USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 7
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BUCKALEW, Dr. Thomas William
One among the sturdy sons that the Empire State of Alabama has given to the good citizenship and the medical profession of Texas is that of Dr. William T. Buckalew of Ennis. His ancestery were among the first settlers of South Carolina and Alabama ---- blazing the way in the wilderness for the white settlers when life was cheap among the Indians. Dr. Buckalew's father, W. D. Buckalew, was born in Edgefield (connty) Dis- triet, Sonth Carolina, and was married to Miss Julia Ann Hart, who was born and reared in this same neighborhood, in March, 1852. Soon afterwards they made the trip by wagon to Chambers county, Alabama, where they both died after having lived an in- dustrions and useful life-he in July, 1885, at age of fifty-seven; and she in 1906, at age of seventy years. Two sons died in infancy, and they reared three danghters and five sons, and all are living and married at this writing. The father was a natural born mechanic and widely known cabinet-maker, conducted hiss hops and farm, and was in the Confederate army. Having finished his literary education in the High schools of his native county, Dr. Buckalew qualified for the practice of medicine in the Medical Department of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky .- gradnating in the last named institution in 1883, and taking a postgraduate course in 1898. In the meantime-in April, 1880-he was married to Miss Carrie E. Daniel, who was also a native of Chambers connty, Ala., and soon after the Doctor obtained his diploma to practice medicine the family came to Ennis, Texas.
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After two years' residence at this place, health failing him, he spent twenty-two years in the adjoining county of Navarro; practicing his profession at Blooming Grove, Barry and Corsicana. One year in Louisiana, and eighteen months' residence in Hill county, brings him back to his first Texas love-Ennis-in 1910. Doctor and Mrs. Buckalew have one son dead, and three sons and three daughters now living-the home being at 814 Preston street, and all believe Ennis is the greatest little city iu Texas. Dr. Buckalew is a Baptist, and has been a Mason since 1885. He is a man of progressive intelligence, is fast regaining his former wide practice; is likable, approachable, good company, unaf- fected and not burdened with too serious an outlook on things in general when the skies are not the brightest. Such men are a blessing to humanity, and live the longer in this life for it. Dr. Buckalew is justly proud of a fine family, and his home life is exception- ally happy.
BRADLEY, John Marshall
Mr. John M. Bradley, ex-Confederate soldier and prominent and popular citizen of Pittsburg, was born Nov. 29, 1844, in Maury county, the Blue Grass section of Middle Tennessee-the home of John R. Gentry, Star Pointer, the Hals and other great horses, hence he can be styled what they call in Kentucky, a "Blue Blood." Mr. Bradley's father, W. R. Bradley, was born in same county in 1821, where he continued to reside until 1850, when he came to Rusk county, Texas-the country then being new, and deer, turkey and other wild game could be shot from portico of house. He remained there six years and moved to Carthage, Panola county, and from which point he and his son, J. M. Bradley, both enlisted in the Confederate army. He died at Jefferson, Texas, in 1874. While yet in Maury county, Tenn., the senior Mr. Bradley was mar- ried to Miss Lucy P. Holcomb. who was born and reared in Columbia, county seat, in January, 1843. There were born to them three sons-the present subject, and two died while young. The mother died at Shreveport in 1865; aged forty- six years.
At the age of sixteen Mr. Bradley enlisted in Confederate army at Carthage, April 13, 1861, and his father followed him one month later. Being in Cavalry service Trans-Mississippi Department, he campaigned on frontier in Indian Territory, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, and had many skirmishes with the Indians. Was in battles of Elk Horn, Poison Springs, Chustinala, and was slightly wounded in engagement at Byrd Creek. Being ordered to Galveston to fight gun boats, his department of the army was dismounted at Crockett, East Texas, and became infantry, and the surrender came while they were on the way. The war being over, Mr. Bradley decided to secure an education, but it so happened an ex-Yankee teacher was in charge of the local school, and one day the Yankee school teacher lost his pleasant demeanor, and likewise six of his student soldier boys, just out of the war. Instead of continuing his pursuit of an education, Mr. Bradley went to Shreveport, La., where he was married June 19, 1866, to Miss Cecilia A. Ward, of that city. In 1869, with his wife and baby, he went to Jefferson and remained one year, and came to Pittsburg in 1870, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley have had four sons to die in infancy, and one daughter, Mrs. L. B. Newby, whose demise took place at Amarillo, Jan. 22, 1911-her loss being a sad blow to her particularly large following of ardent friends.
