The David Green Templeton Family

Facts by J. A. and Joe T. Templeton and Mrs. Hubert Earle

David Green Templeton, born August 5, 1815, in Buncombe County, North Carolina, grew to manhood in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he married Martha Moore. In 1846, with the two sons, Frank and John Allen, born to this union, David Green Templeton, a widower, came to Texas. Two years later, he married Mary E. Moore, sister of his deceased wife, and she bore him two children, Sam and Nannie. After the death of Mary, he married Jane Payne of Douglass, Texas, in 1859, and they were parents of three children, Adolphus P., Althea and Joseph Brevard.

The Templeton home was located on a farm south of Jacksonville on Union Grove Road. He was a Presbyterian, a charter member in 1853 of Masonic Lodge 108, and was Worshipful Master in 1858-1859.

During the Civil War, while his two older sons served in the Confederate Army, he remained here to serve as a supply agent, issuing food rations, clothing and farm needs to families of soldiers.

His daughter, Nannie Templeton Brummitt, became a well-known school teacher, and spent most of her adult life in Greenville. Her only daughter died in childhood. The other daughter, Althea, married James N. Earle, and their children were Edgar N., Roland W., Hubert L. Earle, Lucille Earle Ragsdale Stevens, and Ruby Earle (Mrs. G. C. Walker), a Jacksonville resident.

Adolphus P. Templeton was born in 1860, and married Lucy Mims. They resided in the Old Jacksonville community where he farmed. They were parents of Samuel and Janie Templeton Alexander of Jacksonville, and Robert Templeton and Lois Templeton.

Frank Templeton was born in 1843. He married Helena Dishman in 1872, following distinguished service in the Confederate Army. A former editor of one of Cherokee County's early newspapers, he also was interested in writing and law. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the 17th Legislature. Beginning the practice of law in Greenville, he later moved to Houston in 1895. He was author of an historical novel based on the early days of the Republic of Texas, entitled "Margaret Ballentine, or the Fall of the Alamo." He died in 1907. His children were D. A., J. D., E. R., Lena and Mrs. Fred Harming.

Dr. Samuel M. Templeton was born in 1853, and became a teacher in Cherokee County, later teaching at Trinity University. Ordained at age 19 as a ruling elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he was ordained a minister in 1878, serving as pastor of various churches. At the time of his death in 1935, he had been Stated Cleric and Treasurer of the Texas Synod for 47 years, and was a trustee of Trinity University for 35 years. He held other important offices in the Presbyterian Church and his biography and record of achievements are found in "Who's Who in America." His children were Wofford, Samuel, Jr., Rev. David H., Louise and Jane Templeton.

John Allen Templeton was born in 1844. He married Adelia Fuller, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. B. Fuller, in 1872. As a member of the Confederate Army, he spent eighteen months as a prisoner of war. He was interested in the study of law, and in literature as well as merchandising. His general store was located on Commerce Street, where Sears now is located, and the building still is owned by his descendants. He had extensive land holdings in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. He was first city secretary and one of the first aldermen of the newly-incorporated town. He devoted much of his energies to the preservation of things historical, and many of his manuscripts now are in the library at The University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Adelia Fuller was a charter member of the Presbyterian Church. Their children were Hazel T. Mayne, Mattie T. Melvin, Maude T. McDougal, a pioneer music tacher in Jacksonville and Dr. A. F. Templeton.

Joseph Brevard Templeton died in 1893, and his son, Joe T. Templeton, resides in Jacksonville. Joe T. Templeton formerly owned a dry goods store, later becoming associated with J. L. Brown Department Store, no longer in operation. Semi-retired since 1958, he helped to establish the present Frank Holmes Man Shop. He and Myrtle Black, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Black, were married in 1919, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary on August 26, 1969. Their only child, Frances, married Prentice Lanier and they reside in Jacksonville. Their grandsons are Robert and Larry Lanier, and they have two great-grandsons.

Other descendants of David Green Templeton residing in Jacksonville are Boyd Templeton, Marilyn Ragsdale Wallace, Eldorese Templeton Mims and Yvonne Templeton.

David Green Templeton
(1815-1871)

Frank Templeton
(1843-1907)

John Allen Templeton
(1844-1931)

Dr. Sam M. Templeton
(1853-1935)

John Allen Templeton, son of Dr. A. F. Templeton, published the Jacksonville Journal from 1935 to 1959. He was later the editor of Periodicals of Presbyterian Church in U. S.