USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 6
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Dr. Breuer was married to Miss Barbara Hulla, of Chicago, Feb. 17, 1889, and they have three sons and one daughter. The oldest son, Miles J., graduated this year at State University, Austin, with A. B. and A. M. degrees, chemistry and physics, at the age of twenty-two. The daughter, Miss Libbie A., will next year graduate at some institution, with same degrees, on botany aud education-it being her ambition to become a teacher in high school work. Both brother and sister have shown marked literary talent in their contributions to The University Magazine, Short Story Magazine, Blue Goose, Black Cat and other standard publications, while he has also proven himself a mechanical genius along electrical lines. Roland, aged seventeen, will next year graduate in Waco High school-his tendencies being strong for base ball and athletics and electrical developments. The younger son, Senn E., is aged twelve, and was named for his father's dearest friend and colaborer, Dr. Nicholas Senn, the noted professor of surgery in Chicago. He proposes to become a great surgeon, also.
From an humble beginning Dr. Breuer has wisely carved out his own successful career, and his entire life, from early boyhood, has been as busy as it has been useful; he having improved every hour and indulged in no by-pleasures or idiosyncrasies-pleasurable employing his idle time in laboratory work and studying pathology. A man of culture and deep re. search of mind, he also enjoys a high standing in the literary world of letters-having con- tributed some valuable writings to the press and magazines of the country. Has written two books-"Diseases of the Horse," issued in 1900, and a second edition now being out; and "Household Treatment" was issued in 1907-both in the Bohemian language. Dr. Breuer has conducted private hospitals for the past twelve years, and at present time has charge of the Waco Sanitarinm. Personally he is a congenial associate, and makes and maintains friends wherever he goes. He worships with the Congregational church, and belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W., W. O. W., M. W. A., S. P. J. S. T., Z. C. B. J., Rebeccas and Degree of Honor. Dr. Brener was the originator and manager of "Bohemian Day" during the 1910 Cotton Palace festivities, when he bronght 12,000 Bohemians to Waco; affording a.
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procession mile and half long, curb to curb, aud which was the banner day of the occasion. Dr. Breuer likes Waco, and believes it will some day be a great city.
BABIES-The Art of Rearing Them
Look carefully and loug at the picture of this Texas Baby Boy before you read another single word. This pic- ture is a photograph of the whole human family. He is wide between the eyes; an indication of intelligence, imagination. He has a tender mouth, which doesn't by any means suggest that he is temperamentally weak. His forehead has room iu it for any and all kinds of knowledge; or, MIS-knowledge- and that's what we want to talk about. The Baby is the child of just common folk. He was not born to luxury and pamper- ing, which is unquestionably a fine thing for the Baby. But how would YOU raise him? That's the IMPORTANT QUES- TION. Now this Baby with the wide space between the eyes can learn to be bad or good. He is four years old. The in- nocent, tender lips may easily be moulded into the firm straight line which means "Decision" in Big Business, or they may remain tender. The eyes, which wistfully appeal, may just as easily become hard and steely. If this Baby's Papa and Mamma perpetually scold him, they will drive away the tender expression, for they will drive out the tenderness. If they perpet- ually praise him, they will as surely ruin him. Deal with him positively, but lovingly. Weight him with responsibility as his development toward maturity is able to bear it- a character-developer-and instill into his breast noble principles of sacrifice, high ideals, honor and love of humanity and things beautiful. Look at the picture again. He is very susceptible to good or bad treatment. He has a good chest. Develop it. Good chests mean bodily strength, and bodily strength helps mental virility. He has fine shoulders; broaden them. Broad shoulders give a man confidence and stability. See that his legs are athletically developed. Children born in a bovel have not had that blessed privilege taken away from them. The possibilities which lie in ANY BABY cannot be computed. We ask the mothers of the Nation to think of these things and give the BABIES a chance for the best there is in them. Let this Baby grow up to be a Man-whether it be a Man with a piek, or a Man with an office, or a Man with a suite of offices; and then the mother of this handsome little one shall feel that she has done her DUTY to humanity, fulfilled her mission from God. It is a long jump from trampiug on the mother's toes and climbing on her knees to the stalwart manhood of building Empires and serving as President of the United States, but a number of them have done this very thing.
