USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
ALFORD, Capt. Albert Nelson
Capt. A. N. Alford, ex-mayor of Wills Point and one of the most influential citizens of VanZandt county, was born at Crockett, Houston county, East Texas, Sept. 6, 1841. His paternal grandfather, George Alford, was of Scotch-English extraction, and was the first mayor in history of Detroit, Michigan. Capt. Alford's father, Geo. G. Alford, was born in New York state in 1805. In 1827 he settled at New Madrid, sontheastern Missouri; to Nacogdoches, Texas, in 1832 and to Crockett in 1836-being a merchant and planter. Was prominent in war between Texas and Mexico, was commissary-general of Gen. Sam Houston's army and was captured in naval battle off Galveston on Brig Julius Caesar, laden with com- missary supplies from New Orleans. He was a member Gen. Houston's staff in battle of San Jacinto, and helped to win that glorious victory which gave to Texas her independence. He died at the old family home in Crockett, in 1847; aged forty-two years. He was known as a man of extraordinary energy and strong will power, hence successful in most all that which he undertook. His wife was Miss Anna Barfield, who was born at Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee, in southwestern suburbs of which was fought the battle of Stone's River-her father having been a planter in Rutherford county, and fought in war of 1812. Three sons and three daughters were born of this union, of which Capt. Alford is at present the only survivor.
After the death of his father in 1847, Capt. Alford as a boy was taken by an aunt, Mrs. Hardeman Walker, and cared for in her home in Sontheastern Missouri, until 1852, when he returned to Texas and made his home at Palestine. Here he matured to young manhood and began life as a retail salesman. We later hear of him as a member of the firm of Alford, Lawther & Company, large wholesale grocers, Galveston-this connection existing for five years. In 1872 Capt. Alford purchased and moved to a Black Land farm in Ellis county, and there resided for six years, when he became a citizen of Wills Point. Here he was for twenty-five years engaged in hardware and furniture business on a very respectable seale-part of which time he resided in town, and again on his farm, four miles north of Wills Point. Capt. Alford has been twice married-first to Miss Cornelia Coleman, at Crockett, Dec. 5, 1867; her people coming from Perry county, Ala. to that part of Texas. There was born of this union three sons and two daughters. Capt. Alford was a second time married in December, 1885, to Mrs. Lobitha Brooks, of Wills Point-her native place being Henderson, Texas. Born of this nnion were fonr sons and three daughters, of which one son and one daughter are dead. Retracing to the war of 1861-5, Capt. Alford enlisted April 1, 1861, in Co. A, 1st Texas Cav., com- manded by Col. John S. Ford, John R. Baylor, Lt .- Col., and Ed. Waller, Major. Went from Palestine to San Antonio, and were dispatched to New Mexico and Arizona where they served until July, 1862. Back to San Antonio, they participated in re-capture of Galveston on Jan. 1, 1863-and captured Sabine Pass in following February. From there they went to Louisiana territory, fought battle of Plaquemine, and captured Brashier City. At this juncture Capt. Alford's command was ordered back to Texas-to the Rio Grande-and he remained in Louisiana under Gen. Tom Green to the close of the war, and opposed Gen. Banks in battles of Yellow Bayou, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, etc. Capt. Alford received a dangerous wound above left eye in battle of Galveston, and was shot in right shoulder in battle of Mansfield. He is an Elder in Christian church, and in civic affairs has served a number of years as alderman, and
31
two terms as mayor of Wills Point. Capt. Alford is a conservative and successful business man, and a fine type of the Southern gentleman-owning a fine farm of 804 acres four miles north of Wills Point, and on which he has produced as high as 250 bales of cotton. Southern by birth and breeding, he possesses all the characteristics of hospitality and the gracious manner that comes only from the heart irrisistibly attractive, but never effusive. A product of the best days of ante-bellum civilization-modesty, dignity and honor-this type of our present-day citizenry that stand as models for young men is passing away too rapidly for the benefit of the country.
