History of Decatur, (Morgan County) Alabama United States of America

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Biographies:

Jo Abbott, representative, was born near Decatur, Ala., Jan. 15, 1840. He attended the common schools of the county until thirteen years of age, when he removed to Texas with his father. He worked on a farm for two years, attended a private school, and then one styled classical, where he remained until June, 1859, when he began the study of law. When Texas seceded in 1861, he entered the Confederate army with the rank of first lieutenant in the 12th Texas cavalry. In this capacity he served throughout the war, except when disabled by wounds received in battle. The war over, he resumed his law studies, and being licensed in October, 1866, began practice at Springfield, Limestone county, Texas. During the year 1867 the reconstruction acts of congress were put in force; judges and other civil officers were removed, and military officers put in their places. When the courts in Hill county were reorganized, Mr. Abbott engaged in practice at Hillsboro, where he resided. In November, 1869, he was elected to the state legislature and served one term. He continued the practice of the law until the close of 1878, when he was appointed, by the governor of the state, district judge of the 28th judicial district. He served two years, and was then elected by the people of the same district, and served four years. In September, 1886, he was elected to represent the sixth district in the 50th congress by the democratic party, and subsequently was reelected to the 51st, 52d, 53d, and 54th congresses, serving, 1887-97.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Rufus C. Burleson, educator, was born near Decatur, Ala., Aug. 7, 1823, son of Jonathan Burleson. He attended Nashville university, and in 1840 was licensed to preach by the First Baptist church of Nashville. He was graduated at the Western Baptist literary and theological institute at Covington, Ky., in 1847. A postgraduate course of seven months completed his theological studies, and he was elected pastor of the First Baptist church, Houston, Texas, which he built up until it became the largest church in the city and the most liberal in the state. In June, 1852, he was elected president of Baylor university to succeed Dr. H. L. Groves. In 1861, with his brother, Richard Burleson, LL.D., vice-president, and the entire faculty he removed to Waco, Texas, as a more accessible location, and founded Waco university, which became one of the leading co-educational institutions of the south. As a preacher, in his early days, Dr. Burleson baptized Mrs. Dickenson, the heroine of the Alamo, and Gen. Sam Houston, the hero of San Jacinto. His interest extended beyond his pastoral and educational work, and he joined in advancing the political and material interests of Texas. He received the degrees of D.D. and LL.D. He died in Waco, Texas, May 13, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor