Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 70

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 70

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Mr. Wheelock and his charming wife have two brighit interesting little ones, Rufus M. and Susie, combining all the virtues of both parents. Mr. Wheelock is a member of the K. of P. and Elks, and is District Deputy of the State in the latter, is Past Exalted Ruler and present Secretary of the Dallas Lodge, and is now Grand Tyler of the Grand Lodge of America, having just returned from a

meeting of the Grand Lodge of the Elks, held at Buffalo, New York. Ile has taken but little interest in politics, but has been elected by his fellow citizens to represent them as a delegate to the convention at Hous- ton, August 16, 1892, to nominate a candi- date for Governor. When he does interest himself in politics he goes to work in it as he does in everything else, with energy and determination.

OHN E. THATCHER, M. D., physician and surgeon, is one of the young and rising physicians of Dallas, Texas, and was born near Centreville, Appanoose county, Iowa. His parents were Rev. William and Lavinia F. L. Thatcher, the former a native of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the latter of Iowa. L The father received a common-school educa- tion, but as he was a hard student he became a scholar of note, doing his own study and thinking. He was converted at the age of nineteen, and at once took a working place in the church of his choice, entering the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, soon after conversion, in the North Ohio Conference. He remained in that conference for some years, doing some hard and efficient work. In the early sixties he joined the Iowa Conference, having removed to that State. He there met Miss Lavina Lantz, to whom he was married in 1866. She was the dangh- ter of Jonathan and Margaret Lantz, resi- dents of Iowa. He continued in the itiner- ancy of that conference until about 1870, when, owing to throat trouble, he was com- pelled to abandon active work. He still con- tinned to preach when needed as a supply, and where there was no one in charge, until the age of seventy-one, his death occurring

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February 19, 1886. He was a man of great intellectual breadth and force, of independent, clear-cut views and yet of kindly, gentle manners, broad charity, pure life and conver- sation, and as a consequence exerted a wide influence for good in the different localities where he was called to labor. His death took from the church a man of strong intel- lect, high culture, broad sympathies and most generous disposition. He was married three times, and was the father of nine children. Our subject is the only living member of the third marriage. The third wife's parents were farmers, and her father, J. Lantz, died about the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Margaret, is still living, an honored and highly respected pioneer woman, residing near Centreville, Iowa, aged eighty-six. She has descended far down the shady side of life and her sun is nearly set. The Doctor's mother is still living, and she is one of a large family of children, only five of whom are now living. She resides at Neosho, Missouri, aged about fifty-six. She was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in her early girlhood days, since which time she has lived the life of a zealons Christian woman.

Our subject received his early education in the public schools of Centreville, and in 1880 entered the Neosho Collegiate Institute for a literary course. He read medicine under his brother, Dr. W. F. Thatcher, commencing in 1886. In the same year he entered the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, at St. Louis, graduating in 1889. He practiced six months with his brother and then went to the Hahnemann Homeopathic Hospital at Rochester, New York, where he served as house physician for eight months, but was then compelled to resign and return to Dal- las, on account of the illness of his brother,

W. F. Thatcher. He remained in this city for about seven months, when he went to Montague county, Texas, where he carried on a country practice for about a year; then he returned to Dallas, where he has since re- mained. Here he intends to stay, has built up a fine practiee in this city, and has taken his place among the most prominent and influential physicians of Dallas.

He is a member of the Texas Homeopathic Medical Society, also of the Rochester Hahnemannian Society. He belongs to the K. of P., and the Fraternal Mystic Circle. He is a rising man, and has a bright future before him as he is sure to be successful.

