USA > Texas > Van Zandt County > The southland : this number devoted to the history and resources of Vanzandt [sic] Co. Texas > Part 4
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Martin'e Mill. Texas.
The is a thriving village about ten miles from Canton and six miles from Ben Wheeler. It is situated in the cream level coun- try and is surrounded by one of
W. H.HUMPHRIES,
DEALER IN
GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
Plantation Supplies, Cotton Buyer. EDGEWOOD, TEXAS.
I sell what our people want and buy at the highest market price. all the people have to sell-why go further and get less for your produce and pay more for your goods. I have no house rent. no high taxes and very light running expenses and I am fully able to take care of all the good customers I can get. I am willing to divide the profits of our advantages with my customers. COME TO SEE ME. Several fine lots of Truck and Fruit lands for Sale at reasonable prices.
Standlee's Pharmacy,
DRUGGISTS, EDGEWOOD, TEXAS.
The Best Assorted Stock and Up- To-Date Drug Store, Supplying Everything In
Drugs,
Paints, Sundries,
Stationery, Toilet Articles, Wall Paper, Cold Drinks,
Etc
Our Motto: Competency and Accuracy. Send or give us a can
1
THE SOUTHLAND.
WILLS POINT, TEXAS.
Van Zandt County is located immediate- ly on the border line between the tim- bered section of East Texas and the great prairies of the West. In fact ,this border lins bisects the county, leaving a portion of the county in the timber while & small belt of the western portion is in the prairies. Willa Point Is located in this prairie section of the county.
Prior to the location of the town, the site was known only as the home of Mr. Wills, and there was a small point of tim- ber near by it had for years been called wills Point. When the town was estab- lished it of course assumed the name. The location of the town took place in 1875 on the building of the Texas & PA- cido railway to this point. It was estab- liched then, and has enjoyed a steady and even growth antil now. At the pres- ent it bas a population of about 2.000. It is well built in brick and has ell the lines of business, excellent stores. full varieties of goods, ample capital and everything found in the growing and thrifty Texas towns are found here. It has two gins, a most excellent off mill. two banke, a new and elegant hrick school huflding. bottling worke, and two of the most widely drou- lated newspapers in the country (the Wils Point Chronicle end Texas Fruit. Grower), a broom factory. telephone ex- change, and everything seems to be growing and prosperous: all the leading denominations of Christians in the coun- try have churches, and they are reported prosperous and growing. It is the home of doctors, lawyers, dentists, with an am- pie number of enterprising and active real estate men. insurance men, ranch men. capitalists, etc. It is the legitimate . and. necessary center for a wide circle of farming territory. It shipped more than 12.000 bales of cotton in 1902, and in the shipping point for hay, grain, corn. fruit. \ vegetables, etc. They boast of a healthy climate, with a Rood elevation, prairie breezes and consumate anti-malarial con- ditions.
Many of its citizens have made sample fortunes in the town, and ars prosperous .. now. There are some large and excellent ranches in the country round about, and capital is earnestly invited hy attracive Investment. both in the town and the country. WillA Point le noted for Its elegant residences. As there inD robably as large a number of really elegant homen in it as may be found in. any town of Its nize in the country .. The citizens are ch ligine and affable, and we bespeak for her amnie growth and a good degree of pros. perity.
HARRY T. FRY, M. D., Wills Point, Texas.
The Frys came from Tennessee, and the grandfather was Capt. Wm. Fry, born in Tennessee, He was Captain of Com- pany L in Longstreet's Division.
