CHAPTER XVII.

Pioneers and Early Days of Acton, Continued-Wright-Smart-Dillahunty's Daughters-Trimble-Atkins-Rippetoe-Doctors Cornelius and McPherson-Comments.

Though the sparsely settled frontier rarely offered facilities and inducements to the schoolmaster, yet we find that upon the completion of the union church heretofore mentioned a school was at once begun and taught by Wm. Wright, and was probably the first school ever taught within our territory. Mr. Wright must have given satisfaction, as those who knew of him speak well of him as a teacher. He had a daughter, Miss Rebecca, who seems to have been his immediate successor at Acton, and also taught a school several miles below Acton, and is well spoken of. They removed from here many years ago, and after them Esquire Geo. Smart became the somewhat noted and faithful pedagogue of the Acton community, noted because of the fact of his long continuation in the service of this community as their teacher, his beginning having its date prior to the civil war, and continuing, with, however, some interruptions, late in the seventies. There are those now living about Acton who are growing gray from years, whose early ideas were taught by him how to sprout, and who remember how during the monotonous hours of the school session he would sometimes lean back in his chair for a short nap; but he must have kept at least one or more of his senses wakeful, as all seem to give him credit for teaching an orderly school. During the war some of his neighbors solicited him to become a candidate for justice of the peace, and he asked the advice of his friend, George Patton, who advised against it, giving as a reason that he might be elected, and if he should he would be called "Old 'Squire Smart" the remainder of his life. He did run, was elected and the prediction has been fulfilled. 'Squire Smart is a man of stout physical appearance, dignified bearing and sober habits; has been a useful, influential and sturdy citizen. He long ago ceased the labor of the schoolroom and is now living at Weatherford.

In chapter XIV it is said that G.B. Dillahunty left a son, Oll, now living in Hood. The fact is that his son has been dead many years, and the present Oll Dillahunty is his nephew, who married his daughter. Mr. Dillahunty has six daughters surviving, all most intelligent and amiable ladies, having many experiences and recollections of early days at Acton and the people of those times. Four of them, Mrs. S.H. Smith, Mrs. W.H. Harvey, Mrs. A.J. Howard and Mrs. O.C. Dillahunty, reside in Hood, Mrs. Johnson in Hill and Mrs. Westbrook in Sterling county.

Judge Trimble, who was county judge of Johnson county (and probably the first), resided on Fall creek near the Chapman spring as early as 1854, and probably several years earlier. He is said to have been a man of intelligence and probity. He removed to some northwestern territory many years ago.

Mr. Thomas Atkins, an aged and respected citizen now living on Walnut creek two miles above Acton, came here about 1854, and his long career has been marked by honest toil and Christian usefulness. His neighbors venerate him in calling him "Uncle Tommy," and his character has ever been above reproach. It is to the beneficent influence of such men that this community owes its condition of peace and happiness so long enjoyed.

About the year 1858, Hollis sold his mercantile business to W.L. Rippetoe. J.L. Allison was for a short while associated with Rippetoe in business, but soon sold his interest to the latter, who remained in business till some years after the close of the war. Mr. Rippetoe died here about 1874, possessed of some estate accumulated during the long period of his mercantile life, during all of which he maintained a character for intelligence and fair dealing, ever ready to give valuable aid and counsel to the weak and needy. He kept the postoffice at his store, and it appears that for some time there was no regular mail carrier coming to this office, and the citizens volunteered week about to go to Buchanan and bring the mail pouch for Acton.

Dr. J.C. Cornelius located near Acton first about 1855 or 1856, and after a few years removed to Paluxy and located where Jesse Kimble now lives. He again removed to Acton neighborhood about 1861, being among the first practicing physicians here; he had a very wide practice over these, then, very sparsely settled regions, and was many years, perhaps, the best known man in this section. He was a well-informed man and of social qualities, standing well with his professional brethren, and hence a man of large influence. He moved to the west some twenty years ago, and is now living about Jacksboro. About the time of Dr. Cornelius' return from Paluxy to Acton, Dr. S.R. McPherson settled here; he came from Parker county, where he had settled in 1858. He at once entered into an extensive practice of medicine along the Brazos and up Squaw creek to the west; and in many of his long solitary rides he sometimes crossed the trails of hostile Indians; yet, fortunately did not encounter any. He afterwards moved lower down the river to the S.A. Rash place, and some years later moved still farther south, to the vicinity of the Barnard Knobs. In all these localities he continued to enjoy an extensive practice, till declining strength in advanced years compelled him to relinquish much of his former practice. He now goes upon crutches, the result of an injury received sometime ago by accident, rendering him permanently crippled. Drs. McPherson and Cornelius were often associated together in their practice and were good friends.

From these early beginnings the people of Acton neighborhood have always continued down to the present day to be noted as a most orderly community wherein little outlawry or strife has prevailed, and though not conspicuous in elegant estates and costly institutions, yet, in all that pertains to temperance, charity and education, it may be appropriately termed the pioneer community of Hood county, and of these institutions and people more will occur in future chapters.

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