Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 82

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 82

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).

The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, First Berdan's Sharpshooters, serving until commissioned Adjutant, Thirty- sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in Feb- rnary, 1864. Hle was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 1864, be-

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ing shot through the right shoulder. Ile was sent to the hospital at Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia. He returned to his reg- iment on the 23d of August, and on the 26th day of August, he was taken prisoner at Ream's Station on the Weldon railroad, was sent to Libby prison, kept there three months, and then paroled and sent to Annapolis, Mary- land, remaining until January 6, 1865, when he again joined his regiment in front of Petersburg, Virginia, and participated in the closing campaign of the Army of the Poto- mac in Virginia, and was present at the sur- rendeer of General Robert E. Lee to General Grant at Appomattox. He left the service as brevet Major. Is not a pensioner, from principle.

In 1865, Mr. Atwell established a com- mercial college at Portage City, Wisconsin. Ile subsequently removed to Sparta, where he continued in the same business. From the latter place he moved to La Crosse, where he established a commercial college in the building formerly occupied by the celebrated Brick Pomeroy. This institution is at pres- ent in a very flourishing condition, having a yearly attendance of about 400. He re- moved to Texas in 1873, and located at Mes- quite, about ten miles east of Hutchins. Af- ter remaining there seven years, he moved to Hutchins, in which place he has since re- sided. On his arrival in Texas, he com- nienced farming, and continued in that voca- tion until 1880. At that time he entered upon a mercantile life.

Mr. Atwell has been twice married. In 1868, he wedded Miss Deema Hawley, of Jamestown, New York, who died in 1884. Four children were the fruits of this union, viz .: William H., now practicing law in Dallas, Texas; IIorton B., clerking for his father; and Fannie D. and Ida O., twins.

His second wife, whom he married in 1887, was Miss Kate C. Simpson, a native of Sparta, Tennesseee. Her father was a Major in the Confederate service, and afterward Judge of the Circuit Court. Two children have been born to them,-Benjamin D. and Charles S.

In politics, he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order, having received the Royal Arch degree. His wife is a consistent member of the Christian Church. Mr Atwell began the battle of life with absolutely nothing, but by his industry he has gained enough to keep the wolf from the door.

OHN S. BURNS, farmer, Dallas county, Texas -. Mr. Burns, a progressive farmer of Dallas county, Texas, and a much es- teemed citizen of the same, comes of good old Virginia stock; his parents, Jolın and Mary V. (Cancade) Burns, being natives of that State, the father born in Bath county, in 1802, and the mother in 1807. In politics, the elder Burns affiliated with the Dem- ocratic party, and he is a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. He is still living, and is a resident of his native county. The mother was also an active member of that church, and was honored and revered by all who knew her. Mr. and Mrs. Burns were married in 1827, and the fruits of this union were the following children: Lewis F., resides in Bath county, Virginia; Persley F., resides in the same county ; Melvina G., is the wife of C. G. Miller; JJames A., in Vir- ginia; John S .; Tilitson F., in Virginia; and Newton A., also a resident of Virginia. The paternal grandfather was also a native of the Old Dominion. John S. Burns was born in Virginia, in 1843, and remained under

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the parental roof until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Eleventh Virginia Cavalry, and participated in a num- ber of the principal engagements, -Gettys- burg and the Wilderness. He was wounded by a shell and taken to the hospital, but did not remain there long. He served until the close of the war and surrendered at Appo- mattox. Coming to Texas after cessation of hostilities, he first located on Ten Mile creek, where he remained until 1880, when he re- turned to his native State. Four months la- ter, he came back to the Lone Star State, and settled in Dallas county, where he has since resided. In 1872, he was married to Miss Alice U. Ross, who was born in West Vir- ginia, in 1853, and who came to Texas with her parents in 1866. Eight children were born to this union, who are named as follows: Josie M., Johnny (deceased), William L., Cora (deceased), Mary V., Etta B., Leslie L. and Ocie R. Mr. Burns is a self-made man, for when he first landed in Texas he had but $10. He is now the owner of a well im- proved farm of 150 acres, has it well stocked, and his reputation for honorable dealing is not excelled by any man.

OHN HUGHES COCHRAN, who has been a resident of Texas since his early childhood, is the subject of the follow- ing sketch. As he reached the age of ma- turity he became so closely identified with the history of Dallas county that this record would not be complete without a review of his personal career. He was born in Colum- bia, Manry county, Tennessee, June 28, 1838 John Cochran, his grandfather, was an Irish gentleman, and he married Margaret MeClanahan, whose ancestors were from Scot-

land. They resided in Abbeville distriet, South Carolina, where the grandfather died. The father of our subject was born in Abbe- ville district in 1807, and removed with his widowed mother to Maury county, Tennes- see. There he married Nancy J. Hughes, in 1837. She was a native of Virginia, and had removed to Tennessee with her parents. When John H. was three years of age they removed to Texas, and settled at the place now known as Farmers' Branch, Dallas county. Mr. Cochran broke the first sod that was ever turned for a field in Dallas county, in 1843. When the county was or- ganized in 1846 he was elected the first Clerk, and in August, 1847, he was sent to the Legislature of the State of Texas. He took a leading part in the deliberations of that body, and gained a wide reputation for his wisdom and excellent judgment in the for- ination of the laws of the new country which he was assisting to develop. He died April 24, 1853. His widow, a pious and resolute woman, took charge of the family of six chil- dren, and reared them to honorable manhood and womanhood. John H. is the oldest of the children. He was graduated with high honors from Mckenzie Institute, Red River county, Texas, and in 1858-'59 served as a member of the faculty. In 1860 he went to Young county, and took the census of that year. Also this year he commanded a com- pany of Texas Rangers, under Governor Sam Houston.

Upon the declaration of war between the North and South he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Texas Cavalry, and served from Sept- ember, 1861, to June, 1862. He did valiant service in the canse he had espoused, but on account of ill-health lie was obliged to resign. Ile returned to his home, and in 1862 was elected Assessor and Collector of Dallas

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

county. After his term of office had expired he went to the frontier, meeting with many adventures and narrow escapes from death. He was one time attacked by the Indians, and with two comrades made a brave defense; they repelled the attack, but witnessed the horrible butchery of many of their neighbors who failed to reach the shelter. A short period of these harrowing experiences suf- fieed, and he returned to Dallas county.

The people of the county testified to the confidence which they reposed in Mr. Coch- ran by eleeting him to represent them in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth Sessions of the Legislature. He was Speaker of the last named Assembly, and in 1882 he was re-elected to the eighteenth session, and in 1890, to the twenty-second session. During the fifteenth Assembly he was Chairman of the Committeeon Taxation and Revenue, and really formed the laws known as the Tax Laws, which raised the credit of the State from fifty eents to par. During his long career as a legislator no suspicion of triekery has ever been east upon him, and he is re- garded as above elicanery. He is able, con- seientious and fearless in the discharge of his duty. There has been no better Representa- tive in the House in the past twenty years. He was appointed Postmaster of Dallas by President Cleveland, and served with mueh credit for four years, two months and two days. It was while he was in office that the city made its mnost rapid growth, and the mails were handled with a promptness and aceur- acy that challenged the admiration of all parties. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the Masonie fraternity, and he is also a Knight of Honor. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a liberal supporter of the society.

Mr. Cochran was married June 20, 1860,

to Miss Martha Jane Johnson, of Young county, Texas. Six children were born to this union. The two elder sons, William R. and James A., died just as they had attained manhood. They were bright, promising youths, an honor to their parents and a credit to the community in which they were reared.

ACK SCOTT has been identified with the interests of Dallas county, Texas, for more than two decades, and it is fitting that biographieal mention of him should be made in this work.

He was born in Brown county, Ohio, Au- gust 28, 1837, son of Taylor and Susan (Compton) Seott, natives of Ohio. Grand- father John Seott came from England to Ohio at an early day. He, in company with Cap- tain Massey, surveyed a part of that State for the Government, and in return for his services received a large tract of wild land. He died in Ohio at an advanced age. Taylor Scott lived to be eighty-four years old, and died near his old home in Ohio. Susan Scott is a daughter of Richard Compton, who came from Virginia to Kentucky in early times, subsequently loeating on Government land in Ohio, where he passed the rest of his days. Grandfather Scott served during the war of 1812, and Grandfather Compton was a Revo- lutionary soldier. Mrs. Seott still resides in Ohio, having reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. Eleven of their twelve chil- dren grew to adult years, and eight are still living.