He moved to Kaufman County after the war. where he died in 1900. He was a farmer. The son, Dr. James M. Fry, was born in Tennessee, but came to Texas in 1876. and is himself a physician and livee in Wills Point, Texas, now. In 1874 be mar- married Anna ML. McBride, of Indiana. He and his wife are both living. ' Dr. HarTy FTy Was born in 1876, in Knights- town, Ind. He was educated in the usual way, hnt when he decided to become a phymolar we choose Fort Worth Univer- ity as . is alma mater, and graduated there. He began the practice in 1898. September 6, 1899, he married Miss Bertha 1. Goodnight,' of Wills Point. He has Lived In Van Zandt County ten. years,; and came from Kaufman, Whence he was brought by his parents at he age of 4 years from the State of Indiana. Dr. Fry is a member of the Christian Church, the Knights of Pythias. Van Zandt. County Medical Society and the Tri-State Medi- oal .Boolety. The Doctor is doing well in his profession, is a partner with hia father in the practice of medicine, has soquired some realty in his town and is a stockholder in the Van Zandt County Na- tional Bank. He is ofever and genial, and placed this editor nnder many obligations for special favors and kindnesses. .
Photo by Mask.
Residence of C. E. Brown, Wills Point, Texas.
This home occupies an entire block in the heart of the city and is most elegantly furnished with all modern conveniences. Mr. B. has an office in the yard with fire proof vault also cold storage plant &c.
Home of W. A. T. Murrey, Myrtle Springs,;Texas.
Photo by Mask
Scene in splendid pasture of C. E. Brown, showing Specimens of his excellent herd. This herd is of registered aberdeen Angus cattle, owned by Mr. Brown. This is one of a very few herds and it may be the only one south of the quarantine line. These cattle are immune from Texas fever. Mr. Brown is now breeding a herd of'these cattle and; will soon have ;some fine specimens for the market.
DR. WADE D. COLLINS, Hatton, Texas.
Dr. Colins has almost an ideal home seven miles south of Grand Saline, and Is one of the substantial citizens of that vicinity and the county. He has a lovely Vineyard, a goodly orchard of peaches and pears, and apples and plums, apricots. cherries, figs, English walnuts and ber- ries. The varieties are complete and com- prise about twenty acres. It is a joy to visit such a place. Its perfection is not surpassed anywhere in our knowledge. Dr. Collins was born in Southern Louis- lana, October 2, 1856. His father was a cooper, and was from Virginia. When quite a child the father moved to Shreve- port, thence to Dalins, Tex .. afterwards back to Shreveport. They finally came to Texas in 1872. In 1882 Dr. Collins came to Van Zandt County, his father coming later. dying five miles from Edom at the age of 78. In 1888 the doctor began the Active practice of medicine, and has pur- wed his profession in medicine and sur- fery ever alnce. He enjoys quite n repn- lation in abdominal surgery In his locnl- ity. and the people believe in him. He stands for Advancement. and leads in . what will bring his county to her proper niace among East Texas counties. He has spent much money in making h!« home what it is. a perfect paradise of fruit. No man can visit it without the Involuntary thought that Van Zandt County can Indeed produce anything. 1.10 has a wide practice, and enjoya Hte av few other men can.
THOMAS KNOX CURLIN. Phalba, Texas.