BAKER, Capt. John Holland
Capt. Baker was born in the famous Blue Grass section of Kentucky, Fraukfort be- ing seat of government and also the capital of the state. The date of his birth was April 6, 1822; his father coming of Irish descent, and his mother that of Welsh-her maiden name being Miss Lucinda Edwards-born in Woodford county, Ky., April 6, 1802; died Aug. 1, 1879. Capt. Baker was married to Miss Amanda Saunders, of Shelby county, Kentucky, a member of one of the well known families of that state, and later lived near Lexington, in the splendid county of Fayette, as a successful farmer and stock-raiser. By this marriage were born ex-Mayor James B. Baker; John W., for many years County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, County Judge and now practicing law; Mrs. Mary E. Pogue, of this county; ex-State Senator Waller S. Baker, attorney-at-law; Mark D., deceased, and Mrs. J. E. Horne, of Waco. Starting to Texas with his family, Capt. Baker crossed the Red River in 1858, and located on Tonk Creek, near Crawford, in this, McLennan county, while this section was yet in its crude state of development, and continued his favorite pursuit as a farmer and stock-raiser. He was one of the few men in those days that foresaw the future development of Texas, and especially to appreciate
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the fertility of the soil, attractive climate and other natural advanages of this, the choice part of the Black Land Belt of Texas, and accordingly laid the foundation for a large estate and a competent fortune. On May 4, 1860, his good wife passed to her final re- ward, and being sad of mind and shattered of spirit, he thought of returning to his "Old Kentucky Home, " but the civil war was approaching, and he was one among the first to respond to arms in defense of the Confederate Cause-enlisting in Co. H., 19th Texas Cav. Remaining in service until carried off the battle field for dead at Patterson, Mo., in 1863 by his friends, Thos. West, of West, Texas, and Thomas H. Killingsworth, Captain of Sharp-Shooters, of Waco, Texas. Badly crushed, wounded and broken in health, his oldest son, Jantes B., then fifteen years of age, accepted his musket and took his place in the ranks. The father's parting words to the juvenile soldier were: "My son, I'd rather know that a thousand bullets pierced your breast, than to know that one went through your back; " -- the son's answer being, "Father, I'll never dishonor you, " and from that time to the close of hostilities made a gallant and true soldier in defense of the Southern Confederacy. On Nov. 28, 1862, Capt. Baker was a second time married, to Miss Eva Loughridge, of this county, by whom he had four children, as follows: Mrs. Hadley Roberts, now residing in Shackelford county; Terry L., of Crawford, Texas; Dr. Mark D., Albany, Texas, and Uriah E., of Stamford. The mother died in 1910. Capt. Baker lived a consistent member of the Christian church, and died Nov. 9, 1891, of apoplexy, at his ranch, near Crawford, this county. His remains were buried in beautiful Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, where a tall and magnificent monument, graced by a life- statue carved in Italy, bears eloquent tribute to his memory.
Capt. Baker was remarkably successful in all his business affairs, and left a large estate. However, the richest heritage he left this part of the state was his good name, and the stalwart sons and noble daughters he gave to Texas; all of whom revere his memory, and have ever sought in every way to live in honor of his exalted name. Capt. Baker was born and grew up amidst Kentucky hospitality, and this phase of his rugged and hearty character enlarged gracefully as he grew older, and the hospitality of his home, to both friends and strangers alike, was open-armed and genuine, and was known far and wide. He loved his fellowman, and especially his neighbor. A strong believer in education and one of the financial benefactors in aiding Baylor University-as well as being an admirer of Dr. Burleson-he was also a friend and adviser of the young man just beginning life, and always found a supreme pleasure in extending his purse and other kindnesses to those in need, the church and charity. If all men were as noble and resplendent in qualities of heart and mind as Capt. Baker there would be more happiness and less suffering in the world.
Breathing the spirit of the high esteem in which Capt. Baker was held during his day and time, it is appropriate in this connection to reproduce handsome tributes paid his memory through the press, following the period of his death, by three of Waco's mnost distinguished citizens, viz .: Dr. William L. Prather, LL.D., at that time a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas, and subsequently President of this insti- tution, contributed the following interesting and impressive reflections in The Waco Day: "In his death has passed away one of Nature's noblemen. Earnest, brave, true-what- soever his hands found to do he did it with his might. He had said several times in the past few years, 'I shall die in my tracks;' and his wonderful constitution, sustained by a more wonderful will, yielded at last while he was at his barn attending to some stock. Death could not have found him except at his post of duty. Few men ever endured more self-denial and greater hardships than he. He was patriotic, charitable and full of love for his friends and the tenderest affection for his family. Denied the advantages of ed- ucation himself, it was the ambition of his life that his children should have that for which his own ambitious heart had so often yearned. It falls to the lot of few men to give such a family of children to his country. With them, and among them, his strong will and affectionate heart was ever the ruling, guiding power. He ruled his household, and his sons and daughters, though grown to manhood and womanhood, yielded a willing obedience to his wishes.
