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May 11, 1997
If you have a related family history, please let us know. Hopefully, you'll find yourself listed as great-grandchild or direct descendant of Isaiah Hezekiah Aynesworth/Ainsworth. If you are a great-grandchild, you will be in your late seventies or better.
More likely you are further down the line. In which case, I hope you'll interview a great-grandchild and send us an update of your line since 1935. Your relative could be a cousin of one of the great-grandchildren. We need your information to update the family history.
If your family like mine, is not the highlight of this story, there is a good chance your relatives are mentioned. Using Netscape [FIND], search for familiar names. If you find one, please let us know so we can put you on our list of close relatives.
This 70 page history was written by Edward McCrea Ainsworth, in 1935 as told by Miss Mary Ainsworth. I acquired a copy from Anne Aynesworth, C.S.R. Official Reporter in Los Angelos, 1972. It was scanned, and then retyped by Tim Aynesworth, in WordPerfect 6.0 a for Windows and an ASCII file was created. This history is precious, but unfortunately difficult to follow due to its references to grandparent and other relations instead of unambiguous name references. We will rework this wonderful history over time to make it more useful.
The page numbers in the left margin are as they appear in the original document.
A CONCORDANCE is available. You can use the Concordance to generate an INDEX on your word processor. Obviously, creating your own INDEX will be useful. So to download click Download Site Using your browser, download the files you want or use your FTP program. For example, in Netscape, hold down the SHIFT key and click the file you want. Pay attention to the directory path it is going to so you can find it.
If you want us to check for your ancestor's name, send us an E-mail. If the downloading is a problem, we'll will send the concordance as an ASCII text file attached to the e-mail, or put it in the actual e-mail if you prefer.
If you do not want the Concordance, you will need to use your browser to search for key words. As a quick check, you might want to look at the names of Isaiah's children and grand-children. He had 11 children, three of whom were the sons as listed below.
George SEATON and Isaiah Hezekiah AYNESWORTH
Have Fun!
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Page 1
Return to list of Sons John K. Seaton, born November 22, 1804,
George, James, William, Hiram, Elijah, Elisha, Anthony, Nancy Anne, born August 6, 1805, married Isaiah
H. Aynesworth (Ainsworth) June 18, 1822, Allie, married Joe Burleson, (cousin of Aaron and Ed Burleson),
Sallie, married Albert Burleson; Bettie, married Dave Williams; Minera, married Aaron Burleson, (cousin
of General Ed. Burleson).
Return to list of Sons Caroline Amanda, April 29, 1823 - December 23, 1858; Catherine
Seaton, July 5, 1825 - October 22, 1827; Elizabeth Angeline, February 17, 1827 - 1889, Sarah Jane, April
13, 1829; William Carroll, April 28, 1831, April 2, 1862; John May, July 7, 1833 -October 1, 1835; Isaiah
Hezekiah, Jr., September 9, 1835 -September 27, 1877; Allie Anne, July 7, 1838 - 1904, George Levin,
November 13, 1840; ANDREW FULLER, April 23, 1843 [Great gradfather of Tim Aynesworth] ;
Minerva Texana, March 26, 1849 - 1889. Return to list of Sons[Oldest son of IHA] Page 2 who died June 19, 1889. Children: Mary Ellen, born September 29,
1857; Lucy Walsh, October 25, 1859; Walter Monroe, August 14, 1861; Edward McCrea, December 25,
1865; Alice Anne October 12, 1868; Eva Florence, born March 18, 1871, died June 16, 1871; Almeda May,
May 28, 1872; James Seaton, July 11, 1875, died September 23, 1929; Ida Helen, January 27, 1878.
Return to list of Sons[Middle Son of IHA] Allie Anne married Edward M. Yerger November 9, 1870. Children: William.
Elizabeth Angeline Aynesworth, born July 5, 1825, married John Roland Williams December 16, 1847.
Children: John, Levin, Fuller, Geneva Octavia, Aynesworth.
She (Elizabeth died in 1890's, exact date uncertain; is buried beside Grandfather and Grandmother Aynesworth
on the old place in Burnet County. Page 3 Sarah Jane Aynesworth, born April 13, 1829, married
William Robert Bauchman June 22, 1848.
Children: Christopher Columbus, Jennie, Bell, Allie, Anne, Isaiah Hezekiah, William, George Levin,
Elizabeth, John, (drowned), Clarence, and Lee. Sarah Jane was the last member of the family to die,
passing away in her sleep, in Williamson County about a decade and a half ago. She was blind several years
before her death, the only member of the family to suffer this affliction, as far as I know. Go to Begining Return
to list of Sons[Youngest son of IHA, great grand father of Tim Aynesworth] Minerva Texana, who was born not long after the arrival of the family in Texas in 1847, was the baby of the
family. She married Frank G. Boggs, June 6, 1866, with issue as follows: Arthur, Nannie, Robert, Carl and
Tom.
Caroline Amanda, born April 29, 1823, married John Lineberger, with issue as follows: William, John Henry,
David, Saphronia and Mamie; Saphronia died in childhood.
Saphronia Aynesworth (or Catherine Seaton Aynesworth, Page 4 according to one family version) was
born July 5, 1825, died October 22, 1827.
On Page 3, I shall begin with certain family data furnished by my sister, Miss Mary Aynesworth (Ainsworth),
oldest living member of the family of that name. There may be a slight overlapping of data here and there,
or a little divergence from what has been recorded above, but the fact presented are from a very attentive
memory, and carry much weight and are certainly correct in the main if not in their entirety. She wrote the
data in her 78th year, at my request.
(Signed) E. M. AINSWORTH
Information furnished by Miss Mary Ainsworth:
Names of the children of Rev. I. H. and Nancy (Seaton )Aynesworth, - Caroline, Saphronia (doubtless the
same as Catherine Seaton, mentioned above,) died in very early childhood; John died in infancy Elizabeth,
Sarah, William Carroll, ISAIAH HEZEKIAH, JR., Allie Anne, GEORGE LEVIN, ANDREW FULLER and
Minerva Texana.
Aunt Caroline married John Lineberger and they had the following children in the family: William, John
Henry, David, Saphronia, who died in childhood, and Mamie.
Cousin William's wife was named Millie; they had one boy Vestus and all three were killed by an unknown
party Page 5 at their home in or near Greenville, Hunt County, Texas about 25 years ago.
John Henry Lineberger married Lucy Walsh Aynesworth, and they had issue as follows: Water Franklin,
Arthur Edward and John Selvyn. Walter married Florence Hite of Columbus, Ohio, with the following
issue: Florence Elizabeth, Walter Franklin Jr., Janet and Anne.
Arthur E. Lineberger married Lura Adams of Austin, no children.
John Selvyn married Phyla Wadsworth in Kansas City, and they had issue as follows: John, Jim, Robert and
Dick; one child Frank, died in childhood.
David Lineberger married and had one son; they lived in Memphis, Tennessee and David died there.
Mamie Lineberger married Stanton Blaylock, with issue as follows: John, Ernest and Mamie.
John's wife was named Lula, they had no children.
Know nothing of Ernest.
little Mamie married and has children, but I do not recall the name of her husband; she lives
in Memphis.
After the death of Caroline A. Lineberger, Uncle John Lineberger married Caroline Campbell,and two
children were born to them - Arthur Malcolm and Ada Lineberger.
Arthur Malcolm married Alice Anne Ainsworth, daughter of I. H. Aynesworth and wife, and they have two
boys, James Malcolm and Vernon Ainsworth Lineberger.
James Malcolm Lineberger married Ione Luther and one child, Bernice was born to them.
James Malcolm died April, 22, 1929, in Page 6 A Dalla, where his widow and child now live.
Arthur Malcolm Lineberger died September 20, 1914; Alice, his wife died August 30, 1914.
Ada Lineberger married Jim Sexton in Tennessee, but both now dead; know nothing of the children.
(NOTE: Some members of the Blaylock and the Lineberger families still live near Whiteville,
Tennessee.) Elizabeth Angeline Aynesworth, married J. Rolin Williams, and they had issue as follows:
Sarah, who married Murrell Ratliff; Mollie, who married William Adams; James Levin, John, Fuller,
Octavia, Geneva, and Aynesworth Williams. Don't know who any of the boys married; Octavia married
Mr. Cantrell; Geneva married Elia Whiteley, and they had one boy; Geneva's husband died, and she later
married a cousin of Octavia's husband - a Cantrell; Aynesworth Williams went to Oklahoma and married, but
know nothing of them now. Kate Gore. Agnes Reed.
Sarah Jane Aynesworth married Rev. W. R. Bauchman, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher. (It should have
been mentioned in paragraph above that J. Rolin Williams was a Baptist preacher.) Bauchman and wife
became the parents of twelve children as follows: Allie Anne, Virginia, Christopher Columbus, Andrew Bell,
Isaiah Hezekiah, William, George, Levin, Elizabeth, Martha, (who died in infancy), Page 6 B Robert
Lee, John, (who was drowned when two years old), and Clarence Wardell.
Allie Jennie and Columbus never married. Bell married Dovie Novell, and they had one child, Alonzo, who
married Leila Allen; they have three children.
Isaiah Hezekiah Bauchman married Emily Olmstead of Pecan Springs, Burnet County. They had one son,
Earl, who died when eight years old; they then became parents of three girls, names not recalled. Isaiah died
a good many years ago. Emily and the girls live in Electra, Texas.
William Bauchman married Cornie Hughes, and they had one girl and four boys; William is dead; the others
reside in West Texas. George Levin married Jennie Howell, and four girls were born to this union all
married save Myrtle. George Levin now lives in Killeen, Texas. Lizzie Bauchman married Hubert
Breeding, and they lived awhile in Oklahoma; he is dead and she lives at Liberty Hill, Texas.
Lee Bauchman married Eunice .They live in Williamson County; no children
Clarence married Ada Sheffield, and two children were born to them, Vollie and Oscar;
Vollie is a widow with one child, a girl. Oscar married Bertha Hughes is of San Antonio; they have one
boy, whom they call O.H., I presume his Page 7 name is Oscar Hughes. (Children of I. H.
Aynesworth, Jr., and wife have been previously mentioned on Page one of this chronicle.)
Lucy Walsh Aynesworth married J. H. Lineberger, as indicated above, and the issue also was noted. None
of her grandchildren have married, save Florence Elizabeth, who on December 27th, 1934, was married to
Archie Hart of Baltimore, Maryland, and they are residing in Baltimore, where he teaches in one of the
Universities.
W. M. Aynesworth, oldest son of I. H. Aynesworth, Jr., married Mattie Ledbetter on February 14th, 1884,
at Round Rock. Four children have been born to this union -Annie Ida, Marvin Monroe, Edwin Nelson, and
Mary Ethel; Edwin Nelson was accidentally killed while playing a game of baseball several decades ago.
Edward McCrea Ainsworth [the author] married Pearl Maddin June 11th, 1896, and two children were born
to them: Edward Maddin Ainsworth, June 7th, 1902, and Faith Ainsworth, February 25th, 1911. Edward
Maddin A. married Miss Katherine Alice Lake at Los Angeles, California, June 2l, 1931, and on August 21,
1933, a daughter, Sheila Beth,was born to them.
Faith A. was married August 17th, 1934, to Nathan Bedford Forrest Smith of Fort Worth, at Waco. On
January 3rd, 1924, Edward McCrea Ainsworth was married to Miss Ida
Page 8 Duke at Waco, following the death nearly six years previously of his wife, Pearl Maddin
Ainsworth.
(Marriage of Alice Anne Ainsworth to Arthur Malcolm Lineberger, and the issue, has previously been noted.)
Almeda May Aynesworth married Thurston Bowles April 18, 1895, and their marriage brought them three
children, as follows: Lawrence Hubert, born June 14, 1898, (died when three years old), Ida Margaret, born
September-14,1901; Arthur Calvin, born June 5th, 1903.
Margaret married Ed Morrow on April 10, and they had three children -Curtis -Bryant and Calvin Thurston
were born January 10th, 1921, and Eb. Bowles Morrow, born November 29th, 1923. A.C. Bowles married
Leo McBrayer August 8th, 1924. Ida Helen Ainsworth married James A. Hague September 10th, 1913.
They have one son, James Ainsworth Hague, born October 13, 1914. Live at Robinson, McLennan County,
Texas.
George Levin Aynesworth first married Mrs. Mary Kempner of Louisville, but there were no children to this
union. He next married Ellen Hickman of Williamson County, with the following issue: Kenneth Hazen,
Horace Taylor, Joseph, George Levin, Isaiah.
Kenneth Hazen married Maud Brian, and they have four children, as follows: Kenneth, Edna Maud, Morgan
Brian and Nancy. Kenneth is unmarried; Edna Maud Married Dr. Wilson Crosthwait of Waco, and
they have a daughter, Nancylu, and a son, Robert Wilson. Morgan Brian married Rose Oltorf of Page
9 Marlin; Nancy married Thomas Mann of Laredo, and they have a son Thomas, Jr.
Horace Taylor married Miss Lula LeBow of Dallas and they had two daughters, Margaret and Aileen.
Margaret married Lowell Dalton, and they have a daughter, Barbara Ellen; Aileen married F. M.
Richbourg of Hico, and they have a son F.M. Later Horace Taylor married Mrs. J. H. Maxey, whose
maiden name was Ruth McNamara, but they haveno children. GEORGE LEVIN married Miss Hickman,
in California, and they have three children Robert, Anna Louise and Ruth; none of the three are married.
Joseph Hickman was born November 11th, 1873, married Mary Alice Timmons in 1895, with thefollowing
issue; Leroy, born in 1896, died, in childhood; James Levin, born February 5th, 1898, married Reba Downey
of Rosenthal February 9, 1919 and they had two children, Elizabeth Alice, born September 24, 1920, and J.
K., born March 10, 1922. James Levin married the second time to Mrs. Mae White, nineteen years old.
Mary Alice, next child of Joseph Aynesworth and wife, was born March 20, 1900, married
WilliamWinslow, a conductor on the Santa Fe Railroad, and they live at Shaddock, Oklahoma, and they have
one child, William Winslow, Jr., born in August, 1934.
J. H. Aynesworth, Jr., born November 17,1902, married in 1934, (wife's name not recalled), he is utility man
for the Continental Oil Company. Hiram Kingdom Aynesworth, born January 7, 1904, is a lawyer,
Page 10 unmarried. Richard Aynesworth born about
1906, died at the age of a year and a half. Susan Ellen Aynesworth, born in the fall of 1909, married Otis
Board of Stinnett, Texas, a wheat farmer, and they have two daughters, Joan, born in the spring of 1931, and
Nancy Maryland, born in 1933.
Leona Bell Aynesworth born January 9, 1911, married Elmer Wooten, in 1931, and they have a son, James
Watt Wooten, born in 1932; Elmer Wooten is principal of the public school at Channing, Texas. Horace
Daniel Aynesworth, last child of Joseph Aynesworth and wife, born in 1915, November 6; is a law student
in the University of Texas now (1935). (Editor's note: Horace Daniel became an Air Force General, retired
in 1993)
Isaiah Aynesworth, last son of George Levin and Ellen A., married Eva Wristen in California, and they have
one son, Charles Levin; Isaiah died in California in the beginning of what promised to be a brilliant
newspaper career, and is buried at Fresno; his wife as re-married, and they live in Fresno.
Allie Ann Aynesworth, daughter Rev. I. H. Aynesworth and wife, married Prof. E. M. Yerger, and they had
one son, William Levin. William married in Oklahoma, his wife's given name being Maud, but the last
name is not recalled; they had seven children -Roy, Myra, Ruth, Willie, (a girl), Rose, Arthur and Gilbert;
all are married save Gilbert and all live in Oklahoma.
Page 11
Minerva Texana Aynesworth, last child of Rev. I.H. Aynesworth and wife, married Frank Boggs, and they
had five children -Arthur, Nannie, Bob, Carl and Thomas.
The family removed to Oklahoma, and two or three of the children died there.
William Aynesworth, one of the oldest sons of Rev. I. H. Aynesworth and wife, it should have been
mentioned, was never married. He joined the Confederate Army, was captured, became ill, and died at Camp Chase, Illinois, where he was buried.
ANDREW FULLER AYNESWORTH and wife had children as follows: Grantie, who died unmarried;
Jessie, who died before she was grown; William P., who served in the Spanish-American War and in the
Philippines, with some distinction, and who died in 1934, leaving a wife and child, (Marguerite) at Alvin,
Texas; Andrew F., who resides at Liberty Hill; Lockridge, who died before reaching manhood; Harry McNeil "Hal" M. who married Miss (Ora Augusta Hall) Hall, the issue being Hall, who was accidentally
killed in 1934, while on a motorcycle between Austin and Liberty Hill, Vaughan, who is about grown and
lives at Liberty Hill [father of G. Tim Aynesworth]; Gaynell, daughter, who is about eleven years old;
Rebecca Aynesworth, the last child of ANDREW FULLER and wife, married Henry W. Thorpe, son of
H. H. Thorpe, (a doctor) and wife of Liberty Hill, but they have no children, and live in Austin.
Page 12
(Perhaps in listing the children--of I. H. Aynesworth,-Jr., I neglected to say that James Seaton and Mary Ellen
Aynesworth never married; James Seaton died in 1929, as probably recorded elsewhere. The above, I think
accounts for all descendants of Rev. I. H. Aynesworth and wife Nancy Anne Seaton, of whom I haven't any
record, though there are others in some families further down the list of issue.) ISAIAH HEZEKIAH
AYNESWORTH (also spelled Ainsworth), who afterwards became a Baptist minister, was born in
Greensboro, N. C., March 27, 1797, [editor suggests South Carolina] but few facts are known regarding his
parentage, as he was orphaned early in life, went to Nashville, Tennessee when only a lad, and when he
attained his majority, began a life of pioneering, which resulted in a rather nomadic life, which precluded the
keeping of dependable records. Besides, in that day as is known attention was paid to family history, because
of the shifting conditions.
It might prove interesting to some to pause here long enough to remark that at the time he was born there were
in the United States comparatively the same number of people as may be now found in the Stateof Texas
(1935) if my facts are correct the population of all the states then summed up, less than eight millions of
inhabitants. So swiftly do events move and development progress in a new land.
It appears that the forebears of I. H. Aynesworth - Page 13 Ainsworth -- came from Wales, in England, though this is not set down as a certainty by any means; it was, however, the version given me by my father's sister, the late Mrs. E. M. Yerger, who was, prior to her marriage, Miss Allie Aynesworth and she was equipped with attributes which made her a rather reliable and dependable authority on such a subject. Regarding his Mother, next to nothing is known save the fact that her given name was probably Charity betokening a religious atmosphere in the family, and also hinting at an attitude of
liberality and broadness in appraising or evaluating those with whom contact was had. This lack of
information, as stated at the outset, was due, more than anything else, probably, to the fact that the pioneers
were too busy wresting a subsistence from a new country, and in laying the foundations for the excellence
we now enjoy, to give time to any connected story or history of their own lives or their families. It is very
regrettable that this is true, but is entirely conceivable, for there were many problems to be solved and many
new conditions to meet and wrestle with, in a new country. And it seems to have been Grandfathers lot to
meet the emergencies of a pioneer life practically all along the line.
The next that is heard of I. H. Aynesworth, Sr., is the time when he was in Nashville, Tennessee, living with
his Aunt, Mrs. Thomas James, his parents having died. He was
Page 14 not in his teens, possibly, when he went there, but it was while quite young that he began to learn,
according to the practical plan of the time, a trade by which he could maintain himself in making his way
through life, either as the major dependence or as an adjunct. He chose the line of a cabinet maker, and it was
stated by those in a position to know, that he fitted himself thoroughly in that way, being one of the most
proficient workmen of his time. He did that kind of work even after coming to Texas, when he had time from
his preaching duties, as practically every man did who was sowing the seed of the Gospel in Texas soil and
to Texas hearts.
I recall with perfect clearness that when he was living in Burnet County, for instance, that it was a marvel to
me the extent and perfection of the tools with which he worked. And every tool from the least to the greatest,
was kept in the very best condition showing the meticulous care given these then vitally necessary instruments.
I have to this day one of the "frows", (pronounced froze) which was used in riving the clapboard
shingles first used on the old pioneer postoak log house, large house, which was constructed there and made
ready for the removal of the family from Austin to that county in 1855. This frow has the initials, I.H.A., cut
into the solid iron; there could be no mistake as to who owned that pioneer instrument, or in fact any of the
tools in his possession. Page 15
But back to Nashville, where Grandfather wrought more than a hundred years ago. His Aunt had one son,
William James, who taught one of the first private schools of Nashville, and is said to have been an eminent
educator for that day. Grandfather Aynesworth was at the Battle of New Orleans, but whether he was there
as a spectator or as a participant is not entirely clear. At any rate he was wont to recall one of the most
spectacular events of the struggle, in that he saw General Packingham, the brave English commander, when
he (Packingham) was shot from his horse while at the head of his men and charging the unusual breastworks
(of cotton bales) in that contest. He paid a glowing compliment to the bravery and utter fearlessness of General
Packingham.
I.H. Aynesworth and Anne Seaton were married June 18, 1822, probably in Tennessee, though this is not
definite. It is known that he and his wife lived awhile Greensboro, Ala., and family tradition has it that he
at one time owned the great spring at that place which probably was responsible for the building of the town
on that site.
Two of the Burleson men, a family which is connected vitally with the winning of Texas independence and
the cause of morality and educational advance in Texas, married two of the other Seaton girls, and these two
Burlesons came to Texas at or about the same time that I.H.A. came, in 1847. Page 16 (There also
is a version of their arrival in Texas which places the date as 1848, but my data shows the former date, 1847.)
