From the Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
James Knox Paulk
March 11, 1850 Ozark,
Dale County, Alabama
March 20, 1932 Palacios,
Matagorda County, Texas
Buried Palacios Cemetery, Palacios, Matagorda County, Texas
James Knox Paulk, Confederate soldier at age 15, Texas frontier Minute Man at age 22 and Texas Ranger at age 24, was the son of Alfred Howard Paulk (1826 - 1879) a school teacher and Dorotha Ann Sheffield Paulk (1830-1915).
J.K.’s siblings were William Thomas, John David, Daniel M., Isabelle Naomi, Nancy Rebecca, Sarah Ellen, Peninah Narcissa, Dorotha Ann and Mary Eleanor.
His enlistment in Confederate service in 1865 was near the end of the war and no record has been found.
J.K.’s family was still living in Covington County, Alabama, on June 1, 1870, when the census was enumerated. J.K., at age 20, was working as a ditcher.
Available information indicates J.K. and two brothers moved to Texas and J.K. enlisted in the Minute Men on the frontier of Texas.
He served from April 22, 1872 to June 1, 1874, under Captain John Elkins.
On June 6, 1874, he enlisted in Company E of the Frontier Battalion of Texas Rangers under Major Jones and Captain Maltby and served through the Indian Wars in the late 70s.
In less than a month, his company participated in the Battle of Adobe Walls, Texas, when 27 men held off a force of 900 Indians under Comanche Chief Quanah Parker.
According to Mr. Paulk, he also participated in battles at Williams and Hart Ranch and a number of minor battles.
He was paid $113.33 1/3, less $45.00 in advances, on November 12, 1874, for services to and including August 31, 1874.
Company E had been stationed in Coleman County at the time of J.K.’s discharge and it was there that he married America “Dink” Greaves on October 18, 1877 at Camp Colorado.
She was the daughter of Lawrence Decatur Greaves and Mary Ann Martin Mayes Greaves.
James K. Paulk served as postmaster in Blue Gap, Runnels County, Texas, February 14, 1878 - September 15, 1878, and June 2, 1879 - January 25, 1880.
Family information states that J.K.’s parents moved to Texas in 1878 and his father died on October 29, 1879, in Coleman County.
In 1880, the younger family was still living in Coleman County and had two children, Annie and Thomas.
According to birth information on the children, several were born in Oklahoma.
Joseph - Luggart, Oklahoma
Dortha/Dorothy Ann - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma
Elster - Edmund, Oklahoma
Zora Faye - Antlers, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma
Family information lists the birth of son, William Albert Pauk, on December 23, 1898 as Lamar County.
They were recorded on the 1900 Census taken on June 1, 1900, and included children, John, Daniel, Joseph, Dorotha “Dollie,” Elster, Zora and Willie. Sadly, their daughter, Bertha May, born after Daniel, lived only two days and died in Coleman County.
Daughter, Anna, had married Jasper Newton Ashley on March 21, 1897 in Lamar County and were living in Delta County in 1900.
While living in Lamar County, he designed a working peanut harvesting machine which he freely shared, not caring to apply for a patent.
Children of James Knox and America Greaves Paulk:
Annie Olive Paulk Ashley 1878-1939
Thomas Lawrence Paulk 1880-1951
John Franklin Paulk 1882-1969
Daniel Decatur Paulk 1885 - 1966
Bertha May Paulk 1887-1887
Joseph Montgomery Paulk 1889 - 1965
Dorothy Ann Paulk Bell 1891-1943
Elster Howard “Dick” Paulk 1893-1929
Zora Faye “Nora” Paulk Ludwick 1896-1985
William Albert “Bill” “Willie” Paulk 1898 - 1971
Mary Ellen Paulk Withers Matensak 1904 - 1985
Still in Lamar County, on April 15, 1910, the Paulks would move to Palacios by April 14, 1911.
Although arriving in Palacios at the approximate age of 60, Mr. Paulk’s age did not hinder his industriousness.
He was active in the early building of the town.
He was one of the foremost pioneer business men and was always interested in what was being done toward improving the city, every ready to lend a helping hand as long as his health permitted him doing so.
Mr. Paulk’s first ad available in existing issues of the Palacios Beacon on August 18, 1911, indicates he was probably in Palacios by the summer of 1910 because the ad mentions patronage from last season.
He was advertising his Nursery Stock of trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.
By December 1, 1911, he advertised as the Palacios Representative of the Alvin Japanese Nursery Company which marketed trees across Matagorda County.
He opened a harness shop in 1920 and a store featuring “New and Second Hand Goods” in 1921.
On July the first I will move my Shoe Shop from 5th street to the Keller Building on Commerce. J. K. Paulk-Palacios Beacon, July 1, 1921
In November, 1921, he offered his harness and shoe shop for sale due to age and ill health.
He then announced he was planning to open a hardware and harness shop early in 1922.
