Texas History and Genealogy - presented by Genealogy Trails

Biographies for Wise County

submitted by Peggy Thompson

BISHOP ABSALOM
The successive events of Colonel Absalom Bishop's life began on May 4, 1804, when he was born in Pendleton District, South Carolina. He came from rugged farmer stock, having a mixture of Scotch, Irish and Welsh blood in his veins. He was married to Mary Tippen born in the same district, January 25, 1808, and to the union six children were born, the last surviving member being Mrs. Edward Blythe, who died in Wise County May 28, 1907. Of the family in Wise County there only remain now the two sons of Mrs. Blythe, Ed and Bob.

Colonel Bishop's early life was spent in merchandising in Spring Place and other places in the State of Georgia. Here he also became active in politics, and in 1837 entered the Seminole War in Florida. He went in as a captain of militia, and it is perhaps due to promotions that the title of Colonel was gained. Some experiences are related of him in this campaign: one is that he, with nine of his men, captured and confined seventy-five outlaw Indians; another is that he intercepted and held the noted writer of the song, "Home, Sweet Home," John Howard Payne, who for some unexplained reason, appeared on the frontier of Florida at a time when the government was detaining all unknown or suspicious characters. Payne in his memoirs afterwards referred to Bishop as the "Smooth and silky Absalom."

Colonel Bishop was very active in that phase of politics which surrounded the enforced removal of the Indians of Georgia to reservations, and during the very earliest inception of slavery agitation made the acquaintance of Robert Tombs and other leading pro-slavery agitators. His later manifestations of fiery rebelism in Texas may be ascribed to these early influences. In politics he finally became so radical as to necessitate his removal from Georgia, and he is then found seeking a residence in the North for a number of years. At Washington city he spent some time prosecuting certain cases for Georgia land claimants, and later on is living in New York city, engaged in the business of a jeweler and the manufacturing of gold pens. For three and a half years he lived here and then removed to Rochester, New York, where he formed a partnership with Codding, who is accounted with having invented the fountain pen. Bishop and Codding were awarded a beautiful silver medal by the New York State Agricultural Society for the exhibition of a "case of superior new fountain pens."

Colonel Bishop's residence in the centers of civilization was doubtless a probationary one resulting in the realization of his predilection for frontier life. Accordingly he came to Hopkins County, Texas, in 1852, and for three years conducted a saw-mill. In 1855 he joined the first comers to Wise County, arriving and settling on Sweetwater Creek with the Blythe family in that year. At this point the narrative of Colonel Bishop's life is taken up and concluded in the foregoing pages, with the exception of the date of his death, which occurred at the residence of Colonel J. W. Booth, whither he had been brought from his farm, in Decatur, on November 30, 1883. Mrs. Bishop died January 29, 1879. As Colonel Bishop's portrait reflects, he was rugged and masterful. His mental and physical courage and determination was exhibited on countless occasions. Immediately on arriving in Wise County, he set about to bring the territory into organized existence and never rested short of the accomplishment of his task. He also looked on the prairie topped eminence resting near the center of the county, and decided that it was the place for the county seat. The long, hot war waged in its behalf has been described.

By common consent, Bishop "ran things" as these were related to the organization of the county and the location of the county capital. By all considerations of justice, he is entitled to be named the county's best friend and the Father of Decatur.

Colonel Bishop had settled in Decatur by the time the issues of civil strife became manifest. True to his former teachings, he became the fuming, sputtering fuse of rebellion that ignited all combustible materials within his reach. He was a fiery Southern loyalist and egged on the enthusiasm of defense in Wise County. He fervently addressed the county secession convention and was doubtless one of the direct causes of the volunteering for service of such an unusual number of young men from a sparsely settled frontier county. When the war began he was in business on the northwest corner of the square in Decatur, and as a means of displaying openly his sentiments he had a large Confederate flag painted in bright colors across his store front. When Lee surrendered and the country was filled with Federal guards and soldiers, it became necessary to obliterate this emblem of rebel glory. Doubtless it was one of the saddest days of Bishop's life when he went to paint out, cover up and hide the Southern flag. One application of paint refused to conceal the outlines, and another and still another was required. Like the Southern armies and the virtues of the Southern cause, more than one drubbing was required to vanquish them from the contemplation of men.

Colonel Bishop's broad experience and metropolitan training peculiarly fitted him for the task of converting a raw territory into an organized form of government, as well as for assisting to mold the rough elements of a frontier life into the shapings of civilization, and we who delight in present attainments glance backward to him for their genesis. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 pages 222-225)

DECATUR, STEPHEN
Stephen Decatur was the most conspicuous figure in the naval history of the United States for the hundred years between Paul Jones and Farragut. In at least three of our early wars Commodore Decatur was the resplendent hero of at least a half dozen undertakings, any one of which would have given a fair claim to immortality. More than any other captain of his time his name is cherished by his countrymen; for he represented to a greater degree than any of his contemporaries those fine qualities which a pardonable national vanity inclines us to consider peculiarly American.

He was born at Sinepuxent, Worcester County, Md., January 5, 1779 arose to position in the navy by promotions from successive stations of service, and was killed in 1820 in a duel with Commodore James Barron. Loyalty to the stars and stripes was the breath of his life. He was the hero of many gallant victories fought in different parts of the world underneath the American flag. He lies buried in St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Page 230)

HUNT, WILLIAM HUDSON
Like Bishop in one respect, the subject of this sketch brought with him to Wise County the garnered experiences of broad contact with life, and in addition thereto a collegiate training which enabled him to observe with a systematic and trained mind, all the large issues and transactions with which he had come in contact.

William Hudson Hunt was born in Ithaca, N. Y., the first day of May, 1815. His father, Horace W. Hunt, was for many years a resident of New York city, where he was a co-laborer in the American Bible House. The Hunt line of ancestry runs back to the sixteenth century, and springs directly from what is known as the Northampton line which is inclusive of some of the most exceptional personages of the realm of English art and culture, notably, Leigh Hunt, the poet, Holman Hunt, the great artist, and Richard W. Hunt, the artist-architect. Throughout his life on the frontier of Texas, Wm. Hudson Hunt displayed the evidences of these rich heritages. Endowed with high intellect and consequent original action of mind, he is found at the age of twenty-one, a college graduate, breaking loose from the old moorings of civilization and adventurously striking into the little known and dangerous wilds of the southwest. Only brief glimpses of his successive fields of action can here be given. In 1830 he came to Texas, threw in with the armies of the Republic and entered the Mexican War under Commission from President Lamar as Lieutenant-Colonel. Emerging therefrom he was appointed surveyor to the government by virtue of which office he gained broad experience in land affairs. His adventurous spirit led him to join the ill-fated Santa Fe expedition, an experience that enlarged his observation of the Southwest, and fortified his courage. Later on he was associated with the Peters colonization scheme which brought him into contact with Northern Texas and its conditions. He had not yet entered the field of "private promotion, and was yet to serve the State in another capacity. This was to act as a member of the Commission which selected the location whereon was built the present capitol building of Texas. Following this, he was engaged with Col. Tom Bean, the famous Texan, in surveying all the vast extent of University lands.

