USA > Texas > Dallas County > Memorial and biographical history of Dallas County, Texas > Part 96
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He was also chiefly instrumental in the organization of the Waxahachie Real Estate & Building Association, and was a large
stockholder in it. This company purchased the grounds formerly occupied by the old and popular Rogers Hotel, and constructed thereon a large block of brick buildings, the second story of which was utilized for a hotel, bearing the name of the Rogers IIouse, in honor of Major E. W. Rogers, who was the original founder of the town. This property still belongs to the company, and proves to be a good investment.
In 1885 the private bank of Getzendaner & Ferris was merged into a National Bank, named the Citizens' National Bank of Waxa- hachie, with a paid up capital of $100,000. Royal A. Ferris being a stockholder. It was about this time, however, that ambition led him to seek a larger field of operations. A very flattering offer was made for him to take charge of the Exchange Bank of Dallas, Texas, and manage its business, allowing him to become owner of a specified interest. The offer was accepted, and Royal A. Ferris be- came a citizen as well as an active business man of the young and growing city of Dallas.
Under his management, the Exchange Bank of Dallas greatly flourishied, and continually grew in the confidence of the public. He became owner of a large share of the stock; and the charter from the State having but a short time to run was abandoned. In its stead, and under his direction, the National Exchange Bank of Dallas was chartered and organized, with a paid up capital of $300,000. In this bank also he was, and continues to be, a large stockholder; has been a director from the date of its organization, was its first vice- president, and managed the bank the first year. Heavy office work and close confine- ment began, in time, to wear manifestly upon his health and constitution, so that in 1888 a change became necessary. He therefore re- signed as an active working official, continu-
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ing, however, to serve as one of the directors, and to fill the position of second vice-presi- dent. It may be justly said, without derogat- ing from others, that the National Exchange Bank of Dallas is indebted to Royal A. Fer- ris as much as to any other one person for its prosperous condition and present high standing in commercial circles.
After giving up office work in the bank, the street railway plants of Dallas commanded his attention. He obtained a controlling interest in the companies owning and operat- ing the Main street and the San Jacinto street railway lines. At his suggestion and under his direction a consolidation was ef- fected between those companies and the com- panies owning other lines, so as to form one company under the name of the Dallas Con- solidated Traction Railway Company. He became president of the company in 1889, and has filled the position ever since. The increasing demand for street railway service in a new city, rapidly widening out in every direction, caused the company to enter largely upon railway construction, until they now own and operate about thirty iniles of street railway, located upon the most important streets of the city. It is believed and ex- pected that the early growth and development of the city will, in the near future, fully justify the adventure. It has, in any event, already contributed very largely to the city's advancement and prosperity; and the presi- dent of the Dallas Consolidated Traction Railway Company merits this day, and doubt- less will receive, the commendation and sup- port of every true friend of Dallas.
Mr. Ferris is classed as an active, public- spirited man. He assisted largely in setting on foot the Texas State Fair and Dallas Ex- position, and is one of the directors at this writing. Other enterprises might be
named in which he has taken an active part.
In fraternal circles he also occupies a prominent place. He is Past Grand Chan- cellor of the Knights of Pythias; is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 80, at Waxahachie, Texas; and was once its rep- resentative to the Grand Lodge of the State.
On December 13, 1882, he was most happily married to Miss Lulu Brown, daugh- ter of John T. Brown, then of Atlanta, Geor- gia. She was a beautiful, highly accom- plished lady, and possessed of many lovable qualities. She was also an exemplary mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In less than one year from the marriage, when returning with her husband from a pleasure trip to Kentucky, she was overtaken by fatal illness on the way; and she had barely reached the loving arms of parents and friends at home when cruel, relentless death came and snatched her away. This was a sad, sad blow to the devoted husband ! The wound then made has scarcely healed as yet.
The leading traits in the make-up of Royal A. Ferris are, an active, vigorons brain, quick, elear perception, honesty of purpose, strong will power, good executive ability, and genial good nature. He is yet in his prime. What he has accomplished in the past is a forecast of what may be expected in the future.
R. BENJAMIN L. RAWLINS, a ris- ing young physician of Dallas, was born in Dallas county, Texas, July 30, 1867, son of Roderick D. and Henrietta C. (Jacobs) Rawlins, a sketch of whom follows near by.
