Biographies - Edward Christian

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             The lives of quiet and unassuming men are often more beneficial in example to those that come after them, than the biography of prominent and popular heroes. In the quiet walks ot life men of sterling virtues and most consistent character are to be found. It is there that all the virtues that adorn humanity grow to the greatest perfection and leave a model worthy of emulation.

             The late Edward Christian was neither a very reserved nor aggressive man. He was quiet and unassuming, but when necessary he displayed a force of character and individuality that did not surprise those who knew him best. He was emphatically the architect of his own character and fortune, and he built at an early age upon principle, and in all his life he never swerved right or left, one way or the other, from that settled and fixed rule of honesty and fair dealing with all men; and his word, in a community in which he passed the large part of his business life, was at all times as good as his bond, and that, whether in adversity or prosperity, was as good as gold.

             He was the son of Judge John Christian, and his mother, Nannie Christian, was a Miss Patterson. His family are of Scotch-English descent. The family belonged to that large family of Christians of Virginia. Edward Christian was born at Appomattox Court House, Va., January 10, 1833. The family removed from there when Edward was only nine years of age, to the neighborhood of Montgomery, Ala., where both of his parents died within a few weeks of each other, when Edward was left to his own resources, with a number of brothers and sisters. One of his brothers taught school near there, and he obtained from him as good an English education as possible for an earnest sprightly boy to obtain in one year.

             At twelve years of age he apprenticed himself to a carpenter, and manifested such natural mechanical talent that when he was sixteen years of age, he was placed by the man to whom he had apprenticed himself, as foreman at the head of an extensive establishment. In addition to his mechanical skill he had established a character for honesty, industry and trustworthiness that promoted him over men of mature years. He conducted himself and the business to the entire satisfaction and profit of his employer.

             After serving his time with his employer, he met with another carpenter of industrious habits and good character, Simon Loomis.

             They came to the new State of Texas, in 1852, first striking Bastrop, where they resided only a few months, when they came the same year to Austin and formed the partnership firm so well known thereafter as Loomis & Christian, builders and lumber dealers. This business they carried on with varying fortunes until the war notes of 1861 startled the country, and Edward Christian answered the call of the Governor of Texas and volunteered in the Confederate States service, in Company G, Sixteenth Texas Infantry. As a soldier he discharged his duties with the same conscientious fidelity that he had done as a citizen.

             He participated in the battles of Milliken's Bend, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry.

             When the war closed and his company was disbanded, Mr. E. Christian, who had dissolved the partnership, Mr. Loomis remaining in Austin to settle up their business, again entered into partnership with Mr. Loomis. Their extensive shop had been burned, and they commenced again without means, but by prudence and industry they soon rehabilitated their fallen fortunes and made money.

             In the meantime, on the 7th day of April, 1875, Edward Christian was married to Matilda Horst, a daughter of Louis Horst, an old and wealthy citizen of Austin, who had settled in this place in 1836.

             The fruits of this marriage were three children. Nannie, the eldest, is fifteen years of age (Nov., 1889). She is petite, with a face resembling her father's. She has brown hair, a bright, grey eye and very intelligent features. She is very bright, intellectually, and advanced beyond her years. Her precocity is manifested not only in her studies, but in her attention to her mother and her ladylike entertainment of her guests.

             Maggie, eleven years of age, is a brunette, with remarkably beautiful black eyes. She is developing musical talent.

             Edward L. Christian is a boy five years of age, active and sprightly.

             Mrs. Christian is a native of Austin, having been born there April 28, 1843. She is in the meridian of life, and devotes herself to the care and education of her children, being a very domestic woman.

             Mr. Christian died in Austin on the 14th day of April, 1888. No man was more universally lamented than Edward Christian. He was a just, generous and good man. No one ever complained of him who had a business transaction with him. He was domestic in his habits, loving with great kindness his family, his home, his friends and his neighbors. He was not a member of any church, but an attendant of the Presbyterian church. He was, however, a moral, religious man, and his children were taught the cardinal principles of the Christian religion. He was a man of sound judgment and of general intelligence.

             He was a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge of this city, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and the Vice President of the City National Bank of Austin. He was a public spirited man and took great interest in all city improvements and the architectural beauty of the city.

             He was about five feet ten inches in height; compactly built weighing about 200 pounds. He had an open, cheerful face, with mild, intelligent features.

             Mr. Christian had a great deal of unostentatious energy and purpose in life, and commencing as a boy, without anything, he built himself up a fortune and a high social and business character in a community notable for energy and intelligence. He did it without parade and self-assertion, and solely upon a solid character, built on a solid foundation of principles.

             He died and was followed to his grave by the best people of the city and county. His character was without reproach. His charities were unknown to the public, but to the poor and the needy his purse was ever open. He was regarded as one of the substantial men of Austin, and his memory will long live green and pleasant in that city.