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Join us November 20, 2025, at Ridglea Country Club to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Pioneers Rest Cemetery! Dinner, entertainment, and historic charm await. Join us for the 175th Anniversary Celebration Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the 175-year legacy of Pioneers Rest Cemetery — Fort Worth’s oldest public burial ground and a cornerstone of local history. Hats Off to Pioneers Rest Cemetery! Evening Highlights: Cocktail Reception: 6:00 PM —Cash Bar Dinner: 6:45 PM — A delicious meal with non-alcoholic beverages included. Master of Ceremonies and performer: Quentin McGown Dinner Theater Entertainment directed by Sharon Benge: 7:30 PM —Period music and theatrical performances celebrating Pioneer Rest Cemetery’s rich past. 💛 Sponsorship Opportunities Support the preservation and legacy of Fort Worth’s oldest cemetery by becoming a sponsor of our 175th Anniversary Celebration. Ticket and Sponsorship Information Individual Ticket (Dinner and Entertainment): $75 Friend of Pioneers Rest Cemetery (Donation only): $175 Bronze Sponsorship (Includes 2 Guest Tickets): $500+ Copper Sponsorship (Includes 4 Guest Tickets): $1,000+ Silver Sponsorship (Includes 1 Table of 8 Guests): $2,500+ Gold Sponsorship (Includes 2 Tables of 8 Guests – 16 Total): $5,000+ Diamond Sponsorship (Includes 3 Tables of 8 Guests – 24 Total): $10,000+ Seating is limited. All sponsorship levels include event admission. [Purchase Tickets Now] To remit, please use one of the following methods: Zelle: 817-332-8515 Venmo: @PioneersRestCemetery Mail a check to: Pioneers Rest Cemetery Association PO Box 100294 Fort Worth, TX 76185 PayPal (use any credit card): Donate with PayPal Thank You for Supporting Our Legacy Your support ensures the stories of our city's past continue to inspire future generations. Together, we can preserve Pioneers Rest Cemetery for years to come. JOIN US NOW!

Restoration Projects Through the Years at Pioneers Rest Cemetery Preserving history, honoring stories, and celebrating community through every project. Dec. 14, 2024

General Edward Hampton Tarrant 1799 - August 2, 1858 Edward Hampton Tarrant was born in South Carolina in 1799. Edward’s early life is a bit of a mystery, as we do not know who his parents were or his exact birthdate. He was described to be about 5 foot 10 inches tall with blue eyes and a fair complexion. At the age of just 15 years old, Edward enlisted into the 14th Regiment with the Kentucky Detached Militia as a result of the ongoing War of 1812. He enlisted for a term of 6 months, but just three months into his military career, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. He was later discharged on May 20, 1815 and was paid $10 for each month of his service. By the early 1820’s, Edward had moved from Kentucky to Tennessee and by 1824 he was elected “Colonel of Militia.” The militia was created to protect themselves from Indian attacks in the rugged and wild hills of Tennessee. While in Tennessee he became a local leader in Henry County, especially the town of Paris, where he was elected sheriff (1827) and also established the local Masonic Lodge. In the 1830’s, he moved to Henderson County, Tennessee where he was the first clerk of the circuit court. Accounts written by the Tarrant Family stated Edward came to Texas via the Mississippi River sometime in mid 1835 and established himself in Red River County. On February 2, 1838, Edward received a land grant from the Republic of Texas. This grant was awarded to all heads of household that were residents of Texas on March 2, 1836. Much like his life back in Tennessee, Edward soon found himself in public office again. He was appointed as the first Chief Justice of Red River County in December 1836 and built a successful law firm that would last until 1845. On October 17, 1837, he was sworn into office as a House of Representative for Red River County and worked under President Houston in the Republic of Texas. While in office, tension became more strained in Texas as the threat from Indian tribes in East Texas was growing more hostile. Edward felt he would be of better service to his new country in a military capacity as he had experience defending land from the Indians back in Tennessee. He resigned his position with the House of Representatives on December 12, 1837. Although his time may have been short with the House of Representatives, it was during this time he would befriend several colleagues all located in the North Texas area with notable names such as Dr. Daniel Rowlett and Collin McKinney. By the Fall of 1838, at the age of 39, he was the leader of the Red River County Militia where his main mission was to force the Indians away from the Republic of Texas and back into the United States. In 1840, his peaceful and resourceful relationship with the Indians helped him to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Tarrant was instrumental in the signing of a peace treaty between the Republic of Texas and the Indians in 1843. Tarrant continued his life in public service and he was very active in statewide talks in regard to the annexation of Texas by the United States, which would come to fruition in December of 1845. Tarrant lived in several other counties in the State of Texas including Robertson, Navarro, and Ellis. To honor him, a town was named Tarrant in 1846 and was the first county seat for Hopkins County. In 1849, he returned to the Texas House of Representatives where he would serve until 1853. In December of 1849, a new county was approved and was named Tarrant. The naming of the county for him paid tribute to his public and military service to Texas. During this time in his life, he would reside in Ellis County and was involved in the building of the city of Waxahachie. On April 6, 1851, now in his 50’s, Edward married Mary Danforth. Mary was just 19 years old at the time of their marriage. Edward continued to purchase land in a variety of counties and by 1858, he had planned to move his family to the Fort Belknap area in Young County. However, tension with the Indians was rising again and many North Texas leaders convened a court in Weatherford (Parker County) to discuss the matter. The court met in June 1858, but upon arriving Tarrant was very sick. An expedition was created where many of the men in the meeting physically went to see the Comanches' interactions with the settlers. Tarrant was far too sick to travel and his illness would end his life on August 2, 1858 in Parker County. His body was temporarily laid to rest in Parker County, but later removed and reburied at his family farm in Ellis County in January 1859. His remains would later be interred for the third and final time at Pioneers Rest Cemetery on March 3, 1928 in the county that bears his name.¹ __________________________ [1] Jones, Robert L & Pauline H. Jones. Edward H. Tarrant. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, July 1965 - April, 1966; Pgs 300-323. Austin, Texas. Accessed 2 Oct 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117144/m1/360/ . Block 4, Lot 54 [Explore the Map ]

