USA > Texas > Van Zandt County > The southland : this number devoted to the history and resources of Vanzandt [sic] Co. Texas > Part 6
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THE SOUTHLAND.
Chas. E. Brown with his favorite driver (Bob) on his ranche near Wills Point, Texas. Bob is a Denmark, morethan, 10 hands high. a rich bay and is a fine combination horse.
Mr. Brown was originally from Chicago and is most elegantly equipped for living. His ranche of 7500 acres near Wills Point is cousidered one of the most elegantly equipped in the State.
FRANKLIN LYCURGUS EILAND, MYRTLE SPRINGS, TEXAS.
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Prof. Eiland is of Scotch-Irish de- scent. The family came to America, however, in an early day and settled in Georgia. They were farmers and ex- tensive slave holders. Enoch Eiland was the grand father. He was the fath- er to James Elland, who in turn was the father of our subject. He was born in . Georgia and reared to the age of 12 when the family moved to Alabama. Here he was reared to manhood, was educated in the Alabama schools and became a teacher. In due time he married Miss Sarah Ann Savage. Ten children were born unto them. Franklin Is the youngest hnt one and was born in Noxubee county, Miss., March 25, 1X60. He was reared on the farm and attended the old field school. The school house on the hill and the old Oaken Bucket, etc., etc., were objects of interest in his curriculum. He had traveled some be- fore finally leaving home including a trip to Texas, but in 1882 he came to Texas to remain. November 13, 1884 he married Miss Mary E. Nisbett of
Robertson county. She lived nine years. In 1894 he married Miss Ella May Kennedy of Van Zandt county. She lived only to days. Oct. 21, 1896 he married Miss Minnie Jarushia Valentine of McLennan county. She still survives. They have one sweet little daughter, Mary Ella Oree. She is quite hright and is already starting in music at the age of three. Little Elva Lynn came Sept. 16, 1901 and God took her Ang. 9, 1902. The Filands have been farmers and professional meu along many lines, but Prof. Eiland was the only one that ever embarked in the music business. He was inclined to music from a child and appropriated all the advantages in this line that came his way many things of minor import. ance happened along hla life but in 1884 he fell into a meeting conducted by Maj. W. E. Penn, and the superior music rendered there awaked all his latent talent and set him on fire with a desire to make a musician. He at once began a musical career that has attaiu- ed an abundant success. Ne soon began teaching and continuing to study he. cama a composer. He songht the as.
sociation of those who could teach him anil in this and other ways has enjoyed advantages of the best talent to be found. In 1893 he began publishing and brought out "The Promised Crown." From this, come in ilue tinte The Trio Music Co. now oper. a:ed in Waco and The Musical Trio. A Munte journal published by them. Prol. Ki. is president of the company and editor in chief of the Journal. They have published 12 different bocka of song and. theory aud their sales are in- creasing abundantly with each passing year. The books published by them Hre The Promised Crown, The Dawning 1, ght, 1 be Church Harvest, The Vine- yanl Chorus, Nos. One and Two, The Song Feast, Happy News, The Gospel Glealler, The Bank Note, The Gospel Garner. The Normal Voice, Eiland's Theory of Musical Composition of these books. Prof. E. is principal editor and they are now being sold in 25 different states and territories. The Musical Trio is a popular Journal and growing in circulation and influence all the while. He is a man of great decision and is a born commander. He decides s business proposition quickly and acts at once and the volume ut his work is growing rapidly. He now lives iu Myrtle Springs whether he moved two years since to secure the benefit of the wonderful waters of those springs. He has an elegant home and three farms near by besides. He is a member of the Christian church and is given great credit for a good influence wielded for his church and community. He is pub- lie spirited and stauds for progress in all lines. He says Van Zandt county has as bright prospects for growth and development as any section of any country .
( Since above was written Prof. E. has sold) This interest in The Trto Music Co.
JAMES ADDISION CLARK, Grand Saline, Texas.
The Clerks are of Irish extraction. Mir: Clark's mother was of Scotch des- cent. The grangiather came to Virginia in an early day. The father moved. to South Carolina He married there to Miss Mary Rosmand. They moved to Georgia where he died and the widow moved later to Alabama and yet later to Van Zandt county where she died in 1872. James was born in South Caro- liza April 20, 1830. His parents were stave holders aud he was reared under the old regime, The antebellum con- ditioas with negroes to do everything and white children to be lords and la. dies prevailed-however, Mr. Clark's father taught him to work. His educa. tion was received in Alabama but in 1851 he moved to Texes .- Freestone county. In 1860 he came to Van Zandt. uear Owlet Green. He says it was the most complete paradise there, do under- brush, the large timber beautiful in farm and size the country open and grass half side deep to the cattle and horses, game abundant and the streams filled with 1 sh. In 1862 he joined the army in 1893 uis health failed and he hired a substitute as a solider and was elected sheriff of the county. Under reconstruction he was removed from office in the political caldron. He had however, tired of public office and mov- ed to his farm, where he lived in quie- tnde. He has seen the wilderness blossom as the rose and thinks no conn- try is superior to Van Zandt on his farm he has frequently made one and a half bales of cotton to the acre and fifty bushels of corn per acre, also 20 bushels of wheat. Hesays the land is adopted to oats, Barley, Ryeand vegeta- bies, galore, There is probably no bet- ter fruit country in the world. Mr. clark hasseen the growing development auil thinks a very bright future awaits the county. He went $5 miles to mill and had to go as far for u doctor and all else was In proportion shrive part was the market and flour was worth $20 a barrei. The conditions have been changing all the while and he thinks greste things await us than we have ever knowu.
ELD. D. D. RICHARDSON, Grand Saline, Texas.
The family came froin South Carolina, Levl Richarilson moved from South Carolina to Georgia in an early day. Ha was a tarmer and atock ralser. lie became the lathe: ol James R., who was the lather of our subject. James was born In Congers, Ga. In 1844. He grew up, s larmer and in due time married Miss Lucretia New. This occurred D 1539, they became the parents nl 13 children el whom Dan was the 9th. He was born December 11, 1859 in Congers, Ga At the age of 10 his father moved with him to Van Zandt conuty. This was in 1869, so that practically all his life has been spent in the county. Heattended the public schoola, work- ed on the larm and grew up as a typical Texes youlh. In September, 1884, the father died in his Van Zandt county home. October, 1680, the mother died in the same home. June 8, 1882 Yonng Richardson married Mist Emily Rose. Huth survive and have been the parents of three children. Only one is Ilving, Itttle Gladys, seven years of age Mr. Richardson was a . larmer but engaged In the mill and gin business to: 12 yeare. Six years ago he entered the baptist ministry aud along with some other interests now engaged In merchandising. He has succeeded welt in all his efforts and stands weil in his community as a man and a christian and In the commercial world is without a blemish. He ls pnldlc spirited and stands for progress and development. He lives in Rhodes- burg suburbnu to Grand Saline and Is now us Ing all his energies for new manufacturing emiablishment and a better school and church intareet there rud with growing prospects. He is the parto: of the church at small and Is a good organiser. Heis strong and vigorous and has in him much promise of useful ness.
JAMES THOMAS HATTON, Grand Saline, Texas.