More about the Seatons at another time in this narration.
It appears that probably I. H. Aynesworth and family lived in Fayette County, near Bolivar, East of Memphis,
some years, but later removed to or rather, near the town of Whiteville, in Hardeman County. At Whiteville
he engaged in farming on a large scale for that day, worked some as a cabinet maker, and preached, also. One
son, A. F. Aynesworth, told me that his father had very large barns, plenty of good stock and an abundance
of farm machinery for operating extensively. Most members of a large family were born to I. H.
Aynesworth and wife, Nancy Anne Seaton, while they were living in Tennessee, as shown elsewhere, but at
least one child, Minerva Texas (or Texana) was born in Texas, after their removal to this state. After moving
to Texas, I.H.A. lived awhile on Onion Creek, a few miles southeast of Austin, but later bought about three
hundred acres of land from Ed. Burleson, three miles northeast of the courthouse, in about 1851, erecting a
large hewn log house, with side rooms made of cedar, the house facing East,
and near was a large spring of lasting water -- an important item in those days. He also had his sons set out
a bois d'arc hedge around much of the land, which is there to this day; the house had good brick Page
17 chimneys, and most of it was still standing when I last saw it, in about 1926. The house and land were
on the road from Austin to Cameron in Milam county, and I think this highway still skirts the place. As he had
a large family this house was the scene of much social activity, and many of the then prominent families of
Austin were frequent visitors. Nancy Ann Seaton, daughter of George Seaton and Catherine Kinnard was
a woman of strong character, according to my own recollections, and what I have heard from my sister, Miss
Mary Ainsworth, and others of the family who were old enough to recall her traits. She was not afflicted with
ego, but had plenty of self-esteem; was not opinionated, but believed fully in herself, and had definite views
on almost all of the questions and subjects of her day. Her positivism stood her in good stead during those
pioneer days Like most members of the Seaton family, she made quick but well thought-out decisions, and
stood by them, not dogmatically but with sufficient thoroughness. This seems to have been a characteristic
of the Seaton family, a family which influenced the destiny of kings and dynasties in Europe for a long period
of time, as shown by records of this remarkable name. When Nancy Anne came to Texas in 1847 it is
related that she rode much of the way on horseback, often swimming Page 18 swollen streams without
a tremor or a moment's hesitation. And yet she was womanly and domestic to a remarkable degree. She
looked after the feminine duties of her home with great care, and maintained a strict but well balanced
discipline among her children, demanding obedience, but showing a strong devotion. There was a strong and
enduring affection between herself and her husband, Rev. I. H. Aynesworth (Ainsworth). Showing the
thoughtfulness of her husband, it as related that when the family came to Texas he built a house as much like
the one in Tennessee as possible, to assuage the pains of homesickness of his wife, and when the move to
Burnet County was made, the house in that new county was built very much like the one at Austin and in
Tennessee, carrying out this same idea of making Nancy Ann feel at hone as much as
possible. Grandmother A. continued active until her leg was broken in Burnet County through the
frolicsomeness of her favorite buggy horse; the limb was not set properly in that day of few physicians, and
she remained & cripple the rest of her life, albeit she could get around pretty nimbly with the aid of her
deftly used crutch. She died in 1875. Grandfather A. in 1876, and I.H.A., Jr., in 1877. Of great
significance to I.H. Aynesworth, as indeed it is to all persons having such an experience, was his conversion
to Christianity. He was a man of strong convictions, and deep piety, though with a good sense of humor, and
his Page 19 conversion wrought a change in his plans. He was comparatively young man when he
espoused Christianity, and he soon resolved to preach, though, like many preachers of that day, his educational
equipment was not equal to his burning zeal. But his ministry was blessed with excellent results, from the
accounts heard, and he was a close and well versed student of Holy Writ. It is related that he not only gave
a good account of his stewardship in preaching, but that he was particularly apt and successful in the
"debates" which marked that day, and which, it must be confessed, tended more to
controversialism than to a clear and spiritual understanding of the Word; however, those discussions may have
partially clarified some of the points under scrutiny and analysis. Of his conversion it was worth while to
speak particularly as it appears to have been especially thorough and unmistakable. He told those of his
household that for at least three days and nights the world was fairly aglow with light, and that "the
twigs on the trees and the splinters of the fences seemed like points of holy fire." So impressed was he
that his face always lighted up when speaking of his great experience. It was small wonder, then, that he threw
himself into his sermons and talks with a great and consuming enthusiasm.
And in this connection it might be mentioned here that his experience was practically duplicated in the
experience related by his Grandson, W.M. Aynesworth, now resident at
Page 20
Lampasas, who was converted while alone and driving along
the main road from Austin to the town of Manor. So bright and pronounced was the change of heart that the
grandson drove along the road, laughing and rejoicing to an extent which caused the people who met him to
gaze at him in astonishment, and some of them stood up in their vehicles (it was long before the advent of the
automobile) and watched him as long as they could see him. And it may well be recorded here, that the
radiance which then surrounded his path has been reflected throughout his long and useful career as a follower
of the Lowly Nazarene. Aaron and Joe Burleson, cousins, who came to Texas with Rev. I. H. Aynesworth,
married Allie Seaton and Minerva Seaton, sisters of Nancy Anne Seaton, daughters of George Seaton and
wife. Aaron's wife was Minerva Seaton and the wife of Joe Burleson was Allie Seaton. Aaron Burleson had
been to Texas prior to his marriage, and probably Joe had, also. They were members of the famous family
of BurIesons who figure in the historical annals of the state, almost dividing honors with General Sam Houston
in the patriotism displayed and in the educational eras of the state since the time of the Republic.
Joe Burleson had a large family, but Aaron Burleson who married again after the death of Aunt Minerva,
became the Page 21 progenitor of one of the largest families in Texas of that day, counting the
children of both marriages - 21 in all but most of them were by his second wife, a Miss Tannehill. Only one
of the children of Uncle Aaron and Aunt Minerva is alive today -- Mrs. Vollie Taylor of Austin, and all sons
and daughters of Joe Burleson and wife are dead.
In addition to the Burlesons of that day who wrote history in Texas annals, another member, younger than the
others, A. S. Burleson, survives. He lives at Austin; A. S. Burleson was appointed Postmaster General of the
United States by President Wilson, and played a conspicuous part in launching the air mail. By a coincidence
Silliman Evans of Forth Worth, who married a granddaughter of L. W. McCrea, also was Assistant
Postmaster-General under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but resigned voluntarily in 1934 to become a chief
executive of a great industrial plant in Baltimore, Maryland, where he is at this writing.
A.S. Burleson was a cousin of Aaron and Joe Burleson and of General Ed. Burleson. Dr. Rufus C. Burleson,
another cousin, was one of the most eminent educators in Texas annals, and is called by many the
"Father of Baylor" (Baptist) University at Waco, as he was president of the institution at both
Independence and Waco and upheld the institution during its most crucial days; his statue, imposing and
life-like, stands on the campus of Baylor University here in Waco today, and his only son, Richard Burleson,
Page 22
is one of my most valued friends and relatives -- though the relationship is remote. An incident of some
interest occurs to me here -- but will make it brief: When the cornerstone of the Temporary Capitol Building
was laid at Austin, Jeff Burleson and Uncle ANDREW FULLER Aynesworth, boys, were together and
watched proceedings; then, when the crowd had dispersed, they slipped to the cornerstone, the mortar being
still soft, and slipped into this historic stone a top and some marbles. The incident was related to me on
several occasions by Uncle FULLER " (A.F.) Aynesworth William Spitler, quiet but forceful and
well equipped man, married Sarah Burleson, daughter of Joe Burleson, the latter having married Allie Seaton,
sister of Grandmother I.H. Aynesworth (Ainsworth). Cousin Sarah's children were far better known to some
members of the Aynesworth families, as Cousin William Spitler removed to Burnet County probably a decade
and a half after Grandfather A. settled there. William Spitler and wife settled about a mile northwest of the
old Naruna school house, and probably three miles northwest of the A. place, very near the old Austin-Round
Rock and Port Concho road he served as a Postmaster and Justice of the Peace in the Naruna area. They lived
there good many years, but the members of the family had fair educational advantages, despite the early day
conditions of that period, and the family was one of the Page 23 most outstanding in Burnet County,
possessed of keen and appropriating minds, natural social graces and a refined hospitality. They later removed
to the town of Burnet, where practically all married. Joe Spitler probably was the first to marry, then
Florence married E.M. Jones, Virginian, who conducted a large mercantile business in Burnet for years, then
remove the family to Oklahoma City, eventually moving about 1920 to Lubbock, where several members of
the family now reside. Allie married Sam Munn of Burnet County, cousin of N. M. Gay of Waco, and they
lived several years on his farm and ranch East of Burnet; then going to Bertram, where Mr. Munns engaged
in banking a few years, then returned to the farm where they still reside, that is, those who are unmarried
members of the family; William, Jr., married, but do not recall his wife's name, and they live in Lampasas,
had but a small family; Birdie married Theodore Arbuckle, son of a very prominent Baptist minister of Burnet,
and they lived in Lampasas until his death, when she and her daughter removed to San Antonio, think they
still live there Villulah married a Mr. Newcomb, and they lived in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the last time I heard
from them. I feel apologetic that I cannot give more detailed data on this estimable family, whom I esteem
most highly, but these notes will identify the family which, as previously stated, is my chief object in writing
these notes while some data is still Page 24 available. Cousin William Spitler and his wife were
buried in the cemetery at Burnet, their last resting place marked by a beautiful monument. In the
Aynesworth line there were presented many different vocations and professions, and the strain showed both
the utilitarian and educational or esthetic tendency.
William James, a first cousin of I. H. Aynesworth, Sr., was one of the first school teachers of Nashville,
Tennessee, having taught school in that city a good deal more than one hundred years ago; he was in the
school or schools there for twenty-two years. Grandfather Aynesworth lived in this home after he was
orphaned. Aunt Allie Aynesworth-Yerger, while educated largely in Austin in the early 1850's was
equipped as fully as any young woman could have been in that day, and was accounted one of the very best
Shakespearean students of her time; she also was particularly engaging in manner and was classed as a social
leader of her time. Dr. K. H. Aynesworth of Waco is easily reckoned to be one of Texas' foremost men
of letters today, and is a regent of the State University; he studied and taught at Baylor University, studied in
Kentucky, graduated from the Galveston Medical School of the State University, studied in Germany and has
since been abroad twice for study in Europe, besides
Page 25 many like experiences in this country. He is a past president of the Texas Surgical Society, has
an honorary degree from Baylor University, is in the 1935 "Who's Who in America and is at present
having much to do with the placing on Mt. Locke of the million dollar McDonald Telescope of the State
University of Texas, which is expected to open up unexplored vistas of the illimitable universe to the
conquering eye of man. He is recognized in Texas as one of the foremost scientists. Horace Taylor
Aynesworth of Waco is recognized as one of the leading specialists of the Southwest in the treatment of eye,
ear, nose and throat, having received most of his preparation at the Galveston Medical School of the State
University. Even while an interne in that institution he made himself heard from in Texas, and was noted for
his thoroughness and preparedness. He made the highest grades in the institution mentioned that had ever been
made up to the time of his matriculation and stay in the school, and was accorded unusual mention when he
graduated; if I mistake not, his grades have not since been excelled. He also is characterized by a most
retentive memory, which has served him well in many directions.
Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth, son of George Levin Aynesworth, and wife, Ellen Hickman, was born on Berry's
Creek, Williamson County, and in his boyhood went with his parents to Young County, near Graham, where
they lived until the death of
Page 26 George Levin, Sr., who is buried there. Kenneth early showed a thirst for knowledge, and
absorbed all that was to be had in that (then) pioneer area. He went as a very young man to Waco, where he
entered Baylor University, attending that institution and also taught some there. He also attended school In
Kentucky awhile, and then went to Galveston, to attend the Medical Branch of the State University, having
determined to become a physician. He completed his work in that institution with credit to himself, and
became an interne in that institution.
It was a little later that he was appointed superintendent of the John Sealy Hospital, and it was in 1900, on the
8th of September, that he was in charge of that institution when the great hurricane swept out of the Caribbean
Sea and inundated Galveston and other coast cities, snuffing out the lives of probably fifteen thousand souls
in all; but the young superintendent exhibited all the characteristics of caution and preparedness which have
characterized his life, and had made preparations for the storm. Instead of the hospital being a wreck in
every form, and a charge on the community, he had prepared for a catastrophe, and took care of a portion of
the stricken inhabitants, instead of being disabled through scant supplies; he had prudently laid in many
supplies, noting advance predictions regarding the storm. After leaving Galveston he studied in Europe,
Page 27 particularly in Germany, at the same time acquiring a knowledge of the language and some
knowledge of French. He has since been back to Europe two or three times for study and observation. He
married Maude Brian of Louisiana, former teacher of music in Baylor University, soon after his return from
his first trip, and they settled in Waco, where he made a conspicuous and outstanding success of his practice
and of surgery, the latter claiming his time exclusively after he had practiced general medicine awhile. He was
president of the Texas Surgical Society for one or two terms, and was honored by several institutions, which
conferred honorary degrees on his. His benevolences have been numerous, and the gift of a wonderful
Texas History collection to Baylor University was one of these. In about 1933 he was appointed a Regent of
the Texas University, and is still holding. that place with credit to himself and great benefit to the institution;
he is right now having much to do with the installation of the great telescope on Mt. Locke in the Ft. Davis
section. He recently was honored by an offer to place his name in the "Who's Who in the United
States", with an accompanying and most complimentary write-up, featuring his activities scientifically,
culturally, and in a generally constructive manner. And he is but little past his sixtieth milestone yet.
Horace Taylor Aynesworth, second son of George Levin Page 28 and wife, also early evinced a
strong desire for an education and for thorough equipment for life's battles, and after study in Young County,
Texas, and one or two other places, went to Galveston to attend the State University Medical Branch, having
decided to specialize on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Not only did he equip himself well, but
he established a record which has perhaps not even yet been excelled, making the highest general average ever
made in the institution, this holding good in practically every study; newspapers of Galveston, when he
graduated, carried most complimentary notices of his fine performance, with his photograph accompanying
same.
The notices were not fulsome, but genuinely complimentary, predicting and foreshadowing the later splendid
success achieved, in addition to a personality which has attracted for him many strong friendships among
associates and relatives. After graduation he found himself selected to an internship, which proved mutually
beneficial and creditable for him and the institution. It was said of him by colleagues and by the public prints
of Galveston that his work in the dissecting rooms of the hospital and school proved him to be a master in the
articulation of the human body a skill and knowledge which served him well in handling his delicate and
intricate ministrations and professional duties later. He located in Waco, having among his
Page 29 professional partners at various stages of his career the late Dr. B. L. Scott, John L. Burgess, and
one or two others. He is at present prominently connected in a proprietary and professional way with the
Texas Clinic, and his success professionally and financially demonstrate his ability in his art and his ability
as a financier. And, as stated, there is the added happiness of unusual personal popularity.
He married first, on settling in Waco, Miss Lula LeBow of Dallas, and they had two children, as shown
elsewhere. "(is second wife was Mrs. J. H. Maxey of Waco, and they are residing in Waco in happiness
and contentment. Horace Taylor Aynesworth has traveled rather extensively in this country and in other
sections of the globe, and he and his wife demonstrate their acumen and good hard sense by taking "time out" for await to this place or that two or three times a year, thereby conserving; their health and
broadening their views.
G. L. Aynesworth of Fresno, California, another son of George Levin Aynesworth, was born at Graham in
Young County, or near there, at least. He was partly education in Texas, but finished at Leland Stanford, in
Palo Alto, California. He took a law course and eventually settled at Fresno, where he has reared his family.
He was in California at the time of the great San Francisco earthquake in 1907, and took part in the rescue
work which featured that catastrophe. He proved to be a great friend of education in that state, and
Page 30
has made an excellent success of his law practice. He has more
than once been urged to. enter politics, especially state politics, and offer for some place at the capitol, but
thus far has stuck to his legal business. All members of his family have had excellent educational advantages.
Joseph Aynesworth, a brother of the three men mentioned above, also was born in Young county and received
the rudimentary or foundation elements of his education there. He later attended Baylor University at Waco
in the 1890's, and taught awhile after leaving Waco, then took up the practice of law in West Texas. He has
forged to the front in that section of the state and also has given his children good, splendid opportunity to
prepare for life.
He is not only a brainy man, but is physically "higher up in the world than any other man of the name-six feet and seven inches, though he is splendidly proportioned Once, while presiding at a railroad meeting
in Childress he was asked by the audience what he thought about bringing the new line into that place. He
replied: "I am going to do more for this important proposition than any man in this house I am going
to go my full length for it."
Isaiah Aynesworth, now deceased, a brother of the above, gave promise of being a brilliant newspaper man,
and when he died more than a decade and half ago, was
Page 31 managing the Scripps-McRae news service that state; he is buried at Fresno, and left a small
family. W. M. Aynesworth, eldest son of I. H. Aynesworth, Jr. took kindly to King Cotton, and knew the
game from planting and raising cotton, to grading it for markets of the world. He came to be one or the best
known of Texas cotton buyers and bought this staple all over the cotton raising area of the state. In one season
he bought and classified over fifteen thousand bales, being an indefatigable worker and keenly interested in
this line. It was while on a cotton buying expedition that he was trapped in the great Corpus Christi hurricane,
which subjected him to gruesome and harrowing experiences. He was the trusted man of the Perr; cotton
buying firm of Austin for years, and handled many complicated situations for them. He now has retired from
the business and is living at Lampasas. Kenneth Aynesworth, son of Dr. K. H. Aynesworth and wife,
Maude Brian Aynesworth, is a rapidly rising young lawyer of Houston, and bids fiar to forge ahead in his
chosen profession. He began his education in the Waco Public Schools, later graduating from Baylor
University and attended State University at Austin, choosing the law early enough to center his attention there.
He has an analytical mind, and reasons factually, making him a natural disciple of Blackstone. He is at present
unmarried, though a decidedly Page 32 attractive personality. Before leaving Waco he was with
District Judge J. P. Alexander in his private practice, making an enviable record. Brian Aynesworth,
brother of the above, has chosen the medical profession as his life work, and also followed a natural bent in
so doing. He already has graduated from the medical school of the State University, at Galveston, and now
is serving an internship, having made excellent grades all the way along. Like his father, Dr. K. H.
Aynesworth, he naturally takes to his work and his lines have evidently fallen or have been directed in the very
ways he should have chosen for his life's endeavor. He married Miss Rose Oltorf of Marlin, daughter of an
old and highly respected Marlin family, and starts his medical career excellently equipped and under most
favorable environs and with cheering outlook. Edward Maddin Aynesworth (Ainsworth), son of E. M.
Ainsworth of Waco, Texas, has chosen the newspaper life as his medium of activity and of providing for his
family. He started his educational life at Sanger Avenue Ward School, graduating later from the Waco High
School, and in his closing year was editor of the Daisy Chain, publication of that institution; he also was
president of the Rostra Debating Society of the High School. He later attended the famous Soldan High
School in St. Louis a while, then on his return to Texas, attended A. and M at Bryan two terms. Page
33 Later, after going to California in the early 1920's, he also attended the University of Southern
California, as it was then called. He was at this time engaged in newspaper work in that state, first at San
Pedro, on the Pilot, then at Los Angeles, on the Times.
He also was at Bakersfield in that State, then Sedalia, Missouri, and from there went to Atlanta, Georgia,
where he soon became State News Editor of the famed Constitution, working with a son of Rev. Sam P. Jones
of Henry W. Grady, and Stanton, author of "Mighty Like a Rose", etc. He then, in 1924, returned
toLos Angeles, resumed his work with the times becoming Chief Copy Reader, City Editor, and now is State
News Editor of that great paper, which has probably, the best plant in the United States; he also is Chief
Columnist of the Times and has a wide and growing acquaintance throughout Southern California.
In 1931, he married Miss Katherine Lake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lake of Los Angeles, less than two weeks
after her graduation from the University of California at Los Angeles, and they have one daughter, Sheila Beth
Ainsworth, born August 21, 1933.
Perhaps it might interest some to know a little regarding the history of the writer of this outline record. I was
born in Lampasas county in 1865, and was named Edward by my parents, but at the age of four years added
the name of McCrea Aynesworth (Ainsworth). Began work on the Liberty Hill Page 34 Courant in the
Fall of 1882, as printers' "devil", serving later in every capacity on newspapers of Waco, including
managing editor, editor and proprietor. With associates brought the first linotype machines to Waco in the late
1890's. Had to content myself with an education which ended with my eleventh year, save for what I absorbed
through my newspaper work, home study and travels. It occurs to me that probably the most interesting
phase of my newspaper life was summed up in several years during which I attended luncheon clubs in Waco,
handling publicity for the organization, and in the people I have met, contacted socially or in a business way
or had luncheon with during this newspaper career. I will therefore name some of these parties, many of whom
I enjoyed at luncheons. Among these were: Gipsy Smith, the elder and younger; George Goethals, building
of the Panama Canal; W. J. Bryan, General William Graves, in charge of the troops in Siberia, during the
World War; Roland Arnundsen, pole discoverer; Admiral Dewey, General Fitzhugh Lee, brother of General
Robert E. Lee; Robert P. Hobson, hero of the Merrimac; Irvine Cobb, Edwin Markham, Robert Burroughs,
world famed naturalist; Charles Bowman Hutchings, General Hahn, President Theodore Roosevelt, W. H.
