Dallas County, TX - Biographies - Horatio Nelson Haskell

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John Henry Brown's History of Dallas County, 1892, pp. 470-471

HORATIO NELSON HASKELL, who has been a resident of Dallas county for a
quarter of a century, has had a varied experience on this sphere since
his existence here began, in 1825. The place of his birth was Graves
county, Kentucky and he is a son of James and Susie (Alexander) Haskell,
natives of Rhode Island and Georgia, respectively. The father was a
farmer and followed this occupation until his death, which occurred in
Graves county, in 1871. The mother died many years before. Our subject
received a fair education in his own county, and remained under the
parental roof until 1844, when be removed to Texas, landing at the mouth
of the Rio Grande river. He enlisted in the Government service, and was
in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and all of the engagements up to the city
of Mexico. He was honorably discharged at Vera Cruz, in 1847, and
returned to Texas. Be staid at Brownsville, Texas, two years, and then
went to Corpus Christi, where he took charge of a Government post under
Major Chapman. He was there four years, and then was stationed at San
Antonio for two years. During all this time he had many narrow escapes
from death at the hands of the Indiana, and frequently was compelled to
keep guard all night. He helped to fit out an expedition to Utah, and
took charge of it from Fort Leavenworth to Salt Lake City. He remained
two years in Utah, and, on his return trip, met with many perils both by
water and land. There were ten in the party and only four of the number
came through alive. They spent three weeks on the ice in the Platte
river, where six of the company froze to death. Some of the ponies
suffered the same fate. Mr. Haskell finally reached civilization, but
his love of adventure was not thoroughly satisfied, so be joined the
expedition with General Johnson to survey the Indian Territory line.
This work occupied six months, and he then returned to his old Kentucky
home, from which he had not heard for fifteen years. After a visit there
he went back to Texas and located in Dallas county, where he has taken a
place among the progressive citizens. During the Civil war Mr. Haskell
was detailed to carry supplies, but he settled on 33-1/3 acres, which he
had purchased in Precinct No. 1. His first house was a small cottage,
which was replaced twelve years ago by a more commodious structure. He
has divided twenty acres of this purchase into lots, which have found a
ready market. In 1860 he was married to Mrs. Eliza Coleman, a native of
Kentucky. Three children were born of this union: Calvin died in
infancy; Charles Addison married Laura Carlisle and died in 1888;
Jefferson Davis married Roxie Hinson, and to them were born two
children, Clyde and Winnie; he died in 1890. Our subject has been a
member of the Golden Cross Lodge for ten years. He and his wife are
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, be
affiliates with the Democratic party and is an ardent advocate of its
doctrines. He has been Alderman of East Dallas for six years and been
faithful to the trust placed in him.