Col. Hunt then became an original promoter. His experience had ripened and his knowledge of Texas affairs had grown. He began by inaugurating a mail route between north Texas and the capital at Austin. He then turned his attention to land location and allied enterprises, and in association with John D. Black, became the largest land-holder.in Texas. Still later, this firm came into possession of almost the whole of Western Wise County.

In 1850 Col. Hunt resided in Bonham, Fannin County, and there married Catherine Cordelle, of Red River County, an attractive young woman, 18 years of age, and the daughter of a Tennessean of the old slave regime. Before removal from Bonham, two children were born, Lansing and Elizabeth. In 1855 Col. Hunt came with his family and settled on his lands in the western part of Wise County, established a headquarters ranch and named the home Cactus Hill, a habitation that became historical in the annals of Wise County. In this home the remainder of the children were born, namely: William H. Hunt, Jr., Belle and Kate. Belle married Capt. S. A. Shortridge and became known nationally as a poetess of rare attainments. Kate, as Mrs. Kate Hunt Craddock, of Terrell, Texas, scintillates before the State as a brilliant writer and raconteur.

Colonel Hunt filled a large niche in the pioneer life of Wise County, probably exercising an influence that few others attained. His expansive training with large affairs equipped him with the astuteness and wisdom perquisite to a counsellor, and his magnanimity of spirit freely led him to the use of his talents in measures of beneficence and good. His memory is as well revered for his unbounded hospitality, a trait that his estimable wife shared equally with him. Mrs. Hunt was a charming and sympathetic woman. She became inured to the dangers of frontier life, and being possessed with natural cheerfulness, succeeded in communicating these spirits to all about her. To many she will be remembered as one of the resplendent stars of that twilight period.

The home was one of cultivation and refinement. The children were carefully reared and a governess was constantly present to instruct in the arts and sciences. Col. Hunt's holdings in land and cattle became very great. He was regarded as one of the great cattle barons of this section. But with the beginning of the war and the subsequent Indian outbreak, his misfortunes began. First followed the death of his estimable wife, which, in addition to exterior trouble, forced the abandonment of Cactus Hill. The family refugeed to Decatur and remained for awhile. Finally, Col. Hunt received a fatal injury in a runaway accident between Decatur and Bridgeport, which culminated in his death. The children were taken by their uncle, Sylvanus Reid, to Bonham, where their education was continued.

Through the untoward events and incidents of the war, and an untimely visit which CoL Hunt made to his father in New York at the national crisis, and subsequently his untimely death, a large part of his holdings were sacrificed-lost to his children through the violation of a trust and the cupidity of others who saw with prophetic eye also the future value of these lands.

Col. Hunt lies buried in the family graveyard at Cactus Hill, where repose the remains of the lamented Belle Hunt Shortridge and others deceased of the family. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 225-227)

LONG, IRA
Captain Ira Long was born in Indiana, May 27, 1842, but was raised in northwest Missouri, to which section his father moved. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army and was in several close engagements, in which he was twice wounded. On September 15,1864, he was married, and has been a resident of Wise County since that date. The year following the war was the date of the earnest inception of Indian troubles, and at that time Captain George Stevens and Captain Long were commissioned to raise a ranger company, of which Captain Long was elected first lieutenant, and later succeeded to the captaincy: The history of the company's operations in part is described in foregoing pages and in the biographical sketch of Captain Stevens. After Lieutenant Long was made captain of the company he was moved to Ft. Mason to operate against noted outlaws, such as Scott, Cooly, John Beard, Gladden and others with whom he had great trouble. He was then moved to Hackberry Springs to continue his operations against outlaws and the Apache Indians, during which time he arrested some desperate characters, among whom was the noted outlaw, Sam Hare. After six years' service, in 1880 he resigned and returned home. Captain Long has for many years been one of the most substantial and esteemed citizens of the county; is a man of strong mind and re do u)b table character, and an upright Christian man. He resides at present a few miles south of Decatur on his farm, which he very successfully conducts, but manifests an interest in all the enterprises that affect the county. He is a sterling member of Ben McCulloch Camp, Confederate Veterans, and a member of the managing committee of the annual reunions. He treasures in his possession a collection of Indian armor and dress which he took from a savage killed by him in honorable battle. He also cherishes a letter from Major John B. Jones, which contains an official report of the battle in which Captain Long killed the Indian and which also commends Captain Long as a man of coolness, bravery and courage. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 233-234)

SHORTRIDGE, BELLE HUNT
Belle Hunt, the late Mrs. Samuel A. Shortridge, was born at Cactus Hill, Wise County, Texas. She was the daughter of Wm. Hudson Hunt, a pioneer of Texas, who was commissioned and served as lieutenant-colonel in the war with Mexico. Later he was widely known as locator of lands, and as a progressive citizen of the State. He was descended from the Northampton line of Hunts, England. Belle Hunt inherited from this distinguished lineage the artistic and literary talent that brought her into general and favorable notice as poet and authoress. Deprived of both parents in early childhood, she was tenderly reared by her guardian, Sylvanus Reed, of Bonham, Texas, where at Carleton College, she attended school until she entered the Academy of the Visitation, St. Louis, from which institution she was graduated with first honors at seventeen years of age. Shortly afterwards she was married to Capt. Samuel A. Shortridge, of St. Louis, in which city they resided until Captain Shortridge located permanently at Terrell. Belle Hunt was a versatile and prolific writer, when the brief time allotted to her is considered. With laudable ambition she went to New York (1890) in the interest of her literary labor, where in a remarkably short time, her articles were accepted and published by the leading papers, journals and magazines of the city. Mrs. Shortridge wrote especially well for children, her "Jingles " (Modern Mother Goose) attracted wide attention in the columns of the Sunday World. These pleasing rhymes will be published shortly in book form, together with a story in prose (now in complete manuscript) also for children. A collection of new poems and "Circumstance," a novel, the scene of which is located in Austin, Texas, will be published later.

Besides the miscellaneous articles that have appeared from time to time in the best publications, Belle Hunt published through Belford's of New York, a collection of poems entitled "Lone Star Lights," 1891. The dedication of this little volume has been widely copied, and was made the subject of fifty exquisite water colors by Miss , of Dallas. The poem," Peach Blossom Time," in same volume," was set to music and published by her talented friend, Mrs. George W. Voiers, of Forney, Texas. It was James Gordon Bennett who said of this poem: "Nothing more exquisite is to be found in the English language." "Held in Trust," a novel by Belle Hunt, was published in 1892. Dispassionate critics pronounced it a pleasing story, fresh, clean and sweet as a breeze from a Texas prairie. A memoir of Belle Hunt is now in preparation-a sort of autobiographical sketch of her literary work and mechanical methods, compiled from her journals and letters, by her sister, Mrs. Kate Hunt Graddock. The book will be illustrated, and for a frontispiece the late portrait by Hen wood will be engraved. Since the death of Mrs. Shortridge many sketches of her life and work have appeared in prominent publications, but this memoir will presumably be more complete and interesting than anything that has yet been published. Mrs. Shortridge's remains were interred in the family burying ground at Cactus Hill, Wise County. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 227-229)

STEVENS, GEORGE W.
There are few men among the pioneer clan who did not at one time or other take part in the defense of the country against the Indians, yet there are a few who showed a stronger predilection for fighting than others. Captain Stevens was one of this latter grouping. Born in Lowns County, Alabama, July 12,1830, he emigrated to Wise County in 1855 with the Jennings family, and showed from the beginning of savage encroachments an inherent yearning to stand between the defenseless people and the red fiends who menaced their lives.

