Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 57

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 57

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B. MCCURDY, M. D., is the oldest practicing physician in the village of Lancaster, this county, having resided here for a period of thirty-one years. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Janu- ary 23, 1829, and is of Scotch-Irish and English extraction. His father, John Mc- Curdy, a Pennsylvanian by birth, caine originally of Scotch-Irish ancestry, while his mother, nee Mary Briceland, a native also of Pennsylvania, was of English descent. The Doctor's parents moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1820, settling at Washington, where they spent the closing years of their lives, the father passing away in 1860, at the age of ninety years, and the mother a few years later, aged seventy-five. They were the

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

parents of three children,-the subject of this sketch, one that died in infancy, and a dangh- ter who died soon after reaching maturity. John McCurdy was an architect by pro- fession, and followed his calling actively throughout the long life allotted to him. In this way he became a resident, at different times, of many places in his adopted State, and by reason of this fact the subject of this notice passed his boyhood and youth in widely scattered localities. In 1852 he be- gan the study of medicine in the office of the late Prof. Abraham Metz, graduated at Charity Hospital Medical College, took a post-graduate course at Jefferson Medical College, and received the degree of M. D. from the medical department of the Univer- sity of Wooster and also from the Western Reserve Medical College.

R. JOHN R. BRIGGS, a member of that great band of philanthropists whose effort has been to save man from the ills to which flesh is heir, was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1851, and is a son of James W. and Polly Briggs, who were also natives of Tennessee. The parents removed to Texas in 1877, and located in Fannin county, whence they moved to Gainesville, Cooke county, where they reside at the present time. The Doctor acquired an elementary education in the private schools of his native State, and made excellent use of his rather limited opportunities. The first medical lectures he attended were delivered in the college at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1873. Ile after- ward entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated with the class of 1880. IIe began the prac- tice of his profession in Texas, at Savoy, 1

and removed thence to Gainesville, and from thence to Fort Worth, finally coming to Dal- las. IIere he has made a specialty of the treatment of the eye, ear and throat, and has met with very flattering success in this branch of the profession. Dr. Briggs is the founder of the Texas Health Journal, which has reached its fourth year. He is a writer of fine perceptions, with a polished style and finish worthy of one making greater literary claims. Aside from his professional duties he finds time for other interests. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, and be- longs to the Baptist Church, and is at present a member of the Dallas City Council. Po- litically he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and is fearless and out- spoken in his convictions of right and wrong.

Dr. Briggs was awarded the $100 in each of two gold prize essays for the best original paper on any medical subject presented to the Texas State Medical Association for the years 1886 and 1888.

He was married in 1887, to Miss Annie Carson Cooke, of Tennessee. Four children have been born of this union: Maudie Ade- laide, John Roy, Jr., Raymond and Stella.

EORGE WILSON STEWART, one of the leading architects of Dallas, Texas, was born in the city of Glasgow, Scot- land, and is a son of George Mckenzie Stew- art, also a native of Scotland. His father emigrated to this country from Manila and Singapore, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade for over twenty years. He was a wide traveler and a successful business man. He died in Canada, where his wife also passed away. Her maiden name was Wilson, and she was from Scotland. Our

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subject spent his youth in Canada, and was educated at Hellmuth College, London, Can- ada, giving special attention to higher mathe- matics and Latin. He then turned his atten- tion to architecture, and spent one year in Europe, traveling over the continent in order to gain all the information possible upon this subject. On his return to this country he located at Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1830. While there he was appointed by the Domin- ion Government to build military and mounted police buildings. When he came to Dallas in 1887 he formed a partnership with B. C. Fuller, and after Mr. Fuller's death he con- ducted the business alone. He has erected some of the most beautiful and elegant build- ings in Dallas, and stands high in the pro- fession. He is a member of the State Asso- ciation of Architects; he has served as Secretary, and was President of that body in 1890. He is a retired Captain in the Can- adian militia, and served with distinction through the Riel rebellion of 1885. He takes active interest in all manner of athletic and field sports and other manly exercises. Hle is an adherent of the Presbyterian Church. Ile takes little active interest in political questions, but devotes his time and attention to the study of his art. He is of a modest, retiring disposition, and is possessed of those sterling qualities which go to make a sub- stantial citizen.

