Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 117

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1128

USA > Texas > Dallas County > Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas > Part 117

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

1889. After returning to Texas Mr. Lang located in Dallas and engaged in paper manu- facture. In 1878 his name was presented to the Democratic Convention of the State, for Governor, the combatants being Governor Throckmorton, Mr. Hubbard and W. W. Lang. The result was, neither party could be nominated, and, after 136 ballots, Governor Roberts was chosen. Our subject is now en- gaged in one of the important industries of the city, that of manufacturing paper. The enterprise employs about thirty hands con- tinuously, sometimes reaching as high as forty-five. The capacity of the mill is eight tons a day, and is operated twelve hours out of twenty-four. They are now engaged in making wrapping paper, but they intend soon to enlarge the mill, and will then also manufacture book and newspaper.

Mr. Lang was married June 1, 1853, to Miss Frances Huberta Turner, a daughter of Abner Turner, of Clark county, Alabama. They have four children living: Mary, wife of Dr. M. S. Read, a dentist of Osceola, Texas, and their children are: Huberta and Jane Turner; Anna L., wife of Judge John M. Wharton, of Oak Cliff, and their children are: Lang, Catherine and John O .; William A., engaged in the lumber business in Corsi- cana; and Chaste Temple, who resides with her parents. She is very finely educated, and speaks the French and German languages flu- ently, as does her brother, William A. Mrs. Lang and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Lang is a member of the Masonic order. The latter is both enterprising and public-spirited, and is doing much in developing this highly favored country which has so many natural advantages. His mnill is the only one of the kind in the great southwest, and he is dem- onstrating that the money can be invested

here at home, and products made here, thus saving the labor and expense of transpor- tation. In this he has the true idea of economy, in giving employment to the hun- dreds who swell the numbers in the city, en- abling them to have ready work at their own homes. Mr. Lang deservedly stands well in his community as a thoroughgoing, indus- trions, progressive and valued citizen.

ENJAMIN E. CABELL, a liveryman ımınim of Dallas, was born in Sebastian county, Arkansas, in 1858, a son of General W. A. and A. A. (Rector) Cabell, the former a native of Danville, Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. The father is now engaged in the real-estate business, was Mayor of Dallas for six or eight years, was United States Marshal for the Northern District of Texas, under Cleveland's administration, and is still an honored resident of Dallas. He is a graduate of West Point, and was a General in the Confederate army. His wife died in 1888, at the age of fifty years.

The subject of this sketch, the eldest of five children, has been engaged in mining and prospecting in the Rocky mountains, with good success. He came to Dallas with his parents in 1872, and began his present business in 1884, in which he has since con- tinned. He keeps the largest stables in the State, and deals in Kentucky and Missouri horses. Mr. Cabell was Deputy United States Marshal during the Cleveland ad- ministration, and is now a candidate for the Sheriff's office of the county, subject to the Democratic nomination in July. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Knights of Honor, and of the Elks and Woodmen of the World. Our subject is

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

thoroughgoing, has an eye to business, and has been a valuable acquisition to the eity in his line. He is in the prime of life, and, if elected to the office for which his friends are pressing his elaims, will undoubtedly render the county an efficient service.

ISHOP COMPTON, an enterprising farmer of Dallas county, Texas, residing near Housley, was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, November 22, 1838.

Samuel Compton, his father, was born in South Carolina, February 23, 1809. Hc went to Kentucky when quite small, and there in after years was married to Miss Keziah Kirby, who was born February 4, 1819. They moved to Texas in 1856, and settled at Pleasant Valley, Dallas county. He entered 160 aeres of land, now owned by his daughter, Mrs. Sarah J. McClain. Mr. Compton died November 16, 1869, at the age of sixty years and eight months. For fur- ther mention of his family see the sketch of Mrs. Sarah J. MeClain.

Bishop Compton was sixteen years old when his father moved to Texas. He chose for his wife and wedded Melvina Little, daughter of W. J. Little, a biography of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Their union was blessed with five children: Mary G., Riley, Sarah. S. R. and Lucy Ellen. Mr. Compton was married a second time to Miss Lenorah Hargrove, a native of Murray county, Georgia, born December 22, 1850, daughter of Deven D. and Mary (Wacaser) Hargrove. Her father, a native of Georgia, died in 1867, aged thirty-five years. Her mother is still living. The Hargrove family consisted of six children, viz .: Frances J., who was married to John Ray and afterward

to Irwin D. Danals, has since died; Kircheon W .; George W .; Lenorah; DeWitt C., de- ceased; and Byron L.

Mr. and Mrs. Compton have two children: Bishop Lee and William Jesse.

Mr. Compton has a fine farm of 125 acres where he lives, all fenced and seventy-five acres in cultivation. During the Civil war, he served in the Confederate army, and was in a number of engagements, being most of the time with the forces that operated on the coast.

Mrs. Compton is a member of the Chris- tian Church.

H. WHITAKER, a retired Dallas county farmer, has been a resident of this county since 1869. He was born in Putnam county, Georgia, April 14, 1829, a son of O. D. and Martha R. (Harris) Whit- aker. His parents were of English deseent, were natives of Georgia and among the old families of that State. Of their nine ehil- dren he was the fourth-born, and is one of the four who are now living. He was ten years old when the family moved across the river from West Point into Alabama, and on a farm in that State he was reared and re- ceived a common-school education. His father died in Alabama in 1842, at the age of forty-two years, and his mother departed this life in Georgia, in 1857, aged about fifty years. After the death of his parents, our subject made his home with his elder sister.

Mr. Whitaker was married in Alabama, September 2, 1853, to Miss Amanda Gra- ham, a native of Sonth Carolina, danghter of James A. Graham, also a native of that State. She moved from South Carolina to Alabama when a child. After his marriage Mr. Whit-

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

aker settled in Lowndes county, Alabama, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, remain- ing there until 1869. That year he came to Texas, landing in Dallas county, November 29, and purchased 133} acres of wild land. He at once set about making a home and im- proving his farm. He subsequently added to his original purchase until his holdings com- prised 238} acres, and on this property he farmed nntil 1891, when he retired from ac- tive life. When a young man he received an injury, from which he suffered all his life, and on account of which, in 1890, he had to have his limb amputated below the knee. He and his wife are the parents of four sons. John Henry, the oldest, resides on the old homestead. James A., T. D. H. and Samuel T., are at Oak Cliff.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he affili- ates with the Democratic party. For three years he has acted as presiding officer at elec- tions. He is a self-made man, is well known and much respected.

AMES A. NELSON was born in Marion county, Indiana, Jannary 1, 1842. His father moved to Illinois when James A. was two years old, from there to Iowa, and thence to Missouri, he being reared and edu- cated chiefly in Iowa. When the war came on he enlisted in Company H, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, and was Orderly Sergeant for his company. He served from Angust, 1863, till August, 1865; during that time he par- ticipated in several battles and skirmishes, among which were the battles of Tunnel Hill, Nashville and Franklin ; was on the march and fonght Joseph E. Johnston on his retreat. In all this service he was neither wounded nor

captured. After receiving an honorable dis- charge he returned home.

September 22, 1865, he married Evaline Foster. They remained in the North until 1870, when they came to Texas and settled in the eastern part of Dallas county. The first year he rented a farm, and in 1871 be bought 100 acres of wild land, and at once began im- proving the same according to the Iowa fashion. He has since added to the original purchase and now owns 200 acres of choice land, all being fenced and eighty acres under cultivation. Having little eapital when he eame here, save his willing hand and deter- mination to snceeed, he has met with marked success. He and his wife have a large family, whose names are as follows: Adam R., Will- iam C., Thomas J., James E., George W., Sarah E., Flora A., Arthur Pumroy, Robert E., John H., Jessie C. and Grady. All are living except two, Adam R. and William C. John J., who was recently married, is the only one not at home.

Mr. Nelson's father, Adam R. Nelson, was born in Scott connty, Kentucky, December 1, 1817, and went with his father to Indiana, when he was twelve years old. There he was reared, and in 1840 was married to Sarah A. Baldwin, who was born November 9, 1819. In 1844 they moved to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, settling in Appanoose county, where they lived eighteen years. In 1870 he came to Texas with the subject of our sketch. His wife died that same year, aged forty-nine. They were the parents of two children: James A. and Joseph W., the latter dying at the age of two years. The venerable father is still living and makes his home with his son.

