Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 56

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 56

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Our subject was appointed Major of his regiment, in Angust, 1861, at Camp Dick Robinson, which was the first Union camp formed in Kentucky. This was organized by General Nelson, who had authority from the Government to enlist five regiments, the Fourth Kentucky Infantry being one of the tive. Mr. Hunt's first service was at the battle of Mills Springs, on January 19, 1862, while marching to Nashville, Tennessee. The Union forces, including the Fourth Ken- tucky Infantry, followed Morgan, and had a

skirmish with him at Rolling Fork, Ken- tucky, December 29, 1862. Mr. Hunt par- ticipated in the battle of Chickamauga, Sep- tember 19, 1863, where he was seriously wounded by being shot through the knee. Of all the physicians, one only refused to con- sent to the limb's amputation, and his judg- ment prevailing, it was saved, to render Mr. Hunt long and good service.

Mr. Hunt was then appointed Lieutenant- Colonel of his regiment, but in April, 1864, he resigned from the army on account of disability, and returned to his home, where he remained until the close of the war. He first engaged in the brokerage business; after which, in 1866, he conducted a cotton plant- ation in Mississippi. A year later he be- came cashier of the Internal Revenue office, at Lexington, Kentucky, and in 1874, was appointed, by President Grant, Supervisor of Internal Revenue for the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisi- ana, which position he held until the office was abolished, in 1876. In 1878 Presi- dent Ilayes appointed him Indian Agent for the Kiowas, Comanches, Wichitas and Cad- does, which position extended six months into President Cleveland's administration. In April, 1892, General Harrison appointed him United States Marshal, which position the Colonel now holds. After leaving the Indian Agency, he retired to private life on his farm in Miller Bend, Young county. Texas, where he was identified with the best interests of the people, in the upbuilding and improve- ment of that locality. He resigned the posi- tion of cashier of the First National Bank of Graham, in the same county, to accept his present position.

Colonel Hunt was married October 23, 1879, to Miss Margaret Scott Gallagher, a beautiful and accomplished lady of New Or-

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leans, a daughter of Charles and Winnie (Scott ) Gallagher, well known and highly es- teemed residents of the Crescent City. Her mother was a daughter of Matthew T. Scott, who was for many years the able president of the Northern Bank, of Lexington, Kentucky. Colonel and Mrs. Hunt have had two chil- dren: Winnie, deceased in infancy, and G. Drummond, a youth of great promise.

Both parents are members of the Church, to which they render much valued assistance. Colonel Hunt is an Episcopalian and Mrs. Hunt a Presbyterian.

The Colonel is Past Commander of the Rossean Post, G. A. R., at Graham, Texas, and is a member of the Knights of l'ythias.

He cast his first vote for Bell and Everett, in 1860. Under president Lincoln he was appointed Major of the Fourth Kentucky In- fantry, and the Colonel has served in some Government position under every succeeding president. This was in part owing to the influ- ence of Senator Beck, of Kentucky, who was formerly overseer of the large estate of Col- onel IInnt's father, and who, after attaining to his high position, gave the subject of our sketch the benefit of an enduring friendship.

The Colonel was the first to suggest to the Government the idea of settling the Indians on land in severalty, in its present form. This will be seen by his report of August 31, 1885, to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, at Washington, which was published and laid before Congress that fall. Senator Dawes, Chairman of the Indian Senatorial Commit- tee, acknowledged to Senator Beck, the Col- onel's friend, that the Colonel's report con - tained much merit, and he, two years later, embodied those suggestions in the " Dawes Bill," which advocated, among other things, the settlement of Indians on land in severalty, and the purchase of surplus lands by the Gov-

ernment for white settlers. In this way white people began settling up the Indian Territory in a legal and satisfactory manner.

Another material service which he ren- dered to the Government was in 1875, when lie was " Supervisor of Internal Revenue." As it has long since been a matter of history, there is no hesitation in mentioning the fact, as it is found in the report to the House of Representatives of the Forty-fourth Congress, which report was drawn up by a committee, consisting of R. L. Gibson, Jo. C. S. Black- burn; A. E. Stevenson (now Democratic candidate for Vice-President, who stands de- servedly high in the Colonel's estimation, on account of his probity and many sterling qualities of mind and heart); O. D. Conger; C. B. Darall and others.