It has been found practically impossible to gain much truthful information regarding the minuter details of the various encounters which Captain Stevens is known to have had with the bloody race whose career of crime he did so much to check and abate. Mr. John W. Hogg recites the battle on the Wichitas described in the foregoing pages which is the one escapade any living witness can recall with authority. Yet it is established by well-founded tradition that Captain Stevens was for many years the sleuthful watch-hound of the frontier, and that on numerous occasions he demonstrated great personal daring by thrusting himself into the midst of the savage foe and inflicting serious damage upon them. His popularity as a defender no doubt has been or was largely achieved through his constant preparedness and willingness to drop whatever private affair with which he was engaged, and go without hesitancy to whatever portion of the country needed his services. In the course of this character of loyal and brave servitude many close contacts with the Indians ensued; it is known that upon one occasion he killed an Indian in a hand-to-hand encounter, but the details of this as well as other traditionally established incidents of the kind have been lost in the buried records of the past. As is well known, the Indians never fought openly and were cowards when bravely charged by a small number of entrapped white men, and it is due to this fatal racial weakness of their own that they were unsuccessful in completely slaughtering the elements of the straggling settlements which had the temerity to plant their habitats in what was conceded to be an Indian-infested country. It was because of this weakness that Captain Stevens, ever ready and ever willing with a small number of men, was able to save to Wise County both its citizenship and material wealth, all of which lay constantly exposed to the covetousness and revenge of the savage tribes. Mr. Hilory Bedford, in his book entitled, "Texas Indian Troubles," refers to the last fight in Jack County in which Captain Stevens was engaged and in Which Billy Glass, a Wise County boy, was killed. In July, 1874, about 400 Indians made a circuit into Tarrant and Parker Counties and back into Jack County, where they were followed by a small number of rangers. In Lost Valley the men by vote decided to abandon the trail, at which juncture Captain Stevens volunteered to continue the chase. Mr. Bedford says: "While going into camp, Captain George Stevens told them that they could have whipped all the redskins that could have gotten together. This rather reflected on Captain Boyd's bravery, and Boyd told Stevens that he would take men and go and make the attack; but Stevens said no, that he would take forty men and whip them himself. Lieutenant Boyd very kindly and patiently warned Captain Stevens that the Indians were well armed and well mounted and very strong in numbers; nevertheless it was only a few minutes until Stevens was off for the scene of battle." Billy Glass, a neighbor.boy of Stevens' in Wise County, volunteered to go with Stevens and could not be restrained. Stevens' men reached the supposed ambush of the Indians and were immediately ordered by the Captain to charge the place which was a rough canyon in the breaks. The Indians began to pour in from every side. "The men were forced to retreat down the canyon to Cameron's Creek, carrying with them young Bailey and young Glass, who had both been killed in the first round fired by "the Indians. Several other men were wounded and sixteen horses were killed. The brave Captain Stevens made all the resistance possible against such odds, and thus prevented the redskins from scalping his killed and wounded men. Captain Stevens and his men were retreating and fighting when a force of United States troops came to their rescue, whereupon the Indians retreated."

Captain Stevens was a member and guiding officer of numerous of the county home guard companies, and after the war organized a full company of 84 men in Wise County, which did effective service on the frontier. He served a term or two as sheriff of Wise County, and made an efficient officer. He was twice married; in 1852 to Miss Martha McDonald, who died in 1858. In about 1860 he married Miss Nancy Buchanan, and by both unions had eleven children. His remaining three sons, Ambrose and Jack, now live in west Texas, and Pierce in Arizona. Captain Stevens died in the early eighties and is buried in Flat Rock Cemetery. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 230-233)

WISE, HENRY A.
Governor Henry A. Wise was a Virginian, born December 3rd, 1806, at Drummonds town, Aceomac County. Brilliant at college and marvelously eloquent in debate, he became a candidate for Congress in 1833. From thence on his entire career was merged in politics and statescraft. He was in Congress from 1835 to 1843 serving his party, the Whigs. He it was who uttered the famous sentiment: "The union of the Whigs for the sake of the Union." Governor Wise supported President Tyler heartily in his plans for the annexation of Texas, and led the small majority favorable to Tyler's views. After a period of ill-health he entered politics again, becoming the chief prosecutor of the doctrine of "Know-Nothingism," and a candidate for the governorship to which office he was elected. The record made in his brilliant arraignment of "Know-Nothingism" in the early fifties is accountable for the naming the county of Wise, after him. Governor Wise was not an original secessionist, but fought through the Civil War as a Confederate Brigadier and Major-General, being highly eulogized by General Fitzhugh Lee. He died September 12, 1876, beloved, honored and respected. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 229-230)

BALL, CARLO - BALL, THOMAS L.
During his years of residence in Wise County the subject of this sketch stood for rugged, honest citizenship. He did not aspire to lead politically or socially, but was content to be a plain citizen, the kind that responds to every demand that good citizenship imposes. The highest encomium that can be placed on a man is, not that he is learned and cultured nor accomplished, but that he is honest. This, in truth, can be said of Carlo Ball. He was born in [Kentucky in 1834, came to Hopkins County, Texas, in 1851, and in the fall of 1854, came to Wise County when the number of families here could be counted very nearly on one hand. He assumed his part bravely in all the fortudinous circumstances that environed the pioneer citizens, and through it all succeeded in rearing and educating a large family who have become an honor to their parents and county. Mr. Ball is the son of Moses Ball and wife whose photographs are reproduced in this section. They, too, were original settlers of the steadfast kind. At an early date, Carlo Ball married Clarinda, the oldest daughter of Jackson J. Conelly, who, with his wife, came very early to this frontier and remained until their deaths. Staunch, true friends of the country and its best interests. They also were the parents of Tip Conelly, whose life was sacrificed to the Indians in the engagement in which Tom Weatherby was killed and Clabe Cates shot in the head with an arrow. Mr. Conelly and Mr. Ball built the first flouring mill erected in Wise County, this just off the Gainsville road about 1J miles northeast of Decatur, contiguous to the old homeplace of Mr. Ball. To obtain the machinery Mr. Conelly made a trip to New York State and had it shipped to Louisiana, from where it was hauled overland to Wise County. Mr. and Mrs. Conelly had several daughters and one son, all of whom were married and whose names are: Mrs. Carlo Ball, Mrs. Napoleon Stone, Mrs. Joshua Shreves, Mrs."R. A. Boyd, Mrs. W. H. Cook. The son, Jose J. Conelly, married a Ball.

