Coaque Tribe

Coaque Indians. A tribe formerly living on Malhado Island, off the coast of Texas, where Cabeza de Vaca suffered shipwreck in 1527. This was almost certainly Galveston Island. Cabeza de Vaca found two tribes, each with its own language, living there, one the Han, the other the Coaque. The people subsisted from November to February on a root taken from the shoal water and on fish which they caught in weirs; they visited the mainland for berries and oysters. They displayed much affection toward their children and greatly mourned their death. For a year after the loss of a son … Read more

Biography of Earl R. Ferguson

Earl R. Ferguson, a man of purpose whose plans are well formulated and who accomplishes what lie plans, is a native son of Shenandoah, his birth having here occurred April 30, 1876. He is a son of judge W. P. Ferguson, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and his work has been in accordance with the example set by his honored father, who from the earliest days of Shenandoah’s development has been a most important factor in its growth and upbuilding. At the usual age he was sent to the public schools and passing through the consecutive grades was graduated from … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Richard J. Coach

Coach, Richard J.; Secret Service Co.; born, Galveston, Texas, July 22, 1860; engaged in secret service work in 1877; established the R. J. Coach Detective Service in 1884, and incorporated in 1904; has established offices throughout the United States and in all the principal cities in the world; pres. and gen. mgr. The R. J. Coach Secret Service Co.; member Chamber of Commerce.

Biography of Benjamin F. E. Marsh

Benjamin F. E. Marsh. For thirty consecutive years Mr. Marsh had served with unceasing diligence and fidelity the Santa Fe Railway Company. His many friends in the service and among Topeka people generally had a special sense of pleasure in learning of his recent promotion to the office of assistant general freight agent. He had earned every step of his promotion since taking his first clerkship, and had long been recognized as an expert on many of the technical subjects counected with the handling of the freight department of this great system. A native of Topeka where he was born … Read more

Biographical Sketch of McKnabb, John

Santa Fe Prisoner John McKnabb, one more of those unfortunate ones who accompanied the disastrous Santa Fe expedition in 1841, was a native of Scotland, and came to Fort Bend County in 1837. He was at Austin during the early building of that place, when the Indians harassed the few settlers almost continually. In 1841, when the expedition to Santa Fe was inaugurated, John McKnabb was there, and volunteered, as many other young men did, for the perilous trip, and suffered all the hardships of the long march across the plains and sandy deserts; want of water and provisions being … Read more

Smith, Gilford – Obituary

Gilford Smith’s BurialThe Galveston, Texas News has the following concerning the burial of Gilford Smith, the 20-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A.B.C. Smith, of this place. Gilford Smith, the young man who was drowned in the bay on March 6, and whose body was recovered Friday, was buried yesterday morning at Lakeview cemetery at 8:30 o’clock. His comrades, the crew of the Gertrude, were the pallbearers, and the immense heap of flowers which covered the coffin testified to the esteem in which he was held by his friends. Rev. G.S. Sexton, pastor of the Central Methodist Church, performed … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Hodge, Robert

Mr. Hodge is now a resident of Richmond, Fort Bend County, and has been for nearly sixty-six years; was born on Galveston Island on the 18th of May 1836. His parents were colonists of Stephen F. Austin, and settled near Damon’s Mound. When the Mexicans came in 1836 the people around the mound fled before them, and took refuge at Galveston, except those who went with Houston’s army. This disagreeable flight caused the birthplace of Mr. Hodge to be on the famous island. After the battle of San Jacinto the family removed to Fort Bend County, and their descendants have … Read more

Biography of Judge James P. Wood

Integrity, intelligence and system are qualities which will advance the interests of any man or any profession, and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. The life of Judge James P. Wood in the professional arena has been characterized by intelligence, integrity, sound judgment and persevering industry. He is one of Cleburne County’s most popular and capable attorneys, who has acquired prominence because he is worthy of it. He was born on a farm in Barbour County, Ala., in 1843, a son of James and Nancy (Byrd) Wood, who were born, reared and married in the Old North … Read more

Wilmer Lewis Todd of Galveston TX

Wilmer Lewis Todd9, (Henry8, Ezra L.7, Ezra L.6, James5, James4, James3, Samuel2, Christopher1) born Sept. 1, 1853, in Waterbury, Conn., married at Galveston, Texas, Sept. 2, 1875, Rose Adele Belden, who was born July 31, 1855, in Lavacca, Texas. Children: *2744. Alfred Lewis, b. May 13, 1876. *2745. Wilmer Lewis, b. Nov. 27, 1879. 2746. Ethel, b. May 15, 1882, d. June 16, 1882. *2747. Bertha Adele, b. March 3, 1885. *2748. Rose Elinor, b. April 22, 1889.

Biography of Washington Grayson

Washington Grayson, prominently identified with the tribal government of the Creek Nation and closely associated with many public interests of importance to community and state, makes his home in Eufaula, where he is held in high respect and honor by all who know him. Mr. Grayson was born at Eufaula, Oklahoma, on the 15th of May, 1882, and is a son of George W. and Annie (Stidham) Grayson, both of whom are half-blood Creeks. The former was reared in and near Eufaula and was closely associated with public events in that section of Oklahoma then a part of the Indian … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Gunther Weiss

Gunther Weiss, of the firm of Weiss & Frommel, proprietors of the Charleston Woolen-Mill, Charleston; was born in Leutenberg, Sharzburg, Rudolstadt, Germany, July 6, 1823; he attended school till the age of 14, and was then apprenticed to learn the weaver’s trade; in 1845, he came to the United States, landing in Galveston, Texas; on the breaking-out of the war with Mexico,. he volunteered in the 18th Tex. V. I., and served under Gen. Taylor; in the spring of 1848, he went to Cincinnati, where he remained until 1852, when he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and began business as … Read more