Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 85

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 85

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Returning to Hempstead county, Arkansas, he engaged as a clerk at Washington. From there he came to Dallas county, Texas, in 1867, and located at Cedar Hill. At the latter place he was married, December 22, 1867, to Miss Sarah A. Stewart, a native of Dallas county and a daughter of Samnel and Melinda (Jackson) Stewart, natives of North Carolina and Missouri, respectively. Her father went from North Carolina to Missouri,

where he married, and in 1845 he and his wife came to Dallas county, Texas, and set- tled at Cedar Hill, on Ten-mile creek. Both died in Dallas county, the mother in 1866, and the father in 1868. Mr. Stewart re- inained on a farm one year after his mar- riage. He then engaged in clerking and merchandising in Cedar Hill; was Postinaster at that place for a number of years; and served as Justice of the Peace three terms. In 1884 he moved to Dallas. Socially, Mr. Stewart is a member of Cedar Hill Lodge, No. 39, A. F. & A. M. In 1888 his wife died. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and was a most estimable woman. She left five chil- dren: N. M., A. R., S. L., James A. and I. B. Two of their children died in infancy.

In 1891 Mr. Stewart was married, in Cedar Hill, to Miss Mary A. Rape, a native of Dal- las county, Texas, and a daughter of John Rape. Her parents, natives of Illinois, were among the early settlers of Dallas county, Texas. Her mother died at Itasca, Hill county, this State, in 1882. Her father is still living, at Cedar Hill.

A. ORLOPP, the talented architec of the new courthouse of Dallas connty, was born in Brooklyn, New York, May, 26, 1859. His parents are M. A. and Harriet (Hail) Orlopp, both natives of Germany. The father has been a hardware merchant in New York city, Chicago, Cin- cinnati and Little Rock, Arkansas, at which latter place he has been living for the past twenty-three years. In Cincinnati he was connected with Tyler, Davidson & Co., the projectors of the fountain on Fifth, Vine and Walnut streets, about the time the fountain

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was built. The name was first spelled "Orloff" and the father of our subject was a political exile from Russia and Germany at the same time that Carl Schurz was exiled. He came to America, the land of the free and refuge of the oppressed. He is now a man fifty-nine years of age, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife also is still liv- ing, having come to America with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Orlopp were married in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in 1856. They had four chil- dren, namely: Henry, the eldest, is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the cotton and oil business, married to Elizabeth Wright, and they have four children, Paul T., Harriet, Harry and Alexis; Norman died at the age of two years; our subject is the third child, and Paul A., residing in Cincinnati, connected with the Adams Express Company is the youngest child and is as yet unmarried.

Our subject was educated in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Mary- land, graduating in June, 1881. After leav- ing the academy his time was occupied in civil engineering until 1884, making rail- road surveys most of the time, and during this time he was connected with the United States Engineers. He took up the study of architecture in 1885 and has been engaged in it ever since, with headquarters at Little Rock, but lately he has changed his head- quarters to Dallas, Texas. He built the Scollard building of Dallas, on Main street, seven stories in height, which is one of the largest and most ornamental buildings in the city. The work on which he is now engaged is the building of one of the city schools. He was the architect of the courthouse and it is one of the finest of its kind in the country.

He was married, in 1887, to Miss Jessie E. Culver, daughter of John Culver, of Little

Rock, Arkansas. They have two children, the pride and joy of the household, Elizabeth and Helen.

Mr. Orlopp is a member of the Elks.

This gentlemen, whose biography is here so briefly sketched is one of the best work- men in his line that America has ever pro- duced. Posessed of an excellent education, he has perfected himself in his art and now stands pre-eminent in his profession. He has as high a standing as a gentleman as an architect, and is highly esteemed by his hosts of admiring friends.

Z. SHUFORD, one of the pioneer set- tlers of Dallas county, was born in North Carolina, in 1850, the seventh of nine children born to Joe and Cynthia (Mooney) Shnford, also natives of North Carolina. The father was Sheriff of Gaston county, that State, for a number of years, and his death occurred in that county in 1855; the mother still resides in North Carolina.

