grimes county historical commission issue 8 volume 3 ... · mrs. fannie giesel died sunday morning,...

Issue 8 Volume 3 August 2017

Photo of the Month

Giesel House

113 Railroad Street, Navasota, Texas

Grimes County Historical Commission

Meetings of the Grimes County Historical Commission are held on the Second Monday of the Month at 6:30 pm in the Courthouse Annex in Anderson, Texas

Contact Information Joe King Fultz [email protected] Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GrimesCountyHistoricalCommission

Grimes County Historical Commission

Executive Board Chairman Joe King Fultz Vice Chairman Susan Boudreaux Secretary Vanessa Burzynski Treasurer Bob Goldstein

COMMITTEES Historical Markers Denise Upchurch Historic Preservation Sarah Nash Newsletter & Publicity Vanessa Burzynski Volunteer Committee Susan Boudreaux

mailto:[email protected]

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GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2017

The State Herald (Mexia, Tex.) Vo. 8 No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 4, 1907

The Battle Cry of Freedom

The Tyrant’s heel is on our necks, The Antis in the swim

So, rally round the Flag old boy, And filler her to the brim.

The white man rules no longer, boys,

For Whiskey sure will win, The Brewers’ Trust – the Negroes friend,

Will make Old Cuffy grin.

Free Liquor now will be the cry, Throw Freedom to the breeze,

And rally round the Flag, old boy, And make the preachers sneeze.

High finance knows a trick or two,

What boots the children’s wails; Or what’s a woman’s sobs to us

When money’s in the scales?

So, rally round the Liquor Trust The Darkies in the swim;

Let Freedom be our battle cry, And fill her to the brim.

As a slight testimonial to their distinguished and patriotic, as well as unselfish devotion to the cause of good government and the untrammeled rights and liberties of the citizens, the foregoing is affectionately dedicated to the Anti-Prohibition Committee of One Hundred by The Author, June 29, 1907.

The Austin Weekly Statesman (Austin, Tex.0 Vol. 23 Ed. 1 Thursday, February 1, 1894

The Heroes of Texas History of the Statues in the Hyde Park

Studio in Austin Mrs. Looscan’s fine article recently published in the Galveston News and Houston Post concerning monuments to Texas Heroes is very timely and in this connection, we would like the public to know what has already been done at Austin. When Benedette H. Tobin of Austin was elected president of the board of lady managers at the Dallas convention, the board being auxiliary to the World’s Fair Exhibit association then located at Fort Worth, then to Galveston, she, as president of the board of lady managers proposed to have some beautiful memorials to adorn the Texas building and decided to call upon the women and children of the state to aid in perpetuating in marble our grand Texas heroes, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, in statues, and Rusk, Fannin and Crockett in busts. The proposition met with ready response and after corresponding with noted sculptors in the United States and in Paris, France, Elisabet Ney, the sculptress who has won renown in Europe by her statues and busts of some of Europe’s most renowned men – Bismark, Garibaldi, Liebig, Jacob-Grimm and the unfortunate romantic king of Bavaria, Ludwig II, the blind king of Hanover, (the last of the Guelts) by her beautiful St. Sabastian adoring one of the great cathedrals in Europe, was called upon and consulted. The ladies had raised a few hundred dollars as a statue fund, when the official announcement was received that the men of Texas had forfeited their charter and that all hope of Texas being represented at the great World’s Fair was abandoned. This was indeed a sad blow to the women of Texas.

News from the Past


Benedette B. Tobin with heroic courage determined, with the aid of her board, to raise sufficient money to have at least a beautiful rendezvous for the convenience and comfort of all Texas visiting the “White City”. This great undertaking by the women was begun with the hope and fond expectation that the state legislature and County Exhibitor’s association of Texas would come to their assistance and make an exhibit of the resources of the state. Everyone is familiar with the deplorable apathy and neglect of our state government and exhibit association. All ought to be familiar with the unselfish, untiring, wholly unrequited services of Benedette B. Tobin; the undaunted energy and courage displayed from the beginning to the end of the fair; how the beautiful Texas building was kept open and the most cheerful hospitality so much admired, was extended not only to our own people, but to all visitors from the states and foreign countries. At the moment, the men of Texas avowed their inability to carry out their plan, the women had to take the responsibility of erecting the building, and the first idea of adorning it with statues and busts of Texas heroes would have been abandoned if Elisabet Ney had not generously offered to give, for the purpose of carrying out the beautiful idea of the women of Texas, her skill and time as a free offering on the altar of heroism. Only $1150 had been raised by the statue clubs, but upon condition that after the sufficient means should be raised to produce them in enduring marble and have them placed within the corridors of the capitol, Elizabet Ney recalled from oblivion the forms and features of two of Texas’ cherished heroes, and Texas therefore had the good fortune to see in the center of her building at the World’s fair the imposing statue of Sam Houston, which won so much admiration, especially from artists of all countries visiting Chicago.

