Dallas County, Texas - The whole text, 1892 (part 16 of 32)

Edmund D. Sowers, our subject, was born October 4, 1826, and when one year old his parents removed to Pulaski county, Illinois. In 1827 he came to Texas, making his way overland with one yoke of cattle, and settled in Dallas county in 1856, in the vicinity of where lie now lives. He soon afterward bought 320 acres of laud of the George Parsons headright survey, on the edge of Grape vine prairie, on which he settled July 22, 1857, and where he has since resided. At that time there were only four or five families settled in the western part of Dallas county, and the county was new and unimproved. The place on which Mr. Sowers settled had about four acres broken, and a rail pen for a house, but he began at once to make improvements, and made the rails and carried them on his shoulder with which to build his fence. He fenced all of the 320 acres, cultivated 100 acres, built a comfortable two-story frame house, also barns and outbuildings. Mr. Sowers has owned a great deal of land since settling in the county, buying and selling as occasion offered, but has disposed of all his landed interests except the old home place and twenty-five acres of timber land. He still owns a house and lot in West Dallas, valued at $1,200, and three vacant lots. Having considerable mechanical genius, he began the blacksmith's trade when a young man and followed it many years in early life, and also after coming to Texas. In 1877 he erected a store near his house, and began the mercantile business, which he has followed successfully ever since. In 1883 he obtained the establishment of a mail route between Dallas and Grapevine, in Tarrant county, and has also secured a postoffice at his place, which was called Sowers, and where, with the exception of three years, he has been Postmaster up to July, 1890.

Mr. Sowers was married in Pulaski county, Illinois, October 11, 1853, to Freelove Thompson, who was born in Riclhand county, Ohio, December 10, 1824. They have never had any children of their own, but have reared six orphans, by all of whom they have done well, not only in the matter of rearing but have provided for them when they started out in life for themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Sowers are both members of the German Reform Church, and are pious, exemplary Christians. Mrs. Sowers was first married to William Bryant, October 29, 1846, and had three children, two of whom died in infanc}'. The other, Ellen, married Martin Wilson, an ex Confederate soldier, and has two children iving.

ff D. McCORMICK, a prosperous farmer I of Dallas county, was born in Ouachita * county, Arkansas, February 5, 1849, a son of John Caswell and Mary Elizabeth (Davis) McCormick. The father, a native of Marion district. South Carolina, moved to Washington county, Arkansas, in 1847, later to Ashley county, satne State, and in 1868 to Texas. After coming to this State he resided for three years in this county, one year at Farmers' Branch and two on Grapevine prairie, and then moved to Denton county, where he died February 22, 1872, at the age of hfty-one years. In early life he was a school teacher, having followed that occupation about eighteen years, but after coming to Texas he engaged in farm work. He enlisted in Ashley county, Arkansas, in the Confederate service, and served eighteen months, or until the close of the war. Mr. McCormick was a member of the Methodist Church, and was an upright and respected citizen. Our subject's mother, nee Mary Elizabeth Davis, was a daughter of Ben Davis. She was a native of Alabama, and moved to Arkansas with her parents when ten years of age, and is living in Denton county, this State, children of Mr. and Mrs. McCormick Randle; James Davis, our subject; Joseph

Addison, who resides in Red River county, this State; John Thomas, a resident of Denton county; Daniel Webster, who died at the age of seventeen years; Tliaddeus Sebastian, of Denton county, William Willis, a resident of Crockett, Texas; Catherine Priscilla; Henry and an infant daughter at home.

The subject of this sketch was reared in Ashley county, Arkansas, and came to Texas in 1868, settling in Dallas county. He settled where he now lives in 1875, his fatherin-law having given him a small place to which he has since added until he now owns 198^ acres, 115 acres of which are under cultivation. Mr. McCormick also owns 120 acres of timber land, and property in Fort Worth. He was married in this county, June 20, 1872, to Miss Mary Ellen Crowley, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Edna Crowley, natives of Tarrant county. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have one son and a daughter, John Caswell and Mary Edna. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

^ANIEL ALBERT STUART, who is classed among the prosperous and progressive men of Dallas, Texas, was born in Vermont in 1846, and is a sou of M. S. and Mary (Markham) Stuart; the father is employed by the Government at Burlington. Our subject is of Scotch descent and is related to the Stuarts of that country. He passed his boyhood and youth in his native State, receiving his education in the public schools, and then began business for himself. He was first in the Empire saloon in Cincinnati, Ohio, was afterward in business in Kentucky, and in 1872 came to Texas. He passed some time in traveling over tlie State and then located at Waco, where he remained for some time. He has been enoaged in the cattle business and has also dealt largely in Dallas real estate. He founded Coney Island Jockey saloon in 1885, and is a man who thoroughly understands his business. He is one of the wide-awake, thorough going business men, and his success is assured. He is a member of the B. P. 0. E. lodge and was Treasurer of the same for some time. In politics he advocates the principles of the Democratic party. He takes a deep interest iu all worthy enterprises and is one of the most progressive men in North Texas. He is not married.

|PPS G. KNIGHT has been a life-long citizen of Dallas county, Texas, born in 1858, a son of O. W. Knight, one of noblest and most excellent of the early pioneers, a full notice of whom appears in connection with an older son, G. A. Knight. Our subject inherited many of those traits of character which placed his father in the front ranks of the county's honored citizens. He received a thorough education in English branches at Rock Seminary, and early manifested that clear perception and keen judgment which have marked all his transactions in the business world. After a brief course at Marvin College, and a more extended one at the business college at his own home he started out to seek the fortune which exists in the mind of every ambitious youth. His health was not rugged, so he went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and for a time was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store. When he was stronger he took up the occupation of his father, and began the management of his father's estate which comprised 1,000 acres.

He was very successful in this undertaking and through his skill and industry the earth yielded to hiui her richest stores. Fine horses and cattle were bred, abundant harvests were gathered, and Mr. Knight soon took rank among the leading agriculturists of the State.

The marvelous growth of Dallas brought the plantation within reach of the city. He purchased the property for $40,000, organized a syndicate, and sold it for $125,000. He then turned his attention to real estate, and built some of the most substantial and capacious blocks in the place. He is one of the directors of the North Texas National Bank, and is closely connected with its management.

In 1887 Mr. Knight was united in marriage to Miss Fannie L. Fatton, of Alabama, a lady of much refinement and culture. Three children have been born to them: Mattie Lee died at the age of eleven months; Epps Browning and William H. The parents are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and few laudable enterprises have failed to receive their support and a generous contribution of their means. Mr. Knight is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the rising men of the New South, a citizen whom Dallas will alway, be proud to claim.

K. LUCAS, a farmer and dairyman of Dallas county, was horn in Meigs ''* county, Tennessee, on January 30, 1848, the youngest of five children born to Thomas and Narcissa (Wanimock) Lucas, natives of Georgia and Virginia respectively. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and in an early day moved to Tennessee, where he pre-empted and improved a farm. In 1851 he emigrated to Ozark, Arkansas, and in 1853 to Dallas county, where he bought and improved a farm of 280 acres, paying §1.50 per acre. His death occurred in this county December 15, 1877, and the mother still survives, residing with our subject.

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm life and educated in the public schools of Dallas county, and also aided in opening up the home farm. On his seventeenth birthday he eiilisted in Colonel Warren B. Stone's regiment, and served until the close of the war. Politically, Mr. Lucas is a member of the Democratic party, but is not active in politics, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Oak Lawn. He was married in this county, in 1873, to Alice Cole, a native of Texas, and daughter of James M. and Sarah (Bennett) Cole, natives of Tennessee. The parents came to Texas in 1843, settling in Dallas county, where the father died in 1883; the mother is still living in Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas have five children, namely: Thomas M., James C, Narcissa Etta, Laui'a, and Alfred Warren.

^.ENDEPtSON B. CO YLE, a farmer of Garland, Dallas county, was born in this county, September 13, 1858, a son of Henderson Coyle, a native of Carroll county, Arkansas. The father remained in his native State until 1854, when he came to Texas, settling with Peter Colony in Dallas county, where he had previously taken a claim of 320 acres. He improved part of his land, which he afterward sold and then improved the remainder, where he subsequently died. He was born February 10,

1833, and married forty -three years ago Miss Eboline Parker, who still resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle reared a family of four children, viz.: Clemuel C, born December 23, 1848; Emily J., wife of R. J. Richards, was born February 18, 1852; Marion C, born November 10, 1855; and Henderson B., born September 13, 1858. The father was called out several times in defense of his country, but owing to the weakness of his eyes he returned to his home. The last time he was called to Shreveport, where he died, at the close of the war.

