James W. Beggs, better known by those who know him as "Uncle Jim" the subject of the above picture was born in the state of Alabama October 29, 1837, where he grew to manhood. On the 19th of January 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Hallsell, who departed this life some 30 years ago, leaving him with a large family to care for.

He enlisted in the Confederate army, company A, 40th Alabama regiment, in 1862, was captured at the battle of Lookout Mountain and held prisoner at Rock Island until the close of the war.
In 1870, he emigrated with his family to Texas, landing in Van Zandt county Dec 24 of the same year, stopping on the head of the Neches river near where Colfax now is, but soon after moved to his present home in the Palace community where he has since lived.

In speaking to the writer not long since in regard to conditions in Van Zandt now as compared to when he come here, he says that it has been changed from a mere wilderness to the garden spot of Texas. He has spent 40 years of his life in this county and in that length of time there has been many great changes not only in Van Zandt county but all over the entire state. When he first came to Texas all the prairie west of Van Zandt county was nothing more than a cattle range there being very little farming done then in west Texas. At that time it took three days to go from his place to Wills Point and back home, most of the hauling being done by ox teams, but at this time all a man has to do is to harness up a pair of Van Zandt horses and make the trip in one day or better still step into an automobile and drive the distance in a few hours.

Long before this writer made his advent into this old world the subject of this narrative became a member of the Presbyterian church of which he is a consistent member, and being related to him as we are we have from our infancy looked up to this counselor of older years. We can realize after it is too late that had we heeded his good advice we would have missed many of the rough places in life which we have encountered to our sorrow.
In just a few more days this old soldier whose head is white by the snows of many winters will answer to the last role call and he will hear the great commander say, "well done good and faithful servant: enter in my name." While he may have several years yet on earth we could wish for him no greater joy than for his evening of life to be filled with pleasure, love and comfort until at last when death shall call him home he will then with loved ones gone before enjoy forever the saint's eternal rest free from earthly trials, care and strife.

Note: James "Jim" R. Beggs, San Antonio, Texas is a descendant of James W. Beggs.

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