Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 52

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 52

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On coming to this city he settled in the

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

first ward and as far as is known is one of the oldest voters. He has never turned benedict, preferring the freedom of bachelor life. In re- ligion he is an Episcopalian and a represent- ative of the Established Church. He takes but little interest in polites, but votes with the Democratic party.

Mr. Cade is a pioneer of this city and has always been regarded as one of its most hon- ored and respected citizens. He has gained the respect of all his fellow citizens by his honesty and good work.

OBERT H. LAWS .- This gentleman is one of the rising young men of Dal - las, and is the proprietor of a new and nieely equipped board and sale stable. Hle is a native of Texas, and dates his birth at Dallas, July 27, 1860. He is the youngest of a family of three children born to George W. and Martha E. (Record) Laws. His father was born near Lewisburgh, Marshall county, Tennessee, October 20, 1829, and was reared in that State as a farmer and trader. Emigrating to Texas at an early day, he set- tled near the spot where Dallas now stands. Becoming dissatisfied with the West, how- ever, he returned to the land of his birth in 1847, where he remained nntil October 5, 1854. At that time he was married to Miss Martha E. Record, a daughter of George W. and Mahulda (Hedsperth) Record. Her father, a well-to-do farmer, moved to Texas in 1857, and was prominently identified with the set- tlement and development of Dallas county. His death occurred in 1869. Her mother was born in 1828, and died in 1855. Mr. Laws' father again took up his residence in the village of Dallas, and was closely con- nected with northern Texas and Dallas

county in every step of her prosperity. He at one time embarked in a commercial enter- prise, and, in company with Captain McGov- ern, purchased a steamboat, the " Sallie Haines," which he loaded with a cargo of cot- ton and other products for the lower river trade. Unfortunately, at a point below the eity of Dallas, they struck a snag, the boat sank, and they lost their entire cargo.

Mr. Laws was elected to the office of County Clerk, which position he filled with entire satisfaction to his constituents for a term of two years. His death occurred Feb- rnary 8, 1881. He bore the enviable repu- tation of being his worst enemy, which is a eulogy that few can have pronounced over their graves. His virtues were always great enough to be always prominent. His fanlts were always small enough to be excused. The mother of our subject died April 25, 1861, and her untimely death was a source of inch bereavement to her family and many friends.

Deprived of a mother's loving care at a tender age, Robert HI. Laws was early in life thrown npon his own resources, to a certain extent, although he was reared by kind friends. He began life as an office boy in a livery and sale stable, and in 1883 he en- gaged in business for himself. His first ven- ture was a livery, board, and sale stable, located at 308 and 310 Elm street, hie being in partnership with T. O. HIargis. This part- nership lasted only two months, T. O. Har- gis retiring and Mr. Laws continuing at the same place for three years. He then dis- posed of his interests in this establishment, and became associated with Clark & Cable, at the same time being engaged in buying and selling stock of all kinds. He was made superintendent of the C. & C.'s large sale stable, and this position he held for a number of years. Severing his connection with B.

J. C. Williams

Jeux T.C. Williams

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

E. Cable, he opened up the business he is now snecessfully condueting. He is the only survivor of his family, and is noted for his generosity, hospitality, and bearing of the true Southern gentleman. His early educa- tion was obtained in the district schools of Dallas county. Later in life he attended the preparatory school at Culleoka, finishing his education at Swanay, Greene county, Tennes- see. He is a member of the Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. 8, K. of P'. His political views are in harmony with the Demoeratie principles.

C. WILLIAMS, a retired farmer, and one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of Dallas county, has been associated with its best in- terests since December, 1845, making at that time his first appearance on its seene of action.

Ile was born in Williamson county, Ten- nessee, on April 1, 1819, being the son of Jesse E. and Elizabeth Ann Smith (Greeg) Williams, both of whom were natives of Vir- ginia, and both of Welsh ancestry. His parents were married in the Old Dominion, shortly afterward moving to Williamson county, Tennessee, in which latter place onr subject was born. Subsequently they re- moved to Bedford county, the same State, when our subjeet was quite small, and it was there that he was reared. His parents had six children, all reaching adult years, three being still alive. Our subjeet was the only son and the oldest child. After his father's death, and when he was about twelve years of age, his mother married Colonel William Burnett, our subject remaining a member of his stepfather's family until he was grown. His youth was spent on a farm, and he re- 31

ceived his education in Dixon Academy, at Shelbyville, Tennessee.

