USA > Texas > Wise County > Pioneer history of Wise County; from red men to railroads-twenty years of intrepid history > Part 26
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The personalities which will be alluded to are generally well- known throughout the county, but it will be interesting and instructive to note some of the essential facts and character- istics of their lives. The fact of their descriptive presence here is indicative of their high standing in the respective communi- ties of their adoption, for in this department it would not have been consistent with the aims of this book to deal with any but the best of the elements of our citizenship. These are men who are in part responsible for the latter growth and prosperity of Wise County. In their separate fields of labor they have performed their part well. On the enduring foundation of county life laid by the Pioneers they have assisted to build a beautiful and symmetrical superstructure which is the pride and glory of all true citizens of the county.
A. D. ROGERS.
There is striking analogy between a storm of wind and rain which clears the atmosphere of impurities and a rugged ele- mental man, endowed with independent thought and action, who drives before him that indifference and apathy which is so dangerous to the political life of the country. A. D. Rogers is an independent force in the political and industrial life of Wise County. He is valuable because he keeps men's minds stirred to action, to thought along the lines of their political and in- dustrial salvation.
Mr. Rogers attacks that illiteracy, sloth and negligence which goes to make undesirable citizenship. In every instance his views are not harmonious with those of the people, the common people, among whom he labors for their betterment, which is a testimonial to the sincerity of his attitudes. But along fun- damental and general lines Mr. Rogers' sympathies are with the entire people, and he is constantly engaged in a battle for the elevation of the social, political and industrial interests of the constituency among which he delights to live.
There is a picturesque fearlessness about the man we have come to briefly study-a fearlessness that fascinates and
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A. D. ROGERS.
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attracts-a quality of magnetism that fixes our attention whether we will or no. It is that species of boldness that dares to stand in the brilliance of the lime-light, undaunted by criticism, hisses and jeers, and which draws forth the latent admirat on of every man for the attribute of human courage which every man does not possess.
Modern political philosophy bristles with adjurations to all men to stand up openly and frankly for what is right in politics, religion and every-day living; but mankind, as modernly con- stituted, is prone to balk in compliance with such precepts. This for numerous reasons. First, because mankind is inher- ently lazy; secondly, because it is naturally conservative, and, lastly, because of its extreme modesty and backwardness. Out of these promptings come the criticism and deriding of those bold characters who have listened to the small voice of con- science and struck out openly for a courageous voyage of the seas of public life. It is because of these promptings that the subject of our sketch has been criticised, but it is because of his possession of the courage of his convictions that he will con- tinue to churn the slovenly waters of our local politics that the cream of good things may finally crystalize on top.
Mr. Rogers was born in Pontotoc County, Miss., March 12th, 1866. His father was a Confederate soldier and died a short time prior to the birth of his son. His mother was Jennie Allen, of Georgia, who died when Mr. Rogers was six years old. Sixteen years of the latter's life was spent on a farm, and his few years of schooling were received in country institutions and at Lebanon, Tenn. His acuteness and knowledge of the world has been gained since by self endeavors. His young manhood was spent in various occupations, in clerkships at Louisville, Ky., and as a traveling salesman. On October, 1st, 1889, Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Lila Stone, of Verona, Miss., a daughter of Rev. J. B. Stone, who for twenty years was Presiding Elder in the North Miss. M. E. Conference. Next followed a residence of some years at Jackson, Miss., where the cotton business employed Mr. Rogers' attention. In 1894 he was on the eve of prospecting in the island of Cuba, when he was called to San Antonio, Texas, to engage in the
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insurance business. Later on he was transferred to Fort Worth and given a district managership. His business occa- sionally called him to Decatur, and he begun to like the people and the town, and latterly the people of the county, which led to his casting his lot with them in January, 1896. For awhile he followed elerking and merchandising, but in 1898, after a remarkable race, he was elected County Treasurer, a position he continued to hold successfully and satisfactorily for four years. Of late years Mr. Rogers has traveled for the wholesale firm of Henry Sonneborn & Co. of Baltimore, from whom it is said he receives a large annual salary, and to whom he gives four months of the year. The remainder of the time Mr. Rogers devotes to his rather large property interests in Decatur and vicinity. He has an interesting family of seven children, named as follows: Christine, Eloise: Shelton, Mary, Corinne, Jess and A. D. Jr.
