Known in Tarrant county as a successful merchant and prominent as a real estate owner, Mr. Cartwright resides and conducts his business near Riverside, northeast of Fort Worth. He was born in Obion county, Tennessee, October 28, 1866, and his father, Will Cartwright, having died in that his native state when his son Thomas was a child, the latter at the age of ten accompanied his mother to Texas and settled in the northern part of Tarrant county. Here they lived from 1875 to 1883, and in the latter year moved to Smithfield, Tarrant county, where the mother, Mrs. Delila (Wood) Cartright, still lives.
Reared on a farm, Mr. Cartwright not only became familiar with all the practical operations of farming, but at the same time acquired that accurate knowledge of land values which has served him so well in later life. After acquiring his education in the schools of Smithfield, he engaged in farming in the neighborhood of his home town, and had a very successful experience in that vocation. In February, 1898, Mr. Cartwright embarked in the mercantile business, establishing a small stock near Riverside, on the Birdville road, about two and a half miles northeast of Fort Worth. This is a well settled and prosperous community, and although he began his business with a modest stock, he has gradually built up a large and substantial trade drawn from the citizens of this portion of the county, and in fact has made a signal success as a merchant, enjoying the complete confidence of the people. And this fact is also worthy of note in his career, that he is a self-made man, who began life with nothing as far as money was concerned, but relying upon industry and careful management, has founded a substantial business and gained a well deserved prosperity. He now owns valuable property interests in the neighborhood of his home, and these pieces of real estate, being situated in a rich section and so conveniently distant from Fort Worth, are in the midst of a favorite suburban residence and consequently are increasing in value with every month.
Mr. Cartwright was married in Tarrant county, December 23, 1886, to Miss Dona Autry, a native of Georgia. They have seven children: Harvey, Bertha, Mary Lou, Paul, Georgia, Ina and Dona. Mr. Cartwright is a member of the Methodist church.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, p. 142.