Callahill Minnice Walden

My Great Great Grandfather, Henry Clay McGaughy, married Minnie Walden on January 15, 1880. Her parents were C.M. Walden and Henrietta V. Purcell. C.M., as far as I can tell, stood for Callahill (or Calliehill, or any number of other spellings) Minnice. It is no wonder that he went by his initials for most of his life.

According to BB Paddock's History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, page 441, "[C.M.] was a mechanic, plasterer and bricklayer and followed those pursuits in the Old Dominion in his younger days. He served throughout the war of the rebellion with the Confederate army in Virginia and in 1876 he came to Texas, locating first in Grayson county, where he rented land and engaged in farming, but in 1878 he removed to Montague county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He also gave some attention to the stock business in the Indian Territory. His wife died September 13, 1904, and he has since broken up housekeeping and make his home with Mrs. McGaughy. He followed his trade until he came to the west and has lived the life of a plain honest mechanic and farmer. Although he rendered active service to the Confederacy during the Civil war he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. He is a man of genuine personal worth, faithful to honorable principles and is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, while his wife was a member of the Methodist church. They had three children: Lillie, who became the wife of J. Damron and both she and her husband are now deceased; Minnie, now Mrs. McGaughy; and R. E., who follows farming in the territory."

The earliest record I have found of him is in the 1850 census in Pittsylvania County, VA as part of the household of Richard T. Walden. I believe that it is a reasonable assumption that Richard T. Walden was his father. His occupation is listed as a bricklayer, which agrees with BB Paddock's Biography. About a month later, he also appears in the household of C.J. Simmons, this time listed as C.M. Walden, and still a bricklayer.

1850 Census with Richard T. Walden

1850 Census with C.J. Simmons

 He does not show up in the 1860 census at all, probably on account of the Civil War. He fought in Company D, 1st Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy. He began as a Private but advanced to Corporal during his time in the War. According to the following document, it looks like his horse was killed during the war:

He later pops up in the 1870 census as Callohill Walden in the Calumet Township, Pike County, Missouri. In his household is his wife, Henrietta, and 3 children: daughter Lillie, daughter Marrie, and son Edward.

In the 1880 census, he shows up as Calahill Walden in Montague County, TX. This time, he only has his wife, Henrietta, and son, Richard E. I believe that Richard E. and Edward are the same child, so it is my belief that his full name was Richard Edward Walden.



In the 1900 census, he has a few more people in his household. Besides his wife and son, he now has a daughter-in-law Mary, and a slew of grandchildren living with him.



The last census he shows up in is the Census for 1910, which shows him living with his daughter, Minnie, which agrees with the BB Paddock biography.


His death certificate is not of much help as it was filled out by Homer Foster, a man who was allowed to live with Henry Clay and Minnie on the farm until his death. Homer Foster, of course, had no idea who C.M.'s parents were. He apparently knew his birthday, however, and listed it as January 7, 1830. Calahill died on February 9, 1917.


I have not been able to locate his grave. His wife, Henrietta, is buried in the Old Spanish Fort Cemetery in Texas.

Later on, I will write more about C.M.'s ancestry. His grandfather, Charles Walden, fought in the American Revolution.