|
|
|
|
|
|
Biographies of Individuals in Texas History 2
Note: We try and put folks in their county of residence, so please check there
also.
GALVESTON.
Dr. Paine is a native of the Pelican State. He was born in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, August 16, 1840, and is of Scotch-English descent. He received an academic education at Centenary College, Louisiana, and graduated in medicine at the University of Louisiana in 1861, during the services of the immortal Stone.
On the breaking out of the war between the States, Dr. Paine enlisted as a private soldier in the Fourth Regiment, Louisiana Volunteers. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Assistant Surgeon (December, 1861). After the fall of New Orleans, he served in the hospitals at Corinth and Holly Springs, Mississippi; was examined May, 1862, at Columbus, Mississippi, by the Army Board of Medical Examiners, (the board consisted of Drs. Yandell, Pim and Heustis,) and was commissioned as Surgeon, with the rank and pay of Major of Cavalry; was assigned as Surgeon, Twenty-first Alabama Regiment, which was sent to Fort Morgan, at the mouth of Mobile Bay. By seniority of commission, he took rank as Chief Surgeon of the forces constituting the defense of Mobile Bay. Upon the fall of these forts, in 1864, he was assigned as Chief Surgeon of General Hospital Nidelet, at Mobile, where he served until the surrender of Mobile, in 1865. Thence he was ordered to Gainesville, Alabama, where he took rank as Surgeon in Charge of the general hospital at that post, and remained there until the final surrender of all of the Confederate forces, in June, 1865.
After the war, Dr. Paine settled in Mobile, and engaged in general practice; removed to Texas in 1874; was elected Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the Texas Medical College and Hospital, at Galveston, in 1875: after competitive examination, he was made Dean of the Faculty in 1879; was elected Chairman of the Section on Gynecology in the American Medical Association in 1885; and Chairman of the Section on Practice in 1886; was chosen Secretary to the Section on Gynecology in the American Medical Association in 1885; elected President Galveston County Medical Association in the same year; was one of the Vice-Presidents of Section on Public and International Hygiene in the Ninth International Medical Congress; elected to the Chair of Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Hygiene in the Medical Department of Tulane University, his Alma Mater, in 1885, which position he filled one term, to the entire satisfaction of the Faculty and Trustees, and with distinguished credit to himself and to Texas. Resigning this honorable position for private reasons satisfactory to himself, he resumed practice in Galveston, where he has a large clientele of the wealthier classes, and lives in elegance and comfort in a beautiful home on Broadway, the Boulevard of Galveston, the fruits of his individual labor and industry.
On resigning his Chair in the University, at the close of the session, after repeated solicitations to reconsider his determination, he was made the recipient of a testimonial from the Faculty in the shape of a set of resolutions expressive of the high appreciation of his services (which were characterized as eminently satisfactory and valuable) entertained by his colleagues, individually and collectively, and of deep and sincere regret at the necessity which induced him to sever relations so pleasant to them. These resolutions bore testimony to Dr. Paine's professional attainments and ability, no less than to those agreeable social qualities for which he is distinguished, and altogether expressed a sincere regard for him as a teacher, a physician, and a man whom to know is to respect, couched in language as courteous as complimentary.
Dr. Paine is an honorary member of the Alabama State Surgical and Gynecological Association; a member of the Southern Surgical and Gynecological Association; an honorary member of the Louisiana State Pharmaceutical Association, etc. He has contributed but little to current medical literature, being kept busy by his large practice, the demands of which were such as to prevent his even being present in the hall when his election as President of the Texas State Medical Association was announced, amidst cheers and applause. This honor was conferred upon him at the twentieth annual session of the Association, held in Galveston, in April, 1888. He has contributed some valuable papers, which were read before the Association, to the Transactions of the State Medical Association, notably, his address as Chairman of the Section on Practice. He has also contributed papers to the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal.
Upon the reorganization of the Texas Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Paine was elected Professor of Obstetrics and Dean of the Faculty, in 1887, and re-elected in 1888.
He is a gentleman of polished and dignified manner, courteous and polite, and is a good parliamentarian. One distinguishing trait of his character is scrupulous politeness towards all with whom he is brought in contact. He cherishes a proper appreciation of the rights of others, and is conscientiously considerate of their feelings.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
RAYMOND.
Samuel Raymond Burroughs is the son of Benjamin F. Burroughs and Louisa Fair Burroughs, nee Burton; his parents on the father's side were of Scotch-Irish descent, and on that of the mother, of French-English. He was born in Tuscaloosa county, Alabama, on the 3rd of October, 1842; his ancestors came from England, and settled on the eastern shore of Maryland, in the Colonial times, whence they removed to Augusta, Georgia, thence to Tuscaloosa county, Alabama; thence his father removed to Texas in the winter of 1845-6. The great-grandfather Burroughs was a Captain in the revolutionary war.
Dr. Burroughs was placed at school at an early age, and received the best instruction afforded by the schools of that sectionat Mount Prairie Institute and at the Palestine high school, in Anderson county; he received a good English education (1850 to 1860). But the war coming on, his studies were interrupted and he had not the opportunity of completing a full collegiate course, nor to take the literary degrees; teachers and students enlisting in the Confederate army from the school-house. A large part of the years 1864-65 he spent in a Federal prison, at Camp Douglas.
At the beginning of the late war between the States Dr. Burroughs, being a student at school, in company with both teacher and many class-mates, entered the army, joining Company G, First Texas Infantry, Hood's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, and was with his brigade throughout its many stormy and historic experiences until captured at Chicamauga, September 19, 1863; he was imprisoned in Camp Douglas, Illinois, until released on the 23d day of June, 1865; here he was placed in charge of the prison hospital dispensary in March, 1864, and served until released.
Returning to Texas, on the cessation of hostilities, he begun to study medicine, under the instruction of Doctors T. N. Rhodes and W. S. A. Kirksey, at Palestine, Texas. In 1866-7 and again in 1868-9 he attended medical lectures at the Galveston Medical College, then the Medical Department of Soule University, and was graduated M. D. from that school in the spring of the year 1869.
Dr. Burroughs located for practice first at Guy's Store, in Leon county, where he remained some years; then removed to Houston in 1876. Here his health failed, and after about two years he returned to Leon county, settling in Raymond, where he has since continuously resided and practiced, doing a general practice. In more recent years he has devoted himself principally to surgery and gynecology.
In 1873 the Concour Board of Medical Examiners elected him to the chair of Chemistry and Toxicology in the Texas Medical College and Hospital at Galveston, and the choice was confirmed by the Trustees; he filled that chair four consecutive years. In 1877-78 he was Dean of the Faculty, and is at present a member of the Board of Trustees. At the close of the session of 1877-78 he resigned the Professorship on account of bad health and returned to his country residence.
Dr. Burroughs is a strong advocate of medical organization, and is a member of his county medical society, of which he was President in 1874-5, and of the Texas State Medical Association, which body honored him in 1887 with the Presidency. He presided over the Twentieth Annual Convention, at Galveston, in April, 1888; he has served on the Judicial Council, and being considered one of the "working" members, he is often called on to serve on important committees; as chairman of that of Collective Investigation of Disease, he made an exhaustive report, which is published in the Transactions of the Association for 1886; he is President of the Twelfth District Medical Examining Board to grant license to practice, and an ex-member of the Leon county Examining Board; is a member, also, of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Burroughs is a chaste and pains-taking writer, and has contributed some valuable papers to the literature of the profession. Among his articles may be cited his address as President of the State Medical Association, published in the Transactions of 1888; a paper on "Spurious Melanosis," in the Galveston Texas Medical Journal, in 1870; one on "Haematuria-Miasmatica," in the same journal, in 1884; one on "The Hymen, its Malformation and Treatment," in the Transactions of 1876; one on "What are the Post Mortem Evidences of Virginity, excluding the External Organs of Generation?" Ibid 1888. A report on the Indigenous Resources of Texas, Ibid 1877. A report as Chairman of the Section of Chemistry, Medical Jurisprudence and Psychology, and "Additional Observations on Haematuria-Miasmatica," (with a report of a case, Ibid 1883); "Observations on the Delivery of the Placenta in Special Cases," Ibid 1885.
Dr. Burroughs is the originator of several important improvements in surgical instruments; for instance, he invented a special instrument for the treatment of Empyema; one for washing out cavities without admission of air; one for the removal of the Placenta, etc. In 1867 he was married to Miss Rebecca Antonette Henry, daughter of John Seldon Henry, of Alabama. He has two married daughters living near Raymond, to wit: Mrs. Evie May Hill and Mrs. Cora Lee Baker. One little daughter, Mary Louelle, the baby, is with him, and a son, aged eighteen, Robert E. Burroughs, is now at Baylor University.
Dr. Burroughs is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and is universally esteemed as a man and a physician. Financially he is in comfortable circumstances, and enjoys the pleasures of a quiet and happy home. He is small of stature and distinguished by a uniform courtesy of manner, both in social and professional intercourse.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
HOUSTON.
David Finney Stuart was born at Bethany, in Brook county West Virginia, in 1833. He is the son of William Stuart and Mary Cummins. He was educated at Bethany College, West Virginia, and studied medicine with Dr. George C. Red, at Gay Hill, Washington county, Texas, to which place he had immigrated in 1850. Having thoroughly prepared himself for matriculation, he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated M. D. after two courses of lectures; he attended one course also at New Orleans, in the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana. After receiving his diploma, he located for practice at the town of Gay Hill, where he remained a while, doing a general practice; thence be removed to Houston in 1865, his present place of residence.
Dr. Stuart served throughout the war between the States, as a Surgeon in the Confederate army; first as Surgeon of the Tenth Texas Infantry, then as Senior Surgeon of Grauberry's Brigade, in the Army of Tennessee.
In Houston, Dr. Stuart is much esteemed as a physician and surgeon, and as a citizen. He takes an active part in all public affairs, and occupies, and has occupied high positions in both capacities. He is at present President of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Medical College, located at Galveston; President of Board of Trustees of Stuart Seminary, Austin, and is ex-President of the Baylor Orphan Home; he is also chief surgeon of the Harris county hospital; chief surgeon of the Houston & Texas Central railway; chief surgeon of the H., E. & W. T. railroad, and local surgeon of the International & Great Northern railroad, and of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe road. While doing a general practice, Dr. Stuart has given most attention to surgery and obstetrics. He is a member of the Texas State Medical Association, and is one of the few who participated in its organization, in 1869. This body testified the respect in which Dr. Stuart is held in the profession, by electing him its President in 1873; and in 1876 he was appointed a member of the Ninth International Medical Congress which met in Philadelphia, that year.
Dr. Stuart has been twice married; in 1867 (Sept. 17), to Miss Ellen M. Dart; and to Miss Bettie M. Bocock November 28, 1883. He has four children, Joseph R., Daisy, Susie Walker, and Mary Cummins.
Unlike the majority of medical men, Dr. Stuart has been successful financially; and his talent as a financier is appreciated by his fellow-citizens, who testify their appreciation by calling him to fill positions of trust; for instance, he was appointed receiver of the Houston Savings Bank, when that institution went into liquidation; and he managed the affairs with such skill as to enable the directors to pay, within eighteen months, seventy cents on the dollar of the indebtedness. The directors of the Commercial National Bank at Houston, which was organized in 1886, with a capital of $200,000, also testified their confidence in, and appreciation of him as a financier, by electing him a director, a position he now fills. This bank paid a dividend of 8 per cent, the first year. Dr. Stuart is at present in the prime and vigor of mid-manhood. In stature he is of medium height, and is a man who would be observed in any assemblage of men. His manner is quiet and reserved, but characterized by a uniform courtesy.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
SULPHUR SPRINGS.
Edwin Pinckney Becton is the son of John May Becton, and Eleanor Emeline Sharp, native Americans. Was born in Gibson county, Tennessee, June 24, 1834; his father was "an old school Presbyterian clergyman," much esteemed by all who knew him, for his sterling integrity and devotion to principle.
His parents immigrated to Texas in 1841, when this son was a child, settling in San Augustine, where Edwin was early placed at school. He received the best common school and academic education afforded by the schools of Texas, including only a part of a course at Austin college.
Having determined to adopt the practice of medicine for a profession, he entered the office of Dr. A. R. Hamilton, at New Danville, Texas, whither the family had removed, and on January 1, 1855, begun a course of systematic reading and examinations preliminary to entering college. In the winter of 1855-6, he attended lectures at Nashville, Tennessee, and at the close of that session, went to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and read in the office of Doctors James E. and Robert S. Wendel, physicians of note in that city, at that time, and remained with them until the beginning of the next regular session of the medical college. Having attended two full courses at the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, he was graduated from that institution March 2, 1857; taking a prize for best examination in anatomy. Settling at New Danville, Dr. Becton begun the practice in 1857, since which time he has attended lectures at other colleges of the highest grade, to-wit: a course at the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1874, taking an ad eundem degree; and a course at the University of Maryland, at Baltimore, in 1879-80; and again, a course at the Tulane University (formerly the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana), in 1886.
Doing a general practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. Becton has given more than ordinary attention to ophthalmology, taking in addition to the courses enumerated above, a special course of instruction at the clinics of Professor Chisholm, of Baltimore. He is not a "specialist" however, but a practitioner.
Residing at New Danville, in Rusk county, he followed the practice from 1857 to April, 1862. He entered the army in April, 1862, as a private in Captain J. A. Pegues' company, Waterhouse's regiment; was appointed Assistant Surgeon of Fitzhugh's regiment, McCullough's brigade, Walker's division; recommended for promotion by Chief Surgeon of Division, Beall, examined by the Army Medical Board and passed to the rank of Surgeon; assigned to duty with the 22nd Regiment of Texas Infantry, commanded by Colonel, now ex-Governor R. B. Hubbard, in Walker's division.
The war being ended, Dr. Becton returned to Texas, settling in February, 1866, in Tarrant, in Hopkins county, and resumed practice in 1866; thence he removed to Sulphur Springs, Hopkins county, his present place of residence, in March, 1874.
Taking only an ordinary interest in politics, he has not sought office; nevertheless, he once permitted his name to go before the people, and was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature. But on the subject of prohibition the Doctor has pronounced views, and in the exciting canvass over that issue in 1886, he took an active part, advocating the prohibition of the whisky traffic by law, making some eloquent and forcible speeches in support of the measure.
As an orator he ranks high, and his voice is in frequent request, both in and out of the medical meetings. Recently, (December 12, 1889,) on the occasion of the burial of Jefferson Davis, when memorial services were held throughout the South, he was chosen by his fellow-citizens of Hopkins county, to deliver the oration; this he did, in a thrillingly eloquent and touching manner.
As an evidence of the high regard in which he is held by his confreres of the profession of Texas, Dr. Becton was elected First Vice-President of the Texas State Medical Association at Belton, in 1884; and President at the subsequent meeting at Houston, in April, 1885; he presided as such at the Dallas meeting the following year, 1886. That meeting was a crisis in the life of the Association. It was just before the Ninth International Medical Congress was to assemble in Washington City, and the question came up on the adoption of a resolution, instructing the delegates to endorse and ratify the action of the American Medical Association at New Orleans, with reference to the exclusion of new-code men as delegates to the Congress by appointment by the committee on organization.
Pending the discussion of this resolution, Dr. Becton resigned the chair to the First Vice-President, and coming upon the floor made a speech strongly endorsing the resolution, and favoring instructing the delegates. The report was adopted.
His administration fell upon a stormy time in the history of medicine in this country. Sentiment was somewhat divided in medical ranks in Texas, and great care and discretion were necessary in dealing with this question, to avoid alienating certain members, and thus disrupting the cherished organization. Dr. Becton took a bold stand for ever preserving the purity and integrity of honorable, rational medicine, uncontaminated by affiliation with those who would break down all barriers, and throw to the dogs the code of medical ethics, the "bulwark and palladium of the profession"; and yet the meeting was conducted to a peaceful termination, and all elements were harmonized. As illustrating both the delicate position in which circumstances had placed him, and the stand taken by Dr. Becton, we beg to be permitted to quote his address from as President on the occasion:
"The high stand taken by the great body of intelligent, working physicians throughout the country, in sympathy with the American Medical Association in its efforts to keep its altars undefiled, and to preserve American medicine in its pristine purity, is worthy of all praise. There are times in the history of every organization when its true men are expected to stand firm. That time is now upon us. We are in the midst of the battle, and it is a grand sight to see the old regulars presenting a solid front, standing like a 'stone wall' against those who would break our ranks. With undaunted courage and Spartan heroism, our gallant old captain stands at the head of the column. Ever and anon his clarion voice rings out: 'Every man is expected to do his duty.' With that grand old man, 'there is no reposing under the shade of his laurels, no living upon the resources of past reputation;' but, with burning zeal and active energy, he throws himself into the hottest of the fight, preferring to go down, if go down he must, amid the smoke of conflict, to remaining in inglorious ease. Thirty years ago, the great Bowling, speaking of the American Medical Association, said: 'We believe, in our inmost heart, that this institution, under God, will yet elevate the American profession of medicine to a sublimity approximating the divine in its very radiance of glory, and become the admiration of the cultivators of the art throughout the civilized world. Oh! N. S. Davis, it is the creation of thy brain; and plant there thy sure hope of immortality, nothing doubting that remotest posterity will honor thy draft.' These prophetic words are being fulfilled. But not yet does the old Hippocratic ship sail over calm and unruffled seas. The adverse storm is now raging in all its fury, and many a rock and shoal, and alluring isle of disaster, must be passed to reach a haven of peace and security. Her enemies are prophesying and praying that she may go down to rise no more; but, in the language, in part, of the Sage of Swallow Barn, 'That grand old vessel will yet outride the storm and be safely moored in port; and, as she dashes the angry spray of Eclecticism, Hahnemannism, New Codeism, and every other vile ism, from her weather-tanned prow, showing the strength and durability of her timbers,' the immortality of her chart, and the unwavering fidelity of her crew, methinks there will go up from the devotees of honorable medicine throughout the land, one long, loud, triumphant Alleluja. "Doubtless there are some good and true men, who honor the American Medical Association and live up to the Code, who question the expediency of the action taken by the Association at its meeting in New Orleans last year; but, because of this, they are not willing to see it dismembered. With these we have no quarrel, but are willing to meet them, in a fraternal spirit, with the view of an honorable and amicable adjustment of the pending difficulty. But there are those who, tired of salutary and needful restraint, seize upon this as a pretext for destroying the Association, and trampling under their feet the Code of Ethics, thereby removing the last barrier between themselves and medical idolatry. Jesus Christ had his Judas Iscariot; the Continental army had its Benedict Arnold; and the American Medical Association has both its Judases and its Arnolds. And yet some of these still claim to be its friends, when their every act is in sympathy and in harmony with its enemies. 'So Judas kissed his Master, and cried, 'All hail!' whereas he meant all harm.' With these we can make no compromise; indeed, they seek none, and are already marshalling their forces for the great battle in St. Louis next week. They have wily and astute leadersmen who are determined to rule or ruin; and it behooves every medical association in the United States in sympathy with the National Association, to send as delegates their truest and best men; men of brain and nerve; men who have the courage of their convictions, and will stand up and breast the storm; men who will show them that 'The Old Guard dies, but never surrenders.'
