USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 18
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Capt. Kirkpatrick largely devoted his busy life to stock-raising and farming, in which he prospered, and today lives in one of the most elegant homes in Hillsboro. He has witnessed all the changes in this section of the state, from a savage wilderness to a
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modern paradise of civilization, and there is not a mau living here today that was here when he first came to Hill county territory. To throw a further light on the life of those interesting days, Capt. Kirkpatrick stated that the first time he saw the young lady that afterwards became his wife in matrimony, she was wearing a homespuu dress-which had been carded, spun, woven and made by her own hands.
KAUFMAN ICE FACTORY
It was the dawning of a brighter day for the people of Kaufman when the fact became established in 1911 that this, the seat of government of Kaufman county, would have a new and modern ice manufacturing plant. The people here had not been accorded the proper consideration in price and manner of supplying them with ice, and when Mr. Johu V. Singleton, of Waxahachie, conceived the idea and presented a proposition to its citizens to take one-half the capital stock in founding a new ice manufactory, they readily accepted their share of the stock. The Kaufman Ice Company was incorporated under the laws of Texas, with a capital stock of $20,000, and the following officers: J. W. Single- ton, Waxahachie, president; T. A. Coleman, of Kautman, vice-president, and John V. Singleton, secretary-treasurer and general manager. J. M. Hardaway and P. G. Bacon, of Kaufman, in connection with the officers, complete the board of directors. Dirt was broken Feb. 15, 1911, and the first block of ice was pulled May 24th of this same year. In machinery equipment the plant is up-to-date in every detail-having a capacity of twenty-five tons every twenty-four hours. Ample water supply, of the most wholesome quality, is obtained from the city lake, and the size of blocks turned out is that of 300 pounds. Aside from supplying local demands the management will ship to the surround- ing trade territory, which will hereafter assist in relieving much suffering and stringent demands during the heated season in these climes.
Mr. John V. Singleton, manager, was born on a farm in the splendid county of Ellis, near Waxahachie, Aug. 25, 1885. His father is vice-president of the Citizens National Bank, Waxahachie, the strongest financial institution in Ellis county, and is a well-to-do farmer and one of the best known citizens in that section of the state. After graduating in the Waxahachie high school, Mr. Singleton attended the academic department of State University, Austin, during 1904-6. He then engaged iu the wholesale produce business at Waxahachie and Ennis-having disposed of the first named house Jan. 1, 1911, and still conducts the one at Ennis. Mr. Singleton was married to Miss Jennie Shelton, of Waxahachie, Nov. 24, 1909, and they are now making their home in Kaufman. Mr. Singleton informed the writer that the charming and prosperous little city of Waxahachie, his former home, is now taking on new life and fast coming into its own, being assured of two interurban railways from Dallas, among other good things, and he hopes to see Kaufman catch the same stride of progress. Mr. Singleton is an Elk and a Methodist.
KEITH, Judge John Buckner
Judge John B. Keith, of Stephenville, and one of the best known men in Texas, par- ticularly among the legal fraternity of the state, was born Oct. 1, 1862, on his father's ranch in Hood county. His father, A. E. Keith, was born in Tennessee, in February, 1829, his people migrating to Arkansas, near Little Rock, in the earlier days, where he matured to young manhood. In 1859 the family moved to Johnson county, Texas, and settled on Poluxy Creek, which territory was incorporated into Hood county when the same was created. In this same county A. E. Keith was married in 1860 to Miss Samantha Henseley, who was born in Titus county, East Texas. Of the four sons and four daughters born to them, one daughter has passed to a higher life. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser, a Mason and Methodist, and died at Granbury, connty seat of Hood county, in 1903. and the mother now resides at Hico, in Hamilton county, at the age of sixty-eight years.
