Series 'Texas Historical Marker'

Joseph F. Johnston Reunion Grounds. (4 mi. west) (Camp No. 94, United Confederate Veterans) Established 1889, in era when Texas looked to Civil War veterans for state leadership. One of numerous parks on river banks or other favored sites that drew large, popular annual encampments. Statesmen came to make speeches. There were orations by old soldiers; memorial programs, reviews, concerts. In 1892 the camp purchased this 70-acre tract; sold lots to shareholders; named streets for Lee, Jackson, other heroes. During week of full moon each August, members came to encampments; set up housekeeping in tents, shacks or brush arbors; entertained, feasting on fried chicken, barbecue, Brunswick stew, sweet potato pie, watermelons. Special trains were run for years from Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston. In peak years 5,000 people assembled here. Until 1940, the dawn and dusk salutes shot by Old Valverde, Civil War cannon, were heard far into neighboring counties. Besides giving honors to Confederate veterans, the encampments were occasions for family reunions. After the Mexia oil boom began in 1920, Col. A. E. Humphreys, a leader in petroleum development, built club facilities and promoted use of the park. The reunion grounds still are dedicated to the memory of the late Confederate veterans. (1965) This marker was relocated here to the actual site of the Confederate Reunion Grounds by the Limestone County Historical Commission, 2003. #2858

?, Mexia, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02859

Joseph Hudson Barwise. A native of Ohio, Joseph Hudson Barwise brought his family to Texas in 1877 and to Wichita County in 1880. An astute businessman and community leader, he earned the nickname "Father of Wichita Falls" after he donated land to the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway as an inducement for the building of a rail line through this area. He was instrumental in much of the city's growth and development, and served as county judge for three terms. Married to the former Lucy Hansell, Barwise was the father of seven children. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery. (1991) #2859

7th & Lamar, Wichita Falls, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02860

Joseph Kent. Came to Texas about 1832. Taught in the Texas War for Independence at Bexar, 1835 and at San Jacinto, 1836. Died in Lavaca County, 1849. Erected by the State of Texas - 1963 #2860

?, Hallettsville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02861

Casbeer, Joseph L.. A Confederate veteran. Born in Lamar County. In Civil War, was in Co. G, Col. R.T.P. Allen's Texas Infantry, and was discharged in 1865. On September 5, 1871, married Miss Matilda Peacock, in Lampasas County. They had 2 sons. Moved to Ozona in 1898. Recorded - 1970. #2861

?, Ozona, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02862

Joseph Lawrence. Star and Wreath A volunteer in the Texas War for Independence; a San Jacinto veteran. Erected by the State of Texas 1962 #2862

?, Hallettsville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02863

Joseph Olson Family Log Cabin. After the Joseph Olson family immigrated to the United States from Norway in 1858, they lived first in the homes of Norwegian immigrants in the Norse community. In 1866, Olson (1811-1894) built a log cabin for his family on part of his original seven-acre farm. The cabin served as the family's primary residence until 1872, when a larger stone house was constructed. The log cabin remained on the Olson farm and in the possession of the Olson family until the 1970s. It was moved to this site and reconstructed in 1985 as a reminder of the Norwegian heritage in the area. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986 #2863

?, Clifton, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02864

Joseph Penn Lynch. Born in Kentucky, 1810, a private and captain in the Army of the Republic of Texas, served in the San Jacinto Campaign 1836, died in Springfield, Texas 1860. Erected by the State of Texas, 1962 #2864

Off FM 1245, in Fort Parker State Park, Groesbeck, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02866

Joseph Sonka House. Czechoslovakian immigrant Joseph Sonka (1849-1924) came to Seguin in 1878. A stonemason by trade, he established a brickyard and cotton gin near this site and in 1881 began construction of this house. He completed it in 1893, the same year he married Annie Klicka (1867-1937). Made of bricks from the Sonka Brickyard, the house is built on an L-plan with Italianate detailing. It served as a community hospital from 1913 to 1915, and has remained in the Sonka Family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1990 #2866

