Hopkins Co. TX. A Souvenir of the Sulphur Springs Gazette, 1895, by
H. Bascom Thomas

Submitted by: June E. Tuck <1224be@neto.com>

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
------------------------------------------------

From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or
dispute any historical facts in the article.

H. Bascom Thomas was the editor of the Sulphur Springs Gazette. He
printed a small soft cover booklet on different people in Sulphur
Springs, most being business men. Edited due to space.

Important information given. Pictures of most of these men are in the
booklet. It might be possible to obtain a picture from the Hopkins County
Genealogical Society, for a fee. One may contact them at 212 Main Street,
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75483-0624.


HOPKINS COUNTY, TEXAS - 1895

A Souvenir of The Sulphur Springs Gazette, by H. Bascom Thomas

COLONEL JAMES A. WEAVER

A local benefactor, capitalist and philanthropist - A brief sketch of his
interesting life.

Colonel James a. Weaver was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, July 15,
1827, and is a son of William B. and Susan (Pye)Weaver. William B. Weaver
was born in Virginia, but went to Georgia when a young man, moved to
Alabama in 1831, to Mississippi in 1839, and to Harrison County, Texas,
in 1855, where he died in 1859. He was a son of James Weaver of German
extraction. Mrs. Susan Weaver was a native of Oglethorpe county, Georgia,
and died at Jefferson, Texas, in 1860. Of the ten children born to
William B. and Susan Weaver, James A. is the fifth, the other nine being
- Jane, Susan, Martha, Sallie, Sophronia, Mary, William E., Harriet and
Ann.

James A. Weaver came to Texas in 1855. In the spring of 1861 he entered
the Confederate army as captain of Company A, Crump^Òs battalion, and
served in the army of Tennessee. In 1862 he was raised to the rank of
lieutenant-colonel, but had command of his regiment, No. 32 Texas, until
the close of the war. During his services he was twice wounded, but not
to any serious extent.

Since his return home he has been engaged in farming and merchandising.
In 1876, in partnership with J. L. Whitworth he engaged in private
banking, but in 1885 their institution was nationalized and Mr. Whitworth
was elected president with P. H. Foscue cashier, both these gentlemen
being sons-in-law of Colonel Weaver. For the first six years after the
war, however, Colonel Weaver served as sheriff of this county. He has
been a merchant about forty years, and is now the largest taxpayer in
Hopkins county, owning five brick buildings on the square in Sulphur
Springs and about 25,000 acres of land in different parts of the state.
He is a liberal contributor to anything that is gotten up for the public
good, and has donated $6,000 to the schools of Sulphur Springs. A member
of the Methodist Episcopal church, he has rendered it valuable pecuniary
aid, but has not confined his liberality to that sect alone, other
denominations having reaped the benefits of his munificence .

Mr. Weaver first married in 1850, Miss Sarah, daughter of John Butler of
North Carolina, but in 1872 he had the misfortune to lose this amiable
lady, who left behind six children, named as follows: Nevada, Frank.M.,
William B., Sallie J., John A., and Louis T.

The second marriage of Colonel Weaver occurred in 1873 to Mrs Elizabeth
Lewis, daughter of John Butler, and sister of the first wife of the
colonel. He is a Royal Arch Mason and an Odd Fellow, and believes in the
injunction of the Bible, that we should give one-tenth of our net income
to the Lord, thus claiming the tithe law of the Lord still in force.

The following extract is taken from the Memphis Commercial and would be a
credit to any man in the state:

"Colonel James A. Weaver, lay delegate from Texas, a native of Georgia,
born July 15, 1827, moved with his parents to Alabama in 1835, to
Mississippi in 1839, and in 1855, to Harrison county, Texas. In the early
fifty^Òs he was in California. During the early sixty^Òs he commanded the
Thirty-second Texas Calvary and headed its columns at Muffreesboro,
Richmond, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and many other signal battles. He
was a natural soldier - at once gallant and tinder as a woman, and
fearless as an eagle. In every charge he was at the front, his good sword
pointing toward the foe. On the retreat he was often afoot, with some
weary or wounded soldier riding his horse, which was the best in the
army. He is a strange combination. He has been first in energy and thrift
and first as a generous giver; first in courage and first as a
peacemaker, with a spirit swimming in a fountain of tenderness and tears.
When converted in 1859, he had on hand two fine race horses and a race
with $200 forfeit to take place two days afterward. He sold his horse and
tendered his forfeit, and has been a Stewart in the church from then till
now. A quarter of century ago he organized the children as "Gospel
Supporters." Every year they have a jubilee and receive presents from
their leader. They have received thousands of dollars in presents and
chiefly from him. Every child in this section knows and loves him. He has
given each of his children more than $5,000 on reaching their majority.
To the schools he has given more than $6,000. To secure several railroads
and other enterprises he has given by the $1000. To the poor and other
churches, his purse has always been open. He has lost $75,000 by fire and
without any insurance. This year he headed and vouched for his
subscription list, resulting in the erection of the best modern brick
church in East Texas. At the close of the war he was a poor man. With his
eldest son, he made a good crop of corn and cotton. On account of
turbulent times he was elected sheriff and tax-collector, which he held
so long as he desired. This year, as theretofore, he refused to represent
his county in the legislature."

* * * * * * * ** *

DR. E. O. WILLIAMS

Dr. E. O. Williams was born in Hardeman county, Western District of
Tennessee, December14,1835. His parents moved to Texas in 1836 and
settled in what is now Lamar county, near where the city of Paris is
located. He was educated in Paris of said county and entered the
Confederate army in 1861. He was elected Fourth Sergeant of Company G,
Whitfield Legion, Ross Brigade, and was elected Captain of the company at
the re-organization of the army at Corinth, Mississippi, and served until
the close of the war. In 1870 he entered the practice of dentistry and
located at Mt. Vernon, Franklin county, Texas. He removed to Sulphur
Springs in February 1891 and formed a co-partnership with Dr. Wm. Oliver,
November 1893, Dr. Williams was married in March 1867, to Mrs. Lou
Pettigrew, widow of Dr. Pettigrew of Arkansas. His wife died in November
24, 1892, leaving him the father of five children, two sons and two
daughters living, and one son dead. At the time of this writing his
dental parlor is located on west side of the square, over S.P. Mann &
Company^Òs dry goods emporium.

* * * * * * * * * *

A. LICHTENSTEIN

A. Lichtenstein was born at Hechingen Province Hohenzollem, Germany,
September 24, 1849. He came to the United States in April 1866, and went
to new Orleans, then to Galveston and from hence to Jefferson, Texas. In
1873 he left Jefferson and came to Sulphur Springs, and for the next 20
years was engaged in the dry goods business as a partner of the firm of
M. Wachholder & Company. He engaged in the grocery business, October 15,
1893. He was married to Miss Bertha Loeb of Paducah, Kentucky, January
25, 1886, an amiable and lovely lady, who lived happily with him till
October 11, 1894, at which time they were separated by death of his wife.
Mr. Lichtenstein is one of these jolly, whole-souled honest men, who it
is a pleasure to meet and who makes every body feel at home who visits
his store.