Judge Keith's father was a great admirer of Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, of Kentucky, and named him in honor of the distinguished Confederate general. Having been born in the good county of Hood, he there grew to young manhood and finished his literary educa- tion at Granbury College, and it was at this well known institution of lasting influences
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over the youth that he laid the foundation for a good English educatiou and an ambition born of laudable desire to carve out the career that has given him distinction and promi- nence as a leader of men in advanced thought and a practitioner of law before all the courts of the state. Again he had the good fortune to be groomed for the law by an able tutor, in the person of Judge B. M. Estes, of Granbury, between whom there is yet a strong attachment. From 1893 to 1897 Judge Keith served as county attorney of Hood county, at the end of which term he moved to Stephenville, and is now serving his second term as couuty judge of Erath county, with entire satisfaction to its people. In May, 1891, he was married to Miss Ida Dysart, of Hood county, and they have one son, Fred, seventeen years old, and who is now a pupil in John Tarleton College, which splendid insti- tution was made possible in this city by the munificent gift of $100,000 by a pioneer citizen, John Tarleton, before his death several years ago-and the balance of his fortune he gave for similar purposes back in the old states. Judge Keith is a man of easy approach and interesting personality, and, along with his legal mind aud mental culture, he possesses grace aud dignity of address, and that suavity and charm of manner and expression which adds so much to the popularity of character and potency. A Methodist in religious worship, he also belongs to the Odd Fellows, K. of P. and W. O. W. Judge Keith has never interested himself to own property, though he has varied investments, and has confined himself strictly to the practice of law, from local to the State supreme court.
KETON, Frank
Waco, situated in the very heart of the Black Land Belt of Texas, has generally been re- garded as a large country town up to a few years ago, but now having about 35,000 people, is today merging into the city class and from this time on will, in the history of Texas, be classed as one of the metropolis' of the state. It is our pleasure in this connection to pay tribute to those who came here in earlier days, invested their capital and labored faithfully toward the upbuilding aud development of this beautiful and prosperous city. It is to this class of men that we owe much, and it is to them that we should accord every consideration. One of those men is Mr. Frank Keton, who was born in the village of Lhota, Bohemia, April 7, 1870. Attending his uative schools, he learned the baker's trade, and at the age of seven- teen sought to better his condition by coming to America-which he has done to an admirable degree He landed at New York City and came directly to St. Louis, where he remained little more than a year, after which he resided for a short time in Chicago during the World's Fair in 1893. This same year he came to Waco, where he has since resided and prospered. Soon after coming here he established himself in the bakery business at 121 South Third street. Purchasing a vacant lot, 150x165 feet at 316-318 South Third street, he erected a nice brick building and moved into the same in January, 1907, where he has since developed his business to much larger proportions. He has also had builded a large brick structure on another part of these premises, and the same is now occupied as a wholesale grocery estab- lishment. In addition to this Mr. Keton also owns valuable residence property. His bakery is representative of all the modern improvements of the day, and besides pies, cakes, rolls, etc., is capable of turning out as much as 20,000 loaves of bread per twenty-four hours. Three free delivery wagons, including automobile, are daily kept busy in Waco, and breadstuffs are shipped several hundred miles iu all directions to the out-of-town trade-special attention being given to mail orders. A full line of groceries is also carried in the establishment. Mr. Keton was married to Miss Mattie Masek, of this county, June 17, 1905, and they have two sons and three daughters. Mr. Keton belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Colum- bus, and Master Bakers' Association, both state and national. We congratulate Mr. Ketou on his success in Waco, and the warm and loyal interest he takes in its general advancement.
LITTLE, J. J.
Mr. Little, proprietor of one of the most elegant dry goods stores in Como, Texas, was born in Harrison county of this state, Jan. 15, 1870-on a farm. His father, R. C. Little,
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was born in Harris county, Georgia; came to Texas when he was seventeen years old, was a striet member of the Baptist church and died in Cass county in 1892. His mother before marriage was Miss Roena Flint, native of Harrison county, Texas, and is still living at the old homeplace in Cass county. To this twain were born five sons and five daughters-three sons and two daughters now living. Mr. Little's parents moved from Harrison to Cass county in 1875. He continued to farm to the age of twenty-two, when he accepted a position as a mercantile salesman at Hughes Springs, Cass county, and later entered business on his own account at Cash, Hunt county, in 1901. In 1906 he transferred his operations 10 Como, in Hop- kins county. Mr. Little was married to Miss Clyde Allen, of Morris county, May 20, 1894. and one daughter and four sons contribute to the sunshine of their comfortable and self- owned home. Mr. and Mrs. Little are both active workers in the M. E. church, of which Mr. Little is superintendent of Sunday-school and is a member of the Board of Stewards.
