Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

John Nance Garner. Vice President of U.S. 1933-1941. Began career as Uvalde County Judge 1893-1896. Served in Texas Legislature 1898-1902; in U.S. Congress 1904-1932, where he was, in last term, Speaker of House of Representatives. Also an able trial lawyer, rancher, banker, and benefactor of Southwest Texas Junior College. Married Ettie Rheiner. Had a son, Tully; one grandchild, Genevieve G. Currie. Known as "Cactus Jack" for his unique western individualism. Recorded--1968. #2794

US 90 in Old Uvalde Cemetery, Uvalde, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02795

John Nance Garner Home. Memorial to Ettie R. Garner, secretary to her husband in his long career as a statesman. John Nance Garner, born Nov. 22, 1868, was in Texas Legislature, 1898-1902; U.S. Congress, 1902-1932 (Speaker of the House in last term); Vice-President of the United States, 1933-1941. This home, built 1920, scene of visits of world figures, given to Uvalde by Vice-President Garner and son Tully in 1952. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965. #2795

332 North Park Street, Uvalde, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02796

John P. Cox. Sheriff of Hill County for 16 years. The son of San Jacinto hero, Euclid M. Cox. Joined Parsons Brigade of the Confederate Army in 1861, then for 25 years after the Civil War was commander of Hillsboro's Confederate Camp. A Methodist and a Mason, this fearless and firm sheriff made every effort to bring offenders to justice and was particularly interested in the reformation of young law breakers. Cox also served 4 years as county clerk. #2796

?, Hillsboro, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02797

John Patterson House. Built 1879-1880 by John Patterson, first man to cultivate (in 1854) land in county, and a Minute Man during Civil War. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1965 #2797

?, Adamsville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02798

John Peter Kelsey Home. Built 1852. Kelsey moved here in 1848 with wife Amanda C. Brooks, first Corpus Christi school teacher. Operated general store. During Civil War, he moved business to Mexico. Returned to Texas in 1877. Died in 1898. #2798

Water and Mirasoles St., Rio Grande City, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02799

John Peter Smith. A native of Kentucky, John Peter Smith migrated to Fort Worth in 1853. He worked as a teacher, clerk, and surveyor before his appointment as Deputy Surveyor of the Denton Land Department in 1855, for which he received payment in property. Also a student of law, he was later admitted to the bar. Although opposed to the secession of Texas during the Civil War, Smith raised a company of Tarrant County men for the Confederacy and joined Sibley's Brigade in 1861. While in the war he served in the unsuccessful invasion of New Mexico, the recapture of Galveston in 1863, and was severely wounded at Donaldsville, Louisiana, later that year. After the war Smith returned to Fort Worth, where he became involved in the development of the City. He helped organize a bank, gas light company, and street railway. He also donated land for parks, cemeteries,and a hospital, later named John Peter Smith Hospital. In 1882 he became Mayor and directed the establishment of many public services, including the school system and the water department. In 1901 Smith died in St. Louis, Missouri, while on a promotional trip for Fort Worth. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery, a site he donated to the city. #2799

1100 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02800

John Peter Smith, Founder of Oakwood Cemetery. Pioneer area settler John Peter Smith (1831-1901), who donated twenty acres for the establishment of this cemetery, came to Fort Worth from Kentucky in 1853. He served the community as a teacher, clerk, surveyor, and attorney, and became a noted civic leader. Although opposed to the secession of Texas during the Civil War, Smith raised a company of Tarrant County men for the Confederacy and joined Sibley's Brigade in 1861. While in the war he served in the unsuccessful invasion of New Mexico, the recapture of Galveston in 1863, and was severely wounded at Donaldsville, Louisiana, later that year. After the war Smith returned to Fort Worth, where be became involved in the development of the city. He helped organize a bank, gas light company,and street railway. He also gave land for city parks, cemeteries, including this site in 1879, and a hospital, later named in his honor. In 1882 he became Mayor and directed the establishment of many public services, such as the school system and the water department. In 1901 Smith died in St. Louis, Missouri, while on a promotional trip for Fort Worth. He is buried in a section of Oakwood Cemetery that is part of the original acreage he donated to the city. #2800