Henderson B., was only seven years old at his father's death, after which he lived with hifc mother and worked on the farm until the age of twenty-one. After his marriage he settled on his present farm of eighty-two acres, which was given to his wife by her father. Here he has built a fine residence, has the farm cleared and fenced, and in a fine state of cultivation. He was married December 1, 1878, to Miss Nancy M. Mills, who was born September 17, 1863, and daughter of Edward Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have had three children: Luvillia, born September 14, 1879; Norah Ebline, January 21, 1882, and Letha Matilda, July 6, 1884. The parents are botli members of the Christian Church, and the father is also a member of the Masonic order, Duck Creek Lodge, No. 441.

gentleman was a native of Switzerland became thoroughly Americanized, and one of the most prosperous and useful citizens of Dallas county, Texas. Briefly given, a review of his life is as follows; engaged in farming, until he was thirty-five years old. In the fall of 1856 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Schmid, who was born there the same year he was. He emigrated to America in 1867, came to Texas and located in Dallas, and the following year he was joined by his wife and daughter. For ten years he was engaged in teaming in Dallas. Then he purchased a farm of 110 acres, which he conducted and on which he lived ten years. During all this time he had been successful, had made money, and, what was more, had saved it. Finding himself advanced in life and in easy circumstances, he bought a choice location in Garland and built a house. His wife died on the 25th of January, 1890, at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving an only child, Anna, who, with her little son, Henry Noetzli, resides at the homestead.

Politically, Mr. Noetzli was an ardent Republican. He voted with that party when there were but few Republicans in the county. At the last election there were fifty Republican votes cast here. Mr. Noetzli was appointed Postmaster of Garland by President Harrison, and was filling that office most acceptably when he met with a fatal accident, his horse running away and upsetting the buggy. He died three days afterward, March 3, 1892.

In connection with this sketch, it should be further stated that Mr. Noeizli's father, Henry Noetzli, lived and died in Switzerland, passing away in 1890, at the age of eightyseven ypars. His mother's maiden name was Margaret Shebley. She, too, died in her native land, her death occurring in 1876. They were the parents of five children, viz.: Barbara, wife of Henry Frick of Dallas; Anna, wife of John Lienberger; Henry; Jacob, and Regula, wife of Felix Albright.

In company with his daughter and grandson, Mr. Noetzli expected to spend the summer of 1892 on a visit to his native land. He had already made one trip to Switzerland since locating in America. Although the old country and the seeues of his childhood possessed charms for him, he preferred the land of his adoption for a home.

ILLIAM J. BORAH, of Dallas county, is a son of Lee and Catherine [(Render) Borah, and is of German extraction. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of that country, and came to America in Colonial times, settling in the Susquehanna valley of Pennsylvania, where his son, our subject's grandfather, was born. The latter at an early day came by way of Pittsburg, and down the Ohio river on flat-boats, and settled in Butler county, Kentucky, when that country was almost a wilderness. For many years he was engaged in rafting and flat-boating between points on the Ohio river and New Orleans, and died at an advanced age in the county of his adoption. Our subject's father, Lee Borah, was born in Butler county, Kentucky, February 10, 1808, and passed his early years in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He married Catherine Render, of Ohio county, Kentucky, a daughter of Joshua Render, a pioneer of western Kentucky. On account of his wife's health, Mr. Borah came to Texas in 1856, settling in Dallas county, where he purchased 320 acres of land lying on Grapevine prairie, whicii was then unimproved. He spent the remainder of his life on that farm, dying in 1877, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife died at the same place, in 1851, and she and her husband are buried at the Bear creek cemetery, near by. They were both members of the Baptist Church, and were the parents of six children, all but one of whom reached maturity, viz.: Christopher C, who enlisted in the Confederate army at the opening of the war, and died from cold contracted on a forced march at Arkansas Post, during his term of service; the next child, a daughter, died in infancy; William J., the subject of this sketch; Jane, the wife of A. H. Boyd, Tax Collector of Tarrant county; Martha A., wife of Thomas Powell, of Grapevine' prairie; Rosie A., wife of J. P. Terrill, of Eliz.-tbethtown, Denton county, Texas.

William J. Borah, our subject, was born in Butler county, Kentucky, August 27, 1842, and was fourteen years of age when his parents came to Texas. His youth was passed on a farm, and in February, 1862, lie enlisted in the Confederate army, in the First Texas Squadron, and saw his first service at Chattanooga, Tennessee. After that battle he was in Gano's command, and was with General John Morgan in his celebrated raid in Kentucky and Ohio, and participated in all the fights, marches, thrilling adventures and wild orgies which characterized that most wonderful military expedition. He was with Morgan at the time of his capture, and was near him when he was taken. He was captured with the remainder of the command, and after spending a short time at Indianapolis, Indiana, was taken to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, shortly afterwai'd to Camp Douglas, Chicago, after the expiration of twentyone months was taken to City Point to be exchanged. They were then paroled under instructions not to go south of the north line of South Carolina, but Mr. Borah went over the line, and, being in the vicinity of his regiment, rejoined it, secured a furlough, and was on his way home at the time of the surrender.

Mr. Borah tells some interesting recollections of the days when he served under Morgan, as well as of the days when he attempted to make his way back home to Texas without transportation or money. He reached home at the close of the war, wearing one shoe and with one foot tied up in a shirt, from the effects of a frost bite. He paid his last cent, $16 in Confederate money, to get across the river at Shreveport, Louisiana. Again at home and the war over, he settled down to farming on the old homestead, where he has since resided. Mr. Borah has one of the richest and best improved farms on Grapevine prairie, and it is the same his father bought in 1856, and has been in the family since. Although it was divided at the death of the father Mr. Borah bought his sisters' interests, and he now owns 292 acres of the original 320 acres, all of which is cultivated. He also owns other land m Tarrant county, adjoining, and is one of the most snccessful farmers in the community where he resides. It is a notable fact that there has never been a failure on the Borah homestead since it was first settled in 1856. Mr. Borah has the reputation of being one of the most energetic men iu the western part of Dallas county, and everything on his place shows that this reputation is well deserved. He is liberalminded and a public- spirited citizen, and lends a helping hand to all deserving purposes.

December 12, 1868, he married Miss Lou Terrill, a daughter of John Terrill, then residing at Gi-apevine, Tarrant county, but originally from Randolph county, Missouri, where Mrs. Borah was born, having come with her parents to Texas when a girl. The wife died August 6, 18 - , leaving three children: Lee; May, now Mrs. C. L. Dillon, of this county, and Susie. Mr. Borah afterward married Miss Mary T. Bradley, a native also of Randolph county, Missouri, and a daughter of George W. Bradley, a resident of Taylor county, this State. To this union has been born live children, three of whom still survive, viz.: Jessie, Maud and De Graff. Mr. and Mrs. Borah are members of the Baptist Church, as were his parents before him, and he also takes an active interest in the moral and educational needs of his neighborhood.

ARION M. FARMER was born in Graves county, Kentucky, Septem- '^m^ ber 20, 1840. His father. Berry Farmer, was a native of Virginia, born in 1811; came to Texas in 1875, and died here in the year 1878, at the age of sixtynine years. His mother, who before her marriage was Arsena Paschall, died in 1875, aged sixty-five years. Following are their children, four of whom are living: Elizaljeth, deceased; William; Marion M.; Forby, wife of William Williams; Myra, wife of Perry Mitchell, is deceased ; Frona, deceased, was the wife of James Buck; Lu; and Nancy, wife of James Cruse.

Marion M. came to Texas when a young man, in 1860, landing here with only fifty cents in money, but with what is more than money, a determination to succeed in life He says he gave what little he had to a child, and began square with the world. He soon found employment on a farm at $8 per month, and worked in that way at different places until the war broke out. In April, 1862, he enlisted in the army, and served during the war, being in a number of important engagements. He had the misfortune to have his foot broken, and, being thus

At the close of the war Mr. Farmer returned home no richer, as a matter of coui-se, than when he entered the service. With renewed energy he went to work, and in due time saved money enough to buy 220 acres of wild land. On the 8th of February, 1866, he was married to Miss Emma Haught, and after his marriage moved to the land he had bouglit in Kaufman county. In improving his place and making a home he met with many diificulties and endured liardships untold, but finally success crowned his earnest efforts. His wife, born June 7, 1850, departed this life in 1868, and her untimely death was a source of much bereavement to him. Slie left one child, Emma, who became the wife of John Mason, and after his death married Frank Henryshot. After his wife died Mr. Farmer grew somewhat discouraged, and went to Kentucky and remained there a short time. Coming back to Texas, he again gave his attention to agricultural pursuits on his farm. He now owns one of the prettiest farms in Dallas county, consisting of 409 acres of fine land, all well improved. He has a beautiful home and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. Two hundred acres of his land are under cultivation, all is fenced, and the rest is in pasture, with the exception of eighty acres of timber laud.

For his second wife Mr. Farmer married Miss Golden M. Haught, a sister of his first wife. She was born in Dallas county, April 27, 1846, a daughter of Samuel and Isabella J. (DeVall) Haught. Her father was born November 20, 1814; was married in Pike county, Illinois, in 1844, and in 1845 moved to Texas, becoming one of the pioneers of this State. He and his wife are now residents of Arizona. Of their family of nine children, Mrs. Farmer is the oldest and is one of two who are still living.

Mr. Farmer has had six children by his present wife, namely: Emma Ermin, Eva, Ethel, Hattie J., Valta and Alfa O.; all living except Eva and Alfa O.