J. Z. Shuford, our subject, was reared to farm life, and educated in the public schools of Gaston connty, North Carolina. He learned the carpenter trade in Lincolnton, saine State, and afterward, in 1870, he came to Dallas, where he engaged in bridge building. He was in the employ of the Texas Pacific Railroad for about six years, and is now engaged in repairing and beautifying his place on Patterson avenne, where he owns six lots, 150 x 300 feet. Mr. Shuford also owns two other large build- ings, with plenty of ground and good flow- ing springs, situated one and one-half blocks from the Texas Pacific Railroad, and four blocks from the city hall. He has taken an active interest in politics, voting with the

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Democratic party. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, and both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.

Mr. Shuford was married at Dallas, in 1877, to Miss Kittie Patterson, a native of this county, and a daughter of Judge J. M. and Sarah (Selt) Patterson, natives of Ken- tueky. The parents came to Dallas at an early day, where they both still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Shuford have four children, namely: Earl Patterson, Carl Huett, Ardell, who died at one year of age, and Cameal.

Both parents are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Chruch, on Patterson avenue. the most beautiful avenue of Dallas, named for Judge Patterson, who was one of the first Judges in Dallas and whose sketch appears elsewhere.

W. SEBASTIAN, a farmer of Pre- cinct No. 3, Dallas county, was born in Cherokee county, Georgia, May 22, 1838, a son of Edmond Sebastian, who was born in Wilkes county, North Caro- lina, in August. 1800. In 1825 he was married to Miss Pollie Ledbetter, and they had two children born to them in North Carolina: Nancy A. and Martha Jane. They afterward moved to Georgia, where two more children were born: Orlando and Elisha, and where two also died, Martha J. and Orlando. The mother died in 1835, after which the father returned to North Carolina, and while there was again married, in 1837, to Miss Mary A. Whiteside. He then returned to his farm in Georgia, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1879, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Sebas- tian were the parents of eight children, namely: W. W. Sebastian, our subject; Ed- mond P .; Mary E., wife of William G. Field,

who died leaving five children ; J. P. was the next in order of birth; Elizabeth A., wife of P. H. Fite; Lewis II .; Columbus A .; Frank- lin P., who died when young; Elisha, who died on his way home from the army; Ed- mond P., who also served in the war, was badly wounded at the battle of Athens, Ten- nessce, being a member of his brother's com- pany (the subject), in 1864; William W. mar- ried Miss Melissa A. Stewart, Jannary 6, 1859, who was related to the Stewart that captured the great bandit of Kentucky and Tennessee. Mrs. Sebastian's father, Barnabas Stewart, was born in 1793, in Tennessee, and was married to Miss Susan Laymance about 1818. He then moved to Illinois, where he remained one year, and in 1835 returned to Georgia, where he spent the remainder of his days. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had eleven chil- dren, namely: James L .; Mary E., wife of Jesse Jackson; Melissa A .; Margaret M., wife of James F. Ramsey; Samuel L .; Frank- lin M .; Catharine, wife of John Terry.

William W. Sebastian, our subjeet, enlisted in 1862, in the Third Confederate Regiment, as a private, and served abont one year, when he returned home and raised a company, which was attached to Edmondson's battalion, Georgia troops. Ile went out as Captain, but was in command of the battalion the greater portion of the time, and was also on detached service. He was discharged at Kingston, Georgia, under General Wafford, after the close of the war, and came ont without being captured or wounded, but was in many hot engagements.

He returned to his home after the close of the war and was engaged in farming until his removal to Dallas county, Texas, Decem- ber 7, 1872. He rented land three years, and then bought a farm three miles south of Richards. He next bought 200 acres of land

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where he now lives, to which he has since added until lie now owns 640 acres, all of which is well improved. Mr. Sebastian has also been actively engaged in buying and shipping cotton in connection with his farm- ing and stock-raising. He first commenced the stock-business with graded Durham cat- tle, but has now changed to the Holstein, of which he has as fine specimens as can be found in any State. He also has some blooded horses of the Hambletonian and Endower stock, which breeds command very high prices. Mr. Sebastian is one of the useful citizens of Dallas county, always keeping up with times in all kinds of improvements, and is charitable to the unfortunate of his neigh- borhood.

Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian have had eleven children: Edmond B .; Mary S., wife of Cal- vin Taylor; Anna J., wife of Thomas M. Raney; Thomas P .; Dollie, wife of Charles Castle; Tennia; William F .; Sidney J. and Walter E. One is now deceased, five are married and living in Texas and five are still with their parents. Mr. Sebastian has served several terms as Master of the Masonic order, Richardson Lodge, No. 256, and has been Representative of his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas, and both he and his wife are of the Baptist persuasion.