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Those of the children now living are as follows: J. B., in hardware business at Monroe, La .; R. C., fine mechanic and proprietor of a modern automobile garage at Shreveport, La., and Mrs. Kate Bradley Dorfman, whose husband is a leading merchant of Pittsburg. Mr. Bradley is an exceptionally fine mechanic, and can make or repair "most anything that's broke." For a number of years he engaged in wagonmaking, but as he has grown older he has graduated himself to the jewelry, gunsmith and other mechanical specialties. A man of generous impulses, charitable and liberal with his means, he is one of the most useful men in community, and is always called upon when there is a public duty to perform. When the state legislature made that little commonwealth a county, and a few of the more influential citizens were assembled to name the same, it was Mr. Bradley who suggested the name Camp, in honor of Col. Camp, the then representative-the name being accepted in lieu of a number of others. Mr. Bradley was second District and County Clerk of Camp county, and for a number of years has been Deputy County Clerk. Was City Secretary and Treasurer for about seven years. Is prominent in Confederate Camp and lodge work. Of Frank Sexton Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M., he has served as W. M. for six years, and Secretary of Commandery K. T. past twenty years; High Priest of Ogilvie Royal Arch Chapter for five years, and Secretary for fifteen years, by virtue of which he is a member Grand Lodge of State and has served number years as District Deputy. He also affiliates with W. O. W., Odd Fellows, Protective Union, and worships with Baptist church.
BRIGGS, Judge Thomas Howard
Judge Briggs was born on a farm in Pickens county, Alabama, July 16, 1864. His father, Thomas Howard Briggs, was born in Pike county, Alabama, where he matured to manhood and was married to Miss Francis E. Allen, of Pickens county, of that state, in about 1855. Born of this union were five sons and fiv? daughters, of which three sous and three daughters are now liv- ing. All, however, lived to be grown-not a member of family being under six feet of stature and weighing less than two hun- dred pounds. During civil war, Thos. H. Briggs (father) was detailed to superintend a num- ber of large plantations on the Tombigbee river bottoms in Ala- bama, working large forces of men to support the Confederate army in field. In 1866 he moved his family to Cass county, East Texas, where the children were reared to maturity. The mother died in 1879, aged fifty-two years, and the father died in 1906, aged seventy-six years, having lived the life of a farmer. Judge Briggs' paternal grandfather, Michiel Briggs, was a farmer, "helped to fight the Indians back in old states," and his wife made cheese of cow's milk for a living.
Of the sons of Thos. II. and Francis E. Briggs, now living, are: Thos. Howard,
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Michael B. and Jos. J., of Gilmer; daughters, Mrs. Amanda Lay aud Mrs. Sarah Irvin, Gilmer; and Mrs. Eliza Irvin, near Cross Plains iu Callahan county; deceased, Jas. E. and Miles A., both died age twenty-four; aud Mrs. Bettie Seagle aud Mrs. Leticia Gregory. Judge Briggs, in his boyhood days, drove an ox-wagon, hauling logs to saw- mills in Morris county; took his pay in lumber; worked as porter in country store Saturdays for pin-money, and was educated in public schools of Daingerfield. Taught two years in Morris county-and practically two schools at same time; he and his youngest sister, Miss Leticia, boarding at same place, he would instruct her for the following day's work; she teaching at Holly Springs, Cass county, and he at Bradfield's Chapel, Morris couuty. Judge Briggs studied law while teaching school and read six months in office of Moore & Hart, Daingerfield, and was admitted to practice Oct. 7, 1887, under Judge W. P. McLean, now of Fort Worth. Began practice at Linden, Cass county, with W. Q. Henderson, under firm uame of Henderson & Briggs. Moved to Gilmer in 1890. Is the representative of T. & P., Marshall & East Texas, and the new Port Bolivar & Iron Ore Railroads, and several other strong corporations, and does a general law practice. A little ahead of our story. In 1902 Judge Briggs formed a partnership with Judge J. R. Warreu, and this connection has not only been of an exceedingly pleasant character, but a very profitable one, as the records show they have for the past twelve years been interested in ninety per cent of the business before the Upshur couuty bar, and have been connected with every criminal case of any consequence during that period. Judge Briggs served as County Judge of Upshur county from 1894 to 1898, and at Fort Worth in 1897 was elected President of County Judges' Association of Texas, he calling the next meeting to be held in Galveston. As present Mayor of Gilmer he has brought about many improvements, among them being concrete sidewalks, claying and graveling the streets. His recent management of the Upshur County Fair was one of the most successful in its history. Judge Briggs has been twice married-first to Miss Beulah Kennedy, of Hughes Springs, Cass county, Nov. 23, 1890. She died June 12, 1898. Was second time married to Mrs. Nona R. Rainey, of Gilmer, May 23, 1899, and their elegant home is blessed with two daughters-Beulah, eleven, and Lizzie, nine years old. Judge Briggs is a Royal Arch Mason, K. of P., W. O. W., Pathfinder, and besides being a member of Board Stewards M. E. church, was one of the Building Committee that brought about a $20,000 church edifice. He takes a warm interest in all public questions, and in 1910 had charge of Judge Simpson's campaign for Congress, between whom there has for many years been a strong tie of friendship. There is no hypocrisy in his makeup. He has the advantage of having been country-bred and educated and country-seasoned. Fearless and independent in all his views, he expresses them boldly and unreservedly. Makes friends of all who approach him, and is the highest and most profound type of the modern, influential lawyer, being big of brain, large of physique and commanding in appearance. He has done many good things in his life, but none so grand as that of having educated one sister, three younger brothers, and also reared and educated five nieces and two nephews, all of whom are orphans from childhood.
BIVINS, Capt. James Knox
More than a generation has come and gone since the last battle of the late unpleas- antness was fought. The ranks of those who wore the Gray in the Southern Confederacy, and gladly gave their all for loyalty to our fair Southland, are fast thinuing, and in course of time they will all rest beneath its velvet sod, and history will be a hallowed memory. One of those that fought for our Just Cause is Capt. J. K. Bivins, who was named for James Knox Polk, one of Tennessee's contributions to the uation's presidency. Capt. Bivins is a native of Henry county, Georgia, where he was born April 13, 1845. His father and mother were both natives of Mecklenburg county, North Carolina-within which territory the Declaration of Independence was signed-and it was there that they were married in 1822. Daniel Bivins, father of Capt. Bivins, was of Scotch blood, lived the life of a farmer, and died in Upshur, now Camp county, June 22, 1861, aged sixty years. At age of twenty-three years he left Mecklenburg, N. C., for Marshall couuty,
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Middle Tennessee, where he purchased a farm and resided for twenty years. From there he went to Henry county, Ga., and lived for ten years, when he came to Texas in 1833. While living in llenry county, Ga., and away from home he was elected county treasurer, but refused to accept-though he ever eschewed public office, he at all times took an in- terest in all current affairs as a good citizen. His wife was Miss Margaret Steveus, and to them were born six sons and five daughters; and only three of whom are uow living, as follows: Capt. James K. Bivins, Mrs. S. E. Duffie, residing in Upshur county, and Frank Bivins, farmer and miller, of Atlanta, Texas. The mother died in Upshur county, Nov. 12, 1858, aged fifty-six years.
