Richmond Texas

Biographical Sketch of Andrus, E. P.

Edgar P. Andrus, born on October 34, 1858, in Richmond, Fort Bend County, descends from a pioneering family. His grandfather, William Andrus, was an early settler with Austin’s colonists, and the family experienced the tumult of the 1836 Mexican army invasion. While Andrus’s forebears were primarily farmers, his father pursued law and real estate. E.P. Andrus is married to Mary V. Sweeny, and they have one daughter, Beulah Mary. He is currently serving his second year as District Clerk.

Biographical Sketch of Bassett, Clem N.

Clement Newton Bassett, born in Richmond, Texas, on January 7, 1842, serves as the Tag Collector of Fort Bend County. His father, a Virginia native, practiced law in Richmond and represented his district in the State Legislature before dying in 1848. Bassett joined the Confederate Army in 1861, fighting in several battles and sustaining two wounds. After marrying twice, first to Lida Moore and then to Libbie Mitchell, he has five children. Currently serving his first term, he was elected unopposed.

Biographical Sketch of Jones, Wiley P.

Wiley Powell Jones, born on October 17, 1843, in Fort Bend County, Texas, was the son of early settler Henry Jones. Initially a farmer and stockman, he joined the Confederate army during the Civil War but faced health challenges that prevented his full participation. In 1887, he settled in Richmond, serving nearly eight years as Justice of the Peace and conducting numerous inquests. Jones was married twice, fathering eleven children, with only three surviving. His life reflects the experiences of early Texas settlers and the impacts of war and family.

Biographical Sketch of Fenn, F. M. O.

Francis Marion Oatis Fenn, born in Fort Bend County, Texas, was the son of early Texas settlers. He received his education at Roanoke College and the University of Virginia, earning oratory medals at both institutions. Active in local politics, Fenn campaigned for key positions in Harris County and played a significant role in the Jaybird Democratic Constitution. Elected as County Attorney in 1900 and reelected in 1902, he was married to Lottie Benson and had one son, Rutherford.

Biographical Sketch of Wessendorff, T. B.

Tony B. Wessendorff, born on November 19, 1872, in Richmond, Fort Bend County, is the son of German immigrant Anton Wessendorff, a Confederate soldier during the Civil War. Tony was elected County Treasurer in November 1902 and is currently serving his first term. He married Jennie Jones, with whom he has four daughters. In addition to his treasurer duties, he runs a lumber and undertaking business with his brother, E. G. Wessendorff.

Biography of Little, Walter W.

Walter W. Little was born on October 31, 1828, in Fort Bend County, Texas. His father, William Little, a Pennsylvania native, emigrated to Texas as part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony in 1821. The family played a significant role in the establishment of the Fort settlement and its defense against Native American attacks. Walter witnessed pivotal moments during the Texas Revolution, including the flight from approaching Mexican forces. He married Sarah R. Wilson in 1858, later remarrying after her death. Walter currently resides in Eagle Lake, Texas.

Biographical Sketch of Florer, J. C.

J. C. Flora, a dedicated and affable Superintendent of Public Instruction in Fort Bend County, has diligently managed the local schools. Recently acquiring the Texas Coaster newspaper, he demonstrates a commitment to both his patrons and the community’s interests. His leadership is expected to elevate the Coaster, ensuring it remains contemporary and reflective of important local issues, thereby enhancing the reputation of Fort Bend County.

Biographical Sketch of Newell, John D.

John D. Newell, a notable figure from Fort Bend County, relocated from North Carolina to Texas in 1830. He participated in the 1833 convention and achieved success as a planter, cultivating forty-five crops throughout his life in Texas. Newell passed away in December 1875 in Richmond, Fort Bend County.

Biographical Sketch of Cason, Henry

Henry, an elderly man in Richmond, Texas, recounts his life and experiences, including his time as a slave for Captain Randall Jones after being brought from North Carolina in 1832. He vividly remembers the 1836 conflict with the Mexicans, detailing the harrowing encounter with the steamboat Yellowstone and its swift navigation to escape capture. Henry also recalls General Houston’s stay at their home while recovering from a leg wound, alongside another wounded man, possibly General Johnston. He is believed to be around one hundred years old, offering a unique perspective on historic events.

Biographical Sketch of Davis, John H. Pickens, Judge

John H. Pickens Davis, born on February 11, 1851, in Fort Bend County, is a prominent banker and citizen of Richmond. The son of Captain William S. and Jane Davis, he married Susan E. Ryon on February 10, 1875, who passed away in 1884, leaving him with two children. Judge Davis is known for his commitment to public service and community initiatives, reflecting a deep connection to the values and aspirations of his community.

Biographical Sketch of Dyer, J. E.

