Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 92

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 92

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W. D. Henderson was educated at the Fourth District Boys' High School at New Orleans, completing the course in 1861. He enlisted in the same year in the Fifth Com- pany of Washington Artillery, of New Or- leans. This was a most celebrated com- mand, having been organized in 1845. His first service was with the army of the Tennessee

at the battle of Shiloh; then at Corinth, Mis- sissippi; next at Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he was pro noted to the clerkship of the Chief Purchasing Commissary of the Army of Tennessee, when not twenty years of age. The position was one of responsibility and trust and gives evidence of the high estes:n in which he was held. While he was serving in this capacity, the army pissol through Kentucky, having battles under General Bragg. They took in the battles of Mum- for liville, Perryville and Birdstown, where they inaugurated a Confederate Governor. On the reorganization of the Con nissatry, in 1864, he returned to the ranks and was in the siege of Atlanta for nearly thirty days, and later was under General Hool at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, the second battle at Murfreesboro, and prior to this the battle at Jonesboro arl Lovejoy station. After the Nashville battle the army went to Greenboro, North Carolina, where he surrendered with General Johnston.

The war closing Mr. Henderson became a partner in a company under the firm name of Jackson, Kilpatrick & Hen berson, at New Orleans and continued with them for four years, when he went to California, returning to Galveston, Texas, after an absence of six years. In a few months he made his way to Dallas, and in 1886 engaged with the Texas an 1 Pacific Railroad, in his present position, where he has remained ever since, giving great satis- faction by his able service to tre rord. H was elected Alderman of Oak Cliff, April 5, 1892, and has since been elected Mayor pro tem. He is chairman of the school commit- tee and is an important factor in the educa- tional affairs of the city. He is als ) chiir- man of the committee on municipal records, and is on two other important committees, being keenly alive to the interests of Oak

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Cliff. His towns-people demonstrated their appreciation of his services to the city by giving him a heavy vote at that election.

Mr. Henderson was married, October 20, 1868 to Miss Maggie Boyle, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Boyle, of county Kil- kenny, Ircland. Mrs. Henderson is a lady of culture and refinement, and of extensive read- ing and travel. She had six years of most successful experience in the Galveston schools and also taught in Dallas.

Mr. and Mrs. Henderson have had six children, Josie B., who completed a course of study at Sam Houston Normal Institute, Huntsville, Texas, under the State appoint- ment of Senator R. S. Kimbrough. Stella was elected as the railroad boys' candidate to Eminence College, Kentucky, and grad- uated therefrom, obtaining the medal for scholarship; Jessie May, their first child, died at an early age; and Katie, the third child died when fourteen years of age. The brothers, Lucien G. and Roy, are quite young. Both parents and their daughters are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hen- derson is a member of K. of P. and takes interest in politics, being in sympathy with the Democrats.

The surroundings of their family residence at Oak Cliff points to the taste, culture and refinement of its owners.

R. F. S. DAVIS, physician and surgeon, and a prominent citizen of Dallas, is a native of Indiana, Clay county, born October 25, 1858. His parents are Dr. A. P. Davis and Iva J. (Elkins) Davis, the latter a native of Kentucky and the former of New York. The father was a physician and re- sided in Terre Haute, Indiana, two years;

also practiced in Illinois for a time. Is a graduate of the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and practiced in Vigo and Craw- ford counties, Indiana, later in Edgar county, Illinois, going there from Indiana in 1872. He came to Texas in 1877 and located at Corsicana, where he had a splendid practice, which he managed well until his health failed, when he sold ont to his partner, Dr. Fisher. IIe then went to New York, took a special course in ophthalmology, came to Dallas in the spring of 1880, and this has been liis home ever since. He has liad a large practice, both general and special. The past four or five years most of his time has been spent in a special line. His age is about fifty-seven years; his wife's age is about fifty- nine years.

They have four living children, namely: Eliza J., wife of George King: they reside in Dallas; F. S., our subject; William W., residing in Corsicana; his wife was Mabel Brooks: in business he is a trader, and quite successful; Dr. E. E. Davis, the youngest of the family, is a resident of Dallas: his wife was nee Emma Drake.