The town of Como is one of the most beautiful and attractive in East Texas, and espe- cially elieits comment on the part of strangers for its landscape view, the manner in which it is platted, modern architecture, new buildings and the prosperity of its business houses- of which Mr. Little's is one of the most prominent brick structures. The town is supported with large coal mining interests and rich farming, fruit and vegetable crops, and where the greater part of the business section is now situated there existed but, two dwelling houses two years ago. With a population of 1,500 people, new buildings going up in every direction, and everyone busy and prosperous, Como is one of the handsomest and most promising young sisters in the East Texas country-and Mr. J. J. Little is one of the potent factors in its splendid development.
LANE, Roy Ellsworth
Hon. Woodrow Wilson, Governor of New Jersey and candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency, recently returned from a tour over the country, and in reference to the South he said: "It is all right, but a man has to visit it every ten days to keep apace with its marvelous development." It is true that the South is advancing remarkably fast; especially is it true of Texas, but its greatest development is yet to come. In the broad scope of this great work the architect is doing more toward encouraging and directing the building developments along modern lines-educat- ing the people to appreciate the beauties of advanced architecture and the simplest of conveniences-thau any other class of men. Standing at the head of his profession iu this state is Mr. Roy E. Lane, with ample office and draughtman's quarters in the splendid Amicable Life building in Waco. Mr. Lane was born in Western Kansas, February 3, 1883. His father, J. Jay Lane, was au organizer and promoter of railroads, banks and mercantile establishments, and was president of the Caldwell (Texas) National Bank at the time of his death, which occurred April 21, 1903, aged forty-eight years. Mr. Lane's mother before marriage was Miss Frances Morrison, of Winona, Illinois, and four sons were born to the union, the subject of this sketch being the only one living, and he having his mother with him in Waco. Mr. Lane grew to young manhood in Kansas City, Missouri. He was educated in Minnesota University, Minneapolis, in litera- ture, civil and mechanical engineering and architecture, from which high-ordered institution he finished in 1901. He at once established himself in business in Kansas City, where he was architectural engineer for the Kansas City Southeru Railroad, the Texarkana & Fort Smith Railroad and the Port Arthur Canal & Dock Company, having designed and constructed most of the wharves, docks and warehouses at Port Arthur. Mr. Lane came to Waco in 1907. He believed Texas was the place for a young man, aud in this he has made no mistake, the wide scope of his business throughout the state having since engrossed his entire time and attention, and keeps busy from three to six experienced draughtsmen. The character of Mr. Lane's work is that of the best struc- tures now going up, as is shown by such samples as the Cotton Palace, the Huaco Club, and the residences of William Cameron and S. P. MeLendon. He was connected with the firm of Sanguinet & Staats as associate architect in the construction of the new Amicable Life Insurance Company's building in Waco, which is twenty-two stories high,
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the highest building in the entire South, and in which he now maintains office quarters. Mr. Lane also maintains his office in Kansas City. He is an Elk, Ben Hur, Modern Woodman, and has created many warm ties of friendship since coming to grand old Texas.
LOWREY, N. P.
Waco is just now stepping ont of the provincialism of a conntry town to that of a city of metropolitan class, this condition of affairs being very apparent at this time, and these facts are being talked about in all parts of the state, with splendid adver- tising results. The demand for buildings of every description is much greater than the supply, and with new structures going up in all parts of the city, the ability of the contractors and builders is being taxed to relieve the pressing demands. Standing at the head of this list of business men is Mr. N. P. Lowrey, who makes a specialty of fine residences, business houses and buildings of every description. Mr. Lowrey was born on his father's farm in Hill county, March 19, 1881. About fifteen years ago he began learning the brick business, and in later years acquired valnable knowledge in the contracting and building line as manager of large construction works over the country for important contracting concerns. He has been in this line of business on his own account in Waco for the past seven years, and as a man of modern ideas, mechanical ability and honor and honesty in his work, none stands higher in the state. "When he delivers the key of a job"' it is strictly according to the specifications of the contract, and in this respect Mr. Lowrey enjoys the supreme confidence of all who have had busi- ness transactions with him. Some of the most palatial homes in Waco were erected by Mr. Lowrey, among which might be mentioned those of W. W. Cameron, G. K. McClennan, N. K. Smith, R. S. Lazenby, W. T. Watts, Dr. F. C. McConnell and S. T. McClennan; and one of the best business buildings is that of the Mclendon Wholesale Hardware Com- pany's home, being brick and covering a half block of floor space.