Is a representative farmer in his section." He has ancceded himself and presents a practical lesson for others around him. He la of Irish extraction, and his ances- try were all farmers. These men. who are farmers from choice and are adapted to farming. are nil succeeding and are the. most substantial men In the country. The father. Henry Curlin, onme to Texas In 1850. and settled in Smith County. Knox WAS born April 17. 1860. in the Smith County home, and was reared on the farm there. His education in books was lim Ited. but In practical life and farming it has proven quite good indeed. Deremher 24. 1869. the family moved to Van Zandt The boy was 9 years old, and his life since has been sent here. In due time he mar- ried Mias N. E. Murphrey, who lived till 1900. She left seven children. April 26. 1903. he married Miss Sallle Stout. He has a comfortable home on a tract of 356 acres of the hest upland. Hickory. sumar and grapevines and Indigenous. The land is well Adapted to the staples, and all the light crops. Mr. Curlin settled his home January. 1882. He bought his home on credit then and has wrought out his pres- ent comfortable conditons since. Despite sickness and death. and consequent ex- penses. . he has made progress evenly at every step, and says any man may do the Rame thing in Van Zandt County by usine the resources at hand with a little pluck and energy. He has 118 acres in cultiva- tion, and the remainder is well fenced. and appropriate pasture is a question now engaging Mr. Curlin's serious attention. He believes strongly in diversification, and says the cotton and corn farmer may make a living by the best effort, but his neighbor, with less labor, can make much better living, and money hesides, hy using other crops in addition. Mr. Curlin raises watermelons for the market, sorghum for hogs, and sorghum syrup for home use and for market. He believes in sweet potatoes. They are good for the table. good for the market and good for All kinds of stock. Goobers are a paying
orop here. Mr. Curlin killed two hogs fast season, little past one year old, worth $50.50 in the market. In June. 1903. he sold two September pigs for $22.55. Mr. . Curlin has heen eselly ahcad for ten years and most of the time has had money .at interest. He is a Baplist, a W. O. W .. and stands strictly for the development of Van Zandt County and East Texas. - and says with what is manifestly in reach this country can be made all anybody would wish as a place to live.
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THE SOUTHLAND.
christians and exemplary in their christian ilfe. Brothor Riley is of a Baptist family, and Is a brother to D. L. Riley of Canton, well known In Bap- tist doings and Baptist councils. Un- cle Andy, as he is known, is noted fsr and wide for his goodness of besrt. He furnishes a good example for imitation.
HIENRY WASHINGTON BROWN, MARS, TEXAS.
Among the highly respected, public spirited and useful citizens in the esst end of the county is Mr. Brown. The family came from South Carolina to Tennessee in an early day. Many of the family lived and died in Tennessee. James Jenkins Brown who was the fath- er of our snl ject, was born in Tennessee. but when a young uian moved across the State line into Marshall Co , Miss. Ile had married Miss Sarah Ammons in Tennessee, who was a native of this State. Mr. Brown was born in 1811 and died in May 20, 1843. Mrs. Brown lived to a good old age and dled in Prentiss county, Miss in 1888. They had 8 chil- dren, five of whom are living, A. J., H. W. (onr enhject) and G. M , Mrs. Mason and Mrs. Thomas. E. A., A. M. and J. D. are dead. Henry was born in Fayette county, Tenn. Jan. 20, 1835, hat hia parents moved with him to Mississippi, when he was an infant. Hia father died on the Mississippi home, when Henry waa nine. Then there was some shifting in the family between Mississi- ppi and Tennessee, Henry was there- fore educated in both States in the com- mon schools. At the age of 21 he went to Newton county, Mtas., where he married May 17, 1860 to Miss Martha Ammons. In 1862 Mr. Brown joined the conferate army. During this service his wife died and on his return home he. soon married her sister Lucinda Ammons Sept. 20, 1865. She lived until April 16, 1890. They reared two danghters, Sarah and Ellen, who became Mra. Tom Hobba, and Ollie May. Mr. Brown came from Newton county, Miss. to Van Zandt county, Texas in December, 1865 and has been a worthy and respected citizen ever aince. His father and grandfather were farmera, ao he chose that-vocation. He haa farmed continnonaly and thinks Van Zandt connty is aa good a placetot farm as may he found. 18 years ago he also embarked in the mill and gin busi- nesa and in this capacity has been a public servant ali the years, and is honored and loved hy his people, having maintained a reputation for integrity and fair dealing. He has not married again and livea in his home near the village of Mars and haa with him, his sister, Mrs. Thomas, hia grown dangh- ter, Ollie May, alao hia older brother, A. J. He is a consistent member of the church and hears a spotiesa reputation. He runs his farm and also his machinery in season and seems happy and cou- tented in the enjoyment of what he has, When Mr. Brown came to Texas in 1865. he settled near the Porters Binff and Tyler road . which was the public
to this country what the old San Antonia road waa to the country for- ther sonth, goods were hanled in on wagons from Shreveport, La .. and the old road was much need for cattle driv- ing also many herds of horses were shifted back and forth principally driv- ing east for market. The country was new, the land . rich and productive. Society was not very rigorons in its demanda, ao that living waa cheap and Mr. Brown refera to them as the good old days. He has watched the country settle and grow and thinks that its possibilities are almost limitless and presenta now the most promising in- vitationa to home seekers and investors any where to be found.
