Biographical Sketch of Rev. P. B. Bailey

Rev. P. B. Bailey, deceased, came to Texas in the year 1845. He became a citizen of Hopkins County in the year 1850. He was the father of seven children. These are all dead now but two Mrs. Mary Loving, mother of Wilber Loving, Hopkins County’s efficient and popular sheriff, and Mrs. M. E. Minter, wife of Capt. S. A. Minter, who lives in the Pine Forest neighborhood. He was a Methodist preacher and organized the first Methodist church that was ever established in the town of Sulphur Springs. The author has heard this great preacher deliver powerful sermons. He … Read more

Biography of Haywood Mooney

Haywood B. Mooney first saw the light of day in the state of Georgia, seventy-three years ago. His father moved to Alabama when Haywood was a child. When he had grown to be quite a lad, being rather precocious, he was stolen from his home and from his parents by sporting men who gambled on horse racing of fine-blooded stock. They used him for light riding and he proved to be the very chap they needed in their profession, so they kept him for a period of three years by offering such inducements as would please the boy. About this … Read more

Biographical Sketch of James A. Simms

James A. Simms, deceased, was born in the state of Georgia. When he arrived at his majority he married Miss Emily Jane Hansom, a daughter of a prominent slave holder and planter in the same neighborhood in which he was raised. He moved into Hopkins County in the year 1853, where he settled and raised a large and interesting family. Jonathan Simms, was his eldest child. The others were Uca C., Tom K., Amanda, J. M. Simms, Jr., Britton B., Bianca, and Kendrick,D. three of these children are living in the county. Uca C. is now Mrs. Shugart, a prosperous … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Crawford Mayes

Crawford S. Mayes was born in Burkes County, Georgia, in the year 1840. He came into Texas in the year 1866, and married Miss Mary E. Hooser of Red River County in the year 1873, and moved into Hopkins County and settled where he is still living. They are the parents of eight children equally divided as to sex. Mr. Mayes is a successful farmer and an all around businessman. He was a soldier in the time of the war, is a quiet citizen in time of peace, is a devoted husband, a kind and loving father, a good neighbor … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Henry Russell

Uncle Henry Russell is one of the old land marks of the county, having lived in the county since its organization. He has been considered among the best and most substantial men in the county. He has always been an honest, upright, just man, and is appreciated for these qualities. His family are all highly respected and are a leading class in the county. He has three children: Joe Russell, a splendid man and a worthy citizen. Joe has a nice family and all are very much esteemed. John Russell is another son who has a most excellent lady for … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Martin

J. J. Martin was born in Alabama and reared in the State of Tennessee. He is an octogenarian and has lived in Texas since 1845. He came to Hopkins County 45 years ago. He married Miss Nancy Everett in Cass County, Texas, at the age of 29 years. By this union six children were born. She passed away at the birth of her last child. J. B. and C. D. Martin and Mrs. James Lee are all children of this union. They are all well known citizens of Hopkins County, honest, upright in their dealings. He next married Miss Elvy … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Crockett Campbell

Crockett H. Campbell was born in 1816, and is eighty-six years of age. He came to Hopkins County in the year 1841. There was not a single cabin on the south side of North Sulphur Creek at that time. Buffalo herds were roaming all over the country. He has shot and killed a number of buffalo as well as all kinds of animals and wild beasts. Indians were to be seen and heard in many places, and a few people who were living in tents were in constant and perpetual dread of them. Many emigrants who came into the new … Read more

Biography of A. T. Melson

A. T. Melson was born in the state of Georgia on the 4th of February, 1827, and grew to manhood in the home of his birth. His ancestors were old southern aristocracy, and a noble and manly set of gentlemen, while the women were unexcelled for purity and gentleness. At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Melson married Miss Martha Ransom, a daughter of Col. Samuel Ransom, a large slaveholder and planter of great prominence in the county. Miss Martha was eighteen years of age when she married Mr. Melson. Within a few years after their marriage they moved to … Read more

Directory of Nelta, Texas

J. M. Simms. M. D. Physician and Surgeon. Wilber J. Davis Postmaster and Dealer in General Merchandise. Chas. B. Kirkbride Blacksmith and woodwork. Bois’D’Arc Wagons a specialty. Warrick France The only Gin man in the place.