Mr. Lowrey was married to Miss Jennie Harlan, of Waco, September 9, 1900, and they have one daughter, Ethel, ten years old, and one son, Byron G., four years old. The family worship with the Clay Street Baptist Church, of which Mr. Lowrey is a deacon, and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows, Masons and Maccabees.
F. L. Lowrey, father to the subject of this sketch, was born and reared near Iuka, Mississippi, being a contractor and builder of many years' standing. Mr. Lowrey's mother was formerly Miss Sarah Gattis, who was born and reared in Iuka, Mississippi. Of the three daughters and two sons born to this union, two daughters and one son are now dead. The Lowrey family originally descends from North Carolina, and the blood is represented in some of the best families in Tennessee, Gen. "Bob" Lowrey, of Blne Mountain Female College and Civil War fame, being one among them. Revs. A. P. Lowrey, Fort Worth, and T. N. Lowrey, Merkel, both evangelists, are connections of the family. Mr. Lowrey employs from twenty-five to seventy-five men and at the present writing has five different jobs under course of construction.
LANGSTON, Dr. I. A.
Dr. Langston, county health officer, was born at Larissa, Cherokee county, Texas, Nov. 16, 1864. In securing his literary education he attended Add Ran College, Thorpe Springs, Hood connty; afterwards he graduated at Poplar Springs Normal College, Missis- sippi, with B. S. degree in 1889. In qualifying for the practice of medicine and surgery he graduated in medical department of Fort Worth University. Dr. Langston was orig- inally licensed to practice in 1893, and located at Ross, MeClennan county, where he remained until removing to East Waco in 1904. This same year he was elected connty health officer, and his official service in this connection has been continued to this hour. When Dr. Langston got ready to take unto himself a life partner to help him fight the battles of this life he went to Tupelo, Miss.,-John Allen's town, the celebrated statesman- humorist-and married Miss Elizabeth E. Ledbetter, Sept. 3, 1900; Mrs. Langston being a member of an old established southern family. They have two sons, Sam Y. and Louis C., and the home is at 612 Rusk street, East Waco.
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Dr. Langston's father, I. P. Langston, was born in Alabama, and came to Texas in 1837. He was a member of "The Minute Company" during Indian depredation days of the frontier, was in the Confederate army, and died at Hico, Texas, at the age of sixty-eight. Dr. Langston's mother before marriage was Miss Elizabeth Evans, and a native of Missis- sippi. Their family consisted of four daughters and three sons, and she died at Hico, at the age of seventy-seven, where she and her husband had resided since 1873. Both lived a useful, Christian life in the Baptist church and commanded the confidence and respect of their neighbors.
Through the practice of his profession and mixing with the people, Dr. Langston is one of the best known and most popular men in McLennan county. Being a man of tender sympathies for humanity, and of a progressive publie spirit in aiding progress and devel- opment, he is naturally one of MeLennan's most useful citizens. He was ordained a deacon in the Baptist church by the beloved Dr. R. C. Burleson during his day, and is also a member of the W. O. W. Dr. Langston's office is at 418 Elm street, East Waco.
