Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 122

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 122

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).

He died in Texas in 1868, after a useful and prosperous career. Following are the names of the nine children composing his family: Andrew S., William C., James E., John G., James T., Mary J., Ruth A., Nancy L. and Hannah L.

The subject of our sketch chose for his life companion and married Diana J. Davis. Her parents, H. C. and Sally R. (Parrish) Davis, natives of Virginia, came to Texas in 1846 and settled in Dallas county. Mrs. Davis died about June, 1867, and Mr. Davis de- parted this life in October, 1877. He obtained a lieadright through the Peters colony, and made his home on it the rest of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have had seven children, viz .: Andrew C., born November 30, 1851, died June 9, 1865; Ardelia E., born April 17, 1853; Henson C., March 19; 1855; John Thomas, March 15, 1857; Benjamin J., July 5, 1859; Jefferson, February 24, 1862; and

Caleb W., June 4, 1866. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

In 1867 Mr. Jackson snstained a heavy loss from a cyclone that visited his place. All his buildings and much of his stock were de- stroyed. His family were all at home and, what is strange to say, none of them were in- jured.

OUGLASS A. J. HART, the son of one of the oldest settlers in Dallas county, Texas, was born, in 1855, within three miles of Dallas, on the farmn now owned by his father, 'A. Hart. A biograpby of his father appears on another page of this work. "Dug" Hart, as he is commonly called, was educated in the common schools of this county, and in early life was taught the practical workings of a farm. In 1876 he began life for himself, on a rented farm, and after renting land two years bought 100 acres of the place on which he now lives, for which he paid $5 an acre. He has since added to his original purchase, buying sixty acres in 1883, at $25 an acre, and 110 acres in 1890, at $36 an acre. On the first place he bought there were no improvements, but his well directed efforts have developed it into a model farm-one of the very nicest in this vicinity. His residence is surrounded with shade and ornamental trees, presenting a most attractive appearance, and the out- buildings and general surroundings all in- dicate the thrift and prosperity of the pro- prietor. He has splendid barns, three tenant houses, other buildings, etc., conveniently arranged for carrying on agricultural pur- suits in the most approved manner.

Mr. Ilart has been twice married. In

982

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

1877 he wedded Miss Theodosia Moodey, a native of Mississippi and a daughter of Dr. and Rebecca Moodey, by whom he had two children-Arthur and Elma. Mrs. Hart died in 1886, at the age of twenty-eight years. She was a most estimable woman and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. In 1887 Mr. Hart married Miss Julia Hobbs, daughter of Abe and Susan Hobbs, natives of Virginia. By his second wife he ,also had two children-Clarence and Ollie. Mrs. Julia Hart departed this life in August, 1890, and again Mr. Hart was called upon to mourn the loss of a loving companion.

N. FLOYD, a farmer of precinct No. 3, Dallas county, was born in Union county, Kentucky, in 1848, a son of J. D. and Sisan (Finnie) Floyd. The paterna! grandfather of our subject, Nathaniel C., was born in Virginia, but eame to Kentucky in an early day, where he became a promi- nent farmer. He came to this State with his son, J. D. Floyd, settling east of Dallas, where he lived until his death, which oc- eurred in 1867. The father of Nathaniel C. was John Floyd, who served his country in the war of Independence, was well-known throughout Virginia, and reared a family of sons who were all men of more then ordinary intelligence. Nathaniel C. was his eldest son, and J. D., the father of our subject, was the first-born of the latter. J. D. Floyd came to Texas in 1850, settling seven miles north of Dallas, where he engaged in farm- ing and stock raising. He served in the late war between the North and South two years, and afterward bought land for $5 per acre, where he lived until 1887, when he moved to Smith county, where he died in

1889, at the age of fifty-seven years. He was one of the leading farmers in this county, and for many years was a member of the A. F. & A. M., Dallas Lodge, and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife died in 1874, at the age of forty-eight years. They were the parents of six children, namely: J. N., our subjeet; Thomas S., of Dallas; Mary E., wife of T. W. Maston, of California; Anna and Cora, twins; the former, now deceased, was the wife of Paul Jamison, who afterward mar- ried the sister Cora; David H., who resides on the old homestead seven miles north of Dallas. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Floyd, in 1885, married Mrs. Mary Me Dugal, of Smith county.