Mr. and Mrs. Moses Ball also reared a large family of children who are intermingled by marriage with some of the best known citizens of Wise County. Their names are presently: Carlo Ball, Mrs. Wm. Carroll, Mrs. Joseph Marlett, Mrs. Fred Elson, Mrs. Wm. Dixon, Mrs. Ed Ray, Mrs. Joe Brown, Jim Ball deceased, Mrs. Dick Reeger, deceased. Carlo Ball is now a resident of the Pan Handle of Texas, but as his representative in Wise County he has left behind a son, Thomas Lafayette Ball, who stands for all those sterling qualities exhibited in the father. Thomas L. Ball was born on the old Ball place near Decatur, September 24, 1874, and was mainly educated in the public school of Decatur, which he religiously attended for a number of years, or until he had mastered the rudiments of a practical education. At about the age of 26 he taught a term of school at Flat Rock Schoolhouse, and then returned himself to school at Decatur. During the interim of his school sessions he did hard physical labor oh the farm. By conviction and heritage he is a Republican in political belief, and in 1902 became a candidate for postmaster at Decatur. He was successful in being appointed and took office March 11, 1902. On February 27, 1906, he was reappointed for a second term. Beyond all question Mr. Ball has made one of the most capable and accommodating officers ever charged with the duties of handling the mail at Decatur, and in addition thereto he has won the gratitude of the community by being instrumental in having established the system of rural mail delivery here. He has been happily married to Miss Stanley, daughter of one of the substantial farmers of Wise County. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 239-241)

BRADY, HENRY ELMORE
The subject of this sketch, Henry Elmore Brady, is now the occupant of the County Office which his father, Judge W. W. Brady, held for a longer term than any predecessor or follower held any other office of the County government. He was born about one mile south of Decatur, April 17,1867, and since the days of his early youth has constantly been employed in positions of trust and responsibility. His attainments as an expert office man and responsible officer have been won by years of hard work and persistent devotion to duty. In his boyhood he was a bright student in the successive pioneer schools, and recalls with retrospective pleasure his student days under the professorship of Dr. John A. Embry. For some years Mr. Brady has been associated with the local militia company, at first in subordinate position, but lastly as Captain of the Company. He is said to be one of the best tacticians and disciplinary officers in Texas, and enjoys the confidence and high esteem of the superior officers at all State encampments of the military guard. During the Spanish-American War he served as First Lieutenant of Co. H, 3rd Reg. U. S. Volunteers, and acted as Regimental Adjutant. In November, 1894, Captain Brady was married to Miss Mae Rucker, daughter of Uncle Jim Rucker, of Decatur. As Clerk of the County he is both efficient and accommodating, and has popularized himself with the people of the County. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 237-238)

BRADY, WILLIAM W.
Judge William W. Brady served eighteen consecutive years as county clerk of Wise County, and four years as county judge, a tenure of positions of trust hardly approached in the county's history by a second person. He was born November 25, 1831, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. His father's name was James Y. Brady, his mother's name being Sarah Ricketts Brady.

He came to Wise County in 1855 from Illinois, to which state he had gone in early manhood for the benefit of his health. He was induced to come to Texas by the presence here of his sister, Mrs. Dr. Thomas Stewart. He was married to Harriet R. Bryan, of Wise County, a daughter of James C. Bryan, of Bradley County, Tennessee, but at that time living in Wise County. Mrs.Brady was born in McMillan County, Tennessee, in 1840, and after sixty-six years of life, all of which was passed in Wise County, died in 1889. Judge and Mrs. Brady reared eight children, whose names and the names of the persons to whom they were married appear as follows:

Emma F. Brady, married to John R. Davenport. Mrs. Davenport was born in the town of Decatur, June 20,1860, perhaps the second child born there. She was rocked in the same cradle that was used for the first infant, Benjamin F. Allen.

William Walter married Lottie Mar.
James Allen " Ludie Tharp.
Henry Elmore " Mae Rucker.
Sarah Angeline " Robert Hill.
Eva Ricketts- " Wm. Hill.
Bertha Gulledge " John Hargrove.
Arthur Houston " Eula Jarrell.

Judge Brady throughout his life was a conscientious student and attained to considerable proficiency as a writer. A diary kept by him describing pioneer events and occurrences makes very interesting reading. He was never without a dictionary, and it is said that he could spell and define every word in that book. Because of these accomplishments he was known to some of his friends as "Spelling Bill." In his youth he was a carpenter and built a fine house for his father before leaving home. He was one of the highly useful citizens of the pioneer period. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 235-236)

PICKETT, GEORGE B. COL.
The biographer records a most interesting character in detailing the life of Col. George Bible Pickett. He touched the life of the frontier at many points and participated in more varied experiences than fall to the lot of the majority of his human brothers. Born July 9,1832, at Owensboro, Ky., he came with his father's family to Red River County and spent the period of his youth since 1842 there. In September, 1850, Col. Pickett was married to Cordelia Scarborough, a daughter of a pioneer settler in Red River County. His father, Rev. Willis M. Pickett, was a Baptist minister, and probably preached one of the first sermons in Red River County on coming there in 1842. He also organized churches and engaged in the work of the ministry over North Texas. At the age of 21, and in August, 1854, Col. Pickett made a prospecting trip to Wise County. He started in company with a group of prospective settlers, of which he was the youngest member. Reaching Denton County, the country grew wild and dangerous in appearance, and all but Col. Pickett turned back. He came on, crossed Wise County, and visited Hunt's ranch in the western part. On his adventurous return, he ran amuck of a band of Indians encamped on Denton Creek, and had some perilous experiences during the night of his detention in their midst. However, he was allowed to proceed the following morning without serious consequences. Col. Pickett then moved to Wise County to live, bringing Mrs. Pickett. They bought the claim of Jim Rogers, about four miles north of Decatur, which they occupied for some time. They then moved to their present abode, which is about a mile southeast of the original homesite. Col. and Mrs. Pickett have reared a large family, the first-born being Mary, who was married to Milton W. Shoemaker, of Decatur; the next, Bettie, married to Thos. J. McMurray, of Decatur; one son, Augustus, married Maggie Fullingim; two other daughters, Elizabeth and Electra, are at home. Since his entrance into the County Col. Pickett has entered seriously into many phases of the county life. Originally he was owner of a great herd of cattle; when the war came up, he raised a full company of volunteers whose history has been given in preceding pages; his activity in behalf of quietude in the county at the close of the war won him the enmity of the elements responsible for-the disquietude, and his life for a number of years was rendered vexatious and uncomfortable. He served the county two terms as County Judge and five terms as representative in the legislature, leaving his stamp upon much permanent and beneficial legislation. He was the author of the bill which authorized the organization of the ranger forces which tended in great part to subdue the Indians after their years of ravages. Some one spoke truly of him when he was described as being " a forceful public speaker, pleasing in address, picturesque in language, full of solid fact and anecdote, courtly and chivalrous." (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 242-243)

PASCHALL, STANHOPE, PASCHALL, J. T., PASCHALL, W. D.
Stanhope Paschall was one of the very earliest arrivals in Wise County, coming in 1855 and settling on Deep Creek, one of the oldest and most prominent communities of the time. He was born in Dixon County, Tennessee, in 1824, December 28th; before leaving Tennessee, he married Miss Martha Duke. The date of his arrival in Upshur County, Texas, was 1853, from which county he came to Wise. Records of Mr. Paschall's high usefulness to the community as an artisan in wood and iron are left in an old day-book retained by his sons, which exhibits the thrift and energy of his nature and his meritorious transactions with the pioneer people.