OHN L. BOYD, one of the most enter- prising and successful business men of Dallas, Texas, was born in Franklin county, New York, in 1848, and is a son of Benjamin and Sophia (Guyette) Boyd. The parents were Canadians by birth, and were

devoted to agricultural pursuits. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom sur- vive. Jolin L. received bis education in the common schools, and at the age of fifteen and a half years he enlisted in the service of his country. March 31, 1864, he joined Com- pany H, Ninety-eighth New York Volun- teer Infantry, Colonel Weed commanding. Ile met the regiment at City Point, Virginia, and from that time he led a life of active service. He participated in the fight at Cold Harbor, where Colonel Weed was killed. He was in many other noted engagements, and after the surrender took part in the grand review at Washington, District of Columbia. At Petersburg lie received a serious wound, from which he was a long time in recovering. He returned to his home in Franklin county, New York, and remained there one year, and then went to Springfield, Illinois, where he operated a sawmill until his removal to Dal- las in 1876. Since coming to this city he has been engaged in the manufacture of lumm- ber, and has erected some of the finest build- ings in the place. He employs from forty to sixty-five men, and does a business of $80,- 000 a year, and has assisted very largely in the development of the business interests here, being senior member of the firm of Boyd & Webster.

Mr. Boyd was married to Marceline La Flech, a native of New York, in 1869. Seven children have been born to them: Louise was educated at the Ursuline Convent; Barbara Ann is a pupil in the Convent at the present time; Cora Alice, Cicely Ellen, John Edwards, Irene and Josephine. The family are all of the Roman Catholic faith, and be- long to the Church of the Sacred Heart. Mr. Boyd is a member of Dix Post, G. A. R., of which he has been Commander. He at- tended the grand Encampment at Boston,

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

and is now Assistant Quartermaster-General of Texas. He has always voted the Republi- can ticket. He lias not taken an active in- terest in political questions further than to exercise his right of suffrage.

APTAIN WILLIAM II. HARRIS, an old settler and a prominent and much respected citizen of Dallas county, Texas, is eminently deserving of honorable mention in this work. Indeed, a history of Dallas county would be incomplete without a biography of him. A resumé of his life will be read with interest by many, and is as follows:

Captain William H. Harris was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, January 1, 1838. He was reared on a farm and received a com- mon-school education in his native State. In the fall of 1855, at the age of seventeen, he came to Texas and settled in the city of Dallas. At that place he and a stepbrother worked together at the blacksmith trade for two years. He then bought a half interest in a farm, on credit. and improved it and lived on it one year, selling out in December, 1860. From 1858 until the war broke out he was engaged in teaming In the meantime he purchased another of tract land-160 acres-and made some improvements on it.

In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Con- federate army, as a member of the First Texas Squadron, Company B, and was made Third Lientenant. The following April they reorganized at Grand Junction, Mississippi, and he was made First Lieutenant, and in Sep- tember he was promoted to the rank of Cap- tain by unanimous election. He went first to Corinthi and was then transferred to Mor- gan's Command, being with Morgan in all his

raids through the South and North. At the time of his noted raid through Indiana and Ohio Captain Harris was in Tennessee, hav- ing been sent back from Kentucky in special service; and after Morgan's capture he gath- ered up the remnant of the command and was afterward with General Wheeler, through the Southern campaign. He continued with the Army of Tennessee through Georgia un- til the close of the war; was with Jefferson Davis a few hours before the latter's capture; made arrangements to accompany a squad that were going to Mexico with Davis, but the plan was foiled. Captain Harris sur- rendered at Columbus, Mississippi, after which he returned home, arriving June 21, 1865.

The Captain soon afterward entered into a cattle speculation and took a large herd to Mattoon, Illinois. In this enterprise he lost heavily. We next find him engaged in farm- ing, he having married, March 5, 1867, and settled down on a farm. Up to that time there had been little cotton raised in this country. He turned his attention to its pro- duction and after a time was enabled to pay off the debt he had incurred in his cattle speculation. He farmed three years, freighted four years and then settled back to farming again. He still owns the same farm, having added to his original purchase.

