Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 63

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 63

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).

Mr. Goodnight was reared on a farm and received an academical education. He re- mained with his parents until his marriage, which event occurred September 21, 1854, to

Miss Mary A. Ilill, a daughter of Isaac and Pelina (Carter) Ilill. Her father was a native of Virginia and a son of Jesse Hill, a descendant of an old Virginia family that moved to Tennessee when he was a child. He was reared in Wilson county, that State, and there married to the above named lady, a native of Davidson county, Tennessee. Her grandfather emigrated to Tennessee from North Carolina, and was among thie very first pioneers of that part of the country.

In two weeks after their marriage, Mr. Goodnight and his wife with several other families started for Dallas county. They made the journey with horse teams; the roads were poor and bridges few, and they were six weeks en route. Arriving here, he purchased 220 acres of land, on which was a small field fenced in and a little log cabin. The cabin served them as a home for five years, after which they built a small frame honse, and from time to time added to it until they had a commodious and well appointed residence. Here Mr. Goodnight followed farming the rest of his days. For many years he was prominent in local affairs. He was elected the first Constable of precinct No. 7, and served one year. Some years later he was elected Assessor and Collector of Dallas county, and served two terms of two years each. At the breaking out of the late Civil war, he entered the service and was connected with the commissary department in Mississippi, Texas and at other points. After the war he was again elected Assessor of the county and served several years. During the war and previous to his entering the army, he served one term in the Legislature. Ilis death oc- curred February 11, 1885. He was a mem- ber of Wheatland Lodge, Dallas Chapter and the Royal Arch degree of the A. F. & A. M., Dallas. In politics he was a Democrat. He

542

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

and his wife were both members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, of which he was a ruling Elder.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Good- night were thirteen in number, nine of whom lived to be grown, namely: Jane P., wife of A. II. Nash, of Dallas; Isaac Henry, of this county ; Amanda Ellen, wife of W. T. Gracey, of Stephens county, Texas; Thomas M., of Dallas; John B., of this county; Fanny L .; Frank H .: Allie M., wife of B. F. Johnson; James P. William B. died at the age of ten years, and the others died in infancy.

R. JAMES THOMAS BAKER, a phy- sician of Dallas, was born in Yalobusha county, Mississippi, February 14, 1844, the third of eight children born to Milton and Minerva C. (Hodge) Baker, also natives of Mississippi. The parents were married in that State, and at an early day emigrated to Tennessee, settling on a farm, where the father died in 1852, and the mother in 1857. After the death of his parents, Mr. Baker, our subject, was taken to Shelby county, Illinois, where he was reared by John M. Friedley to the age of twenty-three years. He attended the district schools of that county, and after reaching maturity he first engaged in gardening at Cobden, Union county, Illi- nois, and a few years later he took a two years' course at the Southern Illinois College at Carbondale, and afterward commenced reading medicine at home. In 1878 be en- tered the American Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, graduating from the class of 1879. Ile continued the practice of medi- cine at Fairfield, Illinois. for a few years. and in 1890 he came to Dallas, Texas, where he gives his attention strictly to chronic dis-

eases. After leaving Fairfield he went first to Clay city, thence to St. Louis, and next to Texas, where he built up an extended practice.

The Doctor was married at Fairfield, Illi- nois, in 1880, to Laura C. Hanks, a native of Scott county, Missouri, and a daughter of Green and Catherine B. (Stanley) Hanks, the father a native of Murray county, Tennessee, and the mother of McNairy county, same State. The parents were married in Tennes- see, and at an early day removed to Scott county, Missouri, thence to Pulaski county, where the father was a merchant. His death occurred in that State in July, 1860, and his widow now resides at Tioga, Grayson county, Texas. Mr. and Mrs Baker have one child, Milton H. Socially, the Doctor is a mem- ber of Decatur Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., at Decatur, Texas, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Dallas.

