USA > Texas > Past history and present stage of development of Texas. Memorial and biographical history matter of the Lone Star state > Part 8
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
55
and prostrated, they then made their way to Col. Geo. Watson's headquarters, where some fifteen soldiers were gathered, and Col. Watson said to his father: "Is that the little boy come to take your place?" "Yes," said the father. "If I were to take that child in your place I would be cashiered," said Col. Watson. Tears came to the little fellow's eyes, then all the brave soldiers, including his father, began to shed tears. James then spoke np, "I would not see yon cashiered for all the world, but look at my father; he cannot be a soldier any longer, when it takes two men to help him on and off his horse. Colonel, there is an angel in Heaven now looking down on us today-my mother, and she seems to tell me to urge you to take me and let my father go home to five children younger than myself in a land of strangers." Col. Watson then said: "Bring that boy to me; I will keep him if they do cashier me in five minutes." The boy, only fifteen or sixteen years old, and only weighing ninety-six ponnds, was mnstered into service, and answered to roll-call to the name of John H. Baker. His father started for home in Texas-western part of McLennan county-from the Mississippi river, and was long mak- ing the trip, as he often had to rest a day or two. James was allowed to go with his father abont six miles, and the last words of this patriotic nobleman, with his son's little hands grasped in his, and with quivering lips and tears streaming from both their cheeks, said: "My son, I would rather hear of one thousand bullets going through your front, than one through your back." The answer from the boy was: "Father, I will never dishonor you." As each left the other they looked back until a bend in the road obscured them from sight. How well the son honored that father has many times been told by the grand old soldiers of Co. H., 19th Texas Cavalry. It was not long until he was promoted to the rank of sergeant-major of his regiment. Gen. Robert E. Lee sent his general inspector of arms to inspect all the arms of the Trans-Mississippi Department, and Sergeant-major Baker was honored by showing the cleanest gun of all the soldiers west of the Mississippi river. Said he to Sergeant-major Baker: "Did yon know that you have the cleanest gun among all the Confederate soldiers west of the Mississippi river? How came you a soldier at your tender age? Said Sergeant Baker. "I took my father's place as an unpaid substitute." Inspector: "Do you hold an office?" Sergeant Baker: "I am sergeant-major of the 19th Texas Cavalry." Inspector: "Yon shall go higher." He then turned to Gen. Wharton, Gen. Walker, Col. Watson, Capt. John Stone and Capt. Thos. H. Killingsworth, of the Sharpshooters, and said: "Take the name of James H. Baker on your memorandum book, for he must be promoted to a much higher office. "' About three or four weeks later Col. Geo. Watson called James B. Baker to his tent and said: "You will never be promoted in the Confederate army, but in future should be promoted in civic life, and in Heaven." Young Maker was little surprised, but when teardrops came to Col. Watson's eyes and he stated that Gen. Robt. E. Lee had sur- rendered, he well knew the end of the war had come. As is well established in history, Co. H, 19th Texas Cavalry gave a good account of itself in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas thronghont the disturbed period. Being the favorite of his company, Mr. Baker was often referred to as "The boy in the camp, the man on the battlefield." After the surrender he returned home, without money, poor and ragged and his health was so munch impaired that he could not finish his education, as he was ambitious to become a lawyer. In fact, his health has never been fully recovered, though he is a man of large and robust appearance, and has led an nnnsnally energetic and enterprising life. He went to his father's ranch and continued to assist him until he was thirty-one years old. On August 6, 1876, he was very happily married to Miss Sallie C. Fordtran, daughter of Charles and Almedia Fordtran, and soon afterwards moved to Waco, but up to the present time has never ceased to be a father as well as a brother to his sisters and brothers. He began the manufacture of brick, in which he prospered for abont thirty-five years, employing as high as one hundred men, and hundreds of buildings in Waco and central Texas were constructed of his prodnet. Mr. Baker has for the past twenty years been president of the Waco Savings Bank, and is an officer and director in many important enterprises that tend to the development of Waco and the state at large. One of the more recent enterprises that he has become connected with is the Southern Traction
56
Company, of which he is one of the vice-presidents, and which concern proposes to link Waco and Dallas with interurban railway service twelve months hence.