The Parsons family is from Georgia. Edmond Parsons was the father of our subject and was horn and reared in that State. He was a farmer and a church member, and stood for high life and integrity. When he hecame of proper age, he married Miss Klizebeth Mathis.
They became lhe parents of six chil- dren, but our subject Is the only one now living. The family moved from Georgis to Arkansas and Mr. Parsons enlisted from there in the confed erat service, where he lost his life. Mannel was the oldest child and much of the responsibility of the family support fell on him, but right bravely did he meet the proposition and grapple with ques- tions more appropriate for other hand. He was born in the Georgia home, Nov. 10, 1851. He was 9 years of age, when the move waa made to Arkansas. The war came at the time to, prevent him from the education designed for him. After the war, times were hard and he was the main stay in the family support. he mother moved to Van Zandt county in 1867. He went to school some in Arkansas and some in Texas after they moved to the State. He chose farming aa a vocation and has followed it evenly since then. Nov. 19, 1874 he wed Miss Sarah Colon Cox. She is a sister of Mr. Bartly Cox at Ben Wheeler and Dr. Love Cox so well and favorably known in thia part of the county. They have seven children, five of whom are living.
Two of these are married, Mrs. Mitche und Mrs. Donehoe. Elvie, Daisie, and Tilman are yet children at home. Mr Parsons has acquired a goodly smoun of the excellent land in his neighbor hood and is gaining with each year. Besides being a farmer Mr. Parsons is s practical gin man. He has been engaged in the gin line in some way or another all the time since 1863. Two years ago he purchased his present home and machinery, and has ginned the cotton and ground the corn for his neighbors since. Last summer he added a saw and now in addition to making the other two he is sawing lumber also to build fences, barns. honses and other im- provement. He readily gets sale for all the lumber he can make. Heis pub- lic spirited and believes in Van Zandt's future. He is a Baptist and Woodman. Mrs. Parsons ia a church member and is also of excellent family who stand for what is for their county's . good. Mr. l'srsons is held in high esteem among his neighbors and is doing a good part for the development of his section of the county and the State.
Rate
$2
Per Day.
PEACE HOTEL
Free Sam- ple Room.
ENNIS PEACE, Proprietor, Texas. Wills Point,
Good beds, comfortable rooms. Best table the market affords.
Entire details of hotel management under personal supervision of Mrs. Peace.
Every effort made to insure the comfort and satis- faction of our guests.
Hotel convenient to depot.
Reference: The people of Wills Point and the traveling public.
Rhodesburg
IS A Suburb of Grand Saline
Situated one mile west on the T. & P. Ry.
It is well situated with a good school well organized, good water, freeatone cold and sweet, secured fiom shallow wells A good com- munity of citizens and with easy access to Grand Saline.
The land was owned by Mr. Tom Alexander.
He has sold many homes but still has about 200 lots of this land for sale.
It lies elegantly, is high and has good southern exposure. He cordially invites correspondence prices reasonable, parcels and terms to suit .. Address,
Thomas Alexander, z
Grand Saline, Texas.
.
ANDREW JACKSON RILEY. MARTIN'S MILL, TEXAS.
