From History of Texas, Published in 1896

John A. Poe accompanied his parents to Texas in 1848, spent two years at their first point of settlement in Rusk County, seven years in Wood County, and from the latter place removed to San Saba County. While they were en route to San Saba County the father died. The rest of the family continued the journey and located there as they had intended, John A. at that time being seventeen years of age. His early advantages for obtaining an education were indeed meager, owing to the fact that his boyhood was passed in thinly settled communities, all his schooling covering only a few months. Through his own efforts, however, in later life he has broadened his knowledge, accomplishing this by home reading and by close observation and contact with the world. He remained at home until 1862, when he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Texas Cavalry for service in the Confederate Army. He remained with the Confederate ranks until the close of the war and was with Johnston's command when that general surrendered, in April, 1865. During this service he was wounded five times, twice in the engagement at New Hope Church. He took part in all the battles of his command, remaining constantly with it, with the exception of about one hundred days when he was laid up in hospital on account of his wounds.

Accepting with the best grace possible the results of the war, young Poe left the ranks and shortly after returned to his home in San Saba County, Texas, arriving here in November, 1865, and resuming the stock business in which the family were engaged. In the spring of 1867 they disposed of their interests there on account of the hostility the Indians had exhibited for some time, and came to Hood County. Here the subject of our sketch farmed from 1867 until 1873. In 1873 he went to Alabama and turned his attention to work at the carpenter's trade, at which when a boy he had worked some under his father's instructions. He remained in Alabama seventeen years, twelve of which he spent in work at his trade, the other five being given to agricultural pursuits. Then in 1891 he returned to Texas. For two years he farmed rented land here and at the end of that time purchased his present property, three hundred acres, situated seven miles southeast of the town of Granbury, where he has since resided and carried on farming and stock-raising.

In whatever community it has been his lot to abide, Mr. Poe has always shown himself interested in its welfare and willing to do his part toward promoting the public good. While in Alabama he was a justice of the peace for nearly eight years, and four years was tax assessor of Cherokee County. Politically he harmonizes with the Democratic Party, and at this writing is chairman of the Democratic County Convention. Being deprived of educational advantages in his youth and having to educate himself, he is and has been for some time deeply interested in having good schools in his community. Mr. Poe maintains a fraternal relation with the Masonic order. He was made a Mason in Acton Lodge in 1869; while in Alabama was a member of Lozzatheie Lodge No. 97, in which he filled most of the chairs; and now has a membership in Granbury Lodge, No. 392, A.F. & A.M.

May 17, 1865, was consummated Mr. Poe's marriage to Miss Sarah M. Stewart, a native of Cherokee County, Alabama, and of Irish descent. They have six children living, viz.: Allie, Davis, Gertrude, Octava, Robert, and Thomas. Both Mr. and Mrs. Poe are members of the Methodist Church, South.

SOURCE

History of Texas, 1896, Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co.

 ~ Web Page by Jo Ann Hopper ~

1999 HOOD COUNTY TEXAS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY