Wood County, 1850-1900 Page: 44
201 p. : ill., ports. ; 29 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
master 16 September 1893. During the more than six
years Winnsboro had no postoffice, the citizens of the
town got their mail either at Webster or Cornersville.
A great deal of rivalry existed between the com-
munities of Webster, Cornersville and Winnsboro
about 1874 when talk of a railroad began. This was
resolved mainly by Mrs. Ophelia Cook in 1878 when
she made a deal with the East Line and Red River
Railroad Company in which she conveyed a 200 foot
right-of-way and a large interest in other land she
owned in the area. This move on the part of Mrs. Cook
settled the matter and people of Webster and
Cornersville began to move into Winnsboro. A large
business house operating in Webster, Goldman and
Ferguson moved their stock of merchandise into
Winnsboro where they remained for several years.
Later merchants were T. J. Gibson, said to have
built the first brick house in Winnsboro, and to have
installed the first bath tub; R. N. Robertson, W. M.
and Joe Pierson, F. K. Nance, R. E. Skeen, and R. G.
Andrews.
In 1882 Winnsboro had three churches, a school, a
carriage and wagon factory, flour and grist mills, cotton
gins, an opera house, a weekly newspaper, and other
businessess. Population was one thousand. After this
period of prosperity, the population decreased, but the
building of the Texas Southern Railroad ca 1904
brought about a recovery.
Source: The Handbook of Texas
Winnsboro, Texas, Yesterday,
Today and Tomorrow, by W. D.
Suiter.
Historical Sketch of Winnsboro, by
Mrs. Jim Moore.
Cartwright Community was founded on a land
grant to Matthew Cartwright dated May 1851, and
named in his honor when land for a school was given by
the Cartwrights. The first store was built by Bill Boyd
and M. K. Cain. Later Elmore Wright bought the store
and moved it to its present location. Wright was ap-
pointed postmaster 11 March 1894. He held the office
until the postoffice was discontinued in 1907. A cotton
gin was built in the community in 1898 and operated
by oxen.
Among the early settlers were the Boyds, Sham-
burgers, Morrows, Blackwells, Cains, Chappells,
Mosleys, Hyatts and Lees.
Submitted by Miss Chester Shamburger
New Hope Community is said to have been settled
around 1860 by planters from Louisiana who had hoped
to regain their fortunes there. No village developed.
Some of the early settlers in the area were the Belchers,
Richeys, Lankfords, Greers, Dodsons, Clarks, Parmers,Adams, Giffords, Wootens, Walkers, Favors and Apels.
Yantis, located in the northwestern section of
Wood County, was settled by Harry M. Matthews in
1860. A gristmill, sawmill and cotton gin were erected
near the site in 1870 by J. N. Singleton. A postoffice
was established in 1885, and George R. Yantis who
operated a sawmill and gin, was appointed postmaster.
Succeeding Yantis were Robert G. McGowan, Will H.
Craver, Guy R. Yantis and W. R. D. Willett, who was
appointed in 1898 and served through 1900. Some early
day merchants were J. M. Craver, McGowan, Frank
Britton, Willett, Tharp Brothers, J. M. Kitchens and
G. D. Clayton.
Source: Handbook of Texas
Wood County Democrat
Stagner Community received its name when John
Stagner settled there in 1873. A school had been es-
tablished in the community in 1861, and a church in
1874. One grocery store served the community for a
time.
Coke, a community in north central Wood County,
was settled in the 1850's and developed into a village
when coal was discovered southwest of the community.
The Reverend L. F. Banks settled in the area in 1857.
The Elijah Attaway family were among the first
residents, having arrived shortly after the county was
created..
A post office was established in 1885. The first
postmaster was J. D. Clough. Charles A. Robinson was
appointed in December of the same year and served
until 1900.
Source: Early newspapers
Wood County Post Offices by
Wright Patman.
Hawkins was settled in 1873 when the Texas &
Pacific Railroad was built through the county. It is said
to have been named for a member of the survey crew
who left his name carved on a pine tree. There were a
number of families living in the area long before the
railway was built, however, as this was the main
thoroughfare leading to Belzora Crossing on the Sabine
River. Belzora was a river port as well as stagecoach
crossing from the 1850's until the coming of the
railroad. Many immigrants to Smith County and other
East Texas counties came to Wood County over this
crossing.
Felix Wells, one of the earliest settlers, operated a
ferry at this crossing. The Shamburgers also used this
route to migrate to Wood County. Belzora Crossing was
on the Dallas to Shreveport freight and stagecoach line.
J. H. Sullivan was the first merchant in Hawkins.
He sold general merchandise and liquor. Othermerchants who came shortly after were A. L. Adams,
44
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Wood County, 1850-1900 (Book)
This text gives an overview of Wood County, Texas from roughly 1850 to 1900. It includes historical sketches of various aspects of life in the county as well as anecdotes. Genealogical information and documentation are also included for pioneer families in the area.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Wood County Historical Society. Wood County, 1850-1900, book, 1976; Quitman, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth91051/m1/52/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .