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Judge ARTHUR
THOMAS WATTS is one of the public-spirited
and enterprising citizens of Dallas, and one of the leading members
of the Dallas bar. Of his life and ancestry we present the following
facts:
Judge Arthur Thomas Watts was born
in Covington County, Mississippi, August 31, 1837. His parents,
William and Patience (Lott) Watts, both natives of Georgia, were
born near Milledgeville. His father went with his parents to
Mississippi about 1810, at which time the Lott family also settled
there. Thomas Watts, the Judge's grandfather, served in both
the Revolution and in the war of 1812, being 19 years of age
when he took part in the first war. He died in Smith County,
Texas, in 1856, at the age of about 94 years. His grandfather,
Arthur Lott, also served through the Revolutionary war. In 1810
he started to Mississippi from Georgia, in company with a number
of families, and was shot from his horse and killed by Indians
in Alabama. Several others of the party were wounded at the same
time. His widow with her children went on their sad journey to
Mississippi, and in due time the large family spread out over
western Mississippi and Texas.
William Watts, the Judge's father,
conducted farming operations on a moderate scale, working about
30 hands. He was a good business man, quiet and unassuming in
manner, and in every way a worthy and highly respected citizen.
He sold his interests in Mississippi, came to Texas, and settled
on a farm in Harrison county in 1841. He died there in 1844.
For a number of years he was a member of the Baptist Church.
He was a man of earnest devotion and great usefulness. His widow
is still living, an honored and highly esteemed pioneer of Polk
county, Texas. She is an earnest Christian woman, and since her
girlhood days has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
She is now 85 years of age. Of her eight children, five are still
living.
Judge Arthur Thomas Watts received
his education at Zion Seminary, Mississippi. After completing
his course there, he began the study of law under the direction
of John E. McNair, Circuit Judge of that district. He marked
success and high standing in the legal profession show the wisdom
of his choice for a live work. He was admitted to the bar
at Livingston, Polk county, Texas, in 1859, and at once began
practice in partnership with Judge Crosson, now of Ballinger,
Texas. This partnership continued a year. Mr. Watts then went
to Mississippi on business, and while he was there the war opened.
He enlisted on the first of August, 1861, as a private soldier
in Company A, 16th Mississippi Regiment, and served throughout
the war in the Army of Northern Virginia, being first under "Stonewall"
Jackson, then under Longstreet, and latterly in A.P. Hill's corps.
During the war he received several slight wounds, at one time
being disabled for about 20 days, but on the whole he stood the
service well.
The war over, he came to Livingston
and began anew the practice of law. In 1872 he was elected to
a seat in the lower house of the State Legislature, and served
in the session of 1873. He was instrumental in the passage of
an election law, and also in securing a compromise with the Texas
& Pacific Railroad for a bond grant of $6,000,000 besides
rendering other efficient services. January 1, 1874, he moved
to Weatherford, Texas, and with Mr. Lanham, now a Congressman,
practiced law there until 1878. In October of 1878 he settled
in Dallas. Here he conducted a successful practice until December,
1880. At that time he was appointed one of the Commissioners
of Appeals of the State of Texas, receiving his appointment from
Governor Roberts, and in that capacity he served till October,
1885, since which time he has been in the practice of his profession.
The work of the Commissioners of Appeals, with which he was connected,
will be found in the Texas Reports, volumes 54-64 inclusive.
Judge Watts married in June, 1869,
to Miss Mary Victery, daughter of John Victery, of Polk County,
Texas. Her father, a farmer by occupation, has been dead for
a number of years. Mrs. Watts died October 7, 1890, aged 40 years.
She was an Episcopalian and a most estimable woman, loved by
all, who knew her. She left four children:
Ella Watts,
a former student of Dr. Wheat's school, Winchester, Virginia
Samuel Watts, a stenographer and typist in his father's office,
reading law at intervals
Arthur Watts, attending school
Ross Watts, attending school
The judge
is a member of the Episcopal Church and of the Masonic fraternity.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 368-369.
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WILLIAM J.
OWEN was born near the city of
Rochester, New York, and inherited from his father the genius
of handling stock. He was educated in the high school of Rochester
and in that State learned the trade of a butcher, mastering all
its details - practical and theoretical - with great aptness.