Mr. Paschall has bequeathed two sons to present day Wise County life who have been instrumental in its material upbuilding. These are J. T. and W. D. Paschall, who, by their high characters as men have not only honored themselves and the section in which they live, but have conferred special credit upon the pioneer parents who bore them.

J. T. Paschall is an estimable farmer of the Deep Creek section. He was born in Dixon County, Tennessee, December 13, 1849, came to Wise County with his father, and in 1875 married Josie Goodger, to which union eight children - four boys and four girls-were born. W. D. Paschall is numbered amongst the best known and most influential farmers and business men of Wise County. He is a native son of Wise County, having been born on the old Deep Creek farm, December 26,1857, the year of the establishment of the county seat and the year following the organization of the county. On January 20, 1886, Mr. Paschall married Miss Fannie Belle Stamps, and they have had five children, three of whom are living, represented intone boy and two girls, the former being 18 years of age. Mr. Paschall is comfortably located within four miles of the town of Boyd. He is one of the county's leaders in every movement that tends to affect the condition of the farmer. He is a fluent writer, and his contributions to the county press, touching upon local problems, evince a widespread interest. He is connected prominently with one of the large farmers' insurance organizations, and in him the farmers have deservedly reposed unlimited trust and confidence. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 249-251)

TERRELL, SAMUEL, TERRELL, C. V., TERRELL, JOHN
The family which bears the above name has long been prominent in the social, political and business life of this county. Mr. Terrell, the forebear, was born in Franklin County, Mississippi, November 13, 1829, in which county he lived until he went with his parents to Pulaski County, Arkansas, when he was about six years of age. In the schools of his native county and in those of Little Rock he received proficient training in the fundamentals of an education, and afterwards taught two terms in Point Coupee Parish, Louisiana, one before his marriage and one following that event, which occurred in Pulaski County, Arkansas, in 1852, when he took to wife Miss Emily C. Kellam. After closing his school in Louisiana, Mr. Terrell returned to Arkansas, where he busied himself in closing the details of his wife's estate. In 1854 he came to Texas and settled in Upshur County on Sulphur Creek, where he conducted another school for one term. He had made a prospective trip to this frontier, which ended in his decision to locate here, and in November, 1854, he returned to Wise County, accompanied by his wife and his wife's brother, Jacob Kellam, to become a permanent settler. For one dollar per acre Mr. Terrell purchased the claim of a Mr. Comstock, in the neighborhood of Denton Creek, in the east part of the county; hereon he erected a sixteen-foot-square log cabin, necessity forcing the family for some time to do without either windows or door shutters to the house, such conveniences being unobtainable in the county. Upon the organization of the county in 1856, Mr. Terrell was selected as one of the first county commissioners, and was also elected justice of the peace for his precinct. At the beginning of Indian hostilities he removed with his family to Decatur, which at the time boasted of but about six families. Mr. Terrell for a number of years conducted a merchandise establishment, and when Decatur began to grow erected the first stone building built in the town. Mrs. Terrell was born in Pulaski County, Arkansas, November 20, 1832. On her father's side she is directly descended from the family of which the famous statesman, John C. Calhoun, was also a descendant.

Mr. Terrell has been dead a number of years, but Mrs. Terrell remains hale and hearty, one of the pioneer mothers descended from those tempestuous times. She recalls many exciting incidents and occurrences which space limits for bid describing here. During the days of Indian troubles her home in Decatur was one of the special retreats of outsiders seeking refuge and safety. She can recall vividly having seen Indians in her own barn late at night preparing to take away her horses, and this in the village of Decatur. In connection with other Indian experiences she remembers making the winding-sheets for the burial of the murdered Huff women; also she it was who dressed the scalp of the savage killed by Captain Hill's company of rangers in the Keep house fight. Mr. and Mrs. Terrell reared an interesting and accomplished family of children, whose essential individual facts of history are as follows: L. P. Terrell, the oldest, was twice married; first to Carrie Scarborough; secondly and following her death, to Emma Watson. John J. Terrell, the present land commissioner of Texas, was married to Jennie Sanders. Malinda Bell was married to Lute Renshaw; Charles Vernon Terrell, ex-state senator and present county judge, married Etta May; Jacob Preston married first Sallie Lanier, following whose death he married Sallie Phillips; Mary Elizabeth was married to Stephen A. Lillard; Fannie Ida was married to Walter Cooper; Lillie Rowena was married to Dr. D. H. Payne; Laura Emma was married to J. Foster Lillard and Will Eugene Terrell married Mae Lillard.

Charles Vernon Terrell, the third son of Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Terrell, is a native son of Wise County, having been born twelve miles east of Decatur, May 2, 1861. His early schooling was received at Decatur, the schools best remembered by him being those of Professor McConnell, Mr. J. D. White's and Dr. John A. Embry, as well as Parson Haynes'. As a young man Judge Terrell was averse to confinement as clerk in his father's store and chose freighting and outdoor work instead, which is largely accountable for the superb physical strength and sturdi-ness of form and carriage which he presently enjoys. As a lad he loitered quite frequently about the court house, his father's residence being near at hand, and here, while listening to the legal debates and oratory of the lawyers he conceived the ambition to become a lawyer, which led to his beginning legal studies in 1884 under the firm of Carswell & Fuller. He was also influenced in the -choice of a profession by his elder brother, John J. Terrell, who, with much foresight, saw ahead the opportunities for young men of trained skill and cultivated intellect. At the end of his student course Judge Terrell was granted license to practice at the bar, by Judge F. E. Piner. He was immediately placed in the race for city attorney by his friends. In 1892 he was elected county attorney and served four years, during the first year of which, or in 1893, he was married to Miss Etta May, at the time an efficient and admired teacher in the public school. Her home was at Cameron, Texas. As county attorney Mr. Terrell made an enviable record, religiously devoting himself to his duties and quitting with an accumulation of experience, ability and reputation that ended in his being elected as the senatorial representative from the Thirty-first District, which comprised Denton, Wise and Montague Counties. In the senate. Judge Terrell was a close student of men and affairs as he has ever been in all the relations of life into which he has entered. He was also instrumental in achieving much beneficial legislation, and is responsible for the location of the North Texas Normal College at Denton. He served a full term in the senate and retired to private practice, but again entered the arena of politics in 1906, when he was selected as the judge of Wise County. Judge Terrell is a sterling, sincere, straightforward type of man, loves his home, loves his country and loves his people; in fact, patriotism and loyalty are his chief characteristics. He is possessed of a strong sense of duty and is inherently firm and unalterable in whatever course or policy he thinks is right. Withal he is possessed of a cautious business sense and during the tenure of his present office Wise County will be honestly, efficiently and progressively governed.

The career of Hon. John J. Terrell, second son and second in line of birth of the children of Samuel L. and Mrs. Terrell, and present land commissioner of Texas, is regarded with pride by his fellow citizens of Wise County, who have viewed his climb from obscurity to the lofty altitudes of state position and statewide reputation. Th's sentiment of pride is heightened by the fact of Mr. Terrell's Wise County nativity, he having been born here January 28, 1857, in a log cabin, newly built by his father, near the eastern boundary of the county, in the vicinity of the mouth of Catlett Creek.