ILLIAM L. CAMPBELL dates his arrival in Texas in 1851, having come to this State with his parents and settled in Dallas county. He was born in Jefferson county. East Tennessee, April 23, 1832. being nineteen years old at the time the family emigrated to Texas. After remaining on the farm with his fatlier for some years, he took up the carpenter's trade and worked at it. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was in the Indian Nation working on a Government sawmill. The camp broke up on account of the war, and the mill was never finished. He came home and soon afterward enlisted in the Eighteenth Texas Cavalry, Colonel Darnell. Reaching the command, he found his brother sick and was detailed to wait on him. The command left and was captured before he and his brother could join them. In the spring they reported at Little Rock and were sent to Pine Bluff, remaining at the latter place until June. There he was taken with typhoid fever and was moved to the country. In August he came home, reported at Dallas, and was ordered to Shreveport. There he was put on guard duty; was subsequently detailed as carpenter in tlie ordnance department and was sent to Tyler, where he remained until the close of the war. Returning liome, he worked on the farm for awhile and afterward turned his attention to the carpenter's trade again. In 1872 he commenced surveying, and at that, as in other lines of work, he has been successful. He has done private surveying and has been deputized by the court to do work, but never ran or served as county surveyor. Although of late years he has given his attention chiefly to farming, he still does some surveying. Mr. Campbell has three farms, having two rented and living on the other. He has eighty acres of his home farm under cultivation, and everything about the premises indicates the owner to be a man of thrift and enterprise. Mr. Campbell has given some attention to fruit culture, with partial success. He has the largest peach orchard in this part of the county, and also has some apples. The black land he thinks is not suited to fruit culture.

Robert F. Campbell, father of the subject of our sketch, was a native of Tennessee, and while a resident of that State served as Justice of the Peace. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, his death occurring in this State November 18, 1881. By his first wife, nee Jane C. David, of Tennessee, he had six children, William L. being the oldest. The names of the others are Lodemia A., Sarepta A., James W., and Margaret E. The mother departed this life about 1842. In March, 1850, the father wedded Miss Mary Hotfer. Her paternal ancestors were Swiss, and from her mother's people she inherited some Choctaw blood. By his second marriage Robert F. Campbell had ten children, all having died except three. His widow is now a resident of Piano.

December 11, 1881, William L. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Catherine R. Rankin, daughter of Patrick M. Rankin, of East Tennessee. To them have been born five children, viz. : Robert E., born September 10, 1882; Emily J., May 14, 1884; Carrie M., October 7, 1885; LaFayette R., June 26, 1887; Lucy E., July 28, 1889, and Archibald Ray, born November 17, 1891. Lafayette R. died July 3, 1888.

Politically, Mr. Campbell is a Democrat, and believes in prohibition. He was a member of the Grange before that organization broke up here. The Campbell family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

fOHN W. HOPKINS, deceased, came to Dallas county, Texas, with his parents, when he was about eight years old and for many years he was an honored resident of this county.

Mr. Hopkins was born in Polk county, Missouri, November 16, 1839, son of John Hopkins. He was reared on a farm and resided with his mother until he reached his majority. October 28, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Hight. She was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, daughter of Robert A. and Martha (Jordon) Hight, natives of Tennessee, of French and Scotch-Irish ancestry. She came to this county in 1860. After their marriage they settled on a farm previously purchased by by Mr. Hopkins, or, rather, it was a part of the headright his mother had bought. He improved this place and was engaged in farming and stock-raising until the time of his death. He left an estate consisting of 1,000 acres of improved land. Mrs. Hopkins now manages the property.

To our subject and his wife were born nine children, of wliom six are still living, namely: Elvira, Lillie, David, Josie, Maggie and John. Robert died at the age of four years, William at the age of two years, and James at the age of eighteen months. Mr. Hopkins departed this life on the 7th of June, 1887. He was a member of the A., F. & A. M., and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

A. GARY, brick contractor and builder, of Dallas, came to this city I® in 1886, engaging at his trade, and afterward formed a partnership with Mr. Abbott, under the firm name of Abbott & Gary. Among the principal buildings tiiey erected are the Leacliman building on Live Oak street, Central National Bank, police headquarters on Commerce street, a wholesale building on Main street, etc. The partnership was dissolved in July, 1890, and since then Mr. Gary has put up a three-story and basement building on the corner of Ervay and Marillo streets, a three-story building opposite the city park, a three-story building at the crossing of Ervay street and the Santa Fe railroad, etc. Oil an average he employs seven skilled masons, besides the attendants.

Mr. Gary was born in West Virginia in 1856, the sixth of the thirteen children of D. R. and C. O. (Everhart) Gary, natives of the Old Dominion. His father was born in Richmond and mother at Harper's B^erry. Mr. D. R. Gary moved to West Virginia, commencing in life as a carpenter. For thirty years he was superintendent of construction of bridges and tunnels on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad from Wheeling to Cun^berland and from Grafton to Parkersburg, having 300 miles under his supervision. At length he retired from active business life, and he now lives in Columbus, Ohio; his wife also is still living. The subject of this sketch was reared in West Virginia, learned his trade in Bloomington, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, serving an apprenticeship of four years. Next he followed his trade awhile at St. Paul and subsequently returned to Columbus, whence he came to Dallas.

Virginia, March 19, 1882, to Amelia Hankey, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Charles and Amelia (Crumbacker) Hankey. Her father was born in Germany and her mother in Virginia, and they reside in Wheeling, where Mr. Hankey is a cigar manufacturer. Mrs. Gary died in "Wheeling, in 1883, and Mr. Gary was again married, in Dallas, in 1889, to Clara Hilliard, a native of London, England, and a daughter of Edward Hilliard, now of Shreveport, Louisiana, and by this marriage there is one child, by name Nelie May.

Mr. Hilliard married Mrs. C. M. Packinham, who was born in England in 1841 and died in Dallas December 23, 1886, leaving ten children - seven sons and three daughters.

Mr. Gary is zealously interested in the welfare of his country, voting the Democratic ticket. As to the societies, he is a member of Joseph Dowdell Lodge, No. 144, K. of P., at Columbus, Ohio, and of Cceur de Lion Lodge, Uniformed Rank, K. of P., of Dallas.

^ENNETH FOREE, Judge of the City ^ Court of Dallas, was born in Henry county, Kentucky, in 1859, and is a son of Silas H. and Elizabeth (Kyle) Force, honored citizens of Dallas county, whose history will be found on another page of this volume. He received his literary education in Waco University, and having chosen the profession of law for his life work, he began its study under the direction of Judge Burke. He was admitted to tiie bar in 1887, and at once entered upon a successful practice. He has been a close student, and has evinced such an aptitude for legal work that he was the choice of the Democratic Convention in 1890 for City Judge. He was elected by a large plurality, and is the youngest man iu northern Texas serving in this capacity. He has entered upon the discharge of his duties witli an honesty of purpose and a strict impartiality which thoroughly justify his selection. He is quick to discern a legal point, prompt in ruling, and fearless in his administration of justice. He is one of the most promising young lawyers of Dallas, and his friends anticipate for him a bright and successful future. He is a member of the Knights Templar, and belongs to the Baptist Church.

A. WOODS, a farmer of Grapevine prairie, Dallas county, was born in ' ® Cole county, Missouri, April 17, 1839. a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Witten) Woods, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. The paternal grandfather, Archibald Woods, was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man, settling first in North Carolina, where he married, and moved thence to Wayne county, Kentucky, where he subsequently died. Andrew Woods was reared mainly in Kentucky, and after his marriage he moved to Fayette county, Missouri, in 1830, settling where the town of Lexington now stands. He was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade, and erected the first house ever built in Lexington. He died in Cole county, Missouri, iu 1841, at the age of forty-three years. Our subject's mother, nee Elizabeth Witten, was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, a daughter of Samuel Witten. Her parents moved to Kentucky when she was twelve years of age, settling in Wayne county, where she grew to womanhood. She was married in that State, and accompanied her husband to Missouri, in pioneer days, where she died, in Cole county, in 1853, at the age of fiftytwo years. Her people were originally from Maryland, her parents, however, being Virginians by birth, and were pioneers of Kentucky and Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Woods had five children: Mary, the wife of C. A. McCarty, of Tarrant county; Emeline, who became the wife of Thomas Greenup and lived several years in Wise county, where she afterward died, leaving a family; Margaret, formerly Mrs. James A. Jenkins, died in Cole county, Missouri, several years ago; Archibald, our subject; and Andrew Macky Lucetta, the wife of Bryant Harrington, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.

The subject of this sketch was reared in his native county, and when a young man, in October, 1857, he came to Texas, first stopping in Denton county. One year later he moved to Wise county, where he enlisted in the Confederate service, in February, 1862, in Company B, Fifteenth Texas Cavalry. He was actively engaged in the service until in January, 1863, when he was tal^en prisoner at Arkansas Post, and after his exchange he went to New Mexico, where he entered the employ of the old Santa Fe Stage Line Company. Mr. Woods was in the employ of that company in New Mexico and the western plains of Texas until the close of the war, and after the surrender he returned to Wise county, where he gathered together what was left of hi.s horses and cattle and traded them for a piece of land in that county. He subsequently traded this land for another tract iu Tarrant county, which he afterward sold, and, mc)Ving to Dallas county, purchased the place where he now lives, on Grapevine prairie, near the Tarrant county line. He lirst purchased 135 acres of prairie land, but he has since added to this tract until he now owns 520 acres, also eighty acres of timber land in the same vicinity, and a farm of 120 acres in Denton county. In addition to his farming Mr. Woods buys considerable stock, which he fattens, keeping from ninety-five to 100 head on hand at all times, and sells when the market is favorable.