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"Capt. Baker was noted for his urbanity and his wholesouled hospitality. He was, perhaps, the most successful raiser of fiue stock in the county, and took first premiums at state and county fairs, and was preparing stock for exhibition at the World's Fair in Chicago at the time of his death.
"As a citizen he was public-spirited and generous. As a neighbor he was kind and accommodating. This community, this county, this state, will miss him. He leaves a large estate built up by his wonderful euergy and sagacity. He leaves as a heritage to his family and the community an untarnished reputation and a noble example worthy of em- ulation."'
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, President of Baylor University, "the man who buried in baptism Gen .. Sam Houston aud the Babe of the Alamo," and au intense patriot of Texas, made the following simple and lovable contribution through The Waco Guardian: "Among the many devoted friends and patriots who have died iu the last year, none was truer and dearer to my heart than Capt. John H. Baker." (For the funeral occasion the Commissioners' Court, the County and District Courts, and Baylor University, with five - hundred students, all adjourned to do honor to a devoted friend and true citizen, and above all to a devoted father and husband. The burial services were conducted by Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, who offered tender consolation to the weeping relatives and pointed out the noble excellencies of the dead as an example to the living) He said: "I knew Capt. Baker intimately for thirty-oue years. He then said the great desire of his heart was to be a good citizen, and to raise a family that will be intelligent, moral, patriotic aud devoted to all that is good and noble. He said, 'I want you to educate all my children and help me to prepare them to be useful, happy and honorable.' And no man 4 ever succeeded better."
Mr. A. R. MeCollum, now Editor of The Waco Tribuue and one of the best known and most popular newspaper men in Texas, published the following editorial in his paper, which, at that time, was The Waco Day: "Capt. Baker failed to acquire a college educa- tion. His early life was spent amid scenes in which Latin Grammars would have been regarded as most useful when devoted to wadding a gun, and Greek was eschewed, while woodcraft was considered most elevating. Capt. Baker educated himself iu later life in good English and arithmetic, and that which he knew, he knew well. That which was denied him, he gave his children; most liberally, too.
"When the strauger at the gate heard Capt. Baker say, 'Come iu,' he recognized the true ring of hospitality-its own voice uttered by its mouthpiece. He meant it. His door was open, his board was free. The man had a heart which filled his entire bosom. It was the heart stern as the heart of a Brutus at greed, tender and melting as that of a woman when an appeal came from distress.
" 'I am the door,' was spoken by Jesus, and no doubt the Holy Nazareue had knocked in vain when wandering and hungry. Capt. Baker had permitted this touching Gospel to siuk deep, and his heart was Christ-like in its charity. If ever he knocked iu vain when traveling in the desert wilds it were pity, indeed, for it was turning away a man who turned none off-who succored all.
"When the war between the states came on he was prompt to take his place among the soldiers in the Confederate army who were fighting the battle for state sovereignty, and his honorable, earnest service was attested by the wounds he bore to the grave. Shat- tered, broken down; seemingly a dying man, he turned his face homeward, leaving a son behind him in the ranks. 'My son, ' he said in parting, 'I hope you will survive this war; but if you do not, I want you to die iu the front.'
"He was a patriot of the Roman mould, ready to die for his country. He ruled his household by love alone, and his success of his plau is manifested in stalwart, worthy sons and virtuous daughters-true ladies uuder the sun of the Lone Star state. He built up a princely estate, and did much for his county by precept and example. He improved methods of agriculture and stock-raising. He taught neighbors golden lessons of thrift and honesty. He settled quarrels without appealing to courts. In some respects he was not a profitable friend of lawyers.
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"These old Romans are sinking one by one. Baker, Erath, Chalmers, Ross, Prather, Dunklin-ah, what a gathering on the other side. Ye winds that arise beyond Laguna de la Madre, beyond Aransas Pass, Beyond Matagorda-breezes that bear the whispering of the Gulf of Mexico, that bend the soft grass and kiss the sad and sighing pines-sweep on to the Pecos and to the far Pacific, but stay awhile, linger and sing a requiem over the graves of these heroes, who came before the Red Man left, and turned a wild and waste- ful wilderness into a garden of roses, where love strays and the caroling of the birds have substituted their hymns for savage songs of the conquered desert-desert now no more."