On June 24, 1841, he was married to Miss Sarah M. Hughes, who was born in North Carolina on March 24, 1819, a daughter of William and Elsie Hughes. Her parents moved from North Carolina to Tennessee when she was quite young, where she was reared, receiving her education at Columbia Female College, Manry county, of the same State. After his marriage Mr. Williams settled on a farm in Bedford county, Tennes- see, where he remained until he came to Texas, making the journey overland with horse teams. On arriving in Dallas county he first located on a headright in l'eters' colony, where he resided until 1855, thence removing to Cedar Springs. At this latter plaee he purchased land and followed farming for over thirty years, remaining there until 1887. Mr. Williams taught the first school in Dallas county for one term, and his wife has the distinction of having been the first female teacher in the same county.

Hle and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died on January 20, 1869, leaving to him the care of six children. They had had ten children: George E., horn April 5, 1842, died Novem- ber 1, 1857; Archelaus Madison, born May 10, 1844, died December 25, 1848; William Hughes, born September 3, 1846, died ()eto- ber 15, 1848; Alice Ann Elizabeth, born January 3, 1849, is the wife of Captain J. S. Dowell, of Mckinney, Texas; Thomas Jeffer- son, born January 2, 1851, died September 28, 1887; Sarrenar Margaret Oleria, born September 17, 1853, died September 10, 1854; Mary Jane, born June 20, 1855, is the wife of J. S. Ilughes, of Dallas county, Texas; Ben Hester, born May 18, 1857, is now a resident of Kaufinan county, Texas;

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY

Buck Holmes, born August 31, 1859, died August 1, 1860; and Jesse B., born Decem- ber 14, 1862, lives in Kaufman county, Texas.

Politically Mr. Williams affiliates with the Democratic party. During the war he served eight months in Colonel Nat. M. Burford's regiment, being discharged on account of ill health. . He was twice elected to the position of Assessor and Tax Collector of Dallas county, to which office he was appointed during the war by the Comptroller of State. When he was elected to that office the county was in debt, and connty scrip was worth only 50 cents on the dollar, but during the four years he served as Collector the county liqui- dated all debts and built a $4,000 courthouse, besides having a surplus in the treasury. This of itself is sufficient encomium upon the fidelity and integrity of the subject of our sketch, had he never done anything else worthy of esteem. Mr. Williams also took the first scholastic census of his county, which was ably done.

His unswerving fidelity and unfaltering integrity are matters of comment in this day of uncertainty, while his uniformly cordial and courteous manner have only served to adorn his more rugged qualities and endear him to the community at large, and enlist for him the affectionate regard of his family and a host of personal friends. It would seem that he had earned all happiness and that misfortune and death would lay their hand gently on him; but such is the mntability of human affairs that the great and good suffer alike with the ignoble and poor.

The subject of this sketch, Thomas C. Williams, is the only survivor of the seven brothers-in-law who married sisters, dangh- ters of William and Alcy Hughes, in Ten. nessee, and who emigrated to Dallas county,

Texas, in an early day in the order in which they are named, to wit: William M. Coch- ran, Isaac B. Webb, Thomas C. Williams, O. W. Knight, John B. Bachman, George W. Record and Levi R. Dennis,-all of whom were prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, two of whom were ministers of the gospel, to wit: John B. Bachman and Levi R. Dennis. All of the above named were leading citizens of Dallas county in their day, none of them ever having been arraigned in the courts or charged withi any dishonorable act. In fact, the characters of all seven were above reproach and worthy of emulation.

On September 28, 1887, Mr. Williams had the misfortune to lose his son, Thomas J., aged thirty-seven years, who died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He was a young man of great promise and innch beloved, as is shown by the resolutions of respect, and an article " In Memoriam," which we subjoin:

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT.

To the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren of Wichita Lodge, No. 635, A. F. & A. M .:

We, your committee, appointed to draft resolutions relative to the death of our estcemed brother, Thomas J. Williams, re- spectfully submit the following:

WHEREAS, It has pleased the Great Archi- tect of the universe to take from our midst our beloved brother, Thomas J. Williams, and to transplant his spirit to that honse not made with hands, eternal in the skies; and as we desire to give expression to the confidence and love with which we cherish his memory; therefore be it resolved,

First, That in the death of Thomas J. Williams the community has lost one of its most trusted and useful citizens, society one of its purest and best members. Masonry one of its most faithful supporters, who by his daily walk and conversation constantly

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

illustrated the truth and beauty of its sub- lime tenets; and his family lost a tender, devoted and noble husband, father and pro- teetor.

