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PIONEiR STORIES F°1K5'Lk4-4-
Pt),Alfrets -Le sktE1e5
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Anne B. Hill
McLennan County
District #8
no. of words 115
file no. 240
rage 1
A. The Waco Times -Herald, Waco, Texas, Sunday,
"The Old Homestead et Walker's Crossing" by
mond.
June 6, 1926.
Miss Kate Ed
Rebecca Cobbs, daughter of judge John and Mrs. Eleanor
Cobbs, did not go dowerless as the bride of William Walker, but
records show that the daughter of the judge of McLennan County
brought slaves with her as the following shows:
"Know all men by these presents that I, John Cobbs of Mc-
Lennan County, State of Texas, have and in consideration of the sum
of one dollar to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby ac-
knowledged (and good -will to my daughter Rebecca, who intermarried
with William C. Walker) have bargained and sold and by these pres-
ents do hereby grant, bargain, sell and confirm to my said daughter,
Rebecca B. Walker, a certain negro woman named Mary, aged 18 years,
end now in her possession.
I warrant the title against all persons whatever. I warrant
said negro to be sound and healthy and a slave for life.
Given under my hand and seal this, the 9th day of May, 1856.
(Scroll for seal)
Signed -John A. Cobbs.
This manuscript is now in the Texas Room, Baylor Uni/ersity.
War taxes
M. P. Nichols
"ReceivA
and 55 dollars
Manuscript now
in Confederate days -a war tax receipt signed by
collector, district No. 40 reads:
of William C. Walker the sum of no dollars in specie
in Confederate Treasury notes being the full amount."
in Texas Room, Baylor University. (A)
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLEWW IOUNTY
Anne Hill
'McLennan County
District 8
Dr. Baylis !bad Earle
No. of Words 109
File No.
Page 2
Dr. Baylis Wood Earle, one of the early pioneer physicians of
McLennan County, was born in South Carolina in 1801, son of John Baylis and
Sarah (Taylor) Earle. He was reared and educated in South Carolina, and later
removed to Alabama.
He adopted the profession of medicine and became an eminent practitioner.
From, Alabama he went to Mississippi, milers he lived for a time and then -re-
moved to Texas, locating in Waco, where he became very successful" in his
profession. He was extremely conscientious in his practice and very charitable.
He died at his residence in Wioo in 1859.
Dr. Earle was united in marriage to Eliza Harrison. Thar became the
parents of nine children.
Dr. Earle died in 1859.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNA., COUNTY
Anne Hill
McLennan County
District 8
Dr. Daniel R. Wallace
No. of Words 104
File NO:
Page 3
Dr. Daniel R. Wallace VOA born in North Carolina in Pitt County, in
1825.
Dr. Wallace attended the country schools in his early life and developed
a taste for reading and the languages. BS graduated with distinotion at Wake
Forest College in 1850.
After graduating he applied himself to the study of medicine, completing
his medical course at the University of New York in 1854.
In 1855, he removed to Texas and settled at Independence, Washington
County, then a center of wealth and population. While practicing his profession
there, he taught languages in Baylor University, located at that time in
Independence. Here he married Miss Arabella Daniel and to them three daughters
were born.
He enlisted in the Confederate service on the outbreak of the war, was
appointed stargeOn.nf the Fifteenth Texas Infantry, and subsequently became
division surgeon on the staff of General Maxey.
After the surrender in 1865, he returned to Waco and resumed the practice
of his profession. During the war he had lost all his property and his money,
and he had to oommenoe life anew. In 1874 he was appointed superintendent of the
State Insane
married Mrs.
After
Asylum, holding this position from 1874 to 1889. In 1871 he
S. L. Robert, a younger sister of his first wife. They had one child.
OJJ-r444 6°6
returning fromOle Asylum, Dr. Wallace gave his attention to special
diseases. In 1883 he was somMissinned to locate the Nast Texas Asylum. Terrell
was selected for the location. Governor Ireland appointed him superintendent and
this position he occupied until 1891.
Be was recognised throughout the state as an authority on lunacy, nervousness
and all kindred diseases.
He died in 1911.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY
Anne Hill NO. of Words 141
McLennan County File No.
P District if 8 Page 5
Jno. S. *Clain
Jno. S. McLain, one of the oldest settlers of *Lennox County was born in
Adair County, Kentucky in 1827, son of Isaac and Catherine (Stepp) MaLakm, natives
of South Carolina and Kentucky, respectively.
He reoetwed his oduoation in Pike County, Illinois. Be oommenced business for
himself at the age of twenty, beginning as a farmer and stook -raiser in Pike County
till 1856, when he came to Texas, the over land consuming six weeks.
After his arrival in Texas the Indians made no attack on the white settlers but
the year before they had been troublesome.
In 1862 he joined Company B, Col. Gurley's regiment. Was in poor health and
never participated in any battles.
In 1868, he bought 320 acres, put 75 under cultivation; he was a farmer and a
stook -raiser.
In 1888 he sold his cattle and devoted himself to farming.
Mt. Molain was married in 1853 to Mies Eleanor Mbhannah. They had nine children.
He and his wife were Baptists.