He was married December 17, 1884, to Mrs. Mary Gatewood, a daughter of J. F. Morris, of Denton county, Texas, and born in Moniteau county, Missouri. To this union has been born three children: Alexander, Isabella and Mary. Mrs. Woods had one child by her former marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Woods are members of tiie Christian Church, and the former has been a Mason since 1864 and is now a member of Estelle Lodge, No. 570.

lABRIEL A. KNIGHT was born in the county of Bedford, State of Tennessee, in 1842, and is a son of Obadiah and Martha Ann (Knight) Knight. The mother was not related to her husband's family. Obadiah Knight was a native of Virginia, and when a young man removed to Tennessee, where he engaged inagi'icnlture, which he pursued until 1846. In that year he came to Dallas county, Texas, and settled in Precinct No. 1, within four miles of the village. He purchased 1,000 acres of land, which he placed under cultivation, and was the owner of slaves, although he was opposed to the principle of bartering in flesh and blood. He died April 1, 1868, at the age of sixty years. Mr.

Knight was twice married; there were live children of the first marriage, two of whom are living: Mrs. J. J. Millard, and Gabriel A., the subject of this notice; those deceased are, William A., Dr. John W., and Mrs. Judge Burford. The second marriage was to Miss Hughes, and the children of this union are: Laura, who died in 1870; Mattie A., deceased; Sarah Catherine; Margaret B.; William H.; Epps G., whose full history will be found on another page of this volume, R. E. L., a lawyer by profession; and Archelaus J.; Monroe and Josephine died in childhood. From this father sprang a large and influential family. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years, and was identified with the Democratic party. He was one of the most honored and respected of the early pioneers, and left behind him a name that will be revered while memory lasts.

Gabriel acquired a practical education in the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in the First Texas Artillery, serving four years, and participating in some of the most noted battles of the conflict. After the surrender he returned to Dallas county.

September 8, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Jenkins, a native of Dallas county, and a daughter of William Jenkins, who was the first Sheriff of Dallas county. Nine children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy: those living are Alma L., William Burford, Andi-ew G., Mattie, John J., Adaline, and Lucile. After coming from the war, Mr. Knight engaged in farming, and remained on the farm until 1889, and then located in the city. He was elected public weigher for Dallas county, in 1884, he is a member of the city council, having been elected to the latter oflice in 1891 without opposition; he represents the

Histort Of Dallas Oountt

Third Ward, and is a progressive and efiicient officer. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and he and Mrs. Knight belong to the Methodist Episcopal Clnirch South.

lOLONEL JOHN C. McCOY. - Among the early settlers ol' northern Texas, and the first lawyer to locate in the city of Dallas, was Colonel John C. McCoy, a gentleman commanding in appearance and venerable in the magnificent character he built up for himself as a true man and efficient citizen.

He was born in Clark county, Indiana, September 28, 1819, the youngest son of John and Jane (Collins) McCoy, natives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, liev. William McCoy, moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, in 1790, coming down the Ohio river in a flat-boat, and settled in Shelby county. He was a Baptist preacher and made many hazardous journeys in Kentucky, and also in southern Indiana, crossing the Ohio river, and penetrating the then immense forests of Clark county. A bold brave man, he proclaimed the gospel beneath the great trees, to the sparse settlers with his gun at his side.

Colonel McCoy's father was married in Kentucky, in 1803, and afterward moved to Clark county, Indiana, entered land and improved it. After tliat he moved to Jefiersonville, Indiana, and made that his home most of the time, until his death, which occurred September 3, 1859. His excellent wife died September 1, 1835, in Clark county, Indiana, This worthy couple had ten children, - four daughters and six sons, - all of whom grew to full man and womanhood, except one daughter; and all are now dead. The eldest son,

Lewis was a farmer in Indiana, and the father of John M. McCoy, Esq., of Dallas, Texas, who was the law partner of Colonel McCoy in Dallas for over ten years.

Isaac, the third son, received a classical education at Hanover College, Indiana, and made teaching his profession, and for forty years was a prominent educator in southern Illinois.

George R. studied medicine under the celebrated Dr. Yandell of Louisville, Kentucky, and for many years was a prominent physician in southern Illinois. Another son, William, became a noted Baptist minister in Indiana. No man stood hicrher than he in his denomination, and no man was more loyal or devoted to his people. He was the continuous pastor of two churches forty-seven years, besides traveling and preaching more or less all the time throughout southern Indiana. He died at his home in New Philadelphia, May 22, 1891. He left surviving him, his son. Rev. John E. McCoy, a prominent Baptist minister, who died July 24, 1891, at North Vernon, Indiana.

The youngest daughter, Eliza, was a missionary to the North American Indians for nine years, beginning in 1844. She was the principal legatee of Colonel McCoy, to the magnificent estate he accumulated as a lawyer in Dallas, Texas. She survived him only about five years, but during that time she donated fully $75,000 of her estate to benevolent and religious institutions; and by her will, she bequeathed almost all of the balance of her estate, valued at about §50,000, to the cause of missions. She died November 8, 1891, at Dallas, Texas, greatly loved, honored and lamented, as one of the most exemplary of Christian women.

entered as a student in the Clark County Seminary, continuing liis studies one year. In 1835, he entered Wihnincrton Seminary, and was a student there a year, and in 1836, returned to Clark County Seminary, for another year. Thus closed his school days. After this, his first employment was as Deputy Circuit Clerk of Clark county, Indiana, two years, during which time he prosecuted the study of law during all his spare time.

In 1839, he was engaged in the re-survey of tlie western boundary line of the State of Missouri, from the Missouri river south to the Osage river. He was next employed as an enrolling agent, and assisted in making the payments for the Government to the various tribes of Indians in western Missouri. In 1840, he assisted iii drafting the treaty between the Shawnee and Delaware Indians and tlie Government, for a portion of their lands on which to locate the Wyandotte tribe. Within the territory thus acquired Wyandotte City has been built, and there the remains of that tribe are still to be found. In the spring of 1840, lie returned to Indiana, and resumed the study of law in the city of Jefferson - ville, under Hon. A. Lovering, and in May, 1841, was licensed to practice in the State and Federal courts of Indiana and Kentucky. He soon secured a large and lucrative practice, which continued until his departure to Texas, J n 1844. Having accepted the position of agent and surveyor for the Peters colony in Texas, he embarked December 12, 1844, on the steamer Kate Aubrey, for New Orleans, en route to the wild scenes of the great Empire State, in company with E. F. Springer, M. J. Owen, William Keigwin, late proprietor of Breinond, Texas, and Captain Charles Hensley.

at Galveston, and began preparations to proceed to the interior. The party took a Buffalo bayon steamer to Houston, and from there weiit with teams to Cincinnati, on the Trinity river. In a few days they constructed a raft or Hat- boat, 6^x36 feet in dimensions, and, placing tlieir wares of 7,000 pounds on this frail craft, proceeded up the river to Fort Alabama, making such progress as their strength would permit, in pushing and pulling their vessel along. At Fort Alabama, the boat was abandoned, and having secured two ox teams at Mustang prairie a much easier progress of the journey was made to Fort Houston, where a part of their supplies were left; and, having purchased two ponies at this point. Colonel McCoy and his friend Captain Hensley, pushed on in advance of their party, following the Caddo trail as far as Gassett, in Henderson county. Riding up to the present site of Dallas, they found Colonel John Neely Bryan, established in a log cabin 10 x 12 feet in extent. The travelers were very cordially received by Colonel Bryan, whom they found dressed in buckskin leggings, his feet encased in moccasins, and his body protected from chilling wirids by a red and black plaid blanket coat.

In March, 1845, the party of engineers of which he was a member, started for the colony to prosecute their survey, arrived without serious accident and began the work.

Captain Hensley being called to Kentucky, Colonel McCoy fell heir to the absolute control of Peters' colony until the winter following, when his old friend returned with a full party of young men. This company was met by Colonel McCoy at Bonham, and he escorted it to Dallas, and after seeing the company comfortably established in their pioneer quarters, he severed his connection with the colony authorities, and in June, 1846, he be-

In this year Dallas county was organized, by Colonel John Neely Bryan, in which enterprise Colonel McCoy contributed his full share of brain-work and physical labor. As a slight expression of the appreciation in which his services were held by those whom he had most faithfully served, he was elected the first District Clerk of Dallas county; and, notwithstanding the fact that he had no office room gorgeously fitted up with those conveniences and elegances characterizing large modern offices, it is said that he discharged all the duties of his position in a manner that elicited the highest encomiums from those that understood the difficulties he had to encounter, as well as to the entire satisfaction of those whom he served.

The Mexican war breaking out about this time, Colonel McCoy took an active part in forwarding troops to the front, and in Navarro county was the prime mover in organizing the company commanded by Captain W. B. Dagley, with his old friend, Charles Ilensley as First Lieutenant.

In December, 1846, after the District Court had been successfully organized, and during its first session, and at the earnest request of Judge Ochiltree, he resigned his office as District Clerk, and entered regularly and largely into the practice of his profession, which he followed for nearly thirty-nine years, with unvarying and remarkable success.