Harvey Harris, the Captain's father, was born in Kentucky, son of the Rev. William Harris. The latter was Scotch-Irish, born in the north of Ireland, and, after his mar- riage to a lady of his own country, he emi- grated to America and settled in Virginia. From there they moved to Kentucky, being among the pioneers of that State. He was one of the first ministers in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church there, and made circuits of 1,500 miles, preaching. He lived to see

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

the church well organized throughout the State, and died in Kentucky about 1845. Harvey Harris was one of a family of seven- teen children, five of whom were preachers of their father's faith. He, however, was a farmer all his life; was born March 25, 1807, and died August 18, 1842. By his first wife, nee Mary Neal, he had one child, James Monroe, who went to California and his whereabouts are now unknown. His wife died September 12, 1835. In 1836 he mar- ried Miss Sarah I. T. Skiles, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Skiles. Her parents, natives of Virginia, moved to Ken- tucky, where they died. She was born Jan- uary 19, 1818, is yet enjoying good health, and is living with her son, the subject of this sketch. Her other child, Nancy E., born August 23, 1839, died August 6, 1847.

Captain Harris first married Miss Prudence E. Baird, daughter of Dr. J. B. Baird. Iler father, a native of Kentucky, was a resident of Denton county, Texas, at the time of their marriage, but has since died. This happy union resulted in the birth of two children, both dying infancy. The wife departed this life on the 12th of August, 1869. October 7, 1874, the Captain wedded Mies Harriette L. Rodgers, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Rodgers. Her father was a farmer and trader in Tennessee. Both parents died in that State the same year, about 1840, leaving a family of seven children. By his second marriage, Captain Harris has one child, Will- iam II. V., born March 7, 1876.

Captain Harris has had his full share of adversities in this life, but with heroic brav- ery he has met and overcome the many dif- ficulties as they presented themselves. The first house he built on his farm was destroyed by a cyclone, May 26, 1867, at 10 o'clock P. M., the second was burned down July 5,

1875, and on the same foundation he erected a third house. He now rents a farm and re- sides in his pleasant home at Richardson. The Captain is in every respect a progressive man, keeping well posted on the general topics of the day. Ile is an enthusiastic and in- fluential Granger. When the Grange was first organized in Texas, September, 1873, he was elected Master, and has been a leader of the institution in Dallas county; also au of- ficer of the Texas State Grange for eight years. On December 12, 1891, he was elected by the Board as Superintendent of the Texas State Grange Fair, an enterprise of much prominence, and is now managing this grand institution for the association. He has given four years of his life to its interests. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Good Templars and the Knights of Honor, and he and his entire family are members of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church.

ENRY H. SMITH, a prominent busi- ness man of Dallas, was born in Cov- ington, Kentucky, a son of Colby T. and Marium H. (Stevenson) Smith, natives of Clark county, Kentucky. His father was a cabinetmaker and builder, and came to Texas in 1860, settling at Dallas, when his son, onr subject, was ten years of age. The latter grew up on a farm, engaged in teaching and farming for several years, and then was clerk for "Thompson Bros. " four years. In 1884 he was called to the office of County Treasurer, which he filled for six years, being re-elected twice; and with the due respect to many able officers we can safely state that that position was never more ably or more satisfactorily filled. On the expiration of his

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last term he retired with the confidence of the people. His majority was larger at each election. When he first came here there were no banks in the place, and the nearest rail- road depot was at Houston. Probably no man in Dallas is more intimately connected with its growth.

Heisamember and Past Chancellor of Cœur de Lion Lodge of the Knights of Pythias here, and for years has also been one of the pillars of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat of the strictest type. He was mar- ried in 1875, to Miss Ellen V. Bond, a native of Virginia, and they are the parents of two children: Loyd B., now fourteen years old, and Mand, eleven years of age. Mrs. Smith came to Texas in 1859, when five years old, was educated in Bonham, this State, and for some years was a teacher. In this profession she closed a snecessful career at the time of her marriage. Her parents were Charles F. and Mary (Wilson) Bond, natives of Vir- ginia, where they were reared and married. They came to Texas in 1859. The father was a teacher, farmer and latterly a merchant. He and his wife are both deceased; the latter in 1859. They were both devout members of the Baptist Church, were excellent people and left a good name. They had two chil- dren,-one, La Fayette W., a farmer and stock-raiser of Dallas county. His wife.was Kate Fletcher, of Dallas county.

