[Return to introduction]HON. CHARLES V. CYRUSIn his youth Hon. Charles V. Cyrus was reared to agricultural pursuits, aiding in farm labor in Maury county, Tennessee, but at the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and in response to the summons to arms made by the Confederacy he joined Company E of the Ninth Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry. Like many cavalrymen in the Confederate service, especially during the first year or two of the war, he was kept moving about in different lines of duty. He was, however, with his battalion at the battle of Fort Donelson in February, 1862, at which time he was captured, being held as a prisoner of war for about six months. He was then exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and afterward served with his comrades as infantryman until a detail of their command could return to Tennessee and procure remounts. In the meantime while acting as infantry they went to assist in the defense of Port Hudson on the Mississippi river. After receiving horses they organized a little brigade of cavalry commanded by Colonel John Logan of Arkansas and they were behind Banks until after Port Hudson surrendered on the 8th of July, 1863. Subsequent to that time Mr. Cyrus’ command joined the army of the Tennessee under General Joe Johnston and with others of his regiment, while on scouting duty, he was captured and taken to Fort Delaware below Philadelphia, where he was incarcerated until a short time before the close of the war. He was released, however, in time to rejoin General Johnston’s army at Greensboro, North Carolina, where they surrendered. Mr. Cyrus returned to his home on horseback, reaching Maury county on the 23rd of May, 1865. He was then engaged in farming, in which pursuit he was quite successful, his attention being given to agriculture until 1896, when he came to Cleburne, Texas. In the meantime he had figured prominently in public life in his native state, having been elected in 1891 a member of the Tennessee legislature. In that session his most important work and for which he is given the greatest credit was in furthering the legislation providing for the establishment of a state home for old soldiers at the Hermitage, once the residence of General Andrew Jackson. This plan was successfully carried out and has proved a great blessing to the indigent Confederate soldiers of Tennessee. Mr. Cyrus was married in Maury county, Tennessee, on the 1st of September, 1869, to Miss Anne M. Porter, who was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, a daughter of Richard L. and Anne Maria (Walker) Porter, both of whom were natives of that county and representatives of the well known Porter family of the state. Mrs. Cyrus went with her parents to Maury county, Tennessee, in 1861. To Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus have been born eight children: Charles L., James C., Thomas S. and Richard, all well known business men of Cleburne; Susan, the wife of E. R. Barkus, of Waco, Texas; Elbert M.; Roberta and Jennie Hill, at home. The eldest son, Charles L. Cyrus, came to Cleburne in 1892 and engaged in the feed and coal business on a small scale. He was later followed by three other sons of the family and the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Cyrus, and their other children came to Texas in 1896. The small business established by Charles L. Cyrus has since grown into the large commercial enterprise now conducted under the name of Cyrus Brothers, the partners being Charles L. and James C. Cyrus. The field of labor of the firm was enlarged in 1893 to include beside the original line a complete line of vehicles, agricultural implements and hardware and is one of the successful houses of Cleburne, having an extensive and profitable trade. Thomas S. and Richard Porter Cyrus also constitute another firm of Cyrus & Cyrus, who are in the drug business in Cleburne and who established their store in 1903. This firm was originally Ball & Cyrus, but the partnership was dissolved by the retirement of Mr. Ball, at which time Thomas S. Cyrus was joined by his brother Richard, who had previously been engaged in the furniture business. They then reunited their interests in the firm of Cyrus & Cyrus, dealers in drugs in Cleburne, and have enjoyed a profitable and constantly increasing trade. Charles V. Cyrus, his wife and family, are all consistent members of the Methodist church and he holds membership in Pal Cleburne camp, U. V. C., of this city. He is a man of strong purpose, unfaltering in support of his honest convictions, reliable in business, faithful in friendship and his strong and salient characteristics are those which have gained for him warm regard and which in every land and clime command respect and confidence. B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 133-134. |
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