BEN SHORT.
In choosing her first county superintendent of instruction, Wise County, through her court of commissioners, selected a man who, by virtue of prior struggles and successes, had at- tained honorably to those qualifications necessary to the able and efficient conduct of the office. Detailed briefly, the succes- sive experiences in the career of Supt. Ben Short which have equipped him highly for the arduous labors of his high office, are as follows:
Born where Roanoke, Denton County, now stands, June 27, 1874; attended school there a few months; came to Chico, Wise County, with parents in fall of 1882, and attended school in the old stone building across the creek; next moved with parents to Oliver Creek, southeast of Decatur, and attended country schools at distances of three and one-half and five miles, work- ing on farm and ranch during vacation. Next entered Sam Houston Normal College for two sessions, graduating in 1898, following which he attended Baylor University at Waco one term. His teaching career then commenced at Grub Hill, where
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he remained two years, then a year each at Sweetwater and Paradise followed. Mr. Short then succeeded to three years as principal of the Decatur High School, after which he was duly elected by the board of trustees as superintendent of this school, a position he retained two years and from which he succeeded to the place of county superintendent of public instruction.
Superintendent Short has come up through the country schools; he knows their needs, ambitions and qualifica- tions. He knows men, as he has met them in all relations as representa- tives and guardians of education. He knows, too, the requisites and needs of the larger educational institutions of the towns by virtue of his years of close identity with them. He is studious of all large matters of edu- cation, has never missed a county in- BEN SHORT. stitute or state association when health permitted attendance; is a man of high ideals and practical, thoughtful ability and is destined in the eyes of his closest observers and friends to perform high, meritorious service for the educational interests of the schools of Wise County, and to become, if he not already is, an able educational leader of the county.
C. C. JONES.
The face on this page is that of C. C. Jones, one of Wise County's foremost business men, and the organizer of the well- known and popular Jones Dry Goods Company establishments at Decatur and Bridgeport. Mr. Jones is a Southerner to the manner born, being the son of Eason Jones, planter, of Haywood County, Tennessee. He was born in Brownsville of the above county and state, March 25, 1849, and received a preliminary training in merchandising in his home town in
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the days of his youth. In certain other ways, notably as the proprietor of a grocery store for ten years and as a traveling salesman, Mr. Jones gained the knowledge and experience that has contributed to his modern success as a merchant. At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Anna Turner, daughter of John W. Turner, planter, of Denmark, Tennessee, who was killed as a Confederate soldier while with General Forrest. Mr. Jones came straight to Wise County from Tennessee in 1889 and he and his large and interesting family have been identified in a large way with the commer- cial, social and political in- terests of the county since that date.
Personally Mr. Jones is of that type of man who in- gratiates himself into the good esteem of his fellow citizens, per force of many attractive and aggressive qualities. He is affable, genial, kindly and humor- ous, and pronouncedly De- mocratie in politics. He con- cerns himself with all C. C. JONES. economical and commercial affairs that involve the de- velopment and progress of the county, and is regarded as one of the safest and most substantial of leaders and advisers. He stands for good citizenship, good roads, high morals in politics and a generally elevated community and commercial life. Lastly, he is inherently sociable and is a most pleasing and facile speaker and orator. The large dry goods emporium at Bridge- port is managed by Lawrence Jones, the bright and enterpris- ing son of the subject of this sketch. The business at Decatur is conducted in a manner highly successful by Mr. Jones himself.
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L. W. TYLER.
Should a large per cent of the publishers of country news- papers in this section speak frankly of the publications which they have patterned after in the typographical arrangement of their own sheets, the Decatur News, published by L. W. Tyler, at Decatur, would come in for a large share of eulogy and praise. That Mr. Tyler is an artist in the arrangement of type and in the details of press- work is a fact that lies on the tongue of every person who has come to be ac- quainted with the Decatur News, and with the clean and excellent printing of the News job office.