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and received his education in the com- mon sehools. At the age of eighteen years he started out in life for himself; went to the

HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Territory of Nebraska, and there engaged in farming and afterward in the stock business. In 1869 he came to Texas and located in Dallas county, near where he now resides. He first engaged in the manufacture of shingles, which he continued for three years, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He subsequently became associated in business with the firm of A. W. Littlehale & Bro., of Dallas, remaining thus engaged three years. After that he returned to farm- ing and gardening, which he has since fol- lowed. Ile has sixteen and a half acres of land located a mile and a half from Dallas.

Mr. Scott was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Elizabeth Penny, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Wesley Penny, also a native of that State. This union was blessed with one child, Rillie, now the wife of Eman- nel Sontare, of Dallas county. The young wife and mother passed away the year follow- ing her marriage, 1863. In January, 1869, before leaving Nebraska, Mr. Scott wedded Emmie Baker, a native of Michigan, daughter of Dr. Calvin Baker, who removed from that State to Nebraska. By this marriage six children were born, of whom four are living, namely: Andrew, Minnie, Ida and Emmie. Mrs. Scott departed this life April 30, 1885.

During the late war Mr. Scott served as a Captain in the State Guards, under Governor Davis' administration. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.

AMES W. WRIGHT, M. D., deceased, was born near Nashville, Tennessee, February 4, 1825, son of Thomas and Martha A. (Tate) Wright, who were of Eng- lish and Irish ancestry. He was reared on a arm and when he reached his majority

enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war; par- ticipated in some of the prominent battles, and remained in service one year, the term of his enlistment. He then returned to his home in Tennessee and began the study of medicine, under the preceptorship of Dr. Etherly, of Green Hill, Wilson county, that State. He took his first course of lectures in Lonisville during the winter of 1849-'50, and graduated at the medical college of Nash- ville, Tennessee, in 1860.

Soon after his return from the Mexican war Dr. Wright was married, October 28, 1848, to Miss Lucy C. Brooks, a native of Davidson county, Tennessee, and a daughter of Moses T. and Nancy (Tate) Brooks. In the fall of 1850 they emigrated to Texas, making the journey with horse teams and being six weeks on the road. At that time Dallas had but two stores and a few log houses. The Doctor's father had purchased a tract of wild land and they settled on a portion of it, five miles north of Dallas, on Five Mile creek. He began improving the land and at the same time established himself himself in a medical practice. His profes- sional duties often called him many miles away, and the life of a young practitioner, riding horseback over new country, withont roads or bridges, was by no means an easy one. He practiced here until the fall of 1860, when he returned to Tennessee and completed his medical course, as before stated. In 1861 he came back to Texas and bought 100 acres of land in Dallas county, near where Oak Cliff now stands, and, in connec- tion with his partner, engaged in farming to some extent. During the late war he served as surgeon on board the Melissa.

To Dr. Wright and his wife six children were born, víz .: Martha A., who died at the age of five years; Sarah W. E., who became

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the wife of William P. Pollerd, died Septem- ber 27, 1876, leaving three children; James B .; Mary J., wife of David E. Coffman, of Taylor county, Texas; Jesse, at home; and Kattie T., wife of Otis D. Brittan. Dr. Wright's death occurred on the 5th of Oc- tober, 1882. He was a member of the A., F. & A. M., and was well and favorably known throughout Dallas county. Mrs. Wright continued to reside on the old home- stead until March, 1891, when she moved to Dallas. She is a member of the Baptist Church.

AMES G. GARVIN, a prominent and early pioneer of Dallas county, was born in Howard county, Missouri, in 1830, the eldest of seven children born to Stephen 11. and Jeanette (Brooks) Garvin, natives of Kentucky. The father moved to Missouri when a young man, and remained in Howard county until his death, which occurred in 1875; the mother now resides in Randolph county, Missouri, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.

James G. was reared to farm life and edu- cated in the subscription schools of Howard county. In 1861 he enlisted in Colonel Nat. M. Burford's regiment, and was in the bat- tle of Wilson's creek, then served under Col- onel David Williams, was under General Priee on the Missouri raid, and next at Fay- etteville, Arkansas. He served until the close of the war and was discharged at Shreveport, after which he went to Randolph county, Missouri, and in a short time eame with his family to Dallas county, Texas. He bought 200 acres of partly improved land, where he built a good house and has now 125 acres under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Garvin resided in the city of Dallas six years, where

he was engaged in the grocery and feed busi- ness on Ross avenne. He still owns the store and also has five residences on San Jacinto and McCoy streets, which he rents. He takes an active interest in the Democratic party, is a member of the Bryant Street Christian Church, and is always active in church work.