"The Texas State Medical Association occupies a proud position before the medical world on this question. It has firmly planted itself upon the eternal principles of truth, right and justice; and, strong in the consciousness of its own rectitude, fears not the consequences. It has flung its banner to the breeze, and upon its glittering folds is inscribed, in letters of living light: 'The perpetuity of the American Medical Association. The honor, dignity and purity of American medicine. For these we live, for these we labor.'
"Around the history of the American Medical Association cluster glorious memories, rich in all that is great, grand and good in American medicine; hallowed with the names of many of the purest and best men the world ever knew.
"These must, and, with the blessing of God, shall be preserved. Then let us continue to stand together; let us give our hearts and hands to this great work, encircling the good and true of the profession in that chain of sympathy that binds us together as one common brotherhood. Trusting to the justness of our cause and the sanction of a just God, let us have the courage to do our whole duty.
" 'Courage, the highest gift, that scorns to bend
To mean device for sordid end.Courage! An independent spark from heaven's bright throne,
By which the soul stands raised triumphant, high, alone.' "As a writer, Dr. Becton is polished and scholarly, though not voluminous. Besides his Presidential address, just alluded to, which is published in the Transactions of the State Medical Association for 1886, he has made a number of contributions to the current medical literature of the State; to the Nashville Medical and Surgical Journal (1871-2) he contributed the report of a case of Fistula-in-Ano, produced by the passage through the bowels of a piece of cedar wood, two inches long, by one-fourth inch wide, which the party had swallowed. To the Texas Courier-Record of Medicine he contributed several papers: one on "Dysentery," one on "Battey's Operation," one on "What should be done with an eye lost by injury or disease?" etc.
On one occasion, Dr. Becton was summoned as an expert witness in a case. He asked the Judge if he would be compelled to give expert testimony without compensation and whether he liked or not. The Judge replied, "I know no law to compel a physician to so testify." Thereupon Dr. Becton volunteered his testimonyfree of charge.
As stated, he is a staunch advocate of organization in Medicine, and is a member of the County and District Societies where he resides, and of the State and National Associations.
Early in life, Dr. Becton was married (November 17, 1857) to Miss Mary Eliza Dickson. She died in 1866, and in 1867 he was married to Mrs. Olivia L. Smith, widow of Dr. P. L. Smith. He has six children, to-wit: One daughter, Mrs. J. Wortham, of San Antonio; one living in Nashville, TennesseeMrs. J. J. Nunnaly; besides two single daughters at home, and a young son, with him also; and he has another son, who is a physician, Dr. Jos. D. Becton, at Nelta, Hopkins county, Texas.
He is an Odd Fellow and a Royal Arch Mason; in politics, a Democrat; in religious belief, a Presbyterian.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
BRENHAM.
Dr. John M. Ross was born in October, 1824, in South Carolina. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Mississippi; was placed at school in the common country schools, where he remained until he was seventeen years of age, when he was sent to Alabama to complete his education; read medicine with Dr. Smith, at Sumpterville, Alabama, during which time he assisted his preceptor in his practice; matriculated at the University of Louisville, Ky. The Faculty of this school at this time consisted of Professors Drake, Caldwell, Miller, Cobb, Yandell and Gross. Having attended one course of lectures, 1842, he engaged in practice for a while; returning to the University he graduated in 1844, and ere he had attained his majority. Shortly after he graduated he returned to Louisville and married.
He came to Texas in 1860, locating in Stone county; thence he removed to Washington county, where he remained and practiced medicine up to the time of his death, on the nth day of February, 1889.
Dr. Ross was the son of Michael and Verzilla Ross, of English descent. His wife was Matilda LeCompton, of Louisville, Ky. There are two children of this marriage living, James K. Ross, Esq., of Dallas, lawyer, and Mrs. Fanny Walker, of Bryan.
The Doctor was devoted to his calling, and kept well abreast of the advance of medical science, availing himself of all the latest discoveries in the science of medicine.
During the war between the States he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country. He remained in the army four years, most of which time he was a private soldier. In the latter part of the war he served as assistant surgeon.
He was a member of the Texas State Medical Association and was one of the prime movers in its organization, being present at the first meeting held in Houston, Texas, in June, 1869, for the purpose
He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and was by them buried with the honors of the Order; and of the Knights of Honor. He was also an official member of the Baptist church.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
AUSTIN.
Dr. Shackelford is a practicing Dentist of the city of Austin. He is one of the leading spirits in his profession, being a member of the State Dental Association, and one of its executive committee. He is also a member of the Tennessee Dental Society, he having resided in that State at one time. In Austin Dr. Shackelford is much esteemed; he is a prominent citizen and is identified with society and numerous organizations; he is a high Mason, and a Knight Templar, being a member of Colorado Commandery No. 4. He is, also, a member of the Christian church, and is the author of the Austin Dental Journal. He is a Democrat, but is conservative, taking only passive interest in political matters.
Born in Platte county, Missouri, he passed his early days in and near St. Joseph, where as a boy he went to school.
Reuben S. Shackelford, his father, was a Virginian, and his mother, Wilberry Shackelford, was a Tennessee lady.
Samuel S. was educated at Nashville, by Harry Hill, the old steamboat-man of Mississippi river fame. Choosing Dentistry for a profession, he began a preparatory course of reading, and after a time went to St. Louis and studied with Dr. Joseph Forbes. After attending the required courses in the dental department of the University of Tennessee, he graduated and was given his diploma. He took two subsequent courses of lectures, one at Ann Arbor, Michigan.
After two years' practice with his preceptor, Dr. Forbes, in St. Louis, Dr. Shackelford came to Austin and located. He at once entered upon the practice of dentistry, and has succeeded to an enviable degree, competing with some of the ablest dentists of the State, and is to-day regarded as a superior and skillful practitioner.
At the age of seventeen Dr. Shackelford was married in Richmond, Roy county, Mo., to Miss Ellen Calden. They had one child, a son, Allie Scott Shackleford, who resides in Austin with his father. Mrs. Shackelford died in 1874.
Dr. Shackelford is in the prime of early manhood, and is a prominent society man, being a widower. In height he is five feet nine inches, and weighs about 145 pounds, has black curly hair and gray eyes; is what would be called a handsome man.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
RUSK
This popular physician is a son of the late Dr. T. Y. T. Jameson and Mrs. M. C. Jameson; his father was of Scotch-Irish, and his mother, of English descent. He was born in Camden, Wilcox county, Alabama, and came to Texas in 1859, settling at New Salem, Rusk county, November 20th of that year; thence he removed to Rusk, his present place of residence, where he is engaged in a general practice, with a predilection for surgery. He begun the study of medicine under the instruction of his father, an able and very distinguished physician, in 1874. Having received his literary education at Morris Institute, in Rusk county, and at the Texas Military Institute, at Austin, he took two courses of lectures at the Missouri Medical College in 1877-'78, and was graduated M. D. from that institution March 8, 1878.
In 1881 he matriculated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, with the intention of taking an ad cundem degree, but on account of serious illness of his father was called home before the close of the session. He is a staunch member of the Texas State Medical Association, and is very zealous in the cause of organization, having aided largely in the unification of the profession in Cherokee county. He occupies, by appointment, the position of surgeon to the East Texas penitentiary, which position he has filled since January, 1883.
Dr. Jameson was married April 27, 1882, to Miss Kate S. Mallard; they have one child.
He is one of the foremost physicians in East Texas, and a career of usefulness and distinction is open before him.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
PANOLA COUNTY.
Dr. Major Dowell Sterrett was born June 27, 1840, near Columbiana, Shelby county, Alabama. His father's name was Judge A. A. Sterrett, who was born in Kentucky, emigrated to Alabama at an early age and settled in Shelby county; his mother's name was Elizabeth M. Gooch, native of South Carolina.
Dr. Sterrett was educated at the University of Virginia, in 1857, '58 and '59; studied medicine at Selma, Alabama, in 1859 and '60, with Dr. P. H. Cabel and with Dr. J. C. Blake, at Columbiana, Ala., in 1864 and '65. Was examined and licensed to practice medicine by the Shelby county Medical Board in '64; attended lectures and graduated at Atlanta Medical College in 1866, stood at the head of his class and was chosen valedictorian. He delivered the valedictory to the graduating class of that year.
Upon the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private soldier, at Selma, Ala.; he joined Colonel Dorson's company, the Magnolia Cadets, which company became known as Company C, Fourth Alabama regiment; this command was placed under General Jackson, at Harper's Ferry. He was elected First Lieutenant of the company at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1862. At the battle of Gaines' Mill, before Richmond, he was promoted to Captain; was wounded at Antietam, in 1862, and suffered amputation of the right leg; recovering was transferred to the Fourth Congressional District of Alabama and made Quartermaster, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. After the surrender he was commissioned by Governor Parsons, of Alabama, to reorganize the militia of North Alabama, and was given a Colonel's commission. In December, 1866, immigrated to Texas, settling at Grand Bluff, Panola county. Here and hereabout he has been closely engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. Was a member of the Panola County Medical Society during its existence, and is now an active member of the Texas State Medical Association.
Dr. Sterrett was married at Marshal, Texas, January 20, 1870, to Miss S. Julia Vawter, daughter of the late Colonel A. L. Vawter, of Panola county. They have three children living: Mary Althene, Martha E., and Robert A., all living with their parents.
The Doctor has a large and lucrative practice, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, and especially of his professional brethren.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
HOUSTON.
Robert Turner Flewellen, Sr., is the second son of James and Elizabeth Person Flewellen, late of Warren county, Georgia. In 1821 the parents removed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Robert was born, on the 2d of October, of that year. The family returned to Georgia the following year, settling near the city of Macon, where the father died in 1829, leaving a wife and four children, with limited means for education and support.
The widow removed to the village of Culloden, in Monroe county Georgia, where the subject of this sketch received his literary education, and grew to manhood. He read medicine in the office of Doctor D. H. Hammond and Dr. John C. Drake, of Thomastown, Georgia. He attended one course of lectures in the Medical College of Charleston, South Carolina, and another in the Medical Department of the University of New York, graduating from the latter institution in the spring of 1845. Returning to Culloden, he begun the practice of medicine the following year, 1846, paying especial attention to orthopedic surgery, then in its infancy, as a branch of practice.
In 1848 Dr. Flewellen was married to Miss Carrie Bivins, and in 1850 emigrated to California. In 1853 he removed to Texas, and settled in Washington county, as a planter; was elected to the House of Representatives from Washington county in 1859, and again in 1861 from the district of Washington and Fayette counties. Having become a widower in the meantime, he married , in 1860, Miss Eugenia, the second daughter of the late John D. and Eugenia Andrews, of Houston.
In 1872 he was elected to the Presidency of the Texas State Medical Association, of which body he has long been a member, and presided at the Waco meeting, the following year. In 1875 he removed to Houston, his present abode, and was in 1878 elected to represent Harris county in the Legislature. It was he who introduced, and secured the passage by the Legislature of the first bill for the charter of a medical college in Texas; and he has ever advocated a high standard of professional character, the purity of the profession, and has always insisted upon the protection of the practice of medicine by law.
Dr. Flewellen is yet in the prime of life, and is universally esteemed as a physician and a citizen.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
BAIRD.
Dr. David J. Wilson came to Texas in 1881, and located at Baird in 1884. He studied medicine with Dr. John M. Brown, in Westfield, New York, from 1866 to 1869. Attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, the sessions of 1867, '68 and '69, and at Buffalo, New York, 1869 and '70, graduating from both institutions. Was resident physician of the general hospital at Buffalo, one year.
Dr. Wilson was born in Westfield, Chautauqua county, New York, in 1846. His father was John Wilson, of Scotch, and his mother Catherine Wilson, of German extraction. Was educated at Westfield Academy and High School, in New York. Practiced seven years at Findlay's Lake, Chautauqua county, New York, and four years in McLean county, Pennsylvania, before coming to Texas. Is a member of the Medical and Surgical Society of Chautauqua county, New York, and of the Texas State Medical Association. Was married to Miss Adelia M. Barnes, in 1877. They have no children.
We do not know of any physician who is more conscientiously devoted to his profession than the gentleman whose brief biography is outlined above.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
Hornsby's Bend.
Dr. Dean was born December 23, 1851, in Anson county, North Carolina. His parents were W. M. and Rebecca Dean, native Americans. He was given a common country school education in North Carolina and Mississippi, and immigrated to Texas in 1879, locating at Boxville, in Lavaca county.
He begun the study of medicine in Woodruff county, Arkansas, under the instruction of Dr. T. H. Brunson, in 1873, and attended lectures at Nashville Medical College two courses, 1877-8 and '79. He graduated from that institution, April 27, 1879. He begun practice in Woodruff county, Arkansas, while a first course student; having graduated, he located in Lavaca county, and practiced until December, 1883, when he removed to Travis county, locating at Hornsby's Bend, January, 1883.
Dr. Dean is a member of Travis County Medical Society, Austin District Medical Society, and the Texas State Medical Association. He contributed a paper to the Courier-Record of Medicine in May, 1886, on the use of cocaine in the vomiting of pregnancy. He was married October 22, 1879, to Miss Ladora A Speake. They have two children. The Hornsby settlement affords a good field for practice, being composed of thrifty, well to do farmers, and Dr. Dean has a good practice. He is one of the school trustees, and is much respected by his constituents.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
CARRIZO SPRINGS.
Dr. Wadgyman is a native of Hungaria, and was born at Czackaturen. He came to Texas in 1873 and located at Myerville, DeWitt county, thence he removed to Carrizo Springs. His parents were Hungarians, Belezar and Bianca Von Wadgyman. He received a thorough education at Buda Pesth, and Vienna in Austria, taking the degrees "M. D. and Chirurgerie." He studied medicine under the distinguished faculty at Vienna at the "Academy Vienna" from 1839 to 1847, graduating at Vienna in the latter year. He served as military surgeon in the Hungarian army in the 35th battalion, in 1848 and 1849; in the Holland navy, from 1850 to 1852, was in the Crimean war two years, 1854 and 1856. He was also in the Confederate army as surgeon of the Memphis South Artillery. Since coming to America he has practiced medicine in several States; in St. Louis, Missouri, and in Cairo, Illinois. He is a member of the St. Louis Medical Association, and of the Alexander County Medical Association, of Illinois.
He has contributed several papers to the medical journals, among them an essay on "Trichina Spiralis" in the St. Louis Medical Journal, 1886.
The Doctor was married in 1858, at Marietta, Ohio, to Miss Mary Doewes. They have three sons and one daughter.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
POINT, RAINS COUNTY.
Dr. Swepston is the son of John Swepston and Nancy Asenath Darby. The parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, Dr. Swepston was born October 15, 1853, in McArthur, Vinton county, Ohio. Received a good country school education in Arkansas, and studied medicine with Dr. John E. Mooring, in Rains county, Texas. Attended lectures in Louisville, Kentucky, 1876-7. Came to Texas in 1876, settling in Rains county, his present place of residence.
Dr. Swepston does a general practice, but is partial to diseases of women and children.
He was married, in 1875, to Miss Mary Mooring, and they have six children.
The Doctor is also Postmaster of his village, and does a large and rapidly increasing practice.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
AUSTIN.
John William Phillips is the eldest son of Rev. John Wesley Phillips, the pastor of Grace Episcopal church, Washington, D. C, and Mrs. Martha Ann Phillips, formerly McGehee, nee Bridges. He is descended from a Welsh family on the father's side, whose great-grandfather, with two brothers, came to America about the close of the last century, and settled in Georgia and Tennessee; and on the maternal side, from the Randolphs of Roanoke, Virginia. He was born on the 6th day of April, 1859, in the town of Seguin, in Guadalupe county, Texas; at which time and place his father was principal of a large female seminary.
Young Phillips spent his early youth in Austin, attending private schools, until September, 1874, when he entered the Texas Military Institute (at Austin). He remained in that institution two years, during which time he was awarded a certificate of merit, and received three promotions in the cadet corps. At the time of his withdrawal he was First Lieutenant of Company B. His mother and brother being in delicate health, and the physicians recommending a colder climate, in July, 1876, his father removed to Lockport, Illinois; and John went traveling on a tour of observation; he visited St. Louis and Chicago amongst other cities, studying the system of water-works and other improvements. In the winter of 1876, he engaged to finish the term, as teacher, in one of the district schools in Will county, Illinois; at that time he was seventeen years of age. He accepted, at the close of the school-term, a position as collector in the principal office of the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company. In this office he also served as Private Secretary to the Superintendent, and also as Paymaster at the dock-yards. In September, 1877, he was elected Principal of the South Lockport public school; this position he filled with success, remaining at the same time, Private Secretary to Superintendent Thomas.
Removing shortly to Springfield, Illinois, where his father had accepted the pastorate of the Episcopal church, he secured an appointment as State Agent of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. His business was to sell the lands of the company, and to stimulate immigration into the State of Kansas f6r the purpose of settling up those lands. This necessitated extensive traveling; he visited most of the Lake States, also Canada, New York, Missouri and Kansas.
