Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 53

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 53

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).

Our subject received his early education in the country schools of Ohio, and at the age of sixteen years commenced life for himself. He followed various occupations until 1877, when he came to this State and settled where he now resides. For two years he farmed on rented land, and then followed the carpenter's trade for some time, contracting and building

the majority of the best residence houses of this place. He followed that ocenpation until 1834, since which time he has confined him- self strictly to his business of handling lum- ber. In 1889 he bought forty acres adjoin- ing the village, where he has three houses, and also owns his town residence, which is one of the handsomest in the village; also the best business house in the town and other buildings. After landing in Dallas, Mr. Ebrite had but $4 in his pocket, and he is now numbered among the leading business men of his village. IIe does a lumber busi- ness of some $10,000 or $12,000, besides having other interests. In April, 1888. he was elected Mayor of Mesquite; in 1889 served as Alderman, and in 1890 was again elected to fill the nnexpired term of the Mayor who had resigned, and in 1891 he was elected to the same office, thereby show- ing his popularity in the village of his adop- tion, where he has so long shown himself a worthy citizen.

Mr. Ebrite was married in 1888, to Mrs. Amanda Goodson, a native of Missouri, and daughter of John Shawver, of this county. Mr. Ebrite is a member of the I. O. O. F., Plato Lodge, No. 203, of North Amherst, Ohio, and also of the K. of II., of this place. Mrs. Ebrite is a member of the Methodist Church.

S. KIMBROUGH, the present State Senator from Dallas county, was born in Tennessee, the son of J. C. and Martha Ann Kimbrough, natives of Ten- nessee and Virginia. Our subject received his early education in his native State, but the facilities for seeuring an education were not of the best, but the environments of his youth stimulated and concentrated though

468

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

and action into lessons more useful than the- ory. With this kind of training, and with a spirit of adventure, he came to Texas and settled at Mesquite, Angust 26, 1874, with only a few dollars in his pocket. He first engaged in school teaching, in which he soon came to the front rank as an instructor, and his services were sought in various places. His last school was taught in Linden, where he had a large and flourishing attendance. . In 1875 he returned to Tennessee, and spent somne time at the old homestead, but came again to Texas in 1876, and settled in Clay county, building the first house ever erected in what is now the populous town of Post Oak. Ile also improved a farm in this locality, and when in proper condition sold it for sufficient capital to embark in the mercantile business at Mesquite, where he has ever since been successful.

Mr. Kimbrough's political life opened with the Nineteenth Legislature, having run ahead of his colleague, who was also elected, by 1,100 votes, demonstrating clearly his popu- larity. November 6, 1888, he was elected to the Senate of the twenty-first session of the Legislature of Texas, by a majority over his Union Labor competitor of 6,000 votes. He represents the Sixteenth district, composed of the counties of Dallas, Kaufman and Rock- wall. He served on the Committee on Claims and Accounts, and also on other important committees. Senator Kimbrough is a fluent speaker, an earnest and logical debater, and exhibits great tenacity and skilfull conduct, through the mazes and opposition of legis- lators, of any measure he thinks will be a benefit to the people, not alone of his section but of the State. He at once took his nat- ural position as one of the ablest men of the Senate, and maintained it with rare skill and judgment throughout the session. Perhaps

his main characteristic is straightforward earnestness of purpose and unflagging zeal of the object lie has in view. He is now yet in the meridian of life, and has before him years of usefulness. He is also doing a fine bnsi- ness in a mercantile way, and is the owner of a good farm in the county.

OBERT C. BUCKNER, D. D., founder and general manager of a large orphans' home at Dallas, Texas, was born in Tennessee, but reared in Kentucky. He is the son of Daniel and Mary (Hampton) Buck- ner, natives of South and North Carolina respectively. The father moved to Kentucky when our subject was a small boy, and there reared his family of six children, of wfiom Robert C. was the fifth child. The father professed religion in 1816, and walked twelve miles to join the church. He was baptized by Elder Caleb Witt, and began preaching in 1823, and was ordained by Chestua Church, Elders George Snider and James D. Sewell Presbytery. He was the first Baptist minister to preach at Madisonville, Tennessee, and at the first protracted meeting at that place he baptized twenty-five persons, five of whom afterward became Baptist ministers. Three of them were Bradley Kimbroughı, Samuel Henderson, D. D., and his own son, the late H. F. Buckner, D. D.