Mr. Terrell began life in Wise County enshrouded in the mist and cloud of frontier deprivation and isolation, an environment that has contributed to the darkening of many a talented life through the sheer denial of opportunity and outlet. Some men, however, illuminate their own path; such a man is Mr. Terrell. He began an early, manly fight against the environing shadows, spreading a light about himself in which he worked straight upward to one of the highest and most responsible positions in the gift of a great state. Limitations of space forbid minute details of Mr. Terrell's Wise County career. He was early honored here with the positions of surveyor and district clerk, which in combination with private enterprises and real estate transactions kept him energetically employed for a number of years. Then in 1887, through Hon. R. M. Hall, land commissioner of Texas, he was extended an opportunity to go up higher, and accepted. Mr. Hall appointed him surveyor and classifier of state public school lands, which led subsequently to his clerkship in the land office at Austin and ultimately to his election as land commissioner.

Mr. Terrell married May 13, 1887, Miss Jennie Sanders, who was born near Nashville, Tennessee, August 28, 1865. Mrs. Terrell is a beautiful and accomplished woman of original pioneer stock of Tennessee, but has been a resident of Texas since the age of nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrell have been born four children, three of whom are living, as follows: Oscar Otis, born at Decatur; Minnie, Myrtle and Jennie Jewell, born at Austin.

The following brief resume of Mr. Terrell's official career is the contribution of Hon. James T. Robison, chief clerk of the General Land Office, Austin. "He was elected commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas, November, 1902, and assumed the duties of that very important and responsible office January 10, 1903. He was twice re-elected, the last time over active opposition, and though his third term, received in the Democratic primary over his opponent the largest majority ever given one Democrat over another in the history of the state. Though he is strongly urged to again ask re-election, he declines to accept further political favors. For twelve years prior to Mr. Terrell's election he had been an employe of the land office, during which time he had been promoted by every successive commissioner, serving the last four years as chief clerk. Such was Mr. Terrell's comprehension of the purpose for which the public lands were dedicated and his knowledge of its provisions, under the guise of law, that he assumed the difficult and laborious task of correcting the evil through the legislature. Though failure was his first reward, his two years' conduct of the office, in the interest of the school fund for which the land had been set apart, instead of in the interest of those wanting to speculate upon the land, was such that his views became popular and were enacted into the law of 1905. This law put sales upon the business basis of advertising the land in the broadest possible way and of selling to the one who would pay the most for it. Notwithstanding the best lands had theretofore been sold, yet under this law the land sold during the first year brought to the school fund in round numbers, $5,000,000.00 more than the same quantity of better land had theretofore brought. His land policy has come to stay. The Supreme Court of this state, in a decision in a land case (see Estes vs. Terrell, 15th Texas Court Reporter, page 445), had to say: 'The policy of selling the school lands to the highest bidder is a wise one,' The public has the most explicit confidence in Mr. Terrell's personal and official integrity. While of a modest bearing and quiet demeanor, he is fearless in his advocacy of the moral side of all public questions, and submits to the dictation of no one. The belief that truth will triumph is a part of his very nature. Though Mr. Terrell is firm in his manner, yet he is kind and generous, and every one of the eighty-five employes who have from the first until now served under him in the land office love him." (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 244-249)

WOODY, SAM
The entrance into Wise County and the subsequent life of the original pioneer has been elsewhere described, and it only remains now to allude to the essential facts in the history of Mr. Woody and that of his large and interesting family. He was born in Tennessee, May 24, 1826, and spent his youth in the Tennessee mountains. On October 19, 1848, he was married in. the community where he lived to Emeline Breazeale, born April 18, 1833. A biographer in Mr. Paddock's history states that " up to his nineteenth year Mr. Woody had never been more than five miles from home, and of the great world about him, and the customs of men he knew absolutely nothing. Then came an opportunity to go on a boat down the Tennessee, and during the next year or so he had a series of experiences which, when narrated in his own expressive and picturesque language, has all the interest that attaches to those who fare forth from the small known into the great unknown world about them, and which have furnished themes for heroics and epics from the beginning of literature. In this time he found that he was able to earn more money than he had ever dreamed possible while at home, and he returned to the family imbued with a higher sense of his own worth and ability and a fixed determination to betake himself and his people to a country where all might have better opportunities. He set himself to paying off the debts of his fatiher, who was a blacksmith, and as soon as that was effected, he put all the family on a flat-boat and sent them down the river to a land of more promise. He himself remained at the old home for. a time in order to get sufficient financial start for his next great move."

Mr. Woody arrived in Texas in March, 1850, and in the spring of 1854 pioneered his way into Wise County to become its first permanent settler. 'Since that time his fife has been an open book to the people of this section. He enjoys the distinction of being a natural humorist and optimist, traits which have won for him a celebrity over this section of Texas. Mr. Woody is the central one of a group of five brothers. He has two brothers aged respectively 94 and 83, he himself is 80, and the two next are 79 and 69. Without being told no one could believe that Mr. Woody is an octogeniarian. His face is round, his cheeks ruddy, his eyes bright and full, and his hearty laugh and quick, sprightly motions give no hint of the burden of years which time has imposed upon him.

Mr. Woody has raised a stalwart family, some of his sons having become men of great business energy and integrity, who enjoy a wide acquaintance over North Texas. The names of his children, the dates of their birth and the persons to whom they were married are as follows:

W. M. Woody, born Aug. 8, 1850, married Julia Tinsley.
T. D. Woody, born Oct. 20, 1852, married Martha Boyd.
Elizabeth Woody, born Feb. 28, 1855, married J. F. Boyd.
Eliza Woody, born Nov. 8, 1857, married A. S. Badger.
John J. Woody, born Feb. 27, 1862, married Willie Lillard.
Jesse M. Woody, born Feb. 27, 1864, married Areva Baits.
Emma Woody, born Feb. 5, 1866, married Wm. Austin.

(Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 238-239)

CARPENTER, J. C.
A man that had a broad acquaintance and many sincere friends over this section was Jesse C. Carpenter, who married Mary Stewart, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Stewart, in Butler County, Kansas, December 26, 1867. Mr. Carpenter was a native of North Carolina, in Surrey County, in which state he was born January 16, 1841. Until the date of his death he was one of the foremost citizens of Wise County and a very active and successful cattleman and business man. On the night of August 25, 1893, he was struck and killed by lightning while engaged in unloading a train of cattle at Decatur. Writing of the fatal occurrence and the man, some one truthfully said of him, the excerpt being reproduced from a local paper as follows: "Mr. Carpenter emigrated from North Carolina while yet a young man, and located in Wise County in 1863. His education was quite limited, but what he lacked in knowledge of books was amply made up in native ability. He was a live, restless business man, prompt in keeping all his promises and engagements. His purse, heart and hand were always open to his friends and those in trouble. And while the writer of this has been intimately associated with Mr. Carpenter socially and in business matters for the last thirty years, would not write him down as being perfect. Yet his faults were few and the noble traits in his character were such that those who knew him best were disposed to count his failings virtues. He was true to friends and his country." A few years ago Mrs. Carpenter was married to Mr. Doc Shown, and now lives in Jacksboro, Texas. She is one of the intelligent, noble women remaining to us from that period. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are Bob and Jess, and Dottie who married W. H. Portwood. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 260-261)