In 1848, Colonel McCoy was made a Mason, at Bonham, Texas, in Constantine Lodge, and during the same year assisted in the organization of Taunehill Lodge, in Dallas. He was duly consecrated High Priest by the Council Order of Houston, June 13, 1861. At various times he was D. D. G. Master of Masons in Texas, Grand Visitor of the Grand

Chapter for the Eastern District of Texas, Deputy Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas, Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Commandry of Texas. He was also Past Grand Commander of the Grand Coramandery Knights Templar of Texas, and at his death was District Commander of the Scottish Rites, and King of the Royal Arch Chapter of Texas.

In his personal appearance. Colonel McCoy was exceedingly neat and even fastidious, and delighted in nothing so much as the simple elegance of life that minister to the comfort of all.

He was the first to erect a frame house in the city of Dallas, and this he did with the laudable desire to improve the hamlet by introducino; a style of architecture superior to that of the pioneer log cabin. He cultivated and beautified not only his own home, but also extended his ideas into the public interests of the county. And to him Dallas county is indebted for the magnificent trees that adorned Court Square, and that gave to that place so much of the attractions that excite the admiration for its inviting appearance during the sultry suns of the summer months.

In 1851, Colonel McCoy was married to Miss Cora M. McDermett, daughter of J. B. McDermett,of Pennsylvania, and a brotherin-law of David R. Porter, Governor of Pennsylvania. All the surroundings of that event were of the simplest character, but the constancy that followed the vows there made is the highest proof that can be afforded to the sincere devotion given to the blushing bride who began with him the voyage of his married life.

HISTORY OP DALLAS COUNTTcompleted, and his yoiincr wife duly and formally installed into the administration of its affairs. His was the home of gayety, and frequented by all who delighted to steal away from the cares of a busy life, and for an hour to realize that the world is still beautiful, notwithstanding the troubles that sometimes overtake the unfortunate toilers in its active scenes. In the happiness of his married life, and the successful practice of his profession that was then yielding him handsome profits, Colonel McCoy was feasting on pleasures that were destined, alas! to be of short duration. The young wife, that had given to him so much love and was so efficient in rendering home a paradise, was snatched from his side by the relentless jaws of death, ere the baby lips that had blessed their marriage had been trained to lisp the holy name of mother. For over a quarter of a century, Colonel McCoy walked alone in the shadow of his ever present sorrow, but, like the needle to the pole, the deep-rooted affections of his soul were ever true to the impressions made by the idol of his heart, who won and wore his devotions long before the frost of years had mellowed his life.

In 1854, ten years after his departure from the scenes of his early life, for the wild and untried experiences of this distant land. Colonel McCoy visited for the first time his friends and relatives then living near the Falls of the Ohio River, as Louisville was then known.

In February, 1856, Colonel McCoy was elected District Attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of this State, then composed of sixteen counties and extending from Grayson, Ellis and Dallas counties on the east, to to the distant boundaries of Young county on the west. This position he tilled for nearly three years, discharging all its duties faithfully, effectively and to the entire satisfaction of those who had entrusted the labor and responsibilities of this important office to him.

In 1861, when the Civil war, ominous of the worst, broke forth upon the country, Governor Clark, recognizing administrative abilities of the highest order in the systematic and determined character and will of Colonel McCoy, appointed him to be Quartermaster of the regiments commanded by Colonels Young, Simms, Lock and Parsons. When these commands were mustered into the Confederate service. Colonel McCoy was retained by Governor Clark in the military service of the State, and assigned to duty as mustering officer for the regiments that were subsequently carried into the Confederate Army by Colonels Nat. M. Burford and T. C. Hawpe. His further service as a military man was devoted to the enrollment of soldiers from Dallas county, and as Provost-Marshal of the same.

He was elected to the Legislature in 1862, and re-elected in 1864, and at the close of the war was an accredited Representative of Dallas county in that body, and as such assisted in the inauguration of the district officers appointed by Governor Hamilton, under the provisional measures of reconstruction adopted by President Andrew Johnson.

In politics, Colonel McCoy was always unswervingly devoted to the "old-line" Whig party; but when its days were numbered and its organization disbanded, he co-operated with the Democracy; and in all the political campaigns since the war, he was a recognized leader in the Democratic ranks.

As an orator. Colonel McCoy was richly endowed. Being exceedingly graceful in his style of expression and delivery, he never failed to entrance by his cultivated thought,

Being richly endowed with musical talents, and a cultivated musician as well, liis whole nature seemed to be attuned to rhythmical measures, and hence his love and great familiarity with all the poets may be easily accounted for. But few men in this country were as well acquainted with the realm of song as he. He had his favorites, his likes and dislikes, just as every thinking, reasoning and studious scholar must have, but as a literateur he was not only fair, but impartial in his criticisms, and respects most highly that commendable motive that excites merit to labor, and to contribute something to the development of our own literature. He may have been justly regarded as the best posted scholar in the classical as well as the general literature of the day, to be found in this part of the State. This fact, considered in connection with the further fact that he passed his palmiest days amid the dangers, hardships and demands incident to frontier life, must reflect additional credit upon his taste, his natural endowments and his attainments. In his own words, he " had experienced his greatest pleasures in communing with the stars as he lay stretched upon his single blanket on the prairies; and in all his travels he had never heard anything so grand as the soft winds of the whispei-ing forests, or seen anything so pure as the distilled dews that tremble upon the grasses of the boundless plains."

Colonol McCoy showed his strongest characteristics in his love for little children, and they in turn reciprocated all his regard in signs of affection for him. In this community no man enjoyed so much esteem among the juvenile element as he; and even the humblest approached him with confidence.

knowing that he would not allow them to sustain any want that he could either gratify or supply. Christmas day never failed to find him prepared for the visits of his little friends, and Uncle Mac's Christmas tree, from the force of custom had grown into one of the established institutions of the city. His invitations were given through the newspapers. No better nor higher eulogium can ever be pronounced upon his character than the simple, single sentence, " He was the children's friend."

Colonel McCoy united with the First Baptist Church of Dallas, in October, 1880, and was ever afterward an active and efiicient member, aiding liberally in all church work.

" The funeral of Colonel John C. McCoy occurred yesterday afternoon at two o'clock. He was an old landmark of Dallas, having come to this city when it had but a log house or two in it, some forty-two years ago, and with its growth he had grown. On its expansion, its progress and its development generally, he left the impress of his energy, his wisdom, his enterprise and his conservatism. He was not only respected and honored by all who knew him, but he was loved by all, deeply loved by the very many, for during the four days his body lay in his late residence, hundreds and hundreds of his old neighbors, of his newer friends, the rich and the poor, the white and the black, and especially the poor, visited it to look for the last time upon the pale, placid face so peaceful in death, and few went away who were not weeping. At one o'clock the Masonic orders, the Dallas Commanderv, escort for tlie Grand Commandery and Tanneliill Lodge of Masons formed at Masonic Temple, corner of Main and Murphy streets. From there thej marched np Main street preceded by a brass band, to the late residence of the deceased, corner of Main and Ilarvvood streets. Already at the house, tilling it and the spacious grounds, and gathered in throngs on the adjacent side-walks were hundreds of people - ladies and gentlemen - with knots of colored people too, all came to do honor to the loved dead. Up and down Main and Harwood streets for a block each way were carriages, buggies and wagons from the country, tilled with peoj^le.

When the procession of Masons arrived they formed a line along Main street to the west, the Knights Templar in front, Tanneliill Lodge next, the firemen coming next. Then the grand officers of the Grand Commandery and the pall-bearers filed into the dwelling; forming about the bier, the pallbearers on either side, Grand Commander John O. Johnson at the head and Grand Prelate J. C. Carpenter at the foot, with cross elevated, the Grand Commandery with crossed swords over the casket; the Grand Commander exclaimed "Alas, our brother 1." The Grand Conjmandery then sheathed their swords, the jjall-bearers lifted the casket from the catafalque and bore it to the hearse in waiting, the Grand Commandery following, and in the rear came the Sunday-school class of young ladies of the deceased from the First Baptist Church, bearing floral emblems. The funeral cortege took up its line of march in the order above named, to the First I3aptist Church. There the religious and Masonic services were most solemn. The remains of the deceased were taken to the Masonic cemetery, for interment in the family lot. Already hundreds and hundreds of people were in the cemetery awaiting the procession, so that when the vast throna; of that corteire arrived there were thousands present. The ceremonies first performed at the grave were from the beautiful and solemn burial services of the Knights Templar, sad, impressive and imposing. Then came the ritual of the Masonic Lodge, and then the casket was lowered to its last resting place and the mound was watered with the tears of hundreds of those who loved the distinguished dead in his lifetime and who most sincerely mourned him.

" The law Association of the city at a bar meeting, after a preamble, adopted the resolutions of respect for the deceased, who, for forty-two years, had been an honored and distinguished member of the Dallas bar."

The Public Library of Dallas, of which Colonel McCoy was the president and strong supporter at the time of his death, adopted some very appropriate resolutions and draped its rooms for thirty days.