The statue of Austin unfinished at that time, is now also completed and will, with the statue of Houston (when that shall have returned from Chicago), remain in the studio at Hyde park, awaiting fulfillment of the condition of the contract, to wit. That sufficient means shall be raised to have them done in marble, after which they will be presented by the Women of Texas to the Capitol of the state and to Elisabet Ney and Benedette B. Tobin, Texas for generations to come shall owe a debt of gratitude for their priceless legacy. The “Daughters of the Republic” seem a fitting association to lend their assistance to the Statue club, but the whole state should awaken to the necessity of aiding of the fund raising, thus preventing a long seclusion of these statues in the studio in Hyde Park, awaiting their resurrection in marble as the whole state should awake to the beautifying and adorning of our magnificent capitol building and grounds. Mrs. J. K. Holland, Austin, Texas


The Galveston Daily News (Galveston, Texas) September 13, 1884

Navasota, September 12 – At 3 o’clock this morning a fire originated in a building belonging to P. A. Smith, on Railroad street, occupied by H. C. Miller and Simmons as a grocery and vegetable stores, which spread to the adjacent buildings, only one on the block escaping, which is occupied as a drinking and billiard saloon by R. Callauan. The losses are as follows: The Smith Hotel and nearly the entire contents $6,000 No Insurance. House occupied by Ackerman & Gudger; $500 No insurance. House occupied by J. Runnells $400. No insurance. House occupied by Miller & Simmons; $600 and room occupied by Tom Beck $200. No insurance. Ackerman & Gudger, loss of stock, books and stationery $2500; Insured for $1500. No insurance on the others. Giesel House and contents worth $10,000. Insurance $6000. M. Van Deaderick loss in stock of groceries, $1200; insured for $1000 House of C. V. Vaughan $500; No insurance. Meyer, Barry & Co. house, $6000; insurance $5000; loss on stock $15,000, insurance, $12,000 Foster Bros & Davern, loss in damage to house nominal; fully insured. P. Callauan, loss in stock by moving nominal; fully insured. It is not known how the fire started. The night was clear and calm, otherwise the destruction would have been much greater. Young Mr. Ed Smith deserves special mention for acts of fortitude in preventing the spread of the fire. Galveston Daily News, October 18, 1881 Navasota, October 17 - Last Saturday Dan Dickson and Chas. Wood captured three young white horse thieves near Anderson, Grimes County, one name Jack Collins and two named Broadway, all from Roger’s Prairie, Madison County. They shot Collins in the hip and abdomen and shot his horse before he would halt. They are in jail at Anderson. There are nineteen criminals in jail, black and white.

Mrs. Fannie Giesel died Sunday morning, after several years illness. She was highly esteemed and a very large number attended her funeral today. She was fifty-six years old, was one of the first settlers here in 1859, and only four are left of those who came when she did. Alexander Kuhnerdt has taken charge of the Giesel House. The Galveston Daily News, November 10, 1881 Navasota, November 9 – Mr. Alexander Kuhnerdt, proprietor of the Giesel House, died very suddenly this morning of hemorrhage of the lungs. His remains will be buried tomorrow. The Galveston Daily News, November 18, 1833 Navasota, November 12 – Two strange negroes were in town Saturday night searching for a lodging place. They encountered a quarrelsome negro man, John Arrington, when there was a shooting match between them, and the strangers were put in the calaboose. Much pistol shooting last night prevailed on the streets. Several parties were arrested today. A negro, Becky Vaughan, quarreled with and cursed Mrs. S. Cope, of the Giesel house, Sunday night, when Mr. T. Cope went in and chastised Becky. Both were up today before the Mayor. Other serious troubles are on the tapis which may result in blood-shed. The Galveston Daily News, November 24, 1885 Navasota, November 28 – The engine and tender of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe eastbound train was thrown from the track Saturday night this side of Yarboro station, and the fireman, G. W. Danner was crushed to death. The engineer C. C. Gordon was scalded badly and bruised severely. He is under treatment at the Giesel house in this place, with a prospect of recovery. One report is that the track spread. Another that a stake had been planted in the track, which caught the cowcatcher. Danner’s body was sent to his brother in Fort Worth.


The Galveston Daily News, Friday, July 22, 1881 Navasota, Tex., In our town there was quite an excitement in the last twenty-four hours about a lover’s scrape between two colored people. George Camp (colored), a man of some prominence, has a daughter who wanted to marry a young mulatto named Ben Oliver but her parents opposed her and in order to deter her, they beat her violently and threatened Ben Oliver, as he interfered to save her from their unmerciful treatment. The parents were arrested and required to give peace bond. Oliver got a marriage license and employed Squire Teague to marry them. Oliver and the Squire went into a room of the Giesel House this forenoon, and sent for Maria, who hurried up to the rendezvous and the door was closed. The mother suspected something and went in swift pursuit, but she was denied admittance and alarmed everybody on the street by her outcries, while the lovers were being married upstairs, in presence of witnesses. The Mayor’s court and the local magistrate have been busy today trying the parents for assaulting Oliver and Maria, and for cruel treatment to the latter. The Galveston Daily News, February 8, 1887 Navasota, Tex. February 7 – Thieves have broken into several dwellings lately, but timely repulses prevented damage, except Saturday night they stole from Mrs. Charlie Miller, proprietress of the Giesel house, several pieces of table cutlery, spoons, castors, etc., branded Meriden Silver Plate company, nearly all new table napkins and red and white checked tablecloths. Mrs. Miller was lately burnt out at the Miller hotel, this city, and this robbery is hard on her. Turner Jamesen, colored, engaged in boring wells, became tired of life Sunday evening and tried to kill himself by cutting his throat. Captain M. Jack and family will move tomorrow to Alvin, on the Santa Fe railway and go into business. His sister, Mrs. H. M. Parker late of Brandon, Miss. Intends also to locate there. She is highly esteemed here and will be greatly missed, especially in the Methodist church and Sunday school.

Giesel House Brick-red colored building in picture. Situated near the Houston & Texas Central Railroad Depot, this three-story stone building was erected in 1860 by R. H. Giesel (1833-1872) and his German-born wife Fannie (1828-1881) to house a restaurant and hotel. A two-story frame porch originally extended across the front of the structure. Giesel, a Confederate veteran, served as temporary mayor in 1867, when a yellow fever epidemic struck Navasota. Fannie Giesel renamed her restaurant "The Good Morning John" in 1871. She managed the business until her death in 1881. Later owners operated the hotel as "The Exchange" and "The Hoyle". Three Story, Pre-Civil war building known as the Giesel House. This building offers a 3-bedroom 2 full bath loft on the 3rd floor. Victorian style porches on the 2nd and 3rd floors allow a nice view of Railroad Street as well as parts of the city. The building rests in the city center. Outer walls of the structure are constructed with native stone. The first and second floors are designed to accommodate various personal or business uses.


Giesel House

Robert Herman Giesel

Robert Herman Giesel was born May 7, 1833 in Prussia and died on January 3, 1872 in Navasota, Texas. He was buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Navasota. Herman immigrated to the United States from Germany and arrived at Galveston on December 18, 1853. He married Fannie Phillipine Neff on August 16, 1855 in Harris County, Texas. Robert Herman Giesel served the Confederate States Army during the War Between the States in the 5th Texas Cavalry Mounted Volunteers (Sibley’s Brigade). He enlisted August 19, 1861 in Grimes County, Texas. He was captured by Union Troops in New Mexico during the campaign of 1862 and taken prisoner on March 26, 1862. He was paroled in Millican, Texas on July 10, 1865. He built the Giesel House in 1860 and ran the hotel up until his death in 1872. His wife Fanny took over the business until her death in 1881.


Hannibal Boone Chapter UDC The Hannibal Boone Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy was organized October 25, 1901 at the home of Captain W. E. Barry, with Miss Mamie Barry hostess. The name was chosen in honor of Major Hannibal Boone, who had lost an arm while in service in the Confederate army and who became one of Navasota’s most distinguished lawyers. The original charter is preserved by the organization and bears these names: Mrs. W. B. Howell, Mrs. S. J. Walker, Mrs. G. L. Conoly, Mrs. Anna L. Stewart, Mrs. C. C. Camp, Jr., Mrs. M. A. Fisher, Mrs. Ward Templeman, Mrs. Gordon Boone, Mrs. J. R. Howell, Mrs. Laura F. Blackshear, Mrs. J. W. Brosig, Mrs. L. F. Martin, Mrs. F. W. Crutchfield, Mrs. D. W. Ward, Mrs. W. S. Craig, Mrs. John Owen, Mrs. Fannie Anderson, Mrs. C. C. Camp Sr., Mrs. J. G. Tanner, Mrs. Laura Thompson, Mrs. J. M. Shaw, Miss Carrie M. Wilson, Miss Lucy Barry, Miss Maggie E. Wilson, Miss Mamie Barry, Miss Meachum, Miss Kate Norwood, Miss Minnie Schumacher, Miss Jessie Owen, Miss Ella Schumacher, Miss Ira Blackshsear, Miss Nina Stewart, Miss Irma V. Chinski, Miss Bessie Barry, Miss Evelyn Boone, Miss Florida Norwood, Miss Gertrude Forester, and Miss Helen Lott. Miss Mamie Barry was the first president. This chapter of the U.D.C. has contributed much to the lore and has worked for the preservation of our history for posterity. Under the presidency of Mrs. Kate Menger, a marker was placed over the grave of Mrs. Miriam Beck (Forrest) Luxton, mother of General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Mrs. Luxton was a guest at the famous old Camp Inn at the time of her death and was buried just across the road in the old Camp family burial ground. This organization took an active part in the unveiling of the La Salle Monument. It entertained many confederate veterans from time to time and furnished transportation to those veterans who were unable to provide their own to and from their beloved conventions. It held a memorable Hood’s brigade reunion here with Miss Kate Daffin of Ennis the sponsor.

The veterans and their widows living in the Confederate Home in Austin were always a Christmas project for the chapter. Besides veterans in the Grimes county were participants in their Yuletide cheer. Crosses of honor were presented to all veterans and until the Legionnaires assumed the privilege, the graves of our beloved veterans were decorated with flags and flowers. Mrs. C. P. Spann deserves special mention as one of this chapter’s outstanding presidents. Some of the ensuing presidents were Mrs. W. S. Craig, Mrs. E. M. Perry, Mrs. M. Menger, Mrs. J. Wallace Brosig, Mrs. M. E. Parker, Mrs. L. B. Rowland, Mrs. H. T. Hall, Mrs. Earl Harris, Sr., and Mrs. W. H. Barry. This U.D.C. Chapter is no longer active in Navasota.

Zuber Hadley Chapter DRT Zuber-Hadley Chapter was organized in Anderson, Texas April 16, 1910 at the home of Mrs. Lula Davis-Jones, the first president. Dues were fifty cents and entrance fee was fifty cents. There were ten charter members. At the end of 1969 there were seventeen members. During the past ten years seven of these died. Membership in 1980 was 30 members, only one of the members, Mrs. Herbert Wood of Oklahoma, being the only one of the early members living at the time. During these seventy years only 12 presidents have served the chapter. They were Mrs. Jones, Miss Amelia Martin, Mrs. Hood Boone, Mrs. J. W. Brosig, Mrs. Stratton Baker, Mrs. J. T. Swanson, Mrs. Geo. Adams, Mrs. J.R. Hardy, Miss Frances Stoneham, Mrs. George Spears, Mrs. Emory Bay and Mrs., George Spears. During the war years members were active in volunteer work and trees were planted in Washington Park on the Brazos and on the high school campus in honor of sons and daughters of members who served in World War II. Flags and historic pictures were presented to the schools in the county.


A memorial fund was started to honor Sarah Dodson who made the first Texas Lone Star flag. Through the efforts of Mrs. Spears, during her presidency, flag poles were installed in front of the county courthouse in Anderson and with special ceremony the Texas flag and a replica of the flag Mrs. Dodson made were raised on one of the poles while Old Glory waved from the other pole. The memorial fund was used for a bronze marker which had been placed at the base of the Texas flag to honor Sarah Dodson.

A member, Mrs. Phillip Bertram gave $200 to be spent for a memorial to her sister Lucy Harris White. A large antique oil portrait was presented to the restored home of Anson Jones at Washington Park for this memorial. The chapter contributes to all projects and makes special contributions to state president projects. Regular contributions are made to the county library and historic books are purchased by the chapter and presented to the library. Relics have been presented to the Alamo museum and the San Jacinto museum. Independence Day is observed with the Bryan Chapter and at Washington Park. LaSalle’s birthday is observed with the local D.A.R. by placing flowers at the monument in Navasota. Members attend state meetings, assist as co-hostess chapters when meeting in the district.

Members also attend workshops and endeavor to carry out the ideals of the organization. Members of the chapter must be lineal descendants of a man or woman who served the Republic of Texas in a civil or military capacity. There were ten charter members: Mrs. Myra Kennard Boone, Miss Inda Buffington, Miss Delia Alice Jennings, Miss Ella Branch Jennings, Miss Juanita Jennings, Mrs. Lula Davis Jones, Miss Amelia Martin, Mrs. L. S. Neblett, Miss Ethel Hadley Wilson and Miss Margaret Eleanor Wilson.

Robert Rains Chapter DAR

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a national society founded by women for historical, educational, and patriotic purposes. The members are direct descendants of a soldier or patriot who served in the American Revolution. Robert Rains Chapter held its first official meeting on August 16, 1913 at the home of Mrs. Ward Templeman, the organizing regent. The chapter was named for Mrs. Templeman’s Revolutionary ancestor. Prior to this meeting there were only two members of the NSDAR in Navasota, Mrs. J. T. Swanson and Mrs. Templeman. The original members were, Mrs. E. D. Blackshear, Miss Ira Blackshear, Mrs. J. W. Brosig, Mrs. J. C. Baker, C. C. Camp, Mrs. Mary Carr, Mrs. A. H. Ketchum, Mrs. J. G. McRae, Mrs. Kate Menger, Mrs. Shields Norwood, Mrs. Burns Pedigo, Miss Alice Rhodes, Miss Ada Rodes, Mrs. E. B. Stinson, Mrs. Andrew Sangster, Mrs. J. T. Swanson, and Mrs. W. B. Templeman. As the result of a recommendation made by Miss Alysse Sangster (Mrs. George Spears) to the State Conference in Austin in 1932, the first Texas DAR Bulletin was published by the Daily Examiner of Navasota. On March 6, 1930 Robert Rains Chapter DAR with great pride served as hostess to all Texas Daughters for the unveiling ceremonies of the monument erected in Navasota honor Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieru de LaSalle, a French explorer shot by his treacherous companions on


March 19, 1687 and buried near Navasota. This statue was given by Texas DAR and Navasota Citizens. The sculptor who created this monument was Frank Teich, noted for works throughout Texas, Washington DC and Germany. Many civic and cultural activities have centered around this monument. Representatives of the French government have helped celebrate LaSalle’s birthday. Consul M. Jouine, Consul General Louis Vorms in 1975; Consul General Claude Fouquet, Mrs. Fouquet and Miss Liana Mouzakis sister of Mrs. Fouquet in 1978.

Important occasions and projects of the chapter include the marker in 1867 of the Bahia Trail through Grimes County, grave of Martin Palmer, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence located in Jasper County in 1937; the grave of a Real Daughter, Frances Coleman Womack was found and marked in Plantersville, Texas in 1940, Miss Eugenia Wellborn, Regent in 1939-1940 contributed a costume to the Texas National Golden Jubilee Project, a collection of historic gowns at Texas Women’s University. Other projects of the chapter include the grave of Miss Stoneham, the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, buried in the Stoneham cemetery, was marked with a bronze marker in 1936. In July 1974 Dr. Unal Gurol was honored by Robert Raines Chapter as a new citizen of the USA and presented with a flag by Mrs. George Spears. We celebrated the Bicentennial of our nation in numerous education and social events. Robert Rains has been most fortunate to have outstanding educators, writers, leaders in government, and officers of DAR both state and national as speakers and guests of our chapter. We have excellent newspaper and radio coverage of our local and national activities some of which are marking the graves of deceased members with bronze markers; good citizenship medals given to high school students in Grimes County, selected by a faculty committee from each school, money, dominoes, cards and cookies are given to Veterans at Marlin Hospital, medals to outstanding ROTC students at Prairie View University; Mrs. J. T. Simmons was presented a “50 Year Pin” by the organization. We are the proud possessors of a French flag given to the chapter by the French government.