Taft, and Calvin Coolidge, Frederick Ward, David Warfield, John Barrymore, Edgar Rice Burroughs, John
Kendrick Bangs and wife, Vice-President Marshall and wife, Miss Will Allen Dromgoole, Opie
Page 35 Reade, Ignacius Paderewski, Gutson Borglum, Josophue Daniels, W. P. Cody, (Buffalo Bill), Dr.
Coueay of Paris, Isaac Mareasson, "Big Foot" Wallace (when I was a boy, Bob Taylor of
Tennessee, Russell Conway, Bill Nye, Sir Harry Lauder, David Starr Jordan, Madame Shumnan-Heink, John
McCormack, Dr. Burke Culpepper, John L. Sullivan, J.J. Corbett, Blind Tom, Booker T. Washington, and
many others I have handled publicity in revival meetings held by such men as the Gypsy Smiths, Dr.
George W. Truett, Revs. Sam Jones and George Stuart, Bishops Kilgore, Sam R. Hay, Key, Hoss, McMurray,
James Cannon, Young J. Allen of China, Arthur Moore.
One of the compliments I have received was several years ago, when the late Felix H. Robertson, (General),
last ranking general of the Confederacy died, and his widow asked me to write his life, offering to supply the
material, but I was too busy to comply. For many years I represented the Associated Press and Scripps-McRae
news services in the Waco district, and in addition to my local duties, had a news bureau here, serving state
newspapers, the New York World Herald, and other papers there, besides the Post Dispatch of St. Louis,
Kansas City Star, Los Angeles Times, Nashville Banner, and many other news purveyors. Still am somewhat
active in my seventieth year. I have found the newspaper life intriguing, informing and interesting from
all angles - that I have done Page 36 some constructive work is my hope, as many opportunities have
offered themselves for such effort. Miss Anne Aynesworth, daughter of W. M. Aynesworth and wife, has
been a conspicuous and outstanding figure in Texas educational lines for several years. She received the
foundation of her education at the Round Rock Schools in Milam county, later attending the University of
Texas, and later still she taught in this same University the Correspondence English; she also attended for a
while the University of Chicago and then the Columbia University in New York, studying for degrees. One
of her particularly helpful pieces of work was the years spent at Alpine, in Sun Ross Teachers' College, where
she held the chair of English.
In this position she inspired and instructed many young men and women to reach out for greater things; one
of these young men, Richard Gillespie, who was particularly poetic in his leanings, dedicated his first volume
of poems to Lady Anne (Aynesworth), who had taught and directed him at Alpine. She influenced many
young lives signally at Alpine and the State University. She gave up her work voluntarily at Alpine a few years
ago, and since Circumscribed her teachings somewhat, because of the poor health of her parents. She teaches
a few months each year in the State School at Denton. Walter F. Lineberger, son of J. H. Lineberger and
wife, was born in Tennessee, near Whiteville, Tennessee, the family Page 37 coming to Texas later,
where Walter attended the public schools and then the Texas A. and M, and where he became an engineer;
his grades in this institution were very high, in fact, he topped the group on the closing year of his studies. He
was in South America in engineering work with some of the best American engineers, later doing this same
work in Mexico with conspicuous success. From Mexico where he had succeeded so well, he went to Long
Beach, California, where he had much experience and where he also engaged in real estate, with notable
success.
While at Long Beach he answered the call to arms for the World War, captained a company and served with
distinction, being twice wounded was cited for bravery in action, and now is a Major. After his return from
war, he was drafted over his protest and elected to Congress from the South Los Angeles district, serving four
years at Washington his record being most enviable. After this service which was in the early 1920's he went
to Florida to do engineering in the great water projects at Ft. Lauderdale and vicinity, receiving twenty five
thousand dollars per year for his services while there. He is probably the most fluent linguist in the family,
speaking and writing four or five languages with ease and correctness. Also Major Lineberger has traveled
very widely and has written a most interesting volume on the history of the Lineberger tribe, in collaboration
with that
Page 38 Internationally known figure, Paul Lineberger. He and his wife have given their grown children
exceptional educational advantages in this country and in Europe. At present he is in Santa Barbara
temporarily engaged in a gigantic development proposition.
James Seaton Aynesworth, (Ainsworth), youngest son of I. H. Aynesworth, Jr., and wife, Margaret
Mccrea-Aynesworth, was born in Williamson county, had his first schooling in the good little educational
town of Liberty Hill, and went to McGregor in 1888, where he worked awhile on the McGregor Observer,
this newspaper experience being his first of the kind, though he later made that business his life
work. From McGregor he went to Waco in September of 1888, where he remained until after his
graduation from the high school that place in the early 90's; he was salutatorian of his class, the subject his
address on that occasion being, "Not Failure, but Low Aim, is Crime". He attended State
University at Austin after his graduation at Waco, starting a law course under distinguished tutelage. But his
health did not admit of his graduation at Waco, starting a law course under distinguished tutelage. But his
health did not admit of his completing this work, as he had become weakened by an attack of typhoid fever
while at Waco, this attack being very severe, leaving his nervous system in bad condition. He did newspaper
work in Page 39 Waco for awhile, showing splendid ability in this work, after which he entered politics
for a time, serving a term in the Texas Legislature as Representative.
This was the twenty-eighth Legislature, so fond of politics did he become that he began an intensive study of
political and economic problems, with a back ground of study of men in public life. So thorough was this
study of prominent figures in Texas politics that he became easily the best posted man in the state on such
matters, with the possible exception of the late Judge W. L. Radney, who later removed to New
Mexico. James Seaton followed up his political activities by the return to the newspaper life, and while
in that business again, handled many of the problems confronting Texas from the standpoint of a writer; his
analyses of men and measures were searching and thorough, and quite a reputation was earned in this field.
He found time for some short story writing and some poems. One of his outstanding newspaper experiences
was with the old Austin Statesman, he and a man named Travis handling that outstanding daily newspaper for
a few years with marked success; he also did newspaper work in other states. James Seaton Aynesworth
(Ainsworth) died September 13, 1929, and was buried at Liberty Hill, his birth place, beside his father and
mother and little baby sister, Eva.
J.H. (Zach) Lineberger, son of Uncle John Lineberger Page 40
and his wife, Caroline Amanda Aynesworth, was a typical son
of the South - enthusiastic, warm hearted, and of kindly characteristics. He was a man of much native dignity
and impressive manner; when he spoke others involuntarily listened attentively to what he had to say. His
manner was much like that of Uncle ANDREW FULLER Aynesworth, and indeed they - resembled each
other somewhat. He early developed a liking for the livestock business and had a natural understanding
of how to handle animals. So as a young man he put in a good deal of time buying and shipping horses and
mules, often going out of Tennessee for the kind of animals he wanted. It was one of his trips to Texas in this
business that he first met Sister Lucy Aynesworth, and a romance ensued which resulted in their marriage.
They lived in Tennessee several years, finally removing to. Bartlett, Texas, where they lived some time, he
being an official of the city. His latter years, however, were spent in California, where one of his sons, Major
Walter Lineberger, had settled, and where the other sons, J. S. Lineberger and Arthur Edward Lineberger
settled. He passed away in that state, and is sleeping near majestic Mt. Rubideaux, awaiting the last summons.
Though very young when the War between the States broke out, he was a participant before it ended, and
found under command of that intrepid leader, Colonel Nathan Bedford Forest, whom he admired above any
man save perhaps his own Page 41 people. His memory of battles of the war was probably not excelled
by any man in Confederate ranks, and he could tell, from memory, practically every engagement that rose to
the rank of the battle, giving the commanders, the moment of firing of the first gun, duration of the fight and
could analyze the results of that battle clearly and convincingly. All who ever heard him marveled at the
wonderful memory shown and the accuracy of his statements.
By coincidence - one of those coincidences which are serving to wipe out the scars of that internecine struggle
his son, John Selvyn Lineberger, in later years met Miss Phyla Wadsworth, a daughter of a Federal soldier,
in Kansas City on business and after a comparatively brief courtship they were married and have lived a
beautiful and happy life. Colonel Wadsworth later had charge of disbursement of funds of Federal War
Pensioner, and like J. H. Lineberger contributed his full part in building sentiment for that broader charity
which conceded that each side in the titanic struggle fought for that which seemed just and right.
J. H. Lineberger as shown elsewhere, had two full brothers and a half-brother.
Walter Franklin Lineberger, oldest child of J. H. (Zach) Lineberger and his wife, who was Miss Lucy
Aynesworth, daughter of I. H. Aynesworth, Jr., and wife, was born in Tennessee, but was largely reared in
Texas, at Liberty Hill and Williamson county, and in Bartlett, on the line of that
Page 42 county and Bell County. He attended the schools of those two towns, and then attended Waco
High School awhile, finishing at the A. and M. College of Texas, near Bryan, one of the outstanding
institutions of its kind in the United States; his grades at this institution were splendid, and he chose
engineering as his work. He was first in South America in his chosen line, being one of the most eminent of
engineers, whose name I do not now recall, and who died in that country. He then went to Mexico, stopping
in Torreone. He engaged in mining engineering, with a partner, Mr. Rone. They did well, and he (Walter
Franklin) was married while in this place to Miss Florence Hite of Columbus, Ohio (issue of this marriage
noted elsewhere.) But a revolution breaking out in Mexico, he was finally compelled to move to Long Beach,
California, where he engaged in real estate matters and the financing of various enterprises, recouping his
financial status which had been injured by his enforced removal from Mexico. He acquired Spanish while in
Mexico, and speaks several languages well.
When the World War broke out a company was organized a Long Beach, of which he was captain, a place
for which he was well fitted, and he served throughout this catastrophic time with much distinction, and was
promoted eventually to the rank of Major. He was wounded in action, had charge of troop trains while in a
sector, then went back to his men, his entire record being brilliant and creditable.
Page 43 After the war, in 1921, he was elected to Congress from the South Los Angeles district, to fill the
term of the lamented Vandewater, who was killed by accident soon after his election. He served four years
in Washington, making a fine record, and formed close friendships with many distinguished men. After his
retirement from politics in about l926, he was engineer for some highly important and expensive deep water
projeots on the East coast of Florida, adding to laurels which he had already gained in that work, and
incidentally getting good financial returns for his services. He is at present engaged in a notable
development project, having to do with extracting certain products from dimataceous earth, a mountain of
which exists about a hundred miles above Los Angeles. He is a natural organizer, and a leader of men. It
should have been mentioned above; that he was sighted for bravery in action while in France, his war record
reflecting the same aggressiveness and thoroughness as other phases of his eventful and active life.