MMANUEL M. TILLMAN was born on the picturesque banks of the river Rline, Germany, in March, 1841, and is the son of Jacob Tillman, a wine merchant who is still living in his native land, at the age of seventy-six years. The father is a man of fine mental attainments, and from a long line of ancestors inherited a strength of character and high sense of honor that are

as truly admirable as they are rare. At an early age Emmanuel M. evinced a decided aptitude for the languages, mastering IIebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Ger- man and English. Ile also made a special study of chemistry, graduating from the cel- ebrated laboratory of Fresenius, the most noted chemist of the age. Heentered the Hei- delberg University, and was graduated in 1865 with the degrees of M. A. and Ph. I). Through a long and active business career he has never lost his interest in the classies, and is probably without a peer in the South in linguistic attainment. To the excellent men- tal discipline of his youth he has added the culture that comes from extended travels both in this country and Europe. Upon emi- grating to the United States he located in Natchez, Mississippi, and engaged in the drug business. It was not long until he was ehosen assistant State Geologist, with a lab- oratory at Oxford. At the close of a success- ful and satisfactory term he resigned on ac- count of ill health, and in 1871 he came to Dallas. From that year no name has been more closely connected with the moral, edu- cational, and material growth of Dallas than has Mr. Tillinan's. His time, talent, and means have been freely given, and the result has been its own reward.

He embarked in the wholesale grocery business, and with slight changes in the firm name he has continued uninterruptedly since the beginning of his residence in the place. He has met with serious reverses, losing every - thing by fire; but by strict economy and unre- mitting industry he paid 100 cents on the dol- lar, and re-established himself in a prosperous business.

Mr. Tillman was married in 1873 to Miss Frances Hess, a native of Germany, and a woman of high mental order. They have

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five children living. The eldest, Sidney, is now abroad laying the foundation of an edu- cation that is to be finished in his native land.

Onr worthy subject is a thirty-second de- gree Mason, and is well-versed in the mys- teries of the order. IIe is one of the honored founders of the beneficent order, I. O. F. B., which stands at the head of charitable organi- zations in the United States. He has been one of the main supporters of the Synagogue, and has aideded very largely in bringing the congregation to its present flourishing condi- tion. For a long time he was a member of the City Council, and was one of its most active and able servants. He has always been deeply interested in the public school system, and has earnestly labored to elevate the stand- ard in this city. He has one of the most ele- gantly furnished homes in Dallas, where he dispenses a hospitality in every way worthy of the host.

S. TOPPIN, contractor and builder, is one of the progressive and energetic business men of Dallas. He has been a resident of Texas since June, 1883, when located at Greenville, Hunt county; here he was very prominently identified with the building interest for a period of three years, coming in June, 1886, to Dallas. The first year of his residence here lie did contract work, but afterward was employed as a journeyman until the last part of the year 1888. He again took up contracting, his first shop being located on Main street be- tween Pearl and Preston. His rapidly in- creasing business necessitated larger quarters : so he removed to 132 North Pearl street, where his shops are now located. Among the many buildings he has erected in Dallas

may be mentioned the residences of Judge Davis, Judge Charlton, Judge Morrison and Dr. Williams, at Oak Cliff, and many others in the city of Dallas, including the Dallas Lithographing building. The great building boom of Dallas was a busy time to Mr. Toppin; during that time lie employed fifty men, exhibiting a fine executive ability and extraordinary business qualifications.

The subject of this sketch was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, April 12, 1860, and is the third of a family of six chiil- dren. Ilis parents were William H. and Regina (Dilinger) Toppin; the father was a native of Virginia and of English extraction; he was a carpeuter by trade, and followed this calling through life. Both the father and mother were consistent members of the Lutheran Church; the mother passed from the scenes of this life in 1870, in her forty- first year, and the father survived her in Den- ison, Texas, until the fall of 1888, when he died, at the age of fifty-nine years. In his youth our subject was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and with the exception of three years has followed this occupation since early manhood. In 1870 he removed with his parents from Virginia to Middle- town, Indiana, and at that place gained his early education. His advantages in this di- rection, however, were very limited, and eighteen months eover the period he was in school. In 1883, he was swept by the tide of emigration to the great and growing State of Texas. Ile was united in marriage Nov- ember 3, 1877, to Miss Mary Wimmer, and of this union two children have been born; the elder is Leota N. and the younger, Elizabeth E. September 5, 1882, the mother died, and it was after this sad event that Mr. Toppin decided to remove to Texas. He was married a second time, December 23, 1887,

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to Mrs. Emma C. Fisk Crook, and one child has been born to them: Lena, whose birthday was November 3, 1888.