617 North Guadalupe Street, Seguin, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02867

Joseph W. Stubenrauch. Agricultural genius, born in Ruelzheim, Rhenish Bavaria, of a family of horticulturists. Educated in Germany. Migrated to New York in 1871 and to Texas 1876. In Limestone County (surrounding this marker site) lay 100 acres of open prairie land which he purchased. He discovered that fruit varieties then being grown here were unsuited to the climate. By cross pollination, budding and grafting, he developed some 100 new varieties of peaches. More than 20 which were propagated for commercial purposes included "Anna", "Barbara", "Carman", "Frank", "Fredericka", "Katie", "Liberty", "Lizzie", "Miss Lola" and "Tena". In 1882, his younger brother Jacob also came and settled nearby. Both men were outstanding citizens. Joseph W. Stubenrauch shared his findings through his writings for "Farm and Ranch", "Rural New Yorker" and "Holland's Magazine". He practiced and advocated terracing, crop rotation and diversification, soil testing, fertilization and irrigation. Many of his ideas of conservation farming and agricultural education were incorporated into U.S. Government programs. He was nationally recognized for his contributions to American agriculture. (1970) #2867

SH 171, Mexia, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02868

Bailey, Joseph Weldon. (October 6, 1863-April 13, 1929) Democrat Joseph Weldon Bailey served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1891-1901) and in the U.S. Senate (1901-1913). A colorful and controversial politician, he was known for his superb oratorical skills and his fiery temper. His career was damaged by his involvement in the notorious Waters-Pierce Company anti-trust case, but in the 1920 Democratic Gubernatorial Primary runoff election he placed second to Pat Neff. He moved his law practice to Dallas in 1921. Recorded - 1994. #2868

710 Fair Ave., Gainesville, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02869

Josiah Taylor. Born in Virginia. First came to Texas in 1812, as captain in the Gutierrez - Magee Expedition, an attempt to free Mexico from Spain; fought at La Bahia, Alazan, Rosales; wounded 7 times in the Battle of Medina. Returned to Texas with family, 1824; listed in Atascosita Census, 1826; settled here in Green De Witt Colony, 1829. Five sons fought in Battle of Salado Creek with Capt. Jack Hays' company of Texas Rangers, during Mexican invasion of 1842. Recorded - 1973 #2869

?, Cuero, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02870

Joy United Methodist Church. The oldest church in the Joy community, this congregation was chartered as a Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in April 1881, when the settlements was known as Fannin Town. The site of the organizational meeting, now part of Joy Cemetery, was under an oak tree west of a log schoolhouse where early services were held. The first sanctuary was built here in 1891. From early camp meetings to the present programs of community involvement, Joy United Methodist Church has been a vital force in the surrounding rural area for over a century. (1983) #2870

?, Joy, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02871

Juan Cordona Lake. A natural salt deposit, known and used for the past 300 years. On land grant from Mexico to Juan Cordova; name, misread on maps, is now unique to lake. Apaches were encountered here by explorers in 1683. From days of early settlers, Mexicans and Anglo-Texans relied on this salt deposit. During the civil war, 1861-1865, a 7-family San Saba wagon train traded watermelons and other goods to Indians here for sorely needed salt. In 1912-1914 a 36-burro train hauled salt from here. Recently as 1930, commercial shipments went out to Midland and Odessa. #2871

?, Crane, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02872

Juan Davis Bradburn. John Davis Bradburn (1787-1842) was born in Virginia and reared in Kentucky. He entered Mexico in 1817 with Francisco Mina's army to help upset Spanish colonial forces in the War of Independence. He became a naturalized Mexican citizen and in 1821 married into an aristocratic family. Bradburn hired Henry Austin to operate a steamboat on the Rio Grande in 1828. Best known as the Mexican commander at the Anahuac disturbances in 1830-32, he was promoted to general in 1832, and died in 1842. The exact location of his grave is unknown; he reportedly is buried on the hill nearby. (1996) #2872

