Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 65

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 65

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Knight was twice married; there were five children of the first marriage, two of whom are living: Mrs. J. J. Millard, and Gabriel A., the subject of this notice; those deceased are, William A., Dr. John W., and Mrs. Judge Burford. The second marriage was to Miss IInghes, and the children of this union are: Lanra, who died in 1870; Mattie A., deceased; Sarah Catherine; Margaret B .; William H .; Epps G., whose full history will be found on another page of this volume, R. E. L., a lawyer by profession; and Arche- lans J .; Monroe and Josephine died in child- hood. From this father sprang a large and influential family. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and was identified with the Democratic party. Ile was one of the most honored and re- spected of the early pioneers, and left behind him a name that will be revered while mem- ory lasts.

Gabriel acquired a practical education in the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in the First Texas Artillery, serving four years, and participating in some of the most noted battles of the conflict. After the surrender he returned to Dallas county.

September 8, 1869, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah E. Jenkins, a native of Dallas county, and a daughter of William Jenkins, who was the first Sheriff of Dallas county. Nine children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy: those living are Alma L., William Burford, Andrew G., Mat- tie, John J., Adaline, and Lucile. After coming from the war, Mr. Knight engaged in farming, and remained on the farm until 1889, and then located in the city. He was elected public weigher for Dallas county, in 1884, he is a member of the city council, having been elected to the latter office in 1891 without opposition; he represents the

In° C. M .- Con

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Third Ward, and is a progressive and efficient officer. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and Mrs. Knight belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

OLONEL JOHN C. McCOY .- Among the early settlers of northern Texas, and the first lawyer to locate in the city of Dallas, was Colonel John C. McCoy, a gentleman commanding in appearance and venerable in the magnificent character he built up for himself as a true man and efli- cient citizen.

He was born in Clark county, Indiana, September 28, 1819, the youngest son of John and Jane (Collins) McCoy, natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Rev. Will- iam McCoy, moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, in 1790, coming down the Ohio river in a flat-boat, and settled in Shelby county. He was a Baptist preacher and made many hazardous journeys in Kentucky, and also in southern Indiana, crossing the Ohio river, and penetrating the then im- mense forests of Clark county. A bold brave man, he proclaimed the gospel beneath the great trees, to the sparse settlers with his gun at his side.

Colonel McCoy's father was married in Kentucky, in 1803, and afterward moved to Clark county, Indiana, entered land and im- proved it. After that he moved to Jefferson- ville, Indiana, and made that his home most of the time, until his death, which occurred September 3, 1859. His excellent wife died September 1, 1835, in Clark county, Indiana,

This worthy couple had ten children,-four daughters and six sons,-all of whom grew to full man and womanhood, except one daugh- ter; and all are now dead. The eldest son, 37

Lewis was a farmer in Indiana, and the father of John M. McCoy, Esq., of Dallas, Texas, who was the law partner of Colonel McCoy in Dallas for over ten years.

Isaac, the third son, received a classical education at Hanover College, Indiana, and made teaching his profession, and for forty years was a prominent educator in southern Illinois.

George R. studied medicine under the celebrated Dr. Yandell of Louisville, Ken- tucky, and for many years was a prominent physician in southern Illinois. Another son, William, became a noted Baptist minister in Indiana. No man stood higher than he in his denomination, and no man was more loyal or devoted to his people. He was the con- tinuous pastor of two churches forty-seven years, besides traveling and preaching more or less all the time throughout southern In- diana. He died at his home in New Phila- delphia, May 22, 1891. He left surviving him, his son, Rev. John E. McCoy, a prom- inent Baptist minister, who died July 24, 1891, at North Vernon, Indiana.

The youngest daughter, Eliza, was a mis- sionary to the North American Indians for nine years, beginning in 1844. She was the principal legatec of Colonel McCoy, to the magnificent estate he accumulated as a law- yer in Dallas, Texas. She survived him only about five years, but during that time she donated fully $75,000 of her estate to be- nevolent and religious institutions; and by her will, she bequeathed almost all of the balance of her estate, valned at about $50,000, to the cause of missions. She died November 8, 1891, at Dallas, Texas, greatly loved, honored and lamented, as one of the most exemplary of Christian women.