ONES GREEN, deceased, was promin- ently identified with the early settle- ment of the south part of Dallas county, and was one of the representative citizens of the same. He was a son of Hon. John Green, a native of Kentucky, born in 1776, who remained in his native State until 1819 and then moved to Greene county, Illinois, where he passed the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1840. He represented Greene county in the State Legislature three successive terms and was a member of that honorable body when his death occurred. He was a Democrat in politics and quite a prominent and influential man. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. His occupation through life was farming and stock-raising and in this he was successful, accumulating

543

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

considerable property. In 1814 he married Miss Nancy Means, a native of Georgia, born in 1796. She was reared partly in this State and partly in Kentucky, whither her parents moved when she was a child. They remained in the Blue Grass State until 1812, when they moved to Greene county, Illinois, where their daughter, Nancy, married Mr. Green. Mrs. Green was a worthy and con- sistent member of the Baptist Church and died in Greene county, Illinois, in 1854, when fifty-eight years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Green were born fifteen children, who are named in the order of their births as follows: Jones; Malinda, now the widow of Mr. Goar, who resides in Dallas county; Singleton F., resides in Greene county, Illinois; James R., deceased, was a resident of Greene county, Illinois; William R., resides in the last named county; Elias, in the same county; John, deceased; Thomas E. and Evans E. (twins); Allison P., deceased; Wade H., de- ceased; Lucy, deceased; Mary, deceased; Lorana, deceased, was the wife of Hampton Witt, deceased; and Joseph B., deceased.

The subject of this sketch, Jones Green, was born in Greene county, Illinois, August 29, 1817, and was reared on a farm in that county. He was married there on the 11th of July, 1844, to Miss Mary Ellis, a native of Greene county, Illinois, born January 29, 1826, and the daughter of Thomas M. Ellis (see sketch). The fall succeeding his mar- riage Mr. Green and wife moved to Dallas county, Texas, and took up 320 acres of land two miles southeast of the present town of Lancaster, in the south part of the county. Later he and Captain Perry bought 640 acres of land in the county, each having 320 acres, and later he took up 320 acres more. He erected a cabin, began making improvements, and here his death occurred, November 12,

1864. He was a plain, unpretentious man, honest, industrious and just in all his deal- ings. He is mentioned with special gratitude by many of the old soldiers whose wives and children he provided for during the Civil war, by being disqualified for military ser- vice on account of trouble with his eyes, and rendered the Lost Cause none the less efficient service by caring for the families of those who were at the front. Mr. and Mrs. Green have had the following named chil- dren: John Thomas, born January 17, 1846, who died in this eounty recently; William Russell, born Angust 17, 1849; Lonzo Worth, born March 24, 1852; Calvin Atlas, March 15, 1854, and died February 17, 1875; Jackson Witt, born July 11, 1856, and died January 29, 1884; Lucy Angeline, born December 17, 1858, is now the wife of Will- iam Curry, of Dallas county; and Carry Lee, born February 7, 1863, and is now the wife of Evans Curry, of Lancaster. Mrs. Green has resided on the old homestead since her husband's death and manages it with much success. She is a lady possessed of more than ordinary executive ability, and is highly es- teemed in her community. Those of her children now living are married and have homes of their own.

ILLIAM Q. GROVES was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, October 7, 1828. His early life was spent in Tennessee. In 1856 he was there married to Miss Jane Ballanger, whose un- timely death occurred February 14, 1858, after a happy married life of two years. She died without issue. (For history of Mr. Groves' parents and also of the Ballanger family, see the biography of J. E. Groves in | this work.)

544

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

William Q. was engaged in farming on rented land in Tennessee until the outbreak of the war. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-ninth Tennessee Regiment, and served in the Confederate army until 1865. For three years he was with the Twenty- ninth, after which he joined Morgan's cav- alry, remaining with him until the close of the war, taking part in many of the hatly contested battles. During all his service he was only once sent to hospital, and that time from an injury received from a horse kick.

Mr. Groves came to Texas with his brother, J. E., and has since been engaged in farming with him. He is a member of the Duck Creek Masonic Lodge, No. 441, at Garland; is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ANIEL BECHTOL, of Garland, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, January 13, 1824, a son of Lewis Bech- tol, a native of Berkeley county, Virginia. The latter moved to Maryland when a young man, where he was married to Miss Cathe- rine Williams, and they were the parents of twelve children, of whom Daniel was the eleventh child. The father died in 1852, at the age of sixty-eight years, and the mother lived to the age of ninety-three years and six months. Only seven of the twelve chil- ren lived to be grown, viz .: Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Ringor: Catharine, the wife of Daniel Keafanver; Hannah; Mary M., wife of l'eter Culler; M. M., wife of George Ney- kirk ; John, who died in Ellis county, Texas; and Daniel, the only surviving son of his father's family.

