USA > Texas > The encyclopedia of Texas, V.2 > Part 88
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 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
wagon, and stopped at Hillsboro for a short time. after which he removed to Smith county, where he farmed for one year. He then went to work in the salt mines of East Texas where after a few months he left this work in order to join the Confederate forces which were leaving for the war between the States. Soon after the beginning of actual warfare, Mr. Ray was detailed back to Texas to superintend the mining of salt being in- structed to mine twenty sacks of salt per day, which instructions he carefully carried out. After some months, he rejoined his comrades and served the remaining period of the war. After the close of the war, Mr. Ray went to Louisiana, but after a short period came back to Texas locating at Cameron, where he traveled Texas, Arkansas and Missouri, selling merchandise. In 1871 he came to Dallas and the following year purchased a home in this city and also started in the mercantile business. His salesmen traveled in wagons throughout the Lone Star State, as there was no railroad transpor- tation at that time. Later, he established a grocery store, but after conducting this business for one year, he engaged in the feed business and continued in this field until 1895 when he was forced, on account of failing health to retire from all active business pursuits.
Mr. Ray was married at Paris, Tennessee, August 14, 1861, to Miss Alonzo M. Searcy, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a member of a prominent family of that city. Her father, Daniel Searcy, was a pioneer merchant of Nashville. Her mother, Elizabeth Jane (Pride) Searcy, was a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a daughter of parents who came from Kentucky in the early days. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ray; Emma Virginia (deceased) was married to J. T. Boone; Miss Anna Victoria, for thirty years one of the best known and most efficient instructors of Dallas private schools; Belle Louise (deceased) ; George Grant of Dallas; Robert Lee (deceased) and Minnie Lenora (deceased). The Ray home is located at 5643 Ridgedale street.
Mr. Ray died in Dallas, March 29, 1905 at the age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the Methodist Church and active in matters per- taning to the upbuilding of Dallas, where for more than thirty-five years he had been one of its highly esteemed citizens. Perhaps no man of his tinie did more toward promoting the business welfare than Mr. Ray. He was one of the pioneer business men whose progressive spirit raised this city to metropolitan proportions and made it the great city of today. When Mr. Ray came to Dallas in 1871 this city was little more than a trading post on the frontier of the business world and Texas was a pioneer state. As the tide of immigration moved into the state from the east and north, railroad builders began to look toward Texas, and he used his time and influence in getting the first railroads into Dallas and Texas. He was loved and esteemed by all who knew him and his charities were many and unostentatious. He had been a factor in Dallas affairs for so long that his death left a vacancy that will not be filled. In spite of his advanced age his mind was active and his advice was often sought along various business lines. His death was a distinct loss to Texas and to Dallas.
810
1,
3
F. L. Stevenson
NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS
DWARD L. SARGENT, of Dallas, for almost thirty years was associated with the rail- roads of this state and was one of its best known and popular railroad executives. twenty years of this period he held the posi- « of general freight agent of the Texas & A fic railroad with headquarters in Dallas.
A native of Illinois, Mr. Sargent was born in 1 : n. October 3, 1853. His father, Benjamin F. Agent, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, re- f. ,ed to Illinois as a young man and for many sars was one of the best known financiers of that ***. being for the greater part of his life cashier if one of the largest banking institutions of Alton. :: mother, Mrs. Susan (Phinney) Sargent, a L've of Woodshole, Mass., was a member of one { the oldest families of the United States, being . direct descendent of the pioncer Rodgers family "'> came to America on the Steamship Anne, the , .p being the second to cross the ocean after the Mayflower. His education was secured in the farious schools of Alton, Illinois. After leaving «hool, he went with his father's bank at the age { twenty years, remaining with this institution ."til he decided to come to Texas in 1883. After rating in Dallas during the same year he found employment as a clerk in the offices of the Houston & Texas Central railroad, where he remained for . "> year. He then went to El Paso and there took :p the duties of the railway union, remaining in "hat city until 1887, when he became associated with the Mexican Central railroad, remaining with .),is railroad for only one year. He then returned to the Texas & Pacific railroad as general agent, .^ El Paso, remaining in this important position artil Sept., 1892 when he came to Dallas as general freight agent for the road, retiring in 1912. Mr. 'argent was known as one of the most efficient "right men of the entire country. He was held in the highest esteem by the owners of the Texas & Pacific railroad who had faith and confidence in ' « opinions in all matters pertaining to the freight Lepartment of this railroad. Mr. George Gould, when executive head of the Gould systems of rail- wads, chose Mr. L. S. Thorne (now deceased) and "" subject of this sketch to accompany him on his eps to Mexico City in his private car, looking into .ditions in that country with a view to purchasing " any miles of its railroads.