By close economy he saved up some money, and decided to study law. To that end he went to Washington City, and in September, 1880, he entered the junior class of the Law Department of the National University. Two years later, while Vice-President of the senior class of thirty-one members, he graduated with the second honor, receiving his diploma and degree as Bachelor of Laws. This diploma bears the signature of the then President of the United States, Chester A. Arthur, as ex-officio Chancellor of the University. During his student days he accepted appointment in the census bureau, and assisted in compiling the tenth census. During this service he was repeatedly advanced, serving at one time as assistant chief of the division of accounts, and was at another time detailed as special agent of the Department of the Interior. At the close of the labors on the census, he entered the law office of Hilyer & Ralston, as clerk; at the earliest opportunity he entered a competitive examination under the civil service laws, and passing most satisfactorily, received an appointment in the War Department under Robert T. Lincoln. The following September he matriculated as a member the post-graduate class in the Law Department of Columbia University, Washington City, and in June following, he received another diploma, conferring upon him the degree of Master of Laws. Having then completed the required term of three years study of law, he underwent a rigid examination by the board, and upon motion of Hon. H. O. Claughton, was admitted as a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. It is due Mr. Phillips to state that during his entire course of study for the law, he was compelled to work in the various pursuits mentioned above to secure a support, and for study, to steal the time which should have been devoted to sleep, literally "burning the midnight oil." During his long sojourn at the capital, Mr. Phillips was a member of three prominent debating societies, at which were discussed all the leading political questions, and a thorough insight into political tenets and issues, made a convert of him to the Democratic party. It should be stated that during the winter of 1883-4 Mr. Phillips attended a special course of lectures in the Medical Department of the Columbia University, without however, any intention to adopt medicine as a profession, but merely as collateral to his chosen avocation. Having mingled in and enjoyed the delightful society of Washington with its brilliant array of talented men, Mr. Phillips grew ambitious to be something more than a government clerk, so he resigned his position as clerk of class "one" in the War Department, and returning to Texas, located at the capital, Austin, to engage in the practice of law. Soon after his return he was elected Alderman from the 8th ward of the city, which position he filled two years. Again consenting to serve, he was re-elected in December, 1889, defeating Colonel DeGress, the present Postmaster, and exMayor of Austin, by a very large majority. He is therefore the present representative of the 8th ward in the city council.
Mr. Phillips has held many positions of honor and trust, which fact testifies to his popularity, and the esteem in which he is universally held; he was lecturer on commercial law in the Texas Business College, President of a prominent socio-literary club, Vice-President of the State organization of ex-cadets of the Texas Military Institute, Assistant Superintendent of St. David's Episcopal Sunday-school; is an active member of the several orders in Austin, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen, etc., is aide-de-camp on the staff of General A. S. Roberts; was one of the charter members of the Austin Board of Trade, and is a stockholder in that body, and also a charter member of the Austin Club.
He was married on the 23rd of May, 1888, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Dr. M. A. Taylor, of Austin; they have an infant daughter, whom they have named Kate Louise.
Mr. Phillips has been successful in business, and is regarded as one of the rising men of the day.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
WACO.
Hon. Richard Henry Harrison was born in Monroe county, Miss., September 8, 1857, and moved with his parents, in 1858, to McLennan county, Texas, where the years of his youth and early manhood were passed. His father was the late Confederate Brigadier General James E. Harrison, a descendant of the historic Harrison family of Virginia. Having the misfortune, in early life, to lose his father, the subject of this sketch was deprived of early educational advantages and of that liberal equipment for the law and for life which had been designed for him. At Salado, Bell county, Texas, however, he received instructions in the rudimentary English studies usually taught in village schools. Upon the death of his father, with that manly independence which has characterized his life, he resorted to the farm for a livelihood, and vigorously followed that pursuit until the fall of 1877, when, disposing of his crop, he joined the Texas Frontier Battalion, known as the Texas Rangers, under command of Major John B. Jones. Leaving the ranger force in September, 1878, he returned to McLennan county and took charge of the large farming interests of his uncle, General Thomas Harrison, and successfully conducted the same until the fall of 1879. So well did he discharge the duties of his employment, that General Harrison often declared that his revenue was doubled during the stewardship of his nephew, and interposed many objections to his abandoning the avocation of farming for that of law. During this period, with that indomitable persistence which is a part of his nature, and despite the advice and discouragement of friends, and the stubborn unkindness of surrounding circumstances, he began to prepare for that profession which he had dreamed of and looked to during his life with the rangers and during the long days of treadmill drudgery on the farm. At night and odd times he read law and English history. In January, 1880, having saved all of his earnings beyond that expended for the bare necessities of life, he entered the junior law class of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, and in September of the same year, passed into the senior class, and graduated in February, 1881. Illustrative of his career at college, it may be mentioned that Judge Nathan Green, one of the law professors, said to him, "If you only study one-half as hard when you enter the practice as you have here, your success is assured." In March, 1881, he was admitted to the Waco bar, and at once gained a fair practice. During the summer of 1884, without his personal solicitation or knowledge, a petition, containing about one thousand names of the best citizens of the county, was presented to him, requesting him that he offer himself as a candidate for the position of Senator, representing the Twenty-second Senatorial District, composed of the counties of McLennan and Falls. In the Democratic Nominating Convention, having no opposition, he was nominated by acclamation, but was opposed at the polls by Wm. R. Reagan, a brother of Hon. John H. Reagan, whom he defeated by a majority of 2500 votes in November, 1884. His legislative career was marked by an uncompromising devotion to his conception of right and unswerving hostility to all jobbery and extravagant expenditure of the public funds. He opposed all private claims upon the general principle that it led to jobbery, and that the courts, under legislative sanction, and not the Legislature, were the proper tribunals to determine their validity. He was very prominent and active in the railroad legislation of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Legislatures, and his was the first voice raised demanding the restoration of lands in Greer county to the public trust funds to which they belong. He had, at all times, the courage of his convictions, and his adherence to what he conceived to be his duty, was rigid. Fearlessly advocating, on the floor of the Senate, every measure that was presented looking to the best interests of the people, he was above using the common tricks of policy to catch popular applause. His sterling qualities of mind and character could not fail to command recognition and make him prominent among the ablest young men of the State. His career in the Senate attracted the attention of Hon. J. S. Hogg, Attorney General, and on April 20, 1887, he was appointed Office Assistant Attorney General. The labors devolving on the Attorney General's Department since 1887 have been very onerous. Questions, which had been slumbering for years, of the gravest import, were now brought before the courts of the country for adjudication. The vigorous measures instituted by that department to bring corporate power within the requirements of the. law, will occupy a prominent place in the judicial history of the State. Mr. Harrison's services, as Office Assistant, in prosecuting these measures, demonstrated his eminent fitness for the office he held, and in January, 1889, he was again appointed to that position. It often became his duty to advise in the construction of laws pertaining to other departments of the State Government, and to investigate questions of great importance. His opinions have uniformly been indorsed by the Attorney General. Not only in the office were the services of Mr. Harrison conspicuous; he has, with great credit to himself, represented the State in many cases in the courts, where perplexing questions of law were discussed by the ablest men. In the International bond suit which was defended by lawyers of recognized eminence, Mr. Harrison won for himself a reputation ior legal acumen and ability that would have gratified the pride of men older in the profession. In the discharge of his official duties he has shown himself to be, as expressed by Attorney General Hogg to the writer, "A good lawyer and an intelligent and faithful public officer."
Mr. Harrison is a Democrat of the strictest sect and, as such, boldly opposed the Prohibition movement, as he had every measure of a paternalistic nature or tendency. He is a firm believer in the capacity of the people for self-government, and is nothing if not a State's rights man. He repudiates all ideas of Federal interference in the domestic and internal affairs of the States. The words "Nation" or "National" are not in his vocabulary, and he never employs them in speaking or writing of the Federal government. His convictions on all public questions, when once formed, are firm, positive and aggressive. His nature, however, is full of cordiality, and he is as devoted to his friends as he is to his principles. Friendship is a plant of slow growth in his bosom; but when once rooted in the granite of his nature, remains forever. Unlike the dust upon the wing of the butterfly, it is not blown away by the first blast of adversity; but is steadfast through sunshine and the shadow. To his enemies he is bold, defiant and aggressive. In the Senate and on the stump he never shrank from uttering his convictions. The hiss of the opposition, or even threats of physical violence, would only strengthen his determination and courage. These qualities make him a most effective and impressive speaker. His very earnestness and vehemence command attention. His style is rugged, nervous and impassioned. He never selects any but the strongest Saxon words to express his meaning; and when denouncing any measure or person that he conceives to be mean, despicable or tainted with fraud, his speeches are logic on fire.
He was married on November 14, 1882, at Salado, Bell county, Texas, to Miss Mary S. Robertson, daughter of Colonel E. Sterling C. Robertson. In this marriage, two of the oldest and most historic families of the country were united, Mrs. Harrison being a descendant of General James Robertson, of revolutionary fame, and founder of Tennessee, and granddaughter of Major Sterling C. Robertson, so famous and illustrious in Texas history. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have one child, a boy, James M. Harrison, born December 7, 1885.
Mr. Harrison is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and in private life is singularly chaste, abstemious and temperate. The writer of this article was very intimately associated with him during the session of the Twentieth Legislature, and never did he observe or hear of any act of which Mr. Harrison might have blushed to own anywhere. So sedulously did he avoid even the appearance of those evils which not infrequently mar the promising career of public men, that it became the subject of comment. All in all, he has been as faithful in the observance of the private duties of life as he has been heroic in the discharge of public ones.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
The Life and Character of M. A. Taylor, M. D.
AUSTIN.
It is both pleasing and profitable to contemplate the blending in one nature of those rare qualities that constitute the skillful physician, the useful citizen, the benevolent Christian man. When to these qualities are added the patriot's love of country, and the providence of a kind husband and father, we have the highest type of civilization,the ideal man. Such a life in any community is like a river that in its quiet meandering through meadow and dale gives life and beauty to the land; God bestows no choicer gifts on man, and it is rare that so many of those estimable qualities fall to the lot of any one. Such men are rare indeed, and few come up to the standard here portrayed; but the subject of this imperfect sketch, Matthew Addison Taylor, approaches very nearly the parallel.
"Peace hath its victories no less renowned than war." The historian records valiant deeds by field and flood, and posterity cherishes the record of those heroes who have waded "through seas of slaughter to a throne;" but few care for the record of a peaceful and unostentatious life, though it be one of self-sacrifice, benevolence, and the exercise of Christian virtues; of victories over adverse circumstances; one continuous chapter of charities and good deeds, though they be recorded only by the angel above who takes note of the giving even of a cup of cold water; "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of one of these ye have done it unto me," said the Master, whose precepts this Christian man has made the guide through life. He has been the widow's "friend in need" and in deed; the friend and active promoter of education, and of an advanced civilization. His alms have not been cried aloud in the synagogues; yet such a man wins his meed of fame; and should share the chaplet of glory with the distinguished in battle or politics. Posterity will do justice to his memory, though his life has caused scarce a ripple on the surface of society; his good deeds have been done by stealth, and his beneficence has fallen as noiselessly as falls the dew of heaven upon the parched earth. To quote one of the most gifted of the medical profession, Dr. Fordyce Barker, "The only lasting monument a man can build is the reputation he makes in life; of the good deeds done in one way or another." M. A. Taylor has builded himself (and unconsciously) a monument more imperishable than brass, more enduring than marble; for, as it was said of an eminent physician, "though no laurels be entwined in the presence of applauding multitudes, to him belongs a fame far more enduring. By the lone couch of suffering, in the still hour of night, when the world's great eye sees not, and its ear is shut, there, with the tears, the sorrows and the gratitude of helpless ones, the faithful physician's crown is begemmed and sanctified."
The life of Dr. Taylor teems with interesting incidents; and his character is adorned with qualities worthy of an abler pen, though in the former there are no startling scenes; it has been as quiet and unassuming as it has been distinguished for usefulness. It has been a record of struggles and of triumphs, in an humble way, of charities done, public and private; of civilization advanced, science and religion fostered. He has been the friend of the poor, and has dried the eyes and poured balm into the bruised hearts of many who to-day rise up and call him blessed. He has emulated that good man who "prompt at every call, has prayed for, felt for, all;" and like him too, he has "lured to brighter worlds, and led the way." Tell me not that such a life is not a fitting theme for biographer's pen. The record is rich in moral precepts and examples, and would to God there were more to emulate them.
His life, moreover, spans two eras in the history of the South; he belongs to the old South, a type of her ante-bellum manhood: and was an active architect in the construction of the new. His reminiscences of Sam Houston, and of the stormy days which preceded and accompanied the secession of Texas would fill a volume, and would read like a romance.
Coming to Texas in the early part of 1852, a poor, unknown man, with an invalid wife, with no friend to advise, no prestige or influence, he had only a head stored with useful knowledge and a heart pregnant with generous purposes; yes, he had that qualitycalled by many nameswhich makes glorious lives and grand successesto stop nor stay at difficulties; to turn back never, though the lion of misfortune or the gaunt giant of poverty block the way; but like the hardy pioneers of this great State, who conquered the forest, and wrought a civilization out of savage elements, he made opportunity for the exercise of those God-given qualities of heart and head, which in latter years have been universally recognized as distinctive and characteristic of the man, and have made his name the synonym for all that is revered, in innumerable humble homes throughout this section of the State.
Matthew Addison Taylor is of Scotch-English descent, and his lineage is plainly indicated in both speech and feature. His father's name was Matthew Taylor, as was also that of his grandfather, who immigrated to America before the revolution (1762), and settled with his large family near Richmond, Virginia, and who after the war of the revolution purchased large land claims from the Virginia soldiers. This land had been set apart by an act of Congress, and certificates issued therefor. These certificates Grandfather Matthew Taylor purchased in quantities, and located the lands in Ohio, between the Scioto river on the east, and the Miami on the southwest. He removed to this land and settled on the spot where now stands the flourishing city of Chillicothe. Matthew Taylor, the secondson of the former and father of the subject of this biography, was an officer in the war of 1812-14, under command of General Harrison. He attained to the rank of Colonel, a distinguished honor at that time, one to which only those could hope to aspire who displayed signal valor and bravery. It was unlike the cheap title of Colonel in these degenerate days; and an officer who won it upon the battle field became illustrious in the annals of his country's history. This officer was stationed at one time at Franklin, on the south side of Scioto river, the county seat of Franklin county, Ohio, and during the winter he and his father and an uncle (John Taylor) and Lyon Starling laid off the site where now stands the city of Columbus, on the east bank of the Scioto; here, through their efforts in securing the co operation and active interest of Hon. John McKnight, State Senator from Zenia, Ohio, and father-in-law of Colonel Taylor's father, the State capitol was permanently located.
As we have said, Dr. Taylor's father was Scotch; his mother of English descent, both families coming to America about the middle of the 17th century. Matthew Addison was the youngest of four sons and two daughters; the sons were, in order of their respective ages, John McKnight, Harvey Milton, Robert, and Matthew Addison; the daughters, Rebecca, who became the wife of Jesse Cherry, and Elizabeth, who married William Watkins.
Dr. Taylor was born at Columbus, Ohio, November 12, 1830, and is at present in his sixtieth year. His father, who, upon retirement from military life had engaged in the peaceful pursuit of milling and farming, died December 28, 1832, when Matthew was only two years of age. The management of the estate and business, on the death of his father, devolved upon his mother, a woman of great force of character and of deep piety; and among his earliest recollections are the frequent trips he made to and from the old mill and his father's plantation. At an early age he aided his mother very materially in the management and supervision of the joint interests. In March, 1839, his mother was taken too, and the boy, then only nine years of age, was left an orphan. His oldest sister, Mrs. Rebecca Cherry, took charge of him, and sent him to school some two years. His father had a second cousin by the same name, Matthew Taylor, who was also uncle by marriage, of the lad. He was appointed guardian, and young Matthew Addison left his sister's roof to make his home with the guardian-uncle, near Columbus. There he was placed at school and for two years more received the instruction of good teachers in the district school. He then entered the high school conducted by the celebrated educator, Rev. Mr. Covert, and remained under his pupilage two years; being by this time prepared for a collegiate course, he matriculated at the University of Oxford, Ohio, and completing the curriculum, finished his literary studies.
Casting around for a pursuit as a life-work which would be most congenial and best comport with his taste and abilities, he selected the profession of medicine. Having determined upon his calling, he set to work with great diligence to lay the foundation deep and strong, upon which to build a career. His oldest brother, Dr. Harvey Taylor, was then engaged in general practice, and readily took his young brother under his wing, to instruct him in the rudiments of medicine. Accordingly in 1846, at the tender age of sixteen, he began a systematic course of readingand quizzing under the eye of his senior brother, and made satisfactory progress; but his brother being honored by a call from General Winfield Scott to a position on his staff, accepted an appointment as a member of the General's military family, and served as staff surgeon to the Hero of Chapultepec in Mexico during the entire war. Dr. R. S. Howard succeeded Dr. Harvey Taylor as preceptor to the young student; this gentleman occupying the position of Professor of Surgery in the faculty of Starling Medical College, to be his private pupil was a distinction which gave additional stimulus to the student's ambition, and he applied himself to the acquisition of knowledge with increased zeal and interest. In a short time he was pronounced sufficiently advanced to enter college; accordingly he matriculated at the Starling, and after two courses of lectures was graduated M. D. in 1849, at the age of nineteen years. He had shown such proficiency in his studies, and especially in applied anatomy that, at the suggestion of his distinguished preceptor, he was retained some months as pro-sector for the chair of surgery; and in making dissections for the Demonstrator. He then chose Logan, the county seat of Hockhocking county, as a suitable field, and locating there, about fifty miles from Columbus, he opened an office and began the practice of that profession in which he has won distinction, and at the same time done so much good to his fellow-man.
