ESTES, BEN
BEN ESTES
Biography.
Ben Estes.
Lived under 20 presidents – 77 years. Came to Collin County, March 1856.
Dry goods store on square 51 years.
Ben was the 9th of 10 children. Born in Taylorville, Kentucky Jan 31, 1841, 30 miles from Louisville. He came to Collin County by way of New Orleans and Galveston on a boat– the famous old ship “Powderhorn”. To San Antonio on a stage. He remained there until July. He went to El Paso as a stage guard, heavily armed to protect a shipment of U. S. Mail. He used to say the 6 shooters he carried was as big as he. He came to McKinney in the fall. His first job here was to plow for 50¢ a day. When the Civil War broke out, he was first on the list of Throckmorton’s Company. He went to Ft. Cobb, Ft. Arbuckle in old Cherokee Nation. He did scouting there. Then he was in B. Warren Stone’s 6th Texas Cavalry– served under McCullough at Pea Ridge. Later in the battle of Corinth – October 1862. He then went with scouts Bob Baker, Harvey and Lee to Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. He was captured at Hatchie Bridge, Mississippi and taken to Boliver, Tennessee. He was a prisoner for 10 days. He was mustered out May 1865 in Canton, Mississippi by Gen. Canby, who was killed by Indians soon after.
Estes stayed in Louisville until 1866, putting up patent medicine to live.
He was married January 25, 1867 to Nannie Howell.
DOUBLE BIRTHDAY DINING HONORING BEN T. ESTES AND SON
Newspaper, January 1918.
Rounding out the 77th year of a career that has witnessed the election of twenty Presidents of the United States, Ben T. Estes is quietly celebrating the occasion today at his home, 801 North College street, with all members of the family at the dinner table.
Despite his ripe age of service to family and fellow-man, Mr. Estes is unusually active, hale and hearty. He began his Texas life in March, 1856, braving primitive conditions and launching out an existence which has steadily been one of daily work. He has been selling dry goods on the “square” in McKinney 51 years, and is now connected with the firm of L. V. Graves & Co.
Mr. Estes is also working for Uncle Sam, and is doing his bit as chairman of the Collin County Board of Exemption under the selective service draft for soldiers.
Friendship for the young man; devout sympathy for those whose paths have been strewn with rocks and thorns and the high degree of integrity of character and citizenship are outstanding characteristics seen in Mr. Ester by his friends.
“Flowers that have budded out into fragrance and sent by loving friends to pay tribute to memory are too seldom unseen and their dainty odor and beauty not appreciated, as these bouquets come too late, but here, Ben, are flowers for you in so many words,” said one today who has known Mr. Estes intimately for many years.
At the family home today are Mr. and Mrs. Ben Estes and their two sons and daughter, Edward of McKinney; Jack of St. Louis, and Miss Louise of McKinney; also Mrs. Jack Estes and Mrs. Cora Fenelon of Tom Bean, Texas, the latter Mrs. Ben Estes’ niece, who is very close to the McKinney family.
Ben T. Estes, the ninth son of ten children in his family, was born at Taylorsville, Kentucky, on January 31st, 1841. The old home place was 30 miles from Louisville. Among the brothers and sisters was Louise Estes Brown, wife of the late Judge T. J. Brown, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Ben Estes came to Texas in 1856, his mother reaching this state the next year. They came by way of New Orleans and Galveston by boat on the famous old ship, the “Powderhorn.” The next stop of Ben Estes’ journey through the Lone Star State was to San Antonio on a stage coach, reaching the Alamo City on March 21, where he remained until July, when he went to El Paso as an advanced guard, heavily armed to protect a shipment of United States mail. Referring to his early history in Texas, Mr. Estes jokingly said that the six shooter he carried overland was nearly as big as he was. He remained in El Paso one month. Among the incidents that impressed themselves on his young mind was when a man riding near this side of the border town was literally riddled by bullets. He returned to San Antonio and came to McKinney in the fall of that year.
When Ms. Estes first came to McKinney there were a few little buildings, some of them very small stores. Among these was the I. D. Newsome place.
In those early years, when Ben Estes was 19 years old, the country was in its roughest state. His first job in McKinney was plowing for 50 cents a day. One of his plowing jobs was that where the old Capt. J. H. Dowell home stands today. He went to school only a few days, leaving his studies when his mother came. He was 19 years old when the war between the North and the South broke out. He was first on the enlistment roll of Throckmorton’s men. The first place the company when after laving McKinney was Fort Cobb and Fort Arbuckle in the old Cherokee Nation. He did guard and scout duty for some time. He then enlisted in B. Warren Stone’s Sixth Texas Cavalry, going to McCullough at Springfield, Mo. His first battle was that of Pea Ridge, where McCullough was killed. They had several skirmishes. He was in the battle of Corinth on October 3, 4, and 5, where they were defeated with big losses in 1862. Mr. Estes then went with scouts Bob Baker, Harvey and Lee to Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. These men got in many close places. Mr. Estes was capture at Hatchie Bridge, Miss., carried to Bolivar, Tenn., where he was kept ten days. On one occasion his gun was _____.
Mr. Estes was mustered out on May 5, 1865, at Canton, Miss., by Gen. Canby, who was afterwards killed by Indians. Mr. Estes went to Louisville where he stayed until June 1868 putting up patent medicine and doing such work as he could obtain. Shortly afterwards he returned to McKinney. He went to Grimes county, Texas with Uncle Charlie Martin, returning to Collin county just before Christmas.
Mr. Estes was married on January 25th, 1867 to Miss Nannie Howell. He began merchandising with the firm of Howell & Estes; then it was Estes & Howell, but not the same Howell. Next the firm name was Estes & Berry. Fifteen years later Mr. Estes went to Sherman, joining the firm of Ed Moore. Soon afterwards he returned to McKinney, but went back to Sherman. On February 6th 1887 he was again married in Sherman to Miss Alice Gumm. He returned to McKinney on August 1, 1887 and went to work for the Mississippi Store. He was employed by Murphy, Berry & Cox first and remained with that dry goods establishment while it changed hands six times.
It will be remembered that Mr. Estes was employed by the Mississippi Store....[missing]... [which collapsed] in 1913 and killed several persons. He had been at this store for nearly a quarter of a century, and had just left the building a few minutes before which the accident occurred.
***
....
The birthday dinner served today by Mrs. Estes and her charming daughter, Miss Louise, was a function formally honoring both their husband and father, and their son and brother. James A. Estes, a prominent young St. Louis railway official, Jack, celebrating his 30th natal day today, having been born in McKinney, January 31, 1888, at the old family home on North Church street. At the age of 16, Jack began his business career as cub reporter on the Daily Courier-Gazette. His very marked talent and aptitude for newspaper work led to rapid advancement. He held important desks on the editorial staffs of the Galveston and Dallas News at different times. From the position of Railroad Editor of the Dallas News. He entered strictly railway services at present being special representative of President J. M. Herbert of the Cotton Belt at the Company’s head offices in St. Louis, a great railway system that crosses five states. Prior to going with the Cotton Belt, Jack held responsible places in the auditors departments of the Texas & Pacific at Dallas and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railway in Chicago. He is a brilliant young newspaper writer and aggressive railway official, who doubtless has a future of much broader service and usefulness awaiting him.
He was most happily married September 4, 1912 in Corsicana to Miss Florrie Cheney the fair young daughter of a prominent old Central Texas family. Mr. and Mrs. Jack H. Estes are now residing in the city of St. Louis, but came to Texas to enjoy the happy double birthday occasion today at the Estes home.
Biography.
Ben Estes.
Lived under 20 presidents – 77 years. Came to Collin County, March 1856.
Dry goods store on square 51 years.
Ben was the 9th of 10 children. Born in Taylorville, Kentucky Jan 31, 1841, 30 miles from Louisville. He came to Collin County by way of New Orleans and Galveston on a boat– the famous old ship “Powderhorn”. To San Antonio on a stage. He remained there until July. He went to El Paso as a stage guard, heavily armed to protect a shipment of U. S. Mail. He used to say the 6 shooters he carried was as big as he. He came to McKinney in the fall. His first job here was to plow for 50¢ a day. When the Civil War broke out, he was first on the list of Throckmorton’s Company. He went to Ft. Cobb, Ft. Arbuckle in old Cherokee Nation. He did scouting there. Then he was in B. Warren Stone’s 6th Texas Cavalry– served under McCullough at Pea Ridge. Later in the battle of Corinth – October 1862. He then went with scouts Bob Baker, Harvey and Lee to Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. He was captured at Hatchie Bridge, Mississippi and taken to Boliver, Tennessee. He was a prisoner for 10 days. He was mustered out May 1865 in Canton, Mississippi by Gen. Canby, who was killed by Indians soon after.
Estes stayed in Louisville until 1866, putting up patent medicine to live.
He was married January 25, 1867 to Nannie Howell.
DOUBLE BIRTHDAY DINING HONORING BEN T. ESTES AND SON
Newspaper, January 1918.
Rounding out the 77th year of a career that has witnessed the election of twenty Presidents of the United States, Ben T. Estes is quietly celebrating the occasion today at his home, 801 North College street, with all members of the family at the dinner table.
Despite his ripe age of service to family and fellow-man, Mr. Estes is unusually active, hale and hearty. He began his Texas life in March, 1856, braving primitive conditions and launching out an existence which has steadily been one of daily work. He has been selling dry goods on the “square” in McKinney 51 years, and is now connected with the firm of L. V. Graves & Co.
Mr. Estes is also working for Uncle Sam, and is doing his bit as chairman of the Collin County Board of Exemption under the selective service draft for soldiers.
Friendship for the young man; devout sympathy for those whose paths have been strewn with rocks and thorns and the high degree of integrity of character and citizenship are outstanding characteristics seen in Mr. Ester by his friends.
“Flowers that have budded out into fragrance and sent by loving friends to pay tribute to memory are too seldom unseen and their dainty odor and beauty not appreciated, as these bouquets come too late, but here, Ben, are flowers for you in so many words,” said one today who has known Mr. Estes intimately for many years.