J. N. Floyd, onr subject, was educated in the common schools of Dallas county, and was also under the instruction of Captain Robert Smith, a graduate of MeKenzie Col- lege. In 1864 he joined Company C, Sixth Texas Cavalry, Ross' brigade, but did not participate in any battles. He came home at the close of the war and attended school three years in the country, as his father had lost money in both negroes and stock, and was not able to give him a collegiate course. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself, and first commenced the study of civil engineering, but preferring more mannal labor he engaged in teaming for three years. IIe hauled lumber from eastern Texas in the summer, and in the winter freighted to the terminus of the Cen- tral railroad, and in this way amassed con- siderable money. In partnership with Captain June Reak he engaged in the stock business, bnying, selling and driving to the northern markets, but in the fall of 1872-'73 there was a great fall in the price of cattle, and like most people in that business they

983

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

lost heavily. In 1872 Mr. Floyd began farming on a place he had purchased when yet a ininor, seven miles north of Dallas. He first bought 160 acres, to which he has since added until he now owns 300 acres, which is worth $50 per acre, but cost only $11 per acre. In 1887, in addition to his farming, he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at Farmers' Branch, but a short time afterward sold his interest to his partner, J. B. May, and in the same year opened a gen- eral store at Garland, where he is now one of the leading merchants. O. P. Thomas, present business manager for Mark Ellison, managed his business for three years, but in 1890 Mr. Floyd took charge of his own store. When he first opened his business he invested $700, and now carries a stock of from $6,000 to $10,000, and does an annual business of about $30,000.

Mr. Floyd was married in 1872, to Miss Ella Thomas, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Savidge) Thomas, who came to this State about 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd have two children,- Thomas B. and Annie S., both at home. Mr. Floyd is a member of the A. F. & A. M., James A. Smith Lodge, No. 395, and Mrs. Floyd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OHN ISAAC MCLAUGHLIN, pastor of the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal Church .- The parents of this gentleman were of Scotch ancestry, the father, Joseph MeLaughlin being a native of the old country; his mother was born in Ohio, December 12, 1812. Joseph MeLaughlin came to America in 1844. In 1846 he married Miss Deborah Frame, a daughter of James Frame of Wash-

ington county, Ohio, and they had six chil- dren: James, John I., Margaret, David C., Mary J. and Nancy R. The family moved from Ohio to Greene county, Indiana, in 1855, where they lived a quiet, industrions farm life until March 27, 1876, when the devoted Christian wife and mother rested from her labors, and where the husband still lives, at the advanced age of ninety-six. The parents were of the strictest type of old-school Scotch Presbyterians. When they came to Indiana, there was no Presbyterian Church within fifteen miles. The children went to a Method- ist Episcopal Sunday-school, were converted in Methodist meetings, and united with that church, and the parents had the wisdom to nnite with them.

John Isaac McLanghlin, the second child and son, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, June 8, 1849, and came with his parents to Indiana, where he lived and worked on the farm until September, 1870, when he entered the preparatory school of the Indiana State University, at Bloomington. In the fall of 1871, he entered the Freshinan class of the university, but for want of funds he taught school the following year. He re entered the university in September, 1873, and gradu- ated June 14, 1876. He taught the three fol- lowing years, and in the fall of 1879 entered Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, New Jersey, where he remained one year. In the fall of 1880 he entered Garrett Biblical Insti- tute at Evanston, Illinois, at which he gradu- ated May 11, 1882, as B. D. He joined the Central Illinois conference in September, 1882, where he served six years, he came to Dallas, October 11, 1888, where he is now the pastor of the Tabernacle Methodist Epis- copal Church, which worships in their edi- fice at the corner of Main and St. Paul streets.

984

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

When Rev. Mclaughlin came to Dallas as pastor of the Tabernacle Church in 1888, there were then about 130 active members; there are now abont 250 members, and counting in the mission work there would be over 300. His church has three mission churches in the city; for two of them lots have been purchased and chapels have been built, viz .: Grace Methodist Episcopal, and Masonic Avenue Methodist Episcopal. The third is Hope mission, which meets in a rented building. These all have flourishing Sunday-schools and carry on the regular church work most successfully.