Realizing that it is not good for man to live alone, and that the best helpmate a manand especially a medical mancan have, is a good wife, Dr. Taylor sought the hand in marriage of a young lady whose acquaintance he had made, and who had early taken captive his heartMiss Phoebe E. Lowedaughter of Peter B. Lowe, Esq., formerly a prosperous merchant of Bond Brook, New Jersey. This young lady had received the advantages of a thorough classical education at her native village, and her father had recently immigrated to Ohio, settling there in 1850. On the 25th of December the following year, Colonel Lowe lost a daughter and gained a son, and Dr. Taylor was blest in the possession of a jewel of rare worth, on the first Christmas after attaining his majority. But alas"all things fair and bright must fade," the worm was already in the heart of the rose, and the fell destroyer had early marked her for a victim! Hence, notwithstanding his successes in Ohio as a rising physician were most encouraging, sufficient to gratify his ambition, in fact, in point of work done; and a career of usefulness had opened up before him,seeing the hectic glow on his young wife's cheek, and noting the unmistakable invasion of pulmonary consumption into that fair young life, he determined to make every effort in human power to save her. He closed up his business, and after investigating the claims of many so-called health resorts, determined to come south, in the hope that the genial air and the sunny skies of far-famed Texas would bring back the health of his bride; to make all else secondary to her preservation. With this praiseworthy determination he came to Galveston in 1852, intending to make that city his future home; but his observation soon convinced him that the excessive humidity of the atmosphere was prejudicial, rather than beneficial, to his wife's health, and he at once determined to come to Austin. He settled here in the early part of 1852.
The outlook was anything but encouraging; in fact, the surroundings were such as to make a less courageous heart fail. A young man a total stranger, with nothing but his profession to rely upon for a support, in a remote village of fifteen hundred with an invalid wife and no money! But, as we have said, he was not one to be discouraged. He realized the necessity of providing food and raiment, shelter, and even luxuries, for the dear invalid wife who, leaving father, home and friends had united her destiny with his, and sought their home in the glowing west; he realized, moreover, that he had no one to rely on but himself, and bravely he met the emergency. He went to work at manual labor,at anything honorable, no matter how humble or how hard,that would supply their needs till the dawn of better days. But such a manone who puts his shoulder to the wheel so willinglywill not call on Hercules in vain. He made a beginning, and having conquered the first great impediment, he took heart, and soon had laid the foundation for a career and a substantial fortune. In a year he was able to open an office and resume the practice of medicine. He had his office at Townsend's drug store, and soon had established a respectable clientele. By close economy he was enabled to purchase, for cash, a small home, and his wife's parents having come to her assistance by this time, he was relieved, in a great measure, from the care of nursing her, and was able to give this time to his practice. This was a great relief in many ways. During the first year Mrs. Taylor's health improved, and hope again animated the hearts of husband and parents. In two years from the date of arrival in Austin, she presented her devoted husband with a winsome little daughter; but, alas, in giving this pledge of her love, in imparting life to her offspring, the tender young mother yielded up her own, and her gentle spirit was wafted to the golden shores of eternity! But not till she had seen and known her daughter, and had heard her lisp the name of "mamma," that sound so sweet to the ears of young maternity. She rallied; but in 1857, being attacked with pneumonia, she went into a rapid decline, and perished with the roses, in the autumn of that year.
Left with his little Hattie, the bereaved young doctor mourned the loss of his first love, the companion of his bosom, so true, so faithful, and for whose sake he had made so many sacrifices, and all in vain. The solitude was intolerable; he yearned for companionship, and in two years more had wooed and won a second bride. This wife is the daughter of Captain O. H. Millican, a staunch Mississippi planter who had adopted the Lone Star State for his home. On the 27th of April, 1859, he was again married. His wife was born at Columbus, Mississippi, in 1841, and came to Austin with her father and his family, in 1854. The fruits of the latter marriage are four daughters and two sons; one son and one daughter died in infancy. Edward H. was born in 1860; Mary O., now the wife of Howard Buntin, Esq., and living near Austin, was born in 1862; Addison, who died at the age of eighteen months, was born in 1864; Elizabeth, now the wife of John W. Phillips, Esq., of Austin, was born December 6, 1868; Laura, who died in infancy (six months old), was born in 1871; Daisy Bell, the pet and youngest child, a charming little miss of eleven, was born July 22, 1878.
The daughter by the first marriage, Hattie Anne, was educated in Illinois and Iowa, attending, at various periods, five of the best seminaries in those States. She was married to Wm. Dixon, of St. Louis, a brother of Dr. Dixon, of that city. He was killed accidentally soon after their marriage, and his widow resides in Austin. The eldest son of Dr. Taylor, Edward H., was sent to Canada at the age of fourteen, and placed in a preparatory school at Woodstock, where he was fitted for the University of Toronto. Remaining at Woodstock sixteen months, he was matriculated at Toronto at the University, and remained there four years, taking the regular curriculum of study, and returned to his home in Texas in 1883. Mary O., the eldest daughter by the second marriage, was educated at Austin, and graduated in 1881, at Alta Vista Female Institute, at the head of which was Mrs. Kirby, one of the most accomplished and distinguished instructors in the State. She also took a post-graduate course in Elmira, New York, in 1883. Elizabeth, the third daughter, was also educated at Austin; first attending the Alta Vista Institute two years, and then entering the University of Texas, at Austin, she there completed her literary and scientific studies. Daisy Bell is yet at school, and is a bright child, in her twelfth year.
It will be observed that in his own family Dr. Taylor has given evidence of the faith that is within him, and carried out his views of the necessity of a thorough and practical education of both sexes. In word and in deed has he ever been the friend of education, and in Austin he has been the champion of a high educational standard. He has given active and intelligent aid to the cause; and with regard to his profession, he has been earnest and indefatigable in the effort to elevate the standard of professional learning. Indeed, in all that pertains to the profession of medicine, a profession to which he was early wed, and to which he has yearly consecrated himself anew, it may be said that he is most zealous.
Realizing the prostitution to which the noble calling has been put for the accomplishment of base purposes, and by adventurers, Dr. Taylor has long and earnestly advocated the passage of a law to restrict the privilege of practicing medicine to the hands of those who have studied and trained for its exercise; he was one of the prime, though unsuccessful, movers in the cause of medical legislation, has served on committees of the State Medical Association appointed for the purpose, and has labored in season and out to bring about so needed a reform, exerting his influence with Senators and members of the lower house in behalf of some such measure. In 1853, at a called session, he framed a bill to regulate the practice, and had it introduced; but that was the end of it. This was the first effort in the direction of medical legislation to regulate the practice in Texas.
He early recognized the necessity of co-operation on the part of the medical profession before it could be hoped or expected that such, or any other important reform could be effected; and appreciated the great good to accrue to the guild, as well as to those entrusted to their individual keeping, from a harmonious organization of the better elements of the profession; and as far back as 1855, he was largely instrumental in bringing about the first organization of medical men ever accomplished in this State. With a few other leading physicians, among whom the subject was often freely discussed, he called a meeting of the practicing physicians of the State, to be held at Austin. There were present a respectable number of representative men, and an organization was effected. That was in 1855. Dr. Geo. Cupples, of San Antonio, was elected President, a Constitution and ByLaws was adopted, and an address was issued to the profession of the State, asking their co-operation in perfecting the work.
Dr. Cupples delivered an able address, which was printed and circulated. That was long before the days of railroads in Texas, and the facilities for travel and intercommunication between citizens in different parts of the State were few and difficult; besides, the population was much less dense than at present. Hence, for lack of support, this laudable movement perished in the accomplishment; there were but two meetings held of the Texas State Medical Association as then organized.
But, notwithstanding this discouragement, Dr. Taylor insisted on keeping up the local organization of physicians, which had been effected the year previous, and the Travis County Society of to-day may be said to be the same society as organized by Dr. Taylor and his early confreres,in the sense of the Carthagenian ship; he and the venerable Drs. Morris and Litten being, perhaps, the sole survivors. This was beyond doubt the first medical society in the State.
This point is dwelt upon, because justice demands a correct record. We are writing history; and it should be correctly written, while it is yet possible to correct certain errors now almost unanimously accepted as truth. It is of record, and on the best authority, that the Texas State Medical Association was organized at Houston in June, 1869. That is a matter of fact; but the First organization of the medical profession, or a part of it, in Texas, under -the name of the Texas State Medical Association, occurred as above stated in Austin in 1855, and was effected largely through Dr. Taylor's labors. The same may be said of the efforts to secure medical legislation to regulate the practice of medicine. Dr. Taylor unquestionably drew up the first bill and had it presented to the legislature, having for its object the suppression of quackery; or, what is the same thing, the indiscriminate practice of medicine. The cohesion of the early organization was impossible, for the reasons stated. Not till the facilities of communication and travel became greater was it possible to engender and sustain an interest in organization. When in 1869 the organization was again affected and on a more enduring basis, Dr. Taylor promptly identified himself with it, and has, to the present time, remained a faithful, active, working member. He has served on many important committees, and has been First Vice President of the body. In 1875 he was nominated for President, and came within one vote of being elected. The honor was unsought; indeed, he was not aware of what was in the minds of his friends till it had transpired.
To the literature of the Association he has contributed liberally, and some good papers. One of the most recent was a paper on the Climatology of Texas, read at the twenty-first annual meeting at San Antonio, and printed in the Transactions of 1889. As chairman of a committee, appointed by the State Medical Association for the purpose, he drafted a circular letter to the profession, setting forth in clear and vigorous terms the necessity for a hearty co-operation on their part in the efforts which the Association was making to procure medical legislation to regulate the practice, and the urgent necessity for such legislation. This letter was by the Association ordered published in the Galveston News, and was also published in the Transactions of 1888, and by vote of the Association was printed in pamphlet form and mailed to the profession throughout the State, and to prominent and influential citizens.
He served as chairman of the Section of Obstetrics and Diseases of Children in the Texas State Medical Association, and in 1874, at the Austin meeting, held in April of that year, he made a report which was well received and ordered printed in the Transactions; and also a paper on Esmarch's bandageaccompanied by an illustration of a casewhich was read at the Austin meeting in 1874. He represented Texas in the American Medical Association in 1876, and was delegate to the same body from the Texas State Medical Association in 1886. He was also delegate to the Ninth International Medical Congress that met in Washington in June, 1886. His services in the organized medical profession of Texas have been eminent; he has been for years, and is to-day, one of the most active and zealous members. On the reading of any paper before that body he takes a part in the discussion which follows; and there are few diseases, or few subjects connected with medicine, in which he has not had a ripe experience. The same may be said of the local medical organizations. As busy as he always is, and as diversified as are his dutiesabsorbing and often perplexinghe finds time to attend the monthly meetings of the County, and quarterly meetings of the District Medical Society, and to both he has contributed papers in which his rich experience and mature observation are detailed, to the benefit of his junior brethren.
Dr. Taylor has eschewed politics all his life, never having sought nor held office; nevertheless he has always taken a deep interest in all that affects the welfare of the people or the State; especially has he been active, as we have said, in internal improvements and in the cause of education. Anything and everything connected with public policy with regard to education in all its departments, or the development of the State, has had a magnetic attraction for him. For instance, he was the first citizen of Austin to think of or propose a dam in the Colorado river, of which more anon; and he was one of the first movers in the direction of railroad extension in Texas,and largely influenced by his means and advocacy, the building of the first road to Austin, the Central tap-road to Hempstead.
In fact we question if any other one man has contributed more in time, money and influence toward the development, growth and prosperity of the capital city of Texas than he; or to the advancement and elevation of her educational and religious interests. Quiet and unassuming though he is in his manner, unobtrusive, retiring, in fact, he has been vigilant, and is gifted with a remarkable foresight of events. This has enabled him to accomplish much, where most others would have failed. His well known integrity makes his word his bond, and he thereby exerts an influence which has enabled him to contribute largely to the public good, and incidentally to build up his large fortune. He has, in a literal sense, often "cast his bread upon the waters" and "after many days he has reaped an hundred fold." While, as we have said, eschewing politics, he has accepted appointments and has filled positions within the line of his profession. Shortly after the founding of the State Asylum for deaf mutes, Dr. Taylor was made one of the trustees of that institution, receiving the appointment from Governor Sam Houston; he was also visiting physician to the Blind Institute. Governor Davis, likewise, at the cessation of the civil war and during the reconstruction period, knowing him, and appreciating his fitness for such position, made him one of the board of managers of the State Asylum for the Insane, at Austin; and he was, by the board, unanimously chosen President. He was also a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas, and filled this and other positions up to the time of Governor Coke's inauguration.
The office of member of a board of administration or supervision of any public institution is often nominal; and the average member discharges the duties incumbent upon him, usually, in an entirely perfunctory manner; but in the case before us, Dr. Taylor, as a member of the Asylum board, entered heart and soul into ameliorating the wretched condition of that large class of unfortunates; his sympathy, always large, and spontaneous in its outgoing towards worthy objects, became aroused, and he believed, with many able alienists, that the environment of the insane plays a large part in increasing or diminishing, intensifying or moderating, prolonging or abbreviating the mental malady; he thought that attention should be paid to the arrangement of their surroundings so as to make them pleasing and attractive as well as comfortable; that the insane require the cultivation of their perceptive and other faculties as children do; that something is needed besides food and clothing and occasional medication. He suggested the beautifying of the grounds, the removal of everything calculated to make painful impressions, or to excite horror or disgust. Accordingly, the location and surroundings of the magnificent building being favorable for the development of his idea, an immense park was laid off, and beautified. It embraces many acres, planted in grass, kept neatly trimmed, and studded with numerous shade and ornamental trees, amongst which the poor inmates are permitted to roam in bright weather; to recline or walk, to doze or read in the sylvan shade; they have their swings and tennis grounds; provision is made for gymnastic and other exercise; and the park is ornamented with fountains and statuary; while immediately adjacent to the buildings, and approached by broad sweeping carriage ways, are beautiful flower gardens, and a green house of rare plants; birds sing in the bowers, and the splash of the fountains which "gush forth in the midst of roses," makes a melodious accompaniment to their music. This was a judicious conception; and to-day the citizens of Texas are proud of their asylum park; it is one of the attractions shown visitors to Austin.
During his service as Regent of the University, he was no less enthusiastic in the promotion of every needed reform, and the progress of the educational interests of the State. He looked to everything. In the discharge of certain official duties he has reminded us of the German philosopher who would believe nothing which was not capable of demonstration, mathematically. He was not content to accept without the "grain of salt," any officer's or subaltern's report; he wished to see for himself whether such things were as represented; willing to risk his own judgment, he believed that "one eyesight is worth ten hearsays." In the discharge of his duties as one of the Regents he visited the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Bryan, which was also under supervision of the University Regents, and during his visit he carefully inspected the buildings and premises, as well as the conduct of affairs. It may be thought by some that this was a species of supererogation; but the ends justify the means sometimes. With the eye of a critic in architecture, he scanned the construction of each building, then being erected, and discovered that the very foundation of the main college building was insecure, He reported it to the board and to the Governor, and recommended that an expert in architecture be appointed to investigate the matter, and to make such recommendations as he thought best in the premises. His suggestion was adopted; the defect remedied, and thus, doubtless, thousands of dollars were saved to the State. These facts are mentioned as illustrating a trait of character which is distinctive and strongly marked; it shows that in whatsoever he is engaged Dr. Taylor devotes his best thoughts to the subject; he goes on the principle that what is worth doing is worth doing well; a quality that has contributed to make him the useful citizen he has proven himself to be. In this connection may be mentioned another circumstance indicating his remarkable faculty of going to the bottom of things; of being thorough. It may seem, as it really is, strange,that engaged in an absorbing general practice, burdened with a large family and the cares of an immense landed and other estate, he could find time to give so much and deep thought to public affairs; yet such is the fact. Under the law as it then existed, the University lands, of which the school fund of Texas principally consists, were on the market and were being sold at $1.50 per acre. It seems that no one before him had taken note of the fact that with railroad extension and consequent development of the interior, and a rapid filling up of the country, lands had greatly augmented in value, and these heretofore inaccessible and comparatively worthless lands were being bought up at an alarming rate. Dr. Taylor discussed the subject with members of the Legislature, and believing that the State was being literally robbed through a drowsy indifference on the part of those whose duty it was to look after such matters, at once set to work to put a stop to it. The outcome was a bill drawn up by him and introduced into the Legislature repealing the law. The bill passed and no more lands were sacrificed. The revenue to the State accruing from taxes on the increased value of these lands thus secured will amount annually to a large sum. Since the repeal of that law the lands have commanded a good price.
Up to the breaking out of the war, Dr. Taylor pursued the even tenor of a quiet life as a village physician, for Austin was then only a village, and having no railroad was, one may say, cut off in a large measure from the rest of creation. Sam Houston was Governor. Dr. Taylor was his family physician, and warm personal friend. There was much in common with them; they were both strong Union-loving men, and did not share the rabid fire-eating sentiments which distracted the State and whole South. The situation and its dangers were often discussed between them, the probable results of a war which seemed inevitable were talked of, and both viewed with horror the precipice to which the mad fanaticism of the hour was driving, with resistless force, the old ship of State.
Dr. Taylor was a prominent actor in many of the stirring scenes that occurred about the time of the secession craze. In vain the clarion voice of the grand old statesman rang out in prophetic tones, warning his people to beware! In vain he pleaded with them, argued, besought them to think well and act with caution. Passion took the place of reason; a frenzy had seized upon the popular heart; the overt act had been committed. Sumpter had been fired upon; secession and independent government, or dismal, black ruin was the alternative! Houston's voice was drowned; violence to his sacred person was feared, because he opposed secession!
