Galveston County, Texas - The whole text, 1895 (part 26 of 26)

1829 to the Mexican States of Texas and Coahuila, taking up his abode in Austin's colony. Marrying in 1833 he settled permanently on a headright granted to one Ernst, one-half of which he purchased, and where he has continuously lived for the past sixty-six years. In the Revolution of 1835-6 he was a volunteer in the patriot army, being detailed by General Houston to assist in removing the families of soldiers beyond the reach of the Mexicans. Mr. Fordtran has never been before the public in any official capacity, having a distaste for everything savoring of politics and scramble for office. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has met with noteworthy success, and in all the essentials of good citizenship has risen to the full stature.

The wife of Charles Fordtran bore the maiden name of Almeda Brookfield, was born in Detroit, Michigan, a daughter of William and (Lalliet) Brookfield, who emigrated from New York to Texas in 1831. William Brookfield settled in what is now Fayette county, this State, soon after coming to the country, and there his daughter met and was married to Charles Fordtran. Mrs. Fordtran died in November, 18S8. As a civil engineer and Indian fighter, \\'illiam Brookfield had considerable to do with the early history of Austin's colony and of Texas, and is remembered for his patriotic services by the few of his old associates still living. He was a man of wide reading, an orator of ability and an author of some note, having published just previous to his death in 1847 a book in the defense of the Jews. He raised a family of four sons and two daughters. His eldest son, Charles, served on the side of the colonists in the Revolution of 1835-6; Charles, Frank and Walter, were volunteers in the Texas contingent of the United States army in the war of 1846-8, Waher dying in Mexico, Charles being supposed to have been murdered by his Mexican servant, while the youngest of the four, Edward, was frequently in the ranging service helping to keep back the marauding bands of Indians and Mexicans before their final dispersion and removal. Thedaughters of William Brookfield were Mrs. Emma Evans, wife of Vincent Evans, and Mrs. Almeda Fordtran, wife of Charles Fordtran.

The issue of Charles and Almeda Fordtran was four sons and five daughters, in the order of their births as follows: William, who died in Fayette county, Texas; Portia, wife of Dr. G. C. McGregor, of Waco; Eugene H.; Frank, who dietl in the Confederate army during the late war; Charles, Jr., of Waco; Louisa, wife of M. A. Healy, of Brenhani; Ann, who was married to J. L. Hill, of Galveston, both of whom are deceased; Josephine, wife of G. H. Mensing, of Galveston; and Sarah, wife of James B. Baker, of Waco.

Eugene H. Fordtran was born in Austin county, Texas, March 15, 1840, and was educated in the neighborhood schools and at Soule University, Chapel Hill, Washington county. Quitting school at the age of eighteen he was engaged in clerking in the mercantile business, in farming and in teaching school till the opening of the late war. In September, 1861, he entered the Confederate army, enlisting in Captain J. S. Lauderdale's company, which liecame part of the Tenth Texas Infantry, commanded first by Colonel Allison Nelson and after his death by Colonel R. Q. Mills. He served with this command until the fall of Arkansas Post in January, 1862, when he was captured, taken to Camp Douglas at Chicago, Illinois, and held there until 1863, at which time he was paroled. After the re-organization of his command it became part of the Army of the Tennessee, with which he subsequently served. At Tupelo, Mississippi, February, 1865, he was furloughed and was at home, his furlough not having expired, when the general surrender took place.

After the war Mr. Fordtran went into the milling business near Fayetteville in Fayette count}-, and followed this till 1868, when he sold out and embarked in real-estate operations, continuing this till 1883. That year he moved to Galveston and from 1884 to 1892 he was a member of the firm of King & Fordtran, wholesale liquor dealers, having since severed his connection with that firm and resumed the real-estate business. Mr. Fordtran's career has been that of a business man, and it is generally understood that he has met with a fair degree of success. He was once County Commissioner of Fayette county, and has served one term as a member of the Board of Aldermen of Galveston, but with the exception of these two positions he has never filled any places of public trust.

In 1866, Mr. Fordtran married Miss Letitia Satterfield, then residing in Fayette count}-, Texas, but a native of Halifax county, Virginia, her parents being John N. and Ann (Cook) Satterfield. Her mother died in \'irginia, and her father moved in 1849 to Texas, settling in Fayette county. Mr. and Mrs. Fordtran have seven children living: Eugene H., John S., Charles G. , William B., Edgar, Walter L. and Frank.

Mr. Sealy was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the town of Kingston, Luzerne county, in October, 1822. In 1846 became to Texas and located at Galveston, where he entered mercantile life as a clerk for Henry Hubbell in the dry-goods business. In the winter of 1S47-8, in company with John H. Hutchings, he went to Sabine, Texas, and opened a general store under the firm name of Hutchings & Sealy. After about five years spent there he and Mr. Hutchings sold out and returned to Galveston, where they associated with themselves George Ball and started the banking house of Ball, Hutchings & Company. With the affairs of this great house Mr. Sealy was ever after connected, and by his persevering industry, keen practical sagacity and high moral character helped to achieve some of its most signal successes and added much to its name. Besides his interest in this establishment he was connected with many other business concerns in Galveston, and was an active worker in scores of private enterprises. He held numerous positions of trust, mostly of a business nature, and unhesitatingly lent his name and influence to whatever he believed to be for the public good.

Mr. Sealy brought to the exercise of his duties a large experience, wise foresight and a deliberation and calmness of judgment found only in few men. He was attractive in presence, and winning and hearty in manner. His uprightness and probity were everywhere known and admitted. His friends were legion. His influence wrought not only in matters of private business, but in those of city and State. The John Sealy

Hospital at Galveston, founded by him, fitly typifies the largeness of his heart, and will in a becoming manner long perpetuate his name, though this was not needed to endear his memory to a people among whom he had spent so many years of his life.