Colonel McCoy was reared on a farm to the age of fifteen years, when, in 1834, he

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entered as a student in the Clark County Seminary, continuing his studies one year. In 1835, he entered Wilmington Seminary, and was a student there a year, and in 1836, returned to Clark County Seminary, for an- other year. Thus closed his school days. Af- ter this, his first employment was as Deputy Circuit Clerk of Clark county, Indiana, two years, during which time he prosecuted the study of law during all his spare time.

In 1839, he was engaged in the re-survey of the western boundary line of the State of Missouri, from the Missouri river south to the Osage river. He was next employed as an enrolling agent, and assisted in making the payments for the Government to the va- rions tribes of Indians in western Missouri. In 1840, he assisted in drafting the treaty between the Shawnee and Delaware Indians and the Government, for a portion of their lands on which to locate the Wyandotte tribe. Within the territory thus acquired Wyandotte City has been built, and there the remains of that tribe are still to be found. In the spring of 1840, he returned to Indiana, and resum- ed the study of law in the city of Jefferson- ville, under Hon. A. Lovering, and in May, 1841, was licensed to practice in the State and Federal courts of Indiana and Kentucky. He soon secured a large and lucrative practice, which continued nntil his departure to Texas, in 1844. Having accepted the position of agent and surveyor for the Peters colony in Texas, he embarked December 12, 1844, on the steamer Kate Aubrey, for New Orleans, en route to the wild scenes of the great Em- pire State, in company with E. F. Springer, M. J. Owen, William Keigwin, late propri- ctor of Bremond, Texas, and Captain Charles Hensley.

On New Year's day, 1845, the party dis- embarked from the steamship New York,

at Galveston, and began preparations to pro- ceed to the interior. The party took a Buf- falo bayou steamer to Houston, and from there went with teams to Cincinnati, on the Trinity river. In a few days they constructed a raft or flat-boat, 6g x 36 feet in dimensions, and, placing their wares of 7,000 pounds on this frail craft, proceeded up the river to Fort Alabama, making such progress as their strength would permit, in pushing and pull- ing their vessel along. At Fort Alabama, the boat was abandoned, and having secured two ox teams at Mustang prairie a much easier progress of the journey was made to Fort Houston, where a part of their supplies were left; and, having purchased two ponies at this point, Colonel McCoy and his friend Captain Hensley, pushed on in advance of their party, following the Caddo trail as far as Gassett, in Henderson county. Riding up to the present site of Dallas, they found Col- onel John Neely Bryan, established in a log cabin 10 x 12 feet in extent. The travelers were very cordially received by Colonel Bryan, whom they found dressed in buckskin leg- gings, his feet encased in moccasins, and his body protected from chilling winds by a red and black plaid blanket coat.

In March, 1845, the party of engineers of which he was a member, started for the col- ony to proseente their survey, arrived without serious accident and began the work.

Captain Hensley being called to Kentucky, Colonel McCoy fell heir to the absolute con- trol of Peters' colony until the winter follow- ing, when his old friend returned with a full party of young men. This company was met by Colonel McCoy at Bonham, and he es- corted it to Dallas, and after seeing the com- pany comfortably established in their pioneer quarters, he severed his connection with the colony authorities, and in June, 1846, he be-

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gan his career as an independent but active and zealous citizen.

In this year Dallas county was organized, by Colonel John Neely Bryan, in which en- terprise Colonel McCoy contributed his full share of brain-work and physical labor. As a slight expression of the appreciation in which his services were held by those whom he had most faithfully served, he was elected the first District Clerk of Dallas county ; and, notwithstanding the fact that he had no office room gorgeously fitted up with those conven- iences and elegances characterizing large mod- ern offices, it is said that he discharged all the duties of his position in a manner that elicited the highest encomiums from those that understood the difficulties he had to en- counter, as well as to the entire satisfaction of those whom he served.

The Mexican war breaking ont about this time, Colonel McCoy took an active part in forwarding troops to the front, and in Na- varro county was the prime mover in organ- izing the company commanded by Captain W. B. Dagley, with his old friend, Charles Hensley as First Lieutenant.

