CHAPTER XL.

Acton and its Masonic Institute–Laying of Corner Stone–School – Justices Tipton and Berry – Merchant Thrash and Others–Rev. Jas. Hiner.

Before anticipating too far into our subject, let us now return to the Acton community and bring up some more of its interesting history. Population now having so augmented that the need of a Masonic lodge and hall was felt, it was at Acton that the first lodge was organized and hall erected. The rock building known as the Acton Masonic Institute, was begun in 1866, but was not completed till 1867 or ’68. This building was erected for the double purpose of school in the lower story and Masonic Hall in the upper. It was contributed to by the citizens generally and under the auspices of the Masonic lodge. Charley Barnard seems to have been the most liberal among those contributing to it; and is considered as the father of the Acton lodge. The imposing ceremony of laying the corner stone occurred in the summer of 1868. This to many of the people on our frontier was a novel affair, and a large crowd was in attendance from many miles around. Neill Stribling, a man of high character, who resided here, and was junior Warden of the Grand Lodge, acted as Deputy Grand Master. He was also the first Worshipful Master of the Acton lodge. Maj. E.M. Heath of Cleburne was Marshal of the day, and Rev. John Collier delivered the oration. This was another step in the progress of Acton’s civilization. The old union house where schools had been "kept" for so long, was now supplanted by this enduring structure of rock, which doubtless marked the progressive spirit of the ideas as well as the material advancements being made by the Acton people; and Shropshire, who had kept the school, probably to the satisfaction of his patrons prior to this, was now found wanting, when weighed in the balances of enlightened public judgment. Many men of good intelligence and character, were added to the population, coming from the several Southern states. Among them were the Striblings, Doyles, Clevelands, Milton Jones, Glenns, Masseys, Goodletts, Lyles, Ben Tipton, H.T. Berry, P.H. Trash, and indeed too many others to enumerate. Shropshire, no longer needed here as a teacher, took up his abode and occupation as a lawyer in Granbury. And such men as Neill Stribling casting about for suitable persons to conduct their school in the higher channel designed for it now under the name of Acton Masonic Institute, found in Rev. Milton Jones, a man of mature years, exemplary character, and good educational advantages, a principal for the Institute; and in the modest and unpretentious Charles F. Rodger, who was a recent arrival here, and who by some of these discerning men to him, a man for the place of assistant teacher; and thus equipped, the school moved off and continued for several years to grow in favor under the care of these men, but to follow it further through its vicissitudes would needlessly encumber our narrative. Suffice it to say that the Acton people have been sufficiently appreciative of its benefits to keep it well under way and usually in good hands to the present day.

As to who, in due order of succession after Esquire Smart, held the office of Justice of the Peace at Acton is with us rather conjectural and not important. Benj. T. Tipton, a man of considerable views, good character and judgment, and in favor then with the powers pursuing the work of reconstruction, went into this office with the constitution of 1869-70, and held a term of four years. Tipton also for many years remained here serving as postmaster and now resides at Cresson. He was succeeded as Justice of the Peace by H.T. Berry. At this time the office of J.P., besides the usual jurisdiction, performed the further functions of Commissioner of the County Court and Assessor of Taxes. Judge H.T. Berry had visited this section immediately after his release from prison at Johnson Island, where as an officer in the Confederate Army, he was released at the close of the war; and after his marriage in east Texas he returned to make his home here, settling first on Rucker’s creek in 1867; a year later he moved to Fall creek. He was engaged in school teaching and farming and was connected with the Law and Order Association, which did much to expell [sic] and punish thieves. He remained in the office of Justice of the Peace for several years, and subsequently served as County Judge of Hood county for three successive terms, more particular mention of which will be appropriate later on. Judge Berry is a man of exemplary character and both as a private citizen, a teacher and a public official, has done much toward the elevation of character and our material process as a county.

During the terms of both Tipton and Berry as Justice of the Peace many sharp legal contests were brought and carried on before them, some by change of venue from Granbury; and it was not uncommon at their regular court days for a half dozen lawyers and as many parties and witnesses during the years 1871 to 1875 to be see going from Granbury to Acton in attendance on their courts. Following Rippetoe & Allison, the merchants at Acton were Armstrong, P.H. Thrash and A.J. Wright, and possibly others about 1869-1872. Armstrong was succeeded by Wright, and both of these have long since removed from the county. P.H. Trash removed to Granbury about 1872, where he remained for a number of years one of the leading merchants of the town. Thrash has been a man of potent influence in the county’s affairs; held the office of County Treasurer several years; and added an important an large addition to the town of Granbur[y], but subsequently sold out the bulk of his addition and went into the ranche [sic] business on Paluxy. Capt. P.H. Thrash was an officer in the Confederate service during the war, and after its close came to North Carolina and settled in Hood county. He is still one of our prominent citizens, carrying on his ranche [sic] and also a drug business.