Mrs. James A. Nelson was born in Ray county, Missouri, February 18, 1847. Her father, Jolın Foster, and her mother, Eliza- beth (Rhoads) Foster, both Kentuckians, were

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

born in the years 1808 and 1810 respectively, and were married in 1828. Her father died when Mrs. Nelson was quite small. The mother lived to be seventy-three years of age, dying in 1882. They had a family of thir- teen children, of whom ten lived to be grown. Their names are: Thomas Foster; Rachel, wife of James E. Linvell; Arthur Foster; Rebecca, deceased; Catharine, wife of David Baggs, died, leaving a family of nine chil- dren; Hannah, deceased; Mary, wife of An- drew Swartz, died, leaving seven children; John Foster; Evaline, wife of James A. Nel- son; Angeline, wife of George Regin; Jack- son Foster; Washington Foster. Mr. Nelson belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Duck Creek Lodge, No. 441, and in politics he is a Jackson Democrat. Mrs: Nelson is a member of the Baptist Church:

AMES HORTON, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneers of Dallas county, Texas. He was a native of Virginia, and a son of Enoch Horton. In 1845 he came to Dallas county and settled on a tract of 320 acres of wild land, which has since been known as the James Horton headright. He at once began the work of improving it, and making a home. From time to time he ac- quired other property, and at his death was the owner of an estate consisting of 4,000 acres of land.

Mr. Horton was married in 1851 to Miss Jane Phillips, a daughter of Nimrod Phillips, and after his marriage settled on the home- stead, where he followed farming. Previons to his marriage, he made the overland journey to California, going on horseback in 1849. He was successfully engaged in mining there for a time, returning to Texas in 1851. Until

1857 he followed farming exclusively. At that time he built the Eagle Ford gristmill, in which he was interested the rest of his life. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, three of whom are still living: James, Nnck, and Fanny, wife of R. M. Scripture of this county. He was bereaved by the loss of his wife in 1869. Subsequently he was united in marriage with Mrs. King, whose maiden name was Morton. By her he had two children, and of these, one (Frank) is still living. Mr. Horton departed this life in 1875.

James IIorton, son of the above named gentleman, was born in Dallas county, Texas, August 13, 1856. He was reared on his father's farm, remaining on the old homestead until his marriage, which event occurred in 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura Carter. She is a native of Texas, and a daughter of Milton and Sarah (Davis) Carter, who were among the pioneers of Dal- las county. After his marriage Mr. Horton settled on his present farm, which comprises 250 acres. Besides this he has other prop- erty, having a landed estate consisting of 800 acres. His postoffice address is Eagle Ford.

Mr. and Mrs. Horton are the parents of seven children, namely: Nuckie, Willis (de- ceased), Ridge, C. B., James, Grant and Liz- zie. Mrs. IIorton is a member of the Bap- tist Church. Politically, Mr. Horton affili- ates with the Democratic party.

LEASANT P. HARRIS was born in Greene county, Alabama, August 29, 1848. His father was born in Union district, South Carolina, September 15, 1812, and in 1835 moved to Alabama. In

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Greene county, that State, he was married to Margaret L. Steel, January 2, 1842. She was born on the 29th of September, 1821, a daughter of Elmer Steel. Mr. Harris moved from Alabama to Mississippi in 1850, and there reared his family. He came to Texas in 1873, making the journey in wagons and being seven weeks en route. The first year rented land, the second year he bought 160 acres, and by the third year had his farm im- proved so that he could move to it. Mr. Harris died on the 19th of February, 1883, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife passed away on the 8th of September, 1887, aged sixty-five. The names of their eight children are as follows: Joseph, who died in prison at Elmira, New York; Margaret A., wife of Samuel HIntson; John B., deceased; Pleasant P .; Andrew C .; Elizabeth J., wife of Dr. E. H. Ford, of Rockwall; Caroline A .; and Ella P., wife of W. P. Samuels.

The subject of our sketch and his sister Caroline are living on the home place, neither having married. They had ten years of sickness in the family and four deaths, and when the father died he left some payments to be made on the farm. Pleasant P. has since settled up all such claims, and he and his sister have improved the place and now have a nice home. Two of their brothers served in the war, and both died.

ESSE WRIGHT, a farmer and stock raiser, and another one of the pioneers of Dallas county, has resided here since 1850.

