TEXAS DICTATIONS (Grayson County.) 1887.
H. H. Bancroft Collection
Bancroft Library, University of California at Berkeley

Department of Texas
L. S. Hatch, Manager

Denison TX
July 15, 1887

Taken from Judge John Nevin

Judge Nevin was born in New Orleans, La. Apr. 12, 1840. His mother was visiting in N. Orleans at the time of his birth. Mother from Ireland, a Miss Shields, daughter of Guil Shields, who raised Judge Nevin and had him educated. When a young boy, Judge Nevin was left alone and had to earn his own living. His mother and father both died when he was only 14 years of age, he at that time being in Cinn. [?] He went out and worked on a farm, remaining there until 1855, when he was employed on an Ohio River steamboat, remaining on one boat until she sank in the fall of 1860.

He then went to the oil regions of Penn. and was employed there until the war broke out. He then enlisted as private in the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry under, commanded by Capt. W.M. Stokes. In 1864 was wounded and no longer fit for service, so was discharged; and he at once returned to the Oil Regions, and this time made a great deal of money, about $75,000, and through a bank failure lost it all. He then had only a few thousand dollars in personal property and he sold it and removed to Kansas City, engaging at once in the grocery business. He remained here only a short while and removed to Baxter, Kansas, and was still engaged in the grocery business and forwarding. He remained in this business until 1873, when he came to Texas and any in the Gen'l Merchandising business. He remained at this until in 1876 was elected City Treasurer and then one of the City Council. And next office the one he now holds, Recorder, for the last seven years.

Was married 1864 at Franklin, Penn., to Miss Martha L. Barth, has 2 sons living.