Biography of Harrison Attaway

Harrison Attaway was born June 14th, 1848, in Henderson County, Tennessee. He came with his father into the state of Texas in the year 1855 he married Amanda Able in the year 1855. She was the daughter of Z. D. Able, an old-time citizen of Hopkins County, and one of its best men. His wife is a native of Texas, and is proud to be called a native Texan. They are the parents of sixteen children. There are thirteen of this number living. George F. is married and lives within half a mile of where he was born. Elbert D., … Read more

Biography of L. A. Lollar

L. A. Lollar was born in the state of Tennessee in the year 1829, and came to Hopkins County in the year 1849. He married Miss Mary Veal in the year 1854, who still survives him. They had eight children born to them : seven sons and one daughter ; five of whom are living. John, the eldest son has been twice married and is living in the county with his second wife. Miss Lula married Sam Matthews, a common-sense businessman of good judgment. He is a just and honest man. Buster married Miss Lula Sparks, daughter of John Sparks, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of G. M. Calvert

G. M. Calvert was raised in Williamson County, Illinois. He came to the state of Texas when he was a young man, in the year 1854. Finally, after traveling almost across the American Continent, he returned to Illinois and married Miss Sophia Woodul in the year 1857. At the time of his marriage he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently he sold his interests to other parties and migrated to Texas, and has, for a number of years, been a citizen of Hopkins County. He is well known as a practical-minded man, having introduced several important industries in the county. … Read more

Biography of W. M. Hogsett

W. M. Hogsett was born in the state of Tennessee on the 22nd day of February 1835. At the age of sixteen years he came to Texas with his mother and located near the old Lollar store. His father was a soldier in the Mexican war and died in the year 1846, while he was serving his country as a soldier. At the age of 21 years Mr. Hogsett married Miss Elizabeth Liles, daughter of William tiles then of Sulphur Springs and began to battle with the question of bread and butter. By this union five children were born, only … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. P. Blackwell

This noted family has long lived in Hopkins County, being amongst its first settlers. J. P. Blackwell, deceased, raised a fair sized family of intelligent, worthy, children, they are all citizens of Delta County. J. P. Blackwell was a useful man in his community, and was highly esteemed, he married Miss Rattan, a sister of Volney Rattan, one of the most conscientious, brave and courageous men which is in the knowledge of the writer ; true to any cause he advocates as the needle is to the pole. Dr. Joel Blackwell is a son of J. P. Blackwell, a practicing … Read more

Biography of J. C. Stout

My father, Sealin Stout, was born in the state of Arkansas in the year 1818. He died in Hopkins County at the age of seventy-eight. No life in Hopkins County was more eventful or attended with more romance than was that of Sealin Stout. He has often been referred to as being prominent in many exciting incidents in this history. Sealin’s father crossed Red River on a raft built with his own hands, when Sealin was only one month old, and settled in Red River District, where Sealin grew to manhood amid the wilds of the country. In the year … Read more

Biography of Glen Hargrave

E. G. Hargrave is a son of Harvey Hargrave, whose name has been mentioned In this history. He was born in the state of Indiana in the year. 1839. He came to Texas with his father in the year 1842. He was, therefore, only three years old at the time. He has been raised in Hopkins County and has lived continuously in the county since 1845. He married Miss M. E. Chapman, daughter of Benjamin Chapman, in the year 1857. This union is a happy one. They have had ten children born to them. Eight of these children are living. … Read more

Biography of Wilshire Bailey

Mr. Bailey was born in the State of Alabama, in the year 1824, and came to Texas with his parents in the year 1835. He married Miss Gage, a daughter of E. N. Gage, in the year 1852. To this union were born 8 children, seven of whom are still living, five girls and two boys. His boys are both married and are thrifty and well to do farmers and tax payers. Four of his daughters are married, their husbands are farmers and stock raisers, are good men, upright and honest in their business relations, and have the confidence of … Read more

Biography of Rev. Joe Hooten

Joseph Hooten was born in the State of Tennessee, in the year 1824. He came to Hopkins County in the year 1848 and located in the same section where he has lived all of his long and useful life. He married Miss Manda Strother soon after he came into the county. By this union ten children were born to them, six of these are living. They all live near their parents, their eldest and youngest live at home with their aged parents and are a comfort and a joy to them in the evening of their days. Mr. Hooten is … Read more

Biography of J. R. Lindley

J. R. Lindley was born in the state of Kentucky, in the year of 1824. His parents moved into Dade County, Missouri, in the year 1835 when J. R. was only 10 years of age, where he grew up into manhood. Filled with the spirit of adventure and fired by the stories of the wealth of California, he made an overland trip to the Pacific Coast in the year of 1840, traveling with an ox train and being four months on the road. He remained on the Pacific slope for three years, returning to Missouri he engaged in driving stock … Read more