Jno. S. McClain died in 1898.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN COL -X
Anne Hill
McLennan County
Distridt 8
No. of Words 147
File No,
Page 6
Cullen F. Thomas Living
Cullen F. Thomas, attorney -at -am, is still living, a resident of Dallas at
present. He was born in Tennessee in 1869 in Gibson County, son of Charles Crawford
and Elizabeth (Cowan) Thomas.
He receivelhis early education in Rutherford, Tennessee, In 1885 he received
the appointment from his Congressional district to the United States Naval Aeadeny
at Annapolis, Maryland. He acquitted himself with credit in this institution but
was not attracted by a naval career and resigned.
He came to Texas in 1888 and became principal of the public schools of Valley Mills.
Desirous of becoming a lawyer, he entered the law department of the University of
Texas, from whioh he was graduated with high honors.
He sought Waco as a location for the practice of his profession, meeting with
an unusually favorable reception at the hands of her peop1O.
He is at present living in Dallas. He enjoys much celebrity as an orator.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN C ITT
Anne Hill
McLennan County
District 8
Dr. Gregor C. McGregor
No. of Nerds
File No.
Page 7
Dr. G. C. McGregor was born in Cumberland County, North Carolina; ion of
Malcolm and Miry (Carmichael) McGregor.
He was educated in Franklin Institute, Robeson County, North Carolina and
oomenced the study of medicine in 1846. He entered the medieal department of
the University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1851.
He moved to Texas in 1852 and settled at first in Austin, at that time a
frontier. His practice was no confined to his awn county but extended to many
others. For 31 years he practioed medicine. The town of *Gregor was named in
his honor.
He came to Waco to live in 1873.
Connected with many enterprises as official or as stook holder.
Died in 1884.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN mum
Anne Hill
McLennan County
District 8
Marcus D. Herring
No. of Words 209
File No.
Page 8
Marcus D. Herring was born in Holmes County, Mississippi in 1828, and was
reared on a farm. He attended the Judson Institute, Middleton, Mississippi, and
from there in 1845, he went to Centenary College, dackson, East Felioiana Parish
Louisiana. Returning home, he taught school, studied law and was admitted to the
bar.
Selecting Shreveport as his residence at first, he endured the huldships of
a young lawyer endeavoring to get clients.
In 1850 he moved to Shelbyville, Texas, where he praotioed law till 1853, from there
going to Austin. In 1854, he moved to Waco, forming partnerships at various times;
Herring and Farmer; Herring and Anderson; Coke, Herring and Anderson; Herring and
Kelly.
When the Civil War began, he enlisted as private in one of the first volunteer
companies for the Confederate service and was soon made Captain.
He served three years and nine months in the field.
At the olose of the war, he returned to Waco and resumed the practice of law.
He was eminently successful as a lawyer; his practice extending to all parts of the
state. He distinguished himself especially in land litigation, and as a criminal
lawyer.
Mr. Herring was married in Waco to Miss Alice Douglas of Sumner County, texas.
They had four ohildrou
Mr. Herring is a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. He has gone through the Chairs
of the Grand Lodge in Texas.
In 1875 he was elected Representative to the Soverign Grand Lodge. As an advocate
he is able, magnetic and convincing, a bright ornament to the bar,
died in 1897.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN COUNTY'
Anne Hill
MoLennan County
District 8
Captain Shaplez P. Ross
NO. of Words 380
File No.
Page 9
Captain Ross was one of the early pioneers of Texas and was identified with
its best interests up to the time of his aeath.
He was born six miles from Louisville, Kentucky, in 1811, son of Shapley and
Mary (Prinoe) Ross.
Captain Rose's father dying when Shapley was only eleven or twelve, the property
was divided among the heirs, all of them married except himself. He remained for
awhile on the old homestead.
At the age of 16 he visited the Galena lead mines. Always loved horses and early
in lire engaged in trading in cattle and horses.
He married in 1830 and lived for awhile in Iowa* then in Missouri.
In 1834 he and some other families settled an the Indian reservation at Des Moines
River, Iowa, These were the Fox and Sioux tribes under the leadership of the noted
Black Hawk. They constructed houses and began farming and the oommunity beoame known
as the "Ross Settlement." From here he came to Texas in 1839, taking the oath of
allegiance to the Republic of Texas, and thus became entitled to a head right of 640
acres of land.
16 had frequent fights with the Indians. On one occasion the Indians raided the
settlement by night and stole all their horses, but a man oame into the settlement
next day with several mules. These the pioneers mounted and hastened after the redskins,
who were over taken on Buggy Creek where a bloody and desperate fight took place, a
hand-to-hand conflict with knived. The whites won, the property was restored.
In 1845 he sold his land on which the town of Cameron now stands for a two
horse wagon and a yoke of oxen. He raised a company of volunteers for protection on
the frontier, was elected captain and rendered efficient service.
OLD SETTLERS OF MCLENNAN COU....../
Anne Hill
MbLennan County
District 8
File No.
Page No. 10
In 1849, Captain Ross moved to Mho°.
The company that awned the league of land offered to give him four lots and the
ferry privilappand to sell him 80 acres at 1.00 per acre. He accepted.
In 1855 Captain Ross was appointed Indian agent =dyes given charge of the
various tribes on reservations in the state.
The people of Texas owe him a debt of gratitude for his services.
He was married in Missouri in 1830 to Miss Catherine FUlkerson.
'children.
Shapley P. Ross died in 1889.
They had nine