REV. J. N. CHANDLER - In all Central Texas there is no man more worthy of representation in this volume than the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice. He has been a most important factor in the development of this region. His labors have promoted the material prosperity of the community, but more than all he has labored for the spiritual welfare of his fellow men and his upright life and words of entreaty have led many into the straight and narrow way, making them good citizens, honorable in all the relations of this life and fitting them for the life to come.

Mr. Chandler was born in Hart County, Georgia, September 7, 1828, making him sixty-eight years old the 7th of September this year, a son of Henry F. and Fannie (Harbin) Chandler. His father was born in Georgia and was a son of Joseph Chandler, a native of Virginia, who was of English ancestry and served throughout the Revolutionary War in defense of American independence. The maternal grandfather of our subject carried dispatches from George Washington to one of his officers during the war. Henry F. Chandler was a farmer by occupation. He died at the age of seventy years, but his wife died when J.N. was a small boy. In the family were ten children, all of whom reached years of maturity, while five daughters and two sons are yet living.

The youth of Rev. J.N. Chandler was spent on a farm and his labors there were alternated by attendance at the common schools of the neighborhood. He assisted his father until he had reached his majority, when he engaged in farming on his own account and also followed teaching in his native state. He was married November 22, 1849, to Miss Mary Burton, a native-of Franklin County, Georgia, and a daughter of John H. Burton. She was only three years old when her mother died, and she was reared by an uncle.

During the late war Mr. Chandler was living in Banks County, Georgia, where he organized a company, of which he was appointed captain. It was made Company A, Twenty-fourth Georgia Regiment, which was attached to the Virginian army, Longstreet's Division. He participated in many hard-fought battles, commanded his regiment at Gettysburg and valiantly led his men in the engagements at Chickamauga, Malvern Hill, White Oak Swamps and Fredericksburg. He continued in the service until the close of the war and was made lieutenant-colonel.

In 1865 Mr. Chandler emigrated to Texas, crossing the country with teams and reaching his destination after sixty-two days of travel. He located on the Brazos River in Hood County, where he purchased two hundred acres of wild land, at two dollars and a half per acre, although he was only able to make a partial payment upon it. He cleared and improved the farm, built his residence, even making the chimneys, and after four years sold this place for two thousand and two hundred dollars. He then moved to Somervell County and bought a tract of land on Squaw Creek, two miles from the Brazos River. He still owns that place, which now comprises one thousand acres of land, two hundred being under cultivation. In 1891 he took up his residence in Bluff Dale, where he embarked in the lumber business.

In 1855 Rev. Chandler received a license to preach in the Baptist Church in Banks County, Georgia, and entered upon the work of the ministry in 1870. After the war he was elected by the men of his company as their pastor and continued his ministerial work in Georgia until he came to Texas. For many years after locating in this state he was the only preacher for miles around, and he was the organizer of fifteen churches in Somervell and Hood Counties. He preached every Saturday and Sunday for fifteen years and at the same time managed his farm. He is now the efficient and beloved pastor of the church in Bluff Dale, where he is doing a good work. He is known far and wide, and his kindly, sympathetic nature has won him the love, of all, irrespective of denominations.

There is no man more deserving the respect and confidence of the people of Central Texas than Rev. Chandler, for he has labored unceasingly in their interests and has done much for the advancement of the community. In 1892, he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature and served for one term. His political support is given the Demoracy.

By the marriage of J.N. and Mary Chandler were born two children, one of whom is yet living, Morris, a farmer, of Somervell County, Texas. Mrs. Chandler died, and Mr. Chandler was again married November 4, 1858, his second union being with Miss Ilivia J. Jones, of Franklin County, Georgia. Their children were five in number, four sons and a daughter, two yet living: Joseph, a prominent physician of Weatherford, Texas; and Charles, a druggist, of Glen Rose, Texas. The third marriage of our subject was celebrated January 15, 1870, the lady of his choice being Miss A.H. Cole, of Parker County, Texas, by whom he has six children, three surviving, namely: Dora, aged twenty-two years; Paul, aged sixteen; and Eddie, aged eleven.

SOURCE

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

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