The Doctor attended school in Dallas. He read medicine for several years under the tutelage of the late celebrated Dr. Morton, well and favorably known as an eminent
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physician of Dallas. He received his medi- cal education at the University of Pennsylva- nia, graduating in May, 1889, since which time he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. He is medical examiner for the Equitable Life and the Fi- delity Mutual Insurance Companies, andis a member of Dallas County Medical Society and the Texas State Medical Association. He has identified himself with the Christian Church, but takes little interest in political matters.
HOLT, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon, proprietor of Holt's San- itarium, corner of Eighth street and Lancaster avenne, Oak Cliff, is a native of Upshur county, Texas.
His parents, L. E. and Elizabeth (Parker) Holt, were both natives of Bedford county, Tennessee, where they were both raised and married. They came to Texas in 1848. The father farmed for two years and then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He moved to Fort Worth in 1849 and there continued the mercantile business until the war opened, when he was obliged to dis- continue. He and his brother-in-law, Daniel Parker, built the third store in Fort Worth, located on the corner of Main street and the publie square. That building is still stand- ing.
The father took part in the late war, en- listing at an early date and served as a private until the war closed. He was captured while detailed to take care of some wounded sol- diers in northern Kentucky. He was soon after paroled, returned home and was soon exchanged and returned to the service. He has been in John H. Morgan's command, and while at home the command was captured
in Ohio and disbanded. He served the re- mainder of the time under General Gano's command west of the Mississippi.
After the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued during his act- ive life. He is now retired and resides in Wheeler county with his daughter, Almeda Holt, aged sixty-eight years. His wife died in 1878, at the age of fifty-two years. They were both members of the Christian Church.
Our subject is the oldest of three children, all living. The second is Almeda, wife of J. S. Holt, residing on a farm in Wheeler county.
Daniel, the youngest, is living in Shackle- ford county, on a stock farm. His wife was nee Nettie Myers.
Our subject received his literary education at Fort Worth and Birdville, Texas. He studied medicine under Dr. J. D. Ray of Fort Worth. Hle attended a medical course at Cincinnati, Ohio, and then practiced for nine years. In 1884 he attended medical college at Indianapolis,-the Physio-Medical College of Indiana,-graduating therefrom in 1885. He then resumed practice at Bedford, Texas, remaining one year, from there going to Chico, where he practiced three years, then to Weath- erford, where he practiced for three years, then removing to Oak Cliff, his present lo- cation, in April, 1892. He opened a sani- tarium, where the outlook for his business is very promising. He treats every kind of disease that flesh is heir to, except contagious or infections diseases. His business has been on the increase ever since his advent to the city.
He was married on October 3, 1877, to Miss Fannie Campbell, daughter of H. W. and N. F. Campbell, of Louisiana, Missouri. The Doctor and Mrs. Holt have one child,- Campbell,-who is still living. The wife
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died February 15, 1884, aged twenty years; was a member of the Christian Church. The Doctor's second marriage was September 6, 1885, to Miss Ellen Bumpas, daughter of John Bumpas, one of the pioneers of Dallas county, coming here at an early date.
Both the Doctor and his estimable wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the American Association of Physio-Medieal Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Holt contributes to the Physio-Medical Journal of Indianapolis, also to Sanative Med- icine of Westerville, Ohio.
The Doctor is well read in the school of medicine in which he practices, his skill is acknowledged throughout the country, and it has brought him a large practice. In poli- tics he supports the principles of the Demo- cratie party, althongh he is no politician, the cares of his profession pressing upon him too heavily for that.
D. RAWLINS, of the firm of Moore & Rawlins, dealers in building ma- terial, 271 Elm street, Dallas, Texas, is a native of Greene county, Illinois, born June 10, 1842. Ilis parents were Pleasant King and Lydia (Heaton) Rawlins, natives respect- ively of Indiana and of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Illinois. The mother was a widow and had two children when she mar- ried Mr. Rawlins, and by him she had six children, viz .: Alexander, a merchant of Lan- easter, Texas, married Georgia Rogers, Alma, being their only child; R. D., the subject of this sketch; John S., of Hutchins, Texas; Mary, wife of J. H. Ellis, resides on a farm near Lancaster; Lney, wife of James I. Lav- ender, Lancaster, and Benjamin, deceased. The mother is a resident of Lancaster, and is
now seventy-six years of age. She has been a devoted member of the Christian Church for many years. She is an estimable and most agreeable lady, having many dear friends among the old time residents of Dallas county.
R. D. Rawlins spent his early life on a farın, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1872. Since that time he has been variously employed. In 1878 he was elected Tax Assessor, and served four years, and previous to that time served four years as Deputy County Clerk.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Rawlins enlisted as a private in Company F, Sixth Texas Cavalry, Ross's Brigade, and served about three and a half years. He participated in many of the leading engagements of the war, but was never wounded or taken prisoner.
After the war he was engaged in the of- ficial capacities already referred to, and for some years has been enterested in his present business. They have a large and growing trade, deal in doors, sash, blinds, moldings, lath, lime, cement, plaster, mixed paints, fire briek and clay, and mannfacture stone fines and sewer pipe.
Mr. Rawlins was married in 1866 to Miss Henrietta C. Jacobs, youngest of the seven children born to Elder Lewis Jacobs, of the Baptist Church, the others being Mary, Anna, Eliza, Fanny, Mattie and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Rawlins, have four children, namely: Dr. Benjamin L .; William H., married Miss Lallah Martin, of Fort Worth, and has one child, Lucile; Leola V., who is being educated at Columbia, Missouri, and Bertha Lee. Mrs. Rawlins is a member of the Christian Church.
Mr. Rawlins is one of the worthy citizens and respected pioneers of the county. He has experienced many of the inconveniences
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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
connected with frontier life in Texas, has overcome obstacles and surmounted difficul- ties, and is now ranked with the most sub- stantial men of his county. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and in politics is a Democrat.
AMES G. SAIMS, M. D., was born in the city of Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1838, and is the fifth of a family of nine children. In 1840 his parents, Sweip and Mary (Vance) Saims, emigrated to America with their children, and settled in the Susque- hanna valley in Pennsylvania; there they lived until 1856, removing then to Asheville, North Carolina. The father was a linen maker by trade, and after coming to this country he built a linen and woolen factory, which he operated for several years; disposing of this interest he removed to Covington, Georgia, and built another large cotton and linen mill, with a flouring mill attached; here he conducted a large and important business, which was ended by the war; the entire plant was burned by Sherman on his march to the sea. The mother of our subject died in 1863, and the father survived her one year.
Dr. Saims was in Tennessee at the begin- ning of the Civil war, and remained there until the proclamation of Jefferson Davis. Being in sympathy with the North, he started to go through the Union lines, but was taken prisoner, and detained in the jail at Cleve- land, Tennessee, for three months. At the end of that time he was released and furnished with a pass to Cumberland Gap; thence he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and to Nash- ville, Tennessee; there he has detained sev- eral months, and in Angust, 1863, he was commissioned by Andrew Johnson to organ- ze a company for service; this he did, and
was then commissioned First Assistant Acting Surgeon, a position he held until compelled by a most painful accident to resign. In mounting a spirited horse he was thrown and severely wounded. After two weeks he sent in his resignation, and at the end of five months he was able to resume his duties. He went to Nashville, and was employed in the Revenue Department until he was honor- ably discharged in April, 1863.
His early education was acquired from any available source, and later he took a course at Sand Hill Academy, six miles from Ashe- ville, North Carolina, finishing his literary studies at Norwood College, Asheville. He took his first course of medical lectures at Atlanta, Georgia, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
After the war was ended, he began the practice of his profession at Scottsborough, Alabama, but continued there only a short time. He next went to Jasper, Tennessee, and thence to Dunlap, Tennessee, and thence to Chattanooga; in this city he resided until 1876, when he removed to Alvarado, Texas; here he practiced two years, going at the end of that time to Lancaster, Texas, where he remained only one year. About this time his health failed and he went to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for medical treatment. After his restoration he settled in Perryville, Ar- kansas, and resumed his professional work. At the end of two years he came to Dallas, where he has since resided, devoting liis time and attention to professional labors. He is now Surgeon ou the United States Pension Board for the Dallas district.
