Howard Hargrave was born in the state of Indiana in the year 1840. It was in the city of Booneville that he first saw the light of day. His parents migrated to the state of Texas in the year 1843. Howard was therefore three years of age. His father settled at old Sulphur Bluff with the rest of the Hargrave family.
At this infantile age Howard remembers many incidents that took place under his observation when the first mill was erected, the first blacksmith shop, the first wagon and wood shop, in fact was an eye witness to the upbuilding of old Sulphur Bluff, which place has long since passed into a howling wilderness. It was here at this Bluff that the first post-office was established, the first store house owned and managed by Wash Cole, whose name has been mentioned in connection with this history, a grocery and drug cabin owned and run by John South. It was here that the first schoolhouse was built and the first school taught in Hopkins County. There were as many as one dozen families living here at one time. Robert Hargrave gave them employment, as he had several enterprises carried on at the old Bluff.
The mail for this place was brought out from Paris, Lamar County, called at that time Pin Hook. The county was new-but few roads, no bridges, and there were times when the Sulphur Creek was swollen to such an extent that no mail could be had for weeks at a time. For the want of mails the citizens at the Bluff were in total ignorance as to what was going on in the states. The effect of any writing upon the public mind is mathematically measured by its depth of thought. The way to speak and to write what will ever be remembered is to speak and write sincerely, honestly and truthfully.
At the age of twenty-five years Howard married Miss Lida Huskey, on July 13th, this day being selected on account of it’s being the birthday of the groom. Three children have been born to them: Eddie married Miss Minnie Griffin. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits in Sulphur Bluff. His business is a co-partnership one. He has a couple of interesting babies. Miss Loma married Ed Murrie, a firstrate fellow and a fine business gentleman who merits the respect and confidence of his acquaintances; they are the parents of two bright children. Mrs. Murrie is a bright, intelligent and interesting lady, a star among her several friends and is loved and esteemed for her noble qualities.
Guy Hargrave is the youngest child, a nice, gentlemanly young fellow, who is chief clerk and manager at this time of the large business establishment of Jacob M. Lindley, at Peerless, in Hopkins County. He is a sober, honest and upright businessman, the pride of his aged parents, and the favorite of his associates. Howard is a man of great force of character. When his mind is fully made up on any given point, he is firm and immovable. He has been elected county commissioner, and served his constituents well. His voice was heard and recognized in this body, always contending for what he believed to be right, and was as open as day in condemning the wrong. He is not a member of any religious denomination, but encourages the perpetuation of religious institutions by assisting in the substantial way. This liberality has been his religion; he having contributed more money for this purpose than any citizen of his neighborhood. His heart has gone out with sympathy for the poor and needy. No one has ever been turned from his door in hunger and want. It is said that at times he has given food and shelter to as many as fifty needy persons at one time.
On one occasion when the winter storms were raging, the earth freezing, the wind howling and the drifting snow falling, he learned that a company of men, women and children were in camp near his plantation without food or shelter. He immediately went to this camp and had the entire company go to his residence and remain till the storm subsided. This he did without remuneration. This is the act of a true philanthropist and a man who makes no pretensions to Christianity.