Histories

Elijah Robinson Kuykendall

Elijah R. Kuykendall was one of the earliest settlers of Van Zandt County. He moved with his family here in February 1848.

The family was of German extraction. On coming to America they first settled in North Carolina. Jesse was Elijah's grandfather. He lived in North Carolina and then moved to Tennessee. Peter was Elijah's father and was a Christian preacher and preached in the early days in Tennessee. He came with his family to this country and settled about five miles southwest from Grand Saline. Elijah was born in Tennessee 14 December 1836.

The county was sparsely settled in that time. The Kuykendalls, S. Benton, a tanner, J.D. Wright, a doctor, John Chrestman, a farmer, Joseph and Tom Cox, farmers and Allen Blair constituted the settlement there. There was another settlement on McBee's Creek and Mr. McBee owned the first mill in the county. It was what was known as a tread mill but it ground all the meal for many miles around.

The Shreveport and Dallas road ran through the county from east to west and the Porter's Bluff road ran through the southern immigrants stock drovers, adventurers, etc. 14 Dec 1836

There was a settlement then at the head of Saline Creek about five miles east of Canton. Yoes, Rawson, King and others lived there.

Also, in what is now Edom lived Uncle John Riles, John Cothern, Clabe Cothern, John Marrs and Henry Marrs, Jack Horsely and his father. The Brutons and Harrisions lived on Four Mile Prairie.

The range was excellent. The mast (fruit of the oak and other forest trees, used as food for hogs and other animals) in the bottoms and the grass on the uplands were fine. The creeks were all bordered with cane in great variety. Fat cattle, fat hogs, far horses were available, winter and summer. Deer and turkey and prairie chickens were here in great abundance. Also there were bear, panther, wolves, catamounts and Mexican lions. The Indians had gone and the buffalo had retreated further west. There were some mustang ponies and a few wild cattle in the country.

It was under these conditions that young Elijah grew up. School advantages were limited. An older brother, J.J. Kuykendall was the first teacher in the county and he was also the first deputy sheriff.

On 18 October 1858, Elijah married Nancy Ann Bratcher. She was b. ca 1844 in Kentucky and d. 20 Jul 1881. He next married Mrs. M.J. Smith on 21 Jan 1882. She was b. 13 Sep 1838, d. 18 Mar 1908. He married 3rd Mrs. Caroline Lloyd 13 Feb 1910 who d. 12 Jul 1916 at the age of 73. She may be the Catherine Jones who m. Hardie Lloyd 3 Jan 1882.

In 1862, he volunteered into the confederate service and served until the surrender. He served in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. He lost his health during the war and traveled several years afterward. He gained his health, however, and lived until 1920. He owned his home in Grand Saline and acquired other property. He was a mechanic and at the age of 50 entered the Christian Ministry.

He and his wife Nancy had several children, among them were Joanah, Benjamin H., Hecton O. and Minnie D. ( from The Southland newspaper)

KUYKENDALL, Elijah R. b. 14 Dec 1836 d. 27 Nov 1920

Co. E, Robert's Regt. TX Vol. Inf. Under Capt. James M. Harrison, first as

private, then lieutenant.

KUYKENDALL, James Jesse b. d.

Co. I, 11th TX Inf. Was the first teacher in the county. Married Martha Hatton

25 May 1858.

ANDERSON WHETSTONE'S COMPANY

The first company organized in the county was a Volunteer Calvary Company, organized by Captain Whetstone and heretofore forwarded to your office, asking immediate servece in the State or out of it. (P.O. Mustang, Van Zandt County, Texas)

Company No. 6 Infantry (Reserves)

P.O. Jordan Saline Van Zandt Co.

WHEAT, A. Capt. HINES, A.D. 3rd Sgt.

CREAGLE, A. 1st Lt. JORDAN, D. 1st Corp.

MANNING, M. 2nd Lt. JONES, E. 2nd Corp

CLAY, Sam 3rd Lt. JOHNSON, A.J 3rd Corp.

KUYKENDALL, J.J. 1st Sgt. HANKS, S. 4th Corp.

BENTON, A.D. 2nd Sgt. KUYKENDALL, Noah Ensign

PRIVATES

BENDERCAMP, J.D. HAYS, J.N. PATTERSON,J.M.

BLAIR, A. HAZELWOOD, W.H. POPMORE, Jo

BORVILLE, T JOHNSON, A.C. POPMORE, Nothern

BRATCHER, W.P. JOHNSON, Robert PRICE, J.W.

