt County where, after sixty years of married-life, he and his wife look for that rest and quiet so well suited to their advanced years.
Born and reared in Southern plantation liomes, they return to their love of country life, surrounded by orchard and vineyard, amid their flocks and herds, they hope to approximate as near as the changed conditions will permit, the open hospitality of the " Old South," and with doors wide spread they will give a hearty welcome to all visitors. In pleasant companionship reviving agreeable remin- iscences, with ill-will towards none and kindness to all, with well-founded hopes for the future, they prepare to receive their last summons.
681
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
JOHN P. COLE,
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
John P. Cole, one of the first settlers of Texas, was born in Rowan County, N. C., in 1793, where he was reared to the age of eighteen, when he went to Georgia. There he married Miss Mary E. Owen, of Jasper County, and a year later moved to Texas, coming overland by way of Arkansas, where he made a crop, reaching the Brazos bottom in the vicinity of what is now Washington, in the spring of 1822. He was the third man to cross the Brazos, and took up his abode on the west side of that stream. He located half his headright in that vicinity and half in the vicinity of what is now Independence, then known as Cole's Settlement. This was in the year 1828. Mr. Cole put in the first grist mill, and saw mill, and gin, in that part of the country. He was a prominent man in an early day and of great service to the country. He held a number of publie posi- tions, and was known far and wide for his public spirit and hospitality. During the revolution of 1835-36 he offered himself for service in the cause of the colonists, but on account of a failure of eye- sight was incapacitated for active duty. He removed his family, for greater safety, to Bever- ley's settlement beyond the Neches, but returned immediately after the battle of San Jacinto. He
was made the first Chief Justice of Washington County, and later represented that eounty in the Congress of the Republic. He was always a planter, and acquired a considerable amount of property, mostly in land. His death occurred January 18, 1847, and that of his wife in February, 1874.
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.