In December, 1846, after the District Court had been successfully organized, and during its first session, and at the earnest re- quest of Judge Ochiltree, he resigned his of- fice as District Clerk, and entered regularly and largely into the practice of his profession, which he followed for nearly thirty-nine years, with unvarying and remarkable success.

In 1848, Colonel McCoy was made a Ma- son, at Bonham, Texas, in Constantine Lodge, and during the same year assisted in the or- ganization of Tannehill Lodge, in Dallas. IIe was duly consecrated Iligh Priest by the Council Order of Houston, June 13, 1861. At various times he was D. D. G. Master of Masons in Texas, Grand Visitor of the Grand

Chapter for the Eastern District of Texas, Deputy Thrice Illustrions Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Mas- ters of Texas, Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandry of Texas. He was also Past Grand Commander of the Grand Com- mandery Knights Templar of Texas, and at his death was District Commander of the Scottish Rites, and King of the Royal Arch Chapter of Texas.

In his personal appearance, Colonel McCoy was exceedingly neat and even fastidious, and delighted in nothing so much as the simple elegance of life that minister to the comfort of all.

He was the first to erect a frame house in the city of Dallas, and this he did with the laudable desire to improve the hamlet by in- troducing a style of architecture superior to that of the pioneer log cabin. He cultivated and beantified not only his own home, but also extended his ideas into the public inter- ests of the county. And to him Dallas county ig indebted for the magnificent trees that adorned Conrt Square, and that gave to that place so much of the attractions that ex- cite the admiration for its inviting appear- ance during the sultry suns of the summer months.

In 1851, Colonel McCoy was married to Miss Cora M. McDermett, daughter of J. B. MeDermett, of Pennsylvania, and a brother- in-law of David R. Porter, Governor of Penn- sylvania. All the surroundings of that event were of the simplest character, but the con- stancy that followed the vows there made is the highest proof that can be afforded to the sincere devotion given to the blushing bride who began with him the voyage of his mar- ried life.

In August, 1852, his residence on the cor- Der of Commerce and Lamar streets was

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completed, and his young wife duly and formally installed into the administration of its affairs. His was the home of gayety, and frequented by all who delighted to steal away from the cares of a busy life, and for an hour to realize that the world is still beantifnl, not- withstanding the troubles that sometimes overtake the unfortunate toilers in its active scenes. In the happiness of his married life, and the successful practice of his profes- sion that was then yielding him handsome profits, Colonel McCoy was feasting on pleas- ures that were destined, alas! to be of short duration. The yonng wife, that had given to him so much love and was so efficient in rendering home a paradise, was snatched from his side by the relentless jaws of death, ere the baby lips that had blessed their marriage had been trained to lisp the holy name of inother. For over a quarter of a century, Colonel McCoy walked alone in the shadow of his ever present sorrow; but, like the needle to the pole, the deep-rooted affections of his soul were ever true to the impressions made by the idol of his heart, who won and wore his devotions long before the frost of years had mellowed his life.

In 1854, ten years after his departure from the scenes of his early life, for the wild and untried experiences of this distant land, Col- onel McCoy visited for the first time his friends and relatives then living near the Falls of the Ohio River, as Louisville was then known.

In February, 1856, Colonel McCoy was elected District Attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of this State, then composed of sixteen counties and extending from Gray- son, Ellis and Dallas counties on the cast, to to the distant boundaries of Young county on the west. This position he filled for nearly three years, discharging all its dnties

faithfully, effectively and to the entire satis- faction of those who had entrusted the labor and responsibilities of this important offiec to him.

In 1861, when the Civil war, ominons of the worst, broke forth upon the country, Gov- ernor Clark, recognizing administrative abil- ities of the highest order in the systematic and determined character and will of Colonel McCoy, appointed him to be Quartermaster of the regiments commanded by Colonels Young, Simms, Lock and Parsons. When these commands were mustered into the Con- federate service, Colonel McCoy was retained by Governor Clark in the military service of the State, and assigned to duty as mustering officer for the regiments that were snbse- quently carried into the Confederate Army by Colonels Nat. M. Burford and T. C. Hawpe. HIis further service as a military man was de- voted to the enrollment of soldiers from Dal- las eounty, and as Provost-Marshal of the same.