The latter was among the most noted of American ministers to the Indians. He was a minister to the Creek Indians for thirty- four years, and during this time arranged a Creek alphabet, made them a grammar and hymn book, and also translated the greater portion of the Scripture into the Creek lan- gnage. He and his interpreter spent one year in New York in organizing and properly

yours in fritha works. R.G. Buckner.

469

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

elassifying the work. Dr. Buckner suffered many hardships during the time he was with the Indians, and during his residence with them he was adopted as a citizen of the Creek Nation, and since his death his widow and family still resides in the Nation, where they enjoy all the privileges of citizenship. Rev. Buckner, during his residence among the In- dians, was always recognized as their true friend, and traveled alone through any of the wild tribes without a feeling of fear. He died while in the Nation, in 1882, at the age of sixty-four years.

Our subject, Rev. R. C. Buckner, removed to Texas in 1859, and was for about fourteen years pastor of the Baptist Church in Paris. Ile then became the founder, and for ten years editor and proprietor of the Texas Baptist, which reached a eirculation of more than 5,000. His next work was as the founder of the Orphans' Home at Dallas, which bears his name and of which he is yet general manager. It has at this time 212 inmates, and for the last several years has cared for an average of 150 orphaned elil- dren annually. The children are elothed, fed and educated, and the boys are taught farm- ing and the girls housekeeping. The facili- ties for receiving an education are as good or better than at other schools in the county. The school runs the entire twelve months of the year, and is managed by A. F. Beddo, a graduate of Baylor University at Waco, Texas, and son-in-law of Dr. Buckner. His wife is now the matron of the institution. The purpose of this llome in the future is to establish manufacturing industries, such as broom and shoe manufactories, ete. It has now under construction one large briek build- ing with different departments for the female inmates and infants; and in this building will also be an immense dining hall, 23x 130 feet.

The boys will be domieiled in cottages throughout the grounds, which will be hand- some and commodious buildings. The Home has all the modern improvements to be found in the county, and the building now under construction will be heated by steam, and in the near future it is the intention to have it lighted by electricity, with a steam laundry attached. The farm belonging to the Home las 100 acres under cultivation, besides 200 acres in grass and pasture.

Dr. Buekner, our subjeet, is a member of the National Prison Congress, and is fre- quently in attendance at the meetings of that society, of which General Rutherford B. Hayes is the president. Mr. Buckner has also been frequently sent by the Governors of this State to the National Convention of Charity and Corrections, meeting in the dif- ferent States, and connected with his work has visited many of the charitable institu- tions in the United States. He is still en- gaged in his ministerial duties and has ealls from different churches, both to preach and leeture, and has recently accepted an invita- tion extended him to go to North Carolina to deliver an address on orphanage work. Dr. Buekner was for some years president of the Baptist General Association, of Texas, also general agent of the same organization, trustee of Waco University, and is frequently called upon to deliver literary addresses and commencement sermons. A number of his addresses have been published in various forms, several in the proceedings of the National Prison Congress, and the National Convention of Charities and Corrections.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buek- ner are as follows: Bobbie, born Jannary 5, 1867, was married in 1890 to Dr. T. L. Wes- terfield, of Dallas; Mary Bell, boru Septem- ber 10, 1855, was married to Rev. L. W.

470

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Colman, now principal of the MeKennie High School of Dallas; Maggie, born in Per- ryville, Kentucky, November 23, 1857, was married February 1, 1877, to James L. Good, now the senior member of the firm of James L. Good & Company, of Dallas; Addie, born October 5, 1862, in Paris, Lamar county, Texas, was married May 25, 1881, to Rev. A. F. Bedo, now principal teacher at the Buek- ner Home; Sam, born July 11, 1860, died February 10, 1861; Joe Dudly, born in Paris, Texas, April 14, 1872; and H. F., Oe- tober 13, 1878, at Dallas.

ILLIAM HARRIS, Notary Publie of the city of Dallas, was born in Lowndes county, Alabama, April 11, 1830, the sixth of eight children born to Randolph C. and Sarah (Quartz) Harris, natives of South Carolina. The parents were married in their native State, and afterward moved to Lowndes county, Alabama, and in 1836 to Bowie county, Texas, where the father took up a league-and-labor head-right. They remained in that county until death, the father dying in 1847, and the mother in 1837. Of their eight children, two are now living: James M., who resides near Van Al- styne, Grayson county, Texas, and the subject of this sketch.