John Selvyn Lineberger, son of J. H. Lineberger and Lucy Aynesworth, was partially reared in Liberty Hill,
Bartlett, and Austin, Texas, attending school in each place. He early evinced a desire and capacity for learning,
which easily lead the way to show his natural trend. His parents cooperated thoroughly in his educational
training, which carried him through the Texas State University, then to Page 44 Columbia University,
New York. In the years spent in the latter institution he received practical training in geological, metallurgical
and mathematical, buttressed with other lines fitting him for a business and professional life. He made a
remarkable student, and excelled his entire class in mathematics at Columbia, showing up exceptionally well
in all other studies - though he may dissent when he sees this, because of an innate modesty which has always
characterized him. After graduation he returned to Texas and applied for engineering work with the Texas
central railroad, which was just then doing some construction work; but while waiting for this to develop,
received an offer of a place of assayist in the great silver mine at Juanajuata, Mexico, accepting this and filling
the place most acceptably. From there he went to Arizona, accepting similar work, and was seriously
injured while descending into the mine on one occasion. He next went to Long Beach, California, where he
entered the business world, showing the same splendid preparation which characterized his efforts in other
lines. During the World War he tried to go to the front, but was completely blocked by physicians' reports on
his injury in the mine; he then went in the ship yards near Long Beach, and did his bit there. His marriage is
mentioned elsewhere, and he and his wife have an exceptionally fine and forward looking family of boys, full
of ambition and evident ability to carry on the fine record made by their parents. Page 45 Arthur
Edward Lineberger, third son of J. H. Lineberger and wife, was prevented by illness in his youth from taking
the education wrought out by his brothers, hut showed the same indefatigable spirit in his work that
characterized his brothers. He has always been exceptionally industrious and energetic, and has made good
headway, though hampered by ill health much of his life.
He has for many years been engaged in railroad work for the Southern Pacific line in Los Angeles, California,
and has shown good ability in handling the finances which came his way, showing that, had he been strong
enough physically to follow up on his ambition, he would have made an enviable record in the business world.
He was married in Texas, but he and his wife have never been blessed with any children.
RANDOM NOTES. It was on June 11, 1896, that I married Miss Pearl Maddin, daughter of professor
Maddin and his wife, Miss Malone. both families represented by my wife were from Tennessee, and the
Maddin family came from Nashville, the city where Grandfather Aynesworth lived as a boy. Professor E. P.
Maddin, after coming to Texas, engaged in teaching assisted by his wife, and he was for ten years president
of Waco Female college, a noted institution at Waco.
He was president when the Administration building was constructed, and other important steps taken. He and
his wife also conducted a private school in Waco, and many of Page 46 the prominent business men
here today, and especially up to a decade ago, were pupils in his school. Later he took a little fling at local
politics, and was for two terms County Tax Assessor; he did not ask for a third term. Dr. W. C. Wilkes, who
wrote an informing history of Waco some three years ago, has several interesting references to the Maddin
family, as Dr. Jack Maddin, a brother of Professor E. P. Maddin, also lived here. Another brother, Dr. Thomas
Maddin, remained in Nashville, Tennessee, and was an outstanding figure in the medical life of that state, lecturing for almost half a century at Vanderbilt University and holding the position of the leading surgeon of
that state. Their father founded the first Sunday School taught in Nashville, and was a noted Methodist
devine. Professor E. H. Maddin married Miss Lou Malone, two of whose brothers were among the
most prominent residents of Memphis.. One brother, Walter Malane, was the Tennessean who wrote the De
Soto, which has been characterized by some critics as the great classic of the United States, while his poem,
"Opportunity", has been quoted as widely as anything written in this country; he also wrote many
other works of merit, and was signally honored in his home city of Memphis. Judge J. H. Malone,
another brother, was drafted by Memphis for Mayor more than two dedades ago, bringing that city out of an
almost inextricable financial snarl;
Page 47 he then returned to his law practice. Judge Malone also found time to write, and his thrillingly,
interesting "Chickasaw Nation" has won a high place in the literature describing the life, habits
and origin of many of the Indian tribes of this country. Many kindred subjects are treated, including the
struggle between the English and the French for the control of the Mississippi river and its rich basin.
Professor E. P. Maddin and his wife both sleep in Oakwood Cemetery, at Waco, and beside them is Pearl
Maddin Ainsworth, my beloved wife.
Dr. Wright, who bought the home place of Rev. I. H. Aynesworth, three miles northeast of the Courthouse
at Austin, was an eminent man in many respects and was both a civil engineer and physician, as men were
forced in those days to equipped in a varied way, rather too specialized in just be particular. He is credited
with having laid off the City of Tallahasee, Florida, when a young man. His grandsons, the Walling boys of
Austin, are devoted to his memory.
As mentioned elsewhere he paid Grandfather five thousand dollars for the place, which was well equipped
in every way. Later Dr. Wright built a large two story house north of the old Aynesworth place, and removed
to that place. It was several hundred feet distant from the Aynesworth place, which soon thereafter lapsed into
a state of gradual decay. But the heavy cedar gate posts and other things of that type withstood the ravages
of time for decades, and were Page 48 still there in 1925 when I visited the place. Grandfather
Aynesworth, about three years after buying the land, leased five acres of rich ground, adjacent to the big
spring, for a truck garden, and this was one of the very first organized efforts to have a truck garden that was
ever instituted in Texas. This lease was due to the fact that there was plenty of water available from the big
spring for irrigation, and showed the value placed on the presence of water in abundance. This place of
Grandfather Aynesworth had only changed hands one time after the sale to Dr. Wright, a family from near
Waco having purchased it from the Wright heirs about the time I was there in 1925; I think the family from
near Waco was named Giles. It was an unusual instance of long ownership.
It was while Grandfather Aynesworth lived at Austin that one of the frequent visitors to his place was a
kinsman, Thomas Ochiltree, for whom Ochiltree County in Texas was named, and who was a famous
conversationalist and raconteur. In fact, Ochiltree created a profound impression in Europe by his rare powers
of conversation and marvelous skill at story telling. He lived in East Texas later, finally spending much time
in Washington, D.C., where he was very popular. When he died he was accorded the unusual honor of a last
resting place in Arlington Cemebery. Many times I have heard my father and Grandfather speak of the wit and
engaging personality of "Tom" Ochiltree.
Page 49 In 1925, while in Austin with my wife I decided to visit Grandfather I. H. Aynesworth's old
residence northeast of the city, never having been actually on the place, though hsving heard much about it
all my life. But I left the Austin section about the time I was grown and kept thinking each time I was in Austin
that I would visit the place next time. I am relating this incident, as it shows how strangely matters sometimes
work around to encompass a given object or determination. Knowing that it would be difficult to locate the
place exactly, after all the time that had elapsed since Grandfather left there seventy years I went to a barber
shop, as at such places one often contacts information. Besides, I wanted a shave! Sitting in the chair of the
barber, I said, after I had been in the chair awhile: "Do you happen to know anybody in Austin
who probably could direct me to the old home place of the late Rev. I. H. Aynesworth, who left here seventy
years ago."
Almost instantly a man sitting in the barber chair next to mine rose up in the chair and said:
"Why, man I was born in that house, and my Grandfather the late Dr. Wright, bought the place from
your grandfather. And so it proved to be. The man in question was Robert Walling, and by a strange
happening we were brought together in the barber shop. The next morning, by an arrangement with Walling,
who had two brothers in Austin, prominent and well known citizens, I went with Walling to the old place so
full of memories. And here again the unexpected happended. My Grandfather had settled on the
place Page 50
many decades previous to the time I was there, and had ap
peared in wagons drawn by horses, some members of the family, masculines, on horse back, to battle almost
a wilderness. I drove out that morning in 1925 in a good automobile, and while standing on the hallowed
ground, as if to emphasize still further the changes wrought by time, a fleet of eleven new and shining
airplapes circled directly overhead; further more, I returned to the city after inspecting the place and went to
the superb dining room of the Stephen F. Austin Hotel for lunch, meeting my wife there by previous
arrangement. Thus does the whirligig of the passing years play strange pranks and institute startling
comparisons to accentuate the changes wrought by the flight of the years
The place in Burnet County, where the family lived from 1855 until the death of Grandfather and
Grandmother, and where Aunt Allie lives for a good many years afterward, was situated on the
"Divide" between; thle Colorado and Brazos rivers, though much nearer the first named stream,
which was only about six or seven miles to the West. Water from rains on the West and middle of the lands
followed Deer Qreek to the Colorado, but the water falling on the extreme Eastern part of the homestead ran
into Bruton Branch, then the Lampasas river and found its way eventually to the Brazos, more than one
hundred miles eastward. Deer Creek, a prong of it, rather, headed in Grandfather's orchard, east of the house.
Page 51 The house faced east from a large grove of live oaks and originally was surrounded by high
palisades of cedar posts, as a protection against the Indians, which were quite a menace the first ten years of
their residence in that regiion, and which came in at intervals for more than ten years. It was in the south room
of this house, now the only portion remaining, save a shed room that Grandfather Aynesworth died peacefully
and quietly about nine, in the morning, February 25th, 1876. (I pause to record the fact that my daughter, Faith
Ainsworth, now Mrs. Forrest Smith, was born February 25th, 1911). While a very devout man, and prepare
to meet the end of life, he always confessed that he had a physical fear of death, and made it a subject of
prayer, asking that he might pass on when his time came without a lingering illness.
It can bear testimony that his prayer was answered. He had had his breakfast, and I think, his Scripture
reading, and was sitting in his chair in front of the fire; I was in the room with him when I noted that his head
fell to one side, he took two or three short breaths, and was gone without a struggle. I ran across the large
open hallway to the north room, and told Aunt Allie, who was tidying up that room, and she came at once,
but his Spirit had passed ere she reached him. Funeral services were conducted next day by a preacher
named Baker, of the same denomination as Grandfather, and who Page 52 lived between Georgetown
and Lampasas, probably on Berry's Creek or North Gabriel. Grandmother Aynesworth had preceded him in
1875, and both were laid to rest on the old home place, as stated elsewhere; also Aunt Bettie Williams was
buried in the same area, just south of their graves. An interesting fact concerning the section of land
- about a section - selected for the home site of Rev. I. H. Aynesworth in Burnet County, was that it was
surveyed out by Adam R. Johnson of Burnet, who afterwards became one of the most colorful of all the
figures emerging from the War Between the States. Indeed, the almost unbelievable feats performed by
Colonel Johnson, who was the trusted and loved scout of that other colorful and daring figure, General Nathan
Bedford Forrest, caused many to assert that no other one man performed as many deeds of daring and heroism
in the entire Confederacy lists as did this man did.
He was in some respects the Alvin York of this terrible war in point of risks taken and deeds performed. And
it should be remarked just here that General Forrest also had in his command the late J. H. Lineberger,
husband of Miss Lucy Aynesworth, and a granddaughter of Rev. I. H. Aynesworth, and Lineberger acted more
than once as a courier for General Forrest, though only a boy; this reference is made in passing, as Lineberger
was in more than one hundred engagements during the time he was in the war, these fights being of sufficient
importance to be designated as battles. He was a profound Page 53 admirer of General Forrest.