James Thomas Hatton Is one of the old, substanlial ani respected farmera of the county. The Hattona were Virginiana. Thomas W was J. T.'s father, and was born In Virginia, but came to South Caro- lina and married there in 1834 to Misa Anna Khiva Lake, They were farmers and were the parents of twelve children. Six of these are now living. The mother is 86, and Atchil. Hier oldest living child is 08, the youngest !s 45. J. T. was born in Alabama March 2, 1842. In 1849 hla par- eniy moved with him to Texas and set- tied In Rusk county. In 1856 they moved and after some detention arrived In Van Zandt in 1857. Mr. Hatton has been here ever since, except three years spent In the Confederate service. They settled at Creagleville in 1837, and have lived near the present site of Grand Saline all these years. Then the population was thin, the range was excellent, stock always fat, game In sondaner The wants of the people were few, but they were happy and contented. They went to mill thirty mlles Into Smith county, There were settlements scattered over the county, es- pecially at Cedar Grove, Edom and Can- ton. Then there was not a alngle house between Creagleville and Canton. Farm- Ing and stock raising were the prontable employments. Jununry 16, 1868, Mr. Hat- ton married Miss Mary C. Young, who Hved nutil April 30, 1885. She became the mother id .sht children. three of when are living. Ile then married Miss M J. Rildle, who lived until April 19, 1901. She had two children, Mr. Hatton lived on his farm tive mlles south of Grand Enline, thirty three years; Is wide- ly known und greatly honored by tho peo- pile of his lown and county. He has ol- ways bien a farmer und suli owus and operates the old home place, but lives lu Grand Baline,
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SOUTHLAND. :
J. C. Heard and Family.
JOSEPH CICERO HEARD. Edgewood, Texas.
Among the useful and widely loved cit- isens of Vanzandt County, may be num- bored J. C. Heard. Angell \ uDating0 inl Heard, Joseph's father, was a framer and Ilved in Georgia, hut same to Texas in 1841, and consequently was ons of the pioneers and the family have been Identi- fied with every interest and every de- velopment of this section since then. In ' duo time he married a Miss Yentes. Bev- en children were born unto them and _-_ Mis. Heard died in 1863 and he died in 1881. . Joseph was born in Edom, Van Zandt County,' May 8, 1861. He was reared in the country and received his . education in the country schools and sur- rounded hy the conditions of country life. He has been a farmer, all of his life long, but In 1887, he became a ginner, and has owned quite a number of ging in differ- ent, sections of Van Zandt County, where - the wide patronage . that he secures in he has operated hin mill. and where he his line. He adopts the latest' methods. is careful to prepare the conveniences for the people and In every way to make the matter of ginning. packing and haul- ing cotton, the easiest and best. He 18 a good citizen and a useful man. has made many friends, all of whom are at all times quite ready to say a kind word fer Joe Heard., as he Is commonly called. . Oct. 11. 1883, he married Miss Tennessee Hodges, who still survives to
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hless his heart and home and is a help- meet Indeed in all the transactions of life in advancing their Interests and ben- efitting the community. in which they live .. They' have two boys and three girls, and live happily in their excellent home in Edgewood. Mr. Heard has spent his en- tire ilfe in Van Zandt, and is identified with every interest and says now. he Is quite sure that his section is destined to the greatest development. He is a ma- son. an Odd Fellow and W. O. W. . He owns a home and small farm near the little city. He Is now operating two gins and a grist mill. His newest gin is the latest Murrey system with four stands and a capacity of thirty bales a day. In 1902 both plants gined and packed 1630 bales. Mr. Heard is a practical gin- ner. knows his business well, is emi- nently falr In his dealings and deserves.
Home of Dr W. D. Collina. Hatton Texas. The Doctor with little Balla and Cleo.
Land! Land! Land!
E. A. WINGO, Wills Point, Texas. -OR- H. C. TOWNSEND G. P. & T. Agt., Mo. Pac. Ry., St. Louis, Mo.
HOMES ON EASY TERMS. Cotton Farms, Truck Farms, Orchards and Vineyards, Land for Investment, Ranches and Pasture Lands,
In fact, everything wanted by the HOMESEEKER or INVESTOR in Vanzandt and other counties in Texas. Write us, "No trouble to answer letters.'
N. A. MATTHEWS LUMBER CO. The N. A. Matthews. Lumber Company does the largest lumber business of any nther . firm or company in Van Zandt . county, and N. A. Matthews has been in the business longer than any .nthor man in the county-twenty-seven years. He organized the N. A. Matthews Lumher : Company Ave years ago, and with R. A.