J. E. Dyer, Sr. was born on July 11, 1832, in Fort Bend County, Texas. Raised in Richmond, he thrived as a businessman involved in stock-raising, merchandising, and banking. He served as Fort Bend County treasurer from 1852 to 1859 and supported the Confederacy during the Civil War. Dyer married Isabella Heard in 1859, with whom he had eight children. He died on October 31, 1891, in Boerne and was buried in Richmond, mourned by family and friends alike.

Biographical Sketch of McKnabb, John

John McKnabb, a Scottish native who settled in Fort Bend County in 1837, participated in the ill-fated Santa Fe expedition of 1841. He volunteered for the arduous journey, facing severe hardships such as scarcity of water and food. Captured by Mexican forces, McKnabb endured nearly two years of hard labor and mistreatment before his release. He returned to Texas via Galveston and later lived in Richmond, where he passed away in 1894 and was buried on his farm near the Brazos River. He had one son, A. D. McKnabb.

Biographical Sketch of Neel, Adam S.

Adam Sylvester Neel was born on August 25, 1844, in Fort Bend County, Texas, to William T. Neel and Mary Stafford. The family faced hardships during the Mexican conflict, including property loss. After relocating to Richmond, they endured the yellow fever epidemic, which claimed the life of Adam’s sister, Sarah. Adam married Ellen Stafford, and they had three children: Cain, Aletha, and Sylvester. The Neel family settled near Richmond, along the Brazos River, where they continued to reside.

Biography of Pleasants, George W.

George Washington Pleasants, born in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1809, moved to Texas in 1830, settling in Columbia, where he faced a cholera epidemic that claimed the lives of his two sisters. He joined General Austin’s army during the Mexican War and fought at San Antonio and San Jacinto. Pleasants settled in Fort Bend County, marrying Jane Brush in 1842. He served as deputy sheriff during the county’s early organization. Pleasants lived until 1891, and his family included seven children, with significant descendants in Richmond.

Biography of Foster, Randolph

Randolph Foster, born March 12, 1790, and died August 18, 1878, was a notable pioneer whose life embodied the spirit of frontier resilience. Known for his deep connection to nature and aversion to societal pretenses, he was a deer hunter with Stephen F. Austin’s early colonists. After marrying Lucy Hunter, he settled in Texas, where he lived for half a century. Following her death in 1872, Foster resumed his wandering ways, often fishing and exploring. He left behind a legacy of integrity and hospitality, remembered as a man without enemies.

Biographical Sketch of Hodge, Robert

Mr. Hodge, born on Galveston Island on May 18, 1836, has resided in Richmond, Fort Bend County, for nearly sixty-six years. His parents were colonists of Stephen F. Austin, who initially settled near Damons Mound. During the Mexican invasion in 1836, the family fled to Galveston, while others joined Houston’s army. Following the battle of San Jacinto, they relocated to Fort Bend County, where their descendants have remained.

Biographical Sketch of Worthington, R. H.

R. H. Worthington, born on June 6, 1826, in Pitt County, North Carolina, moved to Fort Bend County, Texas, in 1849. Notably, he served as a nurse during the yellow fever epidemic of 1853 with the Howard Association. He resides in Richmond, Texas. His wife, Mary E. Worthington, originally from Georgia, married William McGee before their journey to Texas in 1850. After settling in Fort Bend County, she married Worthington in November 1853, following the accidental death of her first husband.

Biography of Austin, Moses

Moses Austin, born in 1767 in Connecticut, was a pivotal figure in the early American colonization of Texas. After a series of business failures, he turned to Texas as a means to rebuild his fortunes. He traveled to San Antonio in 1820, initially facing legal challenges but eventually gaining support from local officials for his plan to settle American families in Texas. Upon returning home, he fell ill and died in June 1821, entrusting his son Stephen with the execution of his vision for colonization.

Biography of Foster, Randolph

Randolph Foster, known as Uncle Ran, was an early settler of Fort Bend County, Texas, arriving with Stephen F. Austin. Born in Mississippi, he married Lucy Hunter and established a prosperous home near the Brazos River. An avid hunter, he supported the Texas Revolution by supplying General Houston’s army with game. Foster lived to 89, retaining a remarkable memory throughout his life. He and Lucy had seven children, six of whom married. Foster is buried beside his wife in their family graveyard.

Biographical Sketch of Blakely, Mary L., Mrs.

Mrs. Mary L. Blakely, born in Fort Bend County in 1833, is the daughter of Randolph Foster. During the Runaway Scrape, she was just three years old and was carried by her mother, unaware of the turmoil surrounding them. Now residing in Richmond, Mrs. Blakely has three surviving children: Kate, Calvin, and Bassett. Kate is married to Capt. Sidney Winston, a descendant of Mrs. Jane Long, while Calvin and Bassett are married to Miss Katy Wessendorff and Miss Bonnie Dunlevy, respectively.