Martha Celinda (Utley) Bridgess Martha C Utley (May 1, 1846 - November 23, 1928) Martha Celinda (Utley) Bridgess was born to Charles and Charity Utley in Pulaski County, Virginia. Her father was a Methodist pastor and at the age of 13 she too joined the Methodist faith. In 1866, she married Albert Anderson Bridgess in Hillsville, Virginia. Shortly after marriage, the new Bridgess family moved to Kentucky, then Pellonia, IL, and then moved to Fort Smith, AR. Mr. Bridges was a builder of fine homes and hotels. In 1871, Mr. Bridgess came to Fort Worth. Martha soon followed in a covered wagon with a driver and her 2 small children, Fannie and Utley, from Fort Smith, AR. Upon arriving in Fort Worth, Martha described what she saw as “... hardly a village when I came here.”¹ Daughter Fannie also wrote about her memories of growing up in Fort Worth in the 1880’s. “ Fannie stated she “was a fascinated spectator of the weekly sales of livestock held on the courthouse square. Injured and stray animals from the big herds that thundered through town en route to northern markets were nursed back to health by farmers along the route and sold at auction.” She also recounted that vendors delivered water from the Trinity River to barrels on front porches for drinking and that water “was always hot”.² Evidently, Albert would own the St. Charles Hotel, which was located at 7th and Rusk St. (present day Commerce St.). Even before her husband’s death in 1905, Martha would become the proprietor of the hotel.³ Like many others buried in Pioneers Rest, the Bridgess family were members of the first organized church in Fort Worth, the First Christian Church, which met in 1872 on Fifth St. between Main and Houston streets. Later, members of the family were founders of the Magnolia Ave. Christian Church, and subsequent generations were members of University Christian Church adjacent to the TCU campus.⁴ Albert and Martha would have a total of 9 children, but sadly 4 children would not live to adulthood. Five of their children are buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery.⁵ On Nov. 23, 1928, at the age of 82, Martha passed away at her home in Fort Worth after being ill for years.⁶ __________________________ [1] “Mrs. Bridges Here Since ‘71 Is Dead.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Friday, 23 Nov. 1928, Page 35. [2] “1880’s Folks Drank Trinity Water.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Two Star ed., 30 Oct. 1949, p. 181. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 16 Aug. 2023. [3] “St. Charles Hotel.” Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 20, No. 125, Ed. 1, Thursday, April 23, 1896 Page: 3 of 8. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth110503/m1/3/?q=St.+Charles+Hotel+fort+worth+texas . [4] “Bridgess History Sketch.” Smith, Melanie email to Shelley Gayler-Smith. 13 June 2023. [5] Hudson, Weldon and Barbara Knox. Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Fort Worth Genealogical Society. 2001. Pg 29. [6] “Mrs. Bridges Here Since ‘71 Is Dead.” Page 35. Block 2, Lot 62 [Explore the Map ]

