Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 46

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 46

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The numerous responsible undertakings which have been intrusted to Mr. Johnson is

sufficient endorsement of his ability, without further comment on the subject. Ile de- servedly stands high in his profession. This, combined with his many admirable traits of character, nnimpeachable integrity and univer- sal courtesy, have conspired to win the re- speet and esteem of the community at large, while he enjoys the affection of a host of personal friends.

Mr. Johnson east his first vote for Buchanan and Breckenridge in 1860. and has ever since voted for the nominee of the Democratic party, including Jeff. Davis.

S. HUGHES, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing four miles north of Dallas, has watched the progress of Dallas county since the fall of 1869, since which time he has been more or less prominently identified with her interests.

He was born in Spencer county, Kentneky, on Angust 28. 1838, and was the fonrth son and sixth child in order of birth in a family of nine children. His parents were Elijah and Permelia (Wells), IInghes, both natives of Kentucky. His father was a son of William Hughes, who went from Virginia to Ken- tneky at an early day and whose paternal an- cestors were Irish. His mother was a dangh- ter of General Wells, a Kentnekian by birth, and of Scoteli descent. His parents always resided in Kentucky, his father dying there in the year of 1860, and his mother surviving until 1866.

The subject of our sketch resided with his parents until he attained his majority, soon after which he came to Texas. Ilis journey to this State was made in the conventional way, with horse and teams, which, on account of heavy rains and swollen streams, was much

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

retarded, being eleven weeks en route. After arriving in Dallas county he engaged in farm- ing, and continued his agricultural pursuits on rented land for five years, at the end of which time he and his brother, George, pur- chased 415 acres of wild land, which they at once began improving and building on it a home. They now have 230 acres of Dallas county's best soil, fifteen acres of which are in timber.

Mr. Hughes was married on July 15, 1875, to Miss J. Williams, a native of Dallas county. Then have had four children: George T., born May 24, 1876; Ernest J., February 1, 1878; Dowell W., December 10, 1880, and Virda M., Angust 27, 1886.

Mr. Hughes is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife belongs to the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He affiliates socially with the Masons, having been a member of that fraternity for eighteen years.

Mr. Hughes is a typical American and striking example of the self-made man. Starting in life withont much means, he has by industry and economy acquired a compe- tence, and is now classed with the substantial farmers of this community. His fidelity and uprightness of character and cordiality of manner have gained for him the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, and endeared him to a large circle of personal friends.

R. W. A. McCOY, one of the leading members of the medical profession at Dallas, Texas, dates his birth in Clark county, Indiana, September 1, 1844. Of his life and ancestry, the following brief outline is presented :

The Doctor's parents, Louis and Rebecca (Ilester) McCoy, were both born in Clark

county, Indiana. The latter was born in 1806, and lived for sixty-eight years on the saine farm on which he first saw the light. Ile moved to Franklin, Indiana, in 1874, and died soon after at about the age of sixty-nine years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was an exemplary man in every respect. In the Temperance movement he was an active worker, being among the first to discard the use of intoxicants in the har- vest field. He kept up a meeting of the " Washingtonians" (of which he was a prime mover), for many years. He was also active in Sunday-school work. At one time he was Captain of a militia company. Indeed, he was a leading spirit in all enterprises that had for their object the good of the com- munity in which he lived. His widow is still living, having reached the advanced age of eighty-six years.

Dr. McCoy's paternal grandparents were John and Jane (Collins) McCoy. They went from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where they were married in 1803. Following are the names of their children: Lydia, who was first married to Jesse Coombes and afterward to Thomas McCormick, died in Clark county, Indiana; Lewis, father of the subject of this sketch; Spencer Collins, a farmer of Clark county, died about 1872; Isaac, a prominent educator in southern Illinois, died about 1884; Thursey, wife of John McCormick; Rev. William McCoy, a Baptist minister, who died in 1890; Eliza, of whom mention is made as a missionary to the Indians elsewhere in this volume; George Rice McCoy, who died in Illinois some time in the '40s, and John C. McCoy, a biography of whom appears on an - other page of this work.