ARMSTRONG, Richard Graham
One of the most interesting men in Comanche county, and a man who enjoys literature, music, animal and vegetable life, and otherwise every day he lives, and takes great delight il mixing and joking among his wide circle of friends, is Mr. R. G. Armstrong, who has served for sixteen years as official surveyor of Comanche county. Mr. Armstrong was born Dec. 20, 1844, in Shelby county, Illinois, where he grew up in farm life and qualified himself for the profession of surveyor and draughtsman. His paternal great-grandfather, James Armstrong, a sturdy Scotchman, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, and he and five of his brothers par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Geo. Washington. After the war was over he went from Virginia to where the city of Dayton, Ohio, now stands and acquired the same as farm land. This was during the days when the Indians were yet dangerous to the welfare of , the white man in the territory now known as Ohio and Kentucky-during Daniel Boone's roaming days-and the Armstrongs were among the forerunners of civilization in that section of the country. The family later drifted to Indiana, where Edward Armstrong (father of R. G. Armstrong, whose name heads this article) was born-in Vigo county, April 14, 1814, and he died in Shelby county, Illinois, March 7, 1870. When Edward Armstrong was conducting a hotel at Shelbyville, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln "stopped" with him while on his "circuit" practicing law, and on the old Register opposite Lincoln's name the following note was made: "Failed to make money enough this court to pay his bill. Will pay later." Mr. Armstrong knew Mr. Lincoln personally and was an ardent admirer of him. Mr. Armstrong was a member of the Christian church a Republican in politics, and was a man of very decided and inde- pendent views. His wife was Miss Margaret Graham, who was born in Daviess county, Indiana, in 1816; was married in 1838, and died in Shelby county, Ill. Of the two sons and four daughters born to them, there is yet living the subject of this sketch, R. G. Armstrong; William Armstrong, who was an "Eighty-Niner" in the first Oklahoma land race, and who is now residing in Logan county; of that state; and Mrs. Emma Stout, who now lives within three miles of where she was born in Shelby county, Illinois. Mr. Armstrong came to Texas in 1869-landing at Galveston Nov. 15th, and to Comanche Oct. 7, 1870. The country was yet in its very crude state of development and he was from Nov. 15, 1869, to Jan. 2, 1870, going from the village of Beaumont to the small town of Austin-by foot, rail and water. From this time on he began his career in earnest as a land surveyor, and there were many pressing calls for his services-among others being the State Land Office under the Carpetbag rule of Gov. E. J. Davis, but when told that he had to join the Loyal League and support the administration he . frankly declined the proffer. For ten years Mr. Armstrong owned a ranch and farmed accord- ing to progressive methods. While he has served as County Surveyor for sixteen years and still holds that office, he has never asked a man to vote for him-he being a man of few enemies and plenty of friends. Mr. Armstrong has reared a family of two sons and seven daughters, some of whom are elegant musicians and very competent school teachers.
BLEDSOE, Judge Thomas A.
A man that loves West Texas with all his heart and energy, and since boyhood has un- selfishly devoted his best efforts and money toward its advancement, with no hope of reward, except the prosperity and glory of his country and people, is Judge Thomas A. Bledsoe, County Judge of Taylor county. Judge Bledsoe was born Dec. 3, 1872, at Marlin, Falls county, Texas. The Bledsoe family, originally emanating from Virginia, is one of the most widely established
32
in American life and they have distinguished themselves in war, statesmanship, letters, the professions, commerce and industry. Judge Bledsoe's father, Aaron E. Bledsoe, was born in Richmond, Virginia, where he developed to be a merchant and a maunfacturer of chewing tobacco on a large scale. Leading up to the civil war he was a strong Secessionist, and aided . he Confederate government by loaning it money and purchasing its bonds-many of which relies the family retain to the present day. When Richmond was burned he lost heavily. At the close of hostilities, in 1865, he migrated with his family to Texas, and merchandised at Millican, Marlin, Cleburne and Glen Rose for a period of sixteen or seventeen years. In 1882 he came to Abilene, where he continued to sell goods, and died in 1889. Though he never sought or held publie office, he took a lively interest in current affairs as a man of strong con- victions; was a life-long Democrat ; a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a Baptist. Retracing to his Virginia home the senior Mr. Bledsoe was married to Miss Bettie B. Jones, who was born at Meddle Bridges, near Richmond, on the James river-being the daughter of Albert Jones and Frances Clopton ; the first named being a wealthy planter, and a radical Secessionist. Of this union were born three sons and three daughters. The mother still lives at the age of seventy- four years. Judge Bledsoe's paternal grandfather, Aaron Bledsoe, was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, and was in Revolutionary war. His maternal grandmother was born in New Kent county, Virginia-her ancestry having come to America in the sixteenth century, during cavalier days. and their remains are buried in St. Peter's church cemetery in New Kent county, and St. John's church cemetery in Richmond.