Dr. Saims was married to Miss Minerva A. Larkin, a daughter of Henry Larkin of Franklin county, Tennessee. Mr. Larkin was a Presbyterian minister; his death occurred in 1864. The Doctor and his wife have had
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born to them three children, and after these little ones were added to the household the mother lost her mind, and was pronounced inenrably insane. Dr. Saims was married a second time, January 23, 1880, to Mrs. Wal- ters, a daughter of Thomas Howell, a mer- chant of Lancaster, Texas, who died in 1879.
Dr. Saims is a member of Olive Lodge, No. 75, and is Surgeon of George H. Thomas Post, G. A. R. IIe affiliates with the Re- publican party. He represented Franklin county, Tennessee, in the Legislature of that State one terin, from 1865. He is one of the leading members of the medical profes- sion in Dallas county, and is a liberal sup- porter of home industry. His wife belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
M. C. H I L L, a farmer and stock- raiser of Dallas county, was born in ° Franklin, Simpson county, Ken- tucky, April 5, 1846, the sixth in a family of ten children born to Isaac and Pauline (Car- ter) Hill, natives of Virginia and Tennessee. The father, a mechanic by trade, was married in Tennessee, and in an early day located at Franklin, Kentucky. In 1861 he started for Texas and died en route at Shreveport, Lou- isana, in September, and the mother and young- est daughter, Amanda, also died about the same time, from fever contracted en route. Our subject and his sister, Mrs. C. G. Gra- cey, were then left alone, but were taken care of by their brother-in-law, J. P. Goodnight.
In 1862, in Dallas county, Mr. Hill en- listed in Company K, Ninetenth Texas Caval- ry, for three years, or during the war, and was confined principally in Arkansas and Mis- souri. He was also in the Red River cam- paign in Louisiana, and at the close of his
service he returned to Dallas county and fol- lowed teaming about four years. In 1871 he engaged as clerk for Uhluran & Co., where he also remained four years, and in May, 1875, Mr. Hill engaged in the whole- sale and retail grocery business. In Novem- ber, 1882, he was elected County Clerk of Dallas county and served until 1888, since which time he has been engaged in breeding fine stoek. He has a large stock ranch of 3,000 acres in Dallas county, where he is principally engaged in breeding trotting horses and mules, and also in raising graded shorthorn cattle. He has opened up Fair- view addition to this city, has made many profitable investments in land in Dallas, and is one of the directors in the American National Bank, of this city. In August, 1885, Mr. Hill bought a lot and built a fine resi- dence on Guston avenue, where he now resides. Politically, he votes with the Dein- ocratic party, and in 1877 was elected Alder- man of this city, which position he resigned after one year. Socially, he is a member of Tannehill Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he has passed all the chairs; of Dallas Chap- ter, No. 47, R. A. M .; of Dallas Comman- dery, No. 6, and of the K. of P., Cœur de Lion Lodge, No. 70. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ilill are members of the East Dallas Baptist Church.
Mr. ITill was married in Ellis county, Texas, in July, 1875, to Lena Bullard, a native of Missouri, and daughter of John Bullard, a native of Tennessee. Mrs. Hill's mother, nee Parmelia Hodges, was a native of Tennessee, and died about 1858, in Mis- souri. The father afterward emigrated with his slaves to Ellis county, settling first near the Louisana line in Texas, and later near Waxahachie, where he bought land. He died at the home of Mr. Hill in Dallas, in
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October, 1876. Onr subject's father was prominent in political matters, in Kentucky and served as an officer for many years. He was well and favorably known, and was a church member, though not very active; his wife was a church member from girlhood days and was a good and excellent woman.
M. SCRIPTURE, 214 Houston street, Dallas, forms the subject of this biog- raphy. He has been identified with the best interests of Dallas county since 1872, and is justly entitled to representation in this volume.
