JOHN FRANCIS NAGLE

John F. Nagle was born August 29, 1859 in Richmond, Virginia. He was just over five and one half years old when the city of Richmond was burned by the departing Confederate troops in April 1865. His family evacuated the burning city and fled to Washington, D. C., where his father, having obtained some horses and a cart, was soon able to start up a cab service. At some point, John got a job as a delivery boy in a hat shop.

While he was still a boy, his father was drowned in the Rapidan River in Virginia. John's mother then married her deceased husband's brother, Michael Nagle. Shortly thereafter, the family facing hard times, decided to move, ending up in Austin, Texas on October 19, 1874.

Soon the family was able to find work - Mrs. Nagle as housekeeper for the recently widowed James Manor while Mr. Nagle and the boys went to work on James Manor's farm.

At the age of 20, John Nagle went to work in Manor as a clerk in J. W. Bitting's store. In return for his services, he was allowed to live in a small room in the back of the store, given two meals a day, and paid $10 per month. After a few years, having become more skilled as a clerk and bookkeeper, John went to work for J. G. Wheeler, who was considered to be the richest man in Manor.

Over the next few years, the hard-working and industrious Nagles were able to purchase their own home and farm land. On September 8, 1883 Michael and John together purchased 5 3/4 acres of land in the Lemuel Kimbro league from George Pflueger. The purchase price was $69.

Travis County Deed Records book 57, pages 301-302

Less than two months later, on October 31st Michael and John, separately, each purchased 100 acres of land from George Pflueger adjoining the land previously purchased by them. Michael and John each paid $1 down and signed 3 promissory notes for the remainder of the purchase price of $1000.

Travis County Deed Records book 57, page 516

Travis County Deed Records book 57, page 513

The promissory notes were paid off on the dates they were due and and on October 9, 1886 George Pflueger signed a release giving the Nagles full ownership of the land. This was recorded in Travis County Deed Records, book 70, pages 438-441.

One year later, on September 19, 1887, John purchased lots 2,4,6,8 and 10 in block 27 of Manor from James P. and Lavina H. Rogers. Lavina was James Manor's daughter who had inherited these 5 lots on December 23rd, 1882 from her father's estate. (Travis County Deed Records, book 54, pages 366-367). The purchase price was $75.

Travis County Deed Records, book 76, pages 364-365

On December 25, 1890 John was married to Emma Bledsoe who would remain his wife for almost 50 years. Sadly, she died on December 4, 1940, just three weeks before their golden anniversary.

John F. Nagle went on to become one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Manor. He was a successful farmer, having made several more land purchases near Manor. Over the years, he also bought and sold a number of properties in the town of Manor itself.

In the early 1900's he purchaed the west half of lot 12, lot 13 and lot 14 of block 23 in downtown Manor where he opened a general merchandise store, and at one time, stocked another building with groceries for the exclusive use of those people who rented his farm land.

His store, a wood frame building, along with several others, burned down in 1904.

The Austin Statesman, February 8, 1904

He soon replaced it with more modern brick buildings on lots 12, 13 and 14 in block 23. Those buildings are still standing as of the time of this writing.

Built by John F. Nagle - lots 12, 13, 14, block 23

1987 photo showing J F Nagle's name on the top section of building

On January 24, 1903 John Nagle appeared before the Travis County Commissioners Court to request permission to erect a telephone line from the town of Manor to New Sweden. His request was approved. A classified ad in the May 17th edition of the Austin Statesman newspaper showed that he was wanting to buy 150 telephone poles.

Travis County Commissioners' Court minutes, book J, page 358

The Austin Statesman, May 17, 1903

He served as vice-president of the Farmers National Bank of Manor from 1911 to 1915.

The Austin Statesman, January 11, 1911

At the Manor High School graduation ceremonies in May 1912, John presented a $10 gold piece to the scholar who showed the most improvement in hand writing during the previous school session.

The Austin Statesman, May 13, 1912

In April of 1919, the Governor of Texas appointed John Nagle, along with William Luedecke and M.C. Abrams to a newly-created trust fund commission in charge of the Clayton Vocational Institute in Manor. These men were responsible for securing endowments and other gifts needed for the enlargement of the school which was managed by the Manor Independent School District.

The Austin Statesman, April 16, 1919

He was elected to the position of Justice of the Peace for many years. Less than one year before his death in 1943, he was running for re-election to that position.