Capt. Bivins attended the village schools at Pittsburg, Texas, and worked on farm and local saw mills. He was sixteen years of age when civil war came on, and enlisted at Gilmer, July 26, 1861-Co. B., 7th Texas Reg., Capt. R. S. Camp and Col. John Gregg. They were ordered to Kentucky, and from thence campaigned through Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. In battle of Fort Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862, Capt. Bivins was among those captured, and was kept prisoner of war at Camp Douglas, Chi- cago, for seven months-being exchanged at Vicksburg. He participated in battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Riuggold, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and was with Gen. Jos. E. Johnston's army at Greensboro, N. C., when peace was declared April 26. 1865. The war being over, Capt. Bivins returned to his Texas home. In 1867 he apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade under that veteran manufacturer, Geo. A. Kelly (deceased) at Kellyville, and remained with him two years. This advantage stood him well in hand in later years when he was engaged in saw milling business at Gladewater, Kildare, Bivins (named for him), Atlanta, Myrtis, La., and Lougview-covering a period of something like thirty-five years, in which he was quite successful. Capt. Bivins was married December 26, 1882, to Miss Viola Cobb, of Kildare, aud their children are as follows: F. H., at San Angelo; Maurice, proprietor mattress factory in Longview; Mrs. M. M. Turner, Longview, and J. K., Jr., sixteen years old. Capt. Bivins is one of the useful members of Methodist church, and during twenty years of his lifetime served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason and has been a member of this, the father of all secret orders, for the past forty-two years. Is vice-president of both the Citizens' National and the People's State banks, of Longview. He and his brother, A. Frank Bivins, own a 5,000- acre ranch on Sabine river in Harrison county, and he is otherwise interested in property and the growth and development of Longview and Gregg county. Capt. Bivins has studiously kept out of politics, and therefore has never held any public office-though in the past he donbtless could have had anything at the hands of the people where he has resided, in case he would have accepted honors at their hands. Capt. Bivins has been successful in business affairs, and as a modest and dignified, public spirited and progressive citizen no man stands higher in the financial and social affairs of Longview-being liberal in his contributions to church and charity, education and public advancement.
BODENHEIM, G. A.
After traveling over north and east Texas for some time the writer suddenly dropped into Longview, and to his amazement the town was literally torn to pieces in putting down macadamized streets and concrete sidewalks, and steam whistles and large forces of men were as busy as a nest of honey bees. Not only this, but factories, shops, mer- chants, bankers and everybody were striving to keep up with their business affairs, and the town was so much crowded that it was with difficulty that we obtained a stopping place. To our inquiry, "What means all this bustle and hurry?" we were told, "We are making a city of Longview." And it was very evident to the writer that they were doing that very thing. The head and leader of this commendable delegation is Mr. G. A. Bodenheim, who has been mayor of Longview for the past ten years. Mayor Bodenheim was born in Vicksburg, Miss., but has been a resident of Longview for many years. Little more than a year ago when Judge Gordou Russell resigned his commission in Congress to accept an appointment on the Federal bench, a "snap election" of only one week's time
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was called, and Mayor Bodenheim was one of the candidates to enter that race. This being the Third Congressional District, comprisiug the counties of Gregg, Upshur, Wood, Kaufman, VanZandt, Smith and Rusk, it was impossible for him to canvass all of the territory, but he was only defeated by a few votes, and his friends confidently assert that should the election have been deferred ten days longer he would have easily achieved the honor. During the lifetime of his mayoralty Longview has been lifted from a dull county seat town to one of the most prosperous little cities of 7,000 inhabitants in the eastern end of the state. Water works and sewerage systems have been established; new city hall and an up-to-date fire equipment with automobile combination of fire engine and fire truck that would do credit to a town of 25,000 people has been put in. Further extensions of street and sidewalk and other improvements are daily being carried into effect. Mayor Bodenheim is one of the best known mayors in Texas, and his name is synonymous of Longview and Longview's progress-he does things. The fact is, Mayor Bodenheim is not in his class-if he was mayor of Dallas, Houston or San Antonio he would today enjoy a national reputation. He owns considerable property, is a director in both the First National and the People's State banks, and his business is that of cotton buying. A. man of broad gauged and quick business sense, and a hard worker, he is a fine public speaker, and the people of Longview will have no other man for mayor, which office has been financially expensive to his personal exchequer. Charitable to the poor and true to his friends, they will heartily endorse every word we have said in this brief review- which is the best we can do from the fact that he would not give us any data.
BILES, William Smith
Mr. W. S. Biles, an ex-Confederate soldier, of Pittsburg, was born in Humphreys couuty, west Tennessee, April 26, 1844. His father, Dr. J. H. Biles, was a native of Obion county, and a graduate from the medical department of the University of Tennessee, Nashville, and for a number of years practiced up aud down the Tennessee river. Upon coming to Texas in 1854 he settled at Leona, in Leon county, east Texas, and there lived for twelve years. He spent one year in Titus county, and came to Pittsburg, Camp county, in 1866, when it was a mere trading post, and purchased several thousand acres of laud in that county. He took a warm interest in all public affairs, though he never sought office; was an educated, refined gentleman, and was a man of considerable influence. He was a fine physician and surgeon, and the people refused to permit him to leave the community and go into the Confederate army. He rode day and night in practice of his profession, and though this was sufficient to occupy his time, he always owned land, farmel and was otherwise a successful business man. He was a Mason, Methodist, and died on his farm near Pittsburg in 1886, aged sixty-five years. His wife was Miss Fesonia Elizabeth Watson, a native of west Tennessee. Two sons and one daughter were born to them; the daughter, wife of Capt. Johu Polk, died at Eagle Pass fifteen years ago, and Thos. B. Biles was a contractor in Mexico and died there in 1891. The mother died in 1896, aged seventy-eight.