Mr. MeLaughlin is unmarried.

ICHAEL McQUIRK, an architect by profession, is a son of William Mc- Quirk, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who was also an architect, and descended from an architect. The father emigrated to Amer- ica in 1843, and located in Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he followed his profession for some years. IIe removed to Connecticut, and died in that State, at the age of eighty-eight years. The mother's maiden name was An- derson, and she was of English extraction. She passed away at the age of eighty-four years. Our subject was only a child when the family went to Connecticut, and there he received his early education. He was not pleased with the instruction he had, and so joined a company of architects, with whom he remained seven years. He made an ex- haustive study of the art, and made himself a complete master of the finest points of the profession. When he went into business for himself he located at Norwich, Connecticut, and erected some of the finest private and public buildings that have ever been con-

structed in the place. His reputation spread all over New England, and he became known as one of the leading members of the profes- sion. In 1873 he entered the employ of the Government, and the following year was sent to Texas to take charge of all the Federal buildings to be erected in the South. The points were Little Rock, Arkansas, Galves- ton and Dallas, Texas, Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina, and Raleigh, North Carolina. After the completion of this work he returned to Dallas, Texas, and has since superintended the construction of some of the finest buildings in the eity.

Mr. McQuirk was married in 1850, in Con- nectient, to Miss Anna Princely, an English lady who belongs to the Princely family of manufacturing fame. Two sons were born to them, William and Richard. The latter is a talented young architect, a member of the firm of McQuirk & Son, and William is a contractor in Norwich, Connecticut.

Mr. McQuirk is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a man of sterling traits of charac- ter, and has the respect of the community and the warmest admiration of the profession.

EV. PHILIP REAGAN, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, was born in 1865. Ilis parents were Timothy and Bridget (Regan) Reagan, both natives of county Cork, Ireland. The father came to America about 1852, and settled in Fall River, Massachusetts, in which State he was married. They had a family of seven chil- dren.

Our subject, the fourth in the above fam- ily, and John, a grain merchant at Fall River, are the only ones now living. Philip

985

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

received his higher education in the Holy Cross College, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio. He then came to Dallas, where he was ordained, in February, 1892, and began his work at once as curate of the Pro-cathedral of the Sacred Heart, in Dallas. He has thus far succeeded well. His church is located at the northeast corner of Bryan and Ervay streets. All the family were members of the Catholic Church, in which they were born, · reared and departed. The parents died in 1887.

EV. C. I. SCOFIELD, pastor of the Dallas Congregational Church, also Acting Superintendent of Texas and Louisiana for the American Home Mission- ary Society, came to Dallas from St. Louis in 1882. In his boyhood he was a Confed- erate soldier, under Lee, in Virginia. The war closing he went to St. Louis, where he began the study of law. Subsequently he was employed to condnet an important suit affecting the title to a large body of land in Kansas, and he removed to that State, com- pleted his law studies in the office of Senator Ingalls, and was admitted to the bar. Dur- ing his residence in Kansas he was twice a member of the Legislature, and was also United States Attorney for the State. He returned to St. Lonis after the termination of the litigation referred to.

Here, when "all his own efforts to reform his life had miserably failed," he met the late Dr. Goodell, of blessed memory, and became a member of Pilgrim Church. The sympa- thy and encouragement of the Doctor, his good wife. and of the people of the Pilgrim Church were very helpful, and to them, under God, he owes a lasting debt of gratitude.

Mr. Scofield's first work in the church was in the colored Sunday-school in East St. Louis. Soon afterward he entered the Y. M. C. A. work as Secretary of the Railway Branch of East St. Louis. Soon afterward he was licensed to preach by the St. Louis associa- tion. He organized and was for a time act- ing pastor of Hyde Park Congregational Church, North St. Louis, and in 1882 re- moved to Dallas, Texas, to become pastor of the First Congregational Church here. He came to Dallas a layman and was ordained by a regularly called council of the neighbor- ing Congregational Churches. In the nearly ten years of that pastorate the church has grown from a membership of twelve to nearly 400. Ont of this number a very large major- ity have been received on a confession of their faith. Church was then held in a small frame building on the same ground their beautiful edifice of brick and stone now occu- pies. The frame building had about 200 sittings; their present building about 700.