At the family home today are Mr. and Mrs. Ben Estes and their two sons and daughter, Edward of McKinney; Jack of St. Louis, and Miss Louise of McKinney; also Mrs. Jack Estes and Mrs. Cora Fenelon of Tom Bean, Texas, the latter Mrs. Ben Estes’ niece, who is very close to the McKinney family.
Ben T. Estes, the ninth son of ten children in his family, was born at Taylorsville, Kentucky, on January 31st, 1841. The old home place was 30 miles from Louisville. Among the brothers and sisters was Louise Estes Brown, wife of the late Judge T. J. Brown, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Ben Estes came to Texas in 1856, his mother reaching this state the next year. They came by way of New Orleans and Galveston by boat on the famous old ship, the “Powderhorn.” The next stop of Ben Estes’ journey through the Lone Star State was to San Antonio on a stage coach, reaching the Alamo City on March 21, where he remained until July, when he went to El Paso as an advanced guard, heavily armed to protect a shipment of United States mail. Referring to his early history in Texas, Mr. Estes jokingly said that the six shooter he carried overland was nearly as big as he was. He remained in El Paso one month. Among the incidents that impressed themselves on his young mind was when a man riding near this side of the border town was literally riddled by bullets. He returned to San Antonio and came to McKinney in the fall of that year.
When Ms. Estes first came to McKinney there were a few little buildings, some of them very small stores. Among these was the I. D. Newsome place.
In those early years, when Ben Estes was 19 years old, the country was in its roughest state. His first job in McKinney was plowing for 50 cents a day. One of his plowing jobs was that where the old Capt. J. H. Dowell home stands today. He went to school only a few days, leaving his studies when his mother came. He was 19 years old when the war between the North and the South broke out. He was first on the enlistment roll of Throckmorton’s men. The first place the company when after laving McKinney was Fort Cobb and Fort Arbuckle in the old Cherokee Nation. He did guard and scout duty for some time. He then enlisted in B. Warren Stone’s Sixth Texas Cavalry, going to McCullough at Springfield, Mo. His first battle was that of Pea Ridge, where McCullough was killed. They had several skirmishes. He was in the battle of Corinth on October 3, 4, and 5, where they were defeated with big losses in 1862. Mr. Estes then went with scouts Bob Baker, Harvey and Lee to Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. These men got in many close places. Mr. Estes was capture at Hatchie Bridge, Miss., carried to Bolivar, Tenn., where he was kept ten days. On one occasion his gun was _____.
Mr. Estes was mustered out on May 5, 1865, at Canton, Miss., by Gen. Canby, who was afterwards killed by Indians. Mr. Estes went to Louisville where he stayed until June 1868 putting up patent medicine and doing such work as he could obtain. Shortly afterwards he returned to McKinney. He went to Grimes county, Texas with Uncle Charlie Martin, returning to Collin county just before Christmas.
Mr. Estes was married on January 25th, 1867 to Miss Nannie Howell. He began merchandising with the firm of Howell & Estes; then it was Estes & Howell, but not the same Howell. Next the firm name was Estes & Berry. Fifteen years later Mr. Estes went to Sherman, joining the firm of Ed Moore. Soon afterwards he returned to McKinney, but went back to Sherman. On February 6th 1887 he was again married in Sherman to Miss Alice Gumm. He returned to McKinney on August 1, 1887 and went to work for the Mississippi Store. He was employed by Murphy, Berry & Cox first and remained with that dry goods establishment while it changed hands six times.
It will be remembered that Mr. Estes was employed by the Mississippi Store....[missing]... [which collapsed] in 1913 and killed several persons. He had been at this store for nearly a quarter of a century, and had just left the building a few minutes before which the accident occurred.
***
....
The birthday dinner served today by Mrs. Estes and her charming daughter, Miss Louise, was a function formally honoring both their husband and father, and their son and brother. James A. Estes, a prominent young St. Louis railway official, Jack, celebrating his 30th natal day today, having been born in McKinney, January 31, 1888, at the old family home on North Church street. At the age of 16, Jack began his business career as cub reporter on the Daily Courier-Gazette. His very marked talent and aptitude for newspaper work led to rapid advancement. He held important desks on the editorial staffs of the Galveston and Dallas News at different times. From the position of Railroad Editor of the Dallas News. He entered strictly railway services at present being special representative of President J. M. Herbert of the Cotton Belt at the Company’s head offices in St. Louis, a great railway system that crosses five states. Prior to going with the Cotton Belt, Jack held responsible places in the auditors departments of the Texas & Pacific at Dallas and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railway in Chicago. He is a brilliant young newspaper writer and aggressive railway official, who doubtless has a future of much broader service and usefulness awaiting him.
He was most happily married September 4, 1912 in Corsicana to Miss Florrie Cheney the fair young daughter of a prominent old Central Texas family. Mr. and Mrs. Jack H. Estes are now residing in the city of St. Louis, but came to Texas to enjoy the happy double birthday occasion today at the Estes home.
Front: Mr. and Mrs. Ben Estes
Back: Mr.and Mrs. Jack Estes, Edward Estes, Louise Estes about 1915.