On receiving his appointment Colonel Hunt was approached and offered a very tempting bribe by the distillers of New Or- leans, to let them have their own way in evading the law. He, however, on his trip to Washington for instructions, asked and secured permission, carte blanche, from Pres- ident Grant and Secretary Bristow, to do as his judgment dictated in enforcing the law and bringing the guilty parties to justice, the result of which was that, in thirteen days he, with his picked men, took charge of and closed all the distilleries in that locality. This occurred at the same time that the Govern- ment made a raid on the distilleries in St. Louis. Since then no attempt has been made to manufacture whisky in New Orleans, for the reason that, owing to the climate, it conld not be manufactured profitably, withont stealing abont one half of it.

Colonel IIunt was one of the four who had the honor of being in the entire confidence of General Bristow in that gentleman's fight against the great whisky ring, which ring

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

figured so conspicuously in 1875 and before. The Colonel's share in these duties was highly commended by the President and Sec- retary Bristow, as being eminently thorough and complete

These facts are some slight index to the exalted probity and delicate sense of honor of the man; and it is doubtful whether any one could be found who could have received his appointments to the entire satisfaction of all parties, all party strife being lost sight of in the contemplation of his grandenr of charac- ter.

OSEPH R. PENN .- This gentleman's father, John Penn, was born in Georgia, in 1804. He was married in Illinois, in 1825, to Miss Nancy Anderson, who was born in Kentucky, in 1805. They subse- quently came to Dallas county, Texas, and located three miles north of Cedar Hill. They had a family of nine children, viz .: Joseph R., the subject of this sketch; Will- iam A., who was killed in the late war; James H., who died at the age of four years; John W., who died from the effects of a rattlesnake bite; Robert G., a farmer and stock-raiser, lives in Texas; Rebecca J., de- ceased; Mary Jane, wife of Napoleon B. Anderson, farmer and stock-raiser, Dallas county; Martha Ann, deceased; George W. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph R. Penn, a native of Virginia. He was a Revolutionary soldier. The Penn family are Qnakers. Mr. Penn's maternal grandfather was Robert Anderson. He was born in Kentucky, went from there to Illi- nois, then to Mississippi, and at an early date came to Texas, where he remained till his death.

Joseph R. Penn was born in St. Clair

county, Illinois, in 1826. From there he moved with his parents to Sangamon county, same State, when nine years old, remaining there till the fall of 1854, when he came to Texas and located in Dallas county, where he now resides. In 1849 he was married to Nancy Shonp, who was born in 1826, near Circleville, Ohio, danghter of Jacob and Sarah (Douning) Shoup. She departed this life in 1882, loved by those who knew her. She was a devoted Christian woman, a loving wife and a good mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Penn were born five children, namely: Sarah Jane, wife of J. P. Hordgrove; John S., of Dallas county, Texas; Deliah R., wife of Nathan Morris, Brown county, Texas; Robert Henry, Dallas county; and George A., at home.

Mr. Penn began life for himself when quite young, with comparatively nothing, but by foresight and close attention to business he became one of the most progresive ands enterprising farmers of Dallas county. As he is now on the shady side of life, he is simply looking after what he succeeded in accumulating. He now has a nicely im- proved farm of 1,100 acres, and has it well stocked. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pol- itics he is a Democrat.

A. CAPY has been a resident of Dal- las county ever since May, 1855, when he came here with the French colony. In 1860 he moved into the city and ever since then he has devoted his time to his present trade as builder. During this time he has built many nice residences, busi- ness houses and other structures in Dallas.

He was born near Paris, France, in 1829,

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY-

the elder of the two children of C. and Al- bertine (De Braffles) Capy, natives also of France. Ilis father, a painter and contractor, died in his native country, in 1879; his wife had died in 1876. Mr. Capy, our subject, learned the trade of painter in France, and his work here in Dallas is evidence of his skill and faithfulness. He has served as Alderman for the First Ward.

In 1861 he married Nativa Charpentier, a native of Paris, France, and a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mauger) Charpentier, natives of France who emigrated to America in 1856, leaving Paris January 3, and ar- riving at the site of the French colony here in April, after a forty-eight days' voyage. They came by way of Galveston to Parker's Bluff and thence to this county by ox team. The next year he moved into Dallas, and, being a shoemaker, he opened a shop. He died in 1864, and his wife in 1868. They had two sons, Joseph and Alfred, both born in France. When Mr. Capy was married he moved into his present residence, in April, 1861. He has had seven children, of whom five are living, namely: Alfred, who is mar- ried and is the chief engineer for the Dallas Brewing Company; Albertine, now Mrs. Segarri, of Pensacola, Florida; Elizabethi, now the wife of J. L. Hayes, engineer of the ice factory in Fort Worth; Michael Joseph, at home; and Julia Angustine.