Lamotte W. Tyler was born in the town of Eaton, Madison County, New York. He learned the printer's trade when a youth in the town of Cox- sachie, on the Hudson, New York. He came to Aurora, Wise County, in 1877, to as- sume charge of a drug and grocery business, which had L. W. TYLER. been conducted by a brother who had grown ill at his post. His brother's death followed, and the business was conducted by Mr. Tyler until November, 1881, when he bought a newspaper plant and started the Aurora News. He returned to New York and married Miss Alice Cheritre, whose life and death is well remembered by Decatur citizens. About twenty years ago, Mr. Tyler came to Decatur and started the Decatur News, which has been con- ducted in the interests of the varied life of the community without change since that date. Subsequently Mr. Tyler was
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married to Miss Ruth Colgan, a most excellent young lady of Linneus, Mo., whose residence in Decatur has been marked by the cultivation of generous friendships and the perpetuation of her qualities of refined and winsome womanhood. Personally, Mr. Tyler is of a strikingly friendly disposition when once known. He has a cultivated musical ear, which impels his attendance upon the musical interest and affairs of the town. As an editor he seldom writes unless he has something forcible and sensible to say, and this is said without waste of words or circumlocution. He loves the town of Decatur and her people, and wields the influence of his popular paper in behalf of their interests. Both himself and wife are closely identified with the social and church work of Decatur, and represent in themselves the highest type of the best citizenship of the place.
FRANK J. FORD.
Frank J. Ford is the eldest son of Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Ford. He was born at Lewisville, in Denton County, February 14, 1875, and moved to Decatur with his parents when he was a lad of only nine years. His father, Dr. J. F. Ford, was for many years a practicing physician in this town and was a soldier of the Southern Confederacy. Frank was educated in the public school of Decatur, and at Baylor University of Waco. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in June, 1895. In 1896, when he was only 21 years of age, he was elected city attorney of Decatur, and in November, 1900, was elected county attorney, and served two terms. He was married to Miss Rebecca Kenny, a daugther of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Kenny, on April 26, 1900.
Frank is a 32d degree Mason, Past Chancellor of the K. of P. lodge of Decatur, and a member of the I. O. O. F. He was born and reared a Democrat, and has always been a leader in the councils of his party. He has served three terms as chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Wise County, and is at present serving in that capacity. He is also a prominent member of the Decatur bar and for a number of years has enjoyed a lucrative practice.
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FRANK J. FORD AND SON CLARENCE.
REV. J. B. TIDWELL. PRESIDENT DECATUR BAPTIST COLLEGE.
Rev. J. B. Tidwell, who is now president of the Decatur Baptist College, acquired his education at Blooming Grove Academy, Howard College and Baylor University. In 1891 he entered Blooming Grove Academy, graduating from there two years later. He entered Howard College, of Birmingham, Ala.,
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from which institution he graduated with honor in 1898. In 1893 Baylor University conferred the degree of Master of Arts
REV. J. B. TIDWELL.
on him, and he is now a correspondent student of Chicago University.
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Rev. Tidwell is one of the best instructors in the State. His pupils have distinguished themselves in other institutions, and his many years of experience place him in the front rank of public educators.
DECATUR BAPTIST COLLEGE.
No town in North Texas is so well situated for the location of a college as Decatur. It has an elevation that is sufficient to afford a perfect and natural drainage, and the pure water and delightful elimate of this country makes this one of the most healthful towns in the State. Decatur being a small town, there are not those distracting influences that are met with in the larger towns and cities. The moral and religious influences of the town are splendid, its inhabitants are refined and cultured, and its citizens are all loyal to the interests of the college. Those who located the school showed their wisdom in selecting Decatur as the site for Decatur Baptist College.
The institution was established in 1892, when the three asso- ciations of Wise, Montague and Red Fork Counties, acting through a central board of trustees, launched the North West Texas Baptist College. The school was established with Dr. A. J. Emerson, a former president of Howard Payne College, as president. Since Dr. Emerson's resignation the school has had two other presidents, B. F. Giles and J. L. Ward. The school prospered under the management of Dr. Giles, who was president from 1898 to 1900. In 1900 Rev. J. L. Ward was elected presi- dent, and the name of the institution was changed to Decatur Baptist College. Under the direction of Rev. Ward, the school has had unparalleled prosperity for the past seven years. The attendance has increased from 150 to 250 this year. The school now has three modern buildings with an aggregate value of $60,000.
