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Contents



SOME BIOGRAPHIES OF OLD SETTLERS HISTORICAL, PERSONAL, AND REMINISCENT BY SID S. JOHNSON VOL. 1.

(COPYRIGHT SECURED BY SID S. JOHNSON) 1900 SID S. JOHNSON, PUBLISHER, TYLER, TEXAS

JOSEPH McDOUGAL AND FAMILY Chapter XCIV

Joseph McDougal was born in the state of North Carolina in 1809. His parents, John and Barshaba McDougal moved to Lauderdale County, Alabama, in 1818, Joseph being about nine years of age.

Joseph McDougal was married to Miss Amira McMurray, an accomplished and good woman of a prominent Alabama family. He removed to Texas in 1847, and settled in Kaufman county, and in February, 1848, moved to Smith county and settled about eight miles northeast of Tyler and built a log house that grew along in the fifties to be a large farm mansion of ante-bellum days. It was a hospitable house and entertained many people in the old Southern style.

Joseph McDougal assisted in organizing one of the first Methodist churches organized in Smith county, with the assistance of Rev. S. E. Box, a prominent missionary of that day and time. The church house was a log structure with puncheon seats and dirt floor, and built where the present Center church now stands. It was built without a nail in the building, and many eloquent and good preachers ministered to the people from the rude and rustic pulpit. Joseph McDougal was licensed to exhort, and he took care of the welfare of this little flock of pioneers.

The membership of this church, as far as data to hand, consisted at organization, of the following members: Joseph McDougal and wife, Amira; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lott, the grandparents of Jno. A. Lott, the present county clerk of Smith county; also his mother, Mrs. Elisha E. Lott and "Uncle Jim", a faithful salve who died some ten years ago. There may have been others who were charter members of this primitive church, but I failed to get their names.

Joseph McDougal was the kind of Christian that worked to save the souls of men and women; hence, he proclaimed the good tidings up and down this sparsely settled country to the edification of the people. Full of religion, it was a pleasing duty for him to preach to the people.

A reunion was held at Center church a few years ago and only two were present who remembered the old church house, that reached back in the midst of fifty long years - numbered with the past generation who sleeps under the clouds in some quiet graveyard. Time is the leveler, and the sure process moves with the certainty that reaches the end of human life in this world of hardships, pleasures, hopes, joys, and sadness.

Joseph and Amira McDougal had six children, who lived to be grown -- John W., Rebecca, Jas. R., Alex A., Henry F., and Joseph M.

John W. married Miss Mary Starr, a daughter of Rev. W. H. Starr, a noted and eloquent preacher in the early years of the fifties. They had no children. He was killed by the falling of a horse he was riding, to the deep sorrow of relatives and friends. He was a noble specimen of manhood, and a devoted Christian gentleman. His widow resides in Dallas, waiting for the final summons to join her husband in the great beyond.

Rebecca McDougal married Jas. S. L. Baker, who resides in this county. They had five boys and three girls. Two of the girls are dead.

James R. resides at the old homestead and is farming. He has been married twice and has two children, one residing in Dallas, the other, Miss Verna, resides with her father. She is a sweet, lovable young lady. Jas. R. McDougal is surrounded by pleasant and inviting conditions, the grand old homestead as the charm-word that brings up pleasant memories of the good old times.

A. A. McDougal lives in this city. He married Miss Annie McClure, one of the daughters of Col. Samuel McClure, an old citizen of Smith county, a successful planter and prominent man. She was a sweet, charming woman and died only a few months ago. They raised two children -- Mrs. Henry Cook and Gibbs McDougal, who married a few months ago. They both reside in Tyler, together with their father.

Henry McDougal married the charming Miss Bettie Thompson, a bright woman of lovely Christian character. Henry was killed by the saws of his gin in 1873. It was a sad death and a great loss to the country and people who knew him. They had two children -- Henry Archie McDougal and Blanche, who died in infancy. H. A. McDougal is the business manager of that excellent paper, The Tyler Courier.

Joseph Monroe McDougal has been married twice. He has two children -- Ralph and Lee. Ralph married Miss Maude Templeton, of Jacksonville, Texas, and resides there. Miss Lee McDougal resides with her parents in this city. She is a bright young lady, possessing lovely and attractive traits.

The McDougal boys, John W., Jas R., A. A., Henry F. and Jas Monroe, were in the Confederate army doing their duty along the front lines with the gallant men who so bravely fought for the South. Each has a clear record in the thrilling scenes enacted in the civil war, and a good record as honorable, upright citizens. All are intelligent and shifty people. The McDougal family possess that Scotch force of character that forces itself to the front with an earnest, honest determination to do what they conceive to be right between man and man.

The grand old sire who sleeps in the quiet graveyard, in life, gave his children a good, lovely Christian example, and with the grand and sweet old mother, who sleeps by the side of her husband, lends its enchantment for good as long as memory lasts. Joseph McDougal died in 1856, and his wife in 1864.

DR. Q. A. Shuford was the family physician of the McDougals'. He is now a resident of this city, and one of the most prominent and scientific professional men in the state. He is another old landmark that brings up pleasant memories of the genial and pleasant face of Dr. Quincy Shuford.

In order to remember and honor our McDougal ancestry, this website is designed to identify both the deceased and living descendants of John McDougal and his wife Bathsheba Brazier.

Articles, stories and obituaries of each individual shall be provided along with photographs whenever possible.

I am using a comprehensive computerized genealogical program that can output in HTML language for an Internet website. The program can display a wealth of information such as:

1. Every person's full name, maiden name for females, date of birth, date of marriage, date of death and date of burial
2. Name and location of the cemetery where person is buried
3. Photograph of the individual
4. Photograph of the grave marker
5. Public records that contain federal census records, birth, death, marriage and other dates
6. Obituaries for the individual
7. Stories, articles and biographical information for the individual
8. A list of each person's parents, siblings and descendants

The best way today to communicate with large numbers of people and to share information is through an Internet website. With a website, the McDougal descendants and all who have an interest, will have access to more accurate records information can be shared more easily.

Helpful Hint: Be sure to click on the actual photo or the photo icons.

JUST CLICK ON EVERYTHING AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS!

I hope that you find this website useful and informative! However, it is still under construction and I am open to any and all suggestions for improvements.

The contents herein are for an individuals' personal use and MAY NOT be used for commercial gain in any form or fashion. If you have any questions, comments, additions, corrections or constructive criticism or if you are a descendant of John McDougal and would like to exchange information please email me at: [email protected].

Sincerely,


Jeff L. Bott