Hendrix at Giadewater, in charge of their farge saw mill plant, plainer, box factory and store, they nro prepared to satisfy their many customers and meet nny competitinn. in Wills Point they handle nnt only lumber, shingles, sanh and . doors and other buliding materini, but they do an Immense wagon and ma- chinery husincas, ctc.
Office of Sim Florence. Grand Saline. [ x:49 Insurance and .Life Insurance :.
Real estate, Fire
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SOUTHLAND.
THE HOMESTEAD OF J. W. ANDREWS IN THE CREAM LEVEL . COUNTRY IN VAN ZANDT COUNTY.
lle 14 immediately on the divide between Kickapoo and Cream Leve! creeks. Mr. Andrews furnishes a very fine example of what can be accom- 11.1.hed in this county by euconomy and industry. He came from Alabama 1:1 1857, to Van % indt county and in all the sixties he was a renter in the miction he now occupies. Ile hired for wages and rented land and saved his money and in the latter part of 1869, made his first purchase of land. He moved to his own home Jan. 1870 and since that date he has steadily ac- cumulated in real estate and personal property. In 1871 he moved to the place he now ocenpies and represented above. He then owned 233 acres of Van Zandt up land, but with energy and judgment be forged ahead until he was able to bry more land which he promptly did. Later in the years he owned at one time more than 3000 acres which he had accumulated by re- snits from the farm. His children grew up around him and to each he gave parceis to snit, so that esch has s home and yet Mr. Andrews has left him and his wife and young children, above 2100 acres of this excellent land. His career seemed to ns to bea most excellent example of what can be done in Van Zandt county in the form life. The above engraving represents the home erected 4 years ago ou the farm which is located in the midst of this elegant estate. Besides the land, Mr. Andrews has invested in city property in Canton, Grand Saline, Ada, I. T., etc., also cattle. horsesand other slock on his farm. He has frequently made more than a bale of cotton to the acre and has this experiment. In a single year hecultivated one and a half acres in cotton and engar cane in.alternate rows. He.maile 467 gallons of syrup, pat up for seed 5000 stalks of cane and gathered 1660 pounds of seed cotton. This was on the ordinary np land of the country. He hss gathered one bale to the acre this year just past. He makes 450 gallons of syrup to the acre on an average. The price of land in this section has not reached the high prices received in adjoining counties. With these excellent improvements and this fertile land, Mr. Andrews would probably sell ont at $10.00 per acre and in many sections, the land would easily bring fifty dollars an acre. He is a business man and looks well to the results of his Inbore. He gave ns the cordial right hand of welcome in our work for his county.
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Residence of N. J. Ilendley, Colfax, Texas.
WARREN JACKSON HENDLEY, Merchant and Farmer, Colfax. Texas.
The Hendley's were irish. They Fume in Hvorgh in an euriy duy. . Mr. Hend- fey and his father were both horn there. Warren was born freether i, 1981, und hi ftcember. ist7. his father moved with him lo Smbh county, Texas. They both moved lo Van Zandt in INTS. The father, whose name was Whileto. elleed Io dann- Dry: 1849. ils mother was a Harried, and died In 1888. Yomg Houdles began life for himself In this county. flo soon
mel. loved and married Miss laterella edinson. They have been Identified all Ile pars with The Timelt's chapel vi- eints, Colfax Hosteller, and now wield n good deal of Influence In the church 1 Methodistt und community. They Inve "luhi children. live off whom are Iving. Mr. Hendley has ane neres of land char. arterieile of this serthen of Her commly, 11 Is gray sindy with black jock. hickory und smar growth. It Is well udajerd to corn. cotton. fruit. sopelables of off kinds. He makes a bale of cotton to the
He1" sometimes. but frequently three- fourths of a laile. A cash offer of $10,00 an acre for this land was recently re- fused. It johns the village where there are there stores, three churches. good schools, physician bluekemithe shop, hier- nese shop, etc. Mr. Hindley Is it mer- chant nisa, and except in a few hours articles he professes to move rullrond
even cheaper. lle carries a full line of general merchandise and Is ambitions to build op his community and In take care of his customers .. He says he will meet all 1ogliimate competition in the caslt trade given him. He is a Methodlist and Woodman of the World, has an elegant home shown in this Issue with a town- Ilful form undd good business, all arqulted In this . ounty.
Home of r. J. Wood, Ben Wheeler Tex.
THOMAS JEFFERSON WOOD, Ben Wheeler.
Is of Irish extraction. The family eume to South Carolina In un carly day. They were n family of farmers and were shive holders before the war. William Wond was The father's naine. Lie was reared In South Carolina Inuit soon moved to Crorela. In 1857 he moved to Texas und Nellied in Smith county where he ilval inany years, dying In ista. T. J. Was born in the Georgla home September 2. 1847. He was therefore less than + years old when he arrived In Texas. He was rennial on the form and received such eduentlon as the cmintry furnished then. He is a typleni farmer and his mind and hart have been. all the time. engrossed in that Bine. October 16, IN78. he mar- red Miles Nancy Wood. who lived until March 18. 1895. March 18, 1897. he mar- red Mrs. 'Hope Lynn thee Willoughby). She stf survives to bless hils heart and home. October 31. 1873. Mr. Wand moved
luto Van Zandt und setlled where he How lives. Here be bravely began iffe's battles and Ims wright well. He now has n muddel home em a tract of little toute than Go0 acres of land with 400 In cultivation. Mr. Warel thinks every farm jomditet, known to him. would grow on his farin. With good dirt roads and mne radroad from north to south near hy this farm would - be worth $50.00 an nere and could be made to grow every variety of product In farm, garden, or orchard. The residence is located on an eminener that Is quite sightly and the Improvements are excellent Indeed.
Mr. What has nine children. seven of whom are IvinE. He and Mrs. Wood are members of the Bajaist church. He is a Royal Arch Mason and also a mem- her of the Farmers' Bulon. Is in easy elreumstaners and furnishes a good model of comfort and self-auffeleney and demonstrates what can be accomplished In this county.
LAND, LAND, VANZANDT COUNTY LAND.
LAND,
Farming Land, Fruit Land, Truck Land, every variety of land found in Texas, from the richest Black Waxy to the finest light Loam The boom is just approaching and the profits made in other sections are waiting investors here. QUANTITY and TERMS to suit We BUY, SELL and EXCHANGE City and Country property. Office with Kearby & Kearby.
W. J. BROTHERS, The Land Man.
WILLS POINT, TEXAS.
General Merchandise Sold By LUMPKIN & COMPANY, ALSA, TEXAS.
Alsa is a lively village. 8 miles north of Wills Point. It is sur rounded by a thrifty population of farmers. We have a g od school with good people, good land, good water and goal cimate Our prices are cheap in land and in everything a man wants to buy.
We buy goods in view of the needs of our customers. We can meet legitimate competition and why go elsewhere to trade-
If you want to buy Land come to Als? ; If you want to buy Goods come to
LUMPKIN & CO.
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THE SOUTHLAND.
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ELD. THOMAS MCADAMS POST, . GRAND SALINE, TEXAS.