Onr subject received his literary education at Paris, Illinois, at an academy conducted by Prof. Hurty, who is quite an educator in that portion of the State. He read medicine under his father, and graduated in 1883 at the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. He located in Dallas after graduation in the spring of 1883, and has been a continuous practitioner here ever since. He has had a very good practice, which has increased from year to year. He is a member of the State Medical Association of Texas. The Doctor is genial, pleasant and of a social nature, which makes his acquaintances his friends.

He was married November 10, 1887, to Miss Mary Hill, daughter of Waid Hill. He

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

and his wife arc old residents of Dallas, well and favorably known among a large circle of acquaintances. They came from Tennessee, but were natives of Georgia. Mrs. Dr. Davis is the younger of a family of two children; the other is Dr. William L. Ifill, residing in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is a young mnan of good habits, well read, a hard student and a young man of much promise. He is also a graduate of the Hahnemann College, Phila- delphia.

The home of our subject and wife has been blessed in the birth of one child-Raymond Hill. Both parents are members of the church-the Doctor of the Christian Church, and the wife of the Baptist Church. They are both very active and devout members, taking an active interest in all the different departments of church work.

LARENCE W. GANO, a progressive and reliable business man of Dallas, Texas, and president of the Estado Land and Cattle Company, was born in Tar- rant county, this State, April 18, 1858, and is the son of General R. M. and Mattie J. Gano, early settlers of the Lone Star State. In 1865 the General removed with his family to Kentucky, where the subject of this sketch lived until 1876. He was educated at Betlı- any College, West Virginia, at which he graduated in the class of 1876. Since then he has been located in Dallas, where his first business experience was in real estate with his father and brother, the late John T. Gano. In 1882 General Gano retired, the business being continued by the Gano brothers. On November 2, 1891, John died, since whiel time the business has been continued as be- fore, his widow, Mrs. Clara B., as survivor of

her husband's estate, continuing as partner. In 1884 the Estado Land and Cattle Com- pany was organized by the father and two brothers, with headquarters in Dallas, having a paid np capital of $200,000, and which has proved very successful, reflecting great eredit on the enterprise of the projectors. Besides being president of this corporation, Mr. Gano is also vice-president and director of tlie Bankers' and Merchants' National Bank of Dallas, which has a capital stock of $500,- 000. He is also a director of the Bankers and Merchants' Bank Building Company, which has a capital stock of $200,000. He is a director of the Cavinal Mining Company, dealing in lands in the Chicaksaw Nation, with headquarters in Dallas; and is a promi- nent member of the Dallas Board of Trade.

He was married November 10, 1886, to Miss Eugenia Lowe, a native of the Lone Star State, and a daughter of Judge T. J. Lowe, an eminent jurist of Guthrie, Oklaho- ma. She is a graduate of the Female College at Staunton, Virginia, is a thorough scholar, an accomplished musician, and especially noted as a vocalist of exceeding sweetness and power. They have had one child, Elizabetlı Frances, a demure little lady of five, who made her entrance on life's busy scene Au- gust 20, 1887.

Although not a wire-pulling politician and fire-eating demagogue, Mr. Gano takes an active interest in public affairs of importance, frequently participating in the conventions of his party. Both Mr. Gano and his worthy wife are earnest and useful members of the Central Christian Church of Dallas, to the support of which they liberally contribute.

Mr. Gano possesses sterling qualities of mind and heart which, aside from his dis- tingnished family connections, would make him a representative man of any community.

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Of business ability and tact, of a progressive disposition and of unimpeachable integrity, he is calculated to make his way to success amid the good wishes of his fellow-men.

OHN JACKSON was born in Devon- shire, England, February 25, 1834. IIe received his education there, and at the age of fourteen years came with his father's family to America. They made the voyage in a sail vessel, were nine weeks on the sea, landed at New Orleans some time early in June, and there took steamboat for Shreve- port. At the latter point they bought three yoke of oxen and wagons and started for Dallas county, being from June till October in reaching their destination. They had much difficulty in driving the oxen and were also delayed by sickness and death, the youngest of the family dying at Mount Pleasant; extra expenses thus incurred, doctor's bill, etc., amounted to $1,000. Reaching their destina- tion, the father took a homestead claim under the Peters Colony, and they all began the work of developing a farm. Many interesting incidents of their pioneer life might here be recounted had we space. Mr. Jackson remained with his father until 1857. He himself had pre- empted 160 acres of land and had proven up on it; so in 1857 he married, settled down and commenced improving his farm. Soon the war came, and in 1862, feeling it his duty to enter the service of his adopted country, he enlisted in William Jackson's,(his brother) company, and was with the forces that oper. ated in the Indian Nation and in Arkansas; saw some skirmishing but was in no regular battles, nor was he ever wounded or captured. He was in active service six months, and was discharged on account of sickness. Besides