 

* * * * * * * * * *

J. M. PEARSON

J. M. Pearson, the veteran sewing machine and music dealer, was born in
Lincoln County, Tenn., April 2, 1884 (sic) (should be 1844 - J.T.,) his
father Meredith Pearson, dying in Jacksonville, Fla., October 1857,
leaving James a romantic lad of thirteen winters. Like many, who
subquently in life achieved success, he was denied the advantages of a
classical education, and in his youth he battled against poverty,
adversity and misfortune. He entered the U. S. Navy Academy as naval
cadet in 1860, being at the time 16 years of age. He resigned when his
state seceded April 1861 and returned South, serving in the C. S. Navy at
Midshipman till 1864, when he received a commission as master. He was
stationed the first six months of the war on the coast of North Carolina
and was engaged in the battles of Roanoke Island and Elizabeth City,
where the Confederate troops suffered heavy loss. The next six months he
served aboard the steamer Livingstone, on the Mississippi river and was
engaged in the fights of New Madrick, Mo., and Fort Pillow, Tenn. In June
1862, young James was ordered to Wilmington, N.C., served aboard the
gunboat on "Cap Fear" river till July 1863, at which time he was
transferred to the school ship, "Patrick Henry." Here studied four
months, passed a successful examination, promoted and transferred to the
C. S. Iron Clad, "Palmetto State," at Charleston, S.C. where life was
made interesting by the continual bombardment of the city by the enemy^Òs
cannon,, on Morris Island, till the city was evacuated and the ships
destroyed in February 1865. He served the last two months of the war as
1st Lieut. Of the steamer "Hampton" on the James river, Va. His command
was surrendered with the Joe Johnson army to General Sherman of
Greensboro, N.C., and there he was paroled.

After spending three years in Tennessee and Mississippi, he reached Texas
in January 1869, and engaged in driving cattle and also teaching school
till 1876, when he came to Hopkins County, married one of Sulphur Springs
fairest daughters in December of the same year, and embarked in the
sewing machine business. In 1877, he added organs and pianos to his line,
and his fair dealing, prompt attention, courteous treatment and business
integrity has caused his efforts to be crowned with success.

* * * * * * * * * *

HON. R. B. KEASLER

Mr. Keasler was born January 25, 1858, in Pickens County, Alabama. In his
young boyhood he attended country schools and did some work on the farm.
At the age of seventeen he attended college one term, after which he
taught at country school. At the age of twenty, he returned to college,
and remained in same for three and half years, taking the degree of A. B.
at twenty-three. He subsequently occupied the chair of mathematics in the
same institution for four years, largely to pay expenses of attending
college. He afterwards attended laws school in Cumberland University at
Lebanon, Tennessee, receiving a diploma from said institution in 1888. In
February 1888 (sic,) he came to Sulphur Springs, and February 23, 1888
(sic,) married Miss Annie Duck, who, at the time of marriage, was teacher
of music in Central College. He at once began the practice of law in
Sulphur Springs, and in May of the same year he formed a partnership with
Cranford and Garrison, the name of the firm being Cranford, Garrison, &
Keasler, which continued until Mr. Garrison retired from the firm, the
style of the firm afterwards being Cranford & Keasler, until the same was
dissolved by the election of R.B. Keasler to the office of county judge.
He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, the father of three
children, two girls and one boy.

* * * * * * * * * *

JOE S. WOOD

Joe S. Wood was born in Limestone County, Alabama, June 16, 1848. He
moved with his father and mother to Harrison County, Texas, in 1852, and
to Hopkins County in 1855. His mother died in 1852, and his father died
in 1882. He is the oldest of a family of four children; was reared on a
farm till about 14 years ago; has a practical education, and what he did
receive was from a county school. He was married March 17, 1878, to Miss
Susie Gafford, daughter of W. L. Gafford of this county and at present is
the father of eight children, six living and two dead. Mr. Wood was
county jailer from 1881 until 1892, at which time he was elected to the
office of county treasurer

JOHN BROWN

Mr. Brown was born in Choctaw Nation, I. T., November 22, 1845. His great
grandfather was Gov. John Sevier, first governor of Tennessee. His
grandfather on his mother^Òs side was Maj. Wm. McClellan of the old U. S.
Army. His grandfather on his father^Òs side was a well-to-do planter in
Tennessee. His father was a distinguished lawyer, and at one time judge
of the district court in northern Arkansas. His father died when John was
eight years of age, he being the oldest of a family of four children,
three boys and one girl. The family subsequently moved to Texas and lived
in Harrison and Rusk counties. He entered the Confederate army at the age
of sixteen as a private of C. B. Third Reg. Cavalry Ross brigade; was
engaged in all the principle battles of Mississippi and Tennessee, and
figured in thirty-five general engagements and about 300 skirmishes
during the war, being several times wounded. Prior to the war he was in
the stock business in San Antonio with this uncle, Col. John McClellan.
Here he was inured to hardship and dangers., for scarcely a month passed
without some Indian depredation, and Mr. Brown engaged in several fights
and scraps with them. After leaving San Antonio he entered the Texas
Military Institute to prepare for West Point, but the war came on and he
entered the army, and learned to practice as well a theory of war. In
1879 he moved to Sulphur Springs and was married to Miss Maggie Hampton
of Harrison County, Texas, in September 1885, and is the father of five
children, three living and two dead. He is a member of the Odd Fellow
fraternity. John Brown should be loved and honored as long as true
patriotism is an object of regard.

* * * * * * * * * *

CHARLES OSBORNE JAMES

Charles Osborne James was born in Hopkins County, Texas, December 18,
1860, and was educated largely by his own efforts in the common school of
the community where he was raised.. His father, Charles F. James, was a
native of Virginia, and his mother, Sarah H. James, who was the daughter
of Jesse Brooks, was a native of Georgia. His father died during the war
leaving his widow and five children to fight the battles together.

When he was not in school he labored in the different cotton fields of
his neighborhood as a cotton picker and there are no less than forty
different cotton fields in the community of his birth that were the
scenes of his choice manual labor. Like many American boys who
subsequently in life achieved laurels in the arena of intelligence and
wealth, he was credited and reared in the lap of poverty and by the hand
of adversity. His education lacked the polish of the regular curriculum,
but on the other hand the environments of his youth stimulated and
concentrated thought and action into lessons more useful than theory.
Chas. James taught school in his native and adjoining communities, and on
February 22, 1883, was licensed to practice law. He studied law under
Hon. Seth W. Stewart and Hon. A. A. Henderson, now of Fort Worth, Texas.
For his first years experience he was paid a $10. certificate by Mr. J.
B. Sparkman near Black Oak, who was surety for his client, and on the
same day that he collected this $10. , he paid A. B. Williamson $7.50 as
an occupation tax, leaving net profit of his years practice of $2.50. In
1886, a few friends prevailed on him to make the race for county
attorney, which he did, defeating both of his opponents and having
several hundred votes to spare, and in 1889-90 he was re-elected without
opposition, holding the office six years. In 1892 he was nominated by the
Democratic party for the Twenty-third Texas legislature and was a
candidate against A. G. Penn his populist opponent whom he defeated by an
ample majority in the county. Chas. James is of Scotch-Irish descent. His
grandfather, Jessie Brooks, who died in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 8,
1894, was born ninety years ago in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, just 73
three years after Georgia was first settled by General Oglethorpe.

His grandfather, James, was born in Culpepper County, Virginia. Chas.
James was married to Ida Marion Whatley on February 26, 1888, and at the
time of this writing is the father of three children - Jessie, Grace and
Carrie, all sweet little girls.

Chas. James is about 5 feet, 7 inches in height, has broad intellectual
forehead, a genial mouth, large eyes and pleasant demeanor.

* * * * * * * * * *

BEN W. SMITH

Ben W. Smith is a well known druggist in this city. He was born October
21, 1855, at Ocean Springs, Mississippi; came to Texas in 1858, and his
family located at Hickory Hill in Titus County. His father teaching
school for a livelihood. His family moved to Alabama in 1860, and his
father died in 1866, and has been living here since. He was educated in a
country school house, was an invalid until he was 18 years of age, and
unlike many of his local contemporaries in this early days, he was nursed
by hand of adversity, and rose from the most humble station in life. At
the age of 21 he went upon a farm to support two sisters and lived there
two years, after which he came to Sulphur Springs in 1878 (being 23 years
old) and without enough money to purchase a breakfast for a canary bird,
he began working for Dr. Patton at $10. per month. He remained in the
employment of Dr. Patton about eight years, and subsequently he and M.
Boyd succeeded Dr. Patton in the drug business. Boyd and Smith dissolved
partnership in 1891, after remaining together about four years and since
that time he has been in business for himself. Mr. Smith has been a
consistent member of the Methodist Church, since the fall of 1879 and has
also been a steward for several years. At present he is one of the
trustees of Central College, and is one of the strongest financial
supporters of that laudable institution of learning. He is an
enthusiastic member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Knights of Pythia. In 1889 he was appointed by Judge Terhune on the board
of pharmacy in the Eighth Judicial District.