He is a native of Tennessee, born ten miles east of Nashville, in 1816, a son of Hanlas Wright, a native of North Carolina, and of English ancestry. His mother's maiden name

was Sallie Humphres, and she, too, was a na- tive of North Carolina, born in Davidson county. They were married in that State, and went to Tennessee at an early day, when that country was the frontier of civilization, and on a farm in the latter State they passed the rest of their days. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom lived to be grown; and a fact worthy of record is that they never had a doctor in their home. Of this large family only the subject of our sketch survives.

Mr. Wright was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until he reached his majority. He was married June 27, 1837, to Miss Martha Ann Wright, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Thomas Wright. After his marriage he lived with his father-in-law and worked at the black- smith trade, a business in which he was very proficient, having picked the trade up and followed it until he emigrated to Texas, in 1850. Ile came here with horse and mule teams, and as there were few roads and no bridges they were six weeks in making the journey, landing in Dallas county the last of November. He settled on a farm abont six miles and a half south of Dallas, on land his father-in-law had purchased, and continued to work at his trade. He made the irons for two mills, the first mills of importance in the county, and ground grain for the people, some of them coming a distance of fifty miles. When Mr. Wright came here Dallas had two small stores, a rude tavern, and about four residences. He lived with his wife's father until 1860, when he purchased 320 acres of wild land, and as the years rolled by developed it into one of the finest farms in the neigh- borhood, and on it he has since resided. Ile has assisted in building nearly all the churches in this part of the county, and has contributed

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

freely of his earnings toward keeping up re- ligious meetings and schools. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for more than a half century, and has held the office of Dea- con. His wife was also a member of the church for many years, and was a devoted Christian, possessing many estimable quali- ties that endeared her to a large circle of friends. Her death occurred in 1886, at the age of sixty-five years, and after a happy married life of fifty years.

OHN M. KIRBY claims Dallas county, Texas, as the place of his nativity, the date of his birth being March 6, 1855. On the 26th of February, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel T. Coomer. At the time of his marriage he owned a pony and cow, and had bought sixteen acres of land on which he had paid $20, being in debt for the rest. He attended one crop, and his pony and cow both died. Meeting with losses, but not discouraged by them, he went to work with renewed energy to get another start, and his efforts have been crowned with success. He now has a fine farm of 235 acres, well im- proved with good house, barn, etc .; has forty head of cattle and several horses and mnles.

Of his parents, be it recorded that his father, Benjamin C. Kirby, was born in Wayne county, Kentucky; was by trade a stone mason and carpenter; when a young man moved to Missouri, where he was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth McDonald. In 1853 he moved froin Greenville, Missouri, to Texas and first located in Lamar county. After renting land there two years, he moved in the fall of 1854 to Dallas county, and settled in the northeastern part of the county, where he bought 191 acres of land and improved a farm. The house he then built is standing

to-day-two miles from where John M. lives -- and, with the exception of a new roof, is just as his father left it when he died. Mr. Kirby died in 1862, at the age of forty-five years. His wife is still living and is now aged sixty-one years. She was married the second time, to Thomas Collins. By Mr. Kirby she had two children, James F. and John M.

Mrs. John M. Kirby was born May 28, 1853. To her parents, Lec and Nancy (Myers) Coomer, were born the following named chil- dren: Margaret, wife of B. C. Kirby; Martha; John B .; Levina, wife of John W. Kirby; Sarah, wife of Riley Little; Rachel T., wife of John M. Kirby ; and Lyman, William and Joseph-all living. The father died in 1865, aged sixty-four years.

Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have had eight chil- dren, viz .: James F., William Lee, Byron, Parks, Lulie, Joseph I'., Bessie and Nancy E. All are living except two.

Losing his father when he was seven years old, and having been reared in a new country, Mr. Kirby had only limited educational ad- vantages, but he is in favor of schooling his children, and does all in his power to have good schools. Mrs. Kirby is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OSEPH M. McCORMICK, an attorney of Dallas, was born in Brazoria connty, Texas, May 31, 1861, a son of Judge An- drew P. and Mary (Copes) McCormick, also natives of this State. The father was United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, receiving the appointment in 1879, and holding the office until in Jannary, 1892. He was recently appointed United States Cir- cuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit by President

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Harrison, is a Republican in his political views, and is well and favorably known over the entire State. The mother of our subject died in 1870, aged twenty-eight years, and the father is now sixty years of age.