Mr. Sargent was twice married. His first mar- tlwr was to Miss Jessie Ruddick, of Keokuk: Iowa, who died in 1880. Of this union one daughter was 4 .rn; Mrs. Joseph McNeice of St. Louis. His wrond marriage was to Miss Elizabeth Sexton, a - M'ive of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and a member of one of the best known families of that Province. Of that union one daughter was born: . . tor Elizabeth of the Ursuline Academy, a very e /h class academy for girls at Dallas, conducted *y the Sisters of St. Ursula. The Sargent home : located at 4230 Gilbert street.
Mr. Sargent died in Dallas, June 1, 1919. He wann member of the Old Dallas Club and many "her social, civic and commercial organizatons of 1.In", in all of which he took a leading part. tth the memories of the Civil war still deeply bedded in his mind, as he was a small boy when '* ** w the men of his community march away as ' . lier", he was anxious to serve his country dur- Fy the World war in some capacity. While he was
past sixty years of age, he registered but was not called for service. Mr. Sargent was charitable in a large way, giving to the needy and hundreds who were beneficiaries of his charity in Dallas will remember his kindness of heart throughout their lives. Edward L. Sargent was great in every re- lation in life. Among the admirable character- istics was his intense honesty, the traitor and the hypocrite, to him, were the worst of men. To hun- dreds who knew him, his unselfish friendship was one of life's greatest benedictions, one of God's special blessings. His heart was the biggest, the warmest, the tenderest, the most forgiving, the most constant that could inhabit a human life. His place in the city and state and in the railroad world can not be filled. His career brought not only honor to himself but credit to the State of Texas and the entire country. Mr. Sargent was of that type of man to whom success means op- portunity for doing good deeds.
ELVILLE GRANT CRAWFORD, for twen- ty-five years a well known resident of Dallas, spent his entire life in the various branches of the leather industry and was one of the best known men of the Lone Star State in this field. The greater part of Mr. Crawford's career was with the Champion Shoe Machinery Company of St. Louis as its Southwestern repre- sentative and traveled over much of this territory in the interest of his firm. The Champion Shoe Machinery Company is a pioneer in the leather goods industry of the country, and one of the larg- est.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Crawford was born in Cleveland, June 29, 1869. His father, Michael T. Crawford, was a native of Pennsylvania, but spent the greater part of his business life in Cleveland. His mother, Mrs. Margaret Ann ( Britton) Craw- ford was a member of a Pennsylvania family. His education was received in the schools of Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, and Oberlin College.
Mr. Crawford was married at Dallas June 6, 1900, to Miss Olive Roberts, a native of Dallas and a member of a pioneer family of this city. Her father, J. J. Roberts, a native of Dalton, Georgia, came to Texas as a young man, soon thercafter lo- cating in Dallas, where he became one of the city's leading business men. Her mother, Mrs. Victoria (Webster) Roberts. was a member of a well known family of Holly Springs, Mississippi. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Crawford: Grethel. now Mrs. M. W. Becker of Dallas. The Crawford home located at 4708 St. Johns Drive was one of the first to be built in this beautiful residential section.
Mr. Crawford died in Dallas August 23, 1925. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Yeomen and the First Presbyterian Church, in all of which he was deservedly popular. Prior to lo- cating in Dallas Mr. Crawford had a wide business career, all of which was in connection with the leather industry. He first started in this business for himself in Ohio, later removing to Springfield, Missouri. where he owned the leading store of its kind in that city. After disposing of this business, he became associated with the firm with which he spent the remainder of his life, becoming one of its most estecmed and valued employees. During the quarter of a Century that he made Dallas his home, he was a factor in its affairs, active in civic mat- ters and in all projects for the progress of the city.