The business house occupied my Mr. Smith is a handsome little brick,
located on east side of the square, and is full of all kinds of drugs,
druggist sundries,, toilet good, patent medicines, school supplies, etc.,
beside paints, oils, etc. It is a model drug establishment and credit to
our city.

* * * * * * * * * *

W. A. (MONROE) SMITH

Mr. W. A. Smith was born in Harrison County, Texas, February 27, 1860,
and moved with his parents to this county in the fall of the same year.
His father, W. R. Smith., was a small tenant farmer until 1871, when he
pre-empted 107 acres of land two miles north of Como, and upon this place
he still lives. The early portion of his life was spent upon the farm. In
the matter of education he received only such advantages as the county
schools afforded. He attended school during the winter months and helped
his father on the farm during the summer. Much of his education he
acquired by reading and diligent study at night.

Leaving the farm at the age of 16 years he went to a little county store
near Pickton, and obtained a situation as clerk, the only remuneration
for his services being his board and clothes. After having worked under
this contract for one year his employer told him he was pleased with his
services and would pay him $20. per month and board for the next year. He
accepted the proposition and remained with this firm until the fall of
1879, when he resigned and moved to Como and accepted a position as head
clerk and book-keeper in one of the largest establishments in that town.
This position he held until the spring of 1886, when in response to the
solicitations of his friends, he resigned and entered the race of tax
assessor of the county. He was elected to office and served his county
two terms. He was subsequently appointed city tax-assessor and collector
of this city by the city council, and is at present a member of the Board
of Aldermen.

He is a leading real estate dealer in Hopkins County. He now has over
90,000 acres of choice land for sale in this and adjoining counties.

* * * * * * * * * *

LOUIS NIVETH

Mr. Niveth came to Sulphur Springs in 1887, and has been in the jewelry
business every since, the largest part of his life prior to this time
having been devoted to the same vocation. He is a graduate of the
Philadelphia Optical College, having received a diploma in July 1893.
After a careful two years^Ò study in the optical department the degree of
" Doctor of Refraction " was conferred upon him by the same institution
in April 1895. He is a very proficient in the science of horology or
watch-making, and is skilled in all the details and intricacies of the
jewelry business. His jewelry is shown in Ben. W. Smith^Òs drug store.
Everything from a Waterbury watch to a diamond pen is there to be found.

* * * * * * * * * *

S. W. HARTSFIELD

Mr. S.W. Hartsfield is the proprietor of the Hartsfield Livery Stable.
The stable under its present management was established in January 1895.
He also has several elegant carriages which meet all trains day and
night. The horses are as gallant as ever bit the bridle, and as lovely as
a picture. His business premises is located about 150 feet from the
public square on Gilmer street, and his stable is a large and superb two
story building. It is about 190 feet in length, and in cleanliness,
accommodation and architecture Would be a credit to any city in the
state. Mr. Hartsfield is an old resident of this city and highly
respected.

* * * * * * * * * *

    CLERK DEPARTMENT

Dudley Smith, a gentleman who, for many years, has been employment of
Smith & Wiegers

hardware establishment.

Mr. Will Freedman has lived in this city for ten years and has been in
the employment of M. Wachholder. He is skilled in the dry goods vocation.

Tom Kirkpatrick, for nearly sixteen years, has been in the employment of
Chas. Brewer, thirteen years in the grocery business, and three years in
the shoe business.

Ed White, a young man of this city, is the polite young druggist of M.
Boyd^Òs Drug Store. Ed is a member of the Methodist church, a teacher in
the Sunday School, and recent president of the Epworth League.

Harry Rogers, one of the most promising young business men in the Sulphur
Springs, is at present a teller at the City National Bank.

* * * * * * * * * *

BUSINESS HOUSES

Chas. Brewer, the shoe man. He began his mercantile career in 1879.

Summers, Murrie & Higgins, a firm established this spring, unique among
the dry good emporiums in the city. The good stock reflects great credit
upon the skills of Charlie Murrie, the dry goods artist of the firm. The
walls are hung with elaborate and unique decorations. An excellent
millinery display and a fine stock of show case goods add a most pleasing
feature in the interior, while a full line of ladies fancy goods of all
kinds fills the house to completion.

Jno. D. Williams - On January 3, 1883, Mr. Williams embarked in the
saddle and harness business in Sulphur Springs in a very small way
financially, and now carries a stock of goods that is far ahead of the
town, and for this reason has customers from a long distance come here
because they know they will find what they want and get it at prices that
are not to be duplicated elsewhere in the county. For the past six years
he has carried the largest and best stock of pleasure vehicles in this
section of the state and over 500 of his vehicles have been sold.

Searls & Carothers - The junior member of the firm is a man young in
years, but has all the necessary push and business ambition with which
the young men of our country are generally endowed. The senior member is
also a young man who has risen from the most humble station in life to
one of the best practical financiers in this city. Their store is located
on the square, just across the street from the City National Bank, and is
one of the most superb business in the city. This dry goods emporium has
the assistance of many efficient salesmen.

Jake Lichtenstein - He is the proprietor of the Racket Store on Main
Street. He is native of Germany and an old resident of this city. One can
find in his store a full line of dry goods, staple and fancy groceries,
apples, oranges, bananas, lemons, candies, nuts, canned goods, butter,
eggs, etc.

T. Rainwater - The leading photographer of Sulphur Springs. He is located
on the south side of the square. He is a native of Kentucky, in which
state he became schooled in his art, and for many years he has followed
the photography as his choice profession. His parlor is situated over the
Weaver grocery store. The finest apparatus is used, and, in the quality
of his work, we recognize no superior. He makes a specialty of life-size,
crayon and pastel portraits.

M. Moelk - The Shoe Man. His house is located on Main street. The
business dates the beginning of its existence in Sulphur Springs to 1880,
and has enjoyed a splendid trade ever since.

Bob Miller - The livery man. He dates his livery stable beginning in
1888. He occupies his own building on Main street. His line of buggies,
busses, cabs, wagonets, gigs, etc. can not be surpassed in this section,
and in allegiance and on all occasions the very best teams are furnished.
Hacks and wagons meet all the trains and transfer passengers and baggage
to and from the hotels, depots, and private residences, for a nominal
price. Bob is married and has a beautiful home located in the northern
suburbs of the city. A special feature of this business, is the boarding
and sale of horses. Stables are always kept clean and well ventilated.

Rogers, Tucker & Rogers - Insurance agents in Sulphur Springs. T. S.
Rogers, P.P. Tucker, S. L. Rogers.

Harry A. Evans - Civil Engineer, general engineering practice and
surveying; estimates, plans and specifications for water works and
electric light plants or street railways

J. D. Rogers Furniture Emporium - Furniture, carpets, window shades -
northwest corner of the square. Established in 1879. He was reared and
educated in Texas. He is an own brother to Rodgers Brothers of Paris, who
are the largest furniture dealers in the Lone Star State.

Ed A. Bergin - The oldest dealer in monumental work in the state, came to
Jefferson, Texas, in 1869, from New Orleans, and commenced business in
the fall of that year and has continued uninterrupted to the present
time. In 1883, he opened up his branch yard in Sulphur Springs, Texas,
under the efficient management of his son, George A. Bergin, who has made
his business a success. Ed Bergin^Òs work is used from the Gate City of
Texarkana to the extreme west to El Paso.