700 Grand Ave., Fort Worth, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02801

John R. ("Sarge") Nasworthy. Colorful pioneer and Texas ranger who helped to create civilization and institutions of West Texas. Owned ranch land on which today is situated Lake Nasworthy -- first conservation lake in this area. Born in Georgia. Served 1864-1865 in Confederate army, during Civil War. Later came to Texas, living first at Bonham. After he moved west, he operated in Menard area as a buyer of beef cattle for United States army mess halls at Fort Concho. In 1880s he was deputy county clerk and deputy sheriff of Tom Green County and the first treasurer of the city of San Angelo. He owned the first local brick kiln, a wagon yard, a livery stable, and the only hearse in town in the early days. He was second man to fence land, second man to grow cotton in the county. A county commissioner, 1910-1916, he promoted building of the old Chadbourne viaduct. A leader in church and philanthropic endeavors, he was a promoter of the Baptist encampment at Christoval (then one of the largest religious gatherings in the south). He married Dena Von Fisher. The family had homes on Beauregard Street, Knickerbocker Road, Ben Ficklin Road and at Nasworthy Lake site. His six children carry on family tradition of community leadership. #2801

Hillside Dr. and Knickerbocker Rd., San Angelo, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02802

John R. Banister. (May 24, 1854-Aug. 2, 1918) Missouri native John Banister left home in 1867 and came to Texas. He received training as a cowboy and participated in several cattle drives to northern markets. Banister served with his brother, Will, as a Texas Ranger and participated in the capture of outlaw Sam Bass. Other contributions to the state included his service as a railway officer, inspector for the Cattle Raisers' Association, and Coleman County sheriff. Recorded - 1984 #2802

?, Santa Anna, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02803

John R. Ralls Building. The largest of more than two blocks of business houses built between 1915 and 1919 by John R. Ralls, founder of this town. Used by the First National Bank which closed in 1930; the housed the Southwestern Public Service office until 1964. Ralls donated his ranch land for lots for early homesites, the city square, the public school and all organized churches after the railroad by-passed Emma and crossed his land. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967. #2803

801 Main Street, Ralls, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02804

John Reagen Baker. Adventurer-soldier of early Texas. Fought in Mexico to win freedom for the unsuccessful "Republic of Rio Grande" in 1840. Was elected sheriff of Refugio County and organized a company of minutemen. In 1842 he fought against three Mexican raids into Texas. Then participated in the disastrous Somervell and Mier expeditions into Mexico, during which he was wounded. Returned to Texas and entered mercantile business. Wife was Avis (Brown). Recorded -- 1969 #2804

US 87, Stockdale, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02805

John Reichle General Merchandise (Welcome Store). Originally operated by the John Reichle Family, this store opened about 1890. Damaged by a storm about 1900, the original 2-story building was changed to its current 1-story configuration with asymmetrical front gables, a full-width porch, and exterior walls that are a combination of horizontal siding and vertical board and batten siding. The business was acquired by the Clemons S. Faist family in 1964, and renamed Welcome Store. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1992 #2805

12528 FM 109, Industry, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02806

John Robert Polk Ranch. Known as San Saba County property with history of longest continuous ownership by a single family. Texas settler Headley Polk, a kinsman of 1845-1849 United States President James K. Polk, bought from grantee Burke Trammel in 1849 a section of land a half-mile to the south of this marker. Headley's son, John Robert Polk (1853-1946), grew up in Lockhart and on the San Marcos River at the Mooney Mill, where he made fine furniture. In 1883, "Bob" and his wife Kate Word Polk moved to this property with their herd of cattle. Over the years they bought adjacent land until they had 2,000 acres with frontage of three and one-half miles on the San Saba River. The second tract of land in this county ever to be enclosed was fenced by Polk with the help of a man named Baker. Two schoolhouses were built at different times on this ranch, for the convenience of the Polk family and neighbors. In the early era, Polk trailed his Bar-P cattle to market; for years he belonged to the Texas Trail Drivers' Association. John Robert and Kate Polk were parents of a son Headley (who died at 17, in 1904) and five daughters: Annie (later Mrs. W. W. Holman), Eupha (Mrs. Louis J. Bryan), Ivor Mae, Katie (Mrs. J. A. Sloan), and Lex. #2806