Colby T. Smith, our subject's father, was a member (as well as his wife) of the Christian Church. He was a Deacon for many years. He was well and favorably known as an honest, worthy citizen. He served three years as private in the cavalry of the Confederate States, a member of Captain Weleh's Com- pany. They were known as the Gano ·Gnards, an independent company named for General R. M. Gano, under whom they

served. He served with General Gano in the trans-Mississippi Department. He died at Bonham, Texas, Angust 7, 1877, and was fifty-two years of age. His wife died in No- vember, 1887, and was born July, 1827. She was the mother of five sons and two dangh- ters; one son, Joseph C., deceased September 13, 1867, aged sixteen years; Edward C., married to Mattie A. Fletcher, resides in Dallas, and is an undertaker; Henry H., our subject; Garrett D., a partner of E. C., is married to Miss Sne Evans, a native of Fan- nin county, Texas; Mary B., wife of Oliver Thomas, a prominent real-estate man, of Dal- las; Ellen, wife of John Hardy, residing in London the past two years; Willis R., a stu- dent in medieal reading with Dr. Thompson, of Dallas.

CEOLA P. SCOTT .- This gentleman is one of the prominent and prosperons farmers of Dallas, Texas. He owns a section of land here which is well improved with substantial and commodions buildings. Besides this property he also owns land in other counties in Texas. He has been iden- tified with the interests of this part of the country from his early manhood, and it is eminently fitting that a biography of him should appear in the history of Dallas county.

Mr. Scott was born in Virginia, December 27, 1841. In 1857 he emigrated with his father's family to Texas, arriving in Collin county in December. In January, 1858, they settled in Dallas county. Mr. Scott now owns the headright that was located by J. C. MeCoy. Samuel Scott, father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Vir- ginia, July 26, 1799. He was married June 3, 1819. Camilla W. Scott, his wife, was born March 26, 1803. Both were of Scotch-

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Irishi descent, and the latter was a member of a distinguished and much respected Virginia family. The father enlisted for the war of 1812, but before he reached the front the war had closed. They made the journey to Texas in wagons, brought with them about forty servants, purchased 800 acres of land, and were soon comfortably settled lere, carrying on farming on a large scale. At the time of pur- chase 200 acres of this land were in cultivation. Here the venerable father passed the residue of his life, and died October 19, 1878. The mother departed this life December 12, 1883. Fol- lowing are the names of their ten children: Roy B., born June 17, 1822; Baldwin S., April 13, 1824; Julia, November 28, 1825; Emily E., May 4, 1828; Helen M., May 12, 1830; Clara H., May 10, 1832; Henry C., February 8, 1834; Emmet B., November 5, 1835; Walter M., December 14, 1839; and Oceola P., December 27, 1841. Baldwin S. died July 18, 1825; Julia, April 16, 1829; Helen, May 10, 1832. Henry C. died in the army, near MeMinnville, Tennessee, from the effects of the wound accidentally received. Walter M. died March 6, 1863, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, of pneumonia. Roy met his death accidentally October 3, 1884, being thrown from a horse.

Oeeola P. Scott was married May 9, 1865, to Miss Laura A. Hatcher. Her parents, Branch and Manerva (Davis) Hatcher, were natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively. They were married in Ken- tucky and subsequently moved to Missouri, where her father died in September, 1858. In 1861 the family emigrated to Texas to join sisters who had already come in 1856. Six children have been born to Mr. Scott and his wife, viz .: Walter M., September 10, 1866; Ann R., February 14, 1868; Emma P., September 7, 1870; Samuel B., Septem-

ber 14, 1878; Ada L., November 4, 1883; Henry B., October 18, 1885. Ada died April 16, 1885.