Mr. Garvin was married in Randolph county, Missouri, Jannary 10, 1850, to Cath- erine A. Tompkins, a native of Missouri and daughter of William Tompkins, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Garvin lost his wife October 13, 1875, at St. Louis, Missouri, and they had five children, viz .: William, a farmer of Rockwall county, Texas; Laura, now Mrs. W. C. Harvey, of Vernon, this State; Mar- tha, who married J. T. Sims, of Dallas county, and died September 8, 1883; Min- erva, wife of John Runkle, of Rockwall county; Robert E., of Shackelford county, Texas; and Joseph. Mr. Garvin was again married, in 1876, to Mollie Hedrick, a native of Mississippi and daughter of John Hedrick, a resident of Denton county, Texas. She died of consumption in Dallas county in 1878, and in 1879 Mr. Garvin married Lulu Smith, a native of Tennessee and daughter of Mr. Smith, who died some years ago in this county. This wife died in 1852, leaving one child, Lulu. In 1883 Mr. Garvin married Ann Eliza Haines, a native of Tennessee. Her father died in that State, and the mother is still living in Hardeman county.

M ARCUS DE LA FAYETTE GRA- CEY, a pioneer farmer of Dallas county, was born in Bond county, Illinois, October 22, 1831, a son of William and Harriet Isabella (Harris) Gracey, natives of North Carolina. The parents were reared in

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Tennessee, but later emigrated to Illinois, in the early settlement of that State, where the father engaged in farming. They reared a family of eight children, and the father died in Illinois in October, 1842; the mother, March 4, 1841.

Marcus, our subject, was eleven years of age when his father died, after which he lived with an uncle until he came to Texas, in September, 1846. He came with his brother-in-law, in a two-horse wagon, and was six weeks and four days making the trip, landing at Coffey's Bend. They crossed the Red river, and lived in a tent four weeks, or until they could build a cabin. Mr. Gracey assisted in improving his brother-in-law's farın, and then worked for a family by the name of Norboe, at farm work. December 24, 1854, he located 320 acres of land one- half mile from where Lisbon now stands, where he built a log house, 16 x 18 feet, and he has since added to his original purchase until he now owns 500 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Gracey was married September 7, 1854, to Miss Amanda E. Harris, a native of Warren county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Thomas H. and Martha E. (Skies) Harris. The parents were married in Kentucky, but in November, 1852, they located in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Gracey have had ten children, eight of whom survive, viz .: William T., a farmer and stock-raiser of Stephens county; Mary B., wife of David A. Yokley, a stock- raiser of Palo Pinto county; Robert R., a stock-raiser of Stephens county ; Joseph S., a stock raiser of Clay county; Albert Sidney, also of Clay county; George Henry, a stock- raiser of Stephens county; Lucy and Cora. Mr. and Mrs. Gracey are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, and socially, a mem-

ber of the A. F. & A. M., having joined the order in 1852; was Treasurer of the Masonic lodge, No. 52, for many years; is a member of the Dallas Chapter, and also of the Royal Arch. He is a self-made man, and by his own industry and economy has accumulated property, and by his many years of upright dealings has won the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

ESSE H. PEACOCK, liveryman, Lan- caster, Texas .- There are few enterprises that contribute to the convenience of the residential and transient public more than the well appointed livery stable, and foremost among those who have been successful in this business is Mr. Peacock. His father, A. W. Peacock, was born in the Keystone State, but moved from there to Pope county, Ar- kansas, where his death occurred in 1852. He was married in 1841, to Miss Lucy How- ell, a native of Tennessee and the daughter of Jesse Howell. Socially, Mr. Peacock was a member of the Masonic order, and in his religious views he was a Presbyterian. The five children born to this union are named in the order of their births as follows: Lorenzo Q., died in 1852; Nancy, died in 1852; Thomas A., was accidentally shot and killed in 1865; Mattie, died in 1888: she was the wife of John Rawlins, a resident of Dallas county, Texas; and Jesse H. The last named was born October 27, 1849, in Pope county, Arkansas, and he there remained with his mother until the time of her death, which occurred in 1857. He then made his home with his uncle, H. A. Howell, a merchant of Dardanelle, Yell county, Arkansas, with whom he remained until 1860, after which he came to Dallas county, Texas. Here he