But getting back to General Johnson -- who really became a Brigadier General -- his chief exploit won for
him the sobriquet of "Stovepipe Johnson". He was scouting in the vicinity of Newburg, Indiana,
a thriving and important town of about, fifteen hundred people, which had several hundred men under arms
and which also had many stands of arms. Laying his plans to try and capture this place with his twenty-seven
men, General Johnson secretly made the way undiscovered to within a little over half a mile of Newburg,
which was surrounded on that side by a lake. Taking the wheels from a wagon, the General fashioned a
formidable looking cannon out of stovepipe, making a second cannon from a black and charred hollow log.
These two were trained on the town, and then the twenty-seven men were set to work riding round and round.
the crest of a wooded hill, appearing to be quite a large contingent of men. Then with a white flag on a little
skiff, he took two or three men, crossed the lake, walked boldly into the presence of eighty-five armed men,
and demanded the surrender of the town and the arms stored there. This on the threat of blowing the town to
pieces with his "cannon" if the request should be denied.
The commander of the troops almost collapsed from anger, but after squinting at the "terrible"
cannon through a spy glass without discovering the hoax, capitulated, surrendering the coveted arms, which
were taken off before
Page 54 the ruse was uncovered. General Johnson's book, written after the war, "Partisan
Rangers", has been designated by many competent authorities as one of the best contributions to
Confederate Literature. I am fortunate enough to possess a copy, donated by the author, because of the
friendship between him and Grandfather Aynesworth. In 1857, while living at the Burnet county place,
where he had been for some two years, Rev. I. H. Aynesworth was called to come to the area which is now
Brown County, to perform a marriage ceremony -- the first marriage which took place in that county, The
principals were Mr J. H. Fowler and Miss Mary Chandler. He rode the more than sixty miles on horseback
and through an Indian infested region, probably with a six shooter in one side of his saddle bags and a Bible
in the other, as was the custom of many ministers of that day who were on the frontier areas.
Brownwood, the county capital of Brown County; now is a thriving, bustling, beautiful and modern little
city of about fifteen thousand souls, It is rated as one of the very best cities between Ft, Worth and El Paso.
The county had not at that time been organized and was very sparsely settled. Such changes do the years
make! This trip reminds me that the Indians used to "come in" pretty regularly during thdse
days, traveling at night from their habitation a little further west, and their visits were frequently indicated by
forest fires in the cedar brakes, Page 55 which would menace the homes of early settlers, preventing
some of the settlers from joining hands of white men who pursued the Indians as it would become necessary
to fight the fire away from the few settlements. On one occasion Grandfather Aynesworth had a
peculiar psychic experience a few miles southwest of his home. He had ridden out unaccompanied, to hunt
some horses which had failed to, show up at home for some days. He stopped at what was called Elm Water
Hole and got off his horse for a rest in the shade of a tree. Half asleep a few minutes later he felt a sudden,
pronounced and peculiar impulse to move on, as impending danger seened near. He resisted the impulse at
first, but it became stronger, more impelling. He thereupon mounted his horse, rode hurriedly across
a little glade and entered the brush on the other side of the glade. None too soon was he in acting, for almost
at the moment of securing this cover, a band of wild Indians rode up and stopped under the,very tree where
a few moments before he had been dozing. He rarely ever related this incident afterwards without expressing
his thankfulness to Providence in giving him the cryptic warning to get out of the way of the approaching
Indians. Grandfather Aynesworth, while having all the idealism needed in his work as a Baptist
minister, was yet a level headed, practical and fair minded man. Uncle FULLER AYNESWORTH related to
me an incident of his life while in Burnet
Page 56 County, and probably soon after he went there. Some man from the North, whose name I now
have forgotten, set up claim to a very large body of land in Burnet County, making such a strong claim that
a big suit seemed pending; the claim included much of the townsite of Burnet. In the predicament it was
decided by both sides to arbitrate the matter, abiding by the decision of three men.
GrandfatherAynesworth was selected as one of the three men, and after long and careful analysis and
examination of the whole matter it was decided that the settlers who had come into the country and set up their
homes had the stronger claim on the land, and it was so ordered, the verdict being accepted by all concerned
as final. Pecan Springs, located about a mile and a quarter south of the old Aynesworth place in Burnet
county, merits more than a passing mention. Old man Olmstead, from Minnesota, lived there with his family
for many years, and it was on the old Austin Ft. Concho road. It was noted in particular for the big spring,
which was one of the best known watering places between Austin and Ft. Concho. The spring did net furnish
so very much water part of the time, but it rarely ever became too low or depleted to furnish water for the men
and teams on the road. It gushed out in a beautiful pecan grove, in a very rocky and picturesque spot, and a
small cliff near the springs always have beautiful ferns in profusion. The rock wall is still there, also the ferns,
and
Page 57 though the excavation has changed some, it still reminds me of the days when it was a goal longed
for by thirsty men and beasts of burden, furnishing a cool and refreshing retreat from the heat and dust of the
old road, which carried a stupendous traffic until the railroads succeeded the freighting which used to pass
the spot. At Naruna, about two miles north by west of the old Aynesworth place, is a beautiful little
cemetery, which has grown fast through the years since the Aynesworths lived in that area. It is said that a man
named Smith, who used to work for my father, I. H. Aynesworth, Jr., who was killed by a horse, together with
a man who fell from a cliff near the Colorado river, were the first two men burried in this now rather populous
city of the dead. William Spitler, who married a daughter of Joe Burleson, was one of the very first residents
of the Naruna area, and had the Post Office at his home also acting as a Justice of the Peace. Kit
Carson, noted scout and Indian fighter, was a close kinsman of Uncle Frank Boggs, who married Aunt Texana
Aynesworth. Showing the importance of knowledge of this kind, I met a Missourian several years age who
was named Boggs. I mentioned Frank Boggs and his kinship with Carson, and established at once that the
Missourian was a kinsman of Uncle Frank, as he also was related to Kit Carson. Mrs. Neill McAnelly, who
before her marriage was Miss Julia MaCrea, has a set of silver spoons which were given her Page
58 Mother by Susan Vince Pratt, wife of Captain Thomas Pratt. The spoons have the initials
"S.V." on them betokening the time when Mrs. Pratt was Susan Vince, daughter of the man who
owned the famous and historic Vince's Bridge, which was cut by Deaf Smith before the battle of San Jacinto,
cutting off all retreat of the army of General Sam Houston, though as events proved it was not necessary to
have this stimulus to force the Texans to fight to the death. Mrs. McAnelly's son, A. D. McAnelly, also has
the silver watch which belonged to Captain Pratt, who is reliably credited with having introduced some of
the domestic livestock into Lampasas County. Aunt Minerva Burleson, wife of Aaron Burleson; lost
her favorite saddle horse the day after reaching Texas from Tennessee, in 1847, according to a statement made
to Dr. Horace Aynesworth any myself by Mrs.Vollie Taylor of Austin daughter of the Burlesons mentioned
above, in l934; when, he saw her in Austin. This shows that Texas was still a real frontier, as Indians stole
the saddle animal. Mrs. Taylor is the only living child of Aunt Minerva Seaton Burlesen and Aaron
Burleson. Probably one of the oldest peach trees in Texas today is standing at the mouth of the, McCrea
lane in front of the old Cedar bog House in Lampasas county. L. W. McCrea says the tree is at least sixty or
sixty-five years old, having been planted by the McCreas soon after removing to the house Page
59 mentioned. It is a seedling, cling, and the trunk of the tree is exactly six feet in circumference, and was
measured in 1934 in the presence of five witnesses. The tree bore a few peaches that year, also. It is certainly
a fruit tree with a history, as it dates back to the days of the Indians in Lampasas County. It might be
interesting to some members of the families herein dealt with, or some members born or yet unborn, at
sometime, to know that the Seaton and the Murray families appearing in this chronicle, were perhaps the most
outstanding figures moving in the walks of those herein dealt with. I can only quote Aunt Allie
(Ainsworth) Yerker in this particular. She told me, on one or two occasions, that the Seatons and the Murrays
of the family were for centuries highly prominent in England and Scotland particuarly, and mentioned one
of the Seaton women who was lady in waiting to the Queen. Not that this makes a vast deal of difference to
those who have come along down the line especially in democratic America, but I mention this because it is
part of the record which I have undertaken to compile, incomplete though it is.
The genealogical and other records of the Seaton family in particular bears out this assertion of Aunt Allie,
though no one has as yet been able to determine the exact line of kinship with this really illustrious family.
Dr. K. H. Aynesworth of Waco, as I think I mentioned elsewhere,
Page 60 is right now tracing this matter, and thinks he will
be successful in getting the matter put into the class of the definite and final. So those who might be
interested are referred to him, should his painstaking efforts be crowned with the success that now appears
possible, or rather probable. It has been stated in my hearing several times that the name Aynesworth
served business firms in both Burnet and Lampasas with satisfactory material for "cost marks"
on goods bought and sold. The ten letters in the name, all the letters different, made the name useful in that
regard, and friends are said to have thus used it. In the line of school teaching, members of my own
family group are perhaps due a word of mention. Each of my five sisters who lived to the years of maturity
have been teachers and I may say with some degree of modesty that they were proficient in the art, too Sister
Mary emphasized English especially in her studies; Sister Lucy did the same and also found time to
be rather musical; Alice was strong in mathematics; Almeda was well ground in all subjects usually taught at
the time she was pedagogically employed, while the same is true of, Ida, and Ida also had a wonderful grasp
on that broadening and stimulating old study we used to call geography.
Further information concerning the origin and peregrinations of the Aynesworth family may be contained
in statements Page 61 made by various members of the family. One of these statements was that
Grandfather Aynesworth's father or Grandfather came to the United States from Wales, This informatien came
from two or three persons in the family who are, or were, rather well informed en the subject generally.
However, this statement lacks absolute verification, and is given simply for what it is worth. When the
family of Grandfather Aynesworth moved to Burnet County from Austin in 1855 the area around the new
home was full of wild game. Deer, turkeys, prairie chickens and other wild game could be had in abundance,
and wild honey could be had merely for the trouble of cutting a "bee tree". Also, there still were
a few buffalo there, arid the famous "Buffalo Prairie" of early days was located a few miles west
of the home; a large part of this prairie was later owned for several years by, Uncle Hugh A. McCrea, but he
later, sold the property at a good profit. Uncle FULLER (A.F.) AYNESWORTH estimated, once, that he had
killed at least three hundred deer within three miles of the old home, and unnamed numbers of other wild
animals and fowls. Perry Lineberger, who was born at Whiteville, Tennessee, but who has been in
Texas a good many years, states that the old farm of Grandfather Aynesworth was located some four to four
and a half miles from Whiteville, and I think the general direction was southwest. The place is referred to as
"the Page 62 old Aynesworth" place even until today, he said. Imbibing the spirit of romance and adventure which strongly surged in the early days in Texas, my father, I. H. Aynesworth, Jr., in 1867 went on what was termed the "Gold "Hunt", which was headed by the late Captain
Snively (See Texas Histories). It was a bootless and fruitless adventure, but the lure of stories of buried
treasure in Western
Texas and New Mexico tempted many persons of practical turn of mind in those days. I have a letter written by father to my Mother, the letter having been given me by my sister, Miss Mary Ainsworth, and in the letter father refers to me, as I was then the baby of the family.
In the early days of Lampasas and Burnet counties the McCrea and Aynesworth families, like all other settlers of that area, were wont to pay regular visits to a point on the Colorado River several miles West of their home to get salt for their domestic uses and for livestock. There was near the river what was known as
the "Salt Lick", which was heavily impregnated with salt, and this formation was immersed in
water and then boiled down, producing the coveted salt. Naturally, the spot was frequented by both whites and Indians, and many clashes occured in the vicinity of the deposit at Salt Lick. This spot is still pointed out to visitors, reminding them of the strenuous days of the long ago. Page 63 Uncle Levin
Aynesworth was on the Colorado river, hunting, on one occasion, when he had an unusual experience, but
fortunately had witnesses to the happening - otherwise he probably would never have related it. He had an old
muzzle loading rifle of the cap and ball variety, and tried to shoot some wild geese which were on a sand bar
in the river.
When he pulled the trigger the damp powder sputtered and fizzed, but did not explode instantaneously. He
threw the gun up in his disappointment, giving up his plan of shooting the geese. The fowl flew when they
heard the noise, but the rifle fired after two or, three seconds of hissing -- and, killed a wild goose! On
another occasion Uncle A. F. Aynesworth, who dearly loved to hunt, was, on the river with his father and my
father, camping out for a night or, two, Uncle FULLER got up before day, went to the mouth of a creek
nearby, and soon got a shot at a deer, wounding the creature, but not mortally. He tried to cut its throat, and
a fight to the death ensued. The deer was pretty easily handled at first, but seemed to grow stronger, until
finally Uncle FULLER was utterly exhausted and the deer took the aggressive, stamping on him with its sharp
hoofs and trying the plan of hooking him to death. Luckily my father had heard the shot, which had
been fired between two cliffs, sounding like the gun had burst. Father reached the spot just in time to save
Uncle FULLER's
Page 64 life, breaking the back of the deer with a young cedar which was literally wrenched from the
ground in the excitement of the moment and the crisis which existed, all this giving father almost superhuman
strength. It was the custom, during the pioneer days in Texas, to mould most of the rifle balls used, and
the buckshot often were also moulded. This was often done at night, by firelight or a flickering light made by
the old brass lamps or even the tallow dip. But the event was always interesting, betokening preparations for
a hunt or steps in the defense plan that was always kept in view.
The guns were all then of the muzzle loading variety, and caps and priming powder were always kept in a
dry place; the powder was often carried in a cow's horn, with a plug in the larger end and the small end sawed
off to a point, where the small orifice began. I can still remember many of these things distinctly, and I am
yet a little short of my three score years and ten
Uncle W. R. Bauchman and a companion were horse hunting once between the Rev. I. H. Aynesworth place
and the Colorado River, when they suddenly came on a wild Indian, asleep in the daytime. They found
afterwards that the Indian had been wounded, but did not know it at once. They awakened the sleeping
redman, not wanting to dispatch him while asleep, but the plucky fellow sent a stream of arrows at them,
compeling them to shoot him. "Bud" Landers, who Page 65 resides in Burnet County, in
a few hundred yards of Lampasas County, stated to me a few years ago that he knew the exact spot where
the Indian was killed.
Uncle David McCrea once went with a part of men from the East to hunt near the Colorado River. He was
not a very good shot, as he never did much hunting, but took an old cap and ball six shooter along. The men
sighted a flock of wild turkeys and were anxious to shoot into the big birds, but the turkeys were on the far
side of an open glade, making nearer approach impossible. In the dilemna Uncle Dave, who was a great Joker
and full of frolic, remarked in a low tone to the Eastern men, "`We are too far away for you to use
your shot gun, so I will Just kill that big gobbler standing by himself, and we will have a turkey feast,
anyway."
He was a "poor shot, as, stated, and never really expected to do anything--but roan the turkeys and
allow the crowd to go on. But when his old cap and ball pistol was fired, he literally shot the head of the
gobbler off. He was the most, surprised man in the group of surprized hunters, but accepted the result
nonchalantly and without comment, which caused the others to think such shooting common place with Uncle
Dave. An unusual but highly interesting incident was related, in confidence by Uncle
"A.F.") AYNESWORTH to a few relatives and very close personal friends, but he stated that he
Page 66 never told the story to as many as a dozen persons, as he realized that it sounded almost
unbelievable, but those who heard the details related in a tone of awe and wonder by Uncle FULLER never
doubted the incident for a moment. He was a man of marvelous descriptive powers, with an imagery
almost beyond belief, yet practical with all and a high sense of honor and truth. He stated that the incident took
place a few miles west of the old home place one morning when he had gone out for a hunt; as I recall the
matter the time was between daylight and sunrise, when the freshness and glory of a new born day was
flooding the earth with slowly returning light.
He was in a wooded tract and suddenly noted a beautiful glade. He was prevented from debouching into
the open space by strange sounds a sight which he had never before witnesses and which he said he never
expected to see again. The glade was almost filled with wild animals which were then to be found in that
region, and they seemed greatly perturbed, uneasy and excited, giving expression to this by making the noises
peculiar to each animal and fowl when disturbed. He declared that in the motley group he saw two or
three black bear, two panthers, many timber wolves, lobos, loafers and coyotes, several deer, foxes, antelope,
wild cats, coons, opossums, rabbits, squirrels, two or three mountain, lions, wild turkeys, prairie chickens,
curlews, plovers, quail, doves, and many other species of wild fowl
Page 67 and wild four legged creatures. The animals and fowls, were, in his words, holding a
"convention" or distress meeting, and were not fighting or having any sort of'disagreement among
themselves, though they were visibly disturbed, uneasy and ill at ease, showing this as indicated above by their
restless movements and the emission of queer sounds and noises.
He always spoke of the sight with reverence, and said that he verily believed the animals and other
specimens had come together by common consent and because they "sensed" the fact that man
had appeared upon the scene of their primal living and was intent on their destruction and extinction; that
they were huddled together in a feeble effort at self-protection and mutual woe and distress. He said,
further, that he visited the spot for two or three days, in the belief that he must have been dreaming, but each
time found foot prints of an unbelievable collection each time. Who shall say what was the sight he
witnessed? Frank Bogan, who lived in San Saba, Texas, and who has been characterized by many of
the founder of that beautiful and historic place, was a close personal friend of Grandfather and Grandmother
Aynesworth, as was also his wife. They frequently were visitors in the Aynesworth home, while on their way
between San Saba and Austin. G."Wash" Jones, who made a canvass for Governor
of
[PAGE 68 IS LOST] Go to Begining Page 69 Hill without looking Uncle
FULLER up and having a chat with him.
Uncle FULLER also was with the brother of Supreme Court Judge Seth Sheppard when the former was
shot through and died in battle. These recollections from the memory of Uncle FULLER may be of interest
to come of this generation and of succeeding generations.
Uncle James Levin Aynesworth was better known to the children of I. H. Ayneswerth, Jr., than any other
member of the family of I.H.A., Sr., that is, he was better known to the older children, as he lived at the home
of I.H.A.,Jr., at three different times according to my sister, Miss Mary Aynesworth. The first time was
when father lived on what is known as the Ridge place in Lampasas County. This was soon after UNCLE
LEV CAME FROM KENTUCKY WITH HIS WIFE AND HER DAUGHTER; father had one very large
room in the house, which was partitioned and Uncle Lev and his little family lived in that part of the house,
his talented wife teaching the community school, while UNCLE LEV engaged in stock farming on a small
scale.
Later he lived in father's home again while UNCLE LEV was hauling freight to frontier towns in Round
Rock and Austin; later UNCLE LEV contracted severe lung trouble, or so it was diagnosed, arid he was
bedridden for six months. Sister Mary and Sister Lucy here received their first intro- Page 70 duction to cod liver oil, which they dispensed to UNCLE LEV
two or three times daily.
Uncle William Aynesworth is well remember by Sister Mary Ainsworth, and she recalls when he went
away to war, the war between the States. She says that he was a handsome picture, with his blue eyes and
brown hair, and remembers that he came home one time on furlough during the war, that being the only time
that the family saw him after he entered the internecine struggle, and the last time they ever saw him.
It is stated by some members of the family that he was in the Mexican war, but Sister Mary doubts this, as she
never heard it mentioned, and he was only sixteen years old when the war came on. Uncle ANDREW
FULLER AYNESWORTH was sitting by his fire side one winter night when he felt a stinging sensation in
his arm. Next morning he found that a bullet received during the war had worked out to the edge or the skin,
and a doctor removed it next morning easily. It had been imbedded in his flesh forty years. His life was
saved once during the way by a pistol belt of strong leather; the bullet struck the bolt in the middle, deflecting
the bullet, and saving him from one of the worst wounds, a bowel shot. He kept.the belt many years, and
probably some member of the family now has it -- Andrew Fuller, Jr., is the one if it still in existence.
---oOo---
Waco, Taxes. January 8, 1935. This simple, unsystematic narration of the facts in the lives of several
related and interlocking families is not a real genealogical chronicle, for it is without chronological form,
regular sequence, definite arrangement, or complete data, but it in hoped by the writer that some of the
incidents herein net down may prove of interest, if not benefit, to persons now living, and to some who have
not tasted of the sweets and the vicissitudes of life. And there are far more sweets than vicissitudes, if our finer
and more discerning and discriminating attributes are allowed to register in a fair and normal appraisal of life.
Lack of time and a lack of the physical strength, forbid the undertaking of anything more elaborate or
more orderly, even had I the definite material for such an undertaking. (SIGNED) E. M.
AINSWORTH
George SEATON, born April 24, 1775; Catherine Kinnard, (wife born July
25, 1784; married September 21, 1802. Children as follows:
ISAIAH HEZEKIAH AYNESWORTH, (AINSWORTH), born March
27, 1797, died February 25, 1876; Nancy Anne Seaton Aynesworth, August 6, 1805, July 18, 1875. Married
June 18, 1822, with issue as follows:
Isaiah
Hezekiah Aynesworth, Jr. who was born September 9, 1835, married Margaret Anne McCrea on
October 16, 1856,
ANDREW FULLER Aynesworth, born April 23, 1843, married Rebecca
Grant, August 3, 1865. ANDREW FULLER died about 1908, his widow a few years later. Children:
Gantie, William, Jessie, (all three dead), Andrew, Lockridge, (dead), Hal, [Hal is Harry McNeil Aynesworth,
grand father of G. Tim Aynesworth] and Rebecca.
e-mail to Tim and Donna
Aynesworth Home page