The Rileys are Irish. The grandfath- er, Martin Q. Riley and his wife came directly from Ireland to South Carolina in the latter part of the 18th century. He lived and partly
reared a family in that State, but in the year 1812 by an unfortunate accident lost his life. ' In the same year June 5, David Love Riley was born in the South Carolina home. He was reared there and when of anitahle age married Miss Colon Sides, having in the mean time moved from Sonth Caro- lina to Alabama. Miss. Sides was of German extraction. The family came from Germany to North Carolina in a very early day. Both families, the Rileys and the Sides were farmers. David and his wife became the parents of 12 children, ten of whom lived to he. grown. October 5, 1850, he, having sold his farm in Alabama, started for Texas by wagon. There were two fami- lies besides some young men in the company. They were on the road 55 days, and, be it to their credit, they rested and worshipped every Sunday. After a tedions hnt pleasurable journey they landed in Van Zandt county, Nov. 29, 1850. There were no wagon roads, no bridges, none of the conveniences enjoyed now and bnt few people. Set- tlements were scarce and wide apart. Their nearest neighbor was six miles away. The country was wild.". Deer, turkey, bear, panther, and the like filled the forests and beautiful birds of rare pinmage were found everywhere. The freedom of frontier life was enjoyed and many pleasures were experienced not now understood by those who look back on it from a distance. A. J. (Uncle Andy) was born in the Alabama / home, Dec. 23, 1840. He was therefore 10 years of age, when they came to Texas. He had attended school some, while in Alabama, but most of his education and axperiencea have been acquired in Tex- as, during a residence of 54 years. He grew up on the farm, fished and hunted and enjoyed the free air and the im- ' thoroughfare for all thia country. It was urense crops grown from the rich Van Zandt lands. On Jannary 17, 1866, he led Miss Sallie Thomas to Hymen's Altar. They reared a family of 5 chil- dren having lost another in infancy, B. F., A. L., T. S., J. M., Ollie, (Mrs. Parsons.) April 14. 1898, Mrs. Rilay died. Dec. 23, 1890, he married Mrs. Margaret Jenninga who still survives. Mr. Riley has been a farmer all his life and aince the age of 10, haslived in Van Zandt county. He now lives on a home he settled 33 years ago, ia com- fortable and enjoys the respect of all the people. He ia a consistent christian and standa on his. integrity. He has found no place that in hia judgment ia equal to Van Zandt county. He also believes there is a great future for this country with proper effort on the part of her citizens. Rich landa, good water, LEWIS MANUEL PARSONS, Rast, Texas. excellent timber, fine climate and its conservative and high class citizenship. Mr. Riley is in the enjoyment of life in its highest and best sense, His wife is also an oid Texan and remembers much of the early history of the county. They are devoted to each other. Both are
THE SOUTHLAND.
OSCAR MILTON MARCHMAN, M. D., Grand Caline, . Texas,
In one of the wide awake and progressive physicians. of the county. His family came from Atlanta, Ga. His mother was & Franks, and his father is W. R. March- man, who was born and reared in Goor- gla, and is: Dow traveling salesman liv- ing In Grand Neline. He and his wife nee Fannie, Franks, were married in -1868. They have . three' children, One a mer- chant in Lindale, .Texas, R. Q. March- man, another. O. P. Marchman, a drug- Est,la Grand Beline, Texas. Dr. March- man was born in Jefferson, Texas, in 1872, gore, Teras .AM St Louis, And has .Tt- calved. a high degree of educational ad- ventures and baran him uraorice in' lawy. He has pragticeny lived in. Van Zandt : County an Is life, and,tu identided with her wery interest The Doctor is a mem- Wer.of the M. R. Church, South, is a mem- ber.W.A. F. ALL, K & P., Macabos, K & L & HL, and W. O. W. The Doctor entered the Drug Company of V. T. Hart Bon in 1890, where he began the study of Medicine. He served as prescriptionist nine years. He graduated in St. Louis, Mo. Medical College, and also at Medical Branch of Washington University .in 1899, served: in city: sespital and polyolinio in St. Louis, mowed te Grand Saline in 1819. took .. postgraduate course in New Or- Jeans Polycinie 1201, a post graduate conrme in N. Y. Polyclinic, and the N. Y. Post Graduate School. in 1903. He is now . .. the local surgeon in Grand Baline of the T. B. Adirond, a regular practitioner and surgeos. ( He is taking high . rank among Our physicians of the country in every Napedt
JOHN STEPHEN THORN. Postmaster, Gianer and Farmer, Colfax, Texas.