The latter was reared to farm life in Bowie county, Texas, and graduated at the Union University, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and at Lebanon Law Sehoo !. After leaving school he engaged in teaching at Quitman, Wood county, Texas, and in 1858 moved to Dallas, and engaged in the same oeenpation near Cedar Springs, and two years later worked in the County Clerk's office. In 1861 Mr. Harris enlisted in Captain Good's battery as

Second Lieutenant, and was in the battle of Elkhorn, was with the Rangers in Louisiana, Arkansas and Southern Missouri, later was in Walter P. Lane's Cavalry, and served in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was then sent under General Steele, and later under General Maxey, into Indian Territory, but at the elose of the war returned to Gray - son county, where he engaged in teaching. He afterward followed farming at Farmer's branel, Dallas county, and in 1880 settled permanently in Dallas city. Mr. Harris takes an active part in polities, voting with the Democratic party, and is now serving as Al- derman of the Ninth Ward, and as Chairman of the Committee on Schools and Education. Socially, he is a member of the James A. Smith Lodge, No. 495, A. F. & A. M .; and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Mr. Harris was married in this county, April 10, 1867, to Martha Alice Cochran, a native of Dallas county, and a daughter of William M. and Naney J. (Hughes) Cochran, natives of South and North Carolina, respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have had seven children: Laura J., wife of H. H. Jacoby, of Dallas; Clara A .; Mary M .; James H., who died in 1873, aged seven months; Willie R., Archie B., and John C.

ORATIO NELSON HASKELL, who has been a resident of Dallas county for a quarter of a century, has had a varied experience on this sphere since his existence here began, in 1825. The place of his birth was Graves county, Kentucky, and he is a son of James and Susie (Alexander) Haskell, natives of Rhode Island and Georgia, re- speetively. The father was a farmer and fol-

471

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

lowed this occupation until his death, which occurred in Graves county, in 1871. The mother died many years before. Our subject received a fair education in his own county, and remained under the parental roof until 1844, when he removed to Texas, landing at the month of the Rio Grande river. He en- listed in the Government service, and was in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and all of the en- gagements up to the city of Mexico. He was honorably discharged at Vera Cruz, in 1847, and returned to Texas. He staid at Browns- ville, Texas, two years, and then went to Corpus Christi, where he took charge of a Government post under Major Chapman. He was there four years, and then was stationed at San Antonio for two years. During all this time he had many narrow escapes from death at the hands of the Indians, and fre- quently was compelled to keep guard all night. He helped to fit ont an expedition to Utah, and took charge of it from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake City. He remained two years in Utah, and, on his return trip, met with many perils both by water and land. There were ten in the party and only four of the number came through alive. They spent three weeks on the ice in the Platte river, where six of the company froze to death. Some of the ponies suffered the same fate. Mr. Haskell finally reached civilization, but his love of adventure was not thoroughly satisfied, so he joined the expedition with Gen- eral Johnson to survey the Indian Territory line. This work occupied six months, and he then returned to his old Kentucky home, from which he had not heard for fifteen years. After a visit there he went back to Texas and located in Dallas county, where he has taken a place among the progressive citizens.

During the Civil war Mr. Haskell was de- tailed to carry supplies, but he settled on

thirty-three and a third acres, which he had purchased in Precinct No. 1. His first house was a small cottage, which was replaced twelve years ago by a more commodious structure. He has divided twenty acres of this purchase into lots, which have found a ready market.

In 1860 he was married to Mrs. Eliza Coleman, a native of Kentucky. Three chil- dren were born of this union: Calvin died in infancy; Charles Addison married Lanra Carlisle and died in 1888; Jefferson Davis married Roxie Ilinson, and to them were born two children, Clyde and Winnie; he died in 1890. Our subject has been a member of the Golden Cross Lodge for ten years. Ile and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party and is an ardent advocate of its doctrines. IIe has been Alderman of East Dallas for six years and been faithful to the trust placed in him.