Of the Hesters, the Doctor's maternal grandparents, record is made as follows: Matthias and Susan (Hucklebury) Hester

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

reared a large family of children, all of whom grew up to occupy honored and useful posi- tions. Matthias Ilester, when nineteen years of age, was scalped and speared by the In- dians on Blue Grass creek, near where Lonis- ville, Kentucky, now stands, and was thrown into a ditch and left for dead. He recovered, however, and lived to an advanced age. Fol- lowing are the names of their children: Rev. George K .. one of the early Methodist minis- ters of Indiana, and one of the founders of Asbury (now De Panw) University, was born in 1792 and died about 1874; Mary M., who married Mr. Mnir, and resided in Kentucky, died about 1860; Cowen I'., one of the fonnd- ers of the Indiana State University at Bloom- ington, went to California in 1849, was elected Judge, and is now a resident of Los Angeles; Elizabeth, a teacher of more than ordinary ability, died in 1846; David, who was drowned in the Mississippi river; Sarah, wife of John Coombes, died in Clark county, Indiana, in 1880; the seventh born was Dr. McCoy's mother; William, who died at the age of thirty years, left an only son, W. W .; who is now a practicing physician in Chi- eago; Milton P., of Illinois, is now eighty years of age; and Dr. Uriah A. V., a promi- nent physician of Owen county, Indiana, is the youngest of the family.

Rev. George K. Hester's sons were among the first graduates of Asbury University. They are Rev. Asbury llester, D. D., of Greeneastle, Indiana; Rev. Addison Hester, who died in St. Lonis in 1842; Rev. W. Mc- Kinsey Ilester, D. D., of the Southeast Indi- ana Conference, and Rev. Andrew Hester, who died at Charleston, Indiana, in 1869.

Lewis MeCoy and his wife were the par- ents of four children, viz .: George K., a sur- geon in the Union army, died in New Or- Jeans, December 18, 1864, aged about thirty

years; J. C. MeCoy, a leading attorney of the Dallas bar; Henrietta J., wife of William Taggart, of Chicago, Illinois, and W. A., the subject of this sketch.

Dr. W. A. McCoy was educated at Frank- lin College, Indiana, and at the State Univer- sity at Bloomington. Hle gradnated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, withi the class of 1853-'84, and at once began the practice of his profession in Decatur county, Indiana, remaining there two years. In 1887 lie came to Dallas, Texas, and since that time has been conducting a medical practice here.

The Doctor was married in 1880, to Miss Lizzie MeCain, daughter of J. D. MeCain, of Franklin, Indiana. They have two children, Earl and Lewis. Both he and his wife are members of the East Dallas Baptist Church.

A. McMURRY, briek contractor, Dal- las, has put up many buildings through - ont Dallas and vicinity, and he has put in the foundations for cotton compresses nearly throughout the State; has contracted for many large business blocks, put up the Empire mills, the brick work for the Todd Milling Company, the Exchange building for Mr. Jamison, residences for Loftwick & Jami- son, the East Dallas Bank on Elm street, the W. E. Best building at the corner of Ross avenue and Griffin street, also for J. S. Terry on Commerce and Jefferson streets, and many other residences.

Mr. MeMurry was born in Smith county, Tennessee, in 1842, the eldest son of James and Emily (Black) MeMurry. His father was a native of North Carolina and his mother of Virginia. The senior McMurry was a boy when with his father's family he went to Tennessee, in which State he grew

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up to manhood and was married; he was a farmer and millwright; his death oeceurred in 1867, and his widow survived him two years. His grandfather, MeMurry, came from Scotland and settled in North Carolina at an early day, and some years afterward moved to Tennessee. Mr. MeMurry, our subject, was raised in farm life to the age of sixteen years, and then learned his trade.

In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry, and served twelve months, engaging in a skirmish at Albany, Kentucky, ete. Ile was discharged, and re-enlisted in 1862, in company F, Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and continued to serve during the war, being in Morgan's raid, in the battle of Chickamauga, etc., and received two flesh wounds. He was taken prisoner just before the battle of Missionary Ridge and confined at Rock Island; was exchanged before the battle of Petersburg and returned to his com- mand in Virginia, and continued with his company until the close of the war.

Returning to Tennessee, he was married there, in June, 1870, to Miss Emily Turner, a native of Sumner county, Tennessee, and a daughter of Edmund and Eliza (Whitworth) Turner. Her father was a native of North Carolina, and her mother, of Sumner county, Tennessee. She was a sister of Judge Whit- worth, of Nashville. Iler father, born in 1793, moved in 1809 to Tennessee, became a model farmer and continued to make Sum- ner county his home until his death, in 1871. His wife survived till 1888. residing in Dal- las. After his marriage Mr. MeMurry set- tled in Union City, Obion county, Tennessee, and continned a resident there until 1874, when he came to Dallas and since then has been identified with the building interests of this city. He votes with the Democratic party, but takes no part in the political ma-

chinery. Mrs. McMurry is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have been interested witnesses in the growth of Dallas. Their children are: Edmund, Nor- man, Queenie, Adnie, Jennie and Lizzie.