Second, That while our hearts are filled with grief at the loss of our brother, yet we recognize in this affliction the hand of our Supreme Grand Master, who doeth all things well, and we bow with humble submission to his will, trusting and believing that our loss is our brother's gain.

Third, That we offer our sincere sympathy to the family of our deceased brother in this their great bereavement, and assure them that their sorrow is our sorrow, that we mourn and mingle our tears with theirs.

Fourth, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the lodge, and that a copy of them be sent to the family of our de- ceased brother, and to the Wichita Herald for publication. W. E. BROTHERS,

C. E. REID,

W. A. MCCUTCHEN, Committee.

IN MEMORIAM.

Died, at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Sep- tember 28, 1887, Thomas J. Williams, aged thirty-seven years. The deceased was born in Dallas county, Texas, January 26, 1850; was one of the earliest settlers in Wichita county, and at the time of his death one of her best known and most highly respected citizens. Ile was elected a member of the first Commissioners' Court when the county was organized, was re-elected and served two years, declining running again in 1884, but was elected a member of the present court in 1886, and served until last July, when he re- signed on account of his health.

To those who knew him it is unnecessary to speak any words of praise in behalf of his memory, for his genial, kindly nature, his fidelity and unswerving honesty in every position of life, both public and private, secured for him the love and esteem of all who knew him, and the entire community united, during his last illness, in their efforts to allay his sufferings, and to testify their

appreciation of and respect for him. Mr. Williams died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he had gone with the hope that his health might be restored, but Providence has decreed otherwise. His remains were brought to Wichita Falls, and interred on October 2, in the presence of his family and friends, and the number in attendance at his funeral was only another evidence of the high esteem in which he was held by the entire community. He became a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church about two years ago, and the members of his family, his relatives and friends, sorrow not as those who have no hope; they are consoled by the promises made by the ascended Savior to those who trust in Him. W.

ENJAMIN S. WATHIEN .- As a civil engineer of rare skill and much experi- ence, this gentleman has rendered valned services throughout the South, and is well and favorably known here. There is probably not another man in the State who has a better knowledge of the topography of Texas than he.

Mr. Wathen was born in Marion county, Kentucky, and in that county received an aca- demical education. In 1862 he joined the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, and served during the war, much of the time under that matchless leader, General J. II. Morgan. He took part in that historie campaign that is the romance of the war-Morgan's Raid. He enlisted as a private and served with Morgan, except while he was imprisoned. Ile was with the general in the Indianapolis and Ohio raid and was captured at Salineville, Ohio. Was imprisoned for a time and was in Virginia when the war closed.

At the close of the war he turned his at- tention to civil engineering, and until 1869 was on the Louisville & Nashville railroad in Kentucky. He then came to Texas in

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

1869, and as a builder of railroads began a career that is not equaled by any man's in the Sonth. The International & Great Northern, Missouri, Kansas & Texas, Texas & Pacific, and Cotton Belt and several others are some of the great roads that he has helped to construct. He also helped to build some of the first railroads in Mexico, viz., the Mexican, Oriental, Interocean and the International. Ever since 1874 he has been chief engineer of some important branch of railroad building. At this writing he is president engineer of the Texas & Pacific. He has had an office in Dallas the past six years, though his home is in Hender son, Texas.

Personally, Mr. Wathen is a quiet and unas- snming gentleman, having the confidence and respect of all classes of people.

OIIN H. COLE, a retired farmer of Dal- las county, was born in Robertson county, Tennessee, in January, 1827, the fifth of ten children born to John and Mary (McDon- ald) Cole, natives of Virginia. The father moved to Tennessee in an early day, where he was a farmer and physician. He was one of the early practitioners of Dallas county, and in 1829 went to Arkansas, settling in Washington county, where he improved a farm, and in 1843 again came to Dallas county. He took np a claim of 640 acres, which now joins the city of Dallas. He took an active interest in politics, and also in the early history of the county, being the first Probate Judge of Dallas county. His death occurred in the spring of 1851, and the mother survived him many years, dying about 1865.

