Bonham Texas

Biographical Sketch of E. H. Lyday

Was born in Grundy County, Missouri, in 1852, and came to this state with his father’s family, who settled near Honey Grove, in ’61. In ’66, Judge Lyday moved his family to Bonham, and here it was that E. H. Lyday received his education and prosecuted his study of the law. He was admitted to the bar in ’77, and has been in public ever since. He was four times elected Mayor of Bonham, and at the election in ’84 was elected Justice of the Bonham precinct. Mr. Lyday is one of the “young democracy,” active in local politics, and … Read more

Biography of Col. R. H. Taylor

Mr. Woodson is a good lawyer, a conscientious officer and a vigorous and successful prosecutor. Of this county, was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1825. He began the study of law in the law office of Judge Warner, and was admitted to the bar by a special act of the legislature at the age of 18 years. He moved to Fannin County in 1844, and his abilities as a ‘lawyer were soon recognized, and. he was employed upon one side or the other of every important suit; both criminal and civil, in the county. In a few years, his … Read more

Biography of Walter D. Allen

President of the Masonic Female Institute, this city, was born raised and educated in Louisiana. He left the Pelican state in 1877, to make his home and his name in Texas. He has done both. Shortly after his arrival in Bonham, he took charge of the Bonham Male and Female Academy, over which the presided for five years. At the end of this period he became tired of the principalship of a mixed school, and. at a great sacrifice, financially and obtained a charter for the college over which he now presides. In 1882, he leased the grounds and buildings … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Brainard Lindsay

The only “second-hand dealer” in Fannin County, came to Bonham and opened a large second-hand store on South Main street, in the fall of 1884. He has, in connection with his business of selling and buying second-hand goods of every description, a mattress factory, and a line of furniture. This is a new departure in the business world of Fannin, and its success is attracting some attention. Young Lindsay was born and raised in the state. At the early age of eighteen he contracted marriage with a young lady of Sherman, Texas, and moved to Bonham. Although young, the rough … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. H. Ardinger

The dry goods merchant prince of Bonham, is a native of Berkely County, Virginia, and has been a merchant all his life. He left Virginia at the age of fourteen, for Elizabethtown, Ky., from this place a little later, he moved to Greensboro of the same state, and from there to Missouri. In 1869-70, he was in the wholesale dry goods business at Chicago, but was fortunate enough to sell out his interest there, just before that city was burned in 1871. In 1875, he removed to Bonham, and opened a dry goods business, with a $1 0.000 stock of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William A. Bramlette

Mr. Bramlette, of this city, is from the “Blue Grass” state, though, raised in Lamar County, Texas. He began the study of law in the office of Hon J. C. Hodges, of Paris, and was admitted to the bar in 1876, twenty-one years old. He moved to Bonham in 1880, and opened his law and abstract office. He has reduced the land law, and titles to a fineness, that perhaps no other lawyer or notary, in North Texas has ever done. ‘His abstract of land titles is as near perfection as possible; his knowledge of the law regulating and settling … Read more

Biographical Sketch of M. G. Hampton

The live grocer of Post office Row, in Bonham, is “to the manor born.” He was born in Fannin County, in 1859, and raised a farmer’s boy. At the age of nineteen he contracted marriage with Miss Mollie E. Carr, of this county, who is also a native of the state. In the fall of 1880, he went into the grocery business at the stand he now occupies, with a small capital. Many of his friends predicted that his free-heartedness and generous disposition would be detrimental to his chosen business, but their predictions have fallen to the ground. He has … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. S. Perkins

Proprietor of the Perkins House, of this city, was born in Georgia in 1841, and came to this state in 1856. His first occupation in Texas was that of farming. He followed this business in Lamar County, until in 1878, when he moved to Paris, and opened a hotel. He remained in Paris only a year, then moved to Marshall, Texas, with his family, and opened a large house at that place. At Marshall the “Perkins House” was very popular, and Mr, Perkins did a good business. Early in 1885, he came to Bonham, purchase d a very desirable lot, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin N. Woodson

County Attorney of Fannin County, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, in 1850; came with his father to this state, four years later. He grew up, and was partly educated at Honey Grove. In 1872, he attended school at Glascow, Missouri, from which place he went to New York City, studied law and obtained his diploma in a law school of that city. Not long after this, he was admitted to the bar and licensed to practice by Judge Davis, of New York. In 1875, he came back to Honey Grove, but afterwards moved to Ladonia, where he remained until … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lake Wilson

Proprietor of the “Palace Livery Stables,” of Bonham, was born and raised to the age of 14 years, in the state of Arkansas, in 1839. He came to Texas in 1863, penniless, and went to work on a farm at six dollars per month, and followed that occupation for six or eight years. His wages were increased very little as he grew older, but during this time he managed to save about six hundred dollars, with which, and a little outside assistance, in 1860 he went into the livery business, with what success, the tax rolls of this county will … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. J. Abernathy

Mr. Abernathy, of Bonham, was born in Giles County Tennessee, in 1834. He came to this state in 1862, and followed the business of school teaching for twelve consecutive years. In 1878, he was appointed as Notary public in this county, in conjunction with which he at once opened a real estate business. Mr. Abernathy is a prompt and reliable businessman, and thoroughly understands his business. , In his real estate transactions, he confines himself to this county, and is well posted on real estate values, land titles, and everything pertaining to the real estate line. His work as Notary … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jerry L. Fryar

Is a native of Tennessee. He came to Texas in 1870, and like many other young men who came west to grow up with the country, followed various avocations, until early in 1885, when he settled down in business as the local and permanent agent for the “New Home Sewing Machine” Co. His office is situated on Post-office Row in Bonham; and he keeps a large stock of machines, organs, etc. Mr. Fryar has made himself popular by his fair dealing and gentlemanly conduct, since he has been in business in Bonham. His pleasant and agreeable address and the merits … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Will S. Thompson

The Artist of Bonham, is from the “buckeye” state, originally, but latterly from Shell City, Mo. -Mr. Thompson east his lot with the people of Fannin County, in July 1885, having just married one of Illinois daughters to share his fortunes in the south-west.. While his life may be said to have just begun in Fannin County, it is not so with his profession. For fifteen years has he applied himself to his profession, keeping pace with all the improvements in the art of photography and painting, and samples of his work in Bonham will convince the most skeptical that … Read more

Biographical Sketch of O. A. Reich

Mr. Reich is an American of German decent, and not a German as his name would indicate. He. was born in North Carolina in 1828, came to Texas in 1850. He is a brick mason, and out of his trade has acquired a nice little sum in money and lands. Like most of men who have made money in Texas, he came here with a few dollars and by economy, industry and promptness, has put himself in a condition to pass his old age in ease and comfort, if not luxury. Mr. Reich is owner of the addition to Bonham, … Read more