Looking back through the dim vista of these sad yearsa quarter of a centurynow, that the scales have dropped from our eyes, we see the folly, the madness that plunged our State into a bloody, cruel and unnecessary war; and realize, alas! too late, that Houston was right, and secession wrong and impossible! The convention was called. Houston presented a bold front, and made one desperate effort to save his State. He was deposed, and Lieutenant-Governor Clarke was placed in the gubernatorial chair. Houston at last lost patience. He armed himself and came down town. Before going to the capitol, he called upon his friend, the subject of this sketch. Dr. Taylor observed an unusual excitement in his voice and manner, and catching hold of his arm, exclaimed: "Governor, you are sick, sit down; what is the matter?" The Governor could scarcely speak for emotion, or anger; but finally said: "They have kicked me out; they are mad, and will live, some of them, to rue this day." Dr. Taylor talked calmly to him, reasoned with him, and finally allayed his excitement. He arose to leave, and as he did so he took the Doctor's hand in his and said: "Doctor, I owe you much; you do not know how much. I came here on my way to the capitol, fully determined to kill Clarke;" and turning, showed or rather indicated that he was prepared to carry into execution the dreadful threat. He left his pistols; Dr. Taylor went with him to the Governor's office, where the genial courtesy and instinctive good breeding of Governor Clarke, together with his great and genuine respect for the old hero, further disarmed Houston. On their entrance to the Governor's presence, Clarke arose and advancing to meet them, took Houston by the hand, and leading him to the chair of state, said: "Governor, take your seat!"
Secession followed rapidly on the heels of the convention. The North had "let slip the dogs of war and cried havoc." Dr. Taylor had used every possible influence against secession, and had voted against it. But, when the alternative came, as it did to all of us, to take sides for or against our State, he had no choice: his heart and soul were thenceforth with the cause.
But he was unfit for a soldier. He believed he could do more good at home than in the ranks, and forthwith he addressed himself to the duty of providing for the helpless ones left at home by the brave men who had gone to the front. He organized a relief association. He went to the wealthier men and said: "We have sent our men to the war, the care of their women and children devolves upon us; it is a sacred duty we owe our country; how much will you give?" And, heading the subscription himself with a large sum, he raised a fund with which want was kept from the door of many a soldier's wife, and later, perhaps,widow,and little ones! During the entire bitter struggle he was at the service of the family of any Confederate soldier night or day, rain or shine, and without money and without price! The writer of this sketch, who has had the privilege of many a quiet conversation with this gentleman, whereby an insight into his true character has been gained, heard recently a young man, say, the son of a brave Confederate officer, and whose widowed mother resides in Austin, and has raised this and another son, "Dr. Taylor has been our family physician ever since I can remember, and has never once sent my mother a bill!" All during the war his services were rendered to any one who needed them; and unless the parties were well able to pay, in fact, preferred to do so, he made no charge whatever. Such was his convictions of duty to the families of those who threw their bodies between the invaders and our homes. There is a reward above for such as he, as surely as we live!
'Like most others of our Southern citizens, Dr. Taylor suffered heavy pecuniary losses in consequence of the war. Up to the beginning of hostilities he had devoted himself most assiduously to his practice, and had perhaps one hundred thousand dollars due him, recorded on his books. The most of this he lost by the war. His investments in lands also, judiciously made, were mostly swept away. Chaos reigned during and subsequent to the war; business was prostrate, and the minds of men unsettled. Upon looking around when peace came, and reckoning up his possessions, he found himself almost a poor man again. But with an earnestness of purpose, and that remarkable forecast to which allusion has been made, both characteristic of the man, he went to work to rearrange his affairs, and to push forward the work of organization. He promptly "accepted the situation," in the language of the hour. He gathered up the fragments of his shattered fortunes, and reflected how best to repair his losses. He reasoned that should an era of prosperity again dawn, of which there was scarcely a doubt, should the peace which had been declared prove permanent, property in Austin would be the first to respond in increased value. There was little reason to suppose that the demand for wild lands, as it was then called, would be such as to justify any large purchases of that character for speculative purposes; and if Austin property should enhance in value, that situated on the "Avenue," or main channel of commerce, would be the first to come into demand; hence, as rapidly as he could get together sufficient ready money, he purchased rent property; for he made it a rule, never to buy until he was able to lay down the cash. The unsettled condition of business,the unstable government(bayonet rule)rendered purchases on any other basis insecure. He had seen titles upset, and property lost, when bought on credit and partly paid for, and was in no mind or condition to take such risks; and at a :irae when it may be said every man carried his life in his hand.
The readers of these linesyears after the occurrences here related have passed from the minds of the living,and at a distance from the scenes here described, will hardly comprehend our meaning. There was no government; a military officer was in the Governor's chair; the country was garrisoned by Federal troops,most frequently the liberated slaves of the southern people who had had bayonets placed in their hands, and had been set to guard (?) us and our property; it was a rule of the strong over the weak; there was no security of person or property; everything depended often upon the whim or interest of some petty local official. Hence his caution in investing his hard earned money. Having purchased, however, as much city property as could be kept well in hand and improved, taxes paid, etc., he began making other investments in what he called "outside" property. These he made with an eye also of early returns, and later he invested largely in wild lands. To-day he owns eleven leagues* of land in Dimmit county, which is stocked with high grade cattle,one of the most valuable ranches in southwest Texas;and, notwithstanding his princely generosity to church and school, to public improvements and individual charities,he is to-day one of the wealthiest men in Texas, owning, in addition to the property enumerated above, a palatial residence in the centre of the city, which is surrounded by beautiful grounds and furnished with sumptuous elegance.
* About 49,000 acres.
But let it not be supposed that he thought alone of himself or of his own affairs; far from it; his best thoughts were bestowed upon the rebuilding of the city, the advancements of civilization, commerce, education and religion. One of the first steps to be taken toward the accomplishment of these great ends, wasto place Austin in communication with the outside world. To do this, railroads must be built, and, as before said, owing to the insecurity generally, universally felt, as to property investments in the South, and especially in Texas, Northern capital was timid; it was no easy task to secure sufficient money to build railroads in those days, But the subject was discussed; and Dr. Taylor was one of a committee of five appointed to raise a bonus of $65,000, which it had been agreed, should be paid, to secure the branch or tap road that connects Austin at Hempstead, with the Texas Central road leading on the south to the Gulf, and on the north to St. Louis and the North, East and West. As an example to the others, Dr. Taylor headed the subscription himself with a princely sum, and the balance, through his efforts and those of his associates, was quickly made up and paid. Thus, Austin was at once placed in an independent position and in rapid communication with the outside world. The company demanded additional grants, and individual members of this same committee purchased and paid for out of their own means, the ten acre lot, on which now stands the Union Depot, first used as a depot by the Texas Central tap-road. Immediately upon the completion of the road, as Dr. Taylor had so clearly foreseen, property in Austin began to rise rapidly in value; the town began to fill up: stores were opened, and business of every kind began to find its usual channels; store houses and offices were in demand, and brought large rentals.
The above is but another illustration of the business sagacity displayed by the subject of this sketch; in advancing the general prosperity, his own fortune was forwarded pari passu. Nor was this growth ephemeral; it was a healthy, vigorous accretion, and property has maintained its value to this day, constantly increasing.
A second railroad began to be talked of; it was a necessity; and it has been the experience of the ablest engineers that what commerce demands human skill will provide; whether it be to tunnel the Alps, or to bridge the Mississippi. The Vice President and the General Road Manager of the International & Great Northern railroad visited Austin; a meeting of citizens was called, and a proposition was submitted to them,that in consideration of a loan of $60,000 in cash the International & Great Northern railroad would be extended on an air line from Rockdale to Austin,the money advanced to be repaid by the company in freights within a given period after completion of the work. Dr. Taylor strongly urged the acceptance of the offer; but, unfortunately, while there were some public spirited and far-seeing citizens in Austin, there is also an element of "mossbackism;" and it was said "the capital is the objective point, the road is bound to come any how, and we will not subscribe the loan." The proposition was rejected; but the mossback prophecy was fulfilled. The road did come, but it was not constructed as Austin could have wished; they built on that line which offered the best inducements from property owners. Our neighboring citythen a crossroads, Taylor, being more generously disposed, secured the terminus, and became a division end, 2nd has the round house, machine shops, etc., and thousands of dollars are disbursed there each week to employees. This, Austin could have secured, had the people listened to Dr. Taylor's voice, and loaned the company the sum asked. The effect upon property in and around Taylor may be imagined. It was anticipated by railroad men who purchased largely and reaped fortunes. The village of Round Rocka mere post office prior to that time, grew into proportions to rival Austin in competing for country trade. Austin's trade was so much crippled by the springing into existence of rival trade centers, that when the subject of other railroad connection was mentionedand it was proposed to construct the Austin & Northwestern road, the business men (?) so short sighted were some, flatly refused to invest a dollar in the enterprise.
Dr. Taylor had strongly advocated the extension of roads to our north and northwest, in order to tap the rich wool growing, agriculture and mineral region of Burnet, Mason and Llano counties. He had written some strong articles on the subject which had been published. He foresaw that by timely action on the part of Austin the trade of some eight or ten counties to the north and west of us could be controlled and poured into the lap of the Capitol city. He was instrumental in building this road (the Austin & Northwestern, to Burnet). His valuable services were recognized, and as a mark of appreciation thereof, he was made Vice President of the company. He organized and put into the field a corps of surveyors, and their lines were surveyed from Austin to Brushy (a fiver some thirty miles to the northwest). He had, through his personal efforts, secured promise of most of the right of way, at a nominal cost to the projectors of the road. But, unfortunately, a difference arose between him and the President of the road; a fourth line was run without consulting with the Vice President, or with the directors, and without even a reason assigned, and the contract was let, to build on that route. This caused a division of sentiment amongst the superior officers, and added largely to the expense of construction. After seeing this unfortunate step taken by his superior officer, Dr. Taylor entertained some hope that this officer's representatives would induce him to abandon it; and he suggested to them to do so, in as much as not a single dollar had as yet been paid on their stocks. He had, in the meantime, secured others who would have built the road to Burnet, and gone forward with the enterprise as originally intended. His ambition was as above stated, to penetrate Mason, Llano and the counties beyond, to Colorado City, and there connect with the Transcontinental, thus completing the connection of Austin north, east, south and west, and putting the city in close and quick communication with Mexico and California.
He argued that manufactories quickly followed rail extensions, and had built hopes as early as that day of seeing Austin become a manufacturing town. And in that connection, one of the first things suggested to his mind was a dam in the Colorado River! He had already determined in his mind that the proper sight for a dam would be at the foot of Mount Bonnell. His idea was that with a large reservoir of water thus secured by a strong dam, a race connecting it with, and emptying into Shoal creek should be built; the creek acting as a natural channel or outlet, seemed providentially provided. Along the shores of Shoal creek, he argued, would be built factories for the production of various commoditiesand which would give employment to thousands of operatives, thus redounding to the wealth, glory and prosperity of his beloved city.
Now, at a time when everybody is advocating the construction of a dam across the Colorado, and the sight has been by general acclaim located at Mount Bonnell; when factories are talked of as being the one thing needful to insure the independent wealth of Austin; when gigantic enterprises is assuming tangible proportions, and it begins to look as if, in the near future, a glorious fruition is to be realized, it is a little singular to reflect that what is now common talk, and is upmost in all men's minds, was conceived by this citizen's fertile brain years ago; and the whole programme as now mapped out, and hoped for, passed like a panorama before his vision. Nor was it dreaming; it was the outgrowth of a process of ratiocination. Railroads develop a country and bring people; the needs of a people must be supplied; factories are necessary to this demand, therefore factories must be built. Where? where there are the best facilities and where power can be cheapest applied. He realized the fact that an unchained giant lay at the foot of Austinidle; his power going to waste; put him in harness, he said, and make him turn our spindles and light our streets and irrigate our lands. All this Dr. Taylor had reasoned out,as far back as 1869. He foresaw too, that slack-water navigation as far as Burnet and Marble Falls and the granite quarries perhaps, would be afforded by a dam properly constructed.
The writer deems it but an act of simple justice that the above should go on record. In after years the posterity of this good and useful citizen may point to this feature of Austin's greatness, and reflect with pride, that their ancestor had early mapped out and predicted the very events which in their day are being carried out as matter of every day necessity.
In 1855 Dr. Taylor connected himself with the First Presbyterian church at Austin, and did much to keep that then feeble organization in existence. He may be said to have been, and to be, literally,one of its "pillars." And here his generosity has been as liberal and as characteristic as in the promotion of internal improvements, public policy, and education. The home missionthe main reliance for support by the church, was crippled, and able to apply only about $400 annually to the support of the church. The deficit, which embraced the salary of the pastor, had to be raised amongst the members, of whom there were only about fifty who were in position to contribute any considerable sum of money. Dr. Taylor for a number of years, made it a duty, which he regularly performed, to secure the necessary amount of money to meet the expenses of the church. Rev. W. M. Baker was the pastor at the time we speak of; and in his professional rounds, as he would meet members, Dr. Taylor would obtain their subscriptions, and in person hand the money to the pastor; whatever deficit there wasand it has been shrewly conjectured by those best informedthat the "deficit" was the larger part of the amount to be raised,was contributed from the pocket of him who undertook the collection.
The officers of the church early manifested their keen appreciation of his zeal and his liberality. They elected him President of the Board of Trustees.
It soon became necessary to enlarge the place of worship. Plans were submitted and agreed upon; and a work of construction began, at a cost of $1100. The major part of this sum was paid by the trustees themselvesthe President, as usual, heading the subscription with a liberal amount. In 1874, the building which is now used as a place of worship (1889) was constructed upon the site of the original little church, on the corner of Seventh and Lavaca streets. To erect this building, which is of stone and only one story high,being at this time and having been since 1874 incomplete,it was necessary to raise a very large sum of money$35,000. Of this sum Dr. Taylor paid $3,000, heading the list as usual. At the present writing the church edifice is being completed, another story is being added, and, of course, much more money is being needed to complete it. The watchful guardian and faithful trustee will see that it is forthcoming, even if the major part has to be paid, as usual, out of his own purse. In this connection it may not be amiss to say that for churches and railroads, school houses and in private charities he has given a large fortune; one donation for railroad extension having been put down at $5000.
Dr. Taylor has largely aided religion in Texas other than by the contribution of money. After the victory to the Southern arms at Manasses, most Southern ministers gave thanks; but Dr. Baker, the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, made no reference to it in his Thanksgiving sermon. This offended certain of the elders, and they quit the church, and all during the war held aloof; afterwards uniting with the other Presbyterian churches in Texas in forming a Southern General Assembly. Dr. Taylor declined to join them, but after the war wrote to the U. S. General Assembly an account of the split, stating that Dr Baker's church had held their allegiance and desired to be reunited with the General Assembly. Accordingly the church was attached to the Nashville Synod and Presbytery; and later, two other churches having been organized in Texas, (Georgetown and Brushy,) Texas was made a separate Synod. Thus the First Presbyterian church at Austin became the nucleus, on which the church in affiliation with the U. S. General Assembly was rehabilitated; and to-day a large sum is expended annually in the support of their ministry.
As a professional man Dr. Taylor deservedly ranks very high. His opinion in diagnosis, as well as his aid in prescribing, is valued highly by his colleagues; and in many difficult cases he is called in consultation. There are few families in Austin, or indeed in Travis county, who have not, at some time or other, had
he benefit of his wise counsel, and experienced the benefit of his skill at the bedside of some loved one. His colleagues bear glad testimony to his ability as a physician, as well as to his uniform courtesy and gentle manner as a consultant. His name is a household word. The number of people who now inhabit Austin, and were introduced to this world by this obliging accoucheur, would be hard to estimate. He is a typical "Family Physician." Animated by a high sense of duty he has faithfully and conscientiously discharged every trust imposed upon him. Recognizing the claims of others to respect, he invariably accords to his fellow-men the right to their own belief and opinion; and though a strong churchman, he is an advocate of the utmost freedom in religious belief; is tolerant and considerate. Conservative in his views, he does nothing rashly, but acts only after due and careful deliberation. His ear is ever bent to listen, and is never shut to the cries of distress; Christian charity is one of his brightest characteristics, but like Laertes, on the advice of Polonius, his "voice he gives to few," and never unasked. True and tried, his friendship is as enduring as steel. Modest in deportment, unobtrusive, he rarely gives offense, and never intentionally; though quick to resent the faintest approach to an indignity.
Dr. Taylor is uniformly courteous in social and professional intercourse; and in his family he is a model father and husband. He loves his home and his children, and what leisure he has, which is little, for he is a public servant who never tires of doing good, nor chafes at the demands upon his time, patience or purse, he spends in the bosom of his family. His home is beautiful, and the prattle of grand-children is beginning to add to its charms.
His walk in life has been above reproach. Church, State, municipality and society have shared his services and counsels, as well as suffering humanity. He has conscientiously pursued an even, straight-forward, a pure and upright course, which, having been under the observation of all, is above criticism; he enjoys the unbounded confidence and esteem of every class of his fellow-citizens. He regards himself as a servant of God, and is prepared to give an account of his stewardship. God gave him one talent and he, unlike the slothful man, did not bury it, but put it out at usury, and when the Master demands his own, he can say, "Here, Lord, is Thine talent; behold, I have made it ten!" His business ventures have prospered under God's providence, to whose blessing he attributes all his successes in life. Thoroughly indoctrinated in the science of medicine he has made disease a life study, as well as human nature; and to-day there is not a man in this intelligent community who is a better judge of character, or an abler diagnostician of disease. Not content with putting into practice his store of medical lore, he has sought to impart it to others. Thus he has had many office students, and has prepared a number of young men to enter upon the path he has so long, laboriously and successfully trod.
In the evening of his life he can retire to that bower erected by his patience, skill and business sagacity, where the presence of loved ones, and all the endearments of home will contribute to make his latter days happy and peaceful. With a conscience void of offense toward God or man, he can lay down his burden, and wait the call of his Master to that home beyond the skies, where he has richly earned the reward that waits him,"Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter now upon thy rest."
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
LAMPASAS.
Dr. John Wesley Carhart was born June 26th, 1834, in Coeymans, Albany county, New York. He came to Texas in 1883, and located at Lampasas in 1884. His parents were Daniel S. and Margaret Carhart, native Americans. He received his literary education at Charlottesville Seminary, in Schoharie county, New York; studied medicine and attended medical lectures in the Berkshire Medical College, and in the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, and graduated from the latter institution March 13, 1883. He practiced a while at Clarendon, Texas; and in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, before his removal to Texas. He took an additional course of instruction at the New York Polyclinic.
