USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 28
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Tomlinson has for the past twenty years followed the profession of bookkeeping, having qualified at Hill's Business College. Waco, and ranks high in this line of work. In the city election, held April 6, 1911, he was chosen Mayor of Hillsboro, with a vote aggregating more than those received by two opponents, and is now at the head of the city government. He has been a citizen of this eity since Aug. 31, 1900; has ever been loyal to its moral and material interests, and it being his ardent desire that it shall continue to grow his administration is strictly progressive. Mayor Tomlinson is a man of broad intelligence, pleasant address and publie spirited and is in every way qualified to adorn the highest city office within the gift of its people. A Democrat, he is also a fighter in the ranks for prohibition, high morals and clean government. An elder in the Christian church, his family worship with this denomi- nation.
THOMAS, William Ferguson
Still another of those who wore the nniform of the Gray and fought in one of the most destructive wars in the history of the world, is Mr. W. F. Thomas, of Pittsburg. This gentle- man was born in Coweta county, Georgia, Aug. 24, 1848. His father, William ("Billy") Thomas, was born either in North or South Carolina-not definitely known. His business was that of farming and conducting a tan-yard. He died in his adopted state of Georgia at the age of fifty years. He was married to Miss Sarah Story, daughter of Antney Story, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and died in Walker county, Ga., at the age of ninety- eight years. Four sons and four danghters were born to this union, of whom only two sons are now living-that of the subject of this sketch and J. W. Thomas, a life-long railroad man, who resides at Texarkana. The mother died in 1866; aged fifty six years.
Mr. Thomas matured to young manhood in Coweta county, near Newman, and it was in that section of the state that he enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863. He first joined John Wilcoxson's Brigade, Phillips' Legion and Gen. Wade Hampton's Battalion, and six months later changed to the regular army of Virginia and entered cavalry service. He performed a great deal of traveling and skirmishing, and, as he stated to the writer, "un- fortunately, he missed being in the battle of Richmond by thirty minutes." He was under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's command when the surrender came and was paroled at Salisbury, North Carolina. The war being over, Mr. Thomas returned to his Georgia home; but re- mained only a short time, then went to Coosa county, Alabama, and there lived for six years. He next moved to Cherokee county, and in 1893 came to Pittsburg, Texas. While in Cherokee county, Alabama-on Oct. 27, 1871-Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Martha Minton; she being a native of that county: Of the nine children born to them, two daughters are dead, and four sons and three daughters are now living, as follows: Henry, R. E., John, Samuel, Mrs. Jas. Robertson, Mrs. Mark Branke and Miss Fannie Lou. Mrs. John Stephens, of Cherokee county, Alabama, and Miss Lulu, deceased. Mr. Thomas' brother, J. W. Thomas, of Texarkana, was four years in Confederate army, and both were in the same company --- Company D. He was captured and kept prisoner of war for sixteen months at Forts Delaware and Piekens, and by changing his name to Jones succeeded in escaping. He was several times slightly wounded. Personally, Mr. Thomas, whose name heads this article, is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and not only commands the respect of all who know him, but has a host of warm friends. Farming, tan-yard and hotel business has characterized his career. He has been "feeding cranks" in and out of Pittsburg for the past thirteen years. He is a stanch Democrat, Baptist, and belongs to the W. O. W. and Home Mutual Protective Association.
VICKERS, L. M.
Mr. L. M. Vickers was born in the aristocratic and splendid state of Mississippi March 4, 1851, and his parents moved to Texas when he was but one year old-settling on a farm in Harrison county, twenty-five miles northwest of Marshall. His father, John Vickers, was a Georgian by birth, later lived in Alabama and Mississippi, and died in Wood county,
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Texas, where he resided for many years, in 1891. His mother before marriage was Miss Mary Dooley; born in Alabama, and died in 1902 while visiting a son-in-law in Southwest Texas. Mr. Vickers lived in Harrison county until 1891, and moved to Hughes Springs, Cass county, where he engaged in farming and saw-milling for twelve years. He next resided in Hunt county for ten years, spent four years in Upshur county, and located at Como Sept. 18, 1910. Mr. Vickers continued to farm until 1906, when he took up saw-milling exclusively, with the result that he is today engaged in the lumber and builder's material business on a very re- spectable scale in Como. On Dec. 12, 1884, Mr. Vickers was happily married to Miss M. L. Vawter, of Grand Bluff, Panola county, Texas, and three sons and three daughters have been born to them-one daughter deceased. The family worship with the Missionary Baptist church.