R. GUSTAVUS SCHIFF, one of the most successful practitioners of Dallas county, was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, August 20, 1833, and is the son of B. and Ethel (Berghaus) Schiff, also natives of Germany. The father was a merchant and lived all his life in the " Fatherland." He

died in 1850, and the mother died eleven years before. The Doctor received an excel- lent literary and professional education in the famous universities of Germany, and in January, 1856, he was graduated with the degree of M. D., at the Julio-Maximilian University of Wuerzburg, Bavaria. He then entered the hospitals at Prague, and also studied in the hospitals of Vienna. Return- ing to his mother country he passed the State examination, but determined to emi- grate to America, where opportunities were certainly greater than in his own land. Ae- cordingly he set sail, and landed in the city of New York in May, 1857. He practiced there for a short time, and then went to Cook county, Illinois, practicing in and out of Chi- cago until 1859. In November of that year he went Sonth to Memphis, Tennessee, in search of a milder climate. He soon went to Nashville, Tennessee, and practiced there from December, 1859, to January, 1878. During the Civil war he was Assistant Sur- geon in the hospitals of the United States Army, and did noble service in caring for the sick and wounded. He passed through the cholera epidemics of 1866 and 1873 while in Nashville, where he stood heroically at his post, and with unflinching courage did his duty to his suffering fellow-men.

Dr. Schiff began his residence in Dallas in 1878, when there were but 10,000 people in the place. He witnessed the growth to the present flattering proportions, and has aided very materially in its development. Under President Arthur he was appointed a member of the Board of Pension Examiners, and held the office until he was suspended by Presi- dent Cleveland. He was re-appointed by President Harrison, and is now Secretary of the Board. Drs. Peters and Mackay are as- sociated with him on the Board. He is

P. H. Lively

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

a member of the Dallas County Medical Society.

Dr. Schiff was united in marriage, in 1864, to Miss Henrietta Rosenberg, a native oť Rheda, Westphalia, Germany. Six children have been born to them: Emma, died at the age of sixteen; Georgia married B. D. Pike, Esq., and resides in San Francisco, Cali- fornia; Benno L .; Edwin R .; Max L .; and Laura, the latter having died in infancy. The three sons -Benno, Edwin and Max-also reside San Francisco, California. The Doctor is an ardent believer in Republican prin- ciples, and votes his sentiments. In his pro- fessional work he has met with great success. In the beginning he was well fitted for the work by a fine education, and he has never lost the student attitude which is so neces- sary in these days of rapid progress, research and discovery.

AURA LIVELY, a resident of Dallas county, Texas, and the widow of the late Patrick Henry Lively, was born in Shel- byville, Tennessee. Her parents were James T. and Lucinda Turpin, the latter born in Trolinger. Her father was a farmer in Ten- nessee. He came to Dallas county, Texas, in 1868, settled in Precinct No. 1, and is still engaged in agricultural pursuits here. He lias had seven children, four of whom are now living: Laura, the subject of this sketch; Fannie, who married K. Hall, of Dallas, and has three children; R. A., who married Julia Law, of Dallas, and has one child; and Mittie, who married Stephen Law, also of Dallas.

Patrick Henry Lively was born in Vir- ginia, July 20, 1824, son of Matthew Lively. When he was six months old his parents 33

moved to Warren county, Kentucky, his mother dying on the journey. He grew up on his father's plantation, remained there, engaged in raising tobacco and other farm products until 1854, when he came to Texas. Here he settled in what is now called Pre- cinct No. 1, in the neighborhood of Cochiran's Chapel, Dallas county, in 1855. Before com- ing to the State he had married Mary A. Smith, of Kentucky, by whom he had six children, viz .: Eugene M., who married Lizzie Jenkins, and lives in Denton county, Texas; Fayette R., who married and lives in Bowie, Montague county, Texas; Maggie B., who wedded J. M. Cochran, of Dallas county, died, leaving three children; George R., de- ceased; Nannie, who married S. S. Noel, of Dallas county, and has five chiktren; and Hiram M., who married Minnie Pledger and lives in Dallas county. For his second wife Mr. Lively married, in 1867, Mary J. Strait, of Dallas county. From this union there was no issue. In 1875 he was married to the subject of this sketch, and by her had two children, one of whom died in infancy; the other, John T., born in 1876, is now living on the home farm.