Rev. Scofield was married to Miss Hettie Wartz, daughter of Henry and Louisa Wartz, of Grand Haven, Michigan, March 12, 1882. They were married in Dallas, where her mother then resided, by the former pastor of the church, Rev. McCune. One child blessed this union, viz., Noel P.

Besides the labors of the pastorate and the superintendeney, Mr. Scofield is at the head of the Southwestern School of the Bible, a train- ing school for Christian workers, which has already achieved an honorable fame for the thoroughness of its work and the remarkable blessing which is attending the labors of its graduates.

As President of the Board of Trustees of Lake Charles College, Louisiana, he takes a deep and active interest in the upbuilding of that promising and greatly needed institution.

986

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Mr. Scofield in his own church has done a great work. It has a very important mission in Costa Rica. Two missionaries are already there and four or five more are in preparation for going; besides, they have two missions in the city and the young people's society, and all the different departments of church work are in the most healthful and prosperous con- dition. They have sent out and taught from this church six missionaries within the past six years.

In the forty-fifth year of his age and in the prime of his strength, Mr. Scofield finds his greatest joy in incessant labors for his Savior and Lord.

OHN D. MARSH was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, August 25, 1835. At the age of four years he moved with his parents to Missouri, and after remaining there four years the family emigrated to Texas, first settling in what is now Denton county. They soon afterward moved to Dal- las county, where the father secured a claim of 640 acres, under the Peters colony, and remained on it during the rest of his life- time.

Jonh D. remained with his parents, helped to develop the farm, and received as his portion 100 acres. He has since purchased other land and is now the owner of 317 acres, located in Precinct No. 2, Dallas county, the most of which is under cultivation, wheat, oats, corn and cotton being his chief products. He is also engaged in stock-raising, having some graded cattle.

II. C. Marsh, his father, was born in Ken- tucky, the original Marsh family having come from Maryland. The mother of our subject was before her marriage Miss Mary Ray- mond, she and her parents being natives of

Kentucky. Mr. Marsh was married in that State, and to him and his wife were born seven children, two sons and five daughters, all of whom are living in Texas; T. C. Marsh, born February 21, 1831; Sarah Ellen, in March, 1833, is now the wife of H. C. Dag- gett and resides in Tarrant county ; John D., the subject of this sketch; Mary F., born August 2, 1840, married J. J. McAllister and lives in Dallas county ; Elizabeth J., born October 9, 1843, married E. B. Daggett and resides at Fort Worth; Martha A., born February 27, 1848, married Mart Ellison of Dallas county; Charlotte M., born in March, 1851, is the wife of W. O. Neill of Tarrant county.

John D. Marsh was married, October 28, 1860, to Rebecca Perry. Her father, W. Perry, moved from Illinois to Texas in 1846 and settled in Dallas county, where he died about 1870. His wife, nee Sarah Noble, survived him several years, her death occur- ring in June, 1888. By this wife Mr. Marsh had nine children, namely: Harrison F., born July, 1861; Fanny, March 6, 1863; Henry C., May 6, 1866; Hollis W., January 6, 1868; Laura R., January 7, 1870; John D., July 2, 1872, died October 1, 1873; Walter, December, 1874; Charles D., February 2, 1878; and Thomas B., March 23, 1880. Fanny is now the wife of William Evans. Mrs. Marsh departed this life on the 3d of April, 1880, aged forty-two years.

January 17, 1883, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage withi Miss Fanny Williams, his present companion. Her father, A. D. W. Williams, a native of Alabama, moved to Tennessee while young, and was there mar- ried to Miss Sarah Foster. He subsequently moved to Franklin county, Illinois, where he died March 29, 1891. His wife died in 1860. By his second marriage Mr. Marsh

987

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

has two children: Mary Helen, born August 15, 1887, and Bessa Anna, December 3, 1890.

During the Civil war, Mr. Marsh enlisted, in 1862, and acted the part of a brave soldier until hostilities ceased. He was in a number of skirmishes and battles, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. Returning home, he resumed farming, in which he has since been engaged and in which he has met with eminent success. His farm is well improved with good buildings, cotton gin, etc. and general prosperity prevails.

