Robert Egan Maddox

January 19, 1849 - April 12, 1906

Robert E. Maddox was born on January 18, 1848 or 1849 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana to parents William and Mary Maddox. He was the third child born to the couple. By 1870, the family moved to Denton County, Texas where Robert was a farmer and rancher. By 1873, he was living in Denison, Texas and during the “Panic of 1873”, Robert lost all his money. He was able to borrow money and then moved to Fort Worth. When he arrived in Fort Worth, he worked as a grocery clerk for J.W. Armstrong. Few could foresee Robert would become one of the most successful real estate developers of early Fort Worth history.

In 1876, he was elected the City Tax Assessor and Collector.¹ By 1881, Robert began his successful career buying and selling real estate in Tarrant County. At the age of 32, Robert married Anna Higbee on November 1, 1881.² The couple would only have a short time together as Anna passed away in 1882 during the birth of their only child, Charleton. The infant would also die the same day.

By the 1890’s, Robert owned a large amount of property in Downtown Fort Worth including the Richelieu Hotel.³ His growing success in real estate helped fund his real passion: buying and selling livestock. By the mid 1890’s, Robert had built himself a residence and stables called Maddoxia Park stock farm, also known as “Grand Palace Stables.” The property was located 3 miles east of the historic Tarrant County Courthouse. His love for livestock, especially horses, led him to be an early investor in what would become the modern day Stockyards of Fort Worth. He worked alongside other notable Fort Worth leaders such as John Peter Smith, E.M. “Bud” Daggett, and Robert McCart to help grow and expand the Stockyards during his lifetime.⁴

Although his headstone states he died on April 20, 1907, he actually passed away on April 11, 1906.⁵ His funeral was well attended and many prominent leaders of the city attended. At his funeral, Rev. C.W. Daniel stated “There is no death, the stars go down to rise upon some fairer shore. And bright in heaven’s jeweled crown, they will shine forevermore.”⁶ Maddox is buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery next to his wife and infant son. His parents are also buried in the cemetery. 

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[1] Hudson, Weldon and Barbara Knox. Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Fort Worth Genealogical Society. 2001, pg 141. 
[2] “Robert E Maddox and Anna Higbee.” Record of Marriage Licenses of Tarrant County. Texas, U.S., Select County Marriage Records 1837-1965, Ancestry.com, Image 339.  Accessed 15 Sept 2023 ; https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9168/images/45605_b220550-00338?pId=25959001. 

[3] Hudson, 2001, pg 141. 

[4] “Who The Heck was…R.E. Maddox?,” Hometown by Handlebar, 6 Oct 2022. Accessed 15 Sept 2023; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=32895. 

[5] “Colonel R.E. Maddox Dead.” The Daily Express, San Antonio, TX, Vol. 41, No. 102, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 12, 1906, newspaper, April 12, 1906; Accessed 15 Sept 2023; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441270/m1/3/?q=Robert+Maddox+Fort+Worth. 

[6] “Funeral Services Largely Attended.” The Fort Worth Record and Register, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 10, No. 180, Ed. 1 Friday, April 13, 1906, newspaper, April 13, 1906; Fort Worth, Texas. Accessed 15 Sept 2023; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1441710/m1/8/?q=Robert+Maddox+Fort+Worth.