Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 47

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 47

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

brothers and sisters, with their companions, have all gone from labor to reward.

Dr. and Mrs. James Garlington were the parents of twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. Mary, the eldest, died unmarried; Susannah, deceased soon after the war, was the wife of John Akin, and they reared a large family of children; Lavina married William Kennedy, resided in Claiborne parish, Louisania, and both lived to a good old age, but are now deceased; Samuel, married Sarah IInekaby, of Mississippi, in 1835; Martha, whose first husband. John Armstrong, was killed by being thrown from a horse soon after their marriage, afterward married Stephen C., a brother of William Ken- medy, above mentioned; Lydia Ann, the only surviving sister, married Green Akin, a brother of John Akin, also referred to, and the former died in 1891; Stephen W., mar- ried Sarah Weaver, and resided near Monti- cello, Arkansas; Joseph married Martha MeDonald, and the latter is deceased, and the former resides in south Louisiana; William married Martha Carson of north Louisiana. where they afterward resided. He died in the army from the effects of disease eon- tracted while in the discharge of his duties.

Moses D. Garlington, the youngest child, was reared to farm life, and, when arriving near manhood's years, he taught school, thus proenring money with which to attend school at Homer, Lonisiana. Atter securing his education he engaged as elerk and book- keeper at Trenton, same State, where he spent eighteen years of his life, serving there both before and after the war. Ile first discharged the duties of elerk, then of elerk and book- keeper for Dunn & Mallory, later for Dunn & Ilead, and subsequently for the house of Slaughter & Crosley. He then went to the front in the late war, as Second Lieutenant of

Company A, Seventeenth Louisiana Regi- ment, and after the reorganization in 1862 he was elected First Lieutenant. He served in that capacity until after the fall of Vicks- burg, at which place his regiment was sta- tioned after the battle of Shiloh. July 4, 1863, Mr. Garlington was made Quarter- master of the regiment, and served faithfully and acceptably in that capacity until the war closed. Ile was discharged at Mansfield, Louisiana, after serving about four years.

After his arrival home he became a partner of J. P. Crosley & Co., at Trenton, Louisiana, Mr. Slanghter, the former partner of Crosley, having been killed during the war. Mr. Garlington remained in this firm several years, and then became a member of the part- nership of Williamson & Garlington, Mr. Crosley still holding privately a controlling interest in the firm, and furnishing most of the money. After three years the name was changed to Ilead, Williamson & Co., and atter remaining a few years as silent partner our subjeet sold his interest. In 1871 he came to Corsicana, Texas, where he opened business relations under the firm name of Garlington & Marsalis, and after the ter- minus of the railroad reached Dallas, in 1872, he came to this eity. He still continued his business in Corsicana, under the name of Garlington & Underwood, ten months, and then closed ont and opened in Dallas, doing business under the firm name of Garlington, Marsalis & Co. In 1874 Mr. Garlington changed his operations from a groeer to a real- estate dealer, and about the year 1876 he engaged in his present business. The firm name was first Garlington & Underwood, later Garlington & Fields, and a year after- ward Mr. Fields withdrew and our subject continued alone until 1888, when A. F. Deck- man became a partner, and the firm name

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

of M. D. Garlington & Co. has ever since continued. In 1888 the former opened a house in Fort Worth, under the name of Gar- lington & Montgomery, which still continues in successful operation. In 1892 he opened a wholesale and retail buggy business in Dal- las, under the firm name of Garlington & Rogers, and they now carry a large and well selected stock of vehicles of all kinds. The firm of M. D. Garlington & Co. are also run- ning the steam candy manufactory, where they manufacture their own candy, and are doing a very extensive and successful business. This is one of the important industries of Dallas. Mr. Garlington also handles a large real-estate business, and owns many residences and business houses, the rental of which amounts to a large sum. These different firms are shipping their goods over north Texas, to Indian Territory and Mexico, doing a large business at El Paso.