MANN, ANDREW J.
The old community on Deep Creek has produced some of the highest types of citizenship that ever went forth from any country or section. The community life there has seemingly tended toward the generation of strong, true qualities of manhood in all the pioneer sons who have been bred in it. A. J. Mann is a typical representative of that experience, and stands forth today one of the capable, trusted farmers and business men of Wise County. Mr. Mann was born in Upshur County, Texas, January 5, 1851, the son of John Mann and the youngest of thirteen children. In 1858 he came to Deep Creek, Wise County, and with the exception of seven years spent in Arizona and New Mexico, has been a resident of the county since that date. June 29,1882 he was married to Delia Whorton, the daughter of a citizen of Oliver Creek, and to them have been born six children. The oldest, Charlie, is married and lives in New Mexico; Frank, the next, is in school at Waco; the third son, Grover, is married and lives on the old farm on Deep Creek. The youngest children, Lela, Whorton and Burch, remain with their parents who presently reside at Decatur. Mr. Mann is the trusted president of one of the county farmers insurance companies. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 251-252)

MANN, MARGARET, MANN, W. J.
Mrs. Margaret Mann is the surviving wife of James Mann, who entered the county with Sam Woody as original prospector in 1853. At this writing Mrs. Mann is 73 years of age, 53 years of which have been spent in Wise County. She is one of the citizens who knows what a frontier life means, having indulged to the full in its hardships and joys. She feels that she has been one of the humble instruments in the hands of an all wise Providence for the upbuilding and development of the County of Wise. Mrs. Mann is a native Tennessean, born there in Roan County, and removed to Texas on the date aforementioned. In coming to this territory she came with her husband via Parker County, being guided by an Indian, the interpreter of the fort at Ft. Worth. This was in April, 1854, and Mrs. Mann only remembers one family in the county at the time, this being Tom McCarrol's. Mr.Woody was at that time engaged in building his log house. Mrs. Mann is the mother of 11 children, eight of whom are living as follows:

W. J. Mann, lives in Wise County;
George Mann, Wise County;
Mary Ferguson, Wise County;
Mrs. Nannie Simpson, Wise County;
Mrs. Fannie Swift, Hall County;
Mrs. Allie Eddins, Wise County;
Robert Mann, Oklahoma;
Tom Mann, Paradise.

W. J. Mann was born-in Tarrant County, Texas, March 8, 1854, and was brought to Wise County in his infancy. His father, James Mann, settled the old Holmes place in the neighborhood of Deep Creek, so that W. J. grew up under the nurture and inspiration of that section. He recalls many tempestuous experiences of boyhood and young-manhood. He has been upon the trail of the Indian, rode the open in the wake of cattle, farmed and tilled in the fields. He grew strong, rugged and sensible in contact with these burly elements; also he grew into a man of pronounced strength and integrity of character. In the year of 1880 he married Miss Mattie Perkins, following whose death he later married Miss Loutie Lindsey. By both unions Mr. Mann has reared eleven children, whose names are as follows: Lee, the oldest, who married Miss Miranda Gibbons, and who is a popular and progressive merchant at Paradise; Lynn, assistant-postmaster at Decatur; and the following who are at home: Jim, Charlie, Allie, Bessie, Nell, Dick Coke, John Patterson Burleson, Harry Harrison and Thomas Drew. During Cleveland's first administration Mr. Mann served Wise County two terms as sheriff, and the county never had a better one in that capacity. At present he lives on his farm south of Paradise, and is one of the substantial and intelligent men of influence in all county and neighborhood affairs. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 254-256)

PERRIN, TEMOLEON
Temoleon Perrin was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, October 16, 1852, and was brought to Texas and Wise County by his father, Wm. Perrin, when he was about two years old. Mr. Perrin is quiet and unassuming by nature, but is one of the best of friends when once his friendship has been won. He is a member of one of the best known and best respected families of the pioneer days-a family that has always stood by Wise County in all her troubles and misfortunes. Mr. Perrin is a member of the executive committee of the Old Settlers' Association and has always shown a willingness to do his part in every instance. He was married in 1882 to Jennie Sensibaugh, a member of another old settler family, and five children have been born to them, the oldest being now 18. Mr. and Mrs. Perrin are comfortably located on a farm south.of Decatur. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 262)

STEWART, DR. THOMAS, STEWART, MRS. JULIA
The early days of the county, which deserves to be wholly reproduced here, but is abridged' in the interest of economy of space The following excerpts are taken from Mrs. Stewart's contribution.

Dr. Thomas A. Stewart was born September 14, 1822, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He was an early emigrant to the state of Illinois, and in 1855 was one of the first arrivals in Wise County. Dr. Stewart married Julia A. Brady, sister of Judge W. W. Brady, of Wise County, February 8, 1842. Mrs. Stewart was born June 21, 1823. Mrs. Stewart thus describes the emergence of her party into Texas: "We crossed the Red River December 24, 1855. With us were W. W. Brady and our five children. When we drove out of Red River bottom we wen; struck with awe and admiration at the vast plains and the varied landscape, with the scattered fields of fall-sown grain green and beautiful. It seemed to us we had landed in Paradise when we compared the country with frozen, bleak Illinois."

Parker County was the planned destination, but after crossing Wise County and observing its advantages, Dr. Stewart decided to locate here. Mrs. Stewart says: "In West Fork bottom the wild rye was knee deep and so green and pretty."

Roving about the trackless forests, the party came upon Ben Crews,.who directed them to a suitable camp on Deep Creek, and after some time spent there, a location was made on Oliver Creek, where lands were purchased and a home started. Mrs. Stewart says: "We found the largest-hearted and most generous people here in Texas we had ever met in life." Her interesting description of the character of life lived must give way to more essential facts found further on in her notes. At the beginning of Indian troubles Dr. Stewart grew discouraged and planned to return to Illinois, a move which Mrs. Stewart successfully pleaded against. Cattle were then bought and a ranch started on Sandy Creek, resulting in Dr. Stewart becoming quite wealthy, but a fortune which was afterward sacrificed to savages and thieves. The Sand Hill community then became their home for a number of years, but in 1807 the family moved to Kansas, thence to Colorado, and from there to California and Oregon, finally back to Texas.

