History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 803

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of the father, built the first school-house in
the county, on Brushy creek, and the first
school was taught by George W. Layinon, of
1)anville, Illinois, where he has many relatives.
This gentleman, later, married the
daughter of John S. Knight, settled in Burnet
county, Texas, where he remained until
his death, in 1891. He made a large farm
and accumulated a great fortune. He was
a cousin of Ward Laymon, who was the law
partner of A. Lincoln, when the latter was
nominated for President in 1860. Our subject
received his education from this instructor.
When the dark cloud of war between
the States arose, he enlisted in Company A,
Fifth Texas Partisan Rangers, commanded by
Colonel L. M. Martin. He served under
Generals Cooper, Steele and Cabell, in the
Indian Department, his regiment operating
mainly on the southern borders of Missouri,
Arkansas and the Indian Territory. In 1864
Mr. Makemson was elected Sheriff of Williamson
county, and left the army to enter upon
the discharge of the duties of that office,
which, at that time, were hazardous, owing
to the lawless condition of the country. By
a firm and courageous course he managed to
restore order and security to life and property.
Before the war he was a Union man and opposed
to secession. When war was declared
he answered the call of his State, and did
his duty as a Confederate soldier. However,
lie did not change his political opinions, and,
after the close of the struggle, acted with the
Republican party, of which he is now a melmber.
In 1865 Mr. Makemson was appointed
District Attorney, by Governor Jack Hamilton,
and served through the administration
of Governor Pease. Shortly after E. J. Davis
secured the Governorship, our subject, not
being in sympathy with the administration,
resigned the position, since which time he

has held no public office. Although not present
lie was unanimously nominated for
Lieutenant Governor by the State Republican
Convention that met at San Antonio, in 1890.
Mr. Makemnson is one of the public-spirited
citizens of the county. He believes in taking
part in all endeavors that look to the betterment
of the community; is oneof the directors
of the Georgetown and Granger Railroad,
now under construction, and is one of the enterprising
citizens of the county. As a lawyer,
he enjoys a large and paying practice, and
ranks high at the bar. Much of his attention
has been devoted to criminal practice, in
which lie has been eminently successful. Mr.
Makemson has, perhaps, been engaged in as
many murder trials as any lawyer in the
State.
He was married July 20, 1870, at Bastrop,
Texas, to Miss Anna Smith, a daughter of
Rev. William Addison Smith. They had two
children, Ethel and Annie. Mrs. Makemnson
died August 10, 1880, and ten years afterward
our subject was united in marriage
with Mrs. Kate Holland, nee Patrick, of
Boston, Massachusetts. She is a daughter of
W. A. Patrick, who was for a number of
years County Clerk, of Leon county, Texas.
Mr. Makemson is a member of the old school
Presbyterian Church. Socially, he affiliates
with the Masonic fraternity, the I. 0. 0. F.,
of Texas, and has represented the Texas
jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
nff ) EV. JESSE J. BRUCE, Tax Collector
" of Williamson county, was born in
Blount county, Alabama, February 11,
1818, a son of Winston and Rebecca
(Webb) Bruce, the former a native of North
Carolina, and the latter of South Carolina.

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