811
MEN OF TEXAS
R R. HENRY PEYTON HOWARD of Dallas, Texas, was a pioneer in the medical pro- fession of the Lone Star State, where he practiced medicine prior to the Civil War and during this period in the army of the South, retiring soon after the close of the war. Dr. Howard preferred a business life to a professional one and he had a wide and varied business career, withal a successful one which he started with his brother, Major Thomas Howard in transporting supplies to every trading post in the State of Texas during the Civil War. They hauled millions of dollars worth of supplies by ox teams over the vast empire of Texas which at that time was sparsely settled and teamsters were in constant danger from Indians lurking near the almost impassable roads. After the close of the Civil War and the days of recon- struction had passed, Dr. Howard entered actively into the mining business in the Republic of Mexico and dealt extensively in real estate in many parts of Texas and contiguous States.
Dr. Howard was born in Washington, D. C., May 29, 1829. His father, Thomas Howard, a native of St. Mary's Parish, Maryland was a pioneer business man of that State. His mother, Mrs. Ann (Bean) Howard, was a member of one of the first families to settle in Washington, D. C. His early educa- tion was received in the various schools of Washing- ton, D. C., later entering Columbia University, where he graduated with the M. D. degree. Be- fore entering college and as a boy of seventeen he served in the Mexican War with his brother, Major Howard.
Dr. Howard was married in San Antonio, Texas, March 14, 1860, to Miss Lucy Evelyn Weir, a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Her father, James Weir was a native of Belfast, Ireland, but came to Amer- ica as a young man and became a leader in the busi- ness circles of his community and city. Her mother, Mrs. Frances (Berry) Weir, a native of Kentucky, was a member of one of that State's most prominent families. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Howard, five of whom are living: Frances of Dal- las; Mary Bell, now Mrs. J. J. Tapp of Dallas; Henry Lee of Crystal City, Texas; Camilla, now Mrs. W. W. Jones of California; and Dr. William E. Howard one of the leading physicians of Dallas.
Dr. Howard died in Dallas November 21, 1913. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M., a charter member of the State Medical Association, a charter member of the San Antonio Club, a member of the Presbyterian Church and for about a year prior to his death had been an elder in the First Presbyter- ian Church of Dallas. In addition to his services as a physician and surgeon in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, he was appointed medical purveyor and for four years held this responsible position, with headquarters at Houston, Texas. Dur- ing President Cleveland's administration Dr. How- and was appointed to the position of postmaster at San Antonio, Texas, and enjoyed the distinction of being the. first Democratic postmaster of this city for a period of twenty-five years. Dr. Howard was one of the most loved men of the Lone Star. State, his good deeds and charity knowing no bounds. He also was one of the most progressive men of his time and aided in the upbuilding of his state and city, taking an active part in all civic. po- litical and educational matters. While the greatest part of his life was spent in the world of business,
he was always in public service, finding his highest joy in working out tasks which had the welfare and unfolding of the state's destiny for their end.
ILLIAM N. MOTT, although a resident of Dallas for but seven years, was identified with the development of Texas for nearly half a century and during this period of time earned a creditable position in the records of Texans who have a deserving place in Texas history. He was active in many vocations and his ability did much for the advances of the communities in which he lived. He earned a reputation for integrity and fair dealing and was held in high esteem by all who were intimately acquainted with him.
William N. Mott was born in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, June 28, 1846. His father, George W. Mott was a member of a pioneer family of In- diana. Mr. Mott was educated in the public schools of Indiana but as a boy of sixteen, when the country was torn with the great rebellion, he en- tered the Union army with an Indiana regiment in 1862. He fought in the battles of Bull Run, Shilo and many other engagements, seeing service for three years until the end of the war. After the close of the war he returned to Indiana and for three years worked on his father's farm. In 1869 he decided to go west and settled in Kansas where he farmed for ten years, at the end of which time he again returned to his native state. Upon the death of his father he returned to Kansas where he remained a short time and then moved to Texas. This was in 1875. Ile engaged in farming for five years, then he sold his farm and moved to the town of Henrietta, where he engaged in the contracting business which he continued many years, later mov- ing to Hale Center, Texas, and again to Taylor County. Here he farmed for a period of ten years when he moved to Abilene. He engaged in the con- tracting business in Abilene until 1912 when he moved to Dallas where he remained until his death.
Mr. Mott was married in Independence, Kansas, to Miss Alice Songer. Mrs. Mott was a native of Vermillion County, Illinois, but she moved with her parents to Kansas when only eight years old. Her father, Louis Songer. was a member of one of the earliest families of Illinois, her grandfather having come to that state from Pennsylvania in 1780. Her mother was Hanna Douglas Songer, also a native of Illinois.