Captain Jackson, our subject also had another brother in the war, Frank Jackson, who was wounded at the battle of Elk creek, his skull being fractured by the explosion of a shell.

About 1867 Mr. Jackson resumed farming and stock-raising, and as the years rolled by prosperity rewarded his earnest efforts, he added to his original holdings and became the possessor of a large estate. He has given a farm to each of his children and still retains 640 acres. His homestead with its attractive residence and surroundings forms one of the most beautiful rural places in the county. While he is engaged in general farming, raising wheat, oats, corn and cotton, he also gives much attention to stock, having on his farın a thoroughbred stallion.

In 1857 Mr. Jackson married Miss Mary C. Perry, who was born in Illinois, February 17, 1836, daughter of Westren and Sarah (Noble) Perry, natives of Illinois and Indiana respectively. They settled in Texas in 1846. By this happy marriage six children were born, viz .: Viola, November 26, 1857, died August 29, 1859; John P., October 27, 1859; William F., July 26, 1862; George A., May 8, 1865; Charles E., December 28, 1867; and Andrew, July 23, 1870. After lingering for years with consumption, the loving wife and mother passed away in April, 1886. In March, 1887, Mr. Jackson wedded Miss Eleanor M. Guy, who was born in England. April 30, 1857. She came to America with some friends and settled in Texas, April 25, 1882. Her mother died before she came to this country; her father is still living in Eng- land. By his second marriage Mr. Jackson has one child : Mary A., born December 7, 1887. He and his wife are church members, she being an Episcopalian and he a Mission- ary Baptist. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Jackson's father, John Jackson, Sr.,

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

was born in Devonshire, England; was reared on a farm in his native country and was all his life identified with farming interests. Be- coming dissatisfied with England, and, being always an earnest advocate of republican in- stitutions, he was induced through the influ- ence of Mr. Peters to emigrate to America. The expense of bringing his family to this country, and the sickness and death already referred to, exhausted the most of his means, and when he reached his destination he had to begin life at the bottom and work his way up. With the efficient aid of his sons he was soon on the way to prosperity, and success crowned his efforts. He was born in 1806, and died here at his home in May, 1866. His widow is still living and is hale and hearty. She was born in 1806, danghter of George Amery. She and her worthy hus- band underwent many of the trials and hard- ships of pioneer life, yet were pleased with their adopted country. While he passed away many years ago, she still lingers and notes with pleasure the prosperity of her children.

R. PALMER, D. D. S., real-estate dealer in the Bankers and Merchants' Bank building, was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, Angust 26, 1829. His parents were Henry D. and Martha (Angeuille) Paliner, natives of South and North Carolina respectively. The father was in the war of 1812 and was on the way to the battle of New Orleans with the Tennessee troops at the time it occurred. He served through the war as a private and would not receive any recompense for his services to the Gov- ernment. He was a minister, first in the Presbyterian and then in the Christian Church. He preached in Tennessee, Ken-

tucky, Indiana and Illinois, being well known in the ministry of his church and was considered a leading man. He never took any part in polities, except in 1848, when lie was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion for the State of Illinois. He was after- ward solicited to run for Governor. but re- fnsed. He was a man of strong character, and was a devout Christian, being known everywhere as Father Palmer. He died in 1863, at Eureka, Illinois, aged eighty-nine. He was in the ministry for over fifty years, and during that time brought many hundreds into the churchi, besides settling many serious disputes in church and State. His wife died some years later, abont 1870, aged eighty- five. She was a member of the church from childhood, was eminently a domestic woman, the mother of sixteen children, fourteen of whom she raised to mature years. Of this family, two sons and four daughters are still living, and they reflect their mother's piety. Her character was a well rounded one; she was not demonstrative, but constant and firm, her faith being founded on principles that were well studied and conscientiously fol- lowed ont all her beautiful life. The oldest child that grew to maturity was Dr. A. B. Palmer, who settled in Dallas county, Texas, in 1852. He died in 1874, aged sixty-five, having practiced until his death. He resided in what is now De Soto, Dallas county. He left one son, Dr. William Palmer, a resident of Ellis county. The daughters are: Mrs. Robert Daniels, wife of a prominent farmer of this county; Mrs. Dr. T. H. Stuart, of De Soto. Three of the family were doctors, our subject, A. B. and H. D., of Kansas City.