An ad similar to the ad in July 29, 1921, ran in February, 1922, indicates he either could not sell the business or changed his mind
He partnered in the O.K. Market already operated by S.L. Townsend in 1924 and the market was moved to the Keller Building on Commerce Street.
By April, 1924, Mr. Paulk disposed of his interest in the O.K. Market.
In 1927, Mr. Paulk was involved in an automobile accident in Houston while visiting his daughter and suffered serious injuries.
J. K. Paulk Hit By Auto in Houston; Condition Serious
J. K. Paulk, 77, of Palacios was knocked down by an automobile late Sunday at Waugh Drive and West Drew. His arm, leg and skull were fractured, and at St. Josephs Infirmary it was said his condition was serious. Police said Mrs. J. M. Scott of 410 Merrill Street reported that the aged man stepped in front of her car and she was unable to avoid hitting him.
Paulk was visiting his daughter, Mrs. Phillip Ludwik, of 1230 West Drew, and was out for a walk at the time of the accident.—Houston Chronicle.
D. D. Paulk returned from Houston Wednesday night and reports his father doing as well as could be expected.
On account of his advanced age the injuries are all the more serious. Mr. Paulk’s many Palacios friends regret to learn of his accident and trust he may soon recover.
Palacios Beacon, October 6, 1927
By 1930, Mr. Paulk was in the fur buying business.
WANTED—FURS—See me before you ship or sell your raw furs. First block west of water tower. Next to Railroad. J. K. Paulk, Fur Dealer.—Palacios Beacon, January 16, 1930
The year 1931 brought the celebration of the Paulk’s 54th wedding anniversary.
Married 54 Years
Next Sunday, October 18, will round out 54 years of wedded life for Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Paulk, they having pledged their troth for “better or worse,” at Camp Colorado, Coleman County, Texas, on October 18, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Paulk are two of Palacios’ most highly esteemed citizens and have a host of friends with whom we join in wishing for them many more happy years of life together.—Palacios Beacon, October 15, 1931
Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Paulk, who had the honor of celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary on last Sunday, also had the pleasure of having many of their relatives and friends here for the occasion. Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Withers and daughter, of Conrad, Mont., Mrs. Anne Ashley, of Paris, Texas; and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Ludwig [Ludwick] and children, of Houston. Mrs. Withers, Mrs. Ashley and Mrs. Ludwig [Ludwick] are their daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Paulk gave a dinner Sunday honoring Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Paulk’s 54th anniversary. There were 26 present including relatives from Montana and Houston.—Palacios Beacon, October 22, 1931
Mr. Paulk, age 82, became ill in February 1932 and died on March 20, 1932.
Veteran Soldier, J.K. Paulk, Dies Sunday Morning
Taps were sounded Tuesday morning for a veteran soldier of early and historic Texas, when members of Greenwood Post of the American Legion, conducted a military funeral for one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens.
Mr. James Knox Paulk was born in Alabama, March 11, 1850, and died at his home in this city Sunday, March 20, 1932, aged 82 years and 9 days. At the age of 15 years he enlisted in the Civil War.
When 19 years old he came to Texas and served in what was known as the minute men on the frontier of Texas from April 22, 1872 to June 1, 1874, under Captain John Elkins.
On June 4, 1874 he enlisted in Ranger service in Co. E. Texas Frontier Battalion under Major Jones and Captain Maltby and served throughout the Indian War of the late 70’s.
Battles of interest in which he partook were at Adobe Walls, Texas, when 27 men held off a force of 900 Indians, under Quannah Parker Comanche Chief, and at Williams and Hart Ranch besides a number of minor ones.
Mr. Paulk could talk interestingly of early days in Texas and often entertained his friends with vivid accounts of pioneer life and wartimes in the Lone Star State.
At Camp Colorado, Texas, on Oct. 18, 1877, Mr. Paulk was united in marriage to Miss America Graves, who survives him.
Mr. Paulk and family moved to Palacios about 22 years ago and has made this city his home ever since. He was active in the early building of Palacios, was one of our foremost pioneer businessmen, and was always interested in what was being done toward improving our city, ever ready to lend a helping hand as long as his health permitted him doing so.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. R. Paine, assisted by J. Roy Williams and Rev. Carroll B. Ray, after which the remains were taken to the city cemetery for interment.
Besides the widow, who had been a faithful and devoted companion for more than fifty years, nine children are left to mourn his passing on, namely:—Mrs. Annie Ashley, of Paris, Texas; Mrs. Dorothy Bell, of Long Beach, Calif.; Mrs. Fay Ludwick, of Conrad, Mont.; Mrs. Mary Withers, Conrad, Mont.; Mr. Tom Paulk, Vernon, Texas; Mr. Dan Paulk, Palacios, Texas; Mr. Joe Paulk, Altus, Okla.; Mr. Bill Paulk, Palacios, Texas.
To the bereaved relatives and friends we extend heartfelt sympathy.
Palacios Beacon, March 24, 1932