History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 782

ISTORY OF TEXAS.

ing object lesson of what may be accomnplislwd
by hard work, strict economy and
good judgment. He was born in Travis
county, about four miles from his present
home, January 11, 1861. His father died
when he was an infant, and his youth was
passed in farm work and in attending the
district school, residing with his mother until
he was nineteen years of age. He then commenced
work by the month, receiving for his
services $10 a month. Not realizing the
value of money, he had at the end of that
year of hard work, nothing to show for his
labor. The next three years, however, he
farmed on shares for Joseph B. Rogers, and
when he sold his crops, Mr. Rogers, although
not needing the money, borrowed the proceeds
and paid Mr. Holman ten per cent. interest.
In this way Mr. Holman secured a
start, and on accumulating a small capital,
he rented land of his brother, J. S. Holman,
for three years, following which he rented land
for three years of W. R. Bird. Each year increased
his accumulations, until at the end of
this time he was able to purchase 150 acres
from his former preceptor, J. B. Rogers, for
which Mr. Holman paid $3,000. In the fall of
1891, Mr. Holman bought seventy acres of
his present farm, and as he was able added to
it from time to time, until he now has 283
acres of as fine land as the country affords,
210 acres of which is under an excellent state
of cultivation. He also owns a cotton gin,
worth $1,500, and has a one-third interest in
320 acres in Dallam county, Texas. Thus
starting in life without a dollar a few short
years ago, he has by his own industry and
good management accumulated a fine property,
and is to-day worth not less than $10,000.

In 1883, Mr. Holman was married to
Miss Polly Ann Bird, a native of Illinois,

and a daughter of the late Thomas and Polly
Ann (Ayers) Bird. Her parents came to
Travis county in 1866, and were active and
useful members of society in their community
for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Holman
have two children: Owen Willis and Jaines
Bird, both intelligent boys.
Politically, Mr. Holman is a Democrat,
and take a commendable interest in everything
pertaining to the good of his country
and the community in which he resides, to
the advancement dlhich he has so largely
contributed.
\W)]\ AT. MASSENGALE, a thrifty young
farmer of Milam county, was born
in Coosa county, Alabama, in 1853.
Two years later his father, J. C. Massengale
came to Milam county, Texas, locating near
Maysfield, where he owned 300 acres at his
death. He was born in Alabama, in 1830,
secured a fair English education, and followed
the pursuits of agriculture all his life.
During the war he entered the Confederate
army, was detailed as beef driver, furnishing
the Trans-Mississippi troops with Western
beef. His death occurred during the last
year of the war. The paternal grandfather
of our subject had six children, two
of whom are now living. Our subject's
mother, nee Frances Thomas, was a daughter
of Dred and Malinda Thomas. Malinda
Thomas was an aunt of Senator J. M. McKinney.
Mr. and Mrs. Massengale had five
children,-W. T.; Malinda, wife of John
Peel; Janie, wife of Alexander Blasienz; Ida,
who married J. C. Averyett; W. D. married
Mary White. The mother died in
1870.
W. T. Massengale was thrown on his own
resources at a tender age, on account of the

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