In 1857 at Galveston Mr. Sealy married Miss Rebecca Davis, who, with a son and daughter, survives him. His death occurred August 29, 1884. Every appropriate mark of respect was shown to his memory and his remains rest in the city of his adoption.

mm I Pickens county, Alabama, Feb- ^J^^J ruary 8, 1842, and is the younger of two sons born to William and Polly A. Moore. His father, a well-to-do farmer, came to Texas in 1844 and settled in Fayette count}', where he resided till 1853, when he moved to Lavaca county, and there died four years later.

William J. Moore was reared in Fayette and Lavaca counties, and received during his youth the advantages of such schools as were then in reach. He quit college at the opening of the war in 1 861 to enter the Confederate army, enlisting in Company A, Colonel Pyron's regiment of Texas cavalry, with which he went at once to the western frontier of the State, where he served a short time, being transferred thence with his command to eastern Texas. He served along the Texas and Louisiana border until near the close of th« war, taking part in numerous skirmishes between the Confederate and Federal forces in that section, including those incident to Banks' Red river campaign. At the time of the surrender he was stationed on Galveston island and here laid down arms.

formed a partnership with his brother, Samuel B. Moore, and they set about at once to gather up the fragments of their estate, which, consisting iargel)- of live stock and other perishable property, had been greatly dispersed, much of it being past recovery. But with the odds and ends thus saved from the rax'ages of the war they launched out into the land and stock business, and with tin: er.i of prosperity, especially in stock dealing, which immediately ft)llowed the close (.)f the war, they rapidly accumulated money. Later, with the rise of land values, they began gi\ing more attention to real estate, and at this writing they are among the heavy operators in these two lines, taking them as a combined business, in southern Texas. They own large cattle ranches Imth in Fayette and Lavaca counties, and ha\e lanils, improved and unimproved, in several counties in the southern part of the State, including" Lavaca, Fayette, Karnes, Kinne)', U\alde, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris and Galveston, besides town and city property in different towns and cities in these counties. Alert, earnest and intelligent, giving their attention solely to business, meeting their obligations promptly and dealing fairly and liberally by all men, the Messrs. Moore have accumulated a comfortable fortune, have established an honorable name and have won the friendship and esteem of those with whom they have had business transactions or personal relations.

In 1869, at Moulton, William J. Moore married Miss Louisa Lattimer, a daughter of Mrs. Louisa Lattimer, who moved to Texas from North Carolina in the early '50s and settled in Lavaca county, where Mrs. Moore was principalh' reared. By this marriage there was one daughter, now Mrs. W.

B. Fordtran, of Galveston. After the death of this lady a few years later, Mr. Moore married Miss Allie William.son, a daughter of J. A. Williamson, of Lockhart, Texas, in 1S77, and she also is now deceased, leaving one son, Sanuicl.

In iS8,5 Mr. Moore nuned to Galveston, which place has since been his home and where in addition to his land and stock business he has carried on a good local trade in city property. He was appointed a member of the Texas Live Stock Commission by Governor Hogg in 1893, and reappointed to the same place in 1894 by Governor Culberson.

A. P(3UFIGH was born in New Orleans, November 29, 1849, at corner of Touhjuse and Bourbon streets, where the French opera house now stands. He is a son of Victorine Poueigh, a Frenchman, a stone-cutter by trade and occupation, who came to New Orleans from France in 1833, pursued his trade, raised his family, and there died, in 1874. The subject of this sketch had six brothers, he himself being the seventh born and youngest of the family, and the only one of the entire family in this country living. One brother, Hyppolite, was a soldier of the Confederate army under General Beauregard; another, Adolph, served in the Federal army under General Phil. Sheridan as Quartermaster, and died in New Orleans, August 15, 1869; Francois died of yellow fever during the epidemic of 1853, in the same city; Antoine is a wholesale hardware merchant in France. Two others born of this generation an<l family died infants, - names not known. T. A. Poueigh is a carpenter b}- trade, and as such worked at Gal- veston for seven years and four months for the Santa Fe Railway Company, until the strike of 1894, since which time he is on the Galveston city police force.

May 6, 1887, at St. Joseph's Church, in Galveston, he married Miss Kate Drew, a daughter of Edmund Drew, deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Poueigh was born in Galveston, December 28, 1853, and has one son, F. Antone, born April 8, 1888.

^y^ANIEL D. ATCHISON. - This I I old and respected citizen of Gal- /f^,J veston was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, four miles south of the city of Lexington, on April 7, 1830. His parents were John and Elizabeth Atchison, both of whom died early, leaving Daniel D. an orphan at the age of thirteen.

He was reared in his native place and graduated at Center College, Danville, Kentucky, in September, 1842, and also at the Dane Law School, Harvard, Massachusetts, in the class of 1844. During his attendance at Harvard his instructors were the distinguished Judge Joseph Story and Prof. L. B. Greenleaf, whose personal friendship young Atchison was fortunate enough to win and to whom he was indebted for many helpful suggestions respecting his fut'ure career. After his graduation at Harvard, Mr. Atchison returned to Kentucky and was admitted to the bar at Lexington, in 1844, and immediately began the practice of his profession at that place. Feeling that the opportunities were better in the West or Southwest for a young lawyer just entering the practice, he turned his attention in that direction in quest of a location. He had been advised by his preceptor, Judge

Story, to go to St. Louis, which that gentleman thought would become the greatest city on this continent, and, for a time he seriously thought of making that place his home; but from what he had learned of northern winters he concluded that the climate there would be too severe for him; and h aving passed the winter of 1 84 5 -6 at Charleston, South Carolina, with the beauties of which place and its winter climate he was captivated, he decided to go South. Accordingly, against the protestations of all his friends, except Robert Wickliff and his old grandfather, he left Louisville, Kentucky, on May i, 1846, for Galveston, Texas, to join his partner, William Alexander.