Our subject was educated, professionally, at St. Louis and Baltimore, in dentistry and medicine, and practiced them both, the for- mer for twenty-five years. He came to Texas

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

in 1865 and settled in Palestine, Anderson connty, where he practiced for some years and then came to Dallas, in 1887. Since his arrival here he has been engaged in the real- estate business.

He was living at Fayetteville, Arkansas, when the war broke out, and he enlisted in the C. S. A., as a private in 1861, but when the company was organized he was made First Lieutenant, and afterward promoted to be Captain. He was wounded and retired in November, 1864. After his return home he was elected to the State Legislature, in the fall of 1864, and received all but four of the votes, and there were nine candidates; so it was a high compliment to his popularity and true worth. He did not know that he was a candidate until he received his certifi- cate of election, which he has yet, printed on Confederate paper. As the enemy captured Little Rock before they met, and afterward, when the war was over, they were not allowed to meet, the election was an empty honor.

The Doctor is Grand Protector to the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and is devot- ing most of his time to the interests of this order in Texas. He holds the highest office in the State, and has been representative to the Supreme Lodge of the United States for eight years. In this he feels that he is doing great good. It is a benevolent order and is of great benefit to the members. His posi- tion is a serviceable one and very much to his taste. The order numbers about 75,000 members and is rapidly increasing. It has paid out more than $7,000,000 up to the present time, paying about $1,000,000 per year, and is now fifteen years old. There are about 120 lodges in the State, and it is the first benevolent lodge that took women in on an equality with the men, and trial has proven them to be three per cent. better

than the stronger sex in matters of this kind.

Our subject was married at Macomb, Illi- nois, in 1856, to Miss Ann Augusta Brook- ing, daughter of Major T. A. Brooking. of Richmond, Virginia, and son of Chief Justice Brooking, of Virginia.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are worthy members of the Christian Church, of which the Doctor was Elder for many years before coming to Dallas. Mrs. Palmer is a native of Kentucky, and has proven herself a good true wife to a worthy husband.

Dr. Palmer is a worthy, good citizen, and lends his influence to what he considers the best welfare of the city. He is a man well fitted for the office he fills, and his work reflects his recognized ability.

OHN STUDEBAKER WITWER, Post master of Dallas, was born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, June 11, 1850, a son of George Witwer, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a minister of the gospel for thirty-five years. His maternal ancestors were the Studebakers, whose representatives at South Bend, Indiana, are the greatest manufacturers of whecled vehicles in the world, Postmaster Witwer being a nephew of the Studebaker Brothers. They were remotely of German origin. Rev. Witwer's labors were in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri, and therefore our subject's life was one of fre- quent change. At the age of twenty he came southwest, and located for a brief pe- riod at Kosse, Texas, and in 1872 came to Dal- las, where he established himself in the wagon and buggy business. Although serving as Postmaster he still continues a successful bnsi- ness. Mr. Witwer has been identified with the business, educational and political inter-

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

ests of the eity, having been a member of the City Council, member of the School Board andnow one of the directors of the State Na- tional Bank, of Dallas.

Mr. Witwer has always been a conservative Republican and was a delegate from his dis- triet to the Republican National Convention iu Chieago in 1884. A thorough knowledge of the city's needs in her public service, gained by a twenty years' business career, and his splendid chararter and good standing with the people of Dallas pointed to his selection as the head of the postal department liere. His selection for this office and his manner of conducting the same are ample proof of his qualifications for this important position. His commission from President Harrison bears date of July 19, 1889, and he entered upon the duties of the position September 16, following. As Postmaster he has given entire satisfaction to the public and the man- agement of the office is thorough and system- atie. He is a man of good intellect and busi- ness tact, has a natural business ability and energetic disposition that will mark his way to success.