Mr. Toppin is a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 44, I. O. O. F. and of Queen City Lodge, No. 941, Knights of Honor. He is a man of social and genial disposition, is well- known for his correct business methods, and firm in his convictions of right and wrong. He has won an enviable position in Dallas county, and ranks among her most honored citizens.

ROF. JAMES HENRY GILLESPIE is a son of one of the most eminent educa- tors of the South, William Paxton Gil- lespie, a native of Tennessee. His father was a teacher of the classics all his life, and for more than twenty-two years he was connected with Trinity University. He has retired from active work, and is now living quietly on his plantation. He married Mickia Lester, a native of Tennessee, and they had five chil- dren born to them, three of whom are still living. The mother died in 1867. James H. is the oldest of the family, and received his education at Trinity University, where he took a thorough course of instruction. De- termining to follow the profession of his father, than which there is none higher, he was employed as a teacher in the public schools of Texas. In 1881 he connected him- self with Hill's College, and was principal of the business department for three years. At the expiration of that time he went to Tebu- acana, the seat of Trinity University, and took charge of the commercial department for three years and a half. He then came to Dallas and purchased an interest in Hill's Commercial College. This was in the year 1888, and the year 1890-'91 shows an

enrollment of 216. Six teachers are employed, each of whom is a specialist in his line, and the school lias both a summer and a winter session. It is sup- ported by a patronage from Texas, Louisiana, and the Territories, having established a reputation as one of the most thorough and painstaking schools in the country. Prof. Gillespie's long years of experience have fitted him well for this responsible position, and he is maintaining the reputation as a worthy son of his father. In politics he is a Democrat.

Prof. Gillespie was married to Miss Jennie Hefner, a native of Colorado county, Texas, and four children have been born to them. Mrs. Gillespie was educated at Trinity Uni- versity. She and the Professor are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

RANCIS FENDRICH, one of the pop- ular and successful business men of Dallas, Texas, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1829, the son of Joseph and Wilhelmina Fendrich, the father a native of Germany. The elder Fendrich, after reach- ing this country, settled in Baltimore, where he engaged in business, and where he lived until he received his final summons. The mother died in Baltimore. Their family consisted of five sons, only one besides our subject is now living, namely, John Fendrich, of Columbia, Pennsylvania.

Francis Fendrich received his education in public schools of Baltimore, and when quite young embarked in the tobacco business with his brothers in that city.

In 1855 he started a branch house in Evansville, Indiana, under the name of Fend- rich Bros. In 1865 he went to Lancaster,

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Pennsylvania, to engage in a wholesale leaf- tobacco business. Here he married Miss Mary E. Gable, daughter of the Hon. John S. Gable, a wealthy and influential citizen of Lancaster. In 1871, he removed to Wiscon- sin, buying leaf there until 1877; then, com- ing to the Lone Star State, he settled in Dal- las, on Main street, and there he has remained up to the present, engaged in the wholesale and retail tobacco business. He is prob- ably the best posted tobacco man in the South. He has been in this business for nearly half a century, is a practical and ex- perienced man, thoroughly conversant with every detail of his business, is highly es- teemed for his many exemplary traits of character, promptness and reliability. When he first came to Dallas, Texas, he began in- vesting in real estate and now owns valuable property.

To Mr. and Mrs. Fendrich have been born three children: Francis, who died in Wiscon- sin, in 1876; Ella, now Mrs. Dr. Coble; Nettie, at home.

Mr. Fendrick joined the Odd Fellows organization in Baltimore, in 1849. In poli- ties he is strictly independent.