He arrived at this place on the 27th of the same month, taking the river route to New Orleans and coming thence by schooner to this city. At that time the wharf facilities were very poor. Mr. Atchison relates that he was carried on the shoulders of a sailor from the vessel in the stream to a place on Fremont street, whence he proceeded dry-shod to the old Tremont Hotel, where he took up quarters. The first sign that greeted his eyes in the town was one reading, "Ready-made Coffins for Sale," and a little further on he saw one announcing, "Fresh Water for Sale." He had brought a letter of introduction to Colonel James Love, then one of the leading lawyers of the place, and the first thing he did after getting a night's rest and a change of linen was to hunt up Colonel Love and present his letter. Colonel Love accompanied the young lawyer to the club, took a sheet of paper, wrote a few words on it, folded the paper and handed it to his young friend, saying, "Now, sir, you can go ahead." Mr. Atchison was invited by Colonel Love to dine with him the following day, and at that gentleman's splendid home, then the finest in the city, situated on the lot where now stands the Ursuline Convent, he met a number of the best people of the city and was made to feel at home.

Mr. Atchison at once rented an of^ce and entered on the practice. He wanted to practice admiralty law, and becoming associated with George \V. Brown, then United States District Attorney at this place, filed a libel on the schooner, Francisco, a Me.xican prize, this being one of the first actions in admiralty ever brought at Galveston. There were then many fine lawyers practicing before the court at this place, most of them residents of this city, among whom were B. C. Franklin, James P. Cole, Franklin Merriman, Milton H. Potter and O. C. Hartley. For a number of years Mr. Atchison devoted himself actively and exclusively to the law, and did his share of the legal business. He was never very much in politics, but by force of circumstances took some interest in those questions with which the public mind was in those days concerned, and sat in the councils of his party whenever occasion demanded. He was from the first a great admirer of Houston, and shared his views on most public matters. He was one of the " Old Guard," who formed themselves into a personal escort to General Houston on the occasion of his visit to Galveston, when he made his celebrated Tremont House speech in 1861, and aided, as it is said, in preventing personal violence being done the General, and thus saved the city what otherwise might have been a lasting stigma on its fair name.

Mr. Atchison practiced law for many years in Galveston, always meeting with a reasonable degree of success. He has filled numerous positions of public trust, that of longest tenure and perhaps of the most importance being the clerkship of the Supreme Court of Texas, which he occupied for twelve years. Having retired altogether from active professional and business pursuits, he is now spending the evening of life in the quiet enjoyment of home. To Galveston and everything looking to the promotion of its welfare he has always extended a willing and able support, manifesting an especial interest in the educational and social welfare of the city, and in fact of the State He gave $2,000 to found the Atchison Free School at Navasota, Texas, and took an active part in establishing Austin College, to which he gave the name in honor of Stephen F. Austin. He has known personally almost every man who has figured in Texas history during the past fifty years, with many of whom as was the case with General Houston, he stood in the relation of close personal and political friendship.

While a scholar of recognized attainments and an accomplished linguist, Mr. Atchison never sought to achieve distinction either on the public platform or in the public prints. He has preferred to lead a quiet life, to devote himself to his professional and official duties, to garner the fruits as he goes along, to live rationally and to a good old age. That he has succeeded there is but little room to doubt, for he is now in his seventy-fifth year, and though somewhat physically feeble, still possesses his mental faculties unimpaired.

On January 20, i 847, Mr. Atchison married Frances Alexander, only daughter of J. R. Alexander, of Woodford county, Kentucky. This lady died at Galveston, of yellow fever during the epidemic of the following year. In 1863 Mr. Atchison married Lucy Holt, a native of Augusta,

Georgia, and a daughter of John S. Holt, then mayor of that city and for many years a prominent business man of the same. On October 21, 1867, she died, near Navasota, Grimes county, Texas. The issue of this last union was two sons, John H. and Daniel D. , Jr., both of whom were born in Galveston and both residents of this city.

Connecting himself with the Presbyterian Church at the age of thirteen, Mr. Atchison has since held a membership in that church and has earnestly striven to make his life conform to the teachings of the gospel.

>^OHN M. VAN LIEW was born in m 1S48 on the La Fourche ri\er, in A 1 Louisiana, and was reared in his native place to the age of seventeen, receiving his education in the private schools of the same. He then left home and went to Mexico, where he remained over a year, coming in the spring of 1 864 to Texas. Here he first lived for a time at Harrisburg, Harris county, where he was bookkeeper for a sawmill concern for about nine years. He occupied a similar position with another sawmill firm in east Texas for about five years; was then with the Louisiana Western Railway as clerk for two years, when, in 1882, he entered the employ of the fnternational & Great National Railroad at Galveston, as transfer clerk, which position he has since retained.

In 1 87 1 Mr. Van Liew married Miss Virginia McDonall, a native of Canada, and daughter of A. C. McDonall, who came to Texas in 1858. Mr. McDonall was a railroad contractor and builder, and helped to build each of those pioneer lines, the Galveston, Houston & Henderson and the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado River Railroads. Mr. and Mrs. Van Liew have one daughter, Bonnie, a graduate of Hollins Institute, Virginia.

^"^EORGE PAUL WERNER was ^\ born in New Orleans, on the 26th \^^^^ day of February, 1856. His father was William B. Werner, and his mother bore the maiden name of Margaret Frances Kennedy, the former a native of Germany, the latter a native of the State of New York. The elder Mr. Werner came to America at the age of twenty-five (1849), and settled in New Orleans, where he was engaged at his trade as a blacksmith until the opening of the late Civil war. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army as a member of the Twelfth Louisiana Infantry, enlisting for one year, at the end of which time he received his discharge, and his family having, in the meantime, moved to Memphis, Tennessee, he repaired to that place and resided there till the close of hostilities. In 1866 he moved to Galveston, where he resided until his death in 1890, in the sixty sixth year of his age. His wife died in this city in 1872. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest, the others being: Ella, now Mrs. R. H. Westerlage, of Galveston ; Lizzie, who died in childhood; Valentine B., a resident of Little Rock, Arkansas; William S. J., of Galveston; Charles, of Gaheston; and Thomas, deceased.