After some years spent in business on his own account he removed
to Hot Springs, Arkansas, then to Waco, Texas, and finally drifted
to Dallas in 1883, and at once began business at his present
location on Elm Street, his establishment being in a very
flourishing condition, owing to his upright and honorable business
methods. Although he began in a modest way his business has increased
very rapidly, and at his market the largest business in the city
is done. Two thousand beeves are disposed of each year and other
meats in proportion. He is one of the organizers of the Texas
Butchers and Drovers' Association and is vice-president of the
National Association and president of the local branch. He is
an enthusiastic and influential member and attends all of the
national associations. He also belongs to the order of Red Men
and the Fat Men's Association. His present position is due to
his own industry and integrity and he is probably one of the
most universally popular men among all classes in the city. He
is a kind-hearted and generous, and his purse has been many times
opened to the calls of suffering humanity. He has built him a
cozy home on Oak Street and lives in a manner becoming his position
and influence.
On the 22d March, 1872, he was
married to Miss Lillie Ward of Grand Rapids, Michigan, by whom
he had one son, William J. Owen, Jr.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 369-370.
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M.
V. COLE, a retired farmer
of Dallas county, was born near Fayetteville, Washington county,
Arkansas, January 2, 1837, the 10th child of John and Polly (McDonald)
Cole, natives of Virginia. The father moved to Tennessee in an
early day, where he opened up a farm, and later removed to Arkansas,
and in 1843 to Dallas county, spending many years of his life
on the frontier. He took up a claim of 640 acres in Precinct
No. 1, where his death occurred in 1850, and his wife's death
occurred there also, in 1869. M.V. Cole was reared to farm life
and was educated in the subscription shools of the county and
also attended the Hudson Academy, near Dallas. He came to Dallas
county at the age of six years, and, after reaching manhood,
commenced farming and stock-raising. In 1862 he enlisted in Scott's
Battalion, which was attached to Darnell's regiment, and was
confined mostly in Arkansas. He was discharged in the latter
part of 1862, after which he returned to Dallas and engaged in
farming. Mr. Cole has since added to his original purchase, 1-1/2
miles from Dallas, until now he owns 300 acres, all of which
is well improved. He also owns a fine residence and six acres
in the city. Mr. Cole affiliates with the Democratic party, and
in 1873 was elected County Treasurer serving three terms, and
1884 served one year as County commissioner of Precinct No. 1.
He is a member of the School Board for the 9th Ward, and was
active in securing the erection of a fine school building, costing
$20,000. Socially, Mr. Cole is a member of Tannehill Lodge,
No. 52, A.F. & A.M., at Dallas, and religiously both he and
his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church.
He was married in Dallas county,
in 1862, to Margaret Preston, a native of Tennessee, and daughter
of George and Ann (Roddy) Preston natives of Virginia. The parents
moved to Tennessee in an early day, thence to Cass County, Missouri,
and then to Dallas County, where the father died in 1868, and
the mother a short time previous. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have four
children:
Georgie
Cole, now Mrs. John F. Irwin of Dallas
Edwin L. Cole, reporter for the Herald of Dallas
Birdie May Cole, at home
Marshall V. Cole, at home
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, p. 370.
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THOMAS BEGGS, of the firm of Watson & Beggs, contractors
and builders, came to Dallas in 1885, and were employed by C.A.
gill, general contractor, and formed their partnership in 1888.
They have built many fine residences in Dallas and Oak Cliff,
as those of J.S. Armstrong, S.E Wilson, Messrs. Zang and Rich,
of Chestnut Hill, Pearce and Cooper, etc., -- buildings costing
from $3,000 upward, besides many cottages of $1,500 to $2,000,
- and the First Baptist church of Dallas (all the wood and iron
work). During the last year (1890) the firm employed 35 men four
months, and the remainder of the year 15-20 men.
Mr. Beggs was born in Ireland in
1862, the son of William and Mary (Beggs) Beggs, natives also
of Ireland. His father died in his native country, and his mother
now resides in Dallas. Mr. Beggs learned his trade in Belfast,
Ireland. In July, 1882, he landed at New York, and soon after
went to Pittsburgh and St. Louis, and finally came to Dallas,
as already stated. He was married here in September, 1887, to
Frederica A. Lawther, a native of New Orleans, and a daughter
of Colonel R. Lawther, who now resides in Dallas. They have one
child, by name Robert William. They are members of the Second
Presbyterian Church of Dallas. On national matters Mr. Beggs
is a Democrat.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 367-368.