?, Mission, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02873

Juan de Padilla. Front - Self Sacrifice of Padre Fray Juan De Padilla - 1544; Back - Built to the glorious and perpetual memory of Father Fray Juan De Padilla, O.F.M. Franciscan Missionary, first martyr for Christianity in the United States and in Texas; Accompanied the Coronado Expedition to Palo Duro Canyon, went with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his chosen party in search of La Gran Quivira; Returned soon and began his zealous labors for the civilizing and christianizing of the Wichita and other Indian nations in the region of the Texas Panhandle; His martyrdom occurred in 1544; Erected jointly by the State of Texas and the Texas Knights of Columbus in 1936. #2873

?, Amarillo, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02875

Juan Nepomuceno Seguin. (1806-1890) Born in San Fernando de Bexar (San Antonio), son of Erasmo Seguin, whose ancestors came to America about 1700. Juan N. Seguin and his father in 1834 rallied fellow Texans against dictator Santa Anna. Young Juan Seguin raised Mexican-Texan troops, and fought in Siege of Bexar, 1835. He provided horses for soldiers of Col. W. B. Travis, further aiding as a courier during the Siege of the Alamo. Between fall of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, he led his Co. A, 2nd Regiment, Texas Cavalry, as rear guard for Gen. Sam Houston, protecting the civilians fleeing in front of army of Santa Anna. His men and Moseley Baker's troops held San Felipe, preventing Mexican Army from crossing the Brazos there. Then Seguin's unit joined Gen. Sam Houston's army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. In May 1836, Seguin gave military burial to the ashes of the heroes of the Alamo. From 1837 to 1840 he served the Republic of Texas as a Senator. Town of Walnut Springs, on the Guadalupe, changed its name, Feb. 25, 1839, to "Seguin", to honor this hero. Juan N. Seguin married Maria Gertrudis Flores. At his death he was buried in Nuevo Laredo, where his grave is cared for by citizens of City of Seguin. (1970) #2875

205 North River Street, Seguin, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02876

Juan Seguin. In 1974, the citizens of Seguin brought the remains of Juan Seguin to this city. On July 4, 1976, the Bicentennial Committee and the City of Seguin reinterred the remains of Juan Seguin in a hillside plot overlooking the Guadalupe River Valley. The site (about one mile southwest of here) is above the old road and ford to the south and was well known to Juan Seguin. His grave is covered with a marble slab and the site is a part of the city park system. #2876

205 North River Street, Seguin, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02877

Juan de Onate Expedition - 1598. Spanish interest in the territory known as New Mexico increased during the 1580s and 1590s. Although reports of mining and missionary possibilities were significant, King Philip II of Spain was also concerned about New World explorations of rival England. As a result, Don Juan de Onate was commissioned in 1595 to lead an expedition to claim and colonize the New Mexico region in the name of the king. After many delays, Onate and his party of 400 men and members of their families left Santa Barbara, Mexico in January 1598. Instead of following earlier routes, they crossed the Chihuahua Desert to reach the El Paso area. In a formal ceremony at this site on April 30, 1598, Onate issued a proclamation, known as La Toma, taking possession of the region for Spain. Included was all land drained by the Rio Del Norte, the Rio Grande. Proceeding north, Onate established headquarters near present Santa Fe and founded the province of New Mexico. As Governor, he directed exploration of the area until he resigned in 1607. Onate's expedition and La Toma brought Spanish rule to the American Southwest and preceded colonization efforts of other European nations on the North American continent. (1981) #2877

?, San Elizario, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02878

Jubilee Park Pavilion. Built 1923 in park donated to city on 25th anniversary of its founding. Some of wood came from floats used in the Jubilee Parade. Nordheim Brass Band (first organized 1896) has given many typical German concerts here, and through years, Pavilion has been a focal point of civic entertainment. #2878

?, Nordheim, TX, United States

Texas Historical Marker #02879

Judge Edwin Hawes House. Rosa F. McCamly had this home built in 1896. In 1897 she sold it to Edwin Hawes (b. 1852), Wharton County judge in the 1870s and 1880s. Hawes had returned to this area after temporarily residing in Kerrville, where he was mayor. Here he was a large landowner and a political leader. The double galleried home was purchased in 1944 by George Rust Hawes and his wife Emily ( Prasifka), the son and daughter-in-law of Edwin and Lizzie Milburn (Rust) Hawes. (Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1982.) #2879

309 N. Resident St., Wharton, TX, United States