George P. Werner was reared in Memphis, Tennessee, and in Galveston, Texas. His educational opportunities were , limited. At the age of eight years he became a newsboy on the streets of Memphis, and from that time since has done for himself. In

August, 1868, he apprenticed himself to the trade of tinner and roofer under E. M. Brock, of Galveston, and after two j-ears spent with Mr. Brock entered the employ of Ernest Engelke, for whom he worked seven years, beginning on a salary of six dollars a week, which was advanced from time to time until he was paid three dollars per day. On March 29, 1879, he began business for himself, opening a small shop on the alley between Winnie street and avenue H, where he remained until 1881, when he purchased two lots on the northeast corner of Winnie and Seventeenth, where the following year he erected a building to which he moved. He lost his residence by the great fire of 1885, his shop being the only building that withstood the conifagration - this shop has a fire-proof roof, and led to the adoption, by the city, of fire-proof roofing. In November of the same year he began to rebuild, and in January again occupied his old premises, where he has since resided and carried on his trade. Mr. Werner has done a great deal of work in his line in Galveston, having had contracts on many of the principal buildings in the city. He enjoys the reputation of being an industrious, upright, public-spirited citizen, one who is willing to assist in any way he can in advancing the public good, and who by his thrift and energetic methods is yearly adding his quota to the taxable wealth of the community.

On November 5, 1879, Mr. Werner married Miss Mary I\. Elbert, a native of Galveston and a daughter of Nicholas and Louisa Elbert, who emigrated from Germany in 1845 and settled in Galveston. Mrs. Werner's parents still live in this city, lieing now numbered among the old residents of the place. Her father was a volunteer in the war with Mexico in 1846, in which he served for eighteen months. He was born in 181 5, and his wife in 1827. They were the parents of several children, those living being: Mrs. Werner; Charles H. ; Caroline, now Mrs. John T. Hess; Otto H. ; and Ida, now Mrs. J. K. Kissinger. Mr. and Mrs. Werner have had six children, namely; Louisa Rosalia, Mary Clara, Caroline Sophia, Paul Henry, Charles William and Alice.

The religious connection of the family is with the German Presbyterian Church. Mr. Werner is a member of the Knights of Honor, Galveston Lodge No 774; Knights of Pythias, Schiller Lodge No. 56; Sons of Herman, Galveston Lodge No. 46; and the Texas German Friendship Band.

*y''^\ UFUS H. I-^EAD, Commissioner of I /^ Roads and Bridges of Galveston \ ^ county, was born in 1833, in Orono, Maine, where he was reared and resided until coming to Texas, in December, 1855. He came to this State to work on the Galveston, Houston lSl Henderson Railway, which had but a short time previously been projected. His first work on this road was receiving and stringing ties, at which he was engaged for somewhat over a year. He was afterward connected with the construction department until 1875, when he severed his connection with the road, and during the years 1876 and 1877 was in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railway, and while with this road laid the first track ever laid into the city of San Antonio. Other lines were the Houston & Texas Central .(Hempstead to Navasota, 1859), Houston East & West Texas, Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe (out of Fort Worth),

In 1893 Mr. Read was appointed inspector and supervisor of construction for the county bridge spanning the bay, and, in September, of the same year, was made Commissionerof Roadsand Bridges of Galveston county, which position he now occupies.

On December 31, 1858, Mr. Read married Miss Eliza Clayner, who was born aboard the vessel on which her parents came to Texas, her birth occurring shortly before the vessel's arrival in port at Galveston. Her father and mother both died of yellow fever during one of the early epidemics at this place.

@EORGE NICHOLS YARD, son of the late Colonel Nahor B. Yard, of Galveston (see sketch of the latter elsewhere in this volume), was born September 17, 1863, at Harrisburg, Harris county, Texas, during the temporary residence of his parents at that place, whither they went at the opening of the late war. He was reared in Galveston, in the schools of which place he received his early mental training, finishing his education in the State Model School, at Trenton, New Jersey.

From 1884 to 1886 Mr. Yard was employed in the cotton business at Galveston; from 1886 to 1889 he was with the Morgan Steamship Company; and from 1889 (December) to the present (January, 1895), he has been with the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway, occupying the position of assistant paymaster and cashier.

August 8, 1892, Mr. Yard married Miss Lillie Wright Southwick, a native of Galveston, and a daughter of Sandford B. Southwick, an old settler of this city. (See sketch of Sandford B. Southwick in this volume.)

*y ^ ENRY W. RIESEL is a native of 1^"^^ Saxony, Germany, born February \^r 19, 1836. He was reared in the land of his birth, where he learned the trade of a weaver and acquired, in connection therewith a general knowledge of the machinery used in producing fancy cotton and woolen fabrics. In July, 1851, became to Texas and located at Galveston, where he at once secured work in the construction of cotton compresses. He was one of the originators of the old Merchants' Cotton Compress Company in 1854, and put in the greater part of the machinery in its plant. He was the builder of the Shippers' Compress and put in the machinery for that in 1874. In partnership with the late William Bothman he founded a boiler factory and machine shop on Mechanic street, Galveston, which was conducted by them for a period of about two years, when it was discontinued because of a lack of a demand for the product of the same; but in the meantime, Mr. Riesel was experimenting in other directions, and invented and put in practical use a coiton-bale ejector capable of being attached to the various styles of compresses, upon which he obtained letters patent October 18, 1875. He also introduced an improvement in hydraulic packing, which was patented and which for a time was manufactured on a somewhat extensive scale. In August, 1880, he was granted a patent for a new form of bale tie, and organized a company for the manufacture of this tie, which company put in an extensive plant and manufactured the tie in large quantities until inimical national legislation interfered with its profitable production, at which time Mr. Riesel bought up the stock of the company and reduced the output. Mr. Riesel is senior member of the firm of H. Riesel & Son, Gahcston, compress contractors and engineers and dealers in compress supplies, and in tliis capacity has perhaps furnished as nnich machinery for the handling of cotton as any other man in Texas. He is well and favorably known throughout the State among ginners and cotton men, and is generally looked to for all sorts of improvements in the matter of preparing cotton for shipment.

At the opening of the Civil war Mr. Riesel enlisted in the Confederate army and was detailed to work in the ordnance factory at Anderson, in Grimes county, where he spent the most of the time from 1861 tcj 1865.