There are two pre-eminent reasons why the publisher earnestly desired to have ex-Mayor JJames B. Baker represented in this book. First is that his administration as mayor of Waco broke the backbone of conservatism and marked the transformation of the place from a provincial large country town to the progressive element of a growing and attractive city. The second item is that in years to come, when the Brazos river is made navigable for freight and passenger traffic, that the people of Waco will erect a mouument to his memory for his sagacious foresight and for the stupendous labor he has done and is doing toward advancing the great deep water ways, not only of Texas, but the country at large. At this writing the Brazos river navigation proposition has been firmly established in record procedure on the appropriation improvement list at Washing- ton, the government is gradually taking hold of the work, and it will be but a question of time when Waco will be the head of the Brazos river navigation, which will also give this territory the desired lower (water) freight rate. Mr. Baker is one of the guiding officials of the National Rivers and Harbors Congress, with headquarters at Washington, D. C., and is an enthusiast with a national reputation in this twentieth century work. Five years city alderman; always a vigorous worker for local development and a man of unusual capacity for labor, he was for many years prevailed upon to make the race for mayor of Waco before he consented to the use of his name. He held this important office for six years, retiring April 15, 1910. Ouly once did he have any formidable opposition, but this he signally defeated by a large majority, and could have held the office longer should he have chosen to do so, he being urged at this writing to again make the race. Space forbids us attempting to enumerate the many material improvements and developments brought about under his administration, but future history will do him justice. Waco is now approximately 35,000 people, and as the greatest watered city in Texas, Mayor Baker believes it will eventually grow to 300,000 population. A man of an impressive address and an interesting couversationalist; of a resourceful intellect and a fine speaker, especially as a post-prandial toaster, Mayor Baker has been much in demand from local affairs to national gatherings, and particularly is he appreciated at his best element while addressing the aunual Confederate Veterans' gatherings, which he occasionally attends. Like his lamented father, elsewhere mentioned in this book, his word is his bond in all business affairs, and at this stage of his career-sixty-four years of age-he is retiring in fine financial condition. His palatial home is ou the corner of Columbus and Ninth streets. Mayor Baker is an Elk, and his family worship with the Episcopal church. Their children are Chas. F. Baker, Waco; Mrs. Alma B. Moore, Austin, and Mrs. Anna P. Geer, Waco.
CROSS, Judge George Burney
Judge G. B. Cross, Justice of Peace of Brownwood, comes of Tennessee parentage, his father, J. M. Cross, being born in Bedford county, Middle Tennessee, in 1810. He was there married, July 23, 1828, to Miss Lucy Nash Bailey, and of this wedlock there were born three daughters and eight sons. One daughter died in infancy, and there are now living two daughters aud five sons-all residing in Texas. Retrogressing to Tennessee, the family moved to Mississippi, later to Missouri, and came to Texas in 1846. They first settled at Cameron, in Milam county, when there were but four families residing there. A year or two later the family moved to Belton, where the husband helped to organize Bell county, plat the townsite of Belton as seat of government, built the first grocery store and sold the first goods at that point. He next moved to where Lampasas now stands, and built the first store-house there and sold goods. Again moving, he went to Post Oaks, which afterwards became Old Cora, first seat of government of Comanche county, and continued to sell goods as the first merchant of that place-trading with the Indians and cowboys. From Comanche county he went to Hamilton county, then back to Bell county, and established a large saw and grist mill on Bird's Creek, three miles east of Belton, which he operated for two years. We next find the family located ten miles west of Belton, engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1874 they moved into Brown county,
57
where the senior Mr. Cross continued to farm and engaged in mercantiliug at Thrifty and Hidesport. He was a Democrat, a Mason, was of the Universalist church faith, and several times held publie positions of honor during his very active career. His wife died in 1895, aged eighty-three, and he died in 1897, aged eighty-seven-both coming of the old-time, long-lived stock.