On August 16, 1871, he married Miss Florence C. Buck, of LaPorte, Indiana. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. The family is connected with the Second Presbyterian Church.

Our subject is the oldest of a family of twelve children, whose names are as follows: Rebecca Frances, wife of Daniel Sell, who died at the age of twenty years, leaving two sons. George and Clement; Leah is the wife of Joseph Kopsey, who is draftsman for the Studebakers in Chicago; Maria Ada is the wife of John Mohler, of Joliet, Illinois: Mr. Mohler is foreman of the Joliet Manufac- turing Company; Timothy Wilbur is cashier and confidential elerk for Studebaker Brothers

in Chicago; George M. is occupying an impor- tant position at South Bend, with Studebaker Brothers: Clement S. is superintendent of the Joliet Manufacturing Company at Joliet, Illinois; Daniel V. died in infancy ; Edwin S. is employed and holding a responsible position with Studebaker Brothers at South Bend, Indiana; Dora died in infancy; Jacob Frank and Harvey are in the wagon and buggy busi- ness at Joliet, Illinois.

Rev. George Witwer died October 1, 1886, at the age of sixty-two years. His wife is still living, at the age of sixty-three years. Rev. Witwer was a minister of the gospel for thirty-five years, in the German Baptist Church.

Mr. Witwer's wife's parents were Alvin and Alvira (Wadsworth) Buck. The Wads- worths were of the same family, of Revolu- tionary fame. Alvin Buck was one of the pioneer settlers of LaPorte county, Indiana, having moved from Massachusetts after his marriage to LaPorte county early in the thirties. He was a farmer and dairyman. He died October 19, 1881, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife is still living, at the age of eighty-two years. Although she has been blind for many years she is a remarkably healthy and happy woman.

James and Dexter Buck are farmers and capitalists. Mrs. Bnek has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church almost all her life. Her husband was one of fourteen children and she was one of twelve children.

Mrs. John S. Witwer is the youngest of six children, all of whom are living, namely: Lydia, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Edson; Cleantha, wife of David Edson who resides in Missouri; Dexter is married to Miss Hat- tie Cartwright and resides in LaPorte, Ind- iana: he is a retired merchant; James is mar- ried to Celia Oder and resides in LaPorte,

In the Thouknow

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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.

Indiana: he is a farmer and capitalist; Joseph, unmarried and a farmer. Ella Alvira, our subject's oldest child, is the wife of P. G. Claiborne, acting cashier of the Central National Bank, of Dallas. Walter Clare, the second, is collector for the North Texas National Bank; Mary Louise and John Wilbur are attending school in the city.

ON. WILLIAM LAFAYETTE THOMPSON, attorney, Dallas, Texas. -Lonisiania has given to Dallas, Texas, many estimable citizens, but she has contrib, uted none more highly respected, or, for the conscientious discharge of every duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem, than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Greensburg, Louisiana, October 1, 1838, and was sixth in order of birth of seven children born to Alexander and Doro- thea Pryor (Womack) Thompson, natives re- spectively of Georgia and Louisiana. The parents were married in the last named State and there passed the remainder of their days, the mother dying abongt 1847 and the father in 1852. The latter was a planter by occu - pattion and followed that successfully all his life.

Hon. William L. Thompson was reared on the plantation and received his literary edu- cation at Florence, Alabama, gratuating with the class of 1859. He subsequently entered the Low School at New Orleans, and gradu- ated from that institution in 1861, after which, in the same year, he enlisted at New Orleans in Company G, Fourth Louisiana Infantry, as private for one year. He partici- pated in the battle of Shiloh and after that engagement and reorganization of the regi- ment he joined the Point Coupee Battery, 50

Company B, with which he remained until the close of service, participating in all the battles of north Mississippi, viz .: Corinthi, Fort Pemberton, Baker's creek and Jackson. After the battle of Baker's creek he retreated with General Loring to Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the six or seven days' fight at that place. He was also in the battle at Baton Rouge. Mr. Thompson was sent on detached service to East Louisiana, and surrendered at Clinton, Louisiana, in 1865.

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Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas, Part 92

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