He was elected to the Legislature in 1862, and re-elected in 1864, and at the close of the war was an accredited Representative of Dallas county in that body, and as such as- sisted in the inauguration of the district offi- cers appointed by Governor Hamilton, under the provisional measures of reconstruction adopted by President Andrew Johnson.

In politics, Colonel McCoy was always un- swervingly devoted to the "old-line" Whig party; but when its days were numbered and its organization disbanded, he co-operated with the Democracy; and in all the political campaigns since the war, he was a recognized leader in the Democratic ranks.

As an orator, Colonel McCoy was richly endowed. Being exceedingly graceful in his style of expression and delivery, he never failed to entrance by his cultivated thought,

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his flowing sentences and classical allusions, all who chanced to be his hearers.

Being richly endowed with musical talents, and a cultivated musician as well, his whole nature seemed to be attuned to rhythmical measures, and hence his love and great famil- iarity with all the poets may be easily ac- connted for. But few men in this country were as well acquainted with the realm of song as he. He had his favorites, his likes and dislikes, just as every thinking, reason- ing and studious scholar must have, but as a literateur he was not only fair, but impar- tial in his criticisms, and respects most highly that commendable motive that excites merit to labor, and to contribute something to the development of our own literature. IIe may have been justly regarded as the best posted scholar in the classical as well as the general literature of the day, to be found in this part of the State. This fact, considered in connection with the further fact that he passed his palmiest days amid the dangers, hardships and demands incident to frontier life, must reflect additional credit upon his taste, his natural endowments and his attain- ments. In his own words, he " had experi- enced his greatest pleasures in communing with the stars as he lay stretched upon his single blanket on the prairies; and in all his travels he had never heard anything so grand as the soft winds of the whispering forests, or seen anything so pure as the distilled dews that tremble upon the grasses of the bound- less plains."

Colonel McCoy showed his strongest char- acteristics in his love for little children, and they in turn reciprocated all his regard in signs of affection for him. In this commu- nity no man enjoyed so much esteem among the juvenile element as he; and even the humblest approached him with confidence,

knowing that he would not allow them to sustain any want that he could either gratify or supply. Christmas day never failed to find him prepared for the visits of his little friends, and Uncle Mac's Christmas tree, from the force of custom had grown into one of the established institutions of the city. His invitations were given through the news- papers. No better nor higher enlogium can ever be pronounced upon his character than the simple, single sentence, "He was the children's friend."

Colonel McCoy united with the First Bap- tist Church of Dallas, in October, 1880, and was ever afterward an active and efficient member, aiding liberally in all church work.

His final summons came the 30th of April, 1887, when he departed this life, mourned by his many friends.

The following quotation is from the Dallas Morning News, of May 5, 1887.

" The funeral of Colonel John C. McCoy occurred yesterday afternoon at two o'clock. He was an old landmark of Dallas, having come to this city when it had but a log house or two in it, some forty-two years ago, and with its growth he had grown. Ou its ex- pansion, its progress and its development generally, he left the impress of his energy, his wisdom, his enterprise and his conserva- tism. He was not only respected and hon- ored by all who knew him, but he was loved by all, deeply loved by the very many, for during the four days his body lay in his late residence, hundreds and hundreds of his old neighbors, of his newer friends, the rich and the poor, the white and the black, and es- pecially the poor, visited it to look for the last time upon the pale, placid face so peace- ful in deatlı, and few went away who were not weeping. At one o'clock the Masonic orders, the Dallas Commandery, escort for

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

the Grand Commandery and Tannehill Lodge of Masons formed at Masonic Temple, corner of Main and Murphy streets. From there they marched up Main street preceded by a brass band, to the late residence of the de- ceased, corner of Main and Harwood streets. Already at the house, filling it and the spa- cions grounds, and gathered in throngs on the adjacent side-walks were hundreds of people-ladies and gentlemen-with knots of colored people too, all came to do honor to the loved dead. Up and down Main and Har- wood streets for a block each way were car- riages, buggies and wagons from the country, filled with people.