Mr. and Mrs. Mott were the parents of five chil- dren: Thurza, who is married to Mr. H. Tyler, of Clyde, Texas, and has three children; Gilbert of Clyde, Texas, a graduate of the University; Gideon, a teacher in Callahan County, and Ida Tyler, of Clyde. Rosa was married to M. F. Wells, of Young county. and has three children : Fay and Pearly May. of Dallas and II. C. Wells, of Olney; Charles Mott and Bessie, who is married to Mr. H. Morris, of Dallas, and has two children, Eva Mae and William Morris. Pearly is now Mrs. Pearly Maltman, of Dallas. Mabel, married to William Schultz, of Abilene who has two children, Gladys and Cather- ine. The Mott family residence is located at 117 South Willowmet Avenue, Dallas.
Mr. Mott always took a keen interest in edu- cational matters and was a member of the board of education in Taylor County and had an active interest in such matters. He was a member of the Baptist Church.
812
N. Howard
NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TEXAS
ORTH PEAK, who for many years was a leader in the business life of Dallas, was a member of one of the real pioneer fami- lies of this city who located here in 1855. .com that date, the Peak name has been synony- nous with the advancement of Dallas.
A native of Kentucky, Mr. Peak was born in Gallatin County, April 24, 1848. His father, Capt. Jefferson Peak, was a member of one of the oldest families of Kentucky. His grandfather, Jesse Peak sus a soldier in the Revolutionary war, settling .n Scott County, Kentucky in April 1801. Capt. Peak was of Scotch descent, and was married in 126 to Martha M. Reasor, of Irish parentage and of Warsaw, Kentucky. In 1846 he was a captain n Humphrey Marshall's Regiment of Kentucky cavalry. He was in Taylor's army in the war with Mexico, and fought in the. Battles of Palo Alto, Monterey and Buena Vista. In 1855 Jefferson Prak moved his family from Warsaw, Kentucky to Dallas via New Orleans and Shreveport, reaching this city on June 10, 1855, where he was soon located in a good, two-room log house. Shortly after locating here, Capt. Peak bought five-hundred acres of land, two miles east of the Dallas county court- house, which now is a beautiful residential section. The following streets in this part of the city were named for Capt. Peak's children, namely; Worth, Carroll, Junius and Victor. Peak street was named for the family.
With a faith in the future of Dallas that few of his friends could understand, Capt. Peak built the first brick house in this city. He died in 1876 and his wife in 1890, and are both buried in the old Masonic Cemetery in this city.
Worth Peak attended the private schools of Dallas and the University of Kentucky from which he graduated. Soon after his graduation from col- lege, Mr. Peak returned to Texas and engaged in the cattle business in the western part of the state until 1881.
Mr. Peak was married in Navarro County, Texas, November 9, 1881 to Miss May Fox, a native of Michigan, who was brought to Texas by her parents when quite small and was reared in Rice, Texas. Her parents, Dr. Albert E. and Mary (Richmond) Fox, were natives of New York State who came to Texas from Michigan in 1875, and settled in Rice, Navarro County, where they resided until coming to Dallas many years later. Mr. Peak farmed near Rice, Texas, from 1881 to 1887. He then returned to Dallas and engaged in the real estate business and for fifteen years was one of the leading real estate dealers here. Following his real estate activities, Mr. Peak retired from all active business. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Peak : Jefferson D. and Worth Peak, Jr., are numbered among the younger generation of business men of Dallas. The third child. Nellie May, was married to A. W. Atwood of Dallas. The Peak homestead is located at . 4213 Worth street.
Mr. Peak died in Dallas, January 23, 1927. Of an old and honored family, he upheld the traditions and teachings of his forbears and was one of the progressive citizens and leading business men of hix city. Mr. Peak was one of the group of far- visioned men whose hardihood and public spirit laid the foundation for the city of Dallas. Their civic enterprises had more to do with the rapid development of this city than any other factor.
Few men have served their cities as nobly and as efficiently as Mr. Peak who was loved by all who knew him. He was a factor in Dallas affairs for so long that his death left a vacancy that has not been filled.