Mr. Biles was ten years old when his parents came to Leon county, and he left the study room at MeKenzie Institute, Clarksville, to join the Confederate army. He eulisted in Leon county in May, 1861, Maj. R. S. Gould's Bat., Walker's Division, Randal's Brigade. Campaigned in Louisiana, Missouri and Arkansas and was dismounted from cavalry service at Walnut Hill, Ark., from Randal's Brigade to be transferred to Baylor's Regi- ment, with whom he remained to the close of the war, being in east Texas at the time of surrender. He was wounded in the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, and aside from much skir- mish duty, took part in engagements at Milligan Bend, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and others. Mr. Biles was married to Miss William Rebecca Inge, in Leon county, in 1865. She was born in Mobile, Ala., and her people moved from there to north Mississippi and from there to east Texas in 1854, where her father lived a neighbor to Gen. Sam Houston for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Biles have five sous dead aud oue daughter and two sons living, as follows: Mrs. H. V. Mason, Francis D. and John D. Biles. Mr. Biles sold drugs in Pittsburg many years ago, but the rugged and honest following of a farmer
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has occupied the major portion of his career. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows, K. of H., U. C. V. Association, and worships with Methodist church. His old comrades-in-arms say that Mr. Biles was a brave soldier; he has lived a life of honor and usefulness and no better citizen resides in Camp county.
BAKER, James B.
Ex-mayor James B. Baker was born Jan- uary 30, 1847, in Shelby county, Kentucky, and through his mother was related to that great soldier and peerless statesman, Gen. Joe Shelby, for whom Shelby county Ken. tucky, was named. He was "a great mother's son," often speaking of her high order of intelligence, her fine judgment and close knowledge of public affairs, and the predic- tion she made years in advance of the ap- proach of the civil war, telling her husband and her son James that they might have to fight in that war. Years before it occurred she urged her husband to sell nearly all of his slaves, that they would be freed. She was confined to her bed from early in 1859 and died May 4, 1860, and often told James that she would never live and that she wanted him, as he was the older, to stay with his father until all the children were grown and educated. He made her that promise very often in childhood, and his closer friends, as well as his father, brothers and sisters, know how well he carried out that promise. How well his mother's prediction worked out is firmly established in history, the war beginning in the spring of 1861. He took a man's place at the age of eleven years, left the school room at thirteen and took charge of his father's estate, with a power of attorney, which was then considered the largest horse ranch in central Texas, with all other kinds of stock, a few negroes, etc. It was said he managed the same as well as a fully matured man, having under his charge five brothers and two sisters during the two years that his father was in the Confederate army. In the spring of 1863 his father was crushed and wounded in the battle of Patterson, Mo., in fact, so severely wounded that he never recovered entirely and occasionally expec- torated blood from his wounds up to the time of his death, which took place November 9, 1891. James heard of his father being carried off the battlefield for dead, but later recovering, and wrote him something like this: "I see you are torn to pieces in battle, and I understand that no Confederate soldier can be discharged unless dead. Now, it is fast wearing me out on the ranch; why not let me come and take your place, and you return to the children? You may live, and if one of us should be lost on the battlefield it would better be me than my father, as you could care for the children better than myself." Father answered: "My son, if you, my little boy, were killed in my stead, it would kill me." James then wrote again: "You know the promise I made to my dead mother and your wife; that I would stay with you until all the children were grown and educated? Allow me to come and take your place as substitute, with the full under- standing that I am not to receive any pay for taking your place from your estate, or otherwise." So the father answered this letter with teardrops all over it, granting the request. The boy soldier at once began the long trip on his cavalry horse to the Missis- sippi river. He reached his father, and with others assisted him on his gallant steed "Nick," from which animal he fell supposed mortally wounded on the battlefield. Sick
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