The following selection is from a tablet of thanks presented to Miss Eliza McCoy in return for a portrait of Colonel McCoy, presented by her to the Dallas Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar.

" No Mason in Texas can ever forget his zeal for Masonry when wars and dissensions occurred between the North and South, when nearly every Christian, social and benevolent organization in this State was disrupted, and in many instances abandoned, your honored brother. Sir Knight, John C. McCoy, at his own individual expense paid chapter, personal, lodge and commandery dues for members and kept the lights burning on the altars of Free Masonry in Dallas. No Mason ever knew John C. McCoy who did not love him, and his grand character and his kind consideration of the wants of every destitute Mason or liis widow and orphans have so enendeared hira to Masons that his noble countenance, his commanding person and his benevolent kindness have photoc^raphed his memory on the hearts of every member of the order."

By Barah Lykins Russell

fOUN F. CALDWELL, Auditor of the city of Dallas, was born in Washington, District of Columbia, and is a son of Josiah Caldwell, of New Jersey. The father was employed in one of the departments at Washington for more than fifty years, serving from 1816 to 1858. He was one of the oldest clerks in the service of the Government, and was very competent and faithful in the discharge of his duties. One of his brothers was Clerk of the Supreme Court for many years. The family is descended from the Magruders of Virginia. Our subject was born in the city of Washington in 1827, and received his education in that city. After leaving school he was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store in Baltimore, Maryland, and remained there five years. He then spent several years in travel, and visited every portion of the United States. At last he settled in New Orleans, and embarked in the cotton business, an enterprise that was soon to be paralyzed by the ravages of war. Mr. Caldwell enlisted in the Staff Department, and for five years witnessed and experienced all the terrors and hardships of warfare. From the day the first gun was fired upon Fort Sumpter to the day of the surrender he did not flinch from the cause he had espoused, but did his duty valiantly as became a son of the South.

where he had settled after the war, to Dallas, Texas, and for several years engaged in the grocery business. Becoming well-known as a man of the highest honor and of excellent business qualifications, he was chosen by the City Council to till the position of City Auditor of Dallas. It is a very responsible position, but one for which Mr. Caldwell is admirably fitted by his previous experience. His management of the office has been systematic and entirely satisfactory to the public, who regard hini as one of the most courteous and obliging ofiicials. He is an ardent Democrat, and zealously supports all the measures of that body. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and has been a liberal contributor to those movements which liave tended to the elevation of public sentiment.

L. DeFRESE, a contractor and builder of Dallas, Texas, was born in Gerl* many, in 1863, the fourth child born to L. G. and C. E. (Schon) De Frese, also natives of Germany. The parents still reside in their native country. G. L., our subject, came to America in 1880, first settling in Indiana, where he worked at the cabinetmaker's, carpenter and joiner's trades, which he had learned in Germany. He i-emained in Indiana but a few months, after which he worked in Michigan and Colorado and other places. He came to Texas in 1881, where he worked at the cabinetmaker's trade, and finally, in 1885, he settled in Dallas, where he has since remained. Mr. De Frese erected the Bowser building and residence, and also many other good and substantial residences.

During the busy season he employes an average of twenty men. He owns a good farm of 184 acres in Ellis county, near Ennis, a residence at Oak Lawn, six frame residences for sale or rent, and one acre of land in this county.

Mr. De Frese was married in Brennans, Texas, in 1884, to Minnie Gerlolf, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Frederick and and Elizabeth (Schoanbeck) Gerlolf, also natives of Germany. The parents came to Texas about 1869, and now reside at Ennis, Ellis county. Mr. and Mrs. De Frese have one ahild, Annie. Mr. De Frese takes an active interest in politics, voting with the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

O. GARDEN, contractor and builder of Dallas, was born in Roan county, * Tennessee, September 3, 1845, the eighth in order of birth of the fifteen children of George W. and Teinpy W. (Howard) Garden. His father was a native of North Carolina and mother of Tennessee. His father was taken to that State by his parents in 1817, when he was a boy of only five years of age; he grew up and married there, and learned the trade of wheelwright. He is still living in that State, at the advanced age of eighty years. He was born February 2, 1812, was private in the Indian war of 1836, and was Lieutenant in the late Confederate war, serving about three years. He received a land warrant for the Indian war service. He has been a Methodist Episcopal minister (local) for many years, and is a devout Methodist to this day. He was a man most highly prized. His wife died April 20, 1867. His first wife, nee Betsey White, died in 1843. He had seven children by her. During the war the subject of this sketch was a member of the Home Guards of Roan county, and did duty on the skirmish line. Shortly after his marriage in the fall of 1876, he moved to Dallas, from Knoxville, and engaged in building and contracting, mostly in Dallas; has erected many good residences here and some other buildings. He generally employs ten to fifteen carpenters.

In 1867 George W. married Mrs. Sophia (Johnston) Ladd, by whom there is no issue, though she is the mother of nine children. Our subject is the eldest of a family of eight children of the second marriage.

He was married in Koan county, Tennessee, in 1875, to Miss Delia M. Cox, a native of Anderson county, that State, and a daughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth (Moore) Cox, natives also of Tennessee. Her grandparents were natives of North Carolina. Her parents came to Dallas in the fall of 1878 and engaged in gardening; they are both now living in Dallas. Mr. and Mrs. Garden have had four children, namely: Daisy M., Pearl, who died at the age of six years and a half, in June, 1887; two are deceased, J. W., who died in infancy, in 1877; and Asa O., Jr.

In politics, while he is not active in the councils of the party, Mr. Garden is a Democrat, and in religion he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

»HOMAS G. CHERRY was born in Todd county, Kentucky, November 13, 1834, son of Gerard Y. Cherry. His father, a native of Montgomery county, Tennessee, went to Kentucky when a young man and was there married to Miss Mary A. Edwards. Her father was a native of Petersburg, Virginia, and moved to Kentucky when Mrs. Cherry was an infant. Mr. Cherry lived in that State till 1853, when he tnoved to Montgomery county, Tennessee. January 1, 1856, he came to Texas and settled in Red River county. There he purchased a farm and on it spent the residue of his days, dying in 1862, on the day of the surrender of Fort Donelson, aged fifty-five years. His wife died in 1870, at the age of sixty.

Thomas G. was twenty-one years of age when his father moved to Texas. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-two, when he began life for himself. He chose for a wife Miss Mary Farmer, their marriage occurring on September 20, 1860. She was born January 19, 1843, daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Rector) Farmei-. Her father was a native of North Carolina and moved from there to Texas in 1848, Mrs. Cherry being at that time only five years of age. She was the sixth-born of seven children, whose names are as follows: Robert F., deceased; Sarah A., wife of George Murry; Alfred W., deceased; Frances, wife of Joseph Dixon; Thomas, who died in prison at Chicago; and James, deceased. Mr. Cherry's parents had eleven children, viz. : Charles B.; Thomas G.; William, deceased; Martha, wife of George Dixon; Mary, wife of Samuel Swim; George W.; Gillie, wife of Joseph Dixon; James K. Polk, who died in the army; Eliza F., wife of F. M. Giddings; Garrard; and Richard, who died when young. Following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cherry; Gerard P.; Thomas; Lulie, deceased; Alma; Robert and Clara.

During the war Mr. Cherry was not one to shrink from what he believed to be his duty. He joined Forest's command in Tennessee and remained with him till after the battle of Fort Donelson. He participated in that battle and also in the battles of Red Eiver, Manstield and Pleasant Hill, besides other engagements of less note. He was under fire for forty-nine days as they marched to to the sea. At the battle of Crutchfield he received a slight wound from a spent ball.

Mr. Cherry received his discharge at Houston, Texas, after which he returned home and engaged in the mercantile business at Charlesville, Texas, which he followed fourteen years. He then sold out and moved to Dallas county. He rented a farm one year and afterward purchased land near Pleasant valley. This he subsequently sold, and bought the 118 acres on which he now lives. It was then unimproved and was all covered with brush, but his well-directed efforts have, during the four years of his residence here, transformed a wilderness into a fine farm. It is all well fenced and eighty acres are under cultivation.

Mr. and Mrs. Cherry and three of their children are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cherry is a member of the Dutch Creek Masonic Lodge, No. 441, and also of the Knights of Honor, Pleasant Valley Lodge, No. 2756. He was a delegate to the Grand Lodge of the last named order which met at Galveston August 4, 1891. Mr. Cherry is also a member of the Grange, Duck Creek Lodge, No. 444, of wliich he is Overseer.

M. HUMPHEYS was born in Henry county, Tennessee, April 1, [' 1842, and was reared in his native State. When the Civil war came on he enlisted, in May, 1861, in the First Tennessee Infantry, and served two years and nine months; he then got a transfer to Forest's Cavalry, Seventh Tennessee. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Fayetteville,

Perryville, Murfreesboro, Athens (Alabama), Fort Pillow, West Point and many others. He was in Mississippi at the time of the surrender, after which he returned home and remained one year.