ARAH J. McCLAIN was born in Mon- roe county, Kentucky, May 7, 1845, and came with her father to Texas when she was only nine years of age. In Dallas county she was reared, and here, May 10, 1863, she was united in marriage with Thomas J. McClain. They started out on their marriage life young, energetic and am- bitious, and without pecuniary assistance from any one. Their earnest efforts were soon rewarded with success, and they found themselves in easy circumstances. Mr. Mc- Clain was reared on a farm and was engaged in farming all his life. The last fourteen years of his life he conducted a mercantile business in connection with his agricultural pursuits. He was a man of excellent business qualifica- tions and made a success at whatever he un- dertook, in all his dealings observing the utmost integrity. At the time of his death he owned 800 acres of fine land, 600 in Dallas county and 200 in Johnson county, besides town property in Garland. Mrs. McLean now resides in Garland with her little son, the rest

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

of her children having married and left her. Like her husband, she is a good financier, and since his death has had the personal super- vision of his large estate. She has also pur- chased other property.

Samuel Compton, Mrs. McClain's father, was born in North Carolina in 1809. His parents moved from that State to Tennessee when he was a small boy. After he grew up he went to Kentucky, where, about the year 1837, he wedded Miss Kasirah Kirby, wlio was born in 1819, daughter of Robert Kirby. Mr. Compton moved to Texas in 1854, mak- ing the journey in wagons, being six weeks on the road, and landing in Dallas county on the 1st of November, 1854. There were eleven wagons in the company with which they trav- eled, and the journey was in many respects a most pleasant one. Mr. Compton purchased 160 acres of land east of Garland and after- ward sold and bought land near Pleasant valicy, in the eastern part of Dallas county. He lived on that farm until 1870, when he he died at the age of sixty-one years. Mrs. Compton was sixty-six at the time of her death. This worthy conple had a family of six children, Mrs. McClain being the fourth- born and one of the three who are now liv- ing. Their names are as follows: Bishop; William R., Samnel T., who died in the war; Sarah J., Smith B., and Ellen C., wife of John McDonald.

Thomas J. McClain was born in Pennsyl- vania, January 29, 1835, son of John and Margaret (Burkstress) McClain. His mother is living at this date, having reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years. John Mc- Clain died at the age of eighty-four years. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, namely : Alexander; Matilda A., wife of McClelland Stunkard; Priscilla J., wife of Washington Shell, is deceased; John K .;

Thomas J., referred to in this sketch; Samuel; Charles F .; Jessie O .; Mary C., wife of Will- iam Allaway; Sarah M., wife of Mack Hawk, and James P. Thomas J. came to Texas in 1858 and bought land in Lamar county, and after his marriage made his home in Dallas connty. During the time he was engaged in the mercantile business he was also Post- master of Pleasant valley for a number of years. He served seven months in the army, after which he was taken sick and was dis- charged on account of disability. His death occurred on his birthday, January 29, 1888, at the age of fifty-three years. Following are the names of Mr. and Mrs. McClain's chil- dren: Priscilla, wife of T. C. Brown; Cora C., wife of William Myers; Bell, wife of Dr. J. D. Mormon; John S., deceased; Lillian, wife of J. A. Martin, and Major Leslie.

Mrs. McClain and three of her children are members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. McClain was also a devoted member.

G. GRACEY is a farmer and stock- man of Lisbon, Dallas county, Texas, and with the interests of this section lie has been identified since the fall of 1848. He was born in Bond county, Illinois, Oc- tober 13, 1833, the third of five children born to William and Isabel (Harris) Gracey, natives of North Carolina, who settled in Illinois in 1818. The father was a farmer by occupation and died in 1842, one year after the death of his wife, his birth having occurred June 11, 1796, his wife being thirty-eight years of age at the time of her deatlı. After the death of his parents C. G. Gracey found a home with relatives, but when lie was ten years of age he started ont to make his own way in the world, and possess-

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ing but little education and being nnac- quainted with the ways of the world, he found it quite difficult to secure a livelihood for a number of years. After working at different employments and in various local- ities for a number of years he finally drifted to Texas in 1848, coming thither with a man named John B. Robinson, the journey being made by team in thirty days. Mr. Gracey was engaged in stock-driving for one year, the two subsequent years being spent at various occupations. He then purchased 160 acres of land near Cedar Hill, but he after- ward purchased a farm of 200 acres near Lisbon, which he greatly improved. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Nineteenth Texas Cavalry, and served princi- pally in Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas, participating in the raid of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and in the expedition down the Red river. After the war closed he returned to Dallas county and settled down to farming, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 322 acres the most of which is in a high state of cultivation.