John H., our subject was reared to farm

life and educated in the district schools of Washington county, Arkansas, also at Fay- etteville, Arkansas. He camne to this county at the age of seventeen years, and took up a claim, which he afterward sold. He then followed surveying for many years, being the first County Surveyor of this county, and prior to that was Deputy Surveyor. In 1858 he moved to his present farm, where he erect- ed a fine brick residence, and the whole place is now under a fine state of cultivation. Alto- gethier he has in the county 5,000 acres,- 400 acres at his residence.

In 1862 he enlisted in Captain William MeKaney's regiment, in the State service, and later received a position in the supply department, where he remained until the close of the war. Mr. Cole has taken an active interest in politics, and was the first Notary Public and County Surveyor of Dallas. Socially he is a member of Tanne- hill Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Ile was married in Dallas county, in 1856, to Elizabeth Preston, a native of Tennessee and granddaughter of Captain George Preston, an early pioneer of Tennessee and a soldier in the Creek war. She is a daughter of George and Anna (Rody) Preston, natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have had seven children: George C., of Dallas; John D., Anna, Cora, at home; Margaret, wife of W. R. Myers, of Dallas; Walter and Hester.

ENRY BURGOON, was one among the oldest settlers of Grapevine Prairie, Dal- las county, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, a son of Charles Burgoon, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and success- ively a citizen of Ohio, Iowa and Texas.

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

After contributing his share toward the set. tlement of the communities in which he re- sided, he died, in Tarrant county, this State, where he located in 1853, passing away a few years ago, at the age of seventy-eight years. Our subjeet's mother, nee Ann Maria Geiger, was also a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoon were married in their native place, and started West soon after this event. and the mother died at our subject's home in March, 1889, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of twelve children, namely : Franeis, Julia Ann, Eli, Joseph A., George, Caroline, Maria, Elizabeth, Margaret, Pris- cilla and Henry.

The latter was born June 17, 1834, and was reared mainly in Scott and Linn coun- ties, Iowa. He was one among the first set- tlers of Grapevine Prairie, Dallas county, having settled on the farmn where he now lives, in 1853. Ile located a headright of 320 acres, but being anxious to secure new set- tlers for the community he sold off 120 acres of this land, and now has 100 acres of his remaining land under cultivation, the re- mainder being in pasture and hay. He has comfortable buildings, beautiful hedges and good orchards. When he settled where he now lives his nearest neighbors were from two to four miles distant, and the country was an open prairie. In October, 1883, Mr. Burgoon erected a store building on his premises, near his residence, and began a mercantile business, which he has since fol- lowed in connection with his farming. At the same time he secured the removal of the post office from Estelle to this place in Dallas county, Texas.

In September, 1861, he married Miss Mary V. Boals, a native of Christian county, Missouri, and a daughter of John T. Boals.

The parents came to Texas in 1859, settling in Tarrant county, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Burgoon have had ten chil- dren, as follows: Edward M .; Ethie M. now the wife of W. J. Crawford; Henry T .; Mary Idelia, wife of Thomas P. Goodfellow; Oscar L., Charles E., Anna F., Jesse E., Rosser I. and llomer T. All of the children are still living, and most of them are now grown, and those who have settled in life reside near the old homestead, either in Dal- las or Tarrant counties. Mr. Burgoon is a plain, unpretentious citizen, a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of a kindly dis- position, and is esteemed by his neighbors.

R. KNIGHT, architect, contractor and bnilder, Dallas, was born in Polk county, Texas, in 1853, the third-born of the four children of W. J. and Marietta (Rossell) Knight. Ilis father, born in Nashville, Tennessee, came to Texas in 1835, settling first in Polk county, where he engaged in general merchandising and was County Clerk for several terms. Mr. Knight's mother, a native of New York, came to Polk county in 1842, was married there, and she and her husband settled in Moscow, that county. They also resided for a time in Livingston, the county seat of that county, where Mr. W. J. Knight's death occurred, in 1855, while he was in office as County Clerk. His excellent wife still survives him, now residing in Dallas. Mr. Knight, our subject, was brought up in Houston and Galveston, learning his trade in the latter eity. He commenced taking contracts for building on his own account in Cleburne, Johnson county, and continued there four years. In 1885 he went to Galveston ard

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HISTORY OF DALLAS OOUNTY.

engaged in contracting, and in 1887 came to Dallas, where he has since prospered in his chosen calling. On national questions he is an independent Democrat, taking an active interest in the public welfare. He is a mem- ber of the Board of Trade and president of the Builders and Traders' Exchange; also a member of Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. 8, K. of P. Mrs. Knight is a member of the Methodist Church.

