Hopkins Co., TX - Biography - Alfred Hargrave ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Pat Howard USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** BIOGRAPHY OF ALFRED J. HARGRAVE Uncle Jack, Alfred Hargrave, was born in the state of Indiana in the year 1833 and came with his parents to the territory of Hopkins County in the year 1843 and located in the neighborhood of where he has lived all his life. There was only one cabin in the territory now Hopkins County when his father moved into it. This cabin was owned and occupied by one John Bivins, who soon disappeared from the territory and was never again heard from. It was supposed that some sad accident befell him and his family. There was a small log pen that was occupied by Billy and Harvey Hargrave, which my father moved into with them and remained until the fall of the year. My father afterwards moved some three miles north and built a double cabin out of rails split from the timber, and covered these pens with clapboards, which afforded us shelter through the coming winter, until a suitable cabin could be built. There was no convenience of any kind - we had to do any way to get along; but you see we did live through all these trials, hardships and disappointments. The people of to-day are ignorant of all these things that the pioneer must undergo. To tell of the many things - many of which were startling and alarming in their nature - would read like a fable. The country was overrun with wild beasts and wild animals of every kind that was common to the climate. Deer hams were preserved, dried and an abundant supply was always on hand. Bear meat, which was always fat and wholesome, was used to a great extent. There were very few hogs; but occasionally a hog or sow and pigs could be seen around someone’s cabin. The hog was afraid to go far into the range. The bear and the panther were the hog’s greatest enemies. From instinct the hog dreaded these animals. Alfred Hargrave married Miss Harriett Barclay, a daughter of Hugh Barclay, an old pioneer citizen, at the youthful age of seventeen years. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are living. They all live near their father. They are all good citizens of Hopkins County. No family has a better record for fair, just and honest dealings that does this family. Alfred Hargrave has twenty-five grandchildren. Eighteen out of this number are boys - all healthy well born boys. He makes his home at this time with his son Glen, a kindly disposed man and an appreciative son, a kind and affectionate husband. On one occasion when Alfred’s father had killed a large bear, the foot of the bear was thrown toward a sow. She took fright and ran away, forty miles distant. SOURCE: Early History of Hopkins County Texas - E. B. Fleming, Publisher 1902 P. 146 - 148 Transcribed by Pat Howard