Judge Cross began his active career in the cattle business in Bell couuty, later farming. For twelve years he was engaged iu railroad construction work as a coutractor in Texas, Indian Territory and Kansas, and among other items helped to build the Santa Fe through Lampasas couuty, and the Fort Worth & Rio Grande railroad from Brownwood to Brady, which is now a part of the Frisco system. He sold goods at Llano for three years, was undertaker there for four years, and was deputy sheriff of Llano county for four years. Judge Cross began making his home in Brownwood iu 1893, and as a mechanic worked at the carpenter's trade for four years. He was elected Justice of Peace of local precinct iu 1908, and re-elected in 1910. Having been three times married, Judge Cross' first wife was Miss Mattie Clements, of Bell county, by whom he had seveu children. His second wife was Mrs. T. C. Beeson, of Llano, and his present wife was formerly Mrs. A. D. McGinnis, widow of Judge A. D. McGinnis (deceased), of Belton, and to whom he was married Nov. 22, 1899. Judge Cross belongs to the Masous, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias aud Christian church. On account of there being little or no educational facilities during his boyhood days, Judge Cross only attended the public schools for nine months in Bell and Comauche couuties, which was all the schooling he ever had. And the fact that he is just now finishing a law course of study with the American Correspondeuce School of Law, Chicago, with brilliant progress, and is adjudged by this institution and other authorities to be fully capable of being admitted to the bar for practice, is a remarkable instance in showing what the human family can do, at least in this individual case. Judge Cross is a pleasant companion, is blessed with a great store of broad, good sense, and his decisions from the bench have been well ballasted and met with no reversals. His friends are loyal and many.
CRESWELL, Ex-Sheriff Mack
Search carefully the history of our government-local, state and national-and there . is one interesting fact that forces itself upon the reader-the majority of that great body of men who have given the country the best thought, the most honest administration and signal service, were men that were bred and grew up under adverse circumstances; who early in life learned to labor in the field of knowledge, as well as in the vineyard, to gratify a burning ambitiou of a nobler life. Hence we have it that history proves poverty is rather an inceutive than a bar, and that any boy, however humble his birth and surroundings, may by honesty and industry achieve to the highest positions iu life. The gentleman whose name heads this article was first an humble farmer boy, later a carpenter, and finally the high sheriff of Erath county-which, true, 'tis not as high as the governorship, but Mr. Cresswell has in the meantime gained something that is still more valuable than public office-the confidence and friendship of Erath couuty people. Mr. Creswell was boru in the mountains of East Tennessee, in Blount couuty, Nov. 11, 1857. His father, W. A. Creswell, was also there born, in 1820. Upon coming to Texas in 1858, he settled in Tarrant couuty, where he remained until locating in the southeast section of Erath county in 1880, and continued his pursuit as a farmer. He moved to Stephenville in 1884, where his death occurred in August, 1886. His wife was Miss P. A. Bicknell, whom he married in East Tennessee. Of the four sons and four daughters born to them, one son and one daughter are dead, and of those surviving all live in Texas excepting one son in Oklahoma and one son in Arizona. The mother died at Baird in 1907, and was buried in Stephenville. The father was of Scotch-Irish extraction, was a Presbyterian and a Mason, and a man of extraordinary intelligence-especially was he well posted in history and the current issues of his day and time.
Mr. Creswell matured to manhood in Tarrant county, where he received a good English education. He lived a few years iu South Texas, and began making Stephenville
58
his home in 1883. He was Deputy Sheriff under R. T. Hume for two years, and was very properly elected to the sheriff's office with a good majority in 1902, serving four years, or two terms. At the present time he is first deputy under Sheriff Dave Deaton. Mr. Creswell was married Sept. 9, 1888, to Miss Grace Williamson, who died March 13, 1907. Born of this wedlock were two sons-W. A., twenty-one years old, and Fred, nineteen. Both are graduates of Prof. Mellhieny's Academy, Stephenville, and were favorite pupils of this well-known and highly successful educator. W. A. Creswell is bookkeeper in the First National Bank, this city, and Fred is bookkeeper for the Swift Packing Company, Fort Worth. The Creswell family worship with the Baptist church.
CLARK, Henry
Mr. Henry Clark, the young and popular County Clerk of Erath county, and who is destined to grow into state-wide importance in the political circles of Texas, was born on his father's farm in Erath county, Oct. 25, 1882. His paternal grandfather, Henry W. Clark, was one of the pioneer settlers of Erath county, was a true and tried frontiersman and died on Richardson Creek, this county, in the early seventies. His maternal grand-
-
Candidate for Governor 1930.