R. M. Scripture was born in Saline county, Missouri, January 6, 1850. His father, C. B. Scripture, was a native of New Hampshire. His grandfather, Charles Scripture, died in New Hampshire in 1885, aged ninty-seven years. They were of Puritan ancestry. At the age of eighteen years C. B. Scripture went to Norfolk, Virginia, and there in 1841 was married to Miss Elizabeth Wright, a native of that place and a daughter of Captain Wright, who was lost at sea, and who was a member of a family of seafaring people. Mrs. Scripture was educated in Boston. In 1844, Mr. and Mrs. Scripture emigrated to Mis- souri and settled in Saline county, where lie followed the milling business, both flouring and lumbering. During the war, in 1863, he was burned out, and all of his property destroyed. Previous to this he had been engaged in the manufacture of wagons. In 1868 he came to Texas and located in Elmo, wbere, in 1873, the family joined him. In 1873 they took up their abode in Dallas, and in this city the parents passed away, the father dying August 15, 1883, at the age of
sixty-five years, and the mother in 1880, aged sixty-one.
After coming to Texas, R. M. Scripture engaged in the mercantile business at Dallas and at Denton for about eight years, follow- ing this business until 1890, and in connec- tion with it has also been farming. He has a landed estate of 700 acres. He was married October 2, 1878, to Miss Fanny E. Horton, a daughter of James Horton, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. They have had six children, two of whom are living: Blanch O. and Reginald M.
Mr. Scripture is a member of the K. of P., R. L. of H. and K. of H. Politically he is a Democrat.
R. HUGHES, a mail carrier, of East Dallas, was born in middle Tennes- see, Murray county, in 1850, the eldest of five children, born to William H. and Zuleka (Kittrell) Hughes, natives of South and North Carolina. The father, who was educated for a Methodist minister, was inarried at Mount Pleasant, Tennessee, and in the fall of 1852 he came to Dallas county, settling in Precinct No. 1, where he bought and improved a farm, and also followed the ministry. He assisted in building the Cochran Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, and later moved into the city of Dallas. During the war he was Presiding Elder of this and adjoining counties, and is now sta- tioned at Pilot Point, Texas. In 1882 Mr. Hughes laid out IInghes' addition to the city of Dallas, which contained about nine acres, and was located in the eighth and ninth wards.
The subject of this sketch, W. R. Hughes, was reared to farm lite, and educated in the schools of Columbia, Tennessee, In 1852
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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY.
he came to Dallas county, and in 1885 was appointed mail carrier of East Dallas, which position he has since filled. He has taken an active interest in politics, voting with the Democratic party, and socially is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He has witnessed the complete growth of Dallas, and has always taken an active interest in every- thing for the good of the city and county. Mr. Hughes was married at Farmers' Branch, in 1887, to Miss Belle Gilberts, a native of Dallas county, and a daughter of S. H. and Julia (Richey) Gilbert, natives of Mississippi and Tennessee. They came to Dallas county at an early day, settling at Farmers' Branch, where the mother died in 1881, and the father in 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have one child, William Gilbert. Mrs. IInghes is a member of the Methodist Church.
HOMAS WILKINSON. Chief of the Fire Department of Dallas, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1836, but was brought up in Maryland. On the maternal side he belongs to the old family of Oldham of Baltimore. In that city he learned the trade of foundryman and machinist, and afterward followed his trade at Baltimore and Cumberland, Maryland. In 1876 he he came to Dallas, where he was soon chosen a member of the Fire Department. In Balti. inore he had been a member of the old Volunteer Fire Brigade, that was one of the foremost in the United States. It was in that company that he learned those lessons which have made him one of the most efficient of chiefs. He was promoted to his present posi - tion in 1887. Under his control the Dallas Fire Department stands first in the South and West. He has a total of forty-four assistants,
and a more willing and alert band of firemen it is impossible to find. Mr. Wilkinson sleeps constantly at his post, and the fireman must be a rapid mover who gets into action quicker than he. He attends the annual meetings of the National Association of Fire Engineers of the United States, and keeps abreast with the times. The chief officers of the Fire Department are the chief, assistant chief, city electrician and six captains. The steamers and outfit are the best and kept in perfect condition. She stations are models of neat- ness, and taken all together Dallas has reason to be proud of its Fire Department.
Mr. Wilkinson has been a Freemason for twenty-six years a member of the K. of H. and also is a Knight of Pythias, and a inem- ber of the Uniformed Rank, K. of P. He has also been a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church from his yonth.
He married October 4, 1859, Miss Caroline Wilson. The Wilson family is one of the oldest and most favorably known families in Maryland. Her parents are Edward and Eliz- abeth Wilson. The home of our subject and wife has been blessed in the birth of seven children, four of whom are living.
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