In 1856 he married Miss Rosina Hagenlocker, of Galveston, by whom he has one son, George AV., now his associate in business. George W. Riesel married Miss Eleanor Sidenstriker, of New Orleans, in 1889, and they have two children: Henrietta and George W. , Jr.

K^^ ENJAMIN F. BARNES, senior I ('^^ member of the firm uf Barnes & JK^J Palliser, contractors and builders, Gah'eston, was born in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, July 9, 1844. His parents were Charles Barnes and Elizabeth Price, both of whom were natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence they moved about the close of the first quarter of the present century to New Orleans, where the

The subject of this sketch was reared in New Orleans and there learned the trade of brick-mason under his father, and later took up contracting and building, which he pursued in the Crescent City until 1867. That year he came to Galveston, which has since been his home and where he has, for the past twenty-nine years, been engaged in the successful pursuit of his calling. Mr. Barnes has erected many of the most substantial buildings in the city of Galveston, public and private, having in this way added materially to its growth and prosperity, in which he has also manifested a proper interest in other ways. Not to attempt a full list of the buildings which have been put up by the firm of which he is a member, but simply to give an idea of their character, the following may be mentioned: The Ball highschool building, the Rosenberg free-school building, the county court-house and jail, the Masonic Temple, the Catholic Orphans' Home, Eaton Memorial Chapel, and L. & H. Blum's building on the corner of Mechanic and Twenty-fourth streets. In 1S80 Mr. Barnes became associated with Mr. Robert Palliser, who has shared with him the labors, and is entitled to his proportional part of the credit for the excellent showing which the firm is able to make in connection with the building interests of the city.

Mr. Barnes married Miss Amelia Allen, daughter of Richard Allen, of New Orleans, and the issue of this union has been four children, - Josephine, now wife of H. C. Oppermann, of Galveston; Susie, wife of T. J. Hartigan, of Waco, Texas; Harriet, wife of Thomas Byrne, of Galveston; and Carrie.

Mr. Barnes had one brother older than himself, Charles Barnes, who was at one time a resident of Galveston, but returned to New Orleans, where he died in 1878; and he has one sister also older than himself, Josephine, now Mrs. Henry C. Dawes, living in Louisville, Kentucky.

*y - ' ON. WILLIAM J. JONES. - Probl^^^ ablyone of the last living links that R ,r bind Te.xas to the ante-Revolutionary Me.xican State of the same name, is William Jefferson Jones, of Galveston. He came to Texas in 1837, about two years after Sam Houston, with a handful of American settlers, on the field of San Jacinto, had achieved the independence of the Lone Star Republic. In the remarkable events of that period of Texas history, Judge Jones played a conspicuous part. He is a native of Virginia, born on the banks of the Rappahannock river, in the county of Caroline, September 27, 1810. His parents, Stanfield and Narcissa (Burdette Philips) Jones, were of Stafford county, Virginia, the former being a son of Gabriel Jones, who was a first cousin of the distinguished lawyer of the same name, conspicuous as such in the early days of Kentucky. The ancestry of Gabriel Jones is traceable for many generations past, extending finally to Wales. The founders of the family in this country were amongst the first to settle in Virginia. Gabriel was the youngest of six brothers, all of whom took active part in the Revolutionary war, and Judge Jones' maternal grandfather commanded a regiment throughout the struggle.

of a delicate constitution, but wedded to his studies. He gained a good academic education. When he arrived at the age of fifteen years, his mother's brother, who was at that time County Clerk of one of the largest and most populous counties of that State, appointed him to a clerkship in his office, and he assumed charge of the department of Recorder of Deeds and Wills, benefiting by all of the emoluments of that office, and proved himself competent and faithful in the performance of all the arduous duties.

As Recorder he saved up several hundred dollars in cash, and decided to expend it to further complete his education, to which he was then devoting all of his spare time both day and night. In this way he acquired a good knowledge of Greek, Latin and a fine knowledge of the Hebrew, and in these respects was soon equal to all requirements of the legal profession, which he had decided to pursue, and enabled him to begin its study at a very early age. By the same determination and assiduity he quickly prepared himself for examination for a license under the laws of Virginia. He went to Winchester, where his school days closed, appeared before Chancellor Henry St. George Tucker, who conducted a law school there, made up of students from nearly all of the Southern States, so far-famed was his reputation as a jurist. Young Jones stpod a most searching examination and received the coveted license. This was the year 1829, when he was about nineteen years of age.

Having received his license he was almost immediately admitted to practice in the county of Loudoun, Virginia, the home of ex-President Monroe, and enjoyed the pleasure of that distinguished gentleman's acquaintance, and received from him much friendly encouragement and advice. Upon consulting his friend as to a promising field for a young and ambitious lawyer to locate in, the ex-President advised him to visit Georgia and consult some of his (President Monroe's) friends, who were better posted as to the situation in the new Southwestern States. Eqnip]icd with letters of introduction from Mr. Monroe to John Calhoun, Go\'ernors Ha\nes and Hamilton of South Carolina and Covernor Crawford of Georgia, he proceeded to Charleston, reaching his destination early in the fall of iSjq. There he quickly sought out Governor Hamilton and presented President Monroe's letter, which opened the way to a strong personal friendship, lasting until Governor Hamilton's sorrowful death, on a wrecked steamer in the gulf of Mexico. Young Jones ^vas kindly recei\'ed by all those to whom his letters of recommendation were addressed.