* * * * * * * * * *

JOHN WALTER CRANFORD

John Walter Cranford - an ideal gentleman, an orator, a scholar, and a
statesman. Mr. Cranford was born in Clarke County, Alabama, July 28,
1859. His father, Dr. James H. Cranford, also a native of Alabama, came
to Texas in 1865; he was greatly devoted to his profession and was
eminently successful in it, and died in Hopkins County in 1872. The
mother of John W. was Caroline Cranford, nee Bettis, of Scotch-Irish
ancestry, and also a native of Alabama, died in Arkansas in 1865. At the
age of thirteen he was left without father, mother, or means of
subsistence or education. He worked on a farm in this county till about
18 years of age, reading at nights when he was not over tired and
opportunity offered, and attending school in the winter. Fired by a noble
ambition to make himself, at least, equal to the educated and refined
gentlemen with whom he had been thrown in his early youth into
association, by industry, perseverance, self-denial and indomitable
pluck, he worked for the money, bought books, studied them and, working
on, prepared himself for the best high schools in Alabama and Texas. A
good opportunity offering for him to study law, he quit school before
finishing the regular curriculum . He began reading law with Judge Milam
and Sam J. Hunter of Fort Worth, and Judge J. A. B. Putman of Sulphur
Springs. In 1880, he was admitted to the bar and formed a partnership
under the firm name of Hunter, Putman & Cranford, which partnership
lasted till 1884, when Judge Putman was elected Judge of Eighth Judicial
district, and Mr. Hunter moved to Fort Worth. He was married to Miss
Medora Ury, of Sulphur Springs, in 1880, to whom he largely attributes
whatever of success he has attained.

In 1888 he was the Democratic nominee, and was elected to the senate of
the Twenty-first and Twenty-second sessions composed of the counties of
Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, Franklin, and Camp. In the 21st senate he served as
chairman of the committee on state affairs and advocated the railroad
commission bill, although he had some objections to the bill as drawn;
opposed the repeal of the present Sunday law and the repeal of the pistol
law; was an ardent advocate of the bill defining trust and punishing
people engaged in "combines" and was the author and chief promoter of the
law requiring all writs of attachment on real estate to be recorded in
the county where the land lies. Speaking of his career in the senate the
Austin Statesman says, "Of all the new senators and the young members of
that body, no one has conducted with more dignity, courtesy and ability
than John W. Cranford, the distinguished senator from Hopkins County. He
is an earnest good speaker, a hard worker, in the committee room, a fair
and honorable opponent in debate, is possessed of excellent judgment, and
gives every subject before the senate his most careful thought and
investigation. He has done good work at this session and fitted himself
for greater usefulness to the state in the future. Texas is proud of such
young men." Mr. Cranford was also elected president pro tem of the 22nd
senate and was one of the youngest men that ever served in that capacity.

In 1894, in response to the solicitation of his friends through out the
district, he became a candidate for congress, the candidates for the
honor being Jno. W. Cranford of Sulphur Springs, J. L. Sheppard of
Pittsburg; Jake Hodges of Paris. After a warm contest, the following was
the electoral votes; Hodges, 14; Sheppard, 16; Cranford, 23. The
candidates entered a locked convention and after about 3500 ballots and
after many combines between the delegates of the other candidates,
Cranford withdrew his name from the convention and nominated Hon. D. B.
Culberson from the district. Mr. Cranford will no doubt be the next
congressman from this district; and his service in that capacity will be
a credit to Hopkins county and an honor to Texas.

* * * * * * * * * *

W. C. C. STIRLING, M. D. ( as printed)

William C. Stirling was born at White Springs, Florida, February 10,
1855. In 1863, his father moved to Union Parish, Louisiana, and became
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He attended the schools of Shiloh,
Arizonia and Summerfield, Louisiana, until 1879, at which time he left
the university on account of sickness. He entered the Atlanta Medical
College, Georgia, in 1881, and in the spring of 1883, he graduated in
medicine. He came to Texas and located at Weaver in Hopkins County in the
spring of 1883. In the winter of 1887 he took a third course in his Alma
Mater, and moved Sulphur Springs in January 1891. The doctor also took
three post-graduate courses in the Polyclinic of New Orleans, Louisiana.
October 15, 1884, he was married to Miss Pearl Hargrove and by this union
two boys were born - Earl and Carl. September 28, 1890, his wife died,
and January 2, 1893, he was married to Miss Tannye Smith and by that
union one boy has been born. Dr. Stirling is one the trustees of the
public schools and an elder of the Presbyterian church, and a member of
the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. He is local surgeon of the
Cotton Belt railroad and is connected with the dry goods firm Melson,
Sparks & Co. From January 1892 to January 1895, he was a partner of J. J.
Dial. His office is now located over Melson, Sparks & Co. dry goods
store.

* * * * * * * * * *

L. H. (BUCK) AVINGER

Lawrence Hamilton Avinger was born near Hickory Hill, now Avinger, Cass
County, Texas, February 8, 1864. He attended country schools until about
15 years of age, after which he attended the Southwest University of
Georgetown, Texas, from September 1879 to June 1881. His father died
three days after his return from college and thenceforth was deprived of
any further schooling. At 17 years of age he took charge of his mother^Òs
business and has had charge of the same ever since. Buck Avinger moved to
Sulphur Springs, December 24, 1886, and from that time to the present he
has been engaged in the lumber business. He is secretary of the Sulphur
Springs Loan and Building Association and manager of the lumber yard for
Mrs. M. E. Avinger, formerly Sulphur Springs Lumber Company, and is also
manager of the insurance office of Rogers, Tucker & Rogers. He was
elected city treasurer in April 1894, for two years. He has won a solid
reputation and popularity by his upright, honest integrity, his
reliability and fine business capacities.

* * * * * * * * * *

H. BASCOM THOMAS

The young author of this souvenir - also the editor and proprietor of the
Sulphur Springs Gazette.

The subject of the notice has the honor and pleasure of being the
representative of one of the oldest publications now issued in Texas. He
is also the author of this beautiful souvenir of its enterprising
citizens.

The writer was born in the City of Sulphur Springs, March 16, 1871. At
two years of age, his father moved two miles in the country and engaged
in the horticulture business, putting out at the time 85 acres in apple
orchards. He has been given all the advantages in the way of an education
his father was able to give him, and he took advantage of the same. After
remaining several years in Central College he took the degree of B.S. at
that institution in 1891, being at the time 20 years of age. He was
elected valedictorian of the senior class of which he was a member. In
the spring of 1892, he began traveling as a "boy lecturer" and visited
many towns and cities in Texas and also in the Indian Territory. He
traveled by himself, superintended his own advertising, made arrangement
for the places at which he lectured, some time lecturing in courthouses,
opera houses, schoolhouses and in churches.

December 15, 1893, the writer imagined he might achieve something in the
field of journalism, and with the little capital he had accumulated from
his lectures, in conjunction with his junior brother, he bought out the
Sulphur Springs Gazette.

* * * * * * * * * *

PROF. ROBERT C. HARGRAVE

Mr. Hargrave is a native of Hopkins County, Texas; was born in the town
of Sulphur Bluff, on the 20th day of October, 1858. He is the son of
Robert and Sarah Hargrave. Like most violinists, his childhood was a
precocious one, appearing many times in public at a very tender age,
having assisted in the festivities of the social ballroom at the early
age of seven. While yet a mere child, he crossed the plains with his
parents to California, serving in the double capacity of "teamster" and
"cowboy" for several years; and while thus engaged, made a wide
reputation through New Mexico, Arizona and California as the "Cow Boy"
violinist. He is a splendid rider, a dead shot and an expert, with the
lasso.

At the age of sixteen he chose music as his profession and has associated
with and been instructed by the ablest artists of the musical world.