During the late war Mr. Lively was en- gaged in the commissary department of the Confederate States, and also furnished stock to the army. Having been drafted to go to the front, he furnished a substitute, being obliged to do so as he was at that time a wid- ower with children needing his eare. He was during his life in Dallas county a stock breeder and a dealer in fine cattle, and a fre- quent exhibitor of such at the county fairs, and a successful competitor for prizes. He died September 25, 1888, on the homestead farın, leaving a large estate. The farm, then consisting of 500 acres, has since been di- vided among his heirs, his widow retaining

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the homestead, which she manages, assisted by her son John.

When Mr. Lively eame to Texas he owned 100 aeres of land in Kentucky, which he had purchased with his earnings. This gave him means for making a start here. At that time he found Dallas county almost a wilderness and but sparsely settled. There were but few honses in the eity of Dallas and but two stores, one of which was kept by Captain Jaek Smith. A hotel, the Cruteh- field House, was located on the northwest corner of what is now the courthouse square. Mr. Lively was a prominent man of his time in Dallas county. Although a man of quiet and reserved habits, he took an eager interest in publie affairs, and assisted every enterprise that was projected for the good of the county and State. In matters of religion he inclined to the Campbellite faith, his widow being an Episeopalian. He was a Demoerat, but on loeal issues independent.

B ENJAMIN J. PRIGMORE .- Among the early arrivals in Texas was the Prig- more family, a representative of which is found in the subject of this sketeh. This worthy eitizen and his estimable wife are known far and wide, and are distinguished for their generous hospitality.

Benjamin J. Prigmore landed in Texas with his parents, in 1844, at the age of four- teen years. He well remembers the hardships and privations of pioneer life. When they ar- rived here they were without money, their only possessions being six mules, a yoke of steers and two eows, and it was not long before the · Indians stole their mules and killed one of the eows. The father took a headright of 640 acres of land. The first year or so the family

had difficulty to get breadstuff. The year previous to their eoming here, a few families had settled in the country and had eultivated truck patches, and some help was obtained from them. The senior Mr. Prigmore was a good hunter and supplied his family with plenty of wild game, and after they had been there eight or ten months he made a rude mill with which to grind their eorn. In a few years the magnificent productiveness of Texas soil placed them all beyond want.

In 1847, a few months before he was seventeen, Benjamin Prigmore joined the army and went to the Mexican war. After he came home, some of the eitizens, inter- ested in his behalf, seenred for him a head- right of 320 aeres. Thus it was that he ob- tained a start in Texas. In 1849 he began improving his elaim; feneed forty acres, built a log house and broke thirty acres of the soil. In 1853 he married and settled on his farın. He prospered in his undertakings and at the time the war broke out had eighty acres under cultivation, and owned thirty horses and as many eattle. In 1862 he en- listed in the Confederate army, and as a member of Company B, Nineteenth Texas Cavalry, was in a number of engagements in Arkansas, Missouri and Texas; was never wounded or captured. After the war he re- turned home and resumed his agricultural pursuits.

Joseph Prigmore, his father, a native of Kentucky, moved from there to Missouri with his parents when he was fourteen years old. There he grew to manhood, and married Ma- hala Dixon. Her father, John Dixon, moved from Ohio to Missouri, where his death oc- curred. Joseph Prigmore, imbubed with a restless and adventurous spirit, started in 1849 for California. After an absence of eighteen months, he returned with some

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

money, bought a herd of cattle, sold his head- right in Texas, and in 1855 went back to California, taking his family and cattle with him. In the winter of 1859-'60 he moved back to this State. While in the far West he made money, returning with $20,000 in gold. He loaned a part of it and made other deals, and was paid off in Confederate money, thus losing much that he had made. Ile died November 19, 1862, leaving his widow in good circumstances. Her death occurred in Jannary, 1886, in Colorado, while en route to Washington Territory with her son. Their nuion was blessed with nine children, namely: Mary, Benjamin P., Sarah, William, Jackson, Joseph, Elizabeth and Isaiah (twins), and Jane. Joseph died dur- ing the war in the Union prison at Spring- field, Illinois. Jackson accidentally shot and killed himself. Isaiah started for Washing- ton Territory in 1887, and has never been heard from. Sarah married a Mr. Whitefield aud is now living in Lower California. The family are widely scattered and the where- abouts of some is not known.