The Ferguson Brothers The Ferguson Brothers , Charles David “Chas” Ferguson and Jesse Robert “Jess” Ferguson were born to Charles and Melvina (née Beville) Ferguson. Both parents are buried in the family plot near their sons at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Patriarch Charles S. Ferguson’s large upright headstone anchors the family plot. Melvina has a replacement headstone. Two other sons of Charles S. Ferguson (half brothers to Jess and Chas) were also early Fort Worth firefighters, Standifer Ferguson and Louis Ferguson. They are buried elsewhere in Fort Worth. Charles “Chas” David Ferguson July 5, 1877 - February 10, 1942 Charles David “Chas” Ferguson was born on July 5, 1877, in Texas (likely Fort Worth). He was an Army veteran of the Spanish American War. He enlisted in Fort Worth on November 9, 1898, in the 2nd Texas Infantry, Company D as a private.¹ Once his military career was complete, Chas returned to Fort Worth and became a fireman. Chas died on February 10, 1942 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Fort Worth of heart failure and influenza. He was 64 years old. Mystery does surround Chas in regard to his marital status. Although his death certificate states he was married at the time of his death², no marriage records or spouses have been located. The 1930 U.S. Census states he was divorced.³ He has no known descendants. Jesse “Jess” Robert Ferguson March 10, 1880 - November 29, 1952 Jesse Robert “Jess” Ferguson was born on March 10, 1880 in Fort Worth.⁴ Although the date is unknown, Jess married Minnie “Mamie” Staker sometime before 1930 and they remained married until her death in 1950. He joined the Fort Worth Fire Department in 1917. At the time he retired in 1944, Jess was the captain of Station 20 located on Meadowbrook Dr. During his long association with the fire department, he also served as district fire chief of Station 12 at 24th St. and Prospect. However, most of the time, Ferguson was stationed at 2nd and Commerce — Station 1, the oldest in Fort Worth. Before that he served at the old Central Fire Station on Throckmorton.⁵ Jesse died at his home at 2826 Hemphill St. (home no longer standing.) He was 73 years old. He did not have children, and there are no known direct descendants.⁶ His wife, “Mamie” is buried next to him. __________________________ [1] “Ferguson Charles” Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898, Fas-Fir, [pg. 1000], Ancestry.com ; accessed 24 Oct 2024. [2] “Certificate of Death, Charles D. Ferguson.” Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, 10 Feb 1942, Ancestry.com ; accessed 24 Oct 2024. [3] “Chas D Ferguson” 1930 United States Federal Census, District 0080, Tarrant, Texas, Pg. 135, Ancestry.com : accessed 1 Dec, 2024. [4] “Certificate of Death, Jess R. Ferguson.” Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USA; Texas Death Certificates, 1903–1982, 29 Nov 1952, Ancestry.com ; accessed 24 Oct 2024. [5] “J.R. Ferguson, Ex-Fireman, Dies at Home” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 1 Dec 1952, p. 15. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 13 Aug. 2023. [6] Certificate, 1952. Block 1, Lot 18 [Explore the Map ]

The Sexton’s Cottage also known as a tool house, was constructed around 1922. The Greene family is cited as contributing to the construction of the structure. The wood-framed stucco-covered building was designed in the Classical Revival style and features a front gabled roof and unadorned pediment. A hood over the door also features a Greek key design and is supported by scrolled brackets. Curving cast stone balustrades extend from its north and south sides. For over 50 years, the Sexton’s cottage was the only tool house on the property, until the addition for a larger green structure near the southwest corner of the cemetery in the 1980’s. __________________________ [1] Kline, Susan. “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form,” United States Department of Interior, 6 Dec 2020, pgs 7, 11, 13. Accessed 2 Oct 2023 ; https://fortworthreport.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/National-Register-Application-for-Pioneers-Rest.pdf