Daniel Bechtol was married to Miss Ma- hala Biser, in 1846, and they had seven chil- dren, namely: Lucinda F., wife of Edward

L. Coblent; Mary C., wife of L. M. T. Flook; William II., who died at the age of nineteen years; John L., a resident of Ohio; Daniel W., Edward C. and Charle's E., who live in Texas. After his marriage Mr. Bechtol lived and farmed on the old homestead until 1874, when he moved to Texas and bought 310 acres where he now lives. He had the misfortune to lose his wife the same year he came to this State, she having died October 25, 1875. November 22, 1877, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Babington, and they were both members of the Lutheran Church. His first wife was a member of the German Reformed Church.

ILLIAM B. NELSON .-- This gentle- man is another one of the pioneer farmers of Dallas county, and is just- ly entitled to appropriate mention in this volume. He came here from Kentucky in the fall of 1854, making the journey by wagons, coming via Memphis and Little Rock, and being forty-five days en ronte.

Jesse Nelson, his father, was a native of Virginia, moving from there to Kentucky at an early day. He was a cabinetmaker by trade, and was employed as overseer after moving to Kentucky. His wife was before her marriage Miss Nancy Barland. William B. is the youngest of his father's family. He was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, Octo- ber 5, 1822. The names of his brother and sisters are Anna J., who married John Kirby and is deceased; John; and Jesse, who is deceased. Mrs. Nelson came to Texas with her son, and died at his honse in 1878, at the age of eighty-two years.

William B. Nelson was married, January 16, 1862, to Miss D. F. Armstrong. For history of the Armstrong family see the biography of W. P. Armstrong. In part-

545

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

nership with his brother-in-law, John Kirby, Mr. Nelson purchased 505 acres of land. They afterward divided it equally between them and Mr. Nelson subsequently sold seventy-three acres of his portion. Still later they bought 213 acres more, which they also divided in equal parts. Mr. Nelson now owns 286 acres of fine black soil that will grow anything indigenous to the State. He has 110 acres under cultivation, and the whole farm fenced. He has built a good honse and made various other improvements. Like many of the pioneers of Dallas county, Mr. Nelson endured hardships and priva- tions; but with bravery he overcame the difficulties as they presented themselves, and is now in well-to-do circumstances, his land being worth at least $40 per acre.

During the war Mr. Nelson enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863, and took an active part in a number of important en- gagements.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born fifteen children, nine of whom are living, namely: Margaret J., wife of Burrell Poun- der; William J., who married Rosie B. Har- ris; Andrew; Sarah E., wife of John Pelton; Robert; Nancy E., wife of Thomas Webb; John and Frances, twins; and Martha. The parents and five daughters are members of the Christian Church.

DMUND D. SOWERS, a merchant and farmer, residing twelve miles west and a little north of the city of Dallas, was was born in Davidson county, North Caro- lina, a son of Henry and Mary (Walker) Sow- ers, the foriner a native of North Carolina and the latter of South Carolina. The pater- nal grandfather, Philip Sowers, was born in

Germany and came to America when a young man, settling first in North Carolina and later in Pulaski county, Illinois, where he died at an advanced age. Mr. Sowers' mother's people were comparatively old settlers of South Carolina, and originally of English ex- traction. Henry Sowers was reared in David- son county, North Carolina, where he re- mained until moving to Pulaski county, Illi- nois, in 1827. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, a plain and unpretentious citizen, and a successful business man. He died in Pulaski county, in 1855, at the age of sixty-three years. After the death of the father the mother came to Texas, where she made her home with her son, the subject of this sketch, the remainder of her life, dying at his resi- dence in July, 1871, at the age of seventy years, five months and fourteen days. Henry Sowers was twice married, and by the first union there were six children, three girls and three boys, all of whom are now deceased. By the second marriage there were eight children, six boys and two girls, six of whom reached maturity, viz .: Edmund D., our subject; Sandy, deceased; Lydia, who died at the age of four or five years; Alfred, who died in the Union army, leaving a wife and two children; Levi, who left home when a young man, went to Mississippi, married there, entered the Confederate army from that State, was married a second time, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, leaving one child, five years old, who was raised and is now hap- pily married and has five children; Noah, who died in this county some years ago.