MR. HENRY CLARK AND FAMILY.
father, John Keahey, died on the battle grounds of the Concho, defending Erath county's frontier from the Indians. His father, C. G. Clark, was born in Hunt county, Texas, and his parents moved to this county when he was two years old. He now resides on his farm, which is eight miles east of Stephenville. This gentleman was married to Miss Mary Keahey, who was born in this county, and here died in August, 1907. The result of this union was eight sons and three daughters.
When the subject of this sketch, Mr. Henry Clark, asked permission of his father to enter college, his father told him on account of the invalid mother and other misfor- tunes, he was financially unable to send him. He told his father that he was only asking his permission to go. His father made him the proposition that he would allow him the proceeds of a certain piece of new ground to be applied on his school expenses if he would put it into cultivation. He readily accepted, putting in the hours early before and late following the closing of school, and it was a "shame" the amount of "stuff" those few acres produced. One morning the faculty and student-body of John Tarleton College, Stephenville. were much amused at the appearance of a green country boy showing up on
59
the campus-small of stature, sun-burned, a wealth of curly hair, tight-fitting clothes, and flat shoes, all the worse for wear. Though he entered college under the most adverse circumstances, young Clark had gotten an inside view to a lofty life, and it was not long until the scene shifted and the curiosity of the faculty and student-body changed to that of admiration and praise, and the more ambitious youths had to look well to their laurels. After this Mr. Clark laid the foundation for a business career by taking a course in the Metropolitan Business College at Dallas, aud for school teaching at the North Texas State Normal College, Dentou. He began teaching at the age of nineteen, and taught in public schools of Erath county for six years. In July primary, 1910, he was a candidate for the office of county clerk against two opponents, and his vote stood 2,256 against the next highest vote, which was 1,050, being one of the most warmly contested campaigns ever waged in the history of Erath county. An industrious and energetic man, he is a polished gentleman, standing conspicuous among the great common people. Of a Democratic ancestry, he is instant in season and out of season in the service of his party. A farmer boy and a land-owner, heuce iu sympathy with the masses. He is making an excellent county clerk, and has all the capacity and fitness for much broader service in the state, and his many friends hope in no distant day to see him identified with duties worthy of the atmosphere in which he lives. Mr. Clark's ancestry have affiliated with the Methodist church, but he is a Baptist. He is also a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, W. O. W., Modern Woodmen and Rebekahs. He was married Nov. 23, 1906, to Miss Fannie Senter, of this county, and they have one daughter, Rowena, named in honor of Sir Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe."
CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION-History
Historians are authority for the fact that the history of Waco and this immediate section of Central Texas is the richest of that of any other part of the state-that rarely has an epochi- making event took place in the history of Texas but that Waco, or some Wacoan, either directly or indirectly, played some part in it. No incident in the history of Central Texas, however, has been more interesting than that of the history of the founding of the Catholic Church of the Assumption-to do justice and properly relate which would require more space than can be devoted to any one article in this book. In earlier days Galveston was in possession of the French people-it was the central point of church worship, and it was from there that church missionaries gradually branched out through the state. Father Buessant was the pioneer priest in the Waco field in the year 1870, and his original little flock consisted of only five or six families. He was a Frenchman by birth, and a gentleman of the old school; of sturdy forbearance, affectionately loved by all who knew him, and was afterwards pastor in charge of St. Patrick's church at Galveston for many years before passing to his final reward while living in France. Father Buessant lingered in the work for nine years; organized and laid the foundation for the future building of the church, and also prominently aided in the estab- lishment of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in 1873. The church building was originally on the corner of Sixth aud Washington streets, and later changed to its present splendid loea- tion. In 1879 Father Buessant was succeeded by Father Badelon, also a Frenchman by birth, and it was during his pastorate that the church was strengthened to a self-supporting basis of 110. members-and it was he. also, that organized the church at Marlin, Texas, in 1886. It was during Father Badelon's pastorate that the present substantial church edifice was builded, the cornerstone being laid April 8, 1883, with the Right Rev. N. A. Gallagher, bishop, takiug part in the exercises. Father Badelon was a hard worker among his people, was a man of much learning, and was popular, not only with the laity of his church, but among all the people where he resided. He is now living a retired life in his native land at Lyons, France, at the age of sixty-five. Following Father Badelon came Father Clancy, an Irish-Americau, who was pastor from 1897 to 1910, and is now located at Grafton, Ohio-in a Northern climate -for the benefit of his health. He did much constructive work in strengthening the church in membership, remodeled and materially improved the church property, and brought into existence St. Basil's College-in 1899-which is spoken of elsewhere, and Providence Sani- tarium, which was established at Eighteenth and Vermont streets in 1903, and is conducted
60
under the auspices of the Sisters of Charity. It is properly credited with being one of the most efficient institutions of its kind in the United States. Following Father Clancy came Father Kelly, who was born in the western part of Ireland, and attended Jesuit College, at Limerick. Setting saif For America he located at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended the Theological Department of St. Mar. Seminary from 1895 to 1899. His first pastorate work was in the capacity of assistant at St. Mary's Cathedral, Galveston, where he remained from June, 1899, to January, 1903. His next charge was at Port Arthur, Texas, from January, 1903, to May, 1910, when he succeeded Father Clancy in the Church of the Assumption at Waco. Father Kelly is a modern scholar of the Twentieth Century, and being now in the flower of his vigor, is np-to-date and constructive in his work. During his travels he has visited England. Wales and Scotland, and in his perspective view of the social problems and conditions of the day is inelined to be quite optimistic regarding the final outcome of the trusts and other great questions that now concern the world. He has naturally made many friends since coming to Waco, and combining the good work done by Father Clancy and himself the church now has a membership of about 300, and is now in the most prosperous period of its history.