* * * * * * * * * *

FRANK E. SCOTT

A brilliant young civil lawyer of the Hopkins County Bar. Mr. Scott is a
native of the state of Illinois, but came with his parents to Texas when
quite young. The settled in the southeast part of Hunt county, where he
was raised and received the rudiments of a common school education. His
mother died when he was very small, and he spent all his life, till
nearly twenty years of age, laboring on the farm, supporting an invalid
father and his sister. At the age of nineteen his father died and left
him to being the battle of life for himself. He first set work to
complete his education, and this he did by working on the farm, and
wherever he could find employment, during the summer and autumn months,
and attending school through the winter and spring. In the summer of
1882, he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed till the
winter and spring of 1883, which he spent in the King & Gillispie College
at Bells, Texas. He again resumed his duties as a teacher until the
spring of 1884, which he moved to Emory, Rains County, Texas, and began
to study law. In October of the same year, after having read only six
months, he made application for license to practice, and stood a most
creditable examination in district court before Judge E. W. Terhune, Hon.
C. B. Kilgore and W. R. Harris Esq. committee of examiners. He was
granted license to practice and at once formed a partnership with his
preceptor Horace W. Martin, Esq., under whom he had read law. This
partnership lasted for one year when it was dissolved, and in the spring
of 1886, Mr. Scott became a candidate for county attorney of Rains
county. His opponent was man ten years his senior in both age and law
practice. After a hotly contested campaign, Mr. Scott was elected by a
majority of over five to one. In the spring of 1888, he moved to this
city where he has since resided. He was granted license to practice in
the supreme court of the state, the second year after being admitted to
the bar. He has acquired some local distinction as a writer, being
temporary editor of this paper while the editor was preparing this
special souvenir.

* * * * * * * * * *

E. M. ROBERTS

The most promising young dentist in Sulphur Springs.

E. M. Roberts was born at West Point, Georgia, just across the line in
Chamber County, Alabama, and was raised and educated in Roanoke, Randolph
County, his native state. In 1887, young Robert moved to Blunt County,
Alabama, at which place he engaged in the nursery business. One year
subsequent he followed the same vocation in Mississippi. In the fall of
1889, he attended Dental College at Nashville, Tennessee, and remained
there till February 1892, at which time he received the degree of D. D.
S. In March 1892, he began practicing dentistry in Cullman, Alabama, and
January 28, 1894, he moved to Sulphur Springs and began practicing the
same profession. Since. Dr. Roberts moved to this city he has built up a
lucrative patronage.

* * * * * * * * *

STEPHEN P. MANN

Representative of the largest clothing emporium in the city.

Stephen P. Mann was born near Prim Hill in Hopkins county, September 15,
1861. He was reared in penury and adversity, and necessity compelled him
to till the soil for a livelihood until he reached the years of maturity.
He has done everything on the farm from following the plow and using the
hoe to splitting rails. The practical education he secured was obtained
from the county school of his neighborhood. In the fall of 1882, he began
clerking for J. W. Dabbs & Co., at $5. a month, clerked during the year
of 1883 for $9. per month, after which his wages rapidly increased. Mr.
Mann embarked in business for himself in the fall of 1890. He was married
Jan. 31, 1883, to Miss Ella Dabbs, an amiable Christian lady who died in
the fall of 1886. On July 31, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss
Floy Ashcroft, of this city, and at the time of this writing is the happy
father of one child - a sweet little girl. He is the second oldest child
in the family of twelve children, eight boys and four girls, whose aged
mother and father still lives in this county.

The individual members of the firm of S.P. Mann & Co. are men of honor
and integrity. They carry at all times a complete line and make a
specialty of gents furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats and grand
assortment of clothing.

* * * * * * * * * *

W. F. HENDERSON

Leading representative of the fire and accident insurance business in
this city.

W. F. Henderson was born June 24, 1843, in the city of Hunington, Carroll
County, Tennessee, and moved to Texas with his parents in the spring of
1856, and settled in Paris, Lamar County, where he attended school and
received a common school education. He entered the Confederate army in
July 1862, and served until the close of the war in 1865, after which he
commenced clerking in a dry good store at Boxton (sic,) Lamar County. In
1871, he located in this city and clerked for several years. He
subsequently embarked in the hardware business in which he continued
until January 1889, when he sold out and opened a fire insurance business
in this city. He was elected mayor of Sulphur Springs in April 1889, and
was re-elected in 1891, and served the city in that capacity until April
1893. He then formed a partnership with L. H. Avinger and W. A. Smith as
real estate and insurance agents. Mr. Avinger retiring from the firm in
the fall of 1893. In November 1894, he sold his interest in the real
estate business to W. A. Smith, and is now giving his entire attention to
the fire and accident insurance business, representing the following
companies: Accident: The Travelers of Hartford and Inter-State Casualty
of New York, Fire: Insurance Company of North America, Commercial of
Union of London, Hamberg Bremen of Germany, North America Phoenix of
Hartford, Conn., Queen of America, Mercantile, Lancashire of London,
Edinburg and others.

He was married December 29, 1870 to Miss Enma Blythe, of Tarrant, Hopkins
County, Texas. Mr. Henderson is a man well proportioned, with heavy
brunette hair and eye brows, shading a face of firmness and determination
in every feature.

* * * * * * * * * *

B. M. CAMP

The popular proprietor of the most attractive and lovely resort in
Hopkins County.

We will try to give the reader a mild idea of one of the most attractive
points near this city. Although the drive from the town to Vinehill
Cottage is very pleasant and interesting, yet, when you reach the Cottage
a scene breaks upon you that would cause the coldest of nature^Òs
admirers to pause and allow the soul to drink in the natural beauties.

Col. B.M. Camp was born and raised upon a farm one mile south of
Jonesboro, Georgia, where his parents still live in good health at the
advanced age of eighty years. He was educated at Clayton High School
under Hon. A. D. Culder. He volunteered into the Confederate service in
October 1861 as lieutenant in the 2nd Regiment of the Georgia Calvary and
served until the close of the war in the army of Tennessee under General
Worten, Forest and Wheeler. Until the opening of the war he was educated
for the profession of law, but in his early manhood he contracted an
impediment in his speech which caused him to abandon this vocation.
Seeing doctors, lawyers and other professionals driven to the plow in
their struggles for a livelihood, for sometime after the surrender in
April 1865, the colonel changed his aspirations and taught school for
four years at Montezuma, Georgia. In 1869 he had charge of the female
department of Middle Georgia College at Jonesboro, Georgia. He was
married in Miss Fannie Martin of Coweta County, Georgia, December 24,
1867, and at the time of this writing the happy father of two grown sons
- Claud M. and Elmer A. The elder son, Claud, was married to Miss Sallie
Williams of Sulphur Springs, February 28, 1894,and now owns a lovely
fruit farm one mile south of this city. Elmer A. is chief book keeper
with the cotton firm of White and Murphy at Greenville, Texas, but
usually spends his summers at home.

Col. Camp^Òs health failings as school teacher, he visited Hopkins county
and bought a farm where he still lives, six miles south of Sulphur
Springs. Here he has lead the county in the cultivation of sugar cane,
melons and staple cotton. In 1880, he bought and improved Vinehill
Cottage, his present beautiful county home, four miles southwest of
Sulphur Springs. Here he has established the best fruit farm of 500 acres
in North Texas, and for years has lead his contemporaries in the
cultivation of strawberries, blackberries, grapes and other fruits. He
had the largest wine cellar we know of in the state, stored with old and
new, equal to any that California manufactures. His white herbemmont wine
is clear as amber and almost equal in deliciousness of taste to "the
nectar that Jupiter sipped." These wines and fruits he ships in large
quantities to the black land cities and towns. They are source of
continual revenue the year round. He spends the spring and summer upon
the farm, but during the cotton season he engages in the purchase and
shipment of cotton, of which he is one of the best classers and judges in
the south.