In September, 1866, he was nnited in mar- riage to Miss Sophia Hill, a daughter of Isaac and Pauline B. (Carter) Hill, who were born January 30, 1804, and November 28, 1813, and died October 1, 1861 and October 3, 1861, respectively, their marriage having been celebrated June 5, 1834. To Mr. and Mrs. Gracey the following children were born: Charles W., of Hall county; Nora Eleanor, the wife of J. W. Morrison, of Hall county; Eddie, who died in infancy; Harvey Hill; a little daughter that died in infancy; Olivia Bell; Jessie who died at the age of two years; Eugene R. and another child that died while a babe. Mr. and Mrs. Gracey are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is considered by all one of the useful

citizens of the connty. He has succeeded in accumulating valuable property and has sur- rounded himself and family with all the necessary comforts of life, and has also given his children good educational advantages.

LFRED PEMBERTON, deceased, was a native of Tennessee, and came to Dal- las county, Texas, some time in the '50s. Here he engaged in agricultural pursuits and continued thus employed until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Confederate army and served faithfully until the close of the war. After his return he was married, October 16, 1865, to Mrs. Josephine Eddy, a daughter of William Myres, a pioneer of Dallas county. After his marriage, Mr. Pemberton settled on the old homestead of Mr. Myres, where he followed farming successfully until the spring of 1887, when he purchased a finely improved farm of 110 acres of J. O. Ricketts. One month after his settlement on this place Mr. Pem- berton died, aged forty-eight years. To him and his wife two children were born: William and Lula-both now living with their mother.

Mrs. Pemberton is the youngest of the five children born to William and Ann Myres, natives of Garrard county, Kentucky, and of German ancestry. William Myres was born in 1801, a son of Lonis Myres, who moved from Maryland to Kentucky in an early day. Ann Myres was the daughter of Jacob Myres of Kentucky. William Myres was reared to farm life, and after reaching manhood began dealing in stock, and continued that business until November 1, 1846, when he and his wife and five children came to Texas, which was then the frontier of civilization. He first settled on a tract of land three miles

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

southwest of Dallas, purchasing a small im- provement and taking a headright in Peters' colony, where he resided the rest of his days. His death occurred in 1871, at the age of seventy years. His wife died in 1870, aged sixty-nine. Mrs. Pemberton was a child when she came to Dallas county, and here she was reared. She remained with her parents until her marriage with Ezra Eddy, who came from Illinois to Texas at an early period. He followed farming until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in the Con- federate service. He died at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1863, aged twenty-five years. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Eleanor, who died in the twentieth year of her age.

Mrs. Pemberton, with her son and daugh- ter, resides on their beantiful farm, eight iniles south of Dallas. She is a member of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Pember- ton was also a consistent member.

EARNEY J. KIVLEN is a native of Sligo, Ireland, who emigrated to Amer- ica with his parents when six years old, and settled in New York city. There he was educated in the College of St. Joseph's parish of Christian Brothers. In 1857 he removed to Daveuport, Iowa, where he remained four years. In 1861 he went to St. Louis, and when the Civil war broke out he enlisted in the defense of his adopted country, and fought the Indians in Minnesota and Dakota, under ex-Governor Sibley, then general in command of the expedition against the Little Crow tribe of Sioux In- dians, who had slaughtered the white settlers at different points.

Returning to St. Louis he joined the Com-

missary Department at Chattanooga, Tennes- see, and served four years in this position. He was on active duty during the battle of Look- out Mountain under Captain A. D. Baker, and was afterward under Captain Toole until the surrender. When peace was declared he went to Atlanta, Georgia, and embarked in the grocery business; he remained there one year, meeting with fair success. He re- turned to Davenport. The Fenian excitement was running high, and he being adventnrons was the first young Irishman to sign his name to the military department of the Fenian organization. He was elected Lieu- tenant of a company of eighty-six men, who left Davenport, Iowa, to march to Canada to fight for the cause of his native country.