LITTLETON FAMILY, The
The publisher of this book was born and partially reared in the charming mountains of East Tennessee-at Kingston, seat of government of Roane county, where was held the first session state legislature in what is now called "the old Sam Henderson residence; "' the town being situated at confluence of famous Tennessee and Clinch rivers, noted for early- day transportation and Indian and Civil war scenes. Roane county is the original home of the Littleton family, of which the writer is acquainted with the "root and branch," and he considers it one among the most remarkable in the history of the nation. Of Scotch-Irish descent, coming down through the channels of Virginia and the Carolinas, this blood and sturdy stock was re-inforced with hardy pioneer mountain environments, which necessarily produces strong individuality. The father and head of the present Littleton family now un- der review-Thomas Jefferson Littleton-was born in and is directly connected with the early-day history of Roane county, where he is now living a retired and peaceful life; modestly happy in the conclusion that he has played a useful part in this drama of life, and has given the country a number of its most useful and enlightened men and women-of which he is justifiably proud. The senior Mr. Littleton was never a man of large wealth, but what he lacked in this respect he made up in quality and bulk of character. A farmer and business man, he is ruggedly honest in all his business transactions and uncompromising in his views on all publie questions-imbedded and predominant characteristics of East Ten- nessee mountaineers. He "helped to handle the Indians," and when the Civil war came on he insisted on "preserving the Union" as a Federal soldier. He was twice married-first to a Miss Ingram, whose father fought in the Revolutionary war, and of the eight sons and one daughter born of this union there is now living William, Moses, Jesse M., Charlie C., Martin W. and a daughter at Weatherford, Texas. John J. was a fearless writer and an able newspaper man of Tennessee, and was a number of years ago dramatically murdered on the streets of Nashville, as the outcome of a brilliant race he had made for mayor of that city, in which he was slightly defeated-having just returned from attending a meeting of the National Republican Executive Committee, of which he was the Tennessee member. Jesse M. Littleton, resident of Chattanooga, Tenn., was the nominee of the Republican party for governor of that state a few years ago, was prominently mentioned for the United States Senate in 1911, and is one ef the eminent lawyers and wealthy citizens of the Old Volunteer State. Martin W. Littleton developed from an obscure farmer-boy and railway section-hand around Weatherford, Texas, to his present national eminence-his being one of the most noted cases of self-confidence and self-making in the history of the country, and many are the interesting incidents told about his meteoric and successful career. In many ways he has shown his warm gratitude toward those who loaned him books and helped him along the rugged, narrow way. He qualified for the law at Weatherford, Texas, and was soon in pos- session of a paying clientele. He moved to Dallas, and soon afterward became assistant city attorney. A man of extraordinary fine physique and commanding appearance, as becomes the Littleton family, when he "decided to become a New York lawyer" he carried strong let-
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. ters of recommendation to the Hon. David B. Hill, and in course of time he was one of the luminous figures of New York Democracy, and is today one of the pre-eminent lawyers of that great metropolis. For a number of years he was president of Brooklyn Borough, N. Y., "and later could have been Democratie nominee for governor of that state should he have accepted-to avoid which, his friends say, he made a trip to Europe, where he was honored, dined and wined by the royal blood. He overcame an enormous Republican majority in ex- President Roosevelt's congressional district, and is in Congress at this writing. Was a can- didate for United State Senate in 1911, but the "signs were not. right,"' and should there be a deadlock in the next National Democratic Convention it is not improbable that he will be the next Democratic nominee for the presidency. Charles C. Littleton, who has also emerged from humble circumstances, is ex-mayor and ex postmaster of Weatherford, Texas, .where he resides as a wealthy citizen, and is interested in cottonseed oil mills in Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Gainesville and Whitesboro. Mr. T. J. Littleton (father) was a second time married to Miss Anna MeNutt, daughter of a prominent physician of Kingston, and of this marriage there were born nine children-which makes him the father of eighteen children- and those of the last wedlock have all proven their respectability. In 1881 the family moved to a farm in Parker county, near Weatherford, Texas, and lived until 1888, when all returned to Tennessee abodes excepting Martin W., Charlie C. and one married daughter-the two sons, being mere lads, preferring to remain in the West and "make their own way," in which they have made "good jobs in chiseling gold out of the dearth," and the public knows the rest.
LITTLEPAGE FAMILY-Lineal and Reminiscent
The publisher of this book solicited Rev. S. C. Littlepage to prepare an article, such as would reflect the past history and the circum- stances of his antecedents, and would be of interest to the present and future generations. Rev. Littlepage has been a minister of the gospel for the past fifty-six years, and was a pioneer during the frontier and historically stormy days of Texas. He is known to be one of the most conscientious Christians and lovable men in Texas Methodism, and it is certain that the following article written by him, and given ver batum, will be interesting to his thousands of friends throughout the state:
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