Our subject was married on his birthday in 1868, to Miss Anna Moore, a native of Arkansas, and a daughter of John Moore, who was born in South Carolina and died in Louisiana. Her mother, Sarah Fortenberry, was a native of Tennessee, and died in Arkan- sas when her daughter was but a child. Mrs. Garlington is the eldest of four children, and the only one now living. She was educated at Mount Lebanon Institute, Louisiana, is a lady of intelligence and refinement, and has much of that culture that comes from an acquaintance with schools and books. To their twenty-four years of married life she has brought the sweet and noble attributes to be found in the loving wife, the devoted mother and Christian neighbor. The home of our subject and wife have been blessed with seven children, two of whom have already passed to the " House of many Man- sions." The living children are: Willie D.,

engaged in business with his father; and Charles Frank, Maurice Moore, Anna Emma and Heury Lee, attending school. The par- ents and all but one child are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in which the father is a Steward. The latter has served as Alderman of this city; he is a member of the Masonic order, and was Secretary of the same while in Louisiana; is a Democrat in his political views, and takes an active in- terest in the success and welfare of his party.

He is a well respected Christian gentle- man, such as any community may feel proud to claim as a citizen.

OHN W. DIXON .- The pages of this historical review would be quite incom- plete without giving accurate reference to an agent and broker who has contributed materially to the activity and development of Dallas' real-estate market, and so directly to the prosperity of the community at large. He has been established in business liere since 1889, with office at 539 Elm street; and al- though this has covered only a short space of time he has built up an extensive and influen- tial patronage, numbering among his custom- ers many wealthy investors and active operat- ors. He came to Dallas in 1876, engaging at once in his profession, and until 1839 was teaching in the public schools of this city. Hle was born in East Feliciana parisli, Loni- siana, in 1847, the third of fourteen children born to Rev. Thomas F. and Sarah A. (Sims) Dixon, native Louisianians. The father is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since 1878 he and his wife have been residents of the city of Dallas. The family were among the carly settlers of Louisiana. Dur- ing the last year of the great Civil war he

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was in Company I, Third Louisiana Cavalry, and served principally in Louisiana. Jolin W. Dixon was reared in Louisiana and edu- cated in Centenary College at Jackson, and after leaving this institution he turned his attention to teaching, a calling in which he met with remarkable success, spending twenty-three years of his life in the profes- sion, and has lived to see many of his stu- dents fill high official positions in life. Ile was married in Jackson, Lonisiana, Novem- ber 25, 1868, to Miss Wynona A. Ambrose, a native Louisianian and a daughter of Stephen and Priscilla A. (Bradford) Am- brose, who were also born in Louisiana, the father being a planter. He remained in Louis- iana until his deathı in 1858. His wife died in Port Hudson while it was being besieged during the war. In 1889 John W. Dixon purchased fifty acres of land adjoining Dallas on the southeast, and platted it as Dixon's addition to the city of Dallas. He then be- gan selling lots, and, as the property was very desirable and within easy access to the busi- lless portion of the city, they sold rapidly and at fair prices, and laid the foundation of Mr. Dixon's present flourishing business. Ile has taken some interest in politics and votes with the Democratic party. IIe is a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 198, of the I. O. O. F., and he and his wife are Methodists in their religious views. To their union nine children have been born: Wynona Marsh; Leonora Wesleyann, deceased; Sarah Pris- cilla; Eva Carrie; Jolin Wesley, deceased; Mary Warren; Stephen Ambrose; Eleanor Pearl, and William Bradford. Mr. Dixon is a public-spirited citizen in every sense of the word, and his usefulness lias been thoroughly recognized and appreciated. In 1862 he en- listed from East Feliciana parish, Louisiana, in Company G, Fourth Louisiana Infantry,

C. S. A., and although only a lad of fifteen years at the time he faithfully fought for the cause he esponsed, and was in the engage- ments at Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, the siege of Vicksburg and in numerous minor skirmishes and battles. In 1863 he was transferred to Company C (McKowen's com- pany), Fourth Louisiana Cavalry, with which he remained until the elose of the war, being paroled at Gainesville, Alabama, in 1865, by Major General E. R. S. Canby, Commander- in-chief of the Federal forces.