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

resided with another unele, Thomas A. How- ell, until sixteen years of age, when he started out to fight life's battles for himself. He first engaged in cattle-driving, and later freighted for about three years. After this he rented a farm about four miles west of Lancaster, continned there about four years, and then moved to that town, where he con- ducted a livery barn for some time. He was elected constable, served in that capacity for about six years, and then bought a farm, on which he resided one year. Since then he has been a resident of Laneaster, and, in company with E. S. Goy, carries on a livery barn. In the year 1877 Mr. Peacock was married to Miss Mary E. Guy, who was born January 22, 1850, and who is a danghter of Robert S. and Emily (Green) Guy. Mr. Peacock is a man of sterling integrity and good business ability. Mrs. Peacock's grand- father, Jolin Guy, was a native of Ireland, came to America when sixteen years of age, located first in Virginia, but subsequently moved to Callaway county, Missouri, where his death ocenrred in 1855. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church for many years and was an Elder in the same. In 1819 he was married to Miss Mary C. Baskin, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Baskin, and the fruits of this union were eleven children, seven daughters and four sons. Of this family Robert Smith Guy (father of Mrs. Peacock) was the eldest. He was born in Augusta county, Virginia, but moved with his parents to Callaway county, Missouri, where he remained until 1852. Although his advantages for receiving an education were not of the best, by close application and observation he became well informed, and at an early age began the study of law. In 1846 he married Miss E. Green, a native of Missouri, born in 1825 and the

daughter of John and Elizabeth (Proctor) Green, natives of Kentucky. After his mar. riage Mr. Guy first embarked in farming, continned this one year, and then began teaching school, but at the same time eontin- ned the study of law. Soon after coming to the Lone Star State he was admitted to the bar, but for some time after his admission he continued to teach. However, his prac- tice grew to such proportions that he was compelled to abandon teaching and give his entire attention to his profession, becoming one of the most successful jury lawyers of his distriet. In 1861 he organized Company F, and joined Colonel Stone's regiment, with which he served one year, when he was obliged to resign on account of ill health. He afterward re-enlisted and served in the Quartermaster Department until the close of hostilities. In polities he was a Democrat, and the esteem in which he was held by his party was evinced by his being elected Sena- tor from his distriet two successive terms. He was a member of the Masonic order, and a liberal supporter of the church. To Mr. and Mrs. Guy were born three children: William W., died in Camp Washington, Ar- kansas, during the war; M. E., wife of our subject; and Edward S., born in 1853, and married March 8, 1876, to Miss Sallie B. Lacy, a native of Ellis county, Texas. He is a member of the firm of Peacock & Guy.

C. KEARBY, attorney, Dallas, Texas .- A history of the prominent men of Dallas county would be incomplete withont mention of the subject of this sketch, J. C. Kearby, who is one of the able at- torneys of the county. He owes his nativity to Clark county, Arkansas, his birthi occur-

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ring in Arkadelphia, in 1848, and was the eldest of three children born to Dr. E. P. and Mary (Peyton) Kearby, natives respect- ively of Kentucky and Virginia. When a young man the father emigrated to Hot Springs county, Arkansas (1840), was mar- ried there, and there practiced medicine. In 1857 he came to Denton county, Texas, and followed his profession for some time, and later moved to Van Zandt county. Texas. Ile is now a resident of Rains county, Texas. The mother died in Hot Springs county, Arkansas. J. C. Kearby was reared in the Lone Star State, and educated in the sub- scription schools of Denton county. In 1861 he enlisted in Denton county, in Captain O. G. Welch's Company, Cooper's Regiment, and later was in Charles De Moss' Regiment, Twenty-ninth Texas Cavalry. He enlisted for twelve months and, at the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted for the re- mainder of the war. He was in the battles in Indian Territory, was afterward at Elk- horn, Cabin creek, Honey creek, Poison Springs, Mansfield, and he was also in the Red River expedition. At the close of hos- tilities Mr. Kearby returned to Denton and began reading law with Judge Waddle, of Mckinney, continning with him until the latter's death, which occurred in 1867. He then finished reading law with Colonel Welch, of Denton, and was admitted to the bar in 1869, after which he at once com- menced practicing and has been doing an ex- tensive court practice throughout the State. He began at Van Zandt, where he remained until 1874, and then came to Dallas.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 82

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