Benjamin J. Prigmore has met with more of the ups and downs of life than most men. He had made a good start when the war came ou. After his return he began life anew, and was on a fair way toward pros perity, when, in 1867, a cyclone struck his place, destroyed all his buildings and killed his daughter, Eliza. This occurred on the 26th of May. His neighbors built him a shanty, and in it he lived until 1876, when he built his present residence. Since then he has been prosperons, and has been enabled to provide farms and homes for his five children, all of whom are located within three miles of the old homestead. Mr. Prigmore's marriage occurred on the 8th of February, 1853, the ady of his choice being Miss Nancy Jackson,

daughter of John and Eliza Jackson, promi- nent mention of whom will be found on an- other page of this work. Six children have been born to them: John W., February 24, 1855; Eliza L., April 14, 1857; Mahala E., February 11, 1859; Joseph E., July 16, 1861; Lucy E., September 2, 1864; and Texas Anna, December 26, 1866.

At the home of this worthy couple, the stranger as well as the friend receives a cor- dial welcome, and is entertained in true Southern style. Mrs. Prigmore is an adept in the culinary arts, and knows full well how to spread before her guests a tempting board and preside thereat in a most graceful manner.

UGUST MUELLER, one of the early contractors of Dallas, was born in Switzerland, March 19, 1842, the young- est son of Gabriel and Ann (Strub) Mueller, also natives of Switzerland. The parents re- mained in their native country until death, the father dying in 1872, and the mother November 17, 1861. August, our subject, was reared and educated in his native country, also spent four years in France and four years in Italy. At the latter place he was engaged as an organ builder, working in most of the principal cities of Italy. He left his native country and came to Elgin, Illinois, where he worked at his trade, and in 1868 he came to the city of Dallas. Mr. Mueller at once engaged in contracting and building, and has erected many of the early business houses of this city, and also the City Brewery. He be- came a stock holder and director in this in- stitution, and continued as such until it changed hands, since which time he has never engaged in active business.

Mr. Mueller was married in Switzerland,

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

in 1873, to Miss Lena Schulthess, a native of Switzerland, and a daughter of Conrad and Caroline (Kohler) Schulthess, also natives of that country. He lost liis excellent wife by death in Dallas, September 15, 1886. They had four children: August and Herman, at- tending college in Switzerland; and Edward and Emily, attending school in Dallas. Mr. Mueller was again married, in Dallas, No- vember 29, 1890, to Mrs. Margaret Schmidt, a native of Bavaria. Mr. Mueller was a member of Tannehill Lodge, No. 52, A. F. & A. M .; of Dallas Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; of Dallas Commandery, No. 6; has been a Mason for many years; was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for eleven years; and is also a member of the Turn Verein of Dallas.

OHN R. FIGH, manager and junior member of the firm of J. M. Harry & Company, composed of J. M. and D. C. Harry and J. R. Figh, manufacturers of briek, Dallas, are the proprietors of works whose capacity is about 50,000 brick per day, who have in their employ about seventy men. They are in full operation about nine months each year, and to some extent the rest of the time. The firm was organized in 1886.

Mr. Figh was born in Alabama in 1858, the second eldest of the four children of George M. and Georgia (Clark) Figh, natives of Alabama. His father, a contractor, came in 1875 to Bryan, this State, to erect an ag- ricultural and mechanical college there, and engaged in contracting generally; in 1881 he came to Dallas, and his sou John R. joined him, forming the firm of G. M. Figh & Son. They have put up some of the best churches, residences and business houses in Dallas. In 1885 the partnership was dissolved, when

George M., junior, succeeded his brother, continuing business under firm name till the death of the father, November 16, 1889. The mother is still living, residing at 427 North Harwood street. The present firm, J. M. Harry & Company, have erected the McLeod hotel and other buildings, and are mannfact- urers of brick. They are just starting into the manufacture of fine front brick, and vitri- fied brick for street pavement, purchasing for the purpose a tract of land three miles west of Dallas, where they are abont to erect large works.

Mr. Figh, our subject, is a Democrat, tak- ing some interest in the political welfare of the country. Both himself and wife are Bap- tists. He was married in Waxahachie, in 1883, to Minnie Moore, a native of Tennessee who came to Texas about 1876. Her father died in Atlanta, Georgia, and her mother is still living, in Waxahachie. Mr. and Mrs. Figh have one child, named Mary Jean.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 56

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