OSS BROTHERS, Dallas, Texas .- William and Andrew J. Ross, who have been residents of Dallas county since 1866, are the sons of David and Martha (Wallace) Ross. The father came to Texas in 1838, and made an extended trip aeross the country when it was unbroken, uninhab- ited prairie. He returned to Georgia, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1849, and his wife survived until 1860. They were an industrious, self-saeri- ficing couple, and were faithful to their du-

ties as parents of a large family of children. William and Andrew J. emigrated to Texas in 1854, and settled in Smith county, where William opened a farm and planted the first orchard in that section of country. He also planted a vineyard, and was the first man to demonstrate the possibilities of this section as a fruit-growing center. His wines became widely known for their purity and delicacy of flavor, and he soon established a repnta- tion as the most successful horticulturist and wine merchant in the State. He has written many able articles on fruit culture, which are considered the highest authority. As before stated, he came to Dallas connty in 1866, and established himself in the real-estate busi- ness.

Andrew J. was a soldier in the late war, and when it was ended joined his brother in Dallas county. For a time they were inter- ested in some mercantile enterprises, but soon devoted their entire time to the real- estate business.

William was married in Baldwin county, Georgia. to Miss Josephine Hill, a native of that State. She died in 1885, beloved by a wide cirele of acquaintances. No children were born of this marriage.

Andrew J. was married in 1859 to Miss Lightfoot, a descendant of the famous Revo- lutionary family of that name. They are the parents of four children: the oldest son is engaged in business in Arkansas Pass, Texas; one daughter is now Mrs. Maynor; the other daughter married Mr. Lanther, an attorney at Dallas; the fourth child died in infaney.

The brothers have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for half a cen- tury, and have contributed liberally of their means to its support. They are kind and courteous in manner, strictly honorable in all

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their dealings, citizens of whom Dallas county is justly proud. Ross avenue, one of the finest thoroughfares in Dallas city, is named in honor of these gentlemen.

J. POTTER, one of the pioneer settlers of Dallas connty, was born in Kala- mazoo, Michigan, August 30, 1858, the sixth of eight children born to William and Catharine (Tolbert) Potter, the father a native of Oswego, New York, and the mother of Kilkenny, Ireland. The latter came to New York when ten years of age, and after- ward removed to Michigan. The parents were married in Niles, Michigan, and after- ward settled in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, honored pioneers, and in 1877 they came to Dallas, where the father has been identified with the building interests since that time. They now reside on North Harvard street, this city. He is now seventy years of age, while his wife is sixty-five.

S. J. Potter, our subject, was reared and educated in Kalamazoo until eighteen years of age, when he came to Dallas and engaged in the manufacture of cigars and tobacco. He has been identified with the cigar busi- ness since 1877 until a short time ago, and at one time his shop was located on Elm and Live Oak streets, and was the largest manufactory in the State. Mr. Potter was married June 3, 1883, to Anna Spencer, a native of Anna, Illinois, and a daughter of William and Catharine (Shefley) Spencer, the father a native of county Kildare, Ireland, and the mother of Württemburg, Germany. The father came to Illinois when a young man, was married near Jonesboro, that State, and in the spring of 1878 he came to Dallas, Texas, and engaged in the livery business,

and was also a veterinary surgeon. Both parents still reside in this city, the father now aged sixty-six years and the mother fifty- three. They had four daughters: Fanny, deceased; Mary, Jennie and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Potter have four children: Lily, Robert, Daisy and Frankie. Mr. Potter takes an active interest in politics, voting with the Democratic party, and is now serving as Alderman from the Eighth Ward, filling the unexpired term of G. C. Cole. Socially, he is a member of Dallas Lodge, No. 70, Knights of Pythias.

&D. M. PATTERSON, son of Judge James M. Patterson and Sarah E. Pat- terson, of whom a sketch appears else- where in this work, was born in Dallas, Texas, January 20, 1859. His parents were both natives of Kentucky,-came to Dallas county respectively in 1845 and 1846,- where they afterward married (October 5, 1848). Judge Patterson, associated with Jolın W. Smith, was the first merchant in Dallas. From 1854 to 1866 he was County Judge of Dallas county, giving entire satis- faction. Ed. M. Patterson, the sixth son of their eleven children, was born, raised and educated in Dallas, where he still resides, commanding the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens as fully as any man of his age. Possessing a handsome estate in this large and progressing community, and ful- filling in every sense the measure of good citizenship, he is regarded by those who know him most intimately as a model son, brother, husband and father.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 85

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