Judge Bledsoe began this life working with stock in Taylor county; later as a mercantile salesman, and served his "Devilship"' in The Taylor County News office, when it was customary to blacken the face and smear printer's ink through the Devil's hair. He was educated in public schools of Abilene, and qualified for teaching in Sam Houston Normal, at Huntsville, East Texas. Taught four years in Abilene High school and was Superintendent City schools at Big Springs for four years. Took up study of law in office of Leggett & Cunningham, Abilene, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. Was elected to the office of city attorney, which he resigned at expiration of one year to make the canvass for county attorney, in which he was successful and held this office for four years. After an interval of two years practicing law, he ran for county judge in 1906, and is now serving his third term. Judge Bledsoe was married April 4, 1906, to Miss Sidney L. Files, of Hill county, and in their nice bungalow home are found two lively youngsters-Thos. Files, four years, and James Gray, two years. In coming to Taylor county in 1880, Judge Bledsoe preceded his father by two years-hence he is ac- corded the distinction of being an old citizen. He was the President of the Democratic Rough Riders, an organization of from 400 to 500 young men of Democratic persuasion, which saved the day in Taylor county in 1898 when Populism was entertaining Democracy. As a stalwart Democrat Judge Bledsoe has for a number of years been prominent in party ranks, and as a delegate in the representative, senatorial, judicial, congressional and state conventions, took active part in their deliberations-sometimes serving as secretary and chairman. Judge Bled- soe has been E. C. of Abilene Commandery, K. T. (Masonic Lodge) for past eight years; belongs to Eastern Star; is Past Noble Grand Odd Fellows, and belongs to the Encampment; has been a prominent worker in the W. O. W., and is also a member of Woodmen Circle. In religious faith he is Past Vestryman in the Episcopal church, the chosen worship of his mother-some of her people being noted churchmen of the nation. In the Baptist church some of his father's ancestry were distinguished churchmen. Judge Bledsoe has been a pioneer in the Good Roads Movement in Taylor county; which was at first not popular in the entire county, but it is now predicted that it is but a question of time when that county will be harnessed with gravel and macadam roads. Abilene Precinct No. 1 was first to vote $150,000 road bonds, and from this money about sixty miles of two kinds of piking was built-macadam, all rock; and gravel. Judge Bledsoe took the lead in this movement from the start, and the commissioners' court placed the general supervision of its building in his care. He has been a rescarchful student and an enthusiast on this subject, with the result that the good roads of Taylor county have elicited especially favorable comment on part of Federal government ex- perts from Washington, D. C., and from state and other authoritative sources. Judge Bledsoe is an interesting publie speaker and as a manifest of his public spirit takes part in all public
33
functions calculated to uplift and advance the social and commercial interests of his com- mnnity-giving of his time and means unstintedly-and especially is he loyal to his friends. Honest and brave, his public record is withont a flaw or blemish. With no element of the dreamer in his personality, he is distinctly a man of action, and when it comes to action, he is a man, current and sufficient.
BURCKHARTT, Judge William Joshua
Judge Bnrckhartt, of Cleburne, was born in Texas connty, Mo., Jan. 23, 1860. His grand- father, Col. J. H. Burckhartt was a graduate of Annapolis Military Academy, and a soldier in the war of 1812. He was sent with a division of men into Missouri territory in search of salt- peter to make powder for the army, and upon the conclusion of the war continued to reside and died in that state. One of his two sons was Z. M. P. Bnrekhartt (father of Judge Burckhartt), who was born in St. Louis county-now the city of St. Louis-in 1834, but the family later settled in Texas county, Mo., where they were originally engaged in farming. Later, Z. M. P. Bnrekhartt, assisted by his father, Col. Burckhartt, became interested in shipping Inmber down the famous Gasconade river on a large scale. When the civil war came on Z. M. P. Burckhartt enlisted in the Confederate army and participated in numerous engagements nnder Gen. Sterling Price; was one time severely wounded, and died in the service in 1864, aged thirty years. He was married in Texas county, Mo., in 1858 to Miss Sarah Briggs, and of this union were born one son, Jndge W. J. Bnrekhartt and one danghter, now Mrs. Alice James, she and her family residing on a farm six miles north of Cleburne. Soon after the close of the civil war the mother was a second time married to Andrew Moreland, and she now lives on her farm twelve miles northwest of Cleburne with her younger son, Andrew. Mr. Moreland has been dead several years.