REIGHTON R. SKELTON, dentist, Dallas, Texas .- One of the most popu- lar dentists of Dallas, Texas, has availed himself of all the modern improvements in this branch, and his skillful manner in per- forming all operations is well known. Ile was born in the Keystone State in 1852, and is a son of Elizabeth (Ruxton) Skelton, na- tives of England; the father a merchant by occupation. Dr. Skelton attained his growth in his native State and supplemented a public school edneation by attending Ypsilanti Nor- mal School, Michigan. After leaving school he began the study of dentistry with Dr. A. B. Bell and subsequently entered the dental department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. He began practicing in the West, Aberdeen and Fargo, Dakota, and St. Paul, Minnesota. He came to Dallas, Texas, in 1888, began practicing, and by striet profes- sional methods has built up a lucrative prae- tice. Safe, conservative and reliable, he is one of the rising dentists of the State. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity and socially is a pleasant and genial gentleman.

C. FORRESTER, a member of the police force of Dallas, Texas, first came to this city in February, 1874. A short time afterward he went to Waco, Texas, and after remaining there two years eame back to Dallas in August, 1877. Sinee

Wharton Branch

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

that time he has made this city his home.

Mr. Forrester was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, in 1847, the youngest of seven children born to David and Keziah (Culbertson) Forrester, natives of that same county. Ilis father was a farmer by occupa- tion, passed his life there, and died in 1868. Ilis mother also died in Chatham county, her death occurring in 1864. Mr. Forrester was reared on a farm, educated in the distriet schools, and in his native county was mar- ried, in 1869, to Miss S. M. David. She and her parents, H. Q. and -- (Crutehfield) David, were all natives of Chatham county. Her father and mother were members of old North Carolina families, and both are de- eeased. After his marriage Mr. Forrester settled on a farm and was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits nutil he came to Texas. Here he was first engaged in contraeting and building. For some two or three years he was Superintendent of Streets in East Dallas. HIe has resided in East Dallas for years, and has been on the police force ten years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Forrester four children have been born, namely: Julian J .; Lizzie; Annie, who died in 1873, and William H., who died in 1875.

Mr. Forrester is in polities a Democrat, and in every respect he is a publie-spirited and enterprising citizen. His wife is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church.

HARTON BRANCHI, an attorney at law, Dallas, Texas, was born in Lib- erty county, this State, March 4, 1848, the fourth in a family of six children. His father, Edward Thomas Branch, was born in Virginia, in 1811, and his mother, Ann Wharton (Cleveland) Branch, was born in Kentucky, December 25, 1822.

The father of our subjeet was a prominent man in his day. When a mere youth he be- gan the study of law, and at the age of eighteen he left home, went to Jackson, Mis- sissippi, and engaged as a bank clerk. Soon afterward he became a member of a company that chartered a small sailing vessel and started for the West Indies. The vessel being shipwrecked off Galveston Bay, in 1833 or '34, he was taken prisoner and was carried to Anahuac, where he was released. He subse- quently joined the Liberty Company in the Texas army, in 1836, took part in the battle of San Jacinto, and was afterward commis- sioned by Sam Houston as Lieutenant Colonel. May 27, 1838, he was licensed to practice law. He was a member of the first Congress of the Republic of Texas; was ap- pointed Judge of the Fifth Cirenit, May 25, 1838. He was married in Brazoria county, at the residence of Colonel Willam HI. Whar- ton, August 28, 1838; and after his marriage settled at Nacogdoches, and was prominently identified with the courts of Texas. At one time he was Supreme Judge. He moved to Liberty, Texas, December 29, 1841, and re- mained there until the time of his death, which occurred September 22, 1861. Aside from his other business interests he was also engaged in land speculation and stock deal- ing, he having introduced blooded stock into that part of Texas. ITis excellent wife sur- vived him some years. Her death occurred in 1867. The name of Edward T. Branch is well known to all who are familiar with the history of Texas, and is one that will long be remembered for the important part he took in advancing her best interests. Ile was the first Speaker of the House after the annexa- tion, and was the anthor of the first exemp- tion law in Texas.