"Thorns came from New York The father of our subject was also nar 4: John Stephen and came from NoirYork to Texas . in 1884, and thus fury deserves the honor due to old Textns.
He was in the war of the Texas Revolution and in the battle of Ban Jacinto. He lived In the town of Natchitoches. to a good - old age, dying ten years since .. Young John was born in the Natebitoches home August 16. 1887. He was reared in that historie w. city 'and county. He enjoyed the school advantagee prevalent. there and grew to manhood,. but twenty-seven years ago came to Van Zandt a young man with high hopes but no means. He soon met, wooed and won Miss Marlum Tunnell. Later she died and Mr. Thorn married Miss . Luis Wood, who still survives. He is the father of. seven children. He real- ly ,beran life in this county, and while he hae reared and educated his family here he has acquired all of his' present estate by diligence and Industry. He han operfred a Fin for twenty-three years. Hin 'first; territory was ten miles in every direction, He now owne an excellent gin newly repaired and 1000 acres of land in
the county besides much in other sec- tiona. He estimatee his Van Zandt land as worth not less than $7.60 .. but is'rap- Idly Increasing in value. Much of the land in this vicinity is equal to the best truck and fruit lands in the most favored sections of East Texas. Now moch corn and cotton are, raised here 'and this will always be' true. but with rall- road facilities no section could outatrip us in the lighter cropa. Mr. Thorn Is an honored' citizen in his county and enm- munity and de a Mason and Knight of Honor and stands for Van Zandt and bo- lieves in ber future.
JACOB CHENBY RHODES, Grand Saline, Texas,
Is of Scotch extraction. The family came to America and settled in South Carolina in an early day. ' They were farmers, and In ante-belium days were elaveholderą, John Rhodes, the .fatber, was born In Newberry Distriot, South Carolinu, but died in Van Zandt county August, 1901, at the age of 86. Jacob was born In Mar- shall county, Mississippi, November .11. -1850. He was reared on the farm under the conditions then prevaliing. He at- tended the common schools and Cooper Institute. He at once became a teachor. and followed that calling for many years. teaching mostly in Van Zandt county. His old pupils are found In every part of the county now, .He left the school room for a time to engage in commercial pur- suits. He succeeded in both lines well. In November, 1880. he married Mias Julla F. James in Mineola, Texas. With small exceptions they have lived all the time In Van Zandt county. They have five chil- dren. and . have made epecial efforts in their rearing and education. Misses C'ar- Hle and Maggie have been specially quail- fled as teachers, and have been honored this year with the Rhodesburg School. In their home community. The very highest estimate js . placed. on them by their neighbors as models of propriety and suc- ceBs. Mr. Rhodes has for many years beeh. a Socialist, and many of his nelgh- bors are also of that faith In the Grand Baline suburb named Rhodeshurg in hix bonor. Rhodesburg is a flourishing com- munity and boaste of superior waler. high altitude and good health. Mr. Rhodes Is well versed in political movements of the county and lives much In his fihrury 'mld current literature .. devnted tn economies He has hie own home In Rhwwwsburg und a mont excellent famlly.
REV. JOSEPH GUYTON NUNNALLY, Grand Saline, Texas. Is one of the cholce spirits in the enunty and section. Tho family came from Alu- bama, but livod In MIxxlasind fur suite years, J. . B. Nunnally wux the father, lived in Alabama,' but nover mume to Texas. . Ho married u MINH Ayery, In Miaslanippl. They were married In 1844. aod became the parents of eight children. Our subject was born In 1864 In the slate of Missisalppl, WHN Mineated In Hydey of that atate. . and Mt. Sylvan. TexnN. Ha is a member of tho Christian church.
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