Judge Bnrckhartt's education was obtained in the public and private schools of Missouri, and finally, Vichy Normal College, which institution prepared for business and teaching. From early boyhood he earned all the money that militated toward his education. All told, he has, himself, tanght public and private schools twenty-four years-eleven years in Maries, Crawford and Gasconade counties, Missouri, and thirteen years in Johnson county, Texas; originally coming to Cleburne in 1894. Judge Bnrckhartt was joined in wedlock in 1888, while yet in Gasconade county, to Miss Mattie Smith, and they have four sons and three daughters ranging in age from four to eighteen years. It was in November, 1908, that Judge Burckhartt was chosen Justice of the Peace of Precinct No. 1, and being re-elected in 1910 is now serving his second term, which is ample evidence that his decisions on the bench have been tempered with a well balanced judgment and has maintained his wide circle of friends and supporters. For a number of years, during the intervals between school seasons, Judge Bnrckhartt "took to the road" in the various states, carrying a special line of goods or working in behalf of labor and secret order organizations-hence, he is well traveled and has a practical knowledge of the world. In graces of mind Judge Burckhartt is enlivened with cheerfulness, affability and good nature, and his wide knowledge of history is beantifully braced with a staunch patriotism of the South and its traditions. The Burckhartt family are Missionary Baptists.
BURKS, Jokkie W.
We have it from authentic authorities that ninety per cent of the county officials in the state of Texas are originally from the rural, or farming districts. This is also the best evi- dence that the conscience of our body politic is sound, and that men, untrained as a body to the tricks of politics, are being selected to discharge governmental duties. Still another evi- dence that the people are selecting men of high honor and principle to look after their govern- mental affairs, is noted in the fact that it is a very rare case, indeed, where connty officials "go wrong" in Texas. All of which is good. One of this large and honorable body of men is Mr. Jokkie W. Burks, Treasurer of Comanche connty. By way of ancestral history, Mr. Burks' father, J. R. Burks, was born in Mississippi, and when a yonng man "set ont " for Texas, and settled on a ranch in Comanche county. In 1870 he was married to Miss Brownie Lasseter, whose people had also come here from Mississippi, and two sons and three daughters-all
3.1
living-were born to them. Mrs. Burks' father, B. D. Lasseter. died in this county in 1886, and her mother passed away in 1903. Both of Mr. Burks' parents are still living on the old home-place, six miles east of Comanche, and near where he first saw the light of day.
Mr. Burks is what is known as a self-made man, and the fact that he fought his own way from the plowshares to one of the most important official positions in Comanche county -- that of County Treasurer-should afford him and his many warm friends a great deal of satis- faction. Ambitious for an education that he might be numbered one among men, and make the world better for having lived in it, Mr. Burks earned his own money to finish his educa. tion-at the Comanche High school. He taught in the public schools of Comanche county for two years; farmed a few years, and then engaged in the general merchandising business at Gustine, this county, for five years. At this stage of his career he permitted his friends to make use of his name as a candidate for the office of County Treasurer, and winning in both the Democratie primary and regular November elections in 1910, he was soon afterwards in- ducted into public office. As bearing on his ability we take the following from the County Finance Committee's record: "We found the accounts and books of Jokkie W. Burks, Treas- urer, correct in every particular; well kept, and all moneys due the county duly accounted for." Mr. Burks was married April 26, 1896, to Miss Emma Stevens, of Gustine, but who was born in Johnson county. Their family consists of two sons and three daughters. Coming of Demo- eratie families on both sides of his birthhood, Mr. Burks is decidedly Southern in all his pre- dilections and sentiments, and while he is yet a young man, he is somewhat of a pioneer citizen, in that he has witnessed the growth of Comanche from a mere trading post of a few stores to its present 4,000 population, and the county of Comanche transformed from a pasture- land to nearly 30,000 population. The present taxable valuation of Comanche county is $11,- 229,000. Mr. Burks belongs to the Odd Fellows and W. O. W. secret orders.
BURLESON, Dr. Rufus C.
Dr. Burleson was born at the confluence of the East and West Forks of Flint river in Mor- gan county, North Alabama, Aug. 7, 1823, and was the sixth child of a family of thirteen chil- Iren. His father, Jonathan Burleson, was mar- ied Sept. 17, 1813, to Miss Elizabeth Byrd, his nother, who was a sister of Gov. William Adair of Kentucky, and granddaughter of Sir William 3yrd, founder of Richmond and Petersburg, Va.,, ind for years President of the Royal Council. The American branch of the Burleson family descends from two brothers-Sir William Burle- son emigrating from England and settling in Connecticut in 1716, and Aaron Burleson coming over in 1724 and settling in North Carolina. From these periods on up to the present hour the Burleson family has played a conspicuous part in American history and the development of the nation. Dr. Burleson descends from the Aaron branch of the family.