Though Mr. Vickers has not resided long in Como, he has made and enjoys many warm friends, who are pleased to note his prosperity in the lumber business-his being the largest and most liberally patronized lumber yard in the town. Surrounded with a fine farming, fruit and stock-raising country, supplemented with extensive coal mining interests, Como is the most prosperous town of its size in East Texas, Hundreds of new buildings have gone up in the past two years, which naturally creates a great demand for lumber, hence Mr. Vickers is a very busy man and much in demand. He is one of the best boosters in Como, and believes the town will continue to grow and prosper and add several thousand more souls to its population.
WORK, Judge Thomas Albert
Judge Thomas A. Work, of Dallas, was born at Post Oak Springs, Roane county, East Tennessee, Dec. S, 1860. His father, Jacob Augustine Work, was born at Calhoun, East Tennessee, Oct. 25, 1825, and his father, Flem- ing Work, married a Miss Bishop, a daughter of one of the first families of Virginia. The latter named couple removed to Kingston, county seat of Roane county, East Tennessee, when their son, Jacob A. Work, was a mere youth, and both parents continued to live, died, and their remains are now buried in that county. Jacob A. Work was there married to Miss Mary A. Richards, of a well-to-do family. Ten children were born to them; seven sons and three daughters-two sons and two daugh- ters being dead. Those living are: R. V. Work, assistant postmaster at Paducah, Cottle county, Texas; W. A., a farmer in Cottle county ; Mrs. Laura S. Eblen, Paducah; J. M., mechanic; C. A., forty years telegraph operator, and Judge Work, the subject of this sketch, all of Dallas. From his youth Capt. Jacob A. Work was a chivalrous figure and a popular character in the early days of Roane county; was "a natural born money-maker ;'' generous and liberal in aiding his friends, and neither friend nor the needy ever called on him in vain, He merchandised, bought and shipped all kinds of stock to and fro in the southern states, and as master of steamboats on the famous Tennessee river was a spectacular and interesting man. When the Civil war came on he organized one company in Roane county and went to the front as captain; later resigned, returned and organized a second company, in the very hot- bed and thraldom of Federalism, and went out as captain of the same. Was later pro-
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moted to rank of major, and brevetted colonel on account of leading the celebrated charge at Horse-Shoe Bend, battle of Chickamauga, in which his horse was shot from under him, fell on him and crushed his ribs. Was twice cap- tured and jailed at Knoxville, Tenn., during one of which periods of confinement Gen. John HI. Reagan's brother died in his arms as a pris- oner oť war. Escaping from prison, Capt. Jake Work returned to his home, where his life was continually threatened, and a number of minor battles were fought; and finally left his home one hour previous to the arrival of fifty Federals bent on his capture, and refugeed to Kentucky-in 1865-the enemy ransacking the house. His family joined him in Kentucky, where they remained three years; and coming down the Ohio, Mississippi and Red River to Jefferson, came overland to Dallas in 1869. Successful in raising one crop, and non-snecess- ful in a second, the family located in Dallas in 1570, and became interested in the livery busi- ness. A warm friendship having sprung up between Capt. Work and Capt. W. H. Gaston, another ex-Confederate soldier and successful business man of Dallas, this gentleman "staked him," and in five years Capt. Jake Work was reputed to be worth $75,000, and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1893, he was one of the best known and most popular men about Dallas. His wife having died in 1891, the remains of both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Dallas. A good man to his family, and loved children, no manlier man, no truer man ever laid down the burden of life's toil than "Jake Work," as he was affectionately called by his friends. In none of the elements making up a high standard of citizenship was he lacking. He was, as brave as a lion and as tender-hearted and kind as a child to those deserving of mercy, and the gallant charge he so daringly led in Horse-Shoe Bend was characteristic of the quan. As honest as the sunlight of God, he was as true as the magnet to the North. Intellectually far and away above his fellowmen, his brain-that brain that was always respending to the call of duty and friendship-ever rang as clear as a bell in summer morn'. He was pure gold. Beloved by those who knew him best, he was a man among men- every inch of his stalwart manhood reflecting his fair, square, royal big-hearted soul-he having been physically the strongest white man in Roane county during his day. Under all the sod of Texas there rests no knightlier heart than that of "Jake" Work. May the winds blow softly above his grave at Greenwood Cemetery; may the flowers there bloom in beauty everlasting and his memory never fade from the hearts of friendship and love, for he was builded in the glorious image of his Creator.
Judge Thomas A. Work inherited much of the character and courage of his father for justice and the right, and his court in Dallas commands the absolute confidence and respect of the people for his fair and impartial decisions. He has the broad and happy faculty of injecting humanity and common sense, along with the spirit of the law into his decisions, and the accurate and rapid manner in which he dispenses with the enormous amount of busi- ness that transpires in his court, makes him a popular man. In finishing his education Judge Work attended Waco University, for a short time under Dr. Burleson, and spent two years at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Taught school in Dallas county for three years, and read law under Jerome Kearby, once candidate for congress and governor of Texas. Was admitted to the bar in 1887, and in course of time was elected and served as assistant .city attorney four years; defeated for justice of the peace in 1900; assistant county attorney
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1906 to 1908. Was elected justice of the peace in 1908, and re-elected in 1910. Was married March 5, 1890, to Miss Lula Johnston, of Cedar Springs, Dallas county, and their three daughters are as follows: Misses Laura B., 21; Alline, 18; Ruth, 12 years. The mother died Feb. 11, 1901. Judge Work belongs to W. O. W., and I. O. O. F., Dallas Camp, No. 44. He has lived in Dallas for more than forty years, remembers a number of the "first things" that took place, and says the rapidity in which things continue to develop is sufficient to make some people dizzy. For instance, he remembers the coming of the first trains on the Texas & Pacific and Texas Central railroads; the first building more than two stories high, now at 509 Main street; first street railway mule-car, first omnibus, first heavy transfer wagon; the old Crutchfield and St. Francis, first hotels on court square-all leading up to the present eighteen and twenty-three story skyscrapers and the present modern and magnificent city that Dallas unquestionably is. A man of intelligent and courtly demeanor, and a pleasant associate, Judge Work is one of the best known men in Dallas, and but few men in Dallas county have more warm friends than he.
WIEGERS, Theodore
Represented in American citizenship is very nearly every nationality in the world, and each and every individual was either born or descended from some particular part of the old world. It is no reflection on other nationalities to say that the Germans, as a body of people, are about the best citizens we have in this country. The gentleman whose name precedes this article, Mr. Theodore Wiegers, is a representative subject of that proud old mother country, he having been born in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 12, 1842. When less than three years of age his parents came to America, and settled in New Orleans, where he matured to young manhood and received his education in the city schools. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to the tinner's trade, which laid the foundation for his practical career and in years afterwards occupied the greater part of his life. Mr. Wiegers first came to Texas when quite a young man, residing at Calhoun and Indianola. In 1865 we find him in Galveston; from 1866 to 1874 he made his home in Jefferson, which was then the undis- puted metropolis and mecca of lawlessness of the Southwest. Upon coming to Sulphur Springs in 1875, he opened a tin repairing and manufacturing business, which he conducted to twenty years ago, when he engaged in the hardware line, which has characterized his career to the present hour, and in which he has been truly successful. Mr. Wiegers informed the writer that when he came to this section of the state Sulphur Springs had less than 2,000 people, now it has more than 5,000; the country was almost wholly undeveloped. there were but few farmers and no country roads-the transformation of the country from the primitive to the present modern times being vivid in his mind.
Mr. Wiegers' wife and helpmeet was, before marriage, a Miss Ochiltree, daughter of Wm. B. Ochiltree and sister to Tom Ochiltree, one of the most unique characters, not only of Texas but of the world at large. Personally, Mr. Wiegers is a man of large intelligence, and is a patron of literature and art. He is a big-hearted, kindly man; not of the effusive kind, but one that can always be counted on when it comes time for acting for the good of the community-whether for charity, church or public enterprise. Mr. Wiegers belongs to the Masons and K. and L. of H.
WILLIS, Nolan Richard
Mr. N. R. Willis, of Pittsburg, and another of the old comrades who wore the uniform of the Gray during the internecine strife of 1861-5, was born on his father's farm in Monroe county, Georgia, Sept. 5, 1844. His father, O. J. Willis, was also born in that county. He was a plantation owner and slaveholder, and died there in 1861; aged fifty-five years. His wife before marriage was Miss Anna Johnston, native of Monroe county, and died in 1863; aged forty-one years. There were born to them eight sons and seven daughters, of which number there are now living the subject of this sketch, N. R. Willis, and W. H. Willis, who is now connected with the city government of Barnesville, Pike county, Georgia. Mr. Willis tells the writer that he was "fotched up" in Georgia, and was sixteen years old when he
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enlisted in the Confederate army, at Big Shanty, on W. & A. railway, May 29, 1861. After the 3d and 9th Georgia Battalions consolidated they had two companies more than a regi- ment, and these two companies were formed into three companies and became a part of the 4th Georgia Battalion Sharpshooters, of which Mr. Willis was transcendently a member from the first two companies mentioned-being in company B, commanded by Major Caswell, of Augusta, Ga., Col. M. A. Stovall and Dr. J. M. MeDowell, captain. Mr. Willis campaigned through Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, and participated in bat- tles of Murfreesboro, Perryville, Ky., Cumberland Gap, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge; from Dalton to Atlanta and Jonesboro; back to Tennessee, under Gen. Hood at Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and again at Murfreesboro. Was under Gen. Jos. E. Johnston at Greensboro, N. C., when surrender came. In second battle of Murfreesboro he fought in Gen. Wm. B. Bates' Division and Cheatham's Corps. Was never wounded or captured, and never failed to answer a call to arms. On Feb. 1, 1865, he was happily married in Bibb county, Georgia, to Miss Harrison S. Jones, who was born in Sumpter county, Georgia. There were born to them seven sons and two daughters, and those now living are as follows: Thos. E. Willis, merchant tailor, at Corpus Christi; W. C., decorator and painter, and W. P., sign writer and painter, Pittsburg; Mrs. C. J. Yancey, Fort Worth, and Miss Erin S., at home. Mr. Willis first came to Texas in 1874, and as a farmer has lived twelve years in Upshur county, and thirteen years in Camp county, and while he continues to reside with his family on the old homeplace near Pittsburg, he has, since April 1, 1911, been engaged in the mercantile business in that little city. His store is located on one of the main business streets, and he enjoys a nice trade. Mr. Willis worships with the Baptist church; belongs to K. of P. and Odd Fellows, and has been a Mason for the past thirty-two years. When asked by the writer which of the unsurpassed list of Confederate generals he considered the su- perior, Mr. Willis was quick to accord Gen. Jos. E. Johnston this great honor, and said that "he was a gentleman with it." Personally, Mr. Willis is one of the most substantial citizens in Camp county, and his many commendable traits of heart and mind have endeared mum to a wide circle of friends.
WIDMER, Adam E.
In this age of mechanical invention, when ingenious men all over the world are taxing their brains to evolve something new and practical to put to account in the arts, the sciences and manu- factures, the model-maker and pattern constructor fills an im- portant place. Mr. Adam E. Widmer, with business quarters at 118 Franklin street, is the oldest established and one of the most prominent men in this line in Waco, and possesses facilities for the making of models and patterns which render his plant a valuable aid to inventors. Mr. Widmer puts crude and imperfect inventions into practical shape-from the standpoint of design- ing and mechanical engineering furnishes detail and working drawings and patterns for foundry castings-and does repair work for broken parts on shortest notice.
Mr. Widmer's father, Barnhardt Widmer, was born in Switzerland, and came to America at the age of fourteen. He first settled, lived and died at Portsmouth, Ohio, as a harness and saddlemaker-departing this life at the age of forty in 1875. His mother was formerly Miss Kate Reuter, her people coming from Germany when she was five years old, and locating near Portsmouth, Ohio. She is still living at the age of seventy-three-having borne eleven children, seven of whom are now living. The family moved to Ellis county in 1878-locating at Ennis-and later lived in Navarro county. Their coming to Waco was in 1892. In the meantime, the subject of this sketch had done considerable traveling. Mr. Widmer's polities is best expressed in that he is an advocate of the Henry George theory of government-hence, an apostle for the good of humanity. He believes that God intended the people should have a right to live on this earth, and that every man should have a fair privilege to make a living for himself and those dependent upon him. He has worked at his chosen trade for nearly
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forty years, and has a wide reputation as a patternmaker. He is a member of the carpenters' and joiners' union, and the Widmer family worship with the German Lutheran church.
WINTERS, John William
The state of Mississippi has given to Texas many of its most valuable citizens, and Missis- sippi's contributory part in the development of Texas is by no means insignificant. In this sense and connection it affords the writer pleas- ure to speak in the most kindly terms of Mr. John W. Winters, an extensive land owner and farmer, and head of the Farmers' Union gin, warehouse and mercantile investments in Erath county. Mr. Winters was born at Kosciusko, At- talla county, Mississippi, July 19, 1857. His father before him was a farmer, but the three last years he remained in the old home state Mr. Winters worked at a saw mill-landing in Erath county in 1882 with $120 in his possession. He began farming near Dublin, and today owns 840 acres of the best land in the southern part of Erath county-558 acres on the Bosque river, and the rest is located near Alexander. Mr. Winters is one of the most prominent farmers in this section of the state, is known as the farmers' friend, takes an intense interest in his material prosperity, and a very active interest in all Farmers' Union proceedings. A man of fine business qualifications, he has been pushed to the front by the farmers of Erath county, and is today president of the Farmers' Union Warehouse Company, the Farmers' Union Clearing House Company. and the Farmers' Union Gin & Milling Company-all three of which concerns are separately incorporated and chartered under the laws of Texas, and represent a total capital stock of $30,000. The cotton warehouses, for the weighing and storing of cotton, in Stephenville and Dublin, were the first to be established in 1905; the mercantile estalishment, located in Stephenville, was founded in 1909, and a gin plant was purchased in Dublin and a new similar industry was builded in Stephenville in 1911, all for the direct benefit of Erath county farmers and to protect them in line with their best interests. These business enter- prises have all been uniformly and gratifyingly successful, which is a refutation of the usual slander that co-operative enterprises of this character cannot be successfully conducted. The stock is kept within the membership of the Farmers' Union.
Mr. Winters was married Dec. 14, 1894, to Miss Ruth Hatchett, and they have four sons and one daughter, as follows: Sarah Lorene, Jesse M., Calvin, Frank Smithe and John Heward Winters. Mrs. Winters' parents are Mr. J. M. Hatchett, and her mother was Miss Sarah Green, deceased. Mr. Hatchett still lives. During the school season Mr. Winters removes his family to Stephenville in order to absorb the benefits of the splendid educational advantages afforded in this prosperous little city. Personally Mr. Winters has been a Mason for the past ten years, and is one of the pillars of support of the Baptist church, with which denomination he worships. A man of generous impulses, he is liberal toward all worthy charitable subjects, is publie spirited in aiding the general welfare, and is a tower of strength to his friends. Politically he is a life-long Southern Democrat, but he is neither fanatical nor a slave to his party when it forfeits his support by nominating incompetent and corrupt men and strays from its moorings of Democratic principles. In conclusion it is also due to say that Mr. Winters was one of the charter members and first directors of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, founded in 1895 and now getting along nicely.
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WEST, Francis Perry
In speaking of the personality of President F. P. West, of the Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Cleburne, we shall digress for the moment to speak of this very nearly ideal financial institu- tion, from the fact that its home, fixtures and equipment, though not the largest in the United States, has but few, if any, superiors in the country outside of the greater cities. This bank was originally founded in 1890. The exterior of the two-story build- ing is attractive to strangers, but a visit to the interior is a feast to the art-loving eye, from the modern floor tiling and wains- coated walls to the art work of the ceiling, which was worked by hand. The fixtures in the main counting room were made from the most costly Italian marble, brass trimmings, and the directors' room in the rear is of genuine solid mahogany, the general ar- rangement of the counting rooms being well nigh perfect with view of convenience and economy of space. There are two steel fire- proof vaults of especial make, one for safety lock-boxes for the benefit of customers, and in the main one is the latest make of a large Mosler screw-door, time-lock safe, and a noticeable feature about this latter arrangement is that both the locks on vault and safe are time-locks operating on their own initiative in opening and closing for business, the vault opening first, the safe later. From the time the Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Cleburne opened its doors for business in 1890 the management have never ceased to discharge fully and liberally its financinl and moral obligations to friends, patrons and the public at large, and throughout the disastrous panics of 1893 and 1907 continued to transact business with the people as though no panics were raging, and incidentally never failed to pay its stockholders six per cent semi-annually, in the meantime building up its surplus and undivided profits, which at this writing amounts to $100,000. The bank in question has a capital stock of $100,000, and speaking collectively, its officials and directorate, consisting of some of the most prominent merchants, farmers and capitalists of the country, represent several millions of dollars of unquestioned wealth.
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