George William Isbell October 23, 1921 - May 7, 1945 George W. Isbell was born on October 23, 1921 to Jesse and Edna Isbell in Fort Worth, Texas. George was their only child and also a 3rd generation Fort Worthian. He shared the same first name as his grandfather. George grew up and lived in the same home his entire life at 500 Riverside Drive. He graduated from Amon Carter-Riverside High School in 1939 where he participated in Junior ROTC.¹ Days after his 17th birthday, George’s father passed away unexpectedly due to heart failure. After High School, George worked for Monnig’s Dry Goods located downtown at 5th and Houston.² On September 20, 1942, George enlisted in the military and served in the Army Air Corps. His military career led him to the Southwest Pacific during WWII, participating in the battles such as the Leyte invasion (1944) and the Battle of Luzon (1945) in the Philippines. His primary mission was to fly wounded soldiers to hospitals. On May 7, 1945, while flying a high-ranking officer over an enemy-held island of Luzon, he paid the ultimate sacrifice to his country. He was killed in action at the age of 23.³ Ironically, the very next day on May 8, 1945, the Germans surrendered in Europe. Japan formally surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending war in the Pacific.⁴ George achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Air Medal for serving with distinction above and beyond that normally expected.⁵ George’s body was not returned to the United States until 1948. He was interned in Pioneers Rest Cemetery on August 3, 1948, three years after his death.⁶ He never married and has no known children. He is buried next to his parents and grandparents in the Isbell family plot. __________________________ [1] “George Isbell,” Carter-Riverside High School Yearbook, Fort Worth, Texas. 1938, Pgs. [112, 145.] https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1265/images/43135_b163224_00056?pId=337286882 ; Accesses 25 Aug 2023. [2] “George William Isbell.” The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Texas, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 749. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [3] “History of the Second World War : A Memorial, A Remembrance, An Appreciation.” [The Fighting Men of Texas.] Historical Publishing Company, Dallas, 1948, Pg. 553. https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fighting-Men-of-Texas-Book-page-400-800.pdf ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [4] “The End of World War II 1945.” the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, N.D. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/end-world-war-ii-1945 ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [5] History of the Second World War : A Memorial, A Remembrance, An Appreciation.” [The Fighting Men of Texas.] Historical Publishing Company, Dallas, 1948, Pg. 553. https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fighting-Men-of-Texas-Book-page-400-800.pdf ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [6] “George William Isbell.” Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statics, Fort Worth, Texas, 5 Aug 1948. Block 3, Lot 27 [Explore the Map ]

Mary May Morgan McGuire August 15, 1881 - April 4, 1946 Mary May Morgan was born at 820 Samuels Ave in Fort Worth on August 15, 1881 (home no longer standing). The home stood just two blocks from the Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Her parents were Conrad B. and Hannah Morgan, and they came to Fort worth in a covered wagon after the close of the civil war.¹ Her father served in the Union Army for the 49th Ohio Infantry.² Their home on Samuels Ave was the first two story home built on the prominent thoroughfare and was constructed with timber brought by ox cart from East Texas. On April 5, 1901, May married Milton Francis McGuire at the home of Rev. James Meyers.³ Milton worked as an Engineer for the Frisco Railroad. After their marriage, they continued to live in her childhood home along with many of her siblings. On August 15, 1911, Milton passed away at the age of 40 in the home on Samuels Ave.⁴ May and Milton had no children, and she found herself a young widow at the age of 30. Following the death of her husband, May decided (in 1912) to enter All Saints Hospital School of Nursing in Fort Worth. After graduation, she became a nurse for the American Red Cross. By 1917, the United States entered World War I and May decided to answer the call for women to enlist in the U.S. Army as nurses. She was the first WWI nurse to enlist from Fort Worth. She was assigned to Selfridge Field, Michigan where she was a specialist in the laboratories preparing serum used to treat the influenza outbreak known as the Spanish Flu. After her discharge, she returned to Fort Worth and later became the Commander of the Worth Post of the American Legion. She was also a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church. In the later years of her life, May became an invalid and lived at the Veterans Hospital in Bay Pines, Florida. In 1945, doctors gave her the prognosis that she did not have long to live, and her wish was to come home to Texas. On April 4, 1946, May died in her childhood home among family, in the very bedroom where she was born. Above her deathbed, U.S. and Texas flags hung, of which she spoke fondly of even at the hour of her death.⁵ __________________________ [1] “City’s First WWI Nurse Dies,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fri, Apr 05, 1946 ·Page 2, Col 1. [2] "C. B. Morgan G. A. R. Leader Dies at 76." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, City Edition ed., vol. XXXV, no. 16, 7 Feb. 1915, p. Page Seven. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current ,: accessed 29 Sept 2024. [3] "Weddings McGuire-Morgan," Fort Worth Morning Register, vol. V, no. 147, 5 Apr. 1901, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current ,: accessed 29 Sept 2024. [4] "McGuire," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, City Edition ed., vol. XXIX, no. 211, 17 Aug. 1911, p. Page Eleven. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , accessed 29 Sept 2024. [5] City’s, 1946. Block 2, Lot 23 [Explore the Map ]