In May of this year, Rev. J. L. Ward resigned his position as president of the College in order to take the work of traveling secretary of the Baptist Educational Commission of Texas. A special meeting of the board of trustees was called to select
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his successor, and Rev. J. B. Tidwell, who had been the teacher of Greek and Latin in the college for seven years, was elected to the presidency.
The main building is large and imposing, three-story stone building. It contains a commodious chapel, large and well ventilated recitation rooms, offices and society halls. Neel Hall is a two-story building of thirty-two rooms and is used as the home for young men. The new stone and brick dormitory for young ladies contains fifty well finished rooms, and is one of the nicest and most conveniently arranged homes for young ladies in the state.
The college has aimed to make its work of the most thorough kind and the success with which its graduates have met, and especially those attending other institutions, has proven the claim of the college, that in college life the student must have thoroughness and that constant application to hard work, and that alone, will bring this. The work is therefore of such a kind that a student who is unwilling to work hard, and that all the time, need not enter. It has been the constant aim of this college also to be a distinet moral and religious force. Every student is therefore not only required to do faithful classroom work, but must maintain a good moral standing, and must study the bible in one of the bible classes.
The following is the expense for a nine months' term: Tuition, board and incidentals, $164.50; with elocution, $182.50: with music, $218.50; with music and elocution, $236.50. In the preparatory department it is $9.00 in each case. For information write Rev. J. B. Tidwell, president, Decatur, Texas.
W. L. DALLAS.
One of the rarest of human traits is the quality of concentra- tion. We seldom see men predisposed to follow one given call- ing or occupation throughout the entire history of their lives. Men fly away at a tangent, grow tired of what they are doing, and allow themselves to be lured away into other channels which, more often than not, culminates in wreckage to their life's
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boat. But when we do find a stayer in a given line he is at once admired, and an investigation will prove that if he is not financially successful he has mastered the intricate and com- plex details of his trade, which is an accomplishment of rare and high value. With these words we describe the life history of W. L. Dallas, of Decatur, a man whose mastery of the com- plicated details of the grocery business stands undisputed. For eighteen busy years Mr. Dallas has been behind the counter and at the helm of one grocery business after another in Decatur until at present he is align- ed with the substantial firm of Russell & Dallas. For a stretch of eleven years he lost only seven days away from business, and then when his father's death forced his absence.
Thus by enterprise and pertinacity, Mr. Dallas has risen from the obscure po- sition of an apprentice to one of the foremost posi- tions in the business ranks of Wise County.
Briefly recited, his his- tory is as follows: Born W. L. DALLAS. at Java, Neshoba Co., Mis- sissippi, July 24, 1862. Served an apprenticeship when a boy with a firm in Meridian, Mississippi, who gave him papers of recommen- dation which secured him a position with Ullman & Co., gro- cers in Decatur, Texas, in 1889. Came to Wise County in 1881; taught school six years, after which he came to Decatur and remained with Ullman & Co. eleven years. In 1891 he was married to Miss Kate Russell, the daughter of a pioneer, to which union two children have been born-Alma May and Russell
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Prentiss. Mrs. Dallas is popular socially, and one of the town's leaders in church work. The business spirit of the firm of Rus- sell & Dallas reflects the energy of its proprietors. Goods and produce are turned rapidly, therefore stocks are constantly replenished with fresh, crisp receipts. Business is done on an honest, courteous basis, consequently the firm is a popular trading resort in Decatur.
CAPT. M. D. SELLARS.
Captain M. D. Sellars has resided in Decatur since 1883. He came originally from Moniteau County, Mo., where he was born, March 4, 1846. At the age of 13, Capt. Sellars moved to Benton County, Arkansas, with his parents, and two years later, when he was 15, joined the Confederate service, aligning himself with General Ben MeCul- loch's Texas Ranger force, then operating in Northern Arkansas. He remained throughout the war, seeing service in Arkansas, Mis- souri, Louisiana, and Mis- sissippi. In 1878 he mar- ried Miss Laura Pearson at Fayetteville, Ark., after which he became a mer- chant at Bloomfield.