HISTORIC BRIDGE

This historic bridge was originally located on CR 263 (known locally as CR 180) over Rocky Creek. Constructed around 1905, the Warren pony truss measures 50 feet in length and is a rare survivor of a one-common structure. The single-span, four panel bridge is comprised primarily of riveted and bolted steel channels, i-beams and plates and pin connected eye bars. The main steel components were shop riveted and then bolted into their final configuration on site. A popular retreat through the 1890’s nearby Kellum Springs was likely a motivating force that resulted in the development of an early road north of Anderson that let to the springs and then connected with Iola to facilitate travel from the northern reaches of the county. The crossing of Rocky Creek with a bridge along this route was a necessity, as it remained a primary north/south route between Anderson and Iola into the 20th century. The bridge now stands as an early landmark of Texas engineering history with a heritage proudly shared by the people of Grimes County.

This bridge now resides at the Historic Anderson Park in Anderson.

Sarah Ann (Sallie) Siddall Henderson

Sarah Ann (Sallie) Siddall came to Anderson, Texas with her father and mother, John Maltby Siddall and Elizabeth Sarah Jagars in a covered wagon in 1875. She was 13 years old. Prior to coming to Texas, she had attended school where it was necessary for the parents to provide a chair for the pupil. Her father made her a rawhide bottomed chair which I treasure and in which I am sitting while typing this. “Miss Sallie” as she was called by all who knew and loved her was the first woman in Texas to become a licensed pharmacist, studying in Galveston. For many years she owned and operated Anderson’s only drugstore. The building which housed the drugstore also provided space for her brother, George’s undertaking business, and the coffins were stored there. Upstairs was the doctor’s office and the first telephone switchboard in Anderson, connecting with other towns in the county. Miss Sallie was a most thoughtful person, helping others in any way possible. In her drugstore, she had a small room at the back


which she fixed up for the mothers to use when they came to town with their husbands and brought their children. In the room was a fireplace, rocking chairs, and room for pallets. Sweet potatoes’ and eggs were always roasting in the fireplace. A most pleasant place for out-of-town visitors, since trips to town were an all-day occasion in those days. Sallie had one of the early large-wheel bicycles for ladies and was often seen riding around town. She was accomplished in all kinds of handwork, making fine lace, tatting, doing embroidery, and from natural hair she made switches and hairpieces for the ladies to add to their hairstyles of the day. After the death of her mother in 1901 Sallie made a home for her father and was known far and wide for her bounteous table, especially her corncakes. Sallie married W. C. Henderson, an artist. Although colorblind, he did beautiful pictures and always put a red-headed girl in them because his wife was red-headed. He had to keep his paints and brushes in special order so that he could use the right color. He did the ornamental metal ceiling in the Grimes County Courthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson had no children but they loved and cared for others and especially enjoyed George’s and Robert’s children. It was always a treat to go to Auntie’s. Miss Sallie died August 14, 1926. (She is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Anderson, Texas). Written by Edith Siddall Menefee Assisted by Elizabeth Siddall Take from the book “Heritage and Progress: History of Grimes County, Texas”. © 1982, Reprinted in 2007 by the Grimes County Historical Commission.

Captain John M. Siddall Conscript Officer CSA

John Maltby Siddall was born August 23, 1829 in Illinois. His wife was Elizabeth Jaggars was also born in Illinois. Captain John M. Siddall was in the Confederate States Army as a Conscript Officer. He was captured on March 19, 1863 near Fort Pillow, Arkansas and taken prisoner and sent to Johnsons Island Prison in Sandusky, Ohio. He was paroled at Johnson’s Island and transferred to New Orleans on January 9, 1865 from Sandusky, Ohio. He appears on a roll of rebel prisoners of war received from Johnson’s Island, Ohio and exchanged at Red River Landing, Louisiana on February 26, 1865. He died April 18, 1920 in Grimes County and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Anderson, Texas.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=26941660&PIpi=10777990