Col. Abraham “Abe” Harris October 21, 1824 - March 28, 1915 Abraham "Abe" Harris , Mexican War veteran, Confederate military officer, and president of the Texas Association of Mexican War Veterans, was born on October 21, 1824, in England. In 1829, when he was five, Abe and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in New York. Harris was employed as a cabinetmaker during the 1840’s until, at the age of 22, he left his new hometown and enlisted in the United States Army at Utica, New York. He mustered at Governor's Island, New York, as a sergeant and was placed in Company F of the Eighth United States Infantry. From there, his unit left for Vera Cruz, Mexico, to serve during the Mexican War. Following the Mexican War, Harris served as sergeant major to Maj. Ripley A. Arnold (also buried at Pioneers Rest Cemetery) of the Second Dragoons. They were dispatched to North Texas to establish a military post in order to protect the territory from Native American advances. Because of his background in cabinetry, Harris helped build the barracks and officers’ headquarters for the newly established Army post known as Fort Worth. On January 20, 1852, Harris's term of military service came to a close, and he was formally discharged at Fort Worth. He remained in the Fort Worth area. The abandoned buildings of the camp were used as stores and homes by settlers and former soldiers that remained in the area, including Harris. From this outcropping of abandoned military buildings, the city of Fort Worth would emerge. During the 1850s, while Harris lived in Tarrant County, he met and married Margaret Conner and the couple had five children—four boys and one girl. However, Margaret died on February 23, 1861. With the onset of the Civil War, Harris enrolled in the Confederate Army on January 26, 1862, in Tarrant County. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant and was in the The Fourteenth Texas Cavalry. The Fourteenth saw action at Murfreesboro, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and Nashville. While serving in Georgia, Harris remarried on August 23, 1863, to Sally Lavina Logan. The couple had one child. On May 9, 1865, Lieutenant Colonel Harris surrendered his command at Meridian, Mississippi. By 1880 Harris had returned to Tarrant County. He continued to practice his craft in cabinetry and in 1888 purchased land in Arlington, though Fort Worth remained his primary residence.¹ On March 28,1915, Abraham Harris passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, the city he helped establish. He was buried in his Confederate uniform² with the American flag that had flown over his porch for over 50 years.³ His funeral procession was lined by veterans from all generations, and he was buried with military honors.⁴ __________________________ [1] Matthew K. Hamilton, “Harris, Abraham,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed September 28, 2024, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/harris-abraham . [2] “Veterans Form Guard of Honor at Funeral of Col. Abe Harris.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXXV, no. 65, 29 Mar. 1915, p. Page Four. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : Accessed 28 September 2024. [3] “Military Funeral for Col. Abe Harris,” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, March 30, 1915, FindAGrave.com : Accessed September 28, 2024. [4] Veterans, 1915. Block 3, Lot 16 [Explore the Map ]

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. __________________________ [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 . Block 3, Lot 22 [Explore the Map ]

Charles J. Swasey September 3, 1847- March 24, 1939 Charles J. Swasey was born on September 3, 1847 in Haverhill, New Hampshire to Samuel and Edith Swasey.¹ His father was a State Legislator for New Hampshire, representing the people of Haverhill for 6 years and was also the Speaker of the