Sebe Hatler
HATLER, CAPT. SEBE
Daily Courier-Gazette, Feb 20, 1913
TAPS ARE SOUNDED FOR OLD SOLDIER
CAPT. SEBE D. HATLER PASSES TO HIS REWARD.
LONG AND USEFUL LIKE ENDS
WILL BE BURIED AT MELISSA FRIDAY, 11 A.M.; UNDER AUSPICES MASONIC FRATERNITY
The last taps have sounded, a pioneer citizen, soldier and first-class citizen, passes over the river.
Capt. Sebe D. Hatler, 77 years and 4 days old, died at the old home place, 3 miles east of Melissa, Wednesday night at 10:30, after an illness of several weeks’ duration, although loving hearts and willing hands did everything in their power to prolong the good old man’s life tenure in this world.
The funeral will be held at the First Baptist church in Melissa Friday morning at 11 o’clock by Rev. Lockett of Dallas, under the auspices of the Masonic lodge.
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Kentuckian By Birth.
The old state of Kentucky has given birth to many great and good men, soldiers, diplomats and statesmen. Capt. Sebe Hatler was born in Scottville, Allen county, Kentucky, 77 years ago on the 15th of this month. He was born of honorable but poor parents, hence in his younger days he did not have the opportunities of securing an education that many young boys had. However, he had a bright and versatile mind, a mind of common sense, and a heart, every pulsation of which beat for the good of the common people. Capt. Hatler came to Texas and Collin county, in 1857, locating near McKInney, working on the farm of Dave Bomar and Uncle John Kincaid. A little later he made his home with John Fitzhugh.
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Pioneer Collinite.
It was such men as Capt. Sebe Hatler, Dave Bomar, John Kincaid, John Fitzhugh and J. W. Throckmorton, and others of like character that made old Collin county what she is today. They each, as well as many others, bared their breasts to the tomahawk of the Red man the times that tried men’s souls that saved and populated this country with the best people on earth today. Hence when such pioneers as Capt. Sebe Hatler pass from off the stage of action, we of the younger generation feel that we have suffered a personal loss. That is the way this writer feels, who saw this good old man who spoke to and we believe, recognized us early Wednesday morning of this week, when we visited the old home place three miles east of Melissa, where, for more than 50 years, this grand old man has made his home. It would take columns to tell of the many deeds of kindness and help extended to others by this fine, cultured old gentleman.
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Was A Texas Ranger.
Capt. Sebe Hatler was a Texas Ranger in 1860 he went to the front with Col. William Fitzhugh, joining Sul Ross, afterwards governor of Texas. Capt. Hatler was with Col. Fitzhugh and Col. Ross when they captured Cynthia Ann Parker. After more than a year’s service, Capt. Hatler returned to Collin county.
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Joined Confederate Army.
When the tocsin of war was sounded – when the South’s flag, the Stars and Bars were to be protected – Capt. Hatler offered his services to his country, and on Sept. 23, 1860 he left McKinney, in Stone’s Regiment, Company K, Throckmorton’s Company, known as the 6th Texas, and in company with Ben Estes, Dave O’Brien, J. P. Nenney, Sr., George Nipp of Anna, and a number of others, went to the front. Capt. Hatler saw hard service, until his health gave way, and he was honorably discharged with Throckmorton, and some others, and returned home.
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Married in 1862.
It was on Sept. 18, 1852, that the happy climax of Capt. Hatler’s life came. He was joined in happy wedlock with Miss Segeaus Lewis, the daughter of rugged pioneers of this county. They were married at the old home of Miss Lewis’s parents, where she was born more than 64 years ago, and has been occupying the same room in this old mansion for more than 60 years, the room in which Capt. Hatler passed away on Wednesday night.
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Were Foster Parents.
There were no children born to his good couple, but they were foster parents of Hon. J. Nelse Grisham, deceased for two years, representative in the legislature from Collin county, and one of the brightest attorneys at the McKinney bar. They also raised Mr. J. H. Mallow, from the time he was two years of age, when Mr. Mallow’s parents died, hence he loved them the same as a father and mother. They also raised Mrs. Bessie Martin, wife of Mrs. Lon Martin and Mr. Mallow and Mrs. Martin were constantly at his bedside during his late illness, with loving hearts and administering hands. Mrs. Hatler, his life companion for more than a half century, has constantly been at his sick bed, and is holding up remarkably well, under the great ordeal.
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Mason and Presbyterian.
Capt. Hatler was a devout member of the Presbyterian church for more than 25 years and a Master Mason for 50 years. It was his desire that a Presbyterian minister, who was a Master Mason preach his funeral, with a Master Mason’s apron on, hence Bro. Lockett of Dallas will preach the funeral of this good old pioneer. Capt. Hatler was a member of Mantua Masonic lodge, the oldest lodge in the county, during its existence, having such old-timers, in their lives, as Uncle Charlie Wysong and H. A. McDonald, as members. In recent years the lodge at Melissa was organized, some going there, others coming to McKinney.
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Life-Long Democrat.
Capt. Hatler was a life-long democrat. During his younger days, with Governor Throckmorton and Judge Brown, he took considerable interest in politics, being chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Collin county. During his active political life, no man in the county wielded more influence, and those desiring office in those days who could secure the aid and influence of Uncle Sebe Hatler, were indeed fortunate.
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The Old Home Place.
The old home place where Capt. Hatler lived for more than 50 years and where Mrs. Hatler was born 64 years ago, is indeed a landmark. It lies three miles east of Melissa and contains between 400 and 500 acres. It is one of the finest plantations in the county.
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The Family Horse.
While at the old home place, the writer was shown by J. H. Mallow, the old family horse, “Old Charlie,” who is past 30 years old, being raised by Capt. and Mrs. Hatler. “Old Charlie” was grazing on the fresh wheat, looking sleek and fat, unconscious that his old master in the old house, who he had pulled to town so many times in the old buggy, was [rest missing]
SEBRON D. HATLER
Biography.
Sebron D. Hatler (Sebe) was a native of Kentucky, born February 15, 1836. He was reared on a farm, and although he received on 9 months schooling he became one of the wealthiest men in North Texas. His father, Michael Hatler, was of Irish descent and married Lavinia Brackins whose father, Henry Brackins, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Sebron was the fourth of five children and at age 2 his father died.
In 1856 he went to St. Louis, Missouri and worked on a railroad that was being built, then in 1857 he came to Texas. When he arrived in Collin County he had only five gold pieces, but he had an abundance of energy and ambition. He bought a team and went to work breaking the prairie and hauling from Jefferson.
In 1860 he joined the Texas Rangers and after a year of service, he joined the Company K, 6th Texas Cavalry, served in Missouri and the Indian Territory, and later in Mississippi. At Corinth, he became ill and received a discharge, returning to farm his land. In 1862 he married Segeous Polk Lewis. In that same year in December he joined Captain Johnson’s Spy Company and the following January he was captured but managed to escape before they reached Camp Chase where he would have been held. He rejoined his company and served the rest of the war with them.
On his return home he was penniless but his wife’s father, an extensive land owner, was killed in a railroad accident while serving in the militia. Mrs. Hatler inherited 2000 acres of land and 1000 head of stock. With this start and careful management he increased the value of his holdings year by year. The large two-story house still stands set back from the roads east of Melissa.
Mrs. Hatler’s father, Lindsey L. Lewis, was from a pioneer Missouri family. He came to Texas in 1845 and was a large landowner.
