Texas Historical Marker #13121
Marsh Cemetery. In 1844, Harrison C. Marsh (1805-1889) and his wife, Mary "Polly" (Raymond) (1810-1888), natives of Harrison County, Kentucky, came from Independence, Missouri to Texas with their five children. They settled in Peters Colony on Farmers Branch Creek. Here they had two more children, and Harrison raised stock and farmed the land. Polly was a charter member of the Union Baptist Church, which later became First Baptist Church of Farmers Branch. The Marsh family grew, and many members became successful in farming, ranching, business, education and civic activities. Sons Thomas Corbin (1831-1899) and John David (1835-1900) both served as soldiers in the Confederate Army. Reflecting the Marshes' prominence in the community, the family name appears on a street, Marsh Lane, as well as on a school, The Thomas C. Marsh Junior High School. In the 1880s, John David donated one acre of land here for a family graveyard. Among the earliest burials were those of two children of a family passing through the area. The marker for Elizabeth Mcallister, who died in 1874, represents the earliest recorded death. The resting place for generations of Marshes and other area residents, the cemetery is still open to Marsh family descendants. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2002 #13121
?, Farmers Branch, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #06832
Rawhide Creek and Park. Named for enterprise of R. J. West (b. 1811), an 1845 settler and an organizer of Dallas County in 1846. West had tanyard (4/10 mi. SW) on this creek about 1846. To meet demand, half-cured hides came from his vats, giving name "Rawhide" to the creek. The historical park was established in 1969. #6832
?, Farmers Branch, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #06794
David Myers. (October 15, 1797 - March 9, 1853) William Myers (b. 1753) and his wife Flora moved from Virginia to Kentucky, where the last of their ten children, David Myers, was born. David married fellow Kentuckian Letitia Reddish (1801 - 1885) in 1820. They moved to Indiana in 1829 and to Illinois in 1831, where David became a well-established Baptist Preacher. In 1843 he was ordained at Taylor's Creek Church in Jersey County, Illinois. Inspired by the prospect of free land in Texas, David and Letitia traveled south with their children and grandchildren, and on Christmas Eve, 1845, they crossed the Red River into Texas. They settled on a land grant in Peters Colony located 12 miles northwest of the present-day city of Dallas. Myers quickly established himself as a religious leader of the pioneer settlements in this area and on May 10, 1846, organized the Union Baptist Church, the earliest continuing Baptist congregation in Dallas County. He served Union Baptist Church until his death and was instrumental in the establishment of other churches in the area including Bethel, Rowlett Creek, Liberty, and Lonesome Dove. Myers died of pneumonia resulting from exposure to cold rain on his return home after delivering a sermon in Collin County. #6794
2500 Valley View, Farmers Branch, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #06751
John Keenan. (September 3, 1843 - November 11, 1843) Known as first child born to settlers in area later to become Dallas County; son of Farmers Branch founders Thomas and Sarah Keenan, who started this cemetery for burial of their infant. #6751
2600 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #06725
Gilbert House. Dr. Samuel H. Gilbert (1828 - 1890) came to Texas about 1850. He settled first in Cass County, and in 1852 married Julia Ann Ritchie (d. 1881) Gilbert purchased 275 acres of land at this site about 1855 and by 1857 had this native limestone house constructed. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Gilbert operated a farm here, growing vegetable crops and raising livestock. A respected community leader, he helped outfit a local militia unit during the Civil War and in later years held a number of local public offices. In 1874 Dr. Gilbert was instrumental in bringing rail service to the Farmers Branch community when he sold part of his property to the Dallas & Wichita Railroad for a right-of-way through the area. The parents of two daughters, the Gilberts continued to reside in this house for the remainder of their lives. The house remained in the Gilbert family until 1937. A rare surviving example of an early Texas home, the Gilbert House exhibits a vernacular center-passage plan with modest Greek Revival influences. Prominent features of the structure include its double-door entry with transom; a full-width front porch with box columns and classical detailing; twin chimneys; and a large hipped roof. RTHL - 1990 #6725
2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch, TX, United States