Edmund D. Sowers, onr subject, was born October 4, 1826, and when one year old his parents removed to Pulaski county, Illinois. In 1827 he came to Texas, making his way overland with one yoke of cattle, and settled in Dallas county in 1856, in the vicinity of

546

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

where he now lives. He soon afterward bought 320 acres of land of the George Par- sons headright survey, on the edge of Grape vine prairie, on which he settled July 22, 1857, and where he has since resided. At that time there were only four or tive families settled in the western part of Dallas county, and the county was new and unimproved. The place on which Mr. Sowers settled had about four acres broken, and a rail pen for a house, but he began at once to make improve- ments, and made the rails and carried then on his shoulder with which to build his fence. He fenced all of the 320 acres, cultivated 100 acres, built a comfortable two-story frame honse, also barns and ontbuildings. Mr. Sowers has owned a great deal of land since settling in the county, buying and selling as occasion offered, but has disposed of all his landed interests except the old home place and twenty-five acres of timber land. He still owns a house and lot in West Dallas, valned at $1,200, and three vacant lots. Hav- ing considerable mechanical genins, he began the blacksmith's trade when a young man and followed it many years in early life, and also after coming to Texas. In 1877 he erected a store near his house, and be- gan the mercantile business, which he has followed successfully ever since. In 1883 he obtained the establishment of a mailroute between Dallas and Grapevine, in Tarrant county, and has also seenred a postoffice at his place, which was called Sowers, and where, with the exception of three years, he has been Postmaster np to July, 1890.

Mr. Sowers was married in Pulaski county, Illinois, October 11, 1853, to Freelove Thomp- son, who was born in Richhand county, Ohio, December 10, 1824. They have never had any children of their own, but have reared six orphans, by all of whom they have done well,

not only in the matter of rearing but have provided for them when they started out in life for themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are both members of the German Reform Church, and are pious, exemplary Christians. Mrs. Sowers was first married to William Bryant, October 29, 1846, and had three children, two of whom died in infancy. The other, Ellen, married Martin Wilson, an ex Confederate soldier, and has two children iving.

D. McCORMICK, a prosperous farmer of Dallas county, was born in Onachita county, Arkansas, February 5, 1849, a son of John Caswell and Mary Elizabeth (Da- vis) McCormick. The father, a native of Ma- rion distriet, South Carolina, moved to Washington county, Arkansas, in 1847, later to Ashley connty, same State, and in 1868 to Texas. After coming to this State he resided for three years in this county, one year at Farmers' Branch and two on Grapevine prairie, and then moved to Denton county, where he died February 22, 1872, at the age of fifty-one years. In early life he was a school teacher, having followed that occupation abont eighteen years, but after coming to Texas he engaged in farm work. He enlisted in Ash- ley county, Arkansas, in the Confederate ser- vice, and served eighteen months, or nutil the close of the war. Mr. McCormick was a member of the Methodist Church, and was an upright and respected citizen. Our subject's mother, nee Mary Elizabeth Davis, was a danghter of Ben Davis. She was a native of Alabama, and moved to Arkansas with her parents when ten years of age, and is now living in Denton county. this State. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are: Randle; James Davis, our subject; Joseph

547

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Addison, who resides in Red River county, this State; John Thomas, a resident of Den- ton connty; Daniel Webster, who died at the age of seventeen years; Thaddeus Sebastian, of Denton county, William Willis, a resident of Crockett, Texas; Catherine Priscilla; Henry and an infant daughter at home.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Ashley county, Arkansas, and came to Texas in 1868, settling in Dallas county. Hle set- tled where he now lives in 1875, his father- in-law having given him a small place to which he has since added until he now owns 198g acres, 115 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. McCormick also owns 120 acres of timber land, and property in Fort Wortlı. He was married in this county, June 20, 1872, to Miss Mary Ellen Crowley, a danghter of Benjamin F. and Edna Crow- ley, natives of Tarrant county. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have one son and a daughter, Jolın Caswell and Mary Edna. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Bap- tist Church.