In February, 1882, he married Anna Gill- coat, a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a daughter of George W. and M. A. (Mc- Clung) Gillcoat, who settled in Dallas in 1888, coming from Cleburne, Johnson county, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have four children: Mabel, Myrtle, W. R., Jr., and an infant daughter.

W. AULICK, a merchant of Rein- hardt, Dallas county, Texas, was born in Kentucky, in 1845, son of C. E. and Parthenia D. (Adams) Aulick, natives of Kentucky. His great-grandfather, Aulick, came to this country from Germany, and settled near Falmouth, Kentucky, where he engaged in farming. C. E. Aulick was a prominent and successful farmer. He and his wife were the parents of nine children, namely: N. D. and James A., residents of Kentucky; W. W., the subject of our sketch; T. N., deceased; Nancy F., deceased; Albert T., who resides in Kentucky; C. J., deceased; M. L., a resident of Kentucky. Mr. Aulick died in 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Aulick died in 1871, aged sixty- seven. By a former marriage she had two children, Thomas and Robert Duley, resi- dents of Illinois and Kentucky respectively. Both Mr. and Mrs. Aulick were members of

the Baptist Church, and for many years he had been associated with the Masonic fra- ternity.

W. W. Aulick received his education in the common schools of his native county, and when he was twenty-two years of age began farming on his own account. IIe was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Ken- tueky until 1871, when he came to Texas and located in Dallas county. The first year he worked by the month, and the second year rented land near Dallas. In 1873 he gardened and made considerable money, chiefly on onions. Ile continued to rent land, raising corn and cotton, until 1880, when he bonght a farm in partnership with W. P. Peary. Three years later he disposed of his interest to his partner, and bought the farm he now owns, 193 acres, for which he paid $26.50 per acre. It is now valued at $40 an acre. In 1884 he erected a cotton- gin, which he ran until 1889. That year he sold the machinery in it and placed new and improved works in the building. Ile con- tinned his farming operations until 1890, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Reinhardt, carrying a general stock of goods and doing a business of some $10,000 annually. For a number of years he has made a study of and given much attention to bee culture, now having about fifty stands, which are doing well.

Mr. Aulick has been twice married. In 1874 he wedded Miss Mildred S. Chitton, daughter of A. G. Chitton, of Texas. Her father, a native of Missouri, came to this State soon after the war. By this union Mr. Aulick had three children,-Arthena D., Rufus B. and Ella O., the last two being de- ceased. Mrs. Aulick died in 1878, at the age of twenty-one years. In 1885 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Lee Hart (nee

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Rupert), daughter of Erasmus C. and Martha (Inglis) Rupert, of German and Scotch-Irish parentage. They came to this State from Missouri, where Mrs. Aulick was born. By his present companion he has one child,- Roscoe R.

Mr. and Mrs. Aulick are members of the Baptist Church.

OUIS C. EBRITE, a Inmber merchant and farmer of Mesquite, was born in Ohio, in 1852, the sixth child born to John M. and Martha A. (Plummer) Ebrite, natives of Ohio. The father was a plasterer and finisher by trade, and also served as a nurse iu a hospital in Virginia three years during the war. IIe came to this State in 1888, and is at present Postinaster of Meg- quite. His first wife, the mother of our sub- jeet, died in 1859. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom still survive, viz .: James M., a school-teacher by pro- fession, is a resident of Ohio; Missouri A., wife of Bloon Rickey, a fariner of Ohio; W. B., a farmer of Indiana; Lonis, our sub- ject; G. D., a plasterer by trade, resides in Ohio; Laura A., the wife of Mack Nafns, a carpenter of New York. Mr. Ebrite was again married in 1860, to Sophia Swanner, and they have two children,-John H., mail agent on the Fort Worth & Denver railroad; Anna A., the wife of Mr. Dunn, a cattle dealer of Ohio.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 52

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