Dallas, Texas - Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas ... Containi

Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County, Texas ... Containi

Surah Vassallo. They have six children: EmmaG.; John Brittan, who is in the employ of Meyer Brothers, wholesale drnggists, Dallas; Lloyd B., who has been with the Orowdus Drug Company five years; Joseph Edwin; Reua, and Natalin V. Dr. Mitchell is a meniher of the Masonic fraternity, both of the blue lodge and chapter, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Mitchell is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Dye, she being one of the four of their sixteen children - nine daughters and seven sons - who ate still living. Her parents, both natives of Virginia, were married there and early moved to Kentucky, and, after rearing a family in that State, came to Texas in 1847, being among the honored pioneers of the State. Her father died in 1S52 and her mother in 1879. By her former husband; Francesco Vassallo, she has one child, Angioletta, who is now the wife of W. J. McConnell, of Dallas.

builder of Dallas, has been enlaced . l^-^-J at his trade here since his arrival November 24, 1S7G. His work has been the construction of business blocks, such as the News office on Commerce street and the Farmers' Alliance building, and as sub-contractor on the Harwood school building, the addition to an academy, and what is now the Guild building on Elm street, three lire-engine buildings in Dallas, and many other structures, besides a number of residences, as those of Mr. Foster, P. Wilkinson on Ervay street, etc. lie generally has in his employ ten mechanics and fifteen laborers.

Tennessee, in 1834, the eldest child of Absalom (a farmer) and Mary (Lockhurt) Smith, natives of Tennessee. His father died in 1851, and his mother about 18G4. In 1802 Mr. Smith enlisted in Company H, Twentythird Tennessee Infantry, was captured at Vicksburg May 22, 1803, confiued in prison twenty-two months at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout, in Delaware and Maryland, paroled in 1864 and went to Decatur, Illinois, where he was employed; he also worked at Spriugfield.

He was married in Tennessee, in 1S58, to E. C. Rowe, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Abraham and Dorcas (McKehan) Howe, natives of Tennessee and both nowdeceased. Mr. Smith moved with his family to Dallas in 1876.

As to political matters he has not been active, except so far as to vote the Democratic ticket when presented. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, Lodge No. 410, and of the order of the Golden Cross. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. Of their eight children, five are living, namely: Charles JS\, married and residing in Dallas; Clara, Bell, William E., Frank D. and Arthur T.

tf'A, HOUSLEY. - America is peculiarly the '?Sfj1 home of young business men-, and %^® particularly is this true of the West, where they have1 a chance to grow, not being stunted or crowded out of existence by the fierce competition of older civilization. This is particularly true of Texas, whose wide expanse is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of this promising product, as is amply testified by its numerous successful business men. Among these, none are more conspicuously endowed with those qualifications necessary to insure success than is the subject of this sketch, whose extraordinary energy has removed all the obstacles of circumstances, and gained for him a foremost rank among this annv of pushing mercantile giants.

L. Housley was born near the town of the same name, Housley. located in Dallas county, on December "25, 1803. and remained on the home farm until he was fifteen years of age. At this time he began to learn the drug business, working, for this purpose, in a drug store in Dallas for two years, when, varying his occupation, he engaged in farming for a while, subsequently starting a dry-goods and grocery store in the town of Housley. It was while thus employed that he was summoned to official duly, having been appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland, which office he still holds, under the present administration. This fact of itself sufficiently testifies to his ability and integrity, both of which are necessary for a fitness for this office- Mr. Housley was married October 3, 1888, to Miss Willie E. Stokes of Chapel Hill, Washington county, this State, a vivacious and amiable young lady, and a representative of a prominent family. Her parents were originally from Mississippi, and her grandfather. Rev. J. II. Stone was one of the pioneers of Washington county. She has a brother, who is an able lawyer, residing in Wichita Falls, Texas. He married Miss Lillie Pillingslea, a well known society lady. Mr.-, llousley's sister, Mi.-s Mannie Stokes, a very bright young lady, was married to R. D. Exum, a wealthy planter, and a prominent business man of Vaughan. Mississippi. .The subject of our sketch and his wife have two children: the elder. Blanche, was born July 17, 1^89, and the younger child was

The location and natural environments of the place chosen by Mr. Housley for his home, eminently fit it for that use. With 190 acres of highly cultivated land situated on the shores of a sparkling sheet of water, covering three acres at a depth of twentyfive feet, known as Housley lake, abounding with the greatest quantity of fine fish, it may well be one of the show places of the State. On an attractivesite on this land Mr. Housley has built a handsome residence, with all modern conveniences and improvements, besides commodious barns for his grain and stock. Two hundred yards from his residence is his store, which is the largest in the town. Here he conducts a large business in dry goods and groceries. Mr. Housley is permanently located, and will lend all his efforts to make Housley lake the metropolis of this part of the county, which with his reputation for energy and determination he will no doubt accomplish.

Public-spirited and liberal-minded, ever ready to lend his efforts to the promotion of the public good, Mr Housley has gained the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, while his cordial, accommodating disposition has endeared him to a large circle of friends.

f builder of Dallas, came to the city in April, 1873, at which time the place contained a population of 5,500. and he has ever since followed his vocation here. For the first four or five years he was a journeyman carpenter, commencing to take contracts for himself in 1877. He erected the busi- comer of Commerce and Laitiar streets, and that of Doran Bros., a two-story brick on Mann street, a large three- story brick at the corner of Elm and Ervay streets, and all the building; at tin fair grounds; also the private residences of Alderman Loeb on Wood street, a line brick residence at the corner of Harwood street and Ross avenue, costing about $15,01)0, one on Bryan street costing about §7,000; also a few business houses and residences at Waxahachie, a two-story residence in the country, twenty or thirty cottages, and three residences tor himself on south Ilarwood street - two of one-story each and one of two stories.