Wharton Branch was reared in Liberty,

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Texas, and received the principal part of his education there. He subsequently took a course at Colorado College, Columbus, Texas. The war, however, interfered with his college course, and his education was completed un- der private instructions. He began the study of law under the tutelage of E. B. Pickett, the framer of the Texas State Constitution, and in 1870 commenced the practice of law in Galveston. On the election of E. B. Pick- ett to State office, Mr. Branch went to Lib- erty, and took charge of the former's law business, practicing in the courts of south- eastern Texas, and meeting with eminent success. Returning to Galveston in 1874, he was engaged in the practice of his profession there until 1889, when he came to Dallas. He has been appointed by the Governor, and chosen by the Bar to preside at different times. Besides his law practice he has also been en- gaged in the real-estate business. In 1881, and '82, he purchased for Kountz & Co. large tracts of pine lands. He also located many sections in western Texas, receiving a fourth interest for his part. He has now about 40,000 acres of timber land and 5,000 acres of good farming land.

Mr. Branch was married in Galveston, Texas, March 14, 1872, to Miss Maric Louise Loomis, a native of Colorado county, Texas, and a daughter of James J. and Mary (Wooton) Loomis, natives of Kentucky, and early residents of Colorado county, this State. Her father was a professor in the Colorado College for some years; was also Clerk of the Court of Colorado county. He died there in October, 1871. Her mother's death also occurred in Columbus, in 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Branch have four children living, namely: Edward Thomas, who was born Feb- ruary 15, 1876, is now in the book store of John T. Kingan, Elm street; Lulu May, born

March 4, 1878; Nellie, born February 8, 1880; and Olive, born September 19, 1882.

Mr. Branch is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Tucker Lodge, No. 297, Galveston; has served as Senior Warden in the order. IIis father was a charter member of Holland Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., at Houston, Texas. In his religious views, Mr. Branch inclines toward the Episcopal faith.

W. C. SMITH, a pioneer of Dallas county, was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, in 1832, the third of eight children born to David and Mary (Cummins) Smith, also natives of Kentucky. The father was a merchant, farmer and stock-raiser by occupation and resided in Kentucky until his death, which occurred in -1865; the mother survived him several years. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county, where he also studied surveying under Billy Williams. He came to Dallas county in 1854, settling in the town of Dallas, where he engaged in clerking for J. W. Smith sev- eral years. He then took a herd of cattle to New Orleans.

In 1862 Mr. Smith enlisted in the army, in Captain Hoffmann's company, and re- mained until the close of the war. He par- ticipated in the battle of Somerville, in Morgan's raid, and was taken prisoner in 1863. He was afterward paroled at Gallatin, Tennessee, after which he returned to Dallas and engaged in stock-dealing, and later began clerking, which he has since followed from time to time. Mr. Smith bought sixty acres of land, which he has since improved, and also owns property in Dallas. Ile is a Dem- ocrat, politically, and in 1857-'58 held the

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office of County Surveyor, and later was elected Public Cotton Weigher.

Mr. Smith was married in Dallas county, February 22, 1859, to Miss Hannah C. HIuff- man, a native of Kentucky, but reared in Sumner county, Tennessee, and daughter of M. L. and Mildred (Glouver) Iluffman, na- tives of Kentucky. The parents settled in Tennessee in an early day, and in 1838 moved to Richardson, Dallas county, where the father died, in 1861; the mother still re- sides in Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had three children: lda, now Mrs. John Bosley, of Dallas; Lily C., wife of Philip Jones, also of Dallas, and Katie. Mr. Smith lost his excellent wife in 1882.

OIIN GRAUWYLER, a farmer and gar- dener of Dallas county, was born in Switzerland, in 1837, the youngest of seven children born to Jerome and Verona (Balmer) Grauwyler, also natives of Switzer- land. The father was a mason by occupation, and remained in his native country until his death, which occurred in 1865; the mother also died in Switzerland, in 1849.