The Post family is from Holland. The first one of the family that came to America arrived in Colonial daya. He fought with Washington for Amer- ican Independence. A branch of the family finally settled in Georgia. Wil- Ham Post was in this line and was born in Jasper conty, Ga., July 30, 1806. His fatner. however, moved with him to Antaurga county, Ala., in 1818. Later he moved to Shelby county in that atale and there met, wooed and won Miss Elizebeth Merrtil. They were married in 1826. In 1840 his wife died and he marriad Miss Elizebeth McAdams. In Jannary 1856, he moved to Union parish, La., where he died in 1884. Of thia latter union, four children were born, of whom Tom was the oldest. He was born ta Shelby county, Ala., July 11, 1843. At the age of 13, his father moved to Louisiana and June of the same year, he was converted to the Christian religion. His father was a farmer and he was reared on the farm and was educated in the common schools of Alabama and Louisiana. He was a student and ntili- zed every advantage that his home life afforded. March 20, 1862, he married Miss.Ceney C. Howell, who still sur- vives. They have had eight children, seven of whom lived to be grown and all but two married and settled in life, two died later. Bro. and Sister Post re- joice in the fact that all are christians. In 1874 Mr. Post entered the gospel ministry as a Baptiet and has been a zealons and devoted advocate of his chosen cause all the years since then. In 1879 he left Louisiana and settled in Bowie county, Texas. Six years later he moved to Van Zandt county and has lived here continnonaly since. During the years he has been pastor of many churches in Van Zandt county and held other positions of honor and trust among his people. He has acquired a comfortable home, was in 1903 mission- ary for the New Bethlehem association, and is performing service of a highly valnahie character for the entire coun- ty. He is a man of atrong convictiona and can always be placed in any qnes- tion of controversy. Be it to his honor that those who know him hest piace the highest estimate npon his character.
GRAND SALINE, TEXAS.
In the great variety of resources to bs found In Van Zandt County, Is its min- arala, Grand Saline is the seat of the great salt Industry. . Before the loca- tion of the town which really was In t878 It was oblefly noted for the Saline Prairie there, which had been ths ecane of vary- ing activity for many years. John Jordan and Allen McGee lived there in the early. years and was known as & Arm Jordan & McGee. They bad no doubt some kind of claim or title to property, bance the place was called Jordan Saline and when the county was organized in the spring- of t848, this point was selected as the county capital and remained so for about two years, wban it was removed to Can- ton, its prasent site. The land on which Grand Saline stands was patented to Sam Bell in 1854, It then cams Into rogu- lar possession of Jordan and McGee then to Frederick Ham, and In February, t869 Sam Q. Richardson purchased it and moved on it. Salt was manufactured by the Indians years before it came Into possession of white men, this information Wa bava reliable from Dr. Allen, who has Ladisputable evidence of the fact; more-
over, salt had been manufactured in a crude way all along the years. After Mr. Richardson became the owner, the volume of manufacture, as well as the methodswas enlarged and inproved. During the Civil War it was a great bless- sing to the people far and wids and was a source of considerable revenue to Mr. Richardson. To be sure the volume of business was nothing at all comparable to what It is now and the methods were crude Indeed, but they made salt In abun- dance and supplied a large demand and obtained good prices for it. The Grand Saline Salt Works, a commodious and well equipped salt plant is Immediately re- sultant from the Richardson estate. There are two other splendid salt plants In the city, and many car loads of salt are shipped dally. But the capacity for manufacture is very great, and under favorable conditions would of course be accomplished.
In 1813 the well known Texas & Pacific system of railroads reached the county and the town was located here and the name changed from Jordan Saline to Grand Saline. In Its early history there were some hindrances to Its greater growtb, but these obstacles being remov- ed. It has enjoyed a good degree of pros- perity and a greater growth.
.It has a population of about 2000. tt la compactly and well built in brick." tt has an average number of churches, a large and growing school and are soon to erect a new and commodious school buliding. It has a goodly number of elegant homes, samples of . which . may be found in this issue. . It has a gin. 8 bank, bottling works, ah excellent and wide awake newspaper, The Grand Be- line Sun, a splendid lumber-yard, oper- ated by our genial friend, Mr. J. E. Persons, with a full variety of other lines. dry goods, groceries, druga, hardware. furniture, reataurants and hotels. It has an excellent telepbone exchange, it has two railroads, the T. & P. and Tezas Short Line. About one mile distant is a thrifty and growing suburb, Rbodeeburg. it has a large and growing school commu- nity, and is occupied by a quiet and thrif- ty citizenship. Mr. D. D. Richardson has a commercial establishment tbare with a growing business, also a lake, bath house .eto. This suburb la noted for Its excellent drinking water, and for a fine quality of soll for truck growing and lgbt farming. The country round about Js fast settling up. prices are Increasing and everything is buoyant and attract- Ive.
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