OLOMON H. BEAN was born in North Carolina, December 27, 1831. His father, William Bean, was a native of the same State, born in 1805, and was there married to Charity Kilgrove. In 1832, the year following the birth of Solomon Il., he moved to Georgia, and from there, the next year, to Alabama. In the latter State he bought land and farmed on it until 1859, when he died, at the age of fifty-four years. His wife died in 1845, at about the age of forty. They had a family of seven children, whose names are herewith given: Manerva S., wife of Charles McCall; Mary Ann, wife of David Pilkinton; Solomon H .; Martha E., wife of Daniel Anderson; Nanila J., who was first married to Jeremiah McDaniels and after- ward to Joseph Bolton; Delilah HI., wife of David Harkins; Frances J., wife of Joseph Camp; and Susan S., who first married James Anderson and afterward William Flood. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Bean was married to Jane Walker, by whom he also had seven children, namely: Elvira, wife of Henry Smith; William N .; Nancy, wife of Clay Hubbard: Lucinda II., wife of D. I. Walton; J. C .; Sarah, wife of Isaae Huh-

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

bard. Mr. Bean's stepmother is still living and is now sixty-five years of age.

Solomon H. Bean was married in Ala- bama, September 10, 1854, to Miss Sarah Walker, who was born August 14,. 1831. Her father was Jesse Walker. For the his- tory of the Walker family see the biography of John Florence.

On the 7th of May, 1862, Mr. Bean en- listed in the Thirtieth Alabama Regiment, and served during the war, participating in a number of important engagements. He was twice captured-first. at Baker's creek, and after being held three months was ex- changed. At the battle of Nashville he was taken prisoner and sent to Camp Douglas at Chicago, Illinois, where he was kept till the close of the war.

Returning home, he engaged in farming there nntil 1882, when he moved to Texas, and settled where he now lives, fifteen miles east of the city of Dallas. At that time he bought fifty acres of land, and since then he and his son-in-law have made other purchases, now owning 350 acres in partnership. The whole is well fenced and 230 acres are under cultivation, 150 acres being devoted to the production of cotton.

Mr. and Mrs. Bean have one child, Mary Jane, wife of W. S. Jobson. Mr. Bean is a Mason, holding his membership in Alabama. and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

ILLIAM JOHN CAVEN, who has been a leading real-estate dealer in Dallas since 1872, is a native of the State of Georgia, but was reared in Alabama. He is a son of David and Eliza (Scott) Caven, the father coming from Belfast, Ireland, and the mother from Augusta, Georgia. Ilis

father was a merchant and planter by occu- pation. In 1859 his father moved to Texas, settling in Harrison county, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1883; his wife had preceded him twenty-two years; she died in 1861. Their family consisted of six children, all of whom lived to maturity. Previons to his removal to Texas Mr. Caven served in Alabama as Judge of the County Court, proving himself an efficient and re- liable officer.

The subject of our sketch received more than ordinary educational advantages, taking up the pursuits of his father on leaving school. On the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the Third Texas Cavalry, which formed part of what was afterward known as the Ross brigade, in which he saw a great deal of active service, first in Missouri and Arkansas. Later on, beginning the sec- ond year of the war, their brigade crossed the Mississippi and joined the Army of the Tennessee. He was twice wounded; once seriously at Rome, Georgia, and again at Iuka, Mississippi. He was four years in the . service, proving himself a faithful and gallant soldier and officer. After the surrender he returned to Texas, resuming farming in Har- rison county and taking charge of the home plantation, in the management of which he was very successful. Later he invested in considerable real estate, particularly in Dallas and Fort Worth, where he bought quite heavily in 1872, and from which purchases he has realized a profitable income, it being the foundation to the increase of his fortune to a quarter of a million of dollars. This property and the care of it necessitated his leaving the plantation, which he soon after did, and took up his residence in Dallas, though still retaining possession of the home farm. He has one of the finest homes in the

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city, surrounded by every comfort and an in- teresting family, of which he is very fond ; he enjoys his home. He has served the county as Representative to the State Legislature for three terms. In this capacity he has proved himself an able legislator, and carefully watched the interests of a large and appre- ciative constitueney. He is affiliated with the Democratic party, and has been actively identified with the deliberations of that body.