?, San Saba, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02807

John Robinson Ralls. Born on a Monroe County, Georgia, plantation; came to Texas, 1890. In 1906, traded flourishing general store for 10,000-acre ranch. Founded Ralls, 1911, at point where Crosbyton-South Plains Railroad crossed land. Donated land for townsite and gave 12 acres for first school. Built most of business houses including first theater. Gave lots plus much of construction costs for all churches in town. Recorded, 1967. #2807

?, Ralls, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02808

John S. Chisum, Confederate Beef Contractor. (1824-1884) On this site during the Civil War and later, grazed by tens of thousands the Longhorns of cattle baron John S. Chisum. Ranch headquarters were 10 miles east. Here in 1863-1865, Chisum not only ranched but also was buyer of cattle to feed Confederate armies stationed west of the Mississippi River. Born in Tennessee, he came to the Republic of Texas in 1837. After a term as Lamar County clerk, started ranching in 1853. For room to expand, moved his well known "Jingle - Bob" herds to the Concho in 1863. Though he was not the man who gave the name to the famed northbound trail (this was Jesse Chisolm) John S. Chisum's drives were heroic. Herds bound in wartime for Louisiana army camps had to by-pass or to fight Indians, rustlers and occasionally a federal patrol. Concho cattle had to swim across the deep, cold Brazos River. Here cowboys would prod a heavy, wild bull till he was angry; then he would turn on men and horses. Or the Brazos itself killed men and horses. Still beef went through to the Confederates. After the war, Chisum developed ranches in New Mexico and was a bystander in the Lincoln County Wars of Billy the Kid and other desperados. (1965) #2808

?, Paint Rock, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02809

John Sadler. Born May 24, 1811 came to Texas 1833. Served as a volunteer in the Texas War for Independence, in Captain William Ware's Company at San Jacinto. Died April 18, 1885. His wife Bashie Lindley Sadler born March 5, 1811, died October 17, 1885. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962 #2809

Off Sh 14, on private land S of Groesbeck, Groesbeck, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02810

John Silas Edens. Arkansas native John Silas Edens (b. December 15, 1820) arrived in present-day Houston County, Texs, in 1831. He served in the Republic of Texas army in 1836 then joined the Texas Rangers and participated in several Indian campaigns in 1841. He returned to farm and ranch in Houston County where he and his first wife Amanda Adams reared a family of 7 children. He served in the Confederate army during the Civil War then returned to his Houston County home and established the area's first school. In 1868 the Edens moved to McLennan County and settled in the Leroy Community. Edens died at his Leroy home on July 3, 1892. #2810

?, Ross, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02812

John Sutherland Menefee. San Jacinto veteran; member of the Congress of Texas 1837-40. Born in Tennessee June 24, 1813; died November 4, 1884. #2812

?, Edna, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02813

John T. Wofford Home. Built in 1877 near Lindman by John Tyler Wofford (1844-1910), Confederate veteran, merchant, farmer, rancher, son of first chief justice, De Witt County. House was dismantled, boards numbered, moved and reassembled here in 1883. Has mansard roof, handcarved porch railings feature Lone Star of Texas. Six original fireplaces and stair railings are still in use. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1965 #2813

210 West Reuss Blvd., Cuero, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02814

John Tarleton. John Tarleton was an orphan, who at an early age worked his way from New England to Knoxville, Tennessee. Employed in a dry goods store for over forty years, he invested in government land certificates, eventually securing patents to thousands of acres. Arriving in Texas in the 1870s, he lived briefly in Waco, where he operated a mercantile store. He moved to this area in 1880, and entered the cattle business. At his death in November 1895, he left the bulk of his estate to found Tarleton College, which opened in Stephenville in 1899. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986 #2814

?, Stephenville, TX, United States