In treating of Acton we thus come upon men who, while first coming under personal notice here, yet by their future career have become identifien [sic] more extensively with our whole county. We now take up for brief mention a character whose personal identity found place first and to the last at Acton, but had connection with public life long prior to this. Rev. James Hiner, an itenerant [sic] Methodist preacher, was placed in charge of the Acton circuit in 1871, and removed here to Cleburne. He traveled this circuit for four years, the circuit then comprising a territory along both sides of the Brazos from the mouth of George’s creek to Sanchez in Parker county, including Wade Chapel, Kickapoo, Long and Falls creeks, so that the preacher in the discharge of his duties was seldom at home more then one or two days in a month, and a large part of his circuit was within territory then subject to Indian invasions; so that Rev. Hiner, in addition Bible and Hymn book, found it necessary to arm himself with six-shooter and winchester. Since his coming into our territory few men have exerted more influence for good than Judge Hiner. Though having become a cripple in early life and physically weak, yet his quiet demeanor and activity of mind and wholesome counsels to all have rendered him useful in both public and private life. He was a native of Kentucky; came to Texas in 1847, settling in Navarro county and married there to a Miss Williams, and the living fruits of this marriage are Joe H. Hiner and Mrs. Margaret Wohlford, wife of Hon. Ballard Wohlford. In 1857 after the death of his first wife he moved to Johnson county and settled at Buchanan, the county site, where, on Nov. 4th, 1859, he married Miss Hattie M. Abney. Having served here as Deputy Clerk, he was in 1860 elected Clerk of the District Court and held the office also of postmaster. At the beginning of the war, as recruiting officer, he made up a company for the service of the Confederacy, but when his company was mustered into service, he was rejected by the board of examining physicians as unfit for active service, but was continued in the duties of recruiting officer and raised a second company ready for service in 1862, which company he drilled at camp Henderson, and was made its Captain, but when the company was put upon forced marches to the scene of war in Arkansas, Hiner was again pronounced by the physicians as not able for such arduous duties, and in consequence was discharged and sent home, where he served his country as collector of tithes and clothing for the soldiers till the close of the war. After this he moved with the county site from Buchanan to Cleburne where in 1866, he served by appointment, and afterwards by election, as County Judge, which he held till his removal in 1871, to Acton. While at Cleburne he often preached, and in October 1867 held a noted revival, continuing nearly a month, assisted by Rev. Ben Austin. He now became more thoroughly identified with his ministerial work and after several years on the Acton circuit, he went upon the Weatherford circuit two years, and in 1875 came upon the Granbury circuit, where he traveled three years. During this period he was thrown from his buggy and his lame leg so much injured that amputation became necessary, and this rendered his health so delicate during the remainder his life that he now was compelled to relinquish his duties as minister, so dear to his heart, and take up a life of less physical activity. At the Annual Conference of his church in 1878 he was placed on the supernumerary list, and in November of the same he was elected County Judge of Hood county, and after a term of service as Judge he was then elected Clerk of the County Court and re-elected in November 1882, and Jan. 10th, 1883 died, greatly lamented by the hundreds of his friends over a large scope of territory, with whom his ministerial career had thrown him in close and intimate contact. Judge Hiner had studied law while residing at Buchanan and had at a later date been licensed and practiced to a limited extent. He was a thoughtful and studious man and had stored up within his active and absorbing mind much practical learning, and though never brilliant, yet when occasion called forth his powers he was always found equal thereto. The solidity and force with which he advanced his propositions rendered him powerful as preacher, and an advocate. He served as one of defendant’s counsel in the celebrated trial of Capt. W.G. Veal before his church Annual Conference at Fort Worth. In this case he was associated with Rev. O.M. Addison as co-counsel, and the prosecution was conducted by Revs. Sam P. Wright and J.D. Shaw, and thus brought into contact with men of state wide distinction, Judge Hiner acquitted himself in such a manner as to draw encomiums well merited from his brethren and friends. A number of children now grown and pursuing various useful avocations as citizens of this and sister counties are the fruits of his second marriage. Among them are T.H. Hiner, the present sheriff of the county, and Jno. J. Hiner, a young lawyer of excellent ability and brilliant promise. At his death, Judge Hiner’s remains were, in conformity with his request, deposited at the Acton cemetery. His greatest attachments seemed to center here, where his ministerial life had been so largely spent.

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