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A.
POYNOR, City Engineer, was born
in 1854, in Tennessee, and spent his youth in that State. He
pursued a course of study at the Nashville University, with the
specialty of civil engineering, and graduated in 1874. The next
year he came to Texas and was employed as civil engineer on the
Texas Pacific railroad for a number of years, in addition to
general work at his profession throughout the State. In 1890
he was called by the city of Dallas to the office of city engineer,
and he entered at once upon the discharge of his duties. His
fitness for the place is amply tested by the excellent condition
of all the public works under his control, waterworks, sewers,
streets, etc. He employs twelve men, skilled and efficient.
Mr. Poynor is a member of the American
Society of Civil Engineers, a Knight of Pythias and a Knight
Templar.
A. Poynor's mother, Mrs. Charlotte
T. (Stephens) Poynor, has been a resident of Dallas since 1874,
coming here from Williamson county, Tennessee. She is now in
her eighty-second year, and has powers both of body and mind
quite well preserved for that advanced age. Her children are:
1. Poynor, residing in the Pan Handle of this State;
2. Dr. J. S. Poynor, of Williamson county, Texas; A. M., residing
near Lancaster, Dallas county, Texas;
3. Poynor. The entire family are members of the Christian Church.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 370-371.
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JAMES M.
BRITAIN, a farmer and stockraiser
of Dallas county, Texas, dates his birth in Henry county, Missouri,
November 21, 1841. He is the second son and third child of Joseph
and Sena (White) Britain, and when seven years of age came with
them to Dallas county, Texas, where he was reared on a farm and
educated in the subscription schools of that day. At the age
of fourteen he engaged in freighting with ox teams, hauling from
ports on the river and lumber from the pine woods. This occupation
he followed till the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted,
January 1, 1862, in Company C, Sixth Texas Cavalry, and was in
active duty in Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee
and Missouri, participating in all the battles with his regiment
and suffering the many hardships incident to a soldier's life.
While they were on the retreat from Corinth he was taken prisoner
and confined ten days. He served till the close of the war, after
which he returned to Dallas county and again engaged in freighting,
driving horses and continuing the business successfully for five
years.
Mr. Britain was married February
9, 1870, to Miss E. H. Gray, a native of Virginia and daughter
of William and Betsey (Alderson) Gray. Her family came to Texas
in 1860; her father was killed during the war and her mother
resides with her children. Soon after his marriage Mr. Britain
bought 160 acres of land and engaged in farming, which, with
stock-raising, has since claimed his attention. He now has 227
acres of fine land, under a high state of cultivation, and is
raising corn, cotton and oats.
Mr. and Mrs. Britain are the parents
of nine children:
1. Otis D. E. married Kate T. Wright, of this county;
2. Freddie J. Britain
3. Eldon W. Britain
4. Oscar R. Britain
5. Claud Britain
6. Elizabeth Britain
7. Morris A. Britain
8. Addie Britain
9. Blake B. Britain
Politically, Mr. Britain is a Democrat.
He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. They have
been particularly fortunate in the enjoyment of good health.
Only on two occasions have they required the services of a physician
in their family on account of sickness.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, p. 371.
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HENRY MOULARD, a carpenter and builder of Dallas, was born
in the Department of Loier et Cher, France, in 1862, the sixth
of the seven children of August and Ann (David) Moulard, natives
also of France. The father, a carpenter by trade, died in France,
in 1882, aged sixty-three years; and the mother died in Dallas,
October 11, 1891, aged sixty-nine years, a believer in the Catholic
faith, as are also the family still. Their children are:
1. Eugene Moulard, who resides in Orleans,
2. France Moulard, married to Josephine Forgeat;
3. Camile Moulard, who died in Orleans, France, at the age of
twenty-three years, unmarried: he served a year in the FreDeb
army;
4. Henry Moulard, the subject of this sketch;
5. Jule J. Moulard, unmarried, a resident of Dallas since 1871,
and a successful carpenter, having been an employe of the firm
of Murphy & Bolas for the past seven years
6. Anna Moulard, the wife of J. F. Martine of Dallas: she died
in 1877, at the age of twenty-three years.