He has recently added to his farm the largest artificial lake in the
county. This he stocked with white and yellow perch, black bass, and
spotted cat from the government, also a select varieties of native fish.
He has made Vinehill Cottage the most attractive place in all this
section. Here the young and old visit for recreation and enjoyment. He is
adding Poland China hogs and Jersey cattle to his farm and will keep only
the best grade.

The Colonel and his wife connected themselves with the Baptist Church of
Sulphur Springs in 1870, and was on the building committee of the Baptist
church. In politics he as always been a Democrat. In 1884, the Democrats
elected him to represent Hopkins county in the 19th legislature. He has
held many honorary commissions from the government of Texas to public
agricultural meetings in the South and is now one of the vice-presidents
of the Texas State Fair and Dallas Exposition. His friends are urging him
to build a commodious hotel at Vinehill Cottage and make it a place of
public resort, as a country place of rest and recreation from the busy
life of our crowded cities during the summer.

* * * * * * * * *

M. WACHHOLDER

Dealer in staple and fancy dry goods. The house occupied by this business
is a handsome two-story brick structure.

M. Wachholder was born ion Cracow, Austria, September 14, 1840. His
father died when he was but two years of age, after which he and his
mother and sister came to this country and landed in New York City, July
4, 1854, and followed peddling in New York state until 1858. At this time
his sister was married to M. Friedman of New York city. Subsequently he
and his mother moved to New Orleans, La., where he embarked in general
merchandise. In 1862, he moved to Opelousas, La., where he followed the
same business until 1865, at which time he moved to Natchitoches, La.,
and followed the same vocation till 1869, having lost his mother in New
Orleans in 1868. He then moved to Jefferson and engaged in the same
business till 1873, when he moved to Sulphur Springs. He was married June
24, 1869, to Miss Philippine Lichtenstein of new Orleans, La., and to
this union has been born seven children, five boys and two girls, with
three dead, two boys and a girl. M. Wachholder is a man who has always
stood high in business circles.

* * * * * * * * * *

HON. R. E. BERTRAM

Mr. Bertram was born September 15, 1851, in Meiys County, Tennessee. He
lived near Meiys and Rhea up to 1879, and owing to the Civil War his
education was never completed. In 1872 he obtained a license to practice
law in Tennessee. In 1873, he left his native state to cast his lot in
the Lone Star State, stopping in Hopkins county. Taught school at White
Oak, Union and Reiley Springs for three years, making his home near the
village of the last named place where he farmed for a livelihood up to
1887, holding at the same time, the office of justice of the peace for
three years and notary public for six years. In 1875, he was married to
Miss M. E. Yantis, oldest daughter of W. O. Yantis. In 1888 he moved to
Reiley Springs and engaged in the mercantile business . In 1889, his wife
died leaving him five children - Sulettie, Addie, Lulie, Willie and
Nellie. Mr. Bertram^Òs father was a strong secessionist and an
uncompromising Democrat, and those Democratic principles that he imbibed
in his youth and adhered to in his manhood, are held in high regard by
him.

In 1886, Col. B. M. Camp, R. W. Billups and Mr. Bertram were sent to
Cleburne, Texas, to the State Alliance, and it was here that politics was
drawn into the Alliance by the Knight of Labor, to burst this order
asunder. Mr. Bertram had the manhood and honor to vote against the
proposed political demands. He came back to the county and the County
Alliance vindicated his action. He ran for county commissioner of
Precinct No. 2 in 1884, and was defeated by 56 votes. He served as
postmaster of Reiley Springs, Texas, for six years, and in 1894, was
elected representative to the Twenty-fourth legislature (8th district) on
the Democratic ticket.

* * * * * * * * * * *

J. J. DIAL, M. D.

J. J. Dial is the oldest son and fourth child born to Joseph and Martha
E. (Hall) Dial at Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas, January 9, 1853. He
was raised mainly in Hopkins and Upshur counties and received only a
common school education, and with the exception of a ten-months term
under Prof. Bud Looney at Starville, Smith county. In 1882, he read
medicine one year under Dr. A. B. DeLoach of Longview, after which he
went to Shreveport, La., where he continued his medical studies under
Drs. Wm. Hicks and S. L. Moore, going through the great yellow fever
epidemic at that place in 1873. He attended his first course of lectures
at the Medical Department University of Louisville, Ky., in 1874 and
1875. In March 1875, he landed in Hopkins County in debt and with only
five dollars in his pocket. Four of this he paid to Colonel Weaver, who
was at that time sheriff and tax collector, for a license to practice
three months. After practicing three years at Miller Grove he returned to
Louisville where he graduated in the class of 1879. In 1889, he took a
post-graduate course of lectures in New York and then in New Orleans in
1892. For the last fifteen years he has devoted his attention to the
practice of surgery and surgical diseases of women. He is also especially
equipped and prepared to treat all diseases of the eye, ear, nose and
throat. The doctor has been twice married, his first wife being Miss
Mittie, daughter of J. A. Dickson, who died in June 1879. In November,
1881, he was married to Miss A. M. Motley, daughter of O. Motley of
Longview, Texas. He is the father of two boys by his first wife - Oscar
and Ashly, ages respectfully, 14 and 17 years, and the father of one
girl, Alma, 13 years, by his second wife.

* * * * * * * * * *

PROF. F. J. SQUIRES, A. M.

Frank James Squires, A. M. is a native of New York and came to Texas in
the summer of 1894, at which time he was unanimously elected by the board
of trustees, President of Central College. He was educated at Marathon
Academy Cortland Normal College, Columbia College and Baker University;
and at he latter institution he took a post graduate course of study and
secured the Masters Degree. He has also devoted two years to the study of
law. Prof. Squires has superintended schools for five years; has served
as principal of advanced schools for eight years; and has taught in
department work for two years. His professional work has been done
largely in New York State. Prof. Squires has had some experience in text
book writing, mainly for normal school use. He now resides with his
family at the College dormitory situated on the College campus.

* * * * * * * * * * *

BASCOM SHERMAN

A brave young sheriff of Hopkins County. As sheriff, Bascom will do his
whole duty even at the price of his own life without flinching. Mr.
Sherman was born in Mindin, Webster Parish , La., Dec. 25, 1860, and was
reared and partly educated where he dates his nativity. He came to
Hopkins county Jan. 1879, and remained on the farm until about 1888.
Subsequent to this time he attended the State Normal at Huntsville one
term, after which he began teaching school at Rockdale, four miles
southwest of Sulphur Springs and also at New Boston, Bowie county. On
Feb. 4, 1891, he was married to Miss Nettie Lindley, daughter of Redelium
Lindley of Black Jack Grove. In 1890 his ambition caused him to aspire to
the office of county sheriff, and in response to the request of his
people he became a candidate and received 47 votes more than both of his
opponents. He was also a candidate for the same position in 1892, and was
nominated in the primaries over his Democratic opponent by a handsome
majority, and achieved a victory in the general election over the
populist candidate. He again became a candidate for sheriff in 1894; was
nominated and elected, being the first time in the history of this county
that a man was ever elected sheriff three times in succession. No one
ever questioned the fact that Bascom Sherman was a fearless man, a
perfect gentleman, an influential citizen and an ideal public servant.