ILLIAM DAVIS SNEAD, of Dallas, was a pioneer in the dairy industry of the Lone Star State, having established his dairy farm in North Dallas in 1868 and for a period of forty-six years owned and operated one of the largest, most sanitary and modern plants of its kind in the Southwest.
A native of Tennessee, Mr. Snead was born in Murfreesboro, June 24, 1840. His father, Rev. John Snead, who also was a native of Tennessee, came to Texas in the early '50s and settled in Dallas County, where he preached in Baptist Church- es and farmed throughout the remainder of his life. His education was received in the private schools of Dallas County. While he was a little more than twenty years of age he joined the Con- federate army, and served throughout the Civil war in General Price's Brigade, in the cavalry divison. After the close of the war, he farmed for a few years, after which he moved to Dallas and owned and operated a planing mill a short time. He then began in the dairy business at what is now Mckinney and Snead. In 1888 the dairy was moved to Oak Cliff which was continued until his death.
Mr. Snead was married in Dallas County, in July 1862, to Miss Harriett N. Nance, a native of Dallas County and a member of a pioneer family of this part of the state. Her father, Otway A. Nance, a native of Illinois, settled in the early '50s in Dallas County, where he lived for the remainder of his life and was active in the agricultural and cattle raising circles of this part of the state. Her mother, Mrs. Sarah (Dearen) Nance, was a native of Kentucky and a member of a prominent family of that state. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snead: Betty, now Mrs. J. D. Mauk of Dallas; Lena H., now Mrs. Dr. E. B. Strother, of Dallas; Sally B., now Mrs. Chris Huber, of Dallas; Charles, for many years active in the ice manu- facturing business of Dallas and Hattie R. now Mrs. J. B. Andrews, of San Antonio. Ben F. died in 1911. and Kittie, Mrs. L. S. Brotherton, died in 1918. The Snead home is located at 315 North Edgefield street.
Mr. Snead died in Dallas, March 28, 1914. He was a member of the Methodist Church and held membership in various organizations in all of which he took a keen interest. Mr. Snead was truly one of the pioneers of Texas. His son tells of the stories his father had told him of the early day life here. He would make hunting trips to the vicinity where the town of Weatherford now stands and of the many buffalo he and his com- panions killed there for their hides. Mr. Snead was one of the most progressive dairymen of Texas and did much to further this industry in the state. He was highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and was charitable, assisting many of the needy in his quiet, modest way. He helped along many lines, and will be remembered as one in the development of Dallas and Dallas County of the progressive and esteemed citizens of this city and county.
813
MEN OF TEXAS
ENNETH L. BALLARD of Dallas was for fifteen years identified with the business life of this city where during the greater part of this period he owned and operated the Ballard Service Station. In 1928, with F. E. Tennant as his associate, he built a large, modern auto washing plant, which was an innovation in this industry in Dallas. He retained his oil station, which was operated separately from this other busi- ness. Mr. Ballard was a man with a wonderful personality, making friends readily and these friendships were of the lasting kind. He was very fond of hunting and fishing which were the only re- laxations which took him away from his business, to which he adhered very closely.
A native Texan, Mr. Ballard was born in Hal- lettsville, Lavaca County, May 10, 1892. His father, William P. Ballard, was a native of Kentucky and died when Mr. Ballard was a small boy. His mother, Mrs. Lelia V. (Barnett) Ballard, a native of Mississippi was a member of a pioneer fam- ily of that State and is now a resident of Dallas. His schooling was received in the schools of Hal- lettsville, which he left when only eleven years of age to engage in some kind of work and to assist in the support of the family, which had been bereft of its husband and father. He worked at various kinds of employment, later coming to Dallas where he entered the oil station business in which he made a success. He began in a modest way but added equipment from time to time until he had one of the finest and most modern oil stations in Dallas.
Mr. Ballard was married in Dallas, December 23, 1914, to Miss Davye Goodnight, a member of one of the oldest families of Texas. Her father, William D. Goodnight is a relative of the famous Texas pio- neer Col. Goodnight of Goodnight and one of the large land owners of the Panhandle. Her mother, Frances (Gilliland) Goodnight, also is a member of a pioneer Texas family. Mr. and Mrs. Goodnight re- side in Dallas. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballard: Kenneth L., Jr., who is a student of the Dallas schools and a member of the St. Matthew's Cathedral Choir. The Ballard home is located at 707 North Glasgow Drive.
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.