Though doing a general practice he gives special attention to diseases of women and children, and diseases of the nervous system. He is a member of the Northwest Wisconsin Medical Association, the Texas State, and American Medical Associations. Has been county physician of Lampasas county for three years.
In 1857 he was married to Theresa A. Mumford; they have seven children, three of whom are in Wisconsin, and four in Texas.
The Doctor has been a liberal contributor to the medical literature of the day. Among his best papers may be mentioned one on "Colpomyotomy," and one on "Puerperal Eclampsia," published in Daniel's Texas Medical Journal; "Ether per Rectum," "Ulceration of the Womb," "the Disposal of Human Excreta," "Child Bearing and Modern Civilization," and other valuable papers in the Courier-Record of Medicine; "Carbolic Acid in the Treatment of Carbuncle," in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in 1886; a paper on the "Loco Weed," in the New York Medical Record, in 1886; and numerous other papers on various medical topics. One of his best papers was read before the Texas State Medical Association at San Antonio, April, 1889, and published in the Transactions in 1889, entitled "Tyrotoxicon and Peptotoxine." The Doctor has also been a voluminous writer for the secular press, and has also written several works of fiction. His contributions to literary magazines and newspapers, both in prose and poetry, are numerous, and many have been copied and perpetuated in book form. His chief work of fiction, "Mina Harding," was published anonymously in 1879; in l859 he published "Sunny Hours," a volume of poems; "Poets and Poetry of the Hebrews" followed in 1866. His latest book was published in 1880, entitled "Four Years on Wheels."
Dr. Carhart entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and joined the Troy Annual Conference before he was twenty-one years of age. He remained a member of the Conference seventeen years and a half, filling some of the most important appointments in the Conference. He was then transferred to the Wisconsin Conference, where he occupied some of the best appointments for five years. He was then appointed Presiding Elder of Appleton District and served for four years as Presiding Elder. During this time a personal difficulty arose between him and another member of the Conference, Rev. Geo. C. Haddock. After a thorough vindication, Dr. Carhart withdrew from the ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal church and united with the Presbyterian church, in which he is now a ruling member and has been a Commissioner to the General Assembly of that church.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him at the age of twenty-seven.
Since the assassination of Dr. Haddock, in the streets of Sioux City, Iowa, Dr. Carhart has repeatedly been invited and urged to return to the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, but he prefers his present profession.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
CALDWELL.
Hiram Henry Darr is the son of George Darr and Kitty Darr, native Anericans. He was born near Caldwell, Texas, April 4. 1853; received a good English education in the common schools of Texas, supplemented by a course of private study. Selecting the profession of medicine, he begun a systematic course of reading under the able instruction of Dr. J. P. Oliver, in his native town, in 1870, at the early age of seventeen; attended medical lectures at the Louisville Medical College, two courses, 18734 and 1875; one course at the Kentucky School of Medicine, 1875; one course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1879 and 1880. He graduated with the first honor at the Louisville Medical College February 25, 1875, taking the prize, a gold medal, for general proficiency, and the prize in surgery.
Locating first near Hearne, Texas, in 1875, he practiced until 1880, when he removed to Caldwell, where he has since continuously resided.
He is a member of the American Medical, the American Public Health, and the Texas State Medical Associations; of the latter he was Second Vice President in 1884.
He has not been a voluminous writer, but has contributed some valuable articles to the medical literature of the day, among them a report of a case of typhlitis, in the Columbus Medical Journal, November, 1889, and a paper on dysentery, in the same journal, in 1883.
We omitted to state that Dr. Darr took an ad eundem degree in the Kentucky School of Medicine in June, 1875.
He was married October 25, 1881, to Miss Lula Childs. They have two children.
Dr. Darr is surgeon to the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad, and is a member of the Board of Medical Examiners of the Thirty-second Judicial District of Texas.
Dr. Darr's father was one of the pioneers of Texas, and was at the battle of San Jacinto, and in all the battles for Texas independence. His mother's maiden name was Kitty A. Wooten, daughter of Dr. T. J. Wooten, one of the early settlers of Texas.
Dr. Darr was a representative from Texas in the Ninth International Medical Congress, which met in Washington in June, 1886; has been President of the Burleson County Medical Society; is the medical examiner at Caldwell for several prominent life insurance companies, and for the Knights of Honor.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
LA GRANGE.
Dr. Renfro is the son of A. and M. E. Renfro. His father was a Kentuckian, and his mother a native of Tennessee. He was born in Dade county, Missouri, October 26, 1835. He came to Texas in November, 1865, and located at Cistern in 1867. Whence he removed to La Grange.
He was educated in the free schools of Missouri, and begun studying medicine at the age of eighteen. He attended his first course of lectures at New Orleans in 1868-9, and his second course in 1871-2, graduating at the University of Louisiana (now Tulane University) with high honors; practiced at Cistern, in Fayette county, Fayetteville, Flatonia and La Grange up to the present time. Though doing a general practice, he prefers surgery and obstetrics. The Doctor is medical examiner for several life insurance companies, and for several years was health officer of La Grange.
He is a member of the Fayette County Medical Society; of the State Medical Association, and of the American Medical Association. He has contributed several papers to the Transactions of the Texas State Medical Association. He has been married three times, to-wit: in Missouri in 1853, and again in 1867, and in 1878 to his present wife, who was Miss Josie P. Hill. He has three children living in Missouri, at and near Springfield, and three in Texas, one in Laredo, and two living with the parents.
The Doctor has a good practice and is much respected in his section and wherever he is known.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
WAELDER.
Dr. George W. Kerr is one of the most prominent and popular physicians in southwest Texas, and is at the present time (January, 1890,) President of the West Texas District Medical Association.
He was born September 24, 1846, at Fayetteville, Fayette county, Texas. His parents were G. A. and S. P. Kerr, native Americans. He received his literary education at Asbury High School, Thompsonville, Texas; studied medicine with Dr. John C. Jones, at Gonzales, Texas, in 1870; attended two courses of medical lectures at the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana in 1870,-'71-'72 and '73. He took an additional course at the New York Polyclinic December and January, 1884 and 1885. He graduated M. D. from the University of Louisiana Medical Department in March, 1873. He is a member of the Texas State Medical Association, and is one of its most active and useful members. July 8th, 1871, he was married to Miss Mollie J. Gourley. They have had seven children, of whom six are living.
No physician in Texas has better prospects for a career of usefulness and distinction than Dr. Kerr, being young, strong, healthy and popular, and practicing in the midst of a rich and thrifty people.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
PALESTINE.
John Webb Douglas is the son of Dr. John C. and Mrs. Rachel S. Douglas, of Scotch descent. He was born in Orange county, North Carolina, May 19, 1852, and came to Texas in 1860, locating in Walker county. Received his literary education principally at the hands of his good mother and in the log cabin schools of Texas. Studied medicine with his father at Augusta, Texas, and attended lectures at the Washington University, Baltimore, Maryland, two courses, 1871, 1872 and 1873, and one course in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, receiving his diploma from the former institution in 1873, and from the latter in 1883; practiced medicine one year at Augusta, Texas; two years at Colthorp, and since 1876 at Palestine, Texas. In 1883 the Doctor took private courses at Bellevue, under instruction of Professors Bryant and Jane way, taking an ad eundem degree in that year. For several years he has been a member of the District Medical Examining Board; has been a member of the City Council of Palestine also. He is a member of the District Medical Society at Rusk, Texas, and of the Anderson County Medical Society. In 1885 he contributed a paper to the Courier-Record of Medicine, entitled "Fungus Umbicales."
Dr. Douglas was married October 21, 1879, to Miss Dora M. Swanson, daughter of Col. H. C. Swanson, of Palestine. They have one child.
The Doctor is at present a member of the District Board of Medical Examiners.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
HENRIETTA.
Dr. James H. Ferris was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, in 1852. His parents were John C. Ferris, of Virginia, and Christina Clay, of Kentucky. He was educated in Nashville, Tennessee, and studied medicine with Dr. J. M. McMurry, of Nashville, from 1874 to 1876. Attended lectures at Vanderbilt University the same years and graduated in Nashville in 1876. He served as house surgeon one year after graduating. He came to Texas in 1878 and located at Henrietta, his present place of residence. In 1884 he took an post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic, receiving a certificate from that institution. He is a member of the State Medical Association. Dr. Ferris has not been a voluminous contributor to medical literature, though he has written some papers for the medical press, among which may be mentioned one in the Courier-Record in May, 1879, "On The Absence of the Uterus and its Appendages." His predilcation is for the surgical branch of practice. He was at one time pension examiner; and is now local surgeon of the Fort Worth & Denver, and also of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroads. He is also medical examiner for the New York Equitable Life Insurance company, the New York Mutual, and the New York Life Insurance companies; also for the Pennsylvania Mutual, the Manhattan Life, etc. He is examiner for the Knights of Honor, and is a member of the District Medical Examining Board. He was Captain of the Stockell Rifles, of Nashville, Tennessee, in 1877. Was married in 1880 to Miss Allie Johnson; they have no children.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
BURTON.
Dr. John More Hons was born in Washington county, Texas, October 5, 1851. His parents were Henry and E. J. Hops, respectively German and English. He was educated at the Bastrop Military Institute and Soule University, Washington county. He studied medicine at Union Hill, Washington county, with Drs. Pettys and Richardson in 1867-8; attended lectures at the New Orleans school of medicine in 1868-9; at the University of Virginia in 1870; and at the University of Louisiana in 1870-71; was graduated M. D. from the latter institution in 1871. Locating at Shelby, in Austin county, he begun the practice of medicine the next year; thence he removed to Fayetteville, Fayette county, in 1873. He practiced at this place two years; he then removed to Burton, in Washington county, where he has since resided. Dr. Hons is a member of the Board of Examiners of Fayette county. While doing a general practice he prefers surgery. He is surgeon of the Houston & Texas Central railroad, at Burton. Was married to Miss Jennie Turner, a daughter of Captain S. D. Turner, November 27, 1873, and again to Miss Sallie E., a daughter of Mr. W. N. Hendley, December 14, 1876. He has four children, three girls and one boy. The Doctor is in independent circumstances, and has a large practice.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
HOUSTON.
Gustave Cook was born in Lowndes county, Alabama, July 3, 1835. Nathaniel Cook, his father, was a native of South Carolina, for twenty-five years Judge of the Circuit Court of Alabama, a planter and slave-holder. His mother, Harriet Anthony Herbert, was the daughter of Thomas Herbert and Elizabeth Hampton, of South Carolina. His father and mother were cousins, his paternal grandmother being Ellen Hampton, daughter of Captain Hampton, who figured at King's Mountain, in South Carolina, during the revolution. The family are related to Senator Wade Hampton, by both mother and father; he is related to General Phil. Cook, member of Congress from Georgia, and to Colonel Hillary A. Herbert, member of Congress from Alabama. Walter, his eldest brother, was Captain in a company in the Confederate service, and was killed at Chancellorsville, in 1863. Girard, another brother, now a prominent lawyer in Lowndes county, Alabama, was a Captain in the Confederate army, in General Rhode's Brigade.
Gustave Cook was not a studious boy, and was little inclined either to schools or books. At the age of fifteen he came to Texas, alone, and had neither friend nor acquaintance west of the Mississippi river. His uncle, James R. Cook, was an officer in the Texas war for independence, and was killed in the service in 1836. His uncle's history induced Gustave to gratify his adventurous spirit by visiting the Lone Star State, and his object was to be a soldier. He arrived in the State without money, but soon made acquaintances. Among these were Three Legged Willie, Ben. McCulloch, Lamar, Burnet, Sherman, the Baylors and Burlesons, with whom he became familiar, and whom he adopted as models. He grew up with the pioneer Texans, and imbibed their spirit and daring.
When he first came to Texas, his intention was to take part in some of the numerous revolutions of Mexico, the leaders of which had their resorts along the Rio Grande, on the Texas border. These were lawless convulsions, the true nature of which he, being a youth of fifteen, did not clearly understand. But he sought counsel from those older and wiser than himself, and was soon convinced that they presented no legitimate field for chivalric deeds and heroic achievements; not reluctantly, therefore, he abandoned the idea of joining in these spasmodic upheavals and predatory revolutions.
For two or three years he clerked in a drug store, and became proficient in that line of business. This was the turning point in his life, and from the date of his abandonment of the boyish desire for adventure, he began a life of usefulness which is now crowned with honor. His aspirations since then have been to accomplish something in civil life worthy of his talents and of the relations he sustained to society. How well he has succeeded, this brief biography will show. He has achieved distinction and a high standing in public estimation, without compromising his self-respect.
At the age of eighteen, July 13, 1853, he married Miss Eliza Jones, daughter of Captain Randell Jones, a Texas veteran, of Fort Bend county. She was born in that county, in 1835. Her mother, Mary Andrus, was of a French family who moved from Louisiana to Texas about 1825. Four children were born of this marriage: Ida, born June 20, 1854, was educated at Mobile, and married in Houston, January 27, 1880, to Edwin Kyle, grandson of General Edward Burleson; Mary Herbert, born November 4, 1856, and educated in Houston; Henrietta, born March 13, 1859, educated in Houston; Gustave, born January 24, 1867, destined for fine stock-raising.
After his marriage, Mr. Cook educated himself. The textbooks employed were a spelling book, Colburn's arithmetic, Hedge's Logic, and a Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. His favorite reading was the Spectator, the Federalist, Gibbon's Rome, and Thiers' History of the French Revolution. The favorite poets of the young student were Scott and Burns. Under the advice of friends, he began reading law in 1854, without a preceptor. But Judge John B. Jones kindly directed his legal study, and he was admitted to the bar in 1855, and practiced in the old Austin Colony District until the beginning of the civil war. Before he was twenty-one years of age he was Clerk of the District Court of Fort Bend county for nearly a year. In 1856 he was elected Judge of the County Court of Fort Bend county, and served two years. It was after holding these offices that he began the practice of law as a separate business and sole means of maintenance.
In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Texas Army, and was under Van Dorn in the capture of Federal troops and stores in this State. In the same year, he became a private in the Eighth Confederate Cavalry, Terry's Texas Rangers. Here he was promoted successively to be Sergeant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel. He joined General Albert Sidney Johnson at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and remained with the Army of Tennessee up to the surrender, in 1865. He was with his regiment in over two hundred engagements; among them Woodsonville, Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, Marietta, Atlanta, Smithville, N. C., and Bentonville, in the same State. At Shiloh, his right leg was broken by a musket ball; at Farmington, Tennessee, he was shot through the right arm, and received a shot through the right hand that fractured every bone in it, disfiguring, and almost disabling it; at Buckhead Church, Georgia, he was wounded, by a minie ball, through the right ankle, and at Bentonville he was shot through the right shoulder, the ball lodging in the rear of the lung. He received six or seven wounds during the war, and the scars he wears tell a tale of courage and gallantry and heroism far more eloquent than the praise of his biographer. He had voted for secession, and he offered his life to secure it.
When Colonel Cook reached home, at the close of the conflict, in 1865, he was a mere wreck, weighing only 118 pounds. Broken down in health, he was also bleeding from his wounds every hour in the day. Nor was this all: he was ruined in fortune and involved in an enormous debt, and he immediately prepared to retrieve the one and discharge the other, though the latter alone required fourteen years.
Colonel Cook resumed the practice of law at his old home, and continued there until his removal to Houston, in 1870, where he has since resided. In 1872 he was elected a member of the Thirteenth Legislature of Texas. He has been a delegate from Harris county to every Democratic State Convention up to the time of his assuming the duties of judge.
In 1874 he was, by Governor Coke, appointed Judge of the Criminal Court for the District of Galveston and Harris counties, which position, by re-appointment of Governor Hubbard, he held till October 1, 1888, when he tendered his resignation, and it was accepted. He was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention at Galveston, in 1876, and opposed any action on the part of the Convention looking to the endorsement of the Constitution then about to be submitted to the people. He was delegate from Texas to the Philadelphia Peace Convention, in 1866. In politics, he has always been a Democrat of the State's Rights school, voted for secession, and favored the reconstruction policy of President Johnson. In the Legislature, he opposed the land grant to the Texas & Pacific Railway Company.
During his incumbency as Judge of the Criminal District Court of Galveston and Harris counties, the great excitement in labor circles throughout the United States occurred. Judge Cook conceived it to be in the line of his duty, as preserver of the public peace, to make some expressive declarations upon this subject, which he did in the public press of his district. These expressions were clear, distinct and severe, one might say even to harshness, but he considered them necessary to attract the attention of the people, who seemed to be laboring under the most intense excitement, and were, as he believed, being misled by charlatans and demagogues very rapidly towards their destruction, as well as towards the serious injury of the country. He did not hesitate to speak out openly, and warn those interested against the dangers, which he saw impending to them and the country. This drew down upon him a torrent of abuse and malediction, even to the extent of ominous and frequent expressions to the effect that "such a man should not be permitted to live," and the like, manifestly intended to excite violence towards him upon the part of those who considered themselves aggrieved by his interference.
All this he bore with much fortitude, and held to the line of duty, as he conceived it. Subsequent events have convinced those who considered themselves so grievously wronged that their good, as well as the good of the whole country, could be best accomplished by following the course he pursued; and it is to be hoped that they have realized that cauterization was the best treatment for the prevention of the consequences which might have attended the further prosecution of their plan of operation. The working classes have no truer friend than Judge Cook.
In 1887, upon the urgent solicitation of the Executive Committee of the anti-prohibition organization, Judge Cook took the stump in opposition to the proposed amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the manufacture and sale of spirituous, vinous and malt liquors in Texas. In pursuance of the programme, which they laid down, he canvassed a great portion of the State, traveling about 2,500 miles, making forty-odd speeches, varying in length from an hour and three-quarters to two hours and a half, in fifty-six days. There is no doubt that this active and powerful agency was largely instrumental in bringing about the result.
During the campaign of 1888, at the request of the committee, Judge Cook assisted in the campaign towards the re-election of Hon. Roger Q. Mills to Congress, and made eight or ten speeches in his district. With these exceptions, he has not departed from the even tenor of his way since 1881 until his resignation as judge in 1888, since which time he has confined himself to the practice of his profession and to his family.
Judge Cook is a member of the Episcopal Church, with a decided tendency to the Catholic faith, which his wife and two children have embraced. His eventful life and his frequent and almost miraculous escapes from death have attracted his attention to his relation to his Deity, and the dispensations of Providence towards him. He makes no concealment of his devout gratitude to God for past preservation and present prosperity. The controlling principle of his life has been to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. From his mother, a woman of exquisite beauty, both of person and character, he learned to value truth and hate deceit. She taught him his religious duty, which he has never neglected, He is a devout and just man in every relation of life. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, and honors and practices the rules of the Order. As an orator, he has but few equals in Texas; and as a jurist, no superior. His legal opinions are eagerly sought, and highly prized. His charges to juries are brief, concise, clear, and embrace the legal points on which they are to decide. Dignity, uprightness and absolute justice characterize his actions on the bench.
In social life, he is very approachable, courtesy and affability being leading features of his admirable character. As an evidence of his legal learning and acumen, it can be truthfully said that his decisions are always sustained and his judgments affirmed by the Court of Appeals, when appeals have been prosecuted. Since his appointment, in 1874, but three of his cases have been reversed on appeal, and each of these on minor technical grounds. His knowledge is very extensive, and his friends call him a living encyclopedia.
Judge Cook is not in the least avaricious. His opportunities to amass wealth have been excellent, but his boundless generosity and indifference to the accumulation of riches have prevented him from becoming wealthy. He regards property as a trust by the Creator, to be used in the relief of distress and in making others comfortable, rather than in the gratification of his own tastes and wants. His daughter, Miss Henrietta, is the financier of the family, managing the home business and directing the expenditures. He has a handsome cottage residence in Houston, and a summer home in San Marcos, and besides owns several thousand acres of unimproved land in Brown, Nueces and Hays counties.
Judge Cook is justly regarded by his friends as a model of propriety, and as an honorable, useful and meritorious member of society.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
HOUSTON
John Evans McComb is the son of the Rev. T. B. and Mary E. McComb. His grandfather was Jacob S. McComb. It was said of his grandfather that he would never accept a political office; nevertheless he always took an active part in politics for his party and friends, and canvassed his district for Sam Houston when he was elected Governor of Tennessee. He and Houston were strong personal and political friends. He died in Grayson county, Texas, in 1865, aged 93 years.
The subject of this sketch was born in Cooper county, Missouri, August 3, 1848. He came to Texas in 1853 with his parents when he was a small child, his father settling in Grayson county, and removed to Montgomery county in 1875. He was educated at Ladonia Institute and Waco University, taking a regular literary course and a law course. He graduated June, 1871, receiving the degree of A. B. Choosing the profession of law, he thoroughly prepared himself by a systematic course of reading after he left college. He read with Judge Hurt, now on the Court of Appeals, and in a short time was admitted to the bar. At the term of court at which he was admitted to practice, (at Sherman, in 1872,) he was appointed District Attorney pro tem., the District Attorney being unable to attend, and he served during that term. He was a member of the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Legislatures, and was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee; was Presidential Elector on the Cleveland ticket and received the largest majority of any Democratic Elector in the United States, running ahead of the electoral ticket in Texas. He was appointed one of the Texas Commissioners to the New Orleans Exposition, and by Pres. Cleveland, in December, 1885, was appointed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, which position he continuously held until December 1889.
It is unnecessary to say that Mr. McComb is a Democrat and took an active part in the canvasses of 1871-2-3, 76, '78, '80, '82 and '84. We venture to assert that no man has contributed more to the success of the Democratic party in what was once known as the Republican stronghold in Texas, than Mr. McComb. In the canvass of 1884 so active and so successful was he in arousing the sovereigns that his friends call him the "little giant."
Mr. McComb was the originator and a charter member of the Central & Montgomery Railway Company; was Attorney for the company, one of the Directors and Chairman of its Executive Committee.
Though not a man of large means, he has always contributed liberally to schools, churches and objects of charity. He has an enviable reputation as a writer, and has contributed to various periodicals and magazines, at intervals, and was temporary editor of the Sherman Register in 1873. As a speaker he has few superiors in the State. His speeches, literary, Masonic and political, wholly or in part, have been extensively copied by the press of the country.
In the Legislature Mr. McComb was always the champion of public schools. To him, perhaps, more than to any other, the State is indebted for its system of normal schools for white and colored. When the western portion of the State was overrun with bands of outlaws, he championed in the House a bill making an appropriation to keep a force in the field to bring the desperate characters to justice. He opposed excessive occupation taxes, and especially was he active in opposing the fencing of the State lands in the western part of the State with wire, and graphically predicted the serious wire fence troubles that afterwards caused so much confusion and bloodshed.
Since 1872 Mr. McComb has been a member of every Texas State Democratic Convention, and has generally served on the Committee on Platform; was a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention that nominated Hancock, in 1880, for President.
He has ever taken a lively interest in the literature and logic as well as the humor of the bar. Of the latter he is keenly appreciative, and it is claimed by his friends that he has "two hundred and sixty-three soul-stirring anecdotes, written out, of events which have actually occurred in Texas."
Mr. McComb was married February 24, 1873, to Miss Sallie Linton. They have two children living; John E. McComb, jr., aged 13 years, and Ella Blanche McComb, aged 6 years. Mrs. McComb was the daughter of Colonel E. A. Linton and Mrs. Mary E. Linton. She was born in Pickens county, Alabama, and moved to Montgomery county, Texas, with her parents in 1858; she graduated with the first honors at Waco University in 1871, in a class of unusual brilliancy and proficiency. She is modest and retiring, but those who know her recognize her literary accomplishments; as a literary critic and historian, she has no superiors and few equals in Texas. Her father, Colonel E. A. Linton, has been County Judge of his county, and has also held various other offices of trust.
Mr. McComb is eminent in the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of Ruthven Commandery, Knights Templar, at Houston, he has served as District Grand Master and Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Texas.
He is of rather slight physique; he is five feet ten inches in height, and weighs 147 pounds. He has fair hair; though comparatively slight, he is very active and compact, has a strong constitution, and he is characterized by a dignified and courteous manner.
Rev. T. B. McComb, the father of the subject of this sketch, while unassuming in his manner, is in some respects a remarkable man. He came to Texas in 1853 and located in Grayson county, where he now resides, at the age of 70. That was then the frontier of Texas. Being a minister of the gospel, he saw before him a large field for useful work. He organized and assisted in the organization of the Missionary Baptist churches in Grayson, Cook, Denton, Montague, Wise, Collin, Dallas, Hunt, Hopkins and Lamar counties, and was for years President of the "Sister Grove" Baptist Convention. He is said to have baptized over six thousand persons and officiated at the marriage of more than three thousand couples in Texas. He and his wife are both living, and notwithstanding their advanced age are active and in fine health. They have raised and educated a family of six children, the youngest being now 34 years of age. They are all married and have families, but one; this old couple have twenty-four grand-children living, and there has never been a death in the family.
Dr. J. W. McComb of Jacksboro, Texas, is a brother of the subject of this sketch. He is a successful physician and has large stock interests in the west. W. P. McComb, another brother, studied law with him and was an honored member of the 21st Legislature. The only sister, Mrs. Mollie J. Amossiger, resides with her husband and family near Van Alstyne, in Grayson county. J. B. McComb resides in Armstrong county, and J. R. McComb near the old homestead in Grayson county.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
GOLIAD.
James Austin Burke is the son of Professor Peter Burke, for many years a teacher in Texas, and Bridget Kelley. He is connected by consanguinity with the distinguished family of De Boryo, of France. His father died in Goliad in 1882, on the same day on which the lamented Garfield was assassinated. He was nearly one hundred years old.
This son was born August 28, 1824, at Johnstown, New York. He was educated in Louisiana, and studied for the profession of medicine, but did not adopt it as a vocation. In 1846, at the age of twenty-four, Mr. Burke came to Texas, and settled at San Augustine. He removed thence to Goliad two years later, where he has since continuously resided. That was about the time of trouble with Mexico, and war being declared, he joined a company of Texans under Captain Wheeler, in 1846, and participated in the struggle. In 1849 he served on the frontier, in defense of Texas, and was for a while stationed on San Antonio river. In his county, Mr. Burke's abilities and high character are much esteemed, an evidence of which is found in the fact that having been elected County Clerk in 1850, he was continued in office ten consecutive years, up to the breaking out of the war between the States; and some years after the war was over, he was re-elected to the same position of trust, 1876, and has filled it without intermission to the present day, December 26, 1889. This is a remarkable record of fidelity and continuous public service.
On the breaking out of the war he volunteered as a private soldier, enlisting in Wood's regiment (Governor Wood), Co. A, 7th Texas Mounted regiment. He served through the entire struggle, from 1861 to the end in 1865. In 1862 he was in New Mexico with Sibley's brigade; on the way thither his horse became unmanageable and ran away with him, fracturing his leg and disabling him for some six weeks or more. He rejoined the command, and returning to Texas, was ordered to Louisiana. Here he participated with his command in numerous engagements, being at the battles of Mansfield, Atchafalaya, Carrion Crow, Brashier City, Pleasant Hill, Franklin, etc. He was made Lieutenant, and subsequently promoted to a Captaincy. Few of the old Confederate soldiers have a better record for faithful service than Captain Burke, and he cherishes it as a precious legacy to hand down to his children, together with his untarnished and phenomenal record in civil service. His has been a useful life to his country, both in peace and war. In politics he is a staunch Democrat. He was chosen, and is now Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity; has been a Mason since 1852; he is an Odd Fellow, also, and is Secretary of the Blue Lodge and Commandery. In religious belief he is a Methodist. Mr. Burke has been twice married; his first wife was Miss Elizabeth Fulcrod. By this marriage there were two children, daughters. The eldest, Josephine, married John Cosyrode, and the other, Alzenith, married Mr. R. T. Davis. His second wife was Miss Joan E. Welsh. By her he had eight children, all sons. Their names are as follows: James A., Ross E., Robert E., J. Guss, Shelby, Wilson H., Thomas, and John F.
We omitted to state that Mr. Burke had been Sheriff of his county before his last term of service as County Clerk, that is, from 1874 to 1876.
In the point of personal appearance Mr. Burke is commanding presence, being six feet in height, erect and soldierly in his bearing. He has dark complexion, brown eyes, and weighs 175 pounds. There are few men more universally esteemed and respected. "Mary E. Burke died October 26, 1888, aged thirteen years."
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
DALLAS.
Barnett Gibbs is the son of Judge D. D. Gibbs and Mrs. Sallie Dorsey Gibbs, of Mississippi. He is a grandson of General George W. Gibbs, of Tennessee; was born in Yazoo City, Mississipi, May 19, 1851. He was educated at Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama, and at the University of Virginia. He received his professional education at the Law School of Lebanon, Tennessee. He immigrated to Texas in 1873, and located in Dallas.
Colonel Gibbs is essentially a self-made man; both his fortune and eminent position were acquired by his own unaided exertions, the former by the exercise of a remarkable business sagacity. He came to Texas a young man without means or prestige of influential friends, and with nothing but his profession, a strong constitution, a clear head and an indomitable ambition to rise in the world, and to-day he has $350,000 invested in real estate, stocks, etc., and there is no man in Texas, not even considering his comparative youth, who is better known and respected in social, business and political circles.
It will be seen from the date of his birth, that Mr. Gibbs is too young to have participated in the memorable struggle of 1861-65. His father, however, died in the Confederate army, and his brother lost a leg.
The citizens of Dallas early showed their appreciation of Mr. Gibbs' legal talent, by electing him city attorney. This position he held six years. He was then elected to the State Senate, from which position he was advanced, by the popular will, to the exalted and honorable position of Lieutenant-Governor of the State. This office he filled during the incumbency of the gubernatorial chair by Hon. John Ireland, from 1882 to 1886. During the absence of Governor Ireland, it often became necessary for the Lieutenant-Governor to assume the reins of government, and as acting Governor of Texas he acquitted himself with great credit, evincing remarkable qualities as a statesman and politician. Colonel Gibbs is the youngest Lieutenant-Governor Texas ever had, the youngest acting Governor, the youngest Senator, and represented the largest Senatorial District in the State.
It is unnecessary to say that he is a staunch Democrat; and the above record furnishes an indication of the very active part he has played in the political history of the State. His friends, recognizing in him the requisite qualities to represent the great State of Texas with credit and ability, brought him out for Congress, and he made the race before the Convention, with Colonel Wellborn for the lower house. The contest resulted in locking the Convention, and, as usual, a compromise was effected by bringing in the traditional "dark horse," named by Gibbs; and he withdrew in Mr. Abbott's favor.
The active part Mr. Gibbs took in the memorable canvass known as the "prohibition" campaign is a part of the history of Texas. He was incessant in his effort to defeat the measure, and the laying of that spectre was, in a large measure, due to his powerful influence.
Mr. Gibbs having shown himself to be so public spirited and so keenly alive to the interests of his adopted State, it is quite natural that he should have taken an active part in the gigantic scheme of securing a suitable harbor on the coast of Texas. Indeed, he was the prime mover, and was largely instrumental in bringing about the several conventions known as Deep Water Conventions, at Fort Worth, Denver and Topeka.
Colonel Gibbs is an eminent Odd Fellow, being Past Grand Master of the Order in Texas.
His wife was Miss Sallie Haynes, a daughter of the late J. W. Haynes. They have two children living, Sallie and Willie.
In personal appearance, Mr. Gibbs is no ordinary man. Large, fine looking, dignified, and of commanding presence, he would be observed in any assembly of men. He is rather blunt in his manners, especially to strangers, but among friends genial, companionable and of a convivial turn. He is six feet one inch in height, and weighs 220 pounds; has large, dark eyes of great depth, surmounted by a heavy brow and shock of coarse, jet-black hair, dark complexion, and features indicative of character and great strength of purpose. Should he continue to give his attention to political matters, a brilliant future awaits him. He is the idol of his friends and the terror of his enemies.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
GOLIAD.
Captain George Stormfeltz is a veteran of the "Lost Cause." On the declaration of war between the North and South, he promptly enlisted as a private soldier in the Eighth Texas Cavalry, Terry's Rangers, Company G, and followed that roving and ubiquitous troop all over the South, taking part in every engagement, large and small, in which the celebrated "Rangers" fought. In addition to the numerous battles and skirmishes in which they were engaged west of the Mississippi river, they fought at Shiloh, Champion Hill, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chicamauga, Knoxville, Atlanta, Black River (North Carolina), etc. A glance at the map will give some idea of the range over which these "Rangers" ranged; from the extremes of the Confederacy, north, east, south and west. They were very Cossacks, and lived in the saddle. It is a remarkable fact that notwithstanding the great number and severe character of the battles in which this gallant soldier was engaged, he was only once wounded; and then his life was saved by a miracle. Near Rome, Georgia, in one of the many fights the Rangers had with the enemy, Mr. Stormfeltz, who had, in the meantime, been promoted to the command of his company (Company "G"), was struck by a minie ball on the left side. It struck his watch and its force was thus broken; otherwise the wound would doubtless have been fatal.
Captain Stormfeltz is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Stormfeltz. His grandfather, John Stormfeltz, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War of 1776. George was born in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania.
He was given a fair English education, and set out in life as a carpenter and contractor. He came to Texas in 1857, settling at Liberty; here he remained only seven months, when he removed to Goliad, where he still lives. He is engaged in the mill and ginning business, being of the firm of Redding & Stormfeltz, and has several thousand dollars invested.
He has been married twice; his first wife was Miss Sarah Campbell, who died in 1871; he then remained single till 1884, when he married Mrs. E. A. Haden. He had but one child, Valentine West, who died in 1883, aged eleven years.
In 1885 Capt. Stormfeltz was appointed Sheriff, to fill an unexpired term; he was then elected, and served two consecutive terms. He is a Democrat, as are most Confederete veterans, and canvassed his county the past two elections. He is a Methodist and a member of the Masonic fraternity. In height he is five feet, eight inches; has blue eyes and sandy hair and beard, and is a staunch and much respected citizen.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
PORT LAVACA.
Judge O'Neil, the County Judge of Lavaca county, is a native Texan, and resides within a quarter of a mile of the scene of his nativity. He was born April 26, 1848. His parents bore the plain names of John and Mary.
He was given a fair education, such as is afforded by the county schools only. Although a mere boy he volunteered as a soldier in the Confederate army in the latter part of the war, and served in Company E, in Waller's Battery, Green's Brigade, and was at the battle of Yellow Bayou in 1864.
After the war he returned to his paternal roof, and began life without the advantage of means, or experience in any kind of business. What he has was accumulated by his unaided exertions, and his life was not strewn with roses. The Judge built and now owns the Sea-Side Hotel in Lavaca, and has $50,000 invested in lands and real estate. He has a cattle ranch of 5000 acres on which he has introduced fine blooded stock, and owns herds of improved horses and cattle.
In religion Judge O'Neil was raised a Catholic; yet he is a Mason. He is a Democrat. His wife was a Miss M. J. Robinson, of Indianola; they have seven children: James D., aged 16; Estelle, 14; Annie, 12; Edgar, 9; Ethel, 6; Jennie, 4, and John, aged 2.
Judge O'Neil was Sheriff of his county two years, from 18861888. It is stated to be a singular fact and worthy of record that O'Neil was the only Sheriff and Collector Lavaca county ever had, who made a full and satisfactory settlement with the State and county on retiring from office: In 1888 he was elected County Judge.
Judge O'Neil is of the Saxon or blonde type, with blue-grey eyes; is six feet tall and as erect as a young Sycamore tree. He enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
BEEVILLE.
William Robert Hayes was born in Hickory county, Missouri, December 30, 1835. His forefathers on his father's side came from England to Virginia about the first settlement of Jamestown and afterwards lived in the Carolinas. His grandmother on his mother's side, named Young, came from the Emerald Isle. In 1846 his father, Joseph Hayes, sold his farm in Missouri and started to Texas, but stopped in Sevier county, Arkansas, and remained there, water bound, until 1854, when he moved to Medina county, Texas.