After a short sojourn in the cit\- of Charleston he made the accpiaintance of Commander Kenshaw, then in command of the naval station in Charleston harbor; they became warm friends, and the Commodore made young Jones liis private secretary, who did all of his official writing and correspondence. From Charleston lie paid a visit to Baltimore, Norfolk and Washington, District Columbia, in 1S31. In the latter city he met William Wirt, the eminent lawyer and elocpient orator who was temporarily there attending the famous impeachment trial of Judge Peck of Missouri, as counsel for the defense. William Wirt interested himself in \'oung Jones and readil}' olitained his adnnssion to practice liefore the LInited States Supreme Court.

his trip in quest of a final location to establish himself. He visited various points in Georgia, spent several days with the eminent lawyer and statesman, John C. Calhoun, and his interesting family, and with letters from Mr. Calhoun to some of his personal friends, Mr. Jones visited Milledgeville, then the seat of State government, and there he met William H. Crawford, President Monroe's Secretary of the Treasury. He also met Governor George M. Troup, M. B. Lamar, and man}- other prominent statesmen. Lamar was then acting editor of the Georgia States' Rights Times, the organ of the Democratic party at that time, and he was then conducting a vigorous canvass for a seat in Congress. He arranged with Mr. Jones to have the latter take his place on the editorial staff of the Times, that he might devote his undivided time to his political affairs. Mr. Jones assumed and held editorial control until the close of election, which resulted in Lamar's defeat, when Mr. Jones retired. The friendship then formed proved life-long.

Mr. Jones then visited Macon, remained several months and made many friends. From Macon he went to Montgomery, Alabama, and from there to Mobile. Having just had a l)rief, but successful newspaper experience, he cast his "weather eye " over the newspaper field of Mobile. The city supijiorted two daily papers, but almost entirely devoted to political discussions, in the interest of the two factions which then dominated the State. He saw an opening for a business newspaper, referring only to politics as a matter of news. He had some means, with which he purchased a job printing office, converted type, presses, etc., to newspaper use, and established the " MobiUMorning Chronicle," which was kindly re- ceived, both in the city and the country; soon gained a wide circulation and extensive advertising patronage. The enterprise prospered until the great financial crisis of 1837, which carried away with this many other good enterprises, prosperous, but not out of debt. Mr. Jones wound up his affairs in Mobile, much impaired, both in pocket and health.

He had purchased a one-fourth interest in a cotton-seed-oil mill near Mobile, which he was compelled to dispose of. During his connection with this oil mill he shipped to Petersburg, Virginia, two barrels of cottonseed-oil for the purpose of testing its qualities for table use and for cooking purposes, and thus enhance its value on the market. The product was returned to him fully refined. One barrel he distributed amongst families for table use and culinary purposes. The reports he received from those who used this oil were of the most favorable character, and this experiment is said to antedate all others of the kinds, /. c, the use of cotton-seed oil in this manner. Of late years it has come into general use.

While associated with Colonel Lamar, before mentioned, much talk had been had about Texas and its glorious future, and as Mr. Jones settled up his affairs at Mobile he contemplated a removal here. Colonel Lamar in the meantime had visited Texas, become vitally interested in her political welfare, and had participated in her glorious struggle for independence, distinguishing himself on the field of San Jacinto. Soon thereafter, he paid his friend Jones a visit at Mobile on his return to his home in Georgia. The Colonel consenting to remain in Mobile a few days, Mr. Jones arranged, at his own expense, a public dinner, at a leading hotel, where he stopped, and gathered around the banquet spread a large circle of the influential men of the city and State, who listened to a brilliant discourse upon the great event of Texas' history and the mapping out of a great future for a new republic. Colonel Lamar proceeded homeward, and, after a stay of some months, paid Mr. Jones a second visit, on his return to Texas, to persuade him to make the new republic his future home. Mr. Jones assured Colonel Lamar of his fixed purpose so to do, and immediately set about arranging his affairs accordingly.

When the fact became known that Mr. Jones had offered for sale the ' 'Mobile Chronicle," a meeting of the business men of the city was convened, most of whom had become the personal friends of the editor and proprietor, and the facts which demanded the move were discussed, and it was proposed to place at Editor Jones' disposal $10,000, - a sufficient amount to safely tide over his affairs; but Mr. Jones felt impelled to return to them his thanks for the kind ofTer and decline their generous favor, not so much for business reasons, but on account of failing health, which he believed a change of location would benefit. Mr. Jones sold the "Chronicle" for $23,000, receiving $8,000 in cash, that being the amount in excess of his indebtedness. He soon took final leave of Mobile and took up his residence in Texas.

He arrived in Galveston harbor on the 9th day of November, 1837. There were no completed buildings on the spot at that time, as the town had only just then been surveyed, mapped out and the town dedicated in the month of August previous. Soon after making a landing, the steamer, Sam Houston, drew alongside the ocean ship and took on board all freight and passengers des- tined for the city of Houston, and started for their destination. On their trip thither the schooner drew up to a wharf near Spilman's island in San Jacinto bay, at the personal request of President Houston, who was on board, and the passengers were, by the hero of the famous battle, conducted to the scene of the decisive conflict, and he explained to them in his graphic manner the salient points occupied by each of the contending forces.

They soon reached the town of Houston, which then comprised a few log cabins and the uncompleted capitol building of the New Republic, which was completed in time for occupation by the first Congress, which convened in special session the following April.

In the winter of 1838-9 Judge Jones was commissioned by President Lamar to raise a battalion of three companies of mounted men for the protection of the frontier. With these companies under the command of Captains Lewis, Oconsby and Garratt, he was on the frontier in the vicinity of Austin until June, 1839, when he was ordered with two companies of his command to join Colonel Edward Burleson with two companies of regulars and report at a designated point in the Cherokee country to help quell an Indian uprising. He took part in the Cherokee war, assisting to rout Chief Bowles and his men and forever extinguish by arms the Indian claim to what is a portion of the most valuable section of the State.

After his Cherokee Indian campaign and upon his return therefrom, many of his friends assembled at Austin in attendance at the first session of Congress held at that place, urged Colonel Jones to become a candidate to fill a vacancy in the Judgeship of the Second Judicial District, composed of six of the oldest counties of what was then known as Austin's first colony. He had fully determined to enter upon the practice of law and prepare himself fully for the land practice, which promised in a brief time to be very profitable. He, however, deferred to the wishes of his friends and received the appointment. At the end of one year, his term having expired, his candidacy for the position, to succeed himself, was renewed. The names of two other prominent members had already been announced. Judge Jones reluctantly consented to abandon his plans of practicing in land law, but the matter was urged upon him and he again yielded to the wishes of his near friends, consenting to succeed himself.