Mr. Moulard
was brought to the United States in 1871, by his parents, with
three brothers and a sister, arriving at Dallas December 24.
He has a brother unmarried, living here in Dallas, Jule J. by
name. Henry began learning his trade in 1876, in Dallas, and
completed it in Orleans, France, spending two and a half years
there, where they both, Henry and Jule J., completed their trade.
Not withstanding he has suffered in any privations and encountered
many obstacles, he has been an industrious laborer ever since
be was eleven years of age, and his present prosperity is proof
of his wisdom. He has taken great interest in the material welfare
of the city of Dallas and has seen many changes in its phenomenal
growth.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 371-372.
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BARNETT GIBBS, attorney at law and capitalist, Dallas, was
born in Yazoo, Mississippi, a son of Q. D. Gibbs,- French and
Irish on the paternal side: his father was also a lawyer. His
paternal grand-father, General George W. Gibbs, was a well known
lawyer and politician in the early days of Tennessee. For a time
he was Attorney General of the State. Mr. Barnett Gibbs, completed
his school days at Cumber-land University, and in 1873 settled
in Dal-las, for the practice of law, and since then he has also
taken an active part in politics. Was City Attorney six years,
from 1876 to 1882; State Senator from 1882 to 1884, from the
district composed of Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwell counties, and
after serving two years was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas.
His popularity is shown by the fact that be ran far ahead of
his ticket. For a time he was acting Governor. Since the close
of his official career, he has been engaged in the practice of
his chosen profession and in looking after his large landed interests
in Texas and New Mexico. He is a leading Odd Fellow, in which
order he was once the youngest Grand Master the State ever had;
and he is also a Knight of Pythias. It is probably as a public
speaker that lie is best known. His services on the rostrum are
in constant demand, whether there is a cainpaign on band or not.
His views on prohibition and finance are clear and sound. Probably
no man in the State has had more to do with -molding public sentiment
than he. In addressing his fellow citizens his chief delight
is to find them cool and calm, so that they will follow reason
only.
Mr. Gibbs has erected many buildings
and spent much money in improving the city of Dallas. He has
also a large farm in this county, and is developing Arkansas
Pass, on the coast.
Quesney Dibrelle Gibbs, the father
of the subject of the foregoing sketch, was a native of Tennessee,
who became a leading lawyer in Mississippi, to which State he
moved in the 1830s, and finally died in the Confederate service,
in which be was Captain, in the Thirtieth Mississippi Regiment.
He had held the office of Judge of Probate, although he never
took kindly to politics. He married Miss Sallie Dorsey, a native
of Kentucky and a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
she died in 1863, aged fifty-one years.
He was married in 1876, to Miss
Sallie Haynes, the daughter and only child of J. W. Haynes, a
merchant. She was educated in New York and Virginia, and is a
lady of rare culture. They have two sons and one daughter:
1. Sallie Haynes Gibbs
2. Wildy Gibbs
3. Barney Gibbs, Jr.
The wife's parents, John W. and
Maria J. (Plummer) Haynes, came to Texas early in the 1850s,
perhaps in 1851. Mr. Haynes was a leading Citizen in McKinney,
and later in Dallas, where he died in 1873. Mrs. Haynes was a
native of West Virginia, and died in 1888.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, p. 372.
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REV. J. A.
HARTNETT, Rector of St. Patrick's
Church, Dallas, is a native of Erin's Isle, county of Limerick,
Ireland and a son of Daniel T. and HaDora (Donough) Hartnett.
The father died in Weatherford, Parker county, Texas, in July,
1890, aged seventy years, and the mother now resides at the homestead
in that county, aged sixty-eight years. They were the parents
of twelve children, eight of whom are still living:
1. Thomas D. Hartnett, a railroad contractor through Texas, Missouri,
Alabaina, Mississippi, and is now in Indiana on a contract for
a railroad leading frorn Chicago East
2. Michael D. Hartnett, a hardware and farm implernent merchant
of Graceville, Minnesota
3. Cornelius D. Hartnett, a wholesale grocer of Weatherford,
being the senior member of the firm of C. D. Hartnett & Co.
