Freestone County, Texas
Biographies 



Source: A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell 
  Counties, Texas. Page: 577-578


                            GEORGE W. STOREY

  GEORGE W. STOREY, one of the leading farmers and first blacksmiths of Durango,
- Falls county, Texas, was born in Greene county, Alabama, April 11, 1828. He is 
the fifth child born in a family of twelve children, and is the sou of Anthony 
and Margaret (Means) Storey, natives of South Carolina, who came to Alabama in 
1823, and settled in Greene county.
  Here they engaged in farming and blacksmithing. Anthony was in the war of 1812, 
and engaged in the battle of Charleston, South Carolina.. He came to Texas and 
settled near where his son George now has his residence, making the journey in 
1867. He died in 1869, aged seventy-seven.  His wife survived him until 1884. 
She was born in 1798. Of the twelve children born to them, ten lived to maturity,
namely: Mary A., wife of Frison White; Malissa, wife of Anderson Chapple; Rebecca, 
wife of David L. White; George W.; J. W.; Elvira E., wife of David Morrow; William 
L., deceased, was killed at Springfield, Missouri, during the late war; Belle, 
wife of A. R. Joice; J. B., of this county; Sarah E., wife of B. F. Bouchillon.
  George was educated at the subscription schools of Greene county, Alabama. He 
was reared to farm life, but learned the blacksmith trade and commenced life for 
himself at the age of twenty. He was an overseer for three years. In 1851 he 
located in Freestone county, Texas, and engaged in farming and blacksmithing.
Here he remained for three years, when he settled on his present farm of 237 acres 
of unimproved land, paying $700 for the farm, in Falls county. lie has since added 
to it util he has 420 acres of fine land, 200 acres of which are highly improved. 
The remainder forms a fine pasture. On this farm he has one of the finest country 
residences that can be found in the county. He is one of the leading substantial
farmers, and so highly is he esteemed by all who know him that his word is 
considered as good as his bond.
  Mr. Storey has always continued his trade of blacksmithing, either in the little 
village of Durango, where his shop stands, or on the farm. In 1862 he joined 
Company A, Thirtieth Regiment, under Colonel E. J. Gurley, of Waco, Texas. He was 
detailed in the blacksmith and mechanical department nearly all the time he was 
in service, so did not participate in any of the battles. He was discharged on 
parole at Hempstead, Texas, and came home immediately, and engaged in farming and 
blacksmithing.
  Mr. Storey was married in 1852,to Miss Josephine C. Douglas, of Texas, daughter 
of John and  Margaret (Braden) Douglas, natives of South Carolina and Texas. The 
former was a carpenter and farmer who came to Texas in 1837, settling in Robertson 
county. When he arrived there the Indians were giving the Government a great deal 
of trouble by annoying the settlers. They never attacked Mr. Douglas's house, but 
frequently prowled around the yard at night. Mr. Douglas was a member of the
Texas Rangers, and frequently joined expeditions against the Indians. He moved 
from Robertson county to Freestone county in 1851. He and his wife had seven 
children, but only three lived to maturity: Nancy E., wife of Thomas Patton, of 
Freestone; Joseph A., deceased; Josephine C., wife of Mr. Storey. Mr. Douglas 
died in 1882, aged eighty-three; his wife had died in 1868, aged sixty-eight.
  Mr. and Mrs. Storey have had twelve children: James W.; Margaret E., wife of 
J. W. Pottinger, of this county; Joseph A.; Irah, wife of J. E. Adkins; George L.; 
Mary J., deceased; John D.; Elvira B., deceased; W. A.; Doran, deceased;.Josephine, 
deceased; and Louvenia V.
  Mr. Storey has been a member of the Masonic order since 1849, and is now a member 
of Carolina Lodge, of A. & F. M., No. 330, located in the village of Lott. Besides 
the property mentioned above he owns 150 acres in another tract, fifty acres of
which are under the plow arid in a fine state of cultivation.