Joseph MeCormiek was edneated at Bloom- ington, IlInois, having completed a course at the Illinois Wesleyan University, and after- ward read law under John L. Henry, of Dal- las, and a member of the Supreme Beneh of the State. Our subjeet was admitted to the bar in 1881, and now practices in all the courts, from the Supreme Court of the United States down. He was married February 17, 1885, to Miss Mary MeCoun, a daughter of John R. MeConn, of Kansas City, Missouri. Two children have blessed this union, -- Mary and Charles T. Mrs. McCormick is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and her hus- band of the K. of P. The latter has been a delegate to the State conventions many times, was a delegate to the Chicago convention, at which time he voted for General Harrison, and was also a delegate to the Minneapolis convention.

ILLIAM T. MILLER, who is pleas- antly and comfortably situated on a niee little farm near Haught's Store, Dallas county, Texas, came to this State in 1873. He landed here without money and in debt, having borrowed the means with which to come South. Renting a farm on Dutch ereek, he went cheerfully to work, being successful in his farming operations and gaining the confidence and respect of his neighbors. After renting land eight years, he bought 100 aeres of unimproved land and at once went to work to improve it and make a home. His premises are in good trim, his house, barn, orchard, ete., all giving

evidence of prosperity. His property is all paid for and he is out of debt. About fifty aeres of his land are under cultivation and all is well fenced. Although he cannot be classed with the old settlers, Mr. Miller has probably seen as much of the rough side of life sinee he came to Texas as any of the pioneers here.

William T. Miller was born in Henry county, Tennessee, March 31, 1848. His father, W. D. 'Miller, was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, in 1827, and was married in his native State, in 1847, to Miss Frances J. Baldwin. She was born in North Carolina in 1828. In 1847 they moved to Tennessee and settled in Henry county, where Mr. Miller bought land and engaged in farm- ing. He subsequently sold out and in 1857 moved to Missouri and settled in Ripley county. In 1865, while they were preparing to move back to Tennessee, his wife died aged thirty-seven years. After her death he took his family to Tennessee, and shortly after his arrival there he was taken siek and died, his death oeenrring in October, 1865, at the age of thirty-eight years. Their nine children, four of whom are living, are as fol- lows: Mary J., wife of Perry Ragstal; Will- iam T. Miller, the subject of our sketch; James V .; Henry; Eliza, wife of Richard Furgeson; Alexander B .; Rufus, Amos and Zachariah. After his father's death, William T. found homes for his brothers and sisters and he went to work on a farm by the month and helped to support them, continuing thus employed for five years.

January 1, 1870, Mr. Miller married Miss Frances E. Barton, who was born March 3, 1854. Her father, J. B. Barton, was a native of Graves county, Kentucky, born in 1827. On the 4th of July, 1848, he wedded Miss Florence Pachtoll. She is still living and makes her home with her children in Texas;

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

is now sixty-three years of age. Mr. Barton died in 1859, at the age of thirty-two. Six children were born to them, viz .: Elisha; Nancy J., wife of Green Pachtoll, is now de- ceased; Frances E., wife of W. T. Miller; Sarah E., who died when quite young; and James A. and Brooks.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have never had a death in their family. The names of their ten children are: Leroy Q., Lorenzo, Westward B., Idaho, William W., Nancy Dell, Emma M., Sarah F., Maggie E. and Allen. He and . his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

MBROSE C. NEW, a prominent and much respected citizen of Dallas county, Texas, residing near Mesquite, is a native of Indiana, born in Haneoek county, November 28, 1814. He went to Iowa with his father in 1854, and in that State received his education. He has been engaged in teach- ing ever since 1864 with the exception of two winters-teaching during the winter and farming in summer. In 1865 he attended a Quaker college in Indiana. He has all his life devoted much time to general reading, is well posted on the topics of the day and is an entertaining converser. After his marriage he came to Texas, and here he has continued the profession of teaching, together with agri- cultural pursuits. He owns an eighty-aere farm near Mesquite, has it well improved and under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. New comes from Virginia ancestry, his father, Daniel New, having been born in the Old Dominion, October 12, 1789. In 1811 he was married to Elizabeth Ring, and in 1815 went to Indiana. General Harrison was at that time Territorial Governor of In-

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 117

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1128

Author: Lewis publishing company, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1128