0. CONNOR, one of the leading business men and manager of the wholesale department of the Sanger Bros. establishment, was born at Hamburg, Hardin county, Tenn., October 9, 1852. His parents were William J. and Julia C. (Hymes) Connor, both natives of Sonth Carolina. The father died when our subject was quite young. Ile came from a noted family of the South. One uncle is a prominent banker in Charleston, South Carolina; another, W. G., is a Method- ist Episcopal minister at Waco, is president of the college at that city, and has been for years. The father was a successful inerchant of Hamburg, Tennessee, Corinth, Mississippi, and Madison, Arkansas. He was a man of good business qualifications and was successful in the different enterprises in

472

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

which he engaged. His life was an exemplary one, and he was noted for his honesty and business integrity. ] He died in the year 1860, at Memphis, Tennessee. The mother is still living, having retained her faculties to the advanced age of nearly seventy. She is a member of a very distinguished family of South Carolina, and some of her relatives now reside in New Orleans and are engaged in the sugar-refining business. From early girl- hood she had been identified with the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South, in all its inter- ests. These parents had four children, namely : Ella Virginia, wife of John M. Vines, of Jefferson, Texas, who died when she was thirty-four, leaving two children, Murphey, the Marion County Attorney, the youngest man elected to that office in Texas; and Philip, a resident of Dallas; W. C., Mayor of Dallas; our subject and L. Meyers, whose wife was Miss Cornelius. He is in the drug business, having graduated in pharmacy, and, as a recog. nition of his efficiency and ability, has been appointed Chemist for the State of Texas.

W. O. Connor, owing to the death of his father, was thrown at an early age upon his own resources. He came with the family to Texas, settling in Paris, in 1861, where, as a boy, he assisted on the farm until 1866, when, at the early age of fourteen, he began clerk- ing in the dry-goods store of Clark & Bryan. He remained with them about six years and then went into business for himself, in the dry-goods line, at Dallas, Texas, in which he remained five years, until 1872, when he con - nected himself with Connor & Walker, in the same business, and remained with them three years. Since 1878 he has been connected in business relations with Sanger Brothers, first as traveling salesman in the wholesale dry- goods department, remaining in that capacity for three years; since that time he has been

ocenpying his present position, having been in it for eleven years. Such continuous service speaks well for the employed and the employer. Only one who possessed a manly character and was duly informed could have inspired such confidence; a faithful service only could have secured its continuance. He was thrown upon his own resources at the time that other boys were receiv- ing their education. But there is no teacher like experience, and our subject has educated himself in that hardest of schools, adversity, having emerged from it able and ready to cope with whatever fate throws in his way.

This gentleman was married the first time, to Miss Hattie Crowdus, daughter of J. W. Crowdus, and she bore him two children, one of whom died in infancy; the other, Eugene C., is a pupil in Fort Hope Trinity College, Ontario. Mrs. Connor died in 1878, aged twenty-two, having been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sonth. His second marriage occurred in 1882, to Miss Lulu J. Mays, daughter of Enoch G. Mays, of Dallas, Texas, and she also bore him two chil- dren: Ottis Lee and Brevard Mays. Mrs. Connor is a worthy member of the Epis- copal Church Mr. Connor takes little in- terest in politics, but votes the Democratic ticket. In all positions he has filled he has proved himself capable, faithful and honest.

ATHAN A. YEARGAN, of Dallas county, was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, in 1821, the fifth of twelve children born to Bartlett and Mary Ann (Lawrence) Yeargan, natives of North Caro- lina and Virginia. When a young man the father went to Tennessee with his parents,

473

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

where he died in 1853, and the mother also died in that State in about 1865. Grandfather Lawrence partieipated in the Creek war, and the Yeargan family are among the early pioneers of Tennessee.

Nathan A. was reared to farm life and edneated in the subscription schools of Ten- nessee. He moved to Texas in 1854. In 1862 he enlisted in T. C. Hawpe's Regiment, later was in General Spate's Regiment, and was in service nearly three years. He par- tieipated in the battle of Newtonia, Missouri, and after being dismounted Mr. Yeargan drove a band wagon, being principally in Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri. At the close of the service he returned to Dallas county, purchased a farm in Precinet No. 1, which he afterward improved. In 1875 he eame to the city of Dallas, and engaged in fruit gardening, which he followed many years.