He eventnally dufted into the cooper busi- ness, which he had learned from his father. He himself is the fifth generation of coopers, and is a thorough master of the craft. He lived for a time in Bunker Hill, Illinois, where he became actively interested in polities. In 1874 he removed to Texas, and carried on his trade in Sherman, Denni- son and Ennis. In 1876 he came to Dallas and opened business in a small way, which he gradually built up until a corporation was organized, known as the Dallas Cooperage- Company, the incorporators being Kearney J. Kivlen, T. F. Ennis, F. M. Cockrell and George J. Dexter. Mr. Kivlen has the man- agement of the concern, which turns out 300 barrels daily and manufactures all kinds of goods in this line.

Mr. Kivlen was married in 1872 at Bun- ker Hill, Illinois, to Miss Mary Gilligan, a native of New York city. Seven children were born to this union, six of whom are still living: Maggie, Annie, Daniel, Charles, Nellie and Kearney. Bessie Lee died in in- fancy. The family are members of the

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

he knew but little of that life, but as there was hardly any other source of livelihood in this country at that time, he was forced to turn his attention to agriculture. Mr. Henry bought and improved a small place near the old town, where he was engaged until 1863, and at that date he moved to the village of Laneaster. The Civil war having come on in the meantime, and a pistol factory having been established at this place, he was em- ployed as an engraver in this factory. He was soon, however, forced in the Confederate service, was taken to Houston and other places, and kept during the winter of 1863- '64. In the spring of the latter year he mnade preparations to make Lancaster his perma- nent home, and in 1886, after the close of the war, took active steps toward establishing himself in business.

In the spring of that year Mr. Henry went to Houston and Galveston purchased a small stoek of goods, with which he opened a store at Lancaster. A few years later his son Paul, who had for some time prior to that been in the mercantile business at San Antonio, and the younger son, R. P., became interested in the business, but which was continued in the name of the father. A branch store was soon established at Hutchins, this county, which was placed in the hands of the younger son. The partnership was dissolved in April, 1974, and the father and youngest son en- gaged in business in Lancaster, under the firin name of Paul Henry & Son, which was continued until January. 1880. In that year the father resigned his business at Lancaster and his interest to the establishment at Hutchins, under the name of Paul Henry & Son. which he continued until 1888. For some years prior to this Mr. Henry had made his home at Dallas, but returned to Laneaster to- ward the close of 1888, where he died, De-

eember 18, 1890, at the age of seventy-two years. He led an active life np to the elose of his career, and attained a fair degree of snecess for one of his means and opportuni- ties. He was of an ardent temperment, pos- sessed quick intelligence, was well informed, social in disposition, and above all things be- lieved in the rights of man, and always stood for their strict observance. He served the people of Lancaster as Postmaster for many years, and gave satisfaction in this capacity. He retained to his death a taste for his art as an engraver, and kept in his possession un- til three years before he died his press and lithograph stores, which he brought from France. His wife, nee A. Adelaide Dehogue was a native also of Chartelean, France, and accompanied her husband to this country. She shared his fortunes through his early struggle for a few years only, when she passed away. Of their four children all bnt one are now living, and are residents of this county, viz .: the wife of J. Revershan, who resides near the city of Dallas; Paul, the eldest son, died at Lancaster December 22, 1889, leav- ing no family; Rene Paul, a citizen of Lan- caster; Asia Adelaide, the wife of Henry B. Lloyd, who resides in the southern part of the county.

R. P. Henry, the youngest and only sur- viving son of J. P. and A. Adelaide Henry, was born in Charteleau, France, January 22, 1850, and was only five years of age when his parents came to this eonntry. The first seven years of his life in this county was spent on his father's farm west of Dallas. Unfortunately just at the time when he should have been in school the war came on, and the schools were broken, as were most of the families. He attended a select school taught by the Misses Jacobs, where lie re- ceived the rudiments of a tair English edu-

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

cation. After attaining a suitable age he leit school and began to earn a livelihood. and was variously engaged. while yet a boy, before taking an interest in the mercantile business with his father. His name first be- came known in business in 1574. when he and his father entered into a partnership as Paul Henry & Son. in Lancaster. As has already been mentioned Mr. Henry was in- terested in mercantile pursuits in Lancaster and Hutchins, in this county. either alone. or in connection with his father and brother. During this time and more especially of late years, he has been interested in the cotton and real-estate business. In January. 1991. he established the business. with which his name has been most prominently connected since. At that date he organized the Bank of Lancaster. which. although a compara- tively new institution. fills a long felt want in that community. and which promises to de- velop into an institution of which the founder, as well as the village, may be proud.