BROWN, B. JONES, J.M. READER, Jo

BUNDY, William JONES, James READER, John

CHRISMAN, J.W. JORDAN, K.S. RICHARDSON, S.G.

CHRISMAN, T.J. KUYKENDALL, A. ROBEERTSON, Isaac

CLARK, J.W. KUYKENDALL, E.R. SHARP, William

CLOINES, Lewis KUYKENDALL, J.Y. SMITH, J.

CORLEY, J.C. KUYKENDALL, P.E. SMITH, J.L.

COX, J.P. KUYKENDALL, Peter SMITH, J.W.

DREW, J.M. LEE, James WALDEN, John

ESQUE, Esq. LEWIS, J.B. WALKER, G.N.

FLOWERS, B. LINSEY, H. WALKER, John

FLOWERS, W.H. McCLELLAND, A.D. WALKER, Van

FORSHEE, J.A. McCLELLAND, A.W. WALKER, W.W.

GIBSON, William McKNIGHT, A.J. WALLIS, J.D.

GREEN, Joseph MONK, D.A. WATKINS, J.C.

HANKS, S.G. MONK, J.J. WHEELER, J.C.

HARVEY, T.J. NEAL, Jo WILSON, J.H.

HASSELL, J.M. PARKER, C.P. WOODALL, J.

No Certificates S.M.F.

R. Kuykendall, old and highly respected citizen of this place, was instantly killed Saturday afternoon at 4:10 o'clock when he was struck by west-bound Texas & Pacific passenger train No. 25 at a point just east of the long trestle between the depot and the lower salt works. Mr. Kuyendall's body was thrown clear across the trestle and landed on the other side of the stream, which the trestle spans.

According to trainmen, Mr. Kuykendall was waking alongside the track in a path. Mr. Kuykendall was slightly deaf and it is supposed he did not hear the train until it was upon him, when he became confused and either fell or stumbled close to the track, when the pilot beam hit him with the above result.

Mr. Kuykendall was known and loved by nearly everybody in this section, all of who, call him "Uncle Lige." His tragic death was a shock to the entire community, and the bereaved relatives have the sincere sympathy of everybody in their sorrow. Internment occurred at Woodside cemetery Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, Rev. Woods conducting the funeral service.

E.R. Kuykendall was born in Jackson County, Tenn., Dec. 14, 1836. He was a son of Peter and Patsy Terry Kuykendall. He came to Van Zandt county with his father and family in the winter of 1849, settling the first year near Garden Valley, and a short time later moved to a place six or seven miles from Grand Saline. With the exception of two years in Missouri, he lived in Van Zandt County continuously from the time he came to the county with his father until his death. He served throughout the Civil war, first as a private, and later as lieutenant. He came from a family who were pioneers in what they were proud to call 'the Restoration Movement," that is the Christian church, or Church of Christ. He united with the church at the age of 12 years, and has faithfully and zealously lived in the faith ever since.

For nearly fifty years he preached the gospel, principally in remote and neglected communities, and received little remuneration for his ministerial services. He sought out the neglected communities and freely bestowed his services for the love he had for the cause. He was married three times, first to Nan Bratcher in 1857 who died July 20, 1881; second, to Martha McClellan Smith, who died. March 18, 1908; third, to Mrs. Katherine Lloyd, who died in June 1916.

Mr. Kuykendall is survived by four children, Mrs. Joanna Carroll and B. H. Kuykendall of Grand Saline, H.O. Kuykendall of Marshall and Mrs. V. A. Collins of Beaumont. One daughter Mrs. Minnie Malone, died at Grand Saline. Twenty-three grand children and twelve great-grandchildren also survive. He survived a large family of brothers and sisters with exception of Mrs. Nan Flowers, who resides with her daughter, Mrs. Fannie Flowers at Detroit. The following out of town relatives attended the funeral: Thos. Kuykendall, Terrell; Lige Flowers, Wills Point; E. P. Bratcher, Dallas; H.O. Kuykendall and children, Herman, Myrte, Thelma and Florine, of Marshall; John Malone and son of Alba and Mr. and Mrs. V. A. Collins of Beaumont.

OUR HERITAGE VAN ZANDT COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AUGUST 2000

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 3

THE ABOVE FOUR OBITUARIE WAS SUBMITTED BY FAY HARRIS