In 1866 Mr. Hurapheys came to Texas and located in Dallas county. After renting a farm one year he bought a piece of unimproved land near Mesquite. On tiie 29th of January, 1867, he wedded Miss Sarah Chapman, who was born in August, 1847. Mention of her father's family will be found in a sketch of J. C. Chapman in this work. Mr. Hurapheys lived on his farm for sixteen years. At the end of that time he sold out and bought land about fifteen miles east and south of Dallas. Here he has 200 acres of fine soil, 140 acres under cultivation, and all fenced. Since he purchased this property he has made many improvements on it, among which is his fine residence. He has also built a cotton gin, which he runs in connection with his farming operations.

Mr. Humpheys' father, Henry Ilumpheys, was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina. He was there married to Susan Paschall, and after his marriage he moved to west Tennessee, where he was prominent among the early settlers of that part of the State. He died in Tennessee, in 1868, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife died in 1889, at the age of eighty-five.

Like many other young men Mr. Humpheys came to Texas without means, but he went earnestly to work and his efforts have been crowned with success. He saved his money, used good judgment in investing it, and now has a delightful home and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He and his wife are the parents of ten children, namely: Henry; James C; Brittle, who died young; Ada; Maud; Forest; Lester; Olley, tW. COLEMAN, one of the influential citizens of Dallas, has been identi- * fied with the educational interests of Texas since 1876. He is now the principal of the city high school, fifteen teachers being employed in this institution. In the years 1876, '77 and '78 he was engaged in teaching at Richardson, Dallas county; then at Meridian, Bosque county, having charge of the schools in the latter place two years. He was elected president of Paluxy College at Glen Rose, remaining there two years. In 1884 he organized the public schools at Uvalde, Texas, and resided at that place until he came to Dallas in 1888.

Mr. Coleman was born in Dallas county, Arkansas, in 1845, the son of Rev. R. J. and Martha (Tanner) Coleman. His parents, natives of Virginia, moved to Tennessee at an early day, and in 1844 located in Dallas county, Arkansas, and have since made their home in that State. His father is a Baptist minister and still has regular work. Mr. Coleman spent his early life in his native State, and received his education in the Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, graduating iu 1872. He was educated for the ministry, but on account of throat disease has been deterred from what he considered his life work. In 1875 he came to Dallas, Texas, and was engaged as office editor on the Texas Bajptist. Dallas at that time contained only about 7,000 or 8,000 inhabitants, and since then its growth has been marvelous. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Coleman was united in marriage with Miss Mary B. Buckner, native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Rev. R. C. and V. (Long) Buckner, also natives of Kentucky. About 1857 the Buckner family emigrated to Paris, Texas, coming from there to Dallas in January, 1865. Dr. Buckner is the founder of the Buckner Orphans' Home, which he organized and put in operation in 1879. He still devotes his time and attention to this institution and it is now in a flourishing condition.

Mr. and Mrs. Coleman are members of the First Baptist Church of Dallas. They are the parents of Ave childi-en, viz.: Vibelle, Dora Maggie, Roberta, Mabel and Robert Buckner.

and immediately engaged in contracting for building. He obtained permission of Ben Long, the Mayor, to erect a shop on Main street, in front of the present Knepley stand, and commenced in a small way. His flrst job was a small building on Elm street, where he cut away the cornstalks to make room. He has since erected the principal buildings on Main and Elm streets, Knepley's Apollo Hall, and other buildings on Commerce street; also the Hill Block, the City Water Works, County Recorder's office, the Warren and Kemp blocks on Elm street, the Terry Block, the Ervay Block on Commerce street, Mrs. Kemp's brick blocks on the square, and many others. The flrst brick building in Dallas was erected for the present Mayor, where Mr. Carruthers worked by the day, on on Commerce and Walker streets- Mr. Carruthers is next oldest as a contractor in the city of Dallas, having been here continuously for eighteen years.

lie was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1845, the fourth in order of birtli of a family of live cliildreu, whose parents were G. W. and Mary Elizabeth (Dinsbe) Carruthers, natives also of that country. The mother is still living there, now aged eighty-five years. The father died in 1883, in Scotland. Mr. Carruthers emigrated to this country in 1869, first stopping at Chicago for a year, where he worked by the day, and thence he came to Dallas, as before mentioned.

He was married at Galveston, this State, iu 1872, to Miss G. G. Green, a native of Scotland, in which country he had previously made her acquaintance. After his marriage he was in Chicago. Here in Dallas he has a fine residence at 436 Wood street, built in 1874. He is interested in national questions, voting with the Democratic party. He belongs to Dallas Lodge, No. 70, K. of P., and also to the Uniformed Rank, same order; of Lodge No. 961, K. of H., and of the O. C. F. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Of the seven children, only one is living, Samuel by name.

F. COTTMAN, contractor and builder, Dallas, came to this city in l^^jJ^Ti" in the fall of 1875, and the first three or four years engaged in the grocery business. About 1878 or '79 he opened out in general contracting, and among the principal buildings he has erected may be mentioned the Central National Bank, the twostory brick building of Huey & Phillips, on Griffith and Elm streets; a $10,000 residence for J. S. Moss, on Ross avenue and Annex street, a $6,000 residence for J. W. Townsend, etc. Mr. Cottman has now been engaged in this business for seventeen years.

He was born in Winchester, Kentucky, in 1836, the eldest of the five children of James and Mahala (AVatts) Cottman. His father, a United Brethren minister, was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and his mother in Kentucky. The family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, when our subject was very young, and in 1854 to Paris, Illinois, in 1863 to Vermillion, Edgar county, same State, where the Rev. Cottman died in 1876; his wife had died in the latter part of 1874. Up to the age of seventeen years Mr. Cottman, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared near Terre Haute, completing his school education at the Methodist seminary, at Paris, Illinois, in which town he afterward learned and followed his trade.

During the war he enlisted, in Paris, iu 1861, iu Company E, Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as First Sergeant, was attached to the Array of the Tennessee and afterward to that of the Cumberland. He was engaged in the battles of Mount Zion (Missouri), Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, and siege of Corinth, soon after which, on account of sickness, he was honorably discharged, in 1862.

About this time he settled in Ten-e Haute, where he was a merchant for two years. In 1875 he came to Dallas, where, besides the business already mentioned, he is intei-ested in a store. On national questions he is a Republican, but takes no active part in the political machinery. As to the fraternal organizations, he is a member of George H. Thomas Post, No. 6, G. A. R., being the present Commander. In 1899 he was Junior Vice Commander of the Department of Texas.

In 1857, at Charleston, Illinois, Mr. Cottman was first married to Mary Bails, a native of Coles county, same state, and a daughter of Levi Bails, a native of Tennessee, who settled in that county in 1834:, and died there some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Cottman have four cliildren, namely: Minnie, widow of Charles Parker and residing on Cable and Pearl streets, Dallas; Wilbur, Laura, wife of Paul Hoppe, in Dallas, on Elm street, and Lena.

tENRY EXA.LL, of Dallas, was born at Richmond, Virginia, August 30, 1848. lie is son of Rev. George G. Exall, a Baptist minister well known in Virginia and the South, who moved from England when but a child. His paternal gandfather was an English astonomer and divine of consideralde renown. His mother is Angy E. (Pierce) Exall, a daughter of Joseph Pierce, who was a ship-builder of Philadelphia, and the representative of a family long prominent in naval construction in this country. Both branches of his family have an ancient and honorable lineage that extends to a very early pciod in American and English history.

Mr. Exall's early education, interrupted when he was thirteen years of age by the Civil war, was acquired at his father's academy. Two years later his strong Southern sympathies made liim a soldier in the cause. He was the boy of his brigade, but hia brave and brilliant soldiership marked him even then as the child of destined success. At the battle of Ream's Station his brigade commander presented him with a sword in recognition of his gallant services. At the close of tlie war he studied law, but very soon abandoned it for the wider and more active field of commercial life. In 1867 he moved from Virginia to Kentucky, where he engaged in mercliandising and the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1869 he was married to Miss Emma Warner, of Owensboro, Kentucky. Three children were born to them, all of whom died when quite young, and in 1875 his wife also died. In 1877 business affairs brought Mr. Exall on a visit to Texas, and, when he surveyed the great possibilities of the grand State, for whose industrial development he was to do so much, he determined to sever his ties of residence with old Kentucky and become a. Texan. He has represented the State of Texas at conventions of cattle-men, banker's associations, commercial congresses, expositions and political conventions at many and various times. In 1884 he was one of the representatives of the State in the convention that nominated Mr. Cleveland for the Presidency, and the same year he was a delegate to the National Cattle-men's Convention which metat St. Louis. He was appointed vice-president for Texas of the Cotton Centennial held at New Orleans in 1885, and the same year was also appointed Colonel and Quartermaster-General of the Texas Volunteer Troops. In 1887 Mr. Exall was elected vice-president for Texas of the American Bankers' Association held at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and during that year he also assisted in the organization of the North Texas National Bank of Dallas, of which lie is vice-president ; was chairman of the Stace Democratic Committee during the stormy time that prohibition promised to split the Democratic party in twain ; and in 1889 was president of the Texas State Fair and Dallas Exposition, one of the most successful institutions of its character in the country. In all these places he has i-eflected credit on himself and on his State, and whether in a State or National Convention his conspicuous superiority as a man of force, fearlessness and character, has made him a figure of attraction, and given him a place as the equal of the best of his fellows. In the discharge of his duties as a representative he displays the enthusiastic interest of a personal champion of a personal friend, and always, whether acting for himself or for others, his task commands his best ability. He is a faithful believer in the future of his State, and has told the story of her undeveloped greatness to the moneyed men of the East, and to the traveler from all sections, and has been the means of developing this greatness above and beyond any other. In that development his personal accumulations have approximated $1,000,- 000, a purse that is touched with no sparing hand when the enterprises of his State need enconragement. It may be said with truth, that every dollar of all that fortune he has made for himself is represented by $10 made for the people among whom he lives.