Mr. Henry has done business for many years in the southern part of this county. and he is well and favorably known to the citizens of that locality. The success he has attained is a sufficient guarantee of the correctness of his methods. Mr. Henry also possesses about 1.000 acres of land, most of which lies in Dallas county. and also valuable property in the city of Dallas. He does business with some of the heaviest financial institutions in the city. being a stock-holder in the City National Bank. the North Texas National Bank. and is also a director in the Fourth National Bank of Dallas. Like his father Mr. Henry has never sought public office. preferring the paths of private life and the certainties of an honest livelihood.

Knox. then of this county. but originally from Boone county. Missouri. where Mrs. Henry was born and partly reared. her parents having moved to Texas since the war. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry have been born five chil- dren: Stella. Mary. Paul. Jennie and R. P. Mr. Henry is a member of the Knights and La- dies of Honor. and to his family, fraternities, friends and associates he always shows the kindness and sympathie devotion of a friend.

ATRICK MCDONOUGH. Duncanville. Texas .- The subject of this sketch has been identified with the interests of Dallas county since 1873. He was born in Ireland. February 9. 1546. son of Patrick and Judith (Lydon) MeDonough, natives of the same place. His father was a farmer in the old country. and in 1848 he and his wife emigrated to America, leaving their chil- dren. the subject of this sketch. then two years old. and an infant, with Mrs. McDonough's parents. Here they went earnestly to work to make a home. Mr. MeDonough finding employment on a railroad in New York State and his wife keeping a boarding-house. At first, however. she was employed in a farmer's family. In 1852. having saved her earnings, they sent means to bring their little ones to this country, and in due time the grand- mother and uncle arrived with them. Mr. and Mrs. McDonough being in Virginia at that time. Mr. McDonough continued to work on the railroad until he had saved means enough to einigrate to the Territory of Minnesota. There he pre-empted 160 acres of Government land. improved the same and subsequently traded it for a farm in Cook's valley. He has spent nearly thirty-five years

He was married May 9. 1876. to Miss Nannie D. Knox, a daughter of Washington in Minnesota and is still living there. Eleven

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

children were born to this worthy couple, namely; Patrick, John, Bridget, deceased, Bartholomew, Maria, Daniel, Anna, Andrew, Julia and James. One died in infancy. The parents still reside on the old homestead and are well advanced in years, and are con- sistent members of the Catholic Church.

As will be noticed from the above, Mr. McDonough was six years old when he came to America and was only a youth when he went with his parents to Minnesota, being there when that State was admitted into the Union. He grew up on his father's farm and remained with his parents until the out- break of the Civil war. Enlisting in May, 1864, in Company K, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he served through that sanguinary struggle; was wounded in the ankle at Pine Mountain, Georgia, and from the effects of the injury thus sustained has never recovered.

After the war, Mr. McDonough worked at various occupations in many different places until 1873, when he located in Dallas, Texas, working by the month one year. He was married, December 23, 1874 to Miss Eliza- beth Jane Hustead, a native of Dallas county, and a daughter of Harrison and Prudence (Bartlet) Hustad, who came to this county in 1845. After his marriage he rented land of R. G. Penn, who furnished him with a team and seed and received half the crop, this arrangement continuing two years. Then he rented another farm, having his own team after the first year, after which he rented land for cash four years. In 1881 he purchased his present farm, 163} acres, and in 1883 settled on it. One acre of this he donated to the district for school purposes. He at once began improving his place, and now has an orchard of six acres and a beauti. ful home surrounded with shade and orna-

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 70

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