Biography of J. H. Draughn, Bowie County, Texas

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Submitted by: V Richardson <GVRICHARDS@aol.com>
        Date: Apr 2000
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm
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J. H. Draughn (also spelled Draughon and Draughan), one of the city's earliest
settlers and an early businessman. 

Born in 1843 in Waverly, Tennessee, Draughn went into the general mercantile
business in that state. In the 1870's be began moving west. He worked for awhile
in Arkansas and when the city of Texarkana was founded in 1873 he came to work
with a lumber firm, Buchanan and Company. When the firm dissolved in 1875,
Draughn began an independent dry goods and lumber business. Having established
himself in the community, Draughn served as one of the first mayors for a brief
period from April to July, 1876. In addition, he was one of the organizers of
the First National Bank of Texarkana and served as President for 10 years.
Within a few years Draughn sold out his dry goods and lumber business interests
in Texas and moved to Sulpher Station, where the bought an interest in a lumber
business and became the company's president.