Mr. Exall has just finished the construction of one of the most majestic and costly buildings in the South. During its construction he might have been seen on any day in light conversation with men who drove the nails, laid the brick, and attending to the details of the work. His mind is so comprehensive that even the smallest particulars do not escape his notice ; this mental scope has made Mr. Exall a successful exponent of all the industrial enterprises that he has originated and promoted. In the city of Dallas, where he lives, everybody is his friend. Here, in 1887, he married his second wife, nee Miss May Dickson, a most attractive and accomplished lady, who makes their home a haven of rest from the many cares of his busy life. Mr. Exall's public expressions are always the embodiment of earnest consideration for the betterment of all alike, and when they contain advice as to a line of action, every word is tinged with a heart's sincerity.

that characterizes the domestic relations of the subject of this sketch, and the tilial regard shown his aged parents would render it incomplete. Incidents in illustration, without number, might be given l)y the writer, but it is sufficient to say that it has been, and still is, one of chief pleasures to minister to the every want of the venerable couple who nurtured him in infancy, and inspired his youthful heart with high principles and aspirations, which have been realized by the force of his own efforts. He is not known as the donor of any conspicuous gift in charity, but he is the quiet distributor of more alms to worthy objects than the average man of twice his wealth. And while in his modesty he prefers to remain the sole repository of the secrets of his own benevolence, it is known to all that no man ever disclosed to hiin a worthy cause with a request for help that he did not receive a prompt and liberal response. He has beeu repeatedly urged by both press and people to allow himself to become a candidate for Governor, but has always declined to become a candidate. As a Democratic Commissioner-at-large for the United States (appointed by President Harrison) to the World's Columbian Exposition, he will bring to bear upon its organization and development rare business abilities, and, such as cannot fail to be of great value and assistance to his fellow-commissioners, the peophe of the United States at large and to the people of Texas in particular.

^1^ T. HOLLAND, one of the representa- WM\ tive farmers and stock-raisers of Dal- TSAg * las county, was born March 1, 1846, a son of James Holland. When but two years of aee he came with his father from Illinois to Texas, and settled on the place where he now lives. He has followed farming and stock-raising from his youth, and received his edncation in the common schools of this county. By hard lahor and close attention to his business he has " managed to live," and is now the possessor of 1,000 acres of fine land, all of which is fenced, and 200 acres is under a fine state of cultivation. His land lies about twenty miles southwest of Dallas, in what is known as the Mountain creek valley. He is a firm believer and a member of the Christian Church.

Mr. Holland was married December 21, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of Isaac Jones, a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of five children, viz.: Claudia, Walter, James, Annie and Gillie.

I^ENRY K. BROTHERTON, a retired I m farmer living near Wheatland, has been ^sM identified with the interests of Dallas county, Texas, since 1850. He is a native of Ohio, born in Franklin county, September 12, 1824, a son of Robert and Mary (Kooken) Brotherton, natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Erie county and of Scotch-Irish descent. His maternal grandfather, James Kooken, came from Germany and settled in Pennsylvania. Robert Brotherton and his wife went to Ohio at an early day and settled in Franklin county. In 1812, at the time Columbus was laid out, they moved to that city, where they spent the residue of their lives. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom, three sons and three daughters, lived to maturity. The subject of our sketch was the oldest son and second-born, and when he was about eleven years old his father died, the mother surviving him several years. During his youth he was employed as clerk in his uncle's general merchandise store at Groveport, near Columbus, and was thus occupied up to the time of his coming to Texas. The maintenance of his mother and her family devolved largely on him.

Mr. Brotherton was married in the fall of 1849, to Miss Rachel Melvina Minor, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Irving Minor. Her father moved from New England to Ohio at an early period and was there a prominent physician and pioneer. In the fall of 1850 Mr. Brotherton and his wife, in company with James H. Swindells and wife, started with horse teams for Texas, then the frontier of civilization, the journey consuming several weeks and the party arriving here just before Christmas. He first located on what is known as the Tommy Churchfield farm, buying 640 acres of land and subsequently 320 acres more. After living there three years he sold out and bought the Daniels place, consisting of two sections of land, and lived on it two years. Selling out again, he purchased his present farm which at that time had very few improvements on it. His estate at one time consisted of 1,200 acres in his home place besides various other tracts of land. He has, however, divided his holdings among his children, retaining for himself 400 acres of highly improved land.

In 1869 Mr. Brotherton had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died, leaving him with six children, whose names are as follows: Charles R.; Mollie, wife of E. Wilmot, of Dallas county; Robert Minor; Ellen, wife of Samuel J. Shultz, who lives near Seymour, Baylor county, Texas; Lucy, wife of Dr. G. V. Hale, Grayson county, Texas, and L. S. of this county.

suits, he has been interested in the Kilburn mill for several years. He has also been somewhat of a trader. At one time he purchased a store and stock of goods at Lancaster, sellincr out a few weeks later. In 1863 and 1864 he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners.

Wa B. WEIALEY, fanner, was born Feb- TtL'fi ruary 12, 1836, in De Kalb county, ^^' Tennessee, the son of Elijah and Rebecca (Dougherty) Whaley, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. Of their seven children five are still living, L. B. being the youngest. Two of the brothers and a sister still remain in Tennessee, while one brother resides in Lawrence county, Missouri. Elijah Whaley was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Bratten) Whaley, natives of Maryland, who moved to Tennessee in 1800, locating in what was known as the " waters of the Cumberland river," near where the town of Liberty now stands. Elijah was brought up on the farm until of age, a few years after which he married and entered the mercantile business on his farm near Liberty; afterward he moved into town, where he continued merchandising, in connection with farming. He was a merchant in both Liberty and Sraithville most of the time until his death, in 1859.

Mr. L. B. Whaley was reared in the mercantile business. When eighteen years of age, in 1854, he went to Missouri, and in Mt. Vernon worked for wages for different firms until 1856, when he and his brother, T. K. Whaley, began business for themselves. December 5, 1861, he married Miss Mattie Hash. During the next year the dangers of the war became so great that he brought his family to Te.xas. Returning to Missouri he enlisted in the Eleventh Missouri Infantry, under Greneral Parsons. He was in Company G, commanded by Captain Howard, in Colonel Burns' Regiment, previously Hunter's, in the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, with the brigade, in May, 1865, when he returned to Texas to look after his family.

Here he was first employed by Dr. Kilburn for some time, and then rented a farm for several years. In 1874 he bought eighty acres of wild land, which he at once began to improve, and he has added to this until he now has 165 acres of fine land, well improved; 115 acres are in a fine state of cultivation. Mrs. Whaley is the daughter of John and Millie (Elkins) Hash. She was born in Missouri, but her father was a native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley have five children, namely: Millie H., the wife of R. M. Brotherton; Charles S., Alfred L., Anna R. and Mattie M.

LTGITST CORNEHLS, of the firm of P. J. Butler & Company, brick manufacturers in Dallas, since the spring of 1881, was born in Hanover, Germany, January 23, 1850, the son of W. and Mattie (Sebilda) Cornehls, natives of Germany. His fathei' died in that country, and his mother is still living there. Mr. Cornehls learned his trade in his native land, and at the age of nineteen years emigrated to the United States, locating in Texas. He was married in Fredericksburg, Gillespie county, Texas, about 1878, to Mary Cranich, a native of that county and a daughter of Charlie Cranich, who was born in Germany. Mr. Cranich came to Dallas and resided with the subject of this sketch until his death, in 1889.

By this marriage there are two children, - Gussie A. and Charlie. In political matters is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Mr. Cornehls is the superintendent of P. J. Butler & Company's brick yard. The firm employs on an average about twenty-five men, some nine months in the year. The daily capacity of their mill is about 30,000 brick. They have furnished the brick for many of the important buildings of Dallas.

^ENRY L. OBENCHAIN. - The history of hnman intellect will confirm the statement that the power in which strong natures culminate, which fuses force and insight into executive intelligence, matures between the ages of twenty-five and fifty. Subsequent achievements organize themselves around the younger conception. Stepping from the line of the earlier lite, the subject of this sketch was elevated to the Assistant County Attorneyship of one of the largest and most important counties in the State, and has borne himself in his responsible position with such grace and dignity and discharged his duties with such marked efficiency that he won the admiration and favorable comment of all who have attended the sittings of the court where he practiced. Mr. Obenchain is yet a young man, and has but fairly entered upon a career which is destined to reflect honor upon his name and result in much good to his adopted county. The people of Dallas county are justly proud of him, and it is with pleasure that we give space to his biography in this history of her representative citizens. Virginia blood has often flowed in the veins of many of America's patriots and most gifted sons; it need, there- fore, be a source of no astonishment to find that the subject of this notice traces his birth to the State known as the "Mother of Presidents."