Cemetery Spotlight

Joel Greenwood Cemetery One of the oldest burial sites in the Stoneham Plantersville area is the Joel Greenwood Cemetery. Over the years about 25 persons have been buried there, but not one marker remains. The cemetery is located five miles north of Plantersville on FM 1774 on what is now known as the “Hamilton Place”. A list of persons buried in the Joel Greenwood cemetery would include: Henry Bailey Greenwood 1756-1835 Joel Greenwood 1802-184? Daughter of Joel & Anna Greenwood 1830’s Daughter of Joel & Anna Greenwood 1830’s William Montgomery 1772-1835 James Montgomery Julia Robinson Montgomery Major John Pierson 1795-1849 Son of Major Pierson (child) Son of Major Pierson (child) Owen Shannon Martha Dupree Stoneham Banks Frank Stoneham (child) Son of Joseph Stoneham (child)

Grimes Prairie Cemetery The Grimes Prairie Cemetery is located five miles north of Stoneham off the Stoneham to Anderson Highway (FM 1774) on what is now the McGee estate “Monument Hill”. The cemetery has long been abandoned. The last burial seems to have

been in 1907. Jesse Grimes died in 1866 and was buried in this cemetery, but his body was moved to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin where he lies with other early patriots and signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Persons who are interred in this cemetery are: John H. Bowen 1832-1878 Emily Bowen Gannaway 1838-1907 Amos DeBose 1845-1923 James DeBose 1907-1927 Nathan DeBose 1893-1948 Mary DeBose Dunn 1875-1943 Grace M. Jordan 1857 Jesse Grimes 1788-1866 (moved to Austin) Rosanna Ward Briton Grimes 1803-1871 Barton William Jordan Grace M. Jordan 1802-1957 Emmett O’Keefe 1860-1880 Martha Ann Grimes O’Keefe 1824-1862 John H. Miller 1860 Lula Pearl McGinty Pender 1864-1883 Mrs. Jane Dillard Stoneham 1758-1858 Frances E. Stoneham George Stoneham 1786-1868 John Stoneham 1795-1881 Missouri A. Jordan Stoneham 1829-1854


Texas State Cemetery

The Texas State Cemetery is located approximately one mile east of the State Capitol between Navasota and Comal streets and consists of 18 acres. The Cemetery provides a final resting-place for individuals who have made a significant contribution to Texas. Stephen F. Austin, 11 governors, numerous legislators, judges and unique individuals throughout Texas’ history are some of the people buried at the Texas State Cemetery.

The first person buried at the Texas State Cemetery was General Edward Burleson. Burleson emigrated from Tennessee to Bastrop County where he helped organize volunteers at Gonzales and was elected Stephen F. Austin’s senior colonel. As colonel,

Burleson also helped Ben Milam organize and seize Bexar County, the first major skirmish for Texas Independence. An important part of the Battle of San Jacinto, Burleson commanded the First Regiment of Texas Volunteers. Following Texas’ fight for independence he served in the Cherokee and Mexican War. At the same time, serving as Vice President of the Republic of Texas, Member of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and President pro tempore of the Legislature.

In December of 1851, Burleson died in Austin at the home of a friend, and the next day a Committee was convened in the House of Representatives to plan his funeral. House member Andrew Jackson Hamilton, who was impressed with Burleson and his career, took charge of the committee and provided his personal property in East Austin as a state burial ground which the state eventually took over in 1854.

Burleson was the only individual buried in East Austin until Abner S. Lipscomb, Associate Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, was buried in 1856. From 1856 to 1866 there were a number of burials that included some of Texas’ most widely known leaders, Civil War generals, and other soldiers from Texas’ fight for independence and the Civil War.

In 1866, Albert Sidney Johnston’s body was brought to the Cemetery from New Orleans. Thirty-five years after Johnston’s return to Texas and the state burial ground, the renowned artist Elisabet Ney was commissioned to construct a monument for the fallen hero. A life-size death mask was constructed of white marble and housed in a gothic chapel. Many of Johnston’s fellow generals such as Ben McCulloch, William P. Hardeman, John Wharton, August Buchel, and Xavier Debray are also buried in the Cemetery.


In the latter part of the 19th century, the State of Texas took over the Confederate Men’s and Women’s Home. As more and more men and women were passing away there became a need for a burial space that would be able to accommodate them; as a result, the Cemetery was chosen so the veterans could be memorialized with their former generals. In 1871, the sexton was authorized by the Legislature to purchase and have inscribed the name, date of birth and death, and unit with which the veteran fought. Each headstone was not to exceed $40 dollars.