Mr. Scott enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Company E, Eighteenth Texas Cavalry, Captain Allison Darnell in command. During his service he was twice captured, first, at Arkansas Post, from whence he was taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago; second, at Atlanta, July 22, 1864, just after General Hood was placed in command. The last time he was sent to Camp Chase, Colum- bus, Ohio, and from there to Richmond. Re- ceiving a furlough, he walked a great part of the way home, paid fifty dollars to be ferried across the Mississippi river in a skiff, and reached here April 9, 1865. Of the five brothers who entered the army, three returned and two are still living. Henry C., who died in Tennessee, was a practicing physician and surgeon in the army.

Mr. Scott was an active member of the Farmers' Alliance, and a heavy stoekholder in the Alliance Mill at Dallas, he being one of the directors of the enterprise and one of the eight that had to pay off the claims against the institution, amounting to $20,000. He is opposed to the introduction of politics into the. Alliance. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

RÉMOND, ex-brick manufacturer, has been identified with interests of Dal- las county, Texas, since 1856. He was born in the State of Niévre, France, August 2, 1840, to Jean Rémond and Marie, nee Pouilliat, also natives of France, who lived and died on their native soil. E .. Rémond, until fourteen years of age, was

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educated for a priest, but being disinclined to follow that life, he in 1856 set sail for the United States, embarking at Havre, and after a voyage of sixty-five days reached the city of New Orleans. From this city he went to Houston on a tng-boat, and from the latter place came to Dallas, Texas with an ox team, being joined in Houston by his brother Jean Priot, who had come to this country two years before. The latter resided in Dallas until 1887, accumulated a compe- tency, but in that year sold his property and returned to France, where he is living well out of his income. E. Rémond was unable to speak the English language or to under- stand it npon coming to this country, but it was not long before he conld do both. When the Civil war opened he enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth Texas Cavalry, with which he remained one year, then volunteered in Pratt's Battery, serving as flag-bearer until he was taken prisoner with General Marmaduke at Saline, Kansas. As rear-guard he was am- bushed by negro troops at Tansas bayon, Louisiana, in 1862, but he fought for life and succeeded in cutting his way through the lines, and regained his liberty before being taken to a place of confinement. The hard- ships and privations he endured were inany, but he bore them well until the war closed.

He was married soon after to Miss Césarine Santerre, of France, who came to this county when a child, and after his marriage he lo- cated permanently in West Dallas. He be- gan manufacturing brick, which occupation he followed, exceptduring the war, until 1880, since which time he has given his attention to studying practical geology of the country and in influencing capitalists to locate in this section. He introduced the first brick ma- chine. In 1880 he discovered an unlimited quantity of " alumina Instra," shale, steatite

and soapstone,-which discovery led to the investment of $50,000 in a scientific brick- manufacturing plant at the place. He resides on sixty acres of land in Dallas county and has a beautiful and comfortable home. He is a Democrat politically and a useful citizen of the county. He never ran for office, never had a lawsuit, never gave his note, never borrowed money, and never contracted any debt. Love, science, progress and the arts are his highest avocations, while he devotes his attention mainly to the industrial devel- opment of the natural resources of liis country. He is a geologist and practical clay-worker.

REDERICK SCHUPBACK, who is en- gaged in gardening at Dallas, has been identified with the interests of Dallas connty since 1877. He dates his birth in Berne, Switzerland, September 16, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Elisa (Zong) Schup- back, natives of that place. His parents both passed their lives and died in the old country. He was reared on a farm, and in 1866 emi- grated to the United States, sailing from Havre, and after a voyage of sixty-six days landed in New Orleans. During this time they were short of provisions for nearly two weeks.

Arrived in this country, Mr. Schupback engaged in gardening in New Orleans, re- inaining there eight mouths. He then went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he engaged in the same kind of work one year. From there he went to St. Louis for a short time; thence to Jefferson county, Missouri; eight months later to Lawrence, Kansas, following a like occupation there four years. Then he made a brief trip to California, remaining in

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the Golden State only two weeks. He went West on the second train over the Northern Pacific road and paid $150 for his fare. He returned to St. Louis, thence to New Orleans, and after two months came to Texas and lo- cated in Brenham, Washington county, where he raised one crop. We next find him at Shreveport, Lonisiana, where he was stricken with yellow fever, and was at that place two years. In 1877 he came to Dallas and pur- chased his present property, twelve and a half acres, located three-quarters of a mile from Dallas, and here he has since been en- gaged in gardening.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 57

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