In the interim he had married, changed his residence to the town of Columbus, Colorado county, and commenced the improvement of a farm, where he had decided to make his future home, and for this reason also he felt reluctant to continue on the bench, the duties of which would absorb too much of his time. Judge Jones was chosen, however, all of the votes (but four) of the members of Congress in joint session having been cast for him. He therefore gave up his cherished hope of practicing law, and turned farmer, planter and stock-raiser. Land speculation and legislation were in those days lively in Texas, consequent upon the rapid settlement of the country, and Judge Jones was the first to be called upon to adjudicate many important legal points at issue, and as his legal opinions were most generally sustained he soon acquired a legal reputation in this line of practice.

members of the bar of the State, and continued with him until his retirement from law practice and settlement at Virginia Point, in Galveston county, in 1852. The law firm of Jones & Rivers did an extensive business, the larger portion being in the department of land litigation, which Judge Jones handled chiefly. The trial of criminal cases fell mostly to Mr. Rivers, who stood without a rival for his quick wit and eloquence, and was from his general habits and manners very popular. It is said by one who knew intimately both members of the firm of Jones & Rivers, that to his personal knowledge the firm never lost land a case; that Judge Jones made it a rule to investigate fully the law and the facts before undertaking a case. It may be stated that as Associate Justice of the first Supreme Bench of the Republic of Texas, Judge Jones delivered the second opinion of that august tribunal, and for the past twenty years has been the only survivor of the thirty-six 'in all who at various periods were associated with him on the bench.

Judge Jones located on his \'irginia Point estate in 1852, and set about developing a plantation for the raising of stock and cultivation of cotton. He is known throughout the cotton growing States as the first Sea Island cotton grower of the gulf country, and also demonstrated the adaptability of this region to the growing of the long-staple cotton. So successful was he in these lines that his product took the gold medal at the Atlanta Exposition of 1884. This was the result of careful observation and scientific experiment in the selection of seed from the most superior and thrifty plants, planting at the proper time, and thorough and wise cultivation. By such methods he not only produced an article of superior length, fineness of texture and fiber, but added much to the yield per acre, judge Jones made Virginia Point famous for its lovely surroundings, its orange grove, peach orchards and a variety of other fruit trees, all in a fine state of development; and its magnificent specimens of Spanish dagger and heavy growth of grand old forest trees and feathery salt cedar evergreens have given the old home of the venerable Texan a proud State reputation as a model country seat of utility, refinement and enchanting beaut}'. Virginia Point, too, has since the earliest developments of the Galveston bay country been a point of commercial vantage, jutting as it does into the bay and making it the most accessible point from which to cross the bay to Galveston island and city. Two towns have been laid out there - the first in the fall of 1836, - in fact before Galveston was conceived. This town seems never to have amounted to much. The second town or city was projected by William R. Smith and William J. Jones in 1853, and was surveyed and platted in 1859, upon the completion of the Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad, under a contract with the agent and attorney in fact of Paris and London bankers, the holders of the first mortgage bonds of that company, issued by said road, then completed to Houston and doing business. The price paid by the purchasing parties was ^250,000 sterling - one million dollars - and the contract was confirmed in the city of Paris. While preparing to commence improvements the Civil war broke out and nothing more was done.

After the death of William R. Smith, in 1872, this league of land was partitioned off by a decree of the District Court, and over 3,000 acres was regularly surveyed, and

Judge Jones transferred all of his interest therein to his son, Walter C. Jones. As his map of Virginia City will exhibit, Virginia City is recognized as the handmaid of Galveston, through which all the railroads reach the city from the main land, making the location advantageous.

At the close of the Civil war Judge Jones, seeing the lamentably helpless condition the emancipated slaves were in, \\ithout friends and scattered in every direction, evolved a plan whereby they could acquire a legitimate living for their families, and, with industry, eventually a home. He set apart 320 acres of excellent prairie land near his Virginia Point estate, lying along the railroad, dividing it into five and ten acre tracts, and selling it upon most liberal terms to such colored men as could produce satisfactory testimonials of good standing and industrious habits. He limited the purchase or sale to five or ten acres in a square form, the quantity really being determined by the number of the members comprising the purchaser's family, and the time of final payment placed at ten years from date of sale, deferred payments to bear the lawful interest of Texas. His proposition was eagerly accepted and the outcome is the present Highland Station, just above Virginia Point Station, a thrifty and growing settlement, - a progressive colony of colored people, with church, public school and everything that goes to make up a thrifty community.

Judge Jones has ever evinced a keen interest and has played a conspicuous part in the railway development of Texas, and at a time when his valuable aid was most needed in forwarding such enterprises, he was not found wanting. After the organization of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Company, and upon the construction of the road to a point about fifty miles north of Galveston on the Brazos river, the construction fund gave out and the enterprise languished. Galveston county had issued its bonds for a half million dollars of stock in the road. Judge Jones, as a member of the County Board of Commissioners, labored earnestly for the execution of a plan to surrender the county's stock in the road and all interests therein to certain capitalists, as an inducement for them to extend the road 200 miles further into the interior. There was a serious division of the Commissioners' Court upon the question, but by the diligent effort and the diplomacy of Judge Jones the concession was finally made and the road extended. In a letter from a now leading official of the rcjad in question, who was also one of its promoters, the fact is clearh' set forth that the completion of this important outlet to Galveston and southern Texas would certainly not have been accomplished had not Judge Jones personally exerted himself in its behalf. He also aided, both with his inlluence and his means, in the promotion of the Gah'eston, Houston i.\: Henderson Railway.