* * * * * * * * * *

ROBERT D. ALLEN

Mr. Allen was born in Allen County, Kentucky, December 5, 1863. In his
young boyhood years he attended common schools and county academies
during the winter and then worked on the farm the balance of the year. In
1880, he came to Hopkins County and began teaching school, working part
of the time on a farm in Hunt and Grayson counties. He subsequently
returned to Kentucky, and in the fall of 1882, entered the National
University of Ohio, at which institution he received the degrees of B. A.
in the year 1884, having won considerable laurels and commendation before
his graduation. In the summer of 1886, he returned to Hopkins County and
began working on the farm. In October 1887, his ambition inspired him
with more lofty aspirations than to become an expert with the ax, the hoe
or the plow, and convinced him that for a man with his scholarly
attainments to live always a rural life, was to live out of the sphere
for which he was destined. At this time he began reading law in the
office of Judge J. K. Milam, and was admitted to the bar on the 11th day
of May 1888, while the late J. A. B. Putman was District Judge. He was
editor of the Sulphur Springs Enterprise for one year, during which time
he was appointed clerk of finance committee of the Texas senate by
Senator Jno. W. Cranford, this appointment being without his knowledge or
solicitation. In July 1892, he was nominated for county attorney in the
Democratic party for the same office without opposition, and was elected,
which office he now holds with satisfaction to himself and his
constituents. Mr. Allen has proven himself to be a holy terror to all the
criminal crooks and evil doers in Hopkins County since his election to
the office of county attorney.

* * * * * * * * * *

FRANK GAFFORD

Frank Gafford, the Hopkins County Tax Collector. Tom Frank Gafford was
born July 25, 1863, near Jefferson, Marion County, Texas. He was educated
in a rustic hall, pine log school house, in the neighborhood where he
dates his nativity. He went to Commercial College at Little Rock. In
1884, he came to Sulphur Springs and accepted a position as book keeper
for Jacobson & Fore, staying with that firm until its failure. He
subsequently began book keeping for M. G. Miller and Co., and remained
with this firm five years, his salary increasing every year. In 1890, he
formed a partnership in the insurance business with W. F. Henderson; 1892
he was a candidate for tax collector, and was elected by 384 majority
over his populist opponent. In 1894, he had no opposition. Mr. Gafford
has held important offices in the three branches of the Masonic
Fraternity. He was married Dec. 30, 1899, to Miss Annie Derrick of Honey
Grove, and at the time of this writing is the happy father of two
children, a little boy and girl.

* * * * * * * * * *

JOHN N. COX

John Cox, the popular young clerk of Hopkins County. John N. Cox was born
in Overton County, Tennessee, in 1856. 12 years subsequent to this time,
his father died near Sherman, Texas, leaving John a lad of 12 years with
his widowed mother, one brother and four sisters. Then he went back to
Tennessee, and from thence moved to Cedar County, Missouri, in 1867. When
he was 15 years of age, his mother died leaving him an orphan to fight
alone the battles of life. In 1879, in came to Collin Co., Texas, and was
appointed deputy-assessor of said county, serving in this capacity for
two years. In 1880 he went back to Missouri, and in 1882 became a
candidate for assessor of taxes on the Democratic ticket in Cedar County.
Not withstanding the fact that he had an opponent, he got every single
vote in the primary election in his township. In 1884 he was elected
assessor and served two years. In 1886 he came to Hopkins County and
married Florence T. Lindley, the daughter of J. R. and Emily Lindley, and
is the happy father of a daughter of seven summers. He came to Sulphur
Springs and was appointed deputy county clerk, which position he filled
for six years. He became a candidate for county clerk in 1894, and was
elected in the Democratic primary.

* * * * * * * * * * *

WILL MURRAY

Will G. Murray, proprietor of a Furniture House. William G. Murray was
born in Spencer County, Kentucky, June 15, 1860. While a lad he was given
little educational advantages and earned his livelihood by tilling the
soil. In 1881 he moved to Sulphur Springs from the state of his nativity,
and for two years he engaged in agriculture. When he entered this city he
had only five dollars in his pocket, and necessity compelled him to
follow plowing as a means of support. He subsequently began clerking for
J. D. Rogers, with whom he remained four years, after which he clerked
three years for J. R. Manning. He was married Jan. 24, 1889, to Miss
Minnie Pate of Sulphur Springs, and is at the present the father of two
children. He is a member of the Christian church. He began business in
the furniture line on his own account January 1, 1894, and from a modest
beginning he has built a large and lucrative patronage. An immense stock
of furniture of all kinds is carried as brackets, wall paper, etc.,
embracing all the latest and most handsome designs in each of the carious
kinds of woods. Prices are most reasonable.

* * * * * * * * * *

J. Q. NUNN, M. D.

Dr. J. Q. Nunn was born in Randolph County, Alabama, Feb. 9, 1849. His
father moved to Texas in 1863. During the Civil War the doctor, while a
boy, was forced to work on the farm at fifteen dollars per month. Saving
his money he was determined to have an education, so he entered school in
the Spring of 1867, under the leadership of Prof. E. G. Waters of New
Orleans, Louisiana. There remained for two years, taking a graded course
together with a thorough commercial course and was rewarded honorary
degrees. He kept his books and studies until July 1879, when he married
in Wood County, Texas. He then entered the profession of school teaching.
He taught in Wood, Rains, Hunt, Kaufman, Franklin, and Camp counties in
this state. In 1882, he was elected magistrate of precinct No. 5,
Franklin Co., Texas, and re-elected in 1884. In 1885 he resigned and
entered the Medical College at Mobile, Alabama, taking a thorough course
in medicine and surgery. He moved to Hopkins County in the spring of
1886, settled near Nelta and there remained until December 1894, when he
moved to Sulphur Springs, Texas. He has been in active practice sine he
came to Hopkins County. He was married July 1869, to Miss Emily R.
Stanley of Wood county. He is the father of eight children, five boys and
three girls. The doctor is a member of the M. E. Church and a member of
the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Gold Cross.

* * * * * * * * * *

SMITH & WEIGERS

Smith and Weigers - Hardware business in Sulphur Springs. Dave Smith and
Theodore Weigers established themselves in business in 1889.

D. M. Smith was born in Hopkins County about ten miles east of Sulphur
Springs, June 7, 1855, and educated in a country school and was reared on
a farm. He moved to Sulphur Springs in 1873, and engaged in the grocery
business by himself. He was married in January 1873 to Miss Lou Cade of
this county, and is now the father of seven children, all living. He
became a member of the Baptist church 11th of August 1882, and gave it
financial and spiritual support ever since. He embarked in the hardware
business with T. Weigers in 1889, having clerked five years prior to that
time. Mr. smith is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Theodore Weigers was born at Hanover, Germany. Feb. 12, 1842, and his
parents came to New Orleans in 1844, Theodore at the time being two years
of age. He received a practical common school education and began
learning the tinner^Òs trade in 1855. Subsequently, he moved to
Indianola, Texas, and a short while afterwards went to Jefferson, Texas,
and began working for John C. Kolster. In 1874 he moved to Hopkins County
and followed agricultural pursuits. He embarked in the hardware business
in this city in 1888 with Jarboe, Malone and Co., and became a partner of
D. M. Smith in 1889. He was married to Miss Rebecca Malone, at Jefferson,
Oct. 5, 1870, and is the father of one girl, now the wife of Tom McMullan
of this city. Mr. Weigers is a member of the Masonic and Knights and
Ladies of Honor fraternities.

* * * * * * * * * *

JAMES HAMILTON DINSMORE

James Hamilton Dinsmore was born in Benton County, Arkansas, in 1853. He
is the second of a family of five children, three boys and two girls, one
brother dead. His father was a merchant and a banker, and his mother was
a lady of the highest Christian character. Hugh H. Dinsmore, his brother,
is serving his second term in congress from the Fourth district of
Arkansas and is recognized as one of the most brilliant political lights
of that state. In 1861, during the struggle of the great Civil War, James
H. and his parents came to Paris, Texas, at which place he lived three
years. In 1864 he moved from Paris, Texas, to Austin and lived in that
city for one year. He subsequently moved to Washington County, Arkansas,
where he worked on a farm for two years. Then he moved to Bentonville,
Arkansas, where he lived till 1874. The education of his boyhood was
received in Bentonville, Benton county, under Morgan H. Looney. His three
years of student life under Prof. Looney exerted a powerful influence on
the young man. After reaching maturity he moved from Bentonville, Ark.,
to Sulphur Springs, and taught school in this city for 12 years, till
1886, at which time he was admitted to the bar. He was married to Miss
Stella Putman, Dec. 29, 1875, on the birthday of Judge Putman, and is now
the father of four children, two boys and two girls. He was appointed
United States Consul to Cienfuegos, Cuba, by President Cleveland in April
1894, and on account of the death of Judge J. A. B. Putman he resigned in
April 1895. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and masonic fraternities.