Mr. Caven was married in 1867, to Miss Virginia Driskell, a native of Alabama. Of their eight children six are still living. Mary Pearl, their first child, died when five years of age; Janie, the second child, a graduate from the Montgomery Institute, Virginia; William, David, George Payton, Virgie Rose, Thomas Preston are at home; Effie, the youngest, died when three years of age. Their children are being liberally educated and well fitted for the duties of life. Janie Caven was in the awful railroad wreck, where a great inany lives were lost, at Thaxton Switch, Virginia, July 2, 1889, where she was highly compli- mented by the press of the country upon her heroic conduct in caring for the wounded and dragging them from the burning cars out of reach of the flames, and we give the follow- ing quotation from a Virginia paper at the time:

"Realizing the awful condition of the passengers Miss Caven, though delicately and elegantly dressed, leaped unreckoningly into the deep mud and water by which the train was surrounded and hurried to the relief of the suffering and dying. She labored untir- ingly in their rescue and in caring for them when rescned, tearing the clothing from her person into strips as bandages for their wounds. By such self-forgetfulness, such fortitude in peril and blessed ministrations, she has won an endearing place in the hearts

of all who can appreciate a true and noble womanhood."

Mr. Caven is not a member of any church, is liberal in his religious views, subscribes to no creeds or doginas and believes in the universal brotherhood of man. Surrounded, as he is, with an affectionate and interesting family and all the comforts of a happy home, he is what you might truly call a successful man.

LBERT N. MANN, Dallas, Texas .- This successful and prominent business man was originally from Indiana, hav- ing been born at Mount Vernon in 1856. His parents were Albert and P. G. Mann, both natives of Indiana; the mother is still living. The parents came to Texas in 1879, where the father followed merchandising until his death in 1884. They had eight children, of whom Albert N. was the fifth in order of birth.

Our subjeet grew to manhood in his native State, attending the Indiana State Normal School at Bloomington, and came to Texas with his parents in 1879. When free delivery was first instituted in Dallas, he was one of the first force of carriers. He afterward became bookkeeper for W. D. Knowles, who was State manager for the New Home se wing machine, and it is there he gained an insight into the business, which has since proven so prosperous under his control. When Mr. Knowles resigned, Mr. Mann became State manager, which position he fills in a very creditable manner. HIe has branches at Waco, Fort Worth and Dallas. In 1890 the New Home machine reached 5,503 sales, and the business is prosperous and constantly in- creasing.

Mr. Mann was married in 1881, to Miss

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Knowles, a native of Indiana, who came to Texas in her youth. She is the daughter of W. T. Knowles, the former manager. Mr. and Mrs. Mann have two children, Grace and Eloise. Mr. Mann is independent in his political views, and socially belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is wide-awake and enterprising, and is probably one of the most successful sewing-machine men in the State.

OUIS M. T. FLOOK, a prominent far- mer of Dallas county, was born in Mary- land, in 1848, the third of nine children born to Daniel and Elizabeth (Mumma) Flook. The families both came originally from Ger- many, and first settled in Pennsylvania. The present family lived in that State with their parents, where they resided until the death of their father, Daniel Flook. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Flook, only five survive, namely: William S., a farmer of Maryland; L. M. T., our subject; John P., who resides in Anderson county, Kansas; Millard F., of Maryland; Fannie E., wife of John Ahalt, of Maryland. The remaining four died when small. The father died in Maryland in 1871, on the farm on which he was reared, and his widow still resides in this county with her children. The father was a member of the German Reformed, and the mother of the United Brethren Church.

L. M. T. Flook, our subject, was educated in the common schools of his native county, which he attended until the age of twenty years, but only went a short time each year, and therefore acquired only a limited educa- tion. By close application to study he has so informed himself that he is a recognized authority on most subjects open for discus sion. Ile came to this county in 1875, and settled on the farm which he now owns, one

mile west of Garland, where he purchased 150 acres. He now has the entire acreage under cultivation, has erected a splendid residence, and one of the finest barns in the locality, together with other necessary out-buildings. He has added 205 acres to the original pur- chase, and now has the entire farın under cultivation, 280 acres of which is in corn, wheat and cotton. This year his wheat aver- aged seventeen and a half bushels per acre, corn from twenty-five to thirty bushels per acre, and cotton one-half bale per acre. He also owns another farm of 150 acres, besides some timber land.

Mr. Flook was married in 1874, to Miss Mary C., daughter of Daniel and Mahali (Biser) Bechtol, whose sketch appears in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Flook have been born six children, viz .: Della V., Fannie E., deceased, Charles D., Millard H., Walter V., deceased, and Hattie M. Both parents are members of the Baptist Church.