In the spring of 1840, while holding court in Matagorda countj'. Judge Jones met for the first time Miss Elizabeth Gibson, who was there on a visit to her married sister, and he greatly admired her for her psrsonal charms and manners. The chance acquaintance developed into a warm personal friendship, and later a strong attachment and ripe affection, and they were married January 12, 1841. Mrs. Jones was born on the 31st day of May, 1S18, at Princeton, New Jersey, where she spent a portion of her youthful days, but after the death of her father, while still a mere child, her widowed mother removed to Charleston,

South Carolina, where she had relatives, and later to Texas, where she had a married daughter, and finally, after years of sojourn here, her life came to an end. Her ashes are entombed on the margin of the Colorado river besides those of several of her descendants who have passed away before and since. The children of Judge Jones are: Ella B., wife of Theodore K. Johnson; Walter C. , William Stanfield and Maggie M.

a LARK CAMPBELL, M. D. - The physician is a man who inspires confidence because he is worthy of it. His humanity is expressed in the interest he takes in his patients' welfare as well as for the experience he may gain while pursuing the paths of this arduous profession, in order to benefit future sufferers.

Dr. Campbell is a phj'sician of long standing, his range of information is broad, and during the many years that he has pursued his calling he has won a wide reputation and a large practice. He inherits Scotch and English blood of his ancestors and is a great-grandson of General Elijah Clark of Georgia, who belonged to one of the most prominent families of the State and who gave valuable aid to the colonists in the Revolutionary war. His grandfather Clark became Governor of Georgia, and was a man of fine character and good personal record. Dr. Campbell was born in Georgia, December 29, 1824, and was educated principally in private schools. In 1844 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, and was graduated at the same in March, 1846, after which he practiced his profession in Montgomery, Alabama, until 1849. He then removed to

Louisiana, and up to 1856 was engaged in planting, then came to Galveston with his family, which he left here while he went to Montgomery county, where he improved a place about twelve miles from Montgomery and now about one and one-half miles from Willis. There his attention continued to be occupied with planting up to 1862, when he went to Virginia and was a volunteer in the battle of West Point, though not in actual service. One of the most noteworthy engagements in which he took part was the battle of Malvern Hill, after which he returned to his home in Texas and soon after became connected with the State troops, with which he ser\'ed in the capacity of surgeon on the coast region of Texas until the war closed.

In 1868 he took up his residence in Galveston, at which time the population consisted of six or eight thousand souls, and the port, as a commercial center, was not of great importance. At the time the Doctor located in this city there were in active practice Drs. Ed Randall, Kelley, T. J. Heard, Welsh, Peete, Dc.well, and William R. Smith (retired), all of whom have passed away with the exception of Dr. Heard. From 1868 to 1878, with the exception of the years 1873-74, Dr. Campbell was in charge of the City Hospital, but since that time he has devoted his attention to private practice. He has for some years been a member of the Board of Medical Examiners of this district, and is at present a member of the board of managers of the John Sealy Hospital of Galveston.

In 1 847 the Doctor was married to Miss Lucy C. Goree, a native of Perry county, Alabama, and daughter of James and Martha (Robb) Goree, who were among the early settlers of that State, the former being a prosperous planter by occupation. To the Doctor and his wife the fdUuwin^ children have been given: Goree, who served during the latter portion of the Civil war, in Texas, and is now deceased; John W., an attorney - at-law of Houston; Clark, a resident of Austin; Martha, wife of P. S. Wren; Anna C, deceased; Mary, deceased; and Lucy.

'y-* AFITTI^: GI-iOVE. -(Talveston is I j justly proud nf her public buildings, I A her business houses, fier manufacturing industries and lier most beautiful private residences, but her delightful suburban resort. -Latitte Gro\e, " known in the early history of Texas as " Tress Palacus," oi 'The Three Trees," I see Thrawl's History of Texas - pages 126 to 133) is one of the most romantic outing places extant, being situated nn the gulf front, ten miles from Galveston city. A clump of grand old live oaks and evergreen shade trees, right at the edge of the gulf, has long been regarded as one of nature's freaks. The Spanish name, given on the first coast chart as " Tress Palacus, " in 1827, b\' a part\' of explorers, was also supplemented b\' the still more beautiful title. --Altar of |ove. " Hut the place found its name perpetuated in history as 'The Three Trees." Later it took the name of 'Latitte Grove," in honor of fean Latitte, the hero of Challamette, who, with his brave buccaneers, did the artillery work for General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, for which service - Old Hickory of the Hermitage" was pleased to bestow upon him the title of America's LaFayette the Second. In the connection Jackson also secured, from President Madison, to Latitte and his followers, immunity from punishment for any shortcomings that may ha\e been theirs as pirates of the Spanish main Nor was this all, --for to them the .\merican Congress tendered a vote of thanks for their bravery on the plains of Challamette.

The buccaneer and his followers made the Three Trees their rendezvous after the war of 181 2 up to 1 82 1 , and this fact assuredly entitles the giove to the sobriquet of " Lafitte Grove." .-^ visit to Galveston is incomplete unless there is made a ride to this historic spot, either by wa\- of the Galveston & W'estern Railwa\-, along the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico; or by an uninterrupted drive over the intervening distance over the beach, said to be the finest in the world.

The resort is utilised for picnics m tiie summer, and in the winter for oyster roasts; while gunning, sporting, horse-racing and all other means b\' which the gods of out-docji sport and recreation are courted, are much in evidence. Fishing and fowling are excellent. .A companx' of local capitalists have purchased I. 200 acres of adjacent land and laid out the town of Nottingham. Here the\^ have erected a substantial brick buildin,?. ^^0x80 feet in dimensions and three stories in height, for the manufacture of lace curtains. The\ have imported the latest improved lace-making machinery, and are turning out ver\' fine work in the line Thcstr gentlemen are makmi; Dvertiires for the purchase of Lafitte Grove lor a public park, in the consummation of which deal Galveston will be second to none of the large cities of the East on that score.

The accommodations of the park are adapted to a population thirty times that ot Galveston, and with its easy access from the citv, b\ rail, water and beach; its fine pleasure lake of fresh water and the magnificent view afforded of the gulf, hay and city, by reason of the high altitude of the land, there could be found no more eligible a location for a public park. Nature has been here prodigal in her gifts, and the park is one of which Galveston may well be proud at the present time, and still more

The present proprietor of Lafitte Grove is Mr. M. A. Barr, and his efforts in improving the same and extending entertainment to the public have not fallen short of appreciation