4. Bridget Hartnett, wife of Charles Nolan, a farmer of Ankeny,
Iowa
5. Margaret Hartnett, wife of John Hartnett, a railroad contractor
and farmer near Weatherford
6. Angustine Hartnett, an Ursuline nun of Dallas, and known as
Madam St. Mary Augustine
7. A. Hartnett
8. Daniel D. Hartnett, a retail grocer of Weatherford.
Rev. J.
A. Hartnett's father's half-brother, John F. Meagher, is ex-Governor
of Minnesota. Daniel T. Hartnett was a man highly respected for
his honesty and industry, and his children grew to mature years
under the best parental influence, as is evinced by the business
tact and high standing of each. They are all persons of prominahce
in their line, and are respected by a large circle of acqnaintances.
Rev. J. A. Hartnett came to America
with his parents in 1863, and to Texas in 1871. He was educated
at St. Mary's College, of St. Mary's Kansas, and his theological
studies were pursued at St. Mary's Seminary, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was ordained July 5, 1891, and first served as assistant at
the Pro-Catbedral of the Sacred Heart, located at the corner
of Bryant and Ervay streets, Dallas. Two months later be was
appointed to his present position, which he has filled successfully
and satisfactorily. His congregation is increasing rapidly, and
in fact, has almost doubled since his pastorate began. Since
early life Father Hartnett has taken kindly to theology, his
reading and studies . being directed chiefly to his present work,
and his habits and customs being in strict keeping with his high
calling. He is a worthy man, an esteemed citizen, and is endowed
with both vigor and public spirit.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, p. 373.
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W. D. BURKE, of the firm of Burke Bros., Cornice Works,
Dallas, has been a resident of this city for about nine years.
Born in New Orleans, he spent his
boyhood days and learned the trade of copper, tin and sheet-iron
worker there. After working in different cities of the country
for some time, be settled in Dallas in 1882. In 1888 he and his
brother, J. E. Burke, established business for themselves, since
which time they have been having a thriving trade and employing
constantly eight or ten men, their work extending to various
towns in the northern part of this State.
Mr. Burke's father, H. D. Burke,
was a native of Ireland, was married at Independence, Louisiana,
to Miss Mary Taggart, also a native of Ireland, was a grocer
for thirty--five years in New Orleans, before and during the
war had charge of Rowell, Sons & Wad-leigh's Southern Car
Works, was a member of the Catholic Church, an honest and honorable
man, and died June 30, 1886, at the age of sixty-six years. His
widow is still living, at Houston, Texas, now aged fifty-eight
years. Of their eight children five are living, namely:
1. Burke who is foreman on the Houston & Texas Central steam
shovel, which position he has held for eleven years, being an
excellent workman. J. E. Burke who married Mary Men-inger and
their children are:
Mamie Burke
Lena Burke
Bell Burke
Irene Burke
John E. Burke
2. W. D. Burke
3. Agnes Burke, wife of Frank Alcala. Agnes has one child, John
E. Alcala, and she and her family live at Houston.
4. Margaret M. Burke, unmarried and living with her mother
5. Henry D. Burke
6. the others died in early childhood
W. D. Burke
married, in Dallas, in 1886, Miss Angelica Vilbig, daughter of
John C. and Barbara Vilbig, natives of Germany and married in
Wisconsin. Mr. Vilbig was a shoemaker, and later a farmer; he
died in 1880, a Catholic, aged forty-eight years, and his wife
is still living, in Dallas. Their children are:
1. August Vilbig, who married Kate Cramer, resides in Dallas
and has one child, Anna
2. Sophie Vilbig, who is the wife of E. A. Lott, resides in Dallas
and has Teresa, Alfred, John,
3. Ed. L. Vilbig
4. Angelica Vilbig, the wife of W. D. Burke
5. John Vilbig (a contractor in Dallas)
6. Josie Vilbig, at home
7. besides four who died in early life.
Mr. Burke's children are:
1. William H. Burke
2. Eleanor Irene Burke
He is a
thorough going, earnest business man, and an enterprising and
public-spirited citizen. Socially, he is a member of the Dallas
Lodge, No. 70, K. of P.
- Memorial & Biographical
History of
Dallas County, Texas, 1892, pp. 372-374.
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