BYRD, Mayor Thomas Enoch
Mayor Thomas E. Byrd is now serving his second term as Chief Magistrate of the beau- tiful, progressive and prosperous little city of Greenville-its population being about 14,000. He was born Feb. 19, 1857. on his father's plantation, in Ray's Creek neighborhood, Hunt connty. His father, David E. Byrd, was born in 1834, at Aberdeen, Miss. Being in delicate health during the civil war, he joined the Confederate army no less than three different times, but in each instance became incapacitated for service and was honorably discharged. He was one of the early settlers of Hunt county, acquired land, and died in 1880, at the age of fifty-six. The fact that he was for many years a Deacon in the Baptist church; a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and politically a Democrat, is ample expression, we think, of his being a man of exemplary character and useful citizenship. After coming to this country he was married to Miss Rachael Birdwell in Bowie county, her parents having come from East Tennessee, where she was born. She died in 1902, at age of seventy-three. Born to them were five sons and four daughters, of which only three children survive, as follows: L. N. Byrd, the active Vice- President of the First National Bank of Greenville; Mrs. T. U. Bozen, of Winnsboro, and Mayor Thomas E. Byrd, of Greenville.
Mayor Byrd matured to young manhood on the farm, and taught in the public schools of Wolfe City and Scatter Branch, Hunt county, for a period of seven years, in which manner he obtained funds to finish his education at Baylor University under the personal direction of the much revered Dr. Rufus A. Burleson, Waco-entering this famous institution in 1879, he graduated in 1884. Completing his course in June, 1884, he returned home, made the race and was elected County Clerk of Hunt county this same year. Such an efficient officer did he make that he was re-elected two years later, and thus served the people of Hunt county in this capacity for two terins, or four years. He next devoted his efforts to the making of an ab- stract of Hunt county, which is now the accepted and official instrument of this character. In the meantime Mr. Byrd had studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1890. In 1893 he was chosen Mayor of Greenville, and served one term, after which his time was occupied in the practice of law and looking after his property investments, until he was again called on in 1910 to accept the chief responsibilities in the city administration of Greenville. In each and every instance where Mr. Byrd has gone before the people who have known him all his life, asking an expression of their esteem and confidence in him, whether it was for county or city office, their response with liberal majorities in his behalf, has been of such proportions as to make him feel proud of his friends. In the last city election his majority was more than the total votes received by all of his three opponents. A man of untiring energy and enthusiastic publie spirit ; liberal in his views and progressive in his administration of city affairs. Green- ville is today prospering more than ever before under his guidance. And it is proper to say in this connection that Greenville is noted for its wealth, culture, and as being in the very heart of the Black Land Belt of Texas. Mayor Byrd is a Knight Templar, Mason and an Odd Fellow.
BLAIR, Capt. George Whitfield
Capt. George Whitfield Blair, named in honor of Rev. Whitfield, one of the founders of Methodism and an early follower of John Wesley, was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, May 25, 1844, and migrated to Texas with his parents in 1858-first settling in Grayson county on 21st day of January, 1859. In May, 1862, he enlisted in 11th Texas
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Battery, commanded by Sylvanus Howell, and served until about 28th day of May, 1865, when the Company was given a thirty days' furlough. The company was first attached to a Brigade commanded by Gen. Albert G. Pike, Major-Gen. Hindman's Division; the Brigade thereafter being commanded by Gens. Douglas H. Cooper and Richard M. Gano, and the Divisions by Gens. Steele and S. B. Maxey. His service was in the Indian Terri- tory, Arkansas and Missouri. Was engaged in several battles, but none of them his- torical; the paramount intention of the Confederate forces in that Department was to keep the Union army from invading the state of Texas from the North-other commands being on the Southern coast to keep them from invading the state by way of the Gulf. After the war was over, Mr. Blair engaged in various pursuits until May, 1871, when he was appointed Deputy District Clerk of Fannin county, the duties of which office he dis- charged until April 18, 1876, when, having been elected District Clerk of Fannin county, he qualified as such and remained such clerk until 12th day of November, 1890-having been elected to that office at the hands of Fannin county people seven consecutive tinies. Early in the year of 1891 Mr. Blair was elected Cashier of The Bonham National Bank, which position he filled until July 2, 1893, when he was appointed Clerk of the Court of Civil Appeals of the Fifth Supreme District of Texas-sitting at Dallas-and has since, and is at present discharging the official duties of this office. On Nov. 12; 1873, Mr. Blair was happily married to Miss Fannie B. Shortridge, daughter of J. B. Shortridge, who was born in Kentucky, married in Missouri and came to Texas at commencement of civil war. The children born of this union are as follows: H. T., (deceased); J. B., Teller in Commonwealth National Bank, Dallas; Misses Kittie Belle, Juanita and Norine-the family residence being at 2803 Routh street, Dallas. Mr. Blair has served as Adjutant of Sterling Price Camp U. C. V., Dallas, since Dec. 1, 1909-succeeding Oliver Steel, who was afterwards elected to the life-honor rank of Adjutant-Emeritus. Somewhere in this book we have stated that a native-Virginian never loses his characteristic personality of quiet dignity, conspicuous honor and courtly deportment, and this is easily true in Mr. Blair's case. The Old Mother State, with its soil drenched with the blood of many brave heroes, has contributed much to the character and good citizenship of Texas. His old comrades testify to the fact that Mr. Blair was a brave soldier, and as a public official he has always discharged his duties with absolute ability and honor becoming a gentle- man. At present time he is Assistant-Adjutant General Trans-Mississippi Department U. C. V. Association, and is a member on Staff Gen. K. M. VanZandt, Fort Worth.