The Academy of the Sacred Heart-school conducted by the Sisters of St. Mary's-was opened in 1873 with about twenty pupils. Today it has about 350, largely drawn from the territory of Texas. It is a splendid institution with an efficient curriculum of studies, and thousands of both men and women who have gone out in all walks of life into every part of the country, and are doing well, can attest to its good work and richness of history. The school, church and parsonage occupy a goodly part of a city block, close in, and are all magnifi- cent properties.
COOK, James Dee
As the civil war grows more distant in time, it is more apparent than ever that the Southern Confederacy was especially favored with the characters of its commanders, almost to a man, and as their gallant deeds and stars grow brighter in the ascendancy, the love of all trne Southerners for those who wore the Gray is answered in admiration and tears. Gen. Forest was one of the Confederacy's greatest commanders, but the boys who fought under him helped to establish his great name, and it is to them that we take off our hat. One of thef. was Mr. James Dee Cook, who was born at Linnville, Graves county, Ky., May 5, 184S. On Sept. 22, 1863-at the age of fifteen-he enlisted in Co. G., Capt. F. F. Aden, and 7th Tenn. Cav., Col. Duckworth, and went out under Gen. Forest's command. Was in the battles of West Point and Okolona, Miss .. in February, 1864; at Macedona, in Henry county, West Tennessee, while acting as escort for Gov. Isham G. Harris in April, 1864-the following June fought at Brice's Cross Roads; Harrisburg, Miss., in July, 1864, and at Columbia, Middle Tennsee, Nov. 24, 1864. In the last named battle was shot in right leg, was put in the hospital at Mt. Pleasant, and was carried with the army to Corinth, Miss., from which point he was sent to his home in Henry county, Tenn. Being unable to return to his command until the close of hostilities, he was paroled at Paducah, Ky., May 14, 1865. Mr. Cook then farmed until 1868, when he came to Texas. Visiting his old stamping ground back in Tennessee and Kentucky in 1869, he returned to this state-this time settling in MeLennan county in May, 1870, where he has since lived through sunshine and shadow with our people. Mr. Cook was married Sept. 6, 1877, to Miss Ella Louise Slauter, of Waco, and the names of their children are as follows: John M., Maydie, Ida, Lee and Juanita. Since coming to Texas Mr. Cook's life has been characterized with that of farming, merchandizing and an officer of the law, having served as deputy sheriff and constable for a combined period of something like fourteen years, as a result of which he is one of the best known men in McLennan county. He had the honor and pleasure of serving as deputy sheriff under Gen. "Sul" Ross' adminis- tration, and also under his successor, Col. Pete Ross, among others. He was several times elected constable, and in 1886 was defeated for sheriff, proper, by a small majority. For seven years Mr. Cook was associated with the Bomar Hardware & Buggy Company, and since November, 1910, has been connected with the Tom Podgitt Harness and Vehicle Company-two of the largest concerns in Waco. Mr. Cook is a believer in the rights of the great common people, takes a warm interest in all public questions, and being one of the best
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.