John, our subject, was reared in the city of Basle, Switzerland, where he was engaged for a time as bookkeeper for a large silk-rib- bon factory. At the age of seventeen years, in 1854, he left his native conntry and came to Rochester, New York, where he remained until coming to Texas. In April, 1861, in Rochester, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty- eighth New York Infantry, for three months, and was in the battle of Bull Run, seven days before Richmond, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness and Petersburg. Mr. Grauwyler received a gunshot wound at An- tietam and was confined in the hospital at

Frederick, Maryland. Hle took part in the review at Washington, District of Columbia, and in 1865 returned to Ontario county, where he followed his trade until coming to Dallas county, in 1883. Ile has a fine farmi of 365 acres, all of which is under a fine state of enltivation. Politically, Mr. Granwyler affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held the office of Road Overseer for five years. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R. Post of Rochester. Mrs. Grauwyler is a member of the Episcopal Church.

He was married at Rochester, New York, in 1859, to E. H. Thomas, a native of On- tario county, and danghter of Marens and Abigail (Graham) Thomas, natives of New York. Grandfather Thomas was an early pioneer of Ontario county, New York, and the family still have a sabre, plume and coat of arms, relics of the war of 1812. Marcus Thomas remained in New York until his death, which occurred in 1880, and tho mother survived until 1882.

T. BOREN, book-keeper and salesman for a grocery firm on Mckinney avenue, was born in Washington county, T'en- nessee, in 1835, the third of eight children born to William and Phoebe (Protfett) Boren, also natives of Tennessee. The parents were married in that State, and in 1843 removed to Polk county, Missouri, where the father engaged in the mercantile business, and later in life settled on a farm. lle made Missouri his home until death, which ocenrred in 1863, and the mother survived until 1885.

I. T. Boren, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the city of Bolivar, Missouri, where he was also connected with the mercantile business. He afterward took

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a stock of groceries to Montana. where he re- mained six or eight months, and then re- turued to Missouri. He was engaged in mercantile business there until coming to Dallas, Texas, in 1876, where. in company with his father-in-law, Mr. Bowen, he com- menced fruit and vegetable raising. They first bought thirteen acres. which they planted to small fruits, but have since sold all but one acre, where they raise abundance of fruit and vegetables.

Mr. Boren was married in Polk county. Missouri, in 1861, to Miss Jennie Bowen, a native of that State and a danghter of Ahab and Mary L. (Easley) Bowen. natives of Granger county. East Tennessee. At an early day they removed to Missouri. where the father was a merchant and farmer, and in 1863 they came to Dallas. Texas. and engaged

in fruit raising. The mother died in this city, in 1889, and the father is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Boren have had seven children : Fred, who died in 18SS. at the age of nine- teen months; Lnlu E., wife of Arthur L. Led- better: William A., at home; Edgar, a clerk in the National Exchange Bank; Benjamin E. and Arthur L. Mr. Boren takes an active part in politics, voting with the Democratic party. and his wife is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

TTOSES D. GARLINGTON. promin- ent among the men whose enterprise and business sagacity have made Dallas an important railroad center, and one of the largest and niost flourishing cities of Texas, was born in Franklin county, Missis- sippi. Jannary 15. 1535. He is the senior inember of the firm of M. D. Garlington & Co., of Commerce street, wholesale dealers in |

confectioneries, fruit and produce, and also engaged in the manufacture of candy. His parents were Dr. James and Sarah (Jones) Garlington, natives of Barnwell district. South Carolina. The father, a physician by profession. had an extensive practice, which extended through a period embracing nearly an entire lifetime. He took part in the war of 1812. and was near New Orleans at the time of that noted battle. Dr. Garlington was largely a self-made man, having had but few opportunities in those primitive times for professional advantages. was extraordinary in many ways. very temperate and prudent. and his name was almost a synonym for hon- esty and square dealing. He was a local minister of great zeal and influence in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was fluent and versatile. and did great good while laboring in his high calling. He exercised his gifts as a minister for many years. and lived to the good old age of about eighty-two years. His wife. in temperament and religious enlture much like her husband, died at about the age of ninety years. The lives, influence and Chris- tian example of these good old people. are endearing heritage to their family, neighbors and the church of their choice. Dr. Garling- ton's parents were Christopher and Sarah (Yonng) Garlington. They resided near and a part of the time at Charleston. South Caro- lina. and owned a farm on which a part of that city is located. The Doctor was their eldest child; Benjamin. the second son. was a Baptist minister: Christopher was the youngest brother; the eldest sister. Sarah, was the wife of James H. Parsons, who owned a mill on Ammit river, Mississippi: Eliza- beth was the wife of William Pate, and they lived on a farm in the same locality; and Lavina, the youngest living sister, married Winston Clark. a Baptist minister. These

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 46

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