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BURNETT, Prof. John Hubert
The national characteristic of the American people is eloquence, and nothing will take the place of eloquence to bring forth a natural bent. It is said that when Disraeli wanted to convince England he wrote a novel; when Glad- stone wanted to convince England he made a speech; when Macaulay wanted to convince England he wrote an essay; as did Addison and Swift and Bolingbroke before him. The pen was a mighty weapon in the hand of Sir Robert Walpole, and nearly as effective as the purse. And yet all of these are merely echoes from the most remote school rooms. Perhaps there never was a time in history of the world when the people were so thoroughly aroused to the advantages and powers of education, and of the forty-nine states in this broad and progressive Union, Texas ranks well to the fore in this great work. While drouths have for the past three years materially affected the producing wealth of the West Texas country, it has not interrupted the onward march of educational work, and nowhere in this state are local citizens more proud of their highly developed schools than in Abilene, one of the most thriving of West Texas cities of 14,000 population. In charge of these city schools as Superintendent is Prof. J. H. Bur-
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nett, who was born Sept. 22, 1871, on his father's farm in Madison county, East Texas. His original ancestry were handed down the line from Virginia, his father, Andrew Jackson Burnett, having been born in Pike county, Eastern Kentucky, in 1836. He there matured to manhood, and when the civil war came on, enlisted in the Confederate army. He was among the first to offer up his life and services, and aside from the time he was retained as a prisoner of war, was in active service nntil peace was declared. In 1866 he came to Madison county, East Texas, and was one of the very first settlers in that part of the state, where he still resides. He led an active life as a farmer and school teacher; is a Mason, Baptist, and is now in his seventy-fifth year of a mellow age. He was married in 1869 to Miss Elizabeth Day, who was born in Walker connty, East Texas, and she died June 27, 1909; aged sixty years. Of this marriage were born fonr sons and two daughters-all of whom are now living.
Prof. Burnett is immensely qualified for the pursuance of his work by a broad and liberal education. He attended Baylor University under Dr. Burleson; graduated in Peabody Normal College, Nashville, Tenn., in 1900, with L. I. degree; in University of Nashville with A. B. degree in 1901, and has since done special work at Vanderbilt University, Nashville; University of West Virginia, Morgantown; Chicago University, and if the health of his invalid wife permits will next attend Leland Standford University, of California, with view of rounding out considerable more work that he anticipates doing in the future. Prof. Burnett taught his first country school when he was less than seven- teen years old in southeast corner of Madison county, East Texas, and from that day to the present has either been teaching or attending college or University. In more recent years he taught at Cuero, and was Principal of Graham high schools; Superintendent Garland High school, and Principal at Dublin, Bonhanı, Sherman, and accepted the Super- intendency of the Abilene city schools in July, 1909. Prof. Burnett was married Dec. 27, 1905, to Miss Florence Clemmie Bashan, of Dallas, and one daughter died in infancy, and one danghter is living, Mary Eva, two years old. The approximate valuation of the Abilene city school property is $175,000; the splendid new High school building represent- ing $40,000 of this amount Forty teachers are employed, and the enrollment has gone as high as 2,000. Under Prof. Burnett's gnidance the city schools of Abilene have reached a high state of perfection and usefulness. The High school affiliates with all the nni- Versities of the state, and here eight teachers are employed, each one of whom must be a university graduate, with at least three years of experience. Prof. Burnett belongs to the W. O. W., M. W. of A., K. of P. and the M. E. church.
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