ANIEL ALBERT STUART, who is classed among the prosperous and pro- gressive men of Dallas, Texas, was born in Vermont in 1846, and is a son of M. S. and Mary (Markham) Stuart; the father is employed by the Government at Burlington. Our subject is of Scotch descent and is re- lated to the Stnarts of that country. He passed his boyhood and youth in his native State, receiving his education in the public schools, and then began business for himself. He was first in the Empire saloon in Cincin- nati, Ohio, was afterward in business in Ken- tucky, and in 1872 came to Texas. IIe passed some time in traveling over the State

and then located at Waco, where he remained for some timc. He has been engaged in the cattle business and has also dealt largely in Dallas real estate. He founded Coney Is- land Jockey saloon in 1885, and is a man who thoroughly understands his business. He is one of the wide-awake, thorough going busi- ness men, and his success is assured. He is a member of the B. I'. O. E. lodge and was

Treasurer of the same for some time. In politics he advocates the principles of the Democratic party. He takes a deep interest iu all worthy enterprises and is one of the most progressive men in North Texas. Hc is not inarried.

PPS G. KNIGHT has been a life-long citizen of Dallas county, Texas, born in 1858, a son of O. W. Knight, one of noblest and most excellent of the early pio- neers, a full notice of whom appears in con- nection with an older son, G. A. Knight. Our subject inherited many of those traits of character which placed his father in the front ranks of the county's honored citizens. He received a thorough education in English branches at Rock Seminary, and early mani- fested that clear perception and keen judg- ment which have marked all his transactions in the business world. After a brief course at Marvin College, and a more extended one at the business college at his own home he started out to seek the fortune which exists in the mind of every ambitious youth. His health was not rugged, so he went to Eurcka Springs, Arkansas, and for a time was em- ployed as a clerk in a dry-goods store. Wlien he was stronger he took up the occupation of his father, and began the management of his father's estate which comprised 1,000 acres.

548

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

He was very successful in this undertaking and through his skill and industry the earth yielded to him her richest stores. Fine horses and cattle were bred, abundant har- vests were gathered, and Mr. Knight soon took rank among the leading agrienlturists of the State.

The marvelous growth of Dallas brought the plantation within reach of the city. He purchased the property for $40,000, organized a syndicate, and sold it for $125,000. He then turned his attention to real estate, and built some of the most substantial and capa- cions blocks in the place. He is one of the directors of the North Texas National Bank, and is closely connected with its manage- ment.

In 1887 Mr. Knight was united in mar- riage to Miss Fannie L. Patton, of Alabama, a lady of much refinement and culture. Three children have been born to them: Mattie Lee died at the age of eleven months; Epps Browning and William H. The par- ents are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and few laudable enter- prises have failed to receive their support and a generous contribution of their means. Mr. Knight is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the rising men of the New South, a citizen whom Dallas will al- way, be proud to claim.

K. LUCAS, a farmer and dairyman of Dallas county, was born in Meigs county, Tennessee, on January 30, 1848, the youngest of five children born to Thomas and Narcissa (Wammock) Lneas, natives of Georgia and Virginia respectively. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and in an early day moved to Tennessee,

where he pre-empted and improved a farm. In 1851 he emigrated to Ozark, Arkansas, and in 1853 to Dallas connty, where he bonght and improved a farm of 280 acres, paying $1.50 per acre. His death occurred in this county December 15, 1877, and the mother still survives, residing with our sub- ject.

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and educated in the public schools of Dallas county, and also aided in opening np the home farm. On his seventeenth birthı- day he enlisted in Colonel Warren B. Stone's regiment, and served until the close of the war. Politically, Mr. Lucas is a member of the Democratic party, but is not active in politics, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Oak Lawn. He was married in this county, in 1873, to Alice Cole, a native of Texas, and daughter of James M. and Sarah (Bennett) Cole, natives of Tennessee. The parents came to Texas in 1843, settling in Dallas county, where the father died in 1883; the mother is still living in Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have five children, namely: Thomas M., James C., Narcissa Etta, Laura, and Alfred Warren.

ENDERSON B. COYLE, a farmer of Garland, Dallas county, was born in this county, September 13, 1858, a son of Henderson Coyle, a native of Carroll county, Arkansas. The father remained in his native State nntil 1854, when he came to Texas, settling with Peter Colony in Dallas county, where he had previously taken a claim of 320 acres. He improved part of his land, which he afterward sold and then improved the remainder, where he subse- quently died. He was born February 10,

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 63

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