Dr. Stewart was a pioneer physician in Wise County. He went at the call of duty with pill-bags behind and Winchester before. He was a great hunter and it was also necessary to watch for Indians. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and enjoyed the respect and confidence of the people and was for years one of the leading physicians. Being of adventurous temperament, he had gone to California in the gold excitement of 1849. At the approach of the Civil War he enlisted as surgeon on Colonel Sweet's staff, but later became exempt for being over the required age. He soon joined the frontier service and was assigned to Captain Ward's company, following which he moved his family to Buffalo Springs. After some years service he returned to Decatur and lived until his removal to Kansas. The latter years of his life were passed in Oregon. Stricken with an incurable disease, he returned to Decatur, and in June, 1899, died in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary G. Shown, surrounded by friends and relatives. He lies buried in Sand Hill Cemetery. Dr. Stewart is survived by his wife, Mrs. Julia A. Stewart, and the following children: Mrs. Mary G. Shown, Jacksboro; Mrs. S. C. Cargill, Davidson, Oklahoma; Mrs. M. E. Brown, Markley, Texas; Thomas L. Stewart, California.
Mrs. Stewart closes her notes as follows: "I lived much on the frontier; have helped many that came in to find homes; I took them in and cared for their families without charge; I only asked them to do likewise for those who came to them as they came to me. I am now 84 years old. I have worked hard and have no earthly goods-nothing to clog my wings when God calls me to go up higher. Wise County pioneers, I hope to meet you all in heaven." (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 258-260)

WALLACE, ROBERT H., WALLACE, JOHN H.
Robert H. Wallace was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, August 16, 1818, and spent his early youth in that state and in Tennessee. In the latter state in 1848 he married Hulda M. Hardwick, and afterwards removed to Arkansas, where, in Ben-ton County he resided until 1857, when he brought his family to Wise County, their future home. Arriving in Wise County, Mr. Wallace took by pre-emption the tract of land now known as the Halsell place, on the southwest outskirts of Decatur. Here he raised a large family, the names of the children being in succession:

Arabella.
Cynthy J.-married Gum Rhoades.
John H.-born in Benton County, Arkansas, August 12, 1854.
C. M. Wallace.
Emma Wallace-married Louis Calvert of Oklahoma.
Mary Wallace-married Anderson Acres.
W. F. Wallace-married Ida Foss, Washington.

Mr. Wallace died in 1873. He is remembered as a good, strong man and citizen of his times, and as an active member of the local militia companies during the war and Indian troubles.

John H. Wallace and Mrs. Gum Rhoades are the only two children of the elder Wallace now living in Wise County. Both are generally well liked for the many good qualities possessed by them. Mr. Wallace for a number of years has taken a leading part in the various affairs that affect his community and county. He made one of the most systematic and businesslike commissioners the county has been honored with. During his tenure of the office of commissioner, the county began the erection of the beautiful courthouse at the county seat, and it was largely through Mr. Wallace's taste, direction and influence that this structure was reared as presently proportioned. To him was assigned the task of representing the county during the building of the courthouse, during which time he was persistently on duty, carefully watching that all construction and improvements were made in accordance with contract. Mr. Wallace now lives on his farm about four miles northwest of Decatur, but he keeps constantly in touch with the current affairs of the county and public generally. He is progressive and enterprising and enjoys the high confidence of all who know him. Doubtless no county citizen appreciates the responsibilities of citizenship more than he, nor performs them more willingly. Since its organization Mr. Wallace has been the president of the Wise County Old Settlers' Association, and by his efforts and those of his associates and executive committeemen has succeeded in resurrecting the old settlers from their place of neglect and thrusting them forward into the appreciation of the later generations.

Mr. Wallace was a typical pioneer boy, sharing in all the joys and hardships of the time, and recalls many experiences. Among them is the recollection of the memorable night when as a guard over his father's horses he shot an Indian who was attempting to reach the stable to steal them. He was sitting inside the house at the time and fired out of an open window; the Indian jumped and yelled, but escaped in the timber, leaving stains of blood behind.

Mr. Wallace has been twice married, first in 1877 to Hopie Calvert, who died in November, 1893. On December 30, 1896, Mr. Wallace was married to Mattie E. Killough. To both unions seven children have been born. Mr. Wallace has been a citizen of Wise County since 1857. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 256-257)

WARD, LAWRENCE L., WARD, HENRY L., WARD, J. LAWRENCE, WARD, MR. L. L., WARD, MRS. L. L.
Henry L. and Rev. J. Lawrence Ward, the sons of Lawrence L. Ward, have attained to positions of prominence in the church and commercial realms of Texas. Their father was a native of Elbert County, Ga., born April 3, 1829, married Lucy A. Marshall, of Chambers County, Ala., and located on Deep Creek, Wise County, in the year of 1858. The wife was born December 18, 1835.

The father, Lawrence L. Ward, was one of the efficient representative citizens of his time. For a number of years he was honored with the office of Justice of the Peace of his precinct, a very responsible position in the early days of the county. Later on Mr. Ward served the county as its Chief Justice, the office of County Judge in the first years of the county organization. When Indian troubles became rife Mr. Ward aligned himself with the Deep Creek militia company, was elected its First Lieutenant, and in this capacity served many years as the defender of the county. His children had the beginnings of their education on Deep Creek under the able tutorship of Robert Walker. The children of Lawrence Ward, Sr., and wife are Mary, who married Mark Oates, of Rhome; Henry L., married Miss May Trewhitt; Laura J. and John G., who died in early youth; Wm. E., married Miss Clementine Paschall; J. F. married Miss Lizzie Whiteside; J. L., married Miss Jennie Beard; Ella, married J. D. Ballard; Lindsay died in infancy.

Henry L. Ward was born November 9, 1854, near Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas. When about three years of age he was brought to Deep Creek, Wise County, where his early boyhood was spent. Mr. Ward's ascent into the business world has been won step by step. At the age of 20 he joined Capt. George Stevens' ranger company and served for a while on the frontier, following which he went into the store of J. K. Ezell, at Aurora, as clerk. He followed general trading, principally in cattle, until 1884, when he was elected County Clerk of Wise County. His marriage followed in 1885 at Aurora. After two terms as County Clerk, Mr. Ward removed to Springtown, Parker County, and joined his brother, J. L. Ward, in a general mercantile business'which was conducted under the name of Ward Bros, until 1901, when Mr. Ward removed to Decatur. His children are: Maud, married to Dr. J. F. Ford, of Decatur; Grady, a young man at school, and Frank, aged 10 years. As a business man and citizen Mr. Ward enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, which includes most of-the people of the county. He is an indefatigable worker in many good causes, being closely identified with the management of the Baptist College and of the affairs of the Baptist Church. His businessjudgment is safe and true, the energetic application of which has led him to the accretion of considerable material means. He is investigative, cautious and thoughtful, and represents the very highest type of citizenship, otherwise personified in religious devotion to duty in secular life and devotion to religious duty in spiritual life.

Rev. J. Lawrence Ward has recently been called to a larger field of usefulness in the Baptist Church affairs of the State, which is the corresponding secretaryship of the Texas Baptist Educational Commission, headquarters at Waco. To this responsible position he went from the place of President of Decatur Baptist College, an office he had filled with profound credit to himself and growth and success to the school. Mr. Ward's early life was spent on Deep Creek, this county. He was born there and hewed out his early career in positions under its wholesome, pure influences. When a young man he took a clerkship in a store at Aurora, in which village he was married about this time. He then served two other terms as a clerk at Rhome and Decatur, when he opened a store at Springtown, Parker County. Mr. Ward was successful in business, but retired and studied for the ministry at Baylor College. The pastorate of the Baptist Church at Decatur followed his graduation, which position yielded to his acceptation of the Presidency of the College. Analogous to his brother, Henry L. Ward, he is highly regarded by the people of this section. Besides being both devout and intellectual he has evinced strong demonstrated qualities of executiveness. He has merited the great respect and friendship of the people of Wise County, and will doubtless achieve like relations in the broader field to which he has gone. (Pioneer History of Wise County by Cliff D. Cates, 1907 Pages 252-254)

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