Among the active and prosperous business men of Columbus, Samuel King Seymour occupies a position of prominence, being one of the leading lumber dealers of this section of Colorado county. A son of the late James Alexander Seymour. he was born, January 17, 1861 in Colorado county. Texas, where he has since resided. He comes of good old Virginia stock, his ancestors for several generations having lived in the Old Dominion state.
Beverly Seymour, Mr. Seymour's grandfather, was born. February 6. 1801 in Virginia, and was there reared and educated. Although he learned the shoemaker's trade when young. he did not follow it to any extent, preferring to till the soil. In 1848, accompanied by his wife, and six of their eight children, he left his native state, going to Fayette county, Tenn., where he lived for eight years. Not satisfied with his prospects in that locality. he made another migration in 1856, coming overland to Fayette county, Texas. being six weeks on the way. Locating near LaGrange, he rented land, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in 1863. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Waddell, was born December 14. 1803. in Virginia, and died in Texas in 1865 . Of their union eight children were born, namely: Eliza; William H.; James A.;: Charles L. W.; Mary j.; Agnes R.; and John. who died in infancy.
A native of Virginia. James Alexander Seymour was born. October 23, 1828, in Halifax county. Brought up on the home farm, he was educated in the public schools, and under his father's instruction early became familiar with the duties incidental to farm life. Moving with the family to Fayette county. Tenn., in 1848. he remained there until 1856, when he settled in Texas, coming to this state a poor man. his only capital being good health, strong hands, great courage. and a most laudable ambition to better his financial condition. After serving as an overseer in Fayette county for two or three years, he came to Colorado county, rented a tract of land, and embarked in the culture of cotton. Energetic and industrious. he toiled early and late, going into the field with his teams at daylight, thus getting in an hour's work before his breakfast, which was brought to him and which he ate sitting on the beam of his plow. He was quite successful in his operations, getting along well until 1869. when the Colorado river overflowed its banks. and his crops were entirely destroyed. Nothing daunted, however, he continued to sow and reap, his arduous toil being duly rewarded. In 1873, in partnership with Mr. Tanner. he purchased one thousand two hundred acres of land, lying one and one-half miles southwest of the village of Columbus. and immediately began its improvement. After a few years the land was divided, and Mr. Seymour continued general farming on his share of it, each year adding to its value. In 1891 desirous of enlarging his operations, he purchased a lumber yard in Columbus. and this his son managed successfully, in connection with caring for his farm, until his death. November 17, 1904. He married Ann Wall, who was born in Somerville. Fayette county. Tenn., and died May 25. 1894, in Colorado county, Texas. Five children blessed their union, namely: Dora. who married Robert Goeppinger, died at the age of forty-five years; Samuel K., the special subject of this sketch; Charles L.; Forest B.; and Ernest B.
Having completed the course of study in the public schools of his native county, Samuel K. Seymour attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College for awhile, after which he was graduated from Eastman's Business College. in Poughkeepsie. N. Y. From 1887 until 1890 he was employed in the railway mail service. but after that time he was associated with his father, both as a farmer and as a lumber dealer. On the death of his father, Samuel King Seymour succeeded to the lumber business, which he has since conducted with signal success, exercising good judgment in his operations, and being honest and fair in his dealings with his fellow men..
In i888 Mr. Seymour married Miss Kate Dunn. who was born in Fayette county. Texas, a daughter of Major Benjamin F. Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour are the parents of three children, namely: James Dunn, Mary Burnetta, and Samuel K., Jr. Religiously Mrs. Seymour is a member of the Baptist church. Fraternally Mr. Seymour has various connections. being a member of Caledonia Lodge No. 68. A. F. & A. M. of R. A. M.; of Gonzales Commandery. No. 14 K. T.; of the Knights of Pvthias; of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; of the Knights of the Maccabees; and of the Woodmen of the World.
Major Benjamin F. Dunn was born in Mississippi. and from there came to Texas with his parents, who were among the early settlers of the state. They died when he was quite young, and he, a stranger in a strange land, ws thrown upon his own resources. Resolute and determined, he worked at whatever he coul find to do, and as his opportunities for acquiring an education were very meager he spent all of his spare time in reading such books as he could obtain, studying night after night by the dim light of the fire. With money that he earned, he purchased books, read diligently , and in course of time was admitted to the bar. Mr. Dunn and J. A. Seymour were associates and close friends working together at first on a farm; their friendship lasted through life. Beginning the practice of his profession at La Grange, he remained there until the breaking out of the war, when he entered the Confederate service. He was placed in command of Bates' regiment, which was employed in the coast defense. At the close of the war, Major Dunn resumed the practice of his profession, in which he was very successful and continued until his death. He was at one time in partnership with Judge Tuchmuller and later with J. C. Brown, both lawyers of note and prominence. The Major married Mary Frances Holloway, a daughter of John A. and Mary A. W. (Bass) Holloway. Further particulars of her life may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of J. J. Holloway
A Twentieth Century History of Soutwest Texas, Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1907 pages 356-358