ILLIAM A. J. MITCHELL, an enterprising young farmer near Sow- ers, in the northwestern part of Dallas county, was born in Greene county, Missouri, and is a descendant of two of the first settled families of that county, and of English and German extraction. His pa- ternal grandfather, William Mitchell, and his father were natives of South Carolina, and the former subsequently moved with his family to Missouri, settling in Greene county, where the town of Springfield now stands. He lived there ever afterward, dying at an advanced age, and after a life that was marked with much adventure and hardships. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Andrew Wasner, was a native of one of the Eastern States, probably Pennsylvania, as he was of German descent. He subsequently settled in Indiana, and later in Greene county, Mis- souri, where he afterward died. James J. Mitchell, the father of our subject, was reared in the latter country, where he married Eliza- beth Wasner, who was born in Indiana, but who was also reared in Greene county, Mis- souri. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell resided in that county until coming to Texas in 1863, set-

tling first in Fanuin county, and a year later in Dallas county, buying a farm west of the city of Dallas. He sold this place in 1874, and purchased another on the west fork of Trinity river, which he made his home until death, which occurred four years later, at the age of forty-seven years. He was a farmer and stock-raiser all his life, and, although never accumulating a large property, was in com- fortable circumstances at the time of his death. Our subject's mother died in 1873, at the old home place west of Dallas, at the age of forty-four years. They were the par- ents of three children: William, our subject; Lanra E., who was married to Daniel G. Lindsey, of Brown county, Texas, and died in December, 1889; and Sallie, who died at the age of seven years.

William A. J. Mitchell was born in Greene county, Missouri, June 20, 1854, but when ten years of age he came with his parents to Texas, and his youth and subsequent life has been spent in this county. He assumed the responsibility of caring for himself at the age of eleven years, and after reaching his major- ity he purchased the home place on the west fork of the Trinity river, which he owned and operated until two years ago. He then bought another farm, which he conducted in connection with the home place until two years ago, when he sold the latter farm, and bought 127 acres near Sowers, where he has since re- sided. He also owns some timber land, and, although a young man, is in a fair way to make for himself and those dependent on him a comfortable home.

Mr. Mitchell was married in December, 1882, to Ella Sowers, a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Brown) Sowers. She was left an orphan at the age of five years, and was reared by an uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Edmond D. Sowers, mention of whom is made else-

988

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Mitehell have had five children: Pearl, Edmund (de- eeased), Lydia, Effie and Samnel David. Mr. Mitehell is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is a staneh Democrat, taking a commend- able interest in political matters.

DWARD A. ABBOTT, a young man of good business qualifications, full of energy and push, is engaged in con- tracting and building in brick work. He is one of the enterprising citizens of Dallas, and is justly entitled to appropriate mention in the history of this county.

Mr. Abbott was born June 27, 1860, at Springfield, Illinois, he being the fourth- born in a family of six children. Allan J. Abbott, his father, was born in Ohio, about 1827, and was a briek contractor in that State. He went to California in 1848, and remained there three years. Returning to Cincinnati, Ohio, he was married in that eity, and from there went to Springfield Illinois, where he engaged in the work of his trade, remaining there ten or twelve years. He subsequently went back to Cincinnati, and lived there some time. He is now a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Ab- bott's mother died abont 1876. Left without a mother's care early in life, Edward ran away from home at the age of seven years, and went to work on a farm in Kentneky, where he remained eleven years. He then began to learn the trade of brick mason, at which he worked steadily for a year or two. From Keutneky he went to Kansas City, Mis- sonri, and a year or two later back to Terre Haute, Indiana, thenee to Kansas City, and engaged in contraeting on his own account, working there for thee years and putting up

some substantial buildings. In 1887 he came to Dallas, Texas, and has since made this eity his home. He at once established his business here, and has put a number of the best buildings in the city, among which are the Central National Bank, The Dallas Steam Laundry, the police headquarters, the MeKinney College and a number of other structures.

December 25, 1887, Mr. Abbott wedded Miss Clara V. Payte, the third daughter born in a family of seven children of Patrick and Julia Payte. Her father was a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and was there en- gaged as a contractor. Subsequently lie emigrated westward to Belleville, Illinois, and later located in Nevada, Missouri, where his death occurred. Her mother is still liv- ing and is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott have one child, Edward Allan, born November 23, 1889.

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.

Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 122

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