* * * * * * * * * *

JAKE LICHTENSTEIN

Jake Lichtenstein is the well known "Litch," the Racket Store man, who is
known on Main street, and all over the county, and who sells everything
in the Dry Goods, Clothing, Shoes, Hats, Groceries, Tinware, Queensware
line, and, in fact, anything from a needle or fine Havana cigar, to a
side of bacon or good barrel flour. Mr. Lichtenstein is a native of
Hechingen, Hohenzollern, Germany, a city founded in the year 800. He left
there when he was only 12 years of age, with a sister only 15, to hunt a
fortune in the new world, but has not found it yet. He arrived in New
Orleans in the year 1858, to find the yellow fever there and 150 to 250
people dying a day. He escaped the fever and the city and went to Biloxi,
Mississippi, and clerked for a relative, not knowing a word of English
then, but he knows how to talk now. When the war broke out, he was living
in Vicksburg, shouldered a gun for one night and left for New Orleans,
and at the age of 17 he owned a business on one of the principal streets
of that city. Like others, he had the Texas fever, and left for that
state in 1865, and started business again at Galveston. The yellow fever
took him that time and broke him up in business. He then went to
Hempstead Co., Texas, and there found the partner of his life, Miss Sarah
Ephraim, to whom he has been married 26 years, with an addition of two
boys and one girl. He left Hempstead for Sulphur Springs in 1877, and has
been here ever since. His store is widely known as the cheapest Bargain
House in northeast Texas.

* * * * * * * * * *

G. M. CALVERT

George Marion Calvert was born January 5, 1835, in Williamson county,
Illinois. His father was a Presbyterian preacher, and what education he
received was very limited. At the age 19 he came to Texas and put up a
cabinet shop in Titus county and followed this as livelihood for sixteen
months, after which he sold out and went to the Choctaw Nation and
clerked in a dry goods store one year. He subsequently returned to
Illinois and clerked for J. W. Todd, of Saline, one year, then he and his
brother, J. L. Calvert, began merchandising, following the business
nearly two years. He then embarked in the livery business establishing
the first stable ever established in Marion, Illinois. In 1859, he
married Miss Sophia Woodul of Lebanon, Tennessee, and was proprietor of a
hotel in Marion about eight months. In September 1861, he moved to Texas
and entered the Confederate army. Subsequent to the Civil War he began
farming in Denton County, Texas. In the Fall of 1867 he moved to Hopkins
County and was a successful farmer till 1870. On the 14th of February
1883, he was again married to Mrs. Mary Kincade. He is the father of
twelve children, ten boys and two girls, seven by this first wife and
five by the second. He has an attractive home two and half miles
southwest of Sulphur Springs, and one of the most successful fruit men in
northern Texas.

* * * * * * * * * *

W. B. THOMAS

W. B. Thomas deals exclusively in cattle, horses and especially mules. He
lives in the west and is in business with his junior brother, James E.
Thomas. They have a large ranch in Stirling county, about 40 miles from
San Angelo, and their stock in both summer and winter are always as fat
as mud. Each fall they ship several car loads of horses and mules back to
Sulphur Springs and sell them to the poor people of the county at prices
that few stock men can meet.

* * * * * * * * * *

TEMPLETON & CROSBY

Howard Templeton and Baylis F. Crosby men of the bar.

Howard Templeton was born in Titus County, Texas, June 25, 1861. He was
raised on a farm in Delta County, and received a limited commons school
education. He began practice of his profession at Cooper in 1882, and
moved to Sulphur Springs in 1885, where he has since resided. He was
elected presidential elector in 1888 and voted for Cleveland and Thurman;
after which time he was elected district attorney in 1890 and was a
delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1892. As a lawyer and
criminal advocate he holds high rank.

Baylis Francis Crosby, was born in Upshur County, Texas, August 20, 1857.
His father and mother are now living at Gilmer, Texas. Baylis is the
oldest child of a family of nine children, five boys and four girls. He
was raised upon a farm in Upshur county and received only a common school
education. He is a graduate of a law school in Lebanon, Tennessee, and
was admitted to the bar in July 1881, at Gilmer, Texas, and was elected
county attorney of Upshur county in 1882, and served four years. He moved
to this city in 1887, and formed a partnership in law with J. D. Peteet.
He was married at Gilmer in 1886, to Miss Inez Smith, and is the father
of four children, three boys and one girl. He joined the Baptist church
in 1873, and has been superintendent of the Sunday school of that church
for several years. He is one of the directors of the City National Bank,
and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

* * * * * * * * * *

PROF. H. P. EASTMAN

Prof. Eastman , President of Eastman College and A Conservatory of Music
and Art

Prof. H. P. Eastman was born at New Harmony, Indiana, on September 10,
1851. His parents emigrated to Texas in 1856, and settled at Nacogdoches.
A short while subsequent they purchased a small farm seven miles from
this historic little city. When the war of secession broke out, the
father entered the Confederate service, and Henry was left to support
himself and an invalid mother. His work was ardent as he was then only
ten years of age. He had one ox with which to do his plowing and to drag
up his wood; he carded and spun the cloth they wore; and he says, "There
were times when it seemed impossible to make tongue and buckle meet." He
had the poorest opportunities for an education, although he subsequently
has become a man of considerable erudition. At the close of the war his
half brother returned and took him and his mother to Fayetteville,
Arkansas, and thence to Cane Hill, where he taught the American youth the
trade of carriage and wagon making. At the age 17 he received the highest
wages of anyone in the factory that run $40,000 worth of machinery, so
thoroughly had he mastered his business. He never relinquished his hope
and efforts for an education, but applied himself constantly. Finally he
mastered the commercial branches and taught them in Bentonville College,
Arkansas. At last having mastered the literary branches he began to take
hold of schools of higher grade and won a state reputation. As an
evidence of this he was been appointed on the State Normal examining
board, had been repeatedly appointed to teach normals in summer; has been
every year to lecture at summer normals in different parts of the state.
He obtained the post-graduate degree of A. M. in Trinity University,
having first course taken the degree of A. B. He was the prime mover in
the founding the Henry College, an institution that has won considerable
laurels under his supervision. He has recently bought Central College,
which will henceforth be called Eastman College and Conservatory of Music
and Art.

* * * * * * * * * *

T. E. BERRY

T. E. Berry, exclusive dealer in staple and fancy groceries.

About one year ago, T. E. Berry moved to this town as a mere stranger. He
has built up his trade on honest methods. It is indeed with a degree if
pride that we extract from the Florence Alabama Gazette, the following
rare compliment given Mr. Berry on his removal from Florence, Alabama.

"Thomas E. Berry, who has lived in Florence from his infancy, is making
preparations to move to Texas at an early day. We regret to see him
leave. He served as Alderman from his ward and made a useful and
influential member. To his untiring energy can be attributed the present
beautiful appearance of the Ceder (sic) Park we now have with its
beautiful gravel walks, green swards (sic,) and iron seats. He has also
been largely instrumental in having the beautiful public school building
erected, so much so in fact, that for some time it went by the name of
"Berry School," and the name should have never been changed. The
Methodist church loses an active and useful member, and the Masonic Order
a worthy and faithful member." As an evidence of the esteem and
confidence in which he is held by the secret orders of the Knights of
Pythius Grand Lodges in Alabama. Resolutions of respect was passed by the
City Council subsequent to his removal from Florence, Alabama.