HARLES MEISTERHAUS, the popu- lar and efficient representative of Will- iam J. Lemp, of St. Louis, Missouri, has a been a resident of Dallas county since 1870. He was born in Switzerland in 1844, where he grew to mature years and acquired a good education. At the age of twenty- four years he came to America, believing that the new world offered wider opportuni- ties than the old. He came from New Or- leans, the point at which he landed, to Dallas county, Texas, where his uncle, Mr. Bohl, was a well-known citizen and at that time Clerk of the county. Mr. Bohl gave his nephew a position under him, and there he acquired a thorough knowledge of the Eng- lish used in the business world.

In 1871 Mr. Meisterhaus was united in

EAlmacry

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marriage to Mrs. Yeteer, a native of Baden, Germany. She owned a brewery, of which Mr. Meisterhans took charge, condneting it very snecessfully until the State tax was levied upon beer of home manufacture. He then abandoned this occupation, and seeured the position of representative of William J. Lemp, of St. Louis, Missouri. He has been his chief agent in Texas sinec, the main office being located at Dallas. Ile travels ex- tensively throughout the State, and has a wide acquaintance in commercial eireles.

In his political thought and action Mr. Meisterhause is independent, casting his vote for the man best fitted in his estimation to discharge the duties of the office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Knights of Honor. The German Lutheran Church has expressed his religions convic- tions, and he has been for many years an active member of the society.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Meisterhaus, Charles and Elizabeth. They occupy a handsome residence in Dallas, and are surrounded with all the comforts and luxuries of modern civilization.

A. GRACEY, a prosperons and promi- nent Dallas county farmer, was born in Bond county, Illinois, March 13, 1837, the youngest son of eleven children of William and Isabella M. (IIarzis) Gracey, natives of South Carolina, of Scotch and Irish deseent and pioneer settlers of Illinois.

At the age of thirteen years Mr. Graecy came to Texas, by way of steamboat to New Orleans, and thenee up the Red river to Jef- ferson, Texas, whence he walked to the three forks of the Trinity, now Dallas city,-a dis. tance of 200 miles. For the first three

months here he was employed by Colonel John M. Crockett, at $12 a month; and the rest of that year he assisted his brother in Ellis (now Johnson) county, in the improvement of his farm, and for a time with an ox team, broke prairie, etc., for dif- ferent parties. In the fall of 1854, with Colonel M. T. Johnson (after whom Johnson county was named) and Captain Robert Sloan, he went to Fort Belknap as a prospeetor for the Texas & Pacific Railroad Company. From the fall of that year nntil 1860, he was engaged in the live-stoek business. Next he joined a party of rangers, who were sconts and had several fights with the Indians. They killed one Indian, captured two, and recaptured nine horses at one time, and thir- teen at another.

After a year thus engaged the great Civil war broke out, and Mr. Gracey enlisted in Company H, Captain J. B. Barry, of the First Texas Cavalry, Colonel II. E. MeCnl- longh commanding. They took the first line of posts vacated by the United States forces on the frontier of Texas; next were at Camp Cooper, when that was surrendered to the Confederates, and remained there until April, 1862, ten months, during which time they were in eight engagements with Indians, killing seventeen of the red savages, and cap- tured forty-seven head of horses, and losing four men killed and thirteen wounded, be- sides two mortally frightened,-at least they were never heard from afterward. In April, 1862, the company was reorganized, when Mr. Gracey was elected Lientenant. They were then ordered to Fort Mason, thence to San Antonio, and thenee to Ringgold barraeks on the Rio Grande, to hold the Mexicans in cheek. During this campaign they had at one time to do without bread for twenty-four days. From Ringgold barracks they were

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ordered to Brownsville, whence they were sent with a detachment into Mexico, to buy mules for the Confederate Government. They purchased sixty head, near Monterey, at $7 each. Next they were sent to Cor- pns Christi, Goliad and Sabine Pass,-at which latter place they had a battle with United States troops, captured two gunboats and 160 prisoners. Here Mr. Gracey was promoted First Lientenant. Next the com- pany was sent to Niblett's Bluff, where they entered winter quarters.

In March they were sent to Mansfield, Louisiana, to meet Banks coming up Red river. On the 8th of April they had an en- gagement with him, and followed up his re- treat to Yellow Bayou, where they engaged him again. During the remainder of the summer they picketed the line, and then went into winter quarters at Keechie, Louisi- ana, and were there when Lee surrendered at Appomattox. June 15 following, they were disbanded.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 47

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