Capt. Sellars came to Decatur in poor cireum- stances, but by honesty, industry and economy, has grown successful, being now the oldest grocery mer- chant in Decatur. He has remained loyal to the CAPT. M. D. SELLARS. memory of the Confederate cause, and is the moving spirit of that order in this community. He is a generous- hearted citizen and highly respected Christian gentleman. One
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of his chiefest characteristics is cheerfulness, and this quality he succeeds in communicating to all who come in contact with him, both socially and in a business way. He is therefore popular with the majority of people and especially with that class who admire a man who proves able to see the lining of every dark cloud, especially when roseate views are shut out from their own vision.
No history of Capt. Sellars, however brief, would be com- plete unless inclusive of allusions to the great enterprise, energy and leadership he has demonstrated in organizing the annual reunions of the Confederate veterans in Joe Wheeler Park. It will be sufficient to say, however, that the people of Wise County are largely indebted to Capt. Sellars for their three days' annual fun-making and holiday on this occasion.
Capt. Sellars at present conducts a successful grocery business on East Main Street, Decatur.
WASH DAVIS.
Wash Davis is genial, kindly and accommodating, which, in addition to his qualities of scrupulousness and high personal integrity, admit him to the trust and confidence of the people of Wise County. His tenure of the office of tax-assessor years ago and his present tenure of the county treas- urer's office has been all that an able, honest citizen could make it, and never a word of reproach is uttered against the man nor his me- thod of conducting the busi- ness of these branches. Mr. Davis was born in Gibson
WASH DAVIS.
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BEN M'CULLOCH CAMP NO. 30, U. C. V., WISE COUNTY.
Terry, Ross, Dennison, Gentry, Mitchell, Russell, Hornback, Kingsley, Williams, Watson, Thomas, Tugwell, Kerr, Duncan, Thompson, Privitt, Johnson, McGovern, Hoyl, Sellers, Jones, Goss, Ray, Massey, Gose, Hatcher, Workman, Long, Roach, Burton, Smith, Shepherd, Gililland, Kenny, Ratliff, Pickett.
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County, Tennessee, June 22, 1858; came to Tarrant County, Texas, in 1877, and to Wise County in 1881, locating near Alvord. He was elected county assessor in 1890, serving four years, and in 1906 he was elected county treasurer and will doubt- less be re-elected. He has been a highly useful citizen, having taught Alvord's first school in the summer of 1883. He was married to Miss Lucy Boyce at Pinesville, Louisiana, in 1890. Any branch of Wise County's official business is safe in the hands of such noble, upright men as Wash Davis has proven to be.
BEN McCULLOCH CAMP, No. 30, U. C. V.
In 1886 the soldiers of the South who had survived the con- flicts of the Civil War, living in Wise County, met at Decatur and organized the Ben McCulloch Camp, No. 30, of the United Confederate Veterans of America. This band of Southern heroes had no purpose of renewing the spirit of the war, or espousing again the fortunes of a lost cause; but in order that they might keep a true history of the war and hand down to the rising generation a correct record of the deeds performed by the sons of the Southland, they banded themselves together in a perma- nent organization. When the camp was organized there were more than a hundred of the boys who had worn the gray during the trying scenes of the sixties. The roll of members contained such names as Dr. J. F. Ford, Colonel G. B. Pickett, J. A. Penn, W. P. Russell, Captains M. D. Sellers, Will A. Miller, Ira Long, and scores of other venerable soldiers of the South. Captain Will A. Miller was elected as the first Adjutant of the camp, which office he held until January, 1896, when Captain M. D. Sellars, a sketch of whose life is given in this edition, was elected to succeed him. Dr. J. F. Ford was also clected as first Com- mander of the camp, and held the office as long as the camp could persuade him to keep it.
From the time the camp was organized in 1886 until the present time, these Sons of the Confederacy have been assem-
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bling themselves together in publie meetings once every month, to discuss matters of general interest to the camp and to them- selves, to consider anything that would be for the betterment of the U. C. V, organization of America, and to look after and provide for the indigent soldiers and their widows in as chari- table a manner as possible.
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