The subject of this sketch, by consent, left the parents' roof in March, 1854, and shipped with Jim Sparks, as conductor of a "prairie schooner" with three yoke of oxen as motive power, from Fort Smith to California.
Reaching Salt Lake City late in August, too late to cross the Sierras, the train went into winter quarters there, and in the Spring of 1855 he went with a portion of Colonel Steptoe's Government train via Fremont's route to Southern California, and engaged in mining there until December, 1858, having made a trip to Frazier river, in the British possessions; he then came to San Antonio via Tehauntepec and New Orleans. He went to Bee county in April, 1859, bought land, and is living on the same place now, engaged in farming and stock-raising.
He was married in 1861. He served for three years in Col. Hobby's regiment, and was then transferred to Edwards' company of Pyron's cavalry just before the close of the war.
He was appointed Treasurer of Bee county in 1870 and continued to fill that office, being re-elected, until 1876, when he was elected County Judge, and is now serving his seventh term of that office.
At the age of eighteen, Mr. Hayes made a trip to California, and for many years "roughed it," as he expressed it, in his younger days, chasing buffaloes on the plains, skirmishing with Indians often, and hunting elk in the mountains near Salt Lake City. He also worked in the mines in California. During all of this time he was blessed with remarkable health, and in these extensive travels on mountain and plain never missed a guard duty. The same may be said of his service during the war; in the three years he was never on the sick list nor reported absent without leave. A part of his religion is to believe in no secret societies. He is a member of the Christian or Campbellite church.
Mr. Hayes has managed to accumulate a competency, and owns a pleasant home in one of the fairest parts of the State. He is engaged extensively in raising improved stock horses and cattle and in farming.
They have eight children, to-wit: Fanny, Mary, Horace, Lucy, Homer, Annie, Travis and Vivian.
Judge Hayes takes an active interest in all public affairs and his hand has been conspicuous in every enterprise which has helped to build up Beeville and Bee county. With J. W. Flournoy he was on a committee to negotiate for the extension of the Aransas Pass road to Beeville, and closed the trade with President Lott to that effect. He contributed five hundred dollars of the bonus given to that road, and to the Southern Pacific one hundred dollars to build to Beeville. He has been instrumental also in causing the erection of numerous churches in his county during the past twenty years, contributing liberally of his means for the purpose. Indeed, we may say, that his liberality to schools, churches and all charitable purposes is one of his highest characteristics. He has an abiding faith that in so doing he is but casting his bread upon the waters and will reap again after many days.
For a long time Judge Hayes has been ex-officio superintendent of the public schools of his county, in which position he has made an enviable record, and as a delegate to the State Superintendents' annual meeting has been distinguished by his intelligence and zeal in the cause of education. He is universally respected and esteemed by all who know him, as an honest man, an upright and impartial judge, a public spirited citizen and a Christian gentleman; moreover, he is a man of fine, decidedly martial appearance, being six feet in height and as straight as an arrow; and, though somewhat advanced in years, he moves with a soldierly step and bearing. He weighs 175 pounds, has a fair complexion and has blue eyes. Though rather sober and dignified in his general intercourse with men, he has a keen appreciation of the ludicrous, and not infrequently his eyes twinkle with a silent humor which few would suspect. He is courteous and affable in manner, and is easily approached by those even of the most humble station. It were to be wished that Texas had many more citizens of his character and stamp.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
COLLIN COUNTY.
John Johnson is a son of Benjamin and Barbara Johnson, and his father was cousin to Andrew Johnson. He was born in Ashe county, North Carolina, February 23, 1820. He came to Texas from De Kalb county, Missouri, near St. Joseph, in 1861, and settled in Collin county, where he now resides. His wife was Miss Pollie Kimsey, of Missouri. They have had twelve children, of whom only five are living. Their names are Marian, Jane Bower, Elizabeth Holder and M. W. Johnson, and John. M. W. Johnson is an attorney at law at Paris, Texas, doing a large practice.
Mr. Johnson is one of the characters of the State, and is perhaps as well known as any man in the State. He was a member of the State Legislature of Missouri in 1856, representing De Kalb county. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875 in this State, and was Senator in the 18th and 19th Legislatures of Texas. Here he became distinguished alike for his zeal in all matters pertaining to land and the farming interests, he being a practical farmer, and for his individual characteristics, blunt, honest speech, straightforward ways and primitive simplicity of dress and manner. It is unnecessary to say that he is a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat. He is a member of the primitive Baptist church and prominent in the Masonic fraternity. He has the credit of having erected the finest block of brick buildings in the town of McKinney, and is considered one of the wealthiest men in Collin county.
Mr. Johnson has been the architect of his own fortunes, and is certainly a self-made man. He had few or no advantages in early life, but on the contrary begun life under heavy disadvantages, such as would have discouraged one of less sterling qualities. His father died when John was only 13 years old, leaving a wife and two daughters and an orphan boy 6 years old, leaving no means whatever. The care of this family devolved upon John. The father died in Saline county, Missouri, in 1834. The family then removed to Johnson county, where they remained five years, John hiring out to make rails at 30 cents per hundred. All of his scant earnings he contributed to the support of his mother and sisters; removing thence to Platte county, Northwestern Missouri, young Johnson took a pre-emption claim, cleared a small farm and went to work. He remained here only two years. He sold the farm, receiving only $400 in money for it and moved again, this time to Buchanan county, where he pre-empted eighty acres of land, cleared part of it and again went to farming. He followed this pursuit eight years and again sold out his pre-emption and other lands which he had bought, realizing this time $3000. He again moved, seven miles east in De Kalb county. Here he purchased another farm, on which he resided and worked until 1861, when he determined to emigrate to Texas. On his last sale in Missouri he realized $42,000. Arriving in Texas he rented a farm near McKinney for two years; meanwhile looking around for suitable investments, he then purchased a tract of 200 acres four miles east of McKinney, where he resided fifteen years. He engaged in stock raising in connection with his farming, and for five years drove cattle to Missouri. As the country was rapidly settling up and lands rapidly increasing in value, opportunity presented for handsome speculation for those who like Mr. Johnson had ready money to invest; an opportunity of which he availed himself with the result, as we have seen, of becoming one of the wealthiest men in the county.
Mr. Johnson prides himself very much upon his record in the Constitutional Convention of 1875; it is a matter of record, that to him is due the honor of bringing into the treasury revenue from 35,000,000 acres of land on which no taxes had been paid for thirty years; and on his record with regard to regulating railroad charges; and in debating leading questions, he had to encounter Hon. John H. Reagan, one of the leaders of the body, especially on Johnson's homestead bill, which prevents one from mortgaging his homestead or in any way encumbering it. The bill passed as introduced by Mr. Johnson.
When he announced himself for the Constitution Convention, he issued to the voters of his Senatorial District, a platform from which we cull the following extracts which are embodied in our Constitution; this is due to Mr. Johnson:
"The interests of the country demand the insertion of a clause in the Constitution forbidding the taking of a higher rate of interest than the rate allowed by law prior to 1861, viz: 8 to 12 per cent."
"That the members of the Legislature shall receive, as compensation, $5 for each day they shall be in attendance on, and 10 cents for each mile actually traveled to and from the place of convening the Legislature, by the most direct route. That no member of the Legislature shall be entitled to pay for more than 60 days at any one session."
"The Legislature should exercise a control over the tariff of freight charges on all railroads chartered by the State, and require that all freights be in proportion to distance and that any discrimination for or against any place be forbidden."
That all lands belonging to non-residents be assessed in the county in which they lie, and in default of payment of taxes, should be subject to sale the same year when due. giving the owners the right of redemption. Also, that all parties holding any adverse claims against any real estate in this State be required to present their claims within two years or be barred."
Mr. Johnson was returned to the upper house of the 18th and 19th Legislatures and served with distinction.
Submitted by Patty Robichaud
author, is a native of Texas, where the greater part of her life has been spent. Through her book, Face to Face with the Mexicans (New York, 1888), she has become known to fame. The story of the inception, growth, publication and success of this book gives a luminous insight into the character of its author, and is at the same time an interesting illustration of the changed conditions of the modern American woman's life. Several years ago Mrs. Gooch removed with her family to the city of Saltillo, Mexico. She, who in her American home was famous as a housewife, went to Mexico almost entirely ignorant of the domestic manners of those most unyielding devotees of ancient custom, and set up her home among them, expecting to order her household affairs after the same comfortable fashion which made her home in Austin, Texas, a place of ease and plenty. The story of the disillusionment told in the opening chapters of her book is exquisitely ludicrous. To a woman less keenly alive to the humor of the situation it would have been less profitable as a lesson than it proved to the author. After a determined effort to force the immovable Mexican customs, she found herself compelled to yield to the inevitable. She might be compelled to do without a cooking-stove and to forego the delights of attending to her own marketing and shopping, but her genial soul demanded that, if foiled in her domestic plans, she would at least refuse to be shut out from social intercourse with the people among whom she found herself. That was hardly less difficult than to keep house in the American fashion with the help of Mexican servants and furniture. Her neighbors looked with small favor on Americans in general, having learned much to prejudice them against their brethren across the Rio Grande, and little in their favor. But here was an anomaly in the shape of an American, a woman full of the independent spirit of her people, but as full of sympathy and ready appreciation as the most courteous Latin. The result was that Mrs. Gooch obtained an insight into the innermost life and less superficial characteristics of our neighbors, which she afterward used in her book on Mexico so successfully as to give the work a peculiar value. Returning after some years to her former home in Austin, her descriptions of her Mexican experiences so entertained her friends that she was asked to prepare a series of articles on the subject for a Texas newspaper. Mrs. Gooch at once set to work. She soon found, however, an embarrassment of riches in the abundant material her memory supplied, and, abandoning her first intention, she decided to publish her work in book form. Her first intention had been to limit her book to her experiences in Saltillo, but the greatness of her overmastering idea soon proved that intention too narrow, and, putting aside her pen, she returned to Mexico, where she spent some time in its principal cities, mingling with its people in every station. She was fortunate in carrying on her new venture to have letters to the leading men and women of the Mexican capitol. When the literary portion of her work was complete, she went to New York and superintended the publication of the work. The book at once attracted the notice of the leading reviewers and became very successful. The year following the publication of Face to Face with the Mexicans; Mrs. Gooch was married to Dr. D. T. Inglehart, of Austin, and has since devoted herself almost entirely to her extensive domestic and social duties. At present she has in contemplation another literary venture, the subject of which is to be Texas.
(Source: American Women by Frances Elizabeth Willard, Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Vol. 1, 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)
Dan W. Roberts
RANGERS AND SOVEREIGNTY
By DAN W. ROBERTS
CAPTAIN COMPANY "D" of the TEXAS RANGERS
Published 1914
[Transcribed and submitted to Genealogy Trails by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
Biographical Sketch
D. W. Roberts was born in the State of Mississippi, in Winston County, October 10th, 1841. His father, Alexander Roberts, came to Texas in 1836, and helped the Texans fight the battles of the Republic for nearly four years, being in many engagements with the enemy, the most noted of which was the Plum Creek fight, which has gone into the history of Texas.
Soon after the Plum Creek fight, my mother prevailed on father to take his family to some place of safety, firmly believing that wholesale murder would be their fate: (Father's judgment was waived) and her love of family won her cause, and they went back to Mississippi in 1839.
During their stay in Mississippi, I was born, making that State my native soil, but father's love for Texas had never subsided, and his turn came to persuade mother back to Texas, where he joined his old comrades again in 1843. I was about two years old when they returned to Texas.
My father followed up the frontier, and I was reared, and almost rocked in the cradle of Texas warfare. When I was a small boy, I developed some very peculiar traits of character, not peculiarly good, but rather strangely peculiar.
We were fond of dwelling alone, to commune with Nature's beautiful work. I had my favorite pecan trees, and would conceal myself under them, to hear the crows murmur to each other, while they were gathering the splendid nuts.
My father's recital of early Texas battles had imbued me with the spirit, that those old Texans were the rightful lords of that grand and new republic, and that their heroism should be sustained, and when I grew to be a man, that I would devote my life to the cause that my father so loved.
In my boyish dreams I was always in command of men. My education was limited to the common English branches. As I grew to manhood, I could see that war should not be our occupation, but the constant raids of savage foes upon Texas, gave us the field that our more youthful days had pictured for us. We were "put in command of men," and our stewardship will follow. Our work was more preparatory for civil government consequently we were never a politician, but always adhered to democratic principles.
Capt. Roberts Married
About the last of August, 1875, Major John B. Jones reached Company "D" on his march westward along the line of the companies. He had an inkling that Lieut. D. W. Roberts was intending to tender his resignation, the purpose being to get married. The Major, in his characteristic fine tact, broached the matter first, and in his keen black eyes was a laughing twinkle that told me that he had anticipated me fully. He told me that he was in perfect accord with my idea of getting married, but, that my resignation was not at all necessary. He told me I could have a leave of absence, as long as I thought necessary, and to bring my wife on out to the company, or, I could leave her temporarily at a neighboring village, until I could prepare comfortable quarters for her, in, or near camp. He said he would see to it, that such arrangements were satisfactorily made. I agreed to do as he told me. But, a second consideration came to my mind, that I had been too hasty. My intended bride had not been consulted, as to whether she would come out among the red-skins or not. She had been reared in the town of Columbus, Texas, and knew comparatively little about the frontier. But, I went to Columbus, and told her the whole story, and happily, she agreed to the programme, and appeared to think it the climax of all the romance she had ever indulged in.
My wife was Miss Luvenia Conway, and we were married on September 13th, 1875. Mrs. Roberts is still living, and keeps my good old love letters as a menace to treachery. We took leave of Columbus, immediately after our marriage ceremony, the train having waited for the event, and via the City of Houston, we reached the City of Austin on September 14th. Stayed in Austin a few days, or until our ambulance and escort could meet us there. When the "boys" made their appearance, it was Mrs. Roberts' first sight of Rangers. When we took up our march for camp, nearly 200 miles distant, four men rode just ahead of the ambulance, with all the paraphernalia of Rangers, I noticed Mrs. Roberts taking them in, with intense scrutiny.
Their broad belts, full of cartridges, and a leather string, to which a hair brush was attached, to clean the rifle barrel, which hung down from the rear of the belt, was the one thing that appeared to "paralyze" her; finally she ventured to ask me what that was. I told her that all the original stock of Rangers had "caudal appendages". She gave me her first searching, doubtful look. In after years, she found out, that I was a charter member of the Ananias Club.
The second day's march took us by the residence of an old colored woman that had belonged to my father since before I was born. I could not pass her without stopping to see her. She came out and grabbed me, in the fashion of a silver-tip bear, and pressed me to her good old warm heart. I introduced her to my wife, and her first expression was "Daniel, you have married a beautiful woman." Mrs. Roberts took the compliment gracefully, but after we had driven a little distance from the cabin, I told her that the old ''darky'' had been blind for forty years.
That evening brought us to Blanco City (my old home town), where we were greeted with open arms by some of the best men and women on earth. That reassured my wife that I might have been respectable when I was young. The next day brought us to Fredericksburg. It was on Sunday evening. The custom of the old German people was to have their gala day on Sunday, and a big ball was "on tap" at Charles Nimitz hotel. Mrs. Roberts watched the gay dancers, until Terpsicore got the best of the Bible, and she joined in the beautiful waltz. She wished that the dance might last until morning, as she might merge the dark end of two days into only half of a crime.
Next day we reached Fort Mason. Mason was General Robert E. Lee's "ante-bellum" quarters. We were then within 50 miles of my camp. I could begin to hear what was happening in that section. I concluded that I had better leave Mrs. Roberts in Mason, and go myself up to the head of the San Saba River, where my camp was, and see if the "sky was all clear". I left my wife in Mason, with my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Holmes. Mr. Holmes was the private secretary of Governor "Sul" Ross. I went on up to my camp and found matters quiet. I returned to Mason within ten days, and took Mrs. Roberts up to Menardville, where we were to take our Ranger quarters for the winter.
There was not a house in the town that was in any way related to a saw mill, and brick yards were away back in older civilization. We engaged board with Mr. and Mrs. John Scott. Mrs. Scott was postmaster at Menardville, and she was an estimable lady. She had plenty of work to do besides a pen full of cows to milk. I volunteered to milk the cows for her, but she told me that "they wouldn't let John come into the pen". I insisted that she should give me the pail and let me try it, which she did. I walked into the pen, and milked the cows without any difficulty, and I guess John Scott hates me for it yet.
I prepared quarters for us, about one and one-half miles from the town, and we soon went into camp. Here we spent our honey-moon, with sweet old King Nature, watching the wild ducks and geese "splash in the beautiful water of the San Saba River. Our only music was the gobble of wild turkeys and the splash of beavers' tails against the water, and our little string band in camp, sent a wireless message back-to Home Sweet Home.
The rifle and revolver were not the only potent factors in advancing the successful settlement of the frontier. The '' Man with the Hoe'', was our partner, and while we watched his enemies, he, in turn, supplied us with corn and oats for our faithful horses, and built himself a nice home. As soon as people began to feel secure in their citizenship, the American spirit of enterprise asserted itself.
When the Republic of Texas came into the Union of States, she reserved all her public domain, and appropriated it to the upbuilding of the state, in public institutions and school funds. And "Uncle Sam" was not more liberal in giving the people homes. I think it was the Fourteenth Legislature that offered a land subsidy, to encourage irrigation, specifying the dimensions of a ditch to carry the water, say six feet wide, at the bottom of the ditch, and twelve feet wide, from cut to cut across the top, and four feet deep, on level ground. For this class of ditch, the state offered three sections of land to the mile of ditch, not otherwise appropriated, to the makers of that grade of ditches. The state not reserving any rental, or any further claim on the enterprise. Under this covenant, between the state and the citizen we had the pleasure of seeing the first ditch made, and stood guard for the workers in their happy vocation.
BACK TO BIOGRAPHIES
© Genealogy Trails
