CHAPTER XLVIII.

Some of Our Teachers-J.J. Shirley-The Doyles-Abbotts-Archer-Hightower.

The good fortune, which befell our county in the character of some of its educators, who pitched their lot with us during the decade following the close of the war, was not shared generally by frontier communities. Besides the Clarks of Add-Ran, already noticed, J.J. Shirley, the second president of Granbury College, was a man of peculiarly fine perceptions of what a Christian education should be. He was keenly alive to every good and noble work; kindly persuasive; he spent to idle time, but was ever moving hither and thither, when not in the school room, among the busy walks of men, seeking to alleviate suffering, elevate morals and promote laudable ambition; he was never without gentle and firm admonitions for evil, smiles for joy and happiness and tears for sorrow; endearing himself to all people with whom he came in contact. It is not, therefore, a matter of surprise that the institution of which he was for five years the head, made such rapid progress and became so very popular. It was a lamentable misfortune to the college that ill health compelled his resignation and removal to a more sunny home near the sea, where he still lives, pursuing the same useful career, and where it is said he daily offers prayer for the prosperity of Granbury College.

Wm. E. Doyle, while a mere youth, accompanied his older brother, Dr. J.N. Doyle, from South Carolina and settled in the vicinity of Acton about 1866. He qualified himself for teaching and obtained a school on Rucker’s creek, which he conducted successfully for several years and was known as one of our most intelligent educators in the days preceding the colleges. His twin brother, James H. Doyle, came in about 1870, and a very amusing incident is told showing the great likeness, which exists between these two brothers. As Jim went to Rucker’s creek to seek out his brother, who lived at the Porter place, he stopped at Mr. Berry’s to inquire the way to that place. Mr. Berry, taking him for W.E.-thinking he was trying to guy him-gave him no satisfaction, merely remarking that it was strange he couldn’t find the way home, after living there as long as he had, and calling him Will. Then J.H. told him that he was a brother of Wm. E., but for some time Berry was unbelieving till J. H. was about to leave in despair of getting the desired information, when Berry, at last, seeing from his perplexity, that he was really not jesting, told him the way. These two brothers have often been mistaken one for the other. Wm. E. finally removed from Hood and for has for many years been honored with the office of Mayor of the city of Mexia, where he is now engaged in the practice of law. J.H. Doyle preferring the mercantile pursuits, has built up from the position of clerk to that of managing partner of the firm of Baker & Doyle. He has also held the responsible office of County Treasurer, and has always been a popular and reliable business man.

Dr. J.N. Doyle began his career at Acton as a practicing physician. Coming here a young man, without other means than his intelligence and energy, with an experience obtained in service as a Confederate surgeon, he at once obtained the confidence and esteem of his professional brethren with whom he practiced, and continued to serve the people of the Acton community as physician. He became so popular and well known throughout the county, that in the fall of 1872, though in no wise a candidate, yet, upon the democratic convention assembled at Granbury to nominate a candidate for the legislature, failing to agree upon the candidates before it, they turned to Dr. Doyle and gave him the nomination, which after much consideration and advise from his friends, he finally accepted; was elected by a good majority, and in his service at Austin was ever at his post of duty, faithfully watching for every opportunity to intelligently serve his constituency and the state. Dr. Doyle, by his service of one term learned much more of the politics than he had before known; and was content to lay down official honors and resume his practice among his people, whom he seemed to love to serve as physician. He began now to prosper by his habits of industry and economy, and moved to Granbury toward the end of the 70’s. Here he continued to live and prosper, gradually falling out of practice, owing to delicate health, which forbade exposure; and turning his attention to his farming and stock interest; while at the same time he has always manifested a deep interest in the success of the democratic party, which he has frequently trusted him with chairmanships. He has also at all times manifested a deep interest in local education, and after the city of Granbury organized under a charter, mainly for public school purposes, Dr. Doyle was soon chosen Mayor, which office he has continuously held and he has managed the financial affairs of the public school with the ability to the present day. And to Dr. Doyle’s public spirit and ability, both the town and the county owe much their prosperity.

Other teachers of merit of this period are W.T. Abbott, also an ex-Confederate, from South Carolina. He taught for several years in the country schools of this county. He and his brothers have been useful and enterprising farmer citizens.

J.C. Archer, a soldier of the 16th Alabama regiment, came to Hood county in 1872, having settled in the state in 1869. He at once entered upon a career as teacher, which occupation he continuously followed for 20 years, thus serving in the public schools longer perhaps, than any teacher ever connected therewith. His first school was taught in a mere hut, with dirt floor, on Squaw creek. In 1874 he married Miss Nancy E. Arrington, daughter of J.E. Arrington, and thereafter taught school in the Arrington neighborhood so long that the house is called the Archer schoolhouse. He also has engaged in farming and stock raising on a small scale, and having by close application and economy acquired a competency, moved to Granbury for the benefit of its schools to his children.

Rev. A.P. Hightower, another of those who received training in Granbury College, has for many years been faithfully and efficiently pursuing the high calling of teacher. The most of his labors have been in Hood county, and he is regarded generally as a teacher of excellent qualifications and adaptation to the work.

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