THOMASON MADISON FREEMAN. Situated in a fertile valley tributary to Denton creek, in Montague county, lies the farm of T. M. Freeman, of this review. He represents in particular, a pioneer family of the county for his father, William Freeman, discussed at some length in this volume, came hither almost as early as the earliest and along with the McDonalds, Wainscotts, Willinghams, Savage, Jackson and Perryman Grimes settled up the valleys of Denton creek and established its first civilized community.
“Freeman,” as he is universally known, was the fifth child of his parents, and was born in the old cabin home at Newharp, February 10, 1865, and under its rural influence he grew to man’s estate. The early efforts at educating the youth in that community gave him his mental training and at nineteen years of age he assumed his station in life as a farmer. When he was married he purchased his grandmother Grimes’ place and moved into a two-room box house which he erected. His first home was thus established in a modest and humble way and the first eighteen years of his progress toward independence were passed in the atmosphere of this rustic habitation. Selling this place in 1904 he purchased the old Hodge place of eight hundred and thirty-one acres, a half mile southwest of Uz, with ambition unchecked and energy renewed he is undertaking the oversight of its four hundred acres of productive farm land. In addition to general farming he has established a reputation as a trader and in this field of activity he has added many a dollar to his steadily growing and now considerable estate.
February 18, 1886, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Fannie Harp, a daughter of Nicholas Harp, who came to Montague county many years ago and established the first mercantile venture at and founded the hamlet of Newharp. Mr. Harp was from Tennessee, where he married Miss Louise Perham, a member of Mr. Freeman’s family. Mr. Harp died near Newharp, the father of: Petway, deceased wife of J. Murphy, who passed away in Arkansas, and has not living issue; Linnie, wife of Mort Fry, of Montague county; and Mrs. Freeman, born in Tennessee, in January, 1866. The issue of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are: Ed, Nellie, Nix and Randy.
As a farmer and trafficer in stock has Mr. Freeman won his financial distinction. His industry and faultless judgment combined have won many heats in the race for financial independence and his position among the men of his county is one eagerly to be desired. His semi-activity in local politics and his reliability as a citizen prompted the veteran sheriff, “Uncle Jim” Raines, to make him his deputy for Uz, and he filled the position for four years with credit to himself and with satisfaction to his chief.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. II, pp. 682-683.