Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

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his knowledge or solicitation, appointed by Governor Ire¬ land, as local director of the Agricultural and Mechanical College, which position he has held by reappointment ever since. He is the youngest member, the first and only na¬ tive Texan ever appointed on the Board of Directors, and has served in that capacity longer than any other member. He represented the College, as a delegate, at the Na¬ tional Convention of Agricultural Colleges and Experi¬ mental Stations, in New Orleans, November, 1892, and Chicago, October, 1893. He is untiring and enthusiastic in all that pertains to the College, and being on the spot, his labors in this behalf are necessarily a heavy burden, which he cheerfully and effectively bears for the love he has for the institution and the State. John E. Hollingsworth was born near Henderson, Rusk county, Texas, November 21st, 1848. His early education was obtained in the - its % ■ private schools of the neigh¬ borhood, and he closed his school days at Bethel Col¬ lege, Kentucky, in 1868, when he began the study of law in the office of his father, who was then associated with Judge A. S. Broddus, at Bryan, Texas. He attended the law school at Brenham in 1870, and the same year was licensed to practice, but at once engaged in the banking business, in which he contin¬ ued at Cleburne and at Aus¬ tin until 1874. In June of that year he married Miss Florence M. Latham, daugh¬ ter of Richard Latham, a prominent citizen of Culpepper is if il ..Hon- J- E. Hollingsworth.

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its extension to Wharto n, and for three years was in charge of the Immigration Department of the Interna¬ tional and Great Northern railway at Palestine. Was a member of the thirteenth Legislature of Texas, nominated at Galveston without his knowledge until two days after it was made, and has often been so¬ licited to run for the same office, which he has declined, preferring the quiet paths of life. Has taken a deep interest in the welfare of the Agri¬ cultural and Mechanical College of Texas since its first establishment, and also of the Prairie View State Normal School. Is a prominent Mason and Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, and well known throughout the State. W. R. Cavitt was born in Robertson county, Texas, forty-three years ago ; is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His grandparents moved to Tex¬ as from Tennessee and Ala¬ bama in 1833 and 1835. At the age of 22 and 23 he grad¬ uated in the Literary and Law Departments, respect¬ ively, of Cumberland Uni¬ versity, Lebanon, Tenn. He then located in Bryan, Bra¬ zos county, where he has re¬ sided for twenty years, en¬ gaged in the practice of law, stock-raising and farming. Was twice elected, by large majorities, over worthy op¬ ponents, county attorney, in which capacity he served his people four years, and two years as member of the nine¬ teenth Legislature. Rleven years ago he was, without 17 Hon. W. R. Cavitt.

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county, Virginia. He attributes his success in life to the care of a pious mother and to the help of a devoted Chris¬ tian wife. Soon after his marriage he settled upon a plantation in Johnson county, and in 1878 located at Grandview,Texas. In 1883 he entered the United States mail service as postmaster. In 1885 he was appointed United States postoffice inspector, and at the expiration of a year advanced to the position of inspector of the Texas division. In June of that year he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the State Commissioner of Ag¬ riculture, and on promotion of Commissioner Foster to the Railroad Commission, he became Commissioner of Agriculture, Insurance, Statistics and History. Mr. Hollingsworth’s previous training has especially fitted him for the duties of the enlarged sphere to which he was now advanced. The first year of his administra¬ tion was noted for unusual occurrences in the insurance world, covering as it did the examination of the affairs of the New York Insurance Company, the most important ever made in this country, and his zeal and fidelity were duly appreciated by the members of the company. Now another “special examination” of the company has been determined upon, and he has been selected, with six other commissioners, to conduct it. This is a great compli¬ ment to the State and the department over which he pre¬ sides. By reason of his position, he is ex-officio member of the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechani¬ cal College and the Prairie View State Normal School.