In the early 1900's there were many ambitious projects on the horizon. The first of these was the construction of the Albert Sidney Johnston monument that was completed in August 1906. Sixty years after their initial plan to reinter Stephen F. Austin the Legislature brought his remains to the Cemetery and erected a monument in his honor. The reinternment of Joanna Troutman and General John Wharton were initiated and encouraged by Governor O. B. Colquitt (1910-1915). Among other projects during this time the caretaker’s cottage was built, trees, shrubs, and flowers were planted, a drainage system was installed, and roads were improved.

The 1920’s saw a renewed interest in the Cemetery as Texas prepared for the approaching centennial. Louis Kemp, noted businessman and historian, headed up one of the more ambitious plans undertaken by the State when the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 181. This particular bill called for prominent Texans to be reburied and have monuments erected at the Cemetery. The project began in 1929 with the reinternment of James Pinckney Henderson, Peter Hansborough Bell, and many other Texas notables. The project lasted until 1936 when over seventy men and women were reinterred. As a special thanks to the efforts of Louis Kemp the State Highway Department named the Cemetery road Lou Kemp Avenue.

One of the more important events that occurred was the establishment of burial guidelines. In 1953, new guidelines were adopted that specified who might obtain a plot. They must meet one of the following requirements: member or ex-member of the Texas Legislature, Confederate Veteran, elected state official, state official appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Legislature, individual designated by governor’s proclamation or concurrent resolution of the Legislature, or the spouse of anyone meeting these criteria. These guidelines are still in effect to this day.

In 1994, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, unhappy with the condition of the Cemetery, organized a full-scale renovation and restoration project. The project included the construction of a visitor’s center and gallery, pond, columbarium wall, and a memorial plaza. All Confederate headstones were taken down and cleaned and were replaced if damaged. Trees, shrubbery, flowers, and grass were planted for the beautification phase of the project. In March of 1997, a rededication ceremony was held with Governor George W. Bush, Lieutenant Governor Bullock, Speaker of the House Pete Laney, and other distinguished guests in attendance.


In 1997, the Legislature formed a Committee that oversees the everyday operations of the Cemetery. The Committee is comprised of three members who are appointed by the Governor. The first Texas State Cemetery Committee members were Chairman Martin L. Allday, George Christian, and Ralph Wayne. The Committee meets monthly and holds open record meetings that are posted in the Texas Register. Current Committee Members are Chairman Benjamin M. Hanson, James L. "Jim" Bayless Jr. and Carolyn Hodges.

Hours of Operation - Office: Monday through Friday 8a.m. to 5p.m. Grounds: 8a.m. to 5p.m. daily.

Texas State Cemetery 909 Navasota Street Austin, Texas 78702 Phone: (512) 463-0605 Fax: (512) 463-8811

Jessie Grimes


UPCOMING EVENTS

The Fanthorp Inn is open for public tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 579 S. Main St. Anderson, TX 77830 Admission is Free

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/fanthorp-inn

Stagecoach Rides are given on the 2nd Saturday of each month. (except August)

LOCAL NEWS

Kathy Wells, president of the Robert Raines Grimes County Chapter of the DAR, reports it is continuing to collect information on any Grimes County World War 1 veterans from World War 1 for the memorial to be located at Historic Anderson Park by the fall of 1918.

The group is also urging anyone who knows a family member who was a WWI veteran of Grimes County to please contact the above addresses.

Donations for the memorial have reached nearly $2,000. Donors may contact Kathy Wells at [email protected] or Lisa Lents at [email protected] The group is selling these beautiful red poppy pins for $5 each to help raise funds for the monument.



mailto:[email protected]

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We have copies of the Navasota Bluebonnet on sale for only $25 each. This book was published in 1954 and has 100 years of Navasota History. This book was reprinted in 2001.

Grimes County History Book

Grimes County Cemetery Books Volumes 1 thru 4 are $30 each or you can purchase the set for $100 Volume 1 - North (Bedias/Iola/Keith) Volume 2 - Central (Anderson/Shiro/Roans Prairie/Singleton) Volume 3 - South (Courtney/Plantersville) Volume 4 – Navasota

The Grimes County Heritage and Progress History Book is a great addition to your family library. It contains the history of our county as well as family histories of Grimes County Residents. $50

grimes county historical commission issue 8 volume 3 ... · mrs. fannie giesel died sunday morning,...

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