Mr. Yeargan was married in Tennessee, in 1844, to Charlotte S. Davis, a native of Bed- ford county, Tennessee, and daughter of Ilenry and Naney(Sims) Davis, natives of Vir- ginia. At an early day they became pioneers of Bedford county, where they remained until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Yeargan have had ten children, namely: John, a real-estate agent of Dallas; Jennic, wife of William Rogers, of Dallas; Powell, also a resident of Dallas; Thomas, of Fairland, a suburb of Dallas; William Nathan, who died in 1881; Anna, wife of Rev. W. R. Manning of Louis- ville, Texas; Emma, wife of Thomas Eudes, of Weatherford; Edmund D., engaged in the grocery business on Ervay strect; Frusanna and Fletcher, in stationery business in Dallas. Mr. Yeargan affiliates with the Democratic party, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member for

over fifty years. IIe is active in church and Sabbath-school work, and aided in establish- ing the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the charter members of the Loyal League.

HI. HUVELLE, one of the represent- ative men of Dallas county, was born in the northern part of France, in 1859, the youngest of two children born to E. and Elizabeth (Lenglet) Huvelle, also natives of France. The father died in his native country, in 1865, and in 1869 the mother eamc to Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, and in 1870 to Christian county, same State, and in 1875 to Dallas, where she died, in June of the same year. Our subjeet's only brother, Hee- tor, is married and resides in Weatherford, Texas.

The subject of this sketch came to Dallas, Texas, at the age of fifteen years, but was educated in the schools of Ottawa and Pana, Illinois. He first engaged in the liquor busi- ness with L. Caperan, and later was a silent partner. In 1881 he engaged in the same business on Main street, and afterward in the wholesale and retail liquor business, which he continued until in January, 1890. Mr. Huvelle now resides at 577 Ervay street, Dallas. Ile has acquired considerable prop- erty in the city, and in 1890 ereeted the Times-Herald building, a three-story brick structure on Commerce street. Ile takes an active part in polities, and served two terms as Alderman of the Fifth Ward. He was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department in 1881, having been Foreman of Engine Company No. 1. Socially, he is a member of Tannehill Lodge, No. 42, A. F. &. A. M .; of Royal Chapter, No. 47; of Dallas Com-

474

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

mandery, No. 6; of IIella Temple, and of the Eastern Star lodge. Mrs. Huvelle is also a member of the Eastern Star lodge.

Mr. Huvelle was married in this city, in 1881, to Amelia Antoine, a native of Lonisi- ana, and a daughter of Nicholas and Amelia (Huni) Antoine, natives of France and Switz- erland. The father came to America before marriage, and settled in Chicago, where he was married, and shortly afterward removed to Galveston, Texas, thence to Corsicana, and in 1871 to Dallas, where he was engaged in the liquor business. The parents both died in this city, the father December 25, 1887, and the mother in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Hu- velle have three children: Estelle, Leon and Renne.

ONROE BENBROOK, of Dallas, Texas, was born in sonthern Illinois, and is a son of James M. and Martha Benbrook (Metcalf) Benbrook, the father a na- tive of Indiana and the mother of Illinois. The father served gallantly in the Federal army, and in 1869 he and family came to the Lone Star State. After a short residence here he returned to his former home, but in 1873 again returned to Texas and resided one year in Johnson county. From there he went to Tarrant eounty, settling on a farm near which the town of Benbrook was laid out, the latter being in his honor. The mother is deceased, but the father is still living. Monroe Ben- brook finished his education in the Sam Houston Normal School, at Huntsville, Texas, from which institution he graduated, and then began teaching school, continuing this for three years, one year of which time he was in the Dallas High school. In 1885 he embarked in the school-furniture business and has been prosperous from the very first.

'In 1891 he organized the Benbrook School Furnishing Company, of which he is president. Ile now has one of the largest establishments of its kind in the Sonth and is probably one of the best known business men among the educational people in the State. Careful, conscientious and industrious, his present prosperous business is the natural result. Mr. Benbrook is a member of the First Bap- tist Church. and in politics is independent, with Republican proclivities. lle selected as his companion in life Miss Lily A. Draper, a native of Canada, who was educated at Sam Houston Normal School, and their nuptials were celebrated in September, 1886. The fruits of this union are two children, a son and daughter. Personally, Mr. Benbrook is held in the highest esteem, and is honored alike for his business qualifications and social standing.

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 53

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