When the procession of Masons arrived they formed a line along Main street to the west, the Knights Templar in front, Tanne- hill Lodge next, the firemen coming next. Then the grand officers of the Grand Com- mandery and the pall-bearers filed into the dwelling; forming about the bier, the pall- bearers on either side, Grand Commander John O. Johnson at the head and Grand Prelate J. C. Carpenter at the foot, with cross elevated, the Grand Commandery with crossed swords over the casket; the Grand Commander exclaimed "Alas, our brother 1." The Grand Commandery then sheathed their swords, the pall-bearers lifted the casket from the catafalque and bore it to the hearse in waiting, the Grand Commandery following, and in the rear came the Sunday-school class of young ladies of the deceased from the First Baptist Church, bearing floral emblems. The funeral cortege took up its line of march in the order above named, to the First Baptist Church. There the religious and Masonic services were most solemn. The remains of the deceased were taken to the Masonic cem- etery, for interment in the family lot. Al- ready hundreds and hundreds of people were

in the cemetery awaiting the procession, so that when the vast throng of that cortege arrived there were thousands present. The ceremonies first performed at the grave were from the beautiful and solemn burial services of the Knights Templar, sad, impressive and imposing. Then came the ritual of the Ma- sonic Lodge, and then the casket was lowered to its last resting place and the mound was watered with the tears of hundreds of those who loved the distinguished dead in his life- time and who most sincerely mourned him.

" The law Association of the city at a bar meeting, after a preamble, adopted the reso- lutions of respect for the deceased, who, for forty-two years, had been an honored and dis- tinguished member of the Dallas bar."

They denominoted him the " Nestor " of the bar.

The Public Library of Dallas, of which Colonel McCoy was the president and strong supporter at the time of his death, adopted some very appropriate resolutions and draped its rooms for thirty days.

The following selection is from a tablet of thanks presented to Miss Eliza McCoy in re- turn for a portrait of Colonel McCoy, pre- sented by her to the Dallas Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar.

" No Mason in Texas can ever forget his zeal for Masonry when wars and dissensions occurred between the North and South, when nearly every Christian, social and benevolent organization in this State was disrupted, and in many instances abandoned, your honored brother, Sir Knight, John C. McCoy, at his own individual expense paid chapter, per- sonal, lodge and commandery dnes for mem- bers and kept the lights burning on the altars of Free Masonry in Dallas. No Mason ever knew John C. McCoy who did not love him, and his grand character and his kind

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consideration of the wants of every destitute Mason or his widow and orphans have so en- endeared him to Masons that his noble eoun- tenance, his commanding person and his be- nevolent kindness have photographed his memory on the hearts of every member of the order."

IN MEMORY OF COLONEL J. C. McCOY.

BY SARAH LYKINS RUSSELL.

When like some gorgeous eastern queen, The earth with autumn hues was bright, Among us moved, with kingly mien, A friend whose presence brought delight. With eager, earnest heart, he sought Each haunt he liked in early years; The varied scenes, from memory wrought, Awoke, alike, fond smiles and tears.

So full of kindly sympathy For hearts that thrilled with joy or pain, O ! friend beloved, we shall not see Thy like on this dull earth again. For, on a longer journey now, Far and forever, thou hast gone; O'er kingly form and noble hrow, In silence rests the burial stone.

But THOU dost live ; the kindly deeds- The good thy faithful hands have done, The fruitage of love's precious seeds- Were golden in life's setting sun, In saddened hearts, whose weary ache Thy healing touch hath comforted, Thy name shall sweetest music wake, And love its holy incense shed.

Truth's royal signet on thy brow A grandeur to thy being gave; Ev'n when in meekness thou didst bow Beneath the cool baptismal wave, And rise to walk with tireless feet, Where'er the Master's footsteps led, Love's consecrating spirit sweet Its beauty o'er thy spirit shed.

And when with tender, magic art, Each toiler's burden thou didst share, A wound was bleeding in thy heart Love's early pain had planted there. O, faithful heart! through weary years, TO ONE fond memory so true, Still watered by thy secret tears, ONE lonely sorrow deeper grew.

But now where sundered spirits meet, Thy heart has found its own again ; And in communions, fond and sweet, Forgotten all the earthly pain. O! roses, shed your sweetest breath, And on his grave, bright sunbeams, fall ! For Life shall triumph over Death, And Love make full amends for all !

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 65

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