At the close of the Creek Indian war in 1814, Jonathan Burleson and his young bride of one year left Lexington, Ky., where they had been married and journeyed horseback to the wilderness in North Alabama, where they set- tled and progressed with the development of the country. Here were the scenes of Dr. Burle- son's childhood and early struggles. The securing of his education covers a wide range and years of hard work and sacrifice-studying by torchlight, clearing the forests, teaching and
35
preaching. At all times in search of knowledge, seeking to uplift his fellowman, and "doing well" all that which he undertook seems to have been the chief corner-stone of his militant character. His earlier ambition was to be a great lawyer, with Patrick Henry, John C. Calhoun and others as his ideal; but being converted by a revival sermon, preached by Rev. Dr. Porter, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, in his neighborhood, he decided to consecrate his life to the ministry-this incident taking place April 21, 1839, when he was sixteen years of age. Dr. Burleson's college and teaching days were interspersed with preaching, and for a few years before coming to Texas as a missionary in 1847 he held some important pastorates and chairs in colleges in Kentucky and Massachusetts. At this period of his career his fame was rapidly spreading as an orator and doctrinaire, he was being tendered important offers, and the knowledge of his eoming had preceded him to Texas. Before starting on his journey he consecrated his life to this state, and how faithful, and with what great results, he did so is best known by all intelligent Texans, who now delight to honor his memory. He was a bosom friend of Gen. Sam Houston-converted him, baptized him, and was his spiritual adviser to the closing hours of his career. However, Dr. Burleson's most signal service was in his asso- ciation and as President of Baylor University, which began June 13, 1851, and it is in this connection that he was best known and his memory is revered. He died May 14, 1901. Dr. Burleson was truly an apostle of humanity, and while yet in love with life, and raptured with the world, he passed to silence and pathetic dust. Men of such fecundity of genius are the products of the centuries, and form mental mile-posts in the civilization of the world. The memory of Dr. Burleson will live after him for his great services to Texas, and Texas people- , whom he loved as he did his very life.
Of the family yet living is Mrs. Georgis J. Burleson, widow of Dr. Burleson; Mrs. S. L. Morris, daughter, and whose husband publishes the Baptist Forum in Atlanta, Ga., and Mr. R. A. Burleson, son, who was born here in Waco, Sept. 21, 1869. Mr. Burleson was here educated in Baylor University-having graduated in this nationally known institution with A B. degree. He was married to Miss Ida Bloodworth, of Clarksville, Texas, and their chil- dren number four daughters and three sons. Mr. Burleson is one of the most humane of men-a man whose character for moral intellectuality is removed from the influence of the dollar-mark where a high principle is involved, whether it be in business or politics, being a strong supporter of the Baptist church. As the head of the Burleson Real Estate Company he is one of the oldest and best known real estate and land men in Waco.
BURNETT, William Columbus
1200020
It was only a few months ago that the writer, while visiting back in the old states, was asked "If the people in Texas had any automobiles?"' The answer was, that "Texas, popu- lation considered, had more automobiles than that particular state." So it is, Texas is up-to- date in almost every line of endeavor and thought. Its people are a well informed populace, and especially in governmental affairs, and no state in the Union has better law enforcement and more modern government, which is largely due to the character of men chosen to public office. We come now to speak of Mr. W. C. Burnett, Tax Assessor of Erath county. This gentleman was born of German-Irish extraction on his father's farm near Duffau, in southeast section of this county, March 16, 1869-and his parents still own and res'de on the place of his birth. J. H. Burnett, father of the subject whose name heads this article, was born in Tennessee. In 1845, at age of thirteen, he came to Texas and settled in Harrison county, East Texas, and to Erath county in 1854. He was one of the frontiersmen who fought the Indians on the ranges in the early days, and also served four years in the civil war as a Confederate soldier fighting for Southern rights. He was married to Miss Anna M. Stracner in this county, and of the twelve children born to them, six sons and three daughters are now living. Mrs. Burnett's uncle, Simon Kuykendall, fought in both the Mexican and civil wars, and she went to her people in East Texas and there remained during the time her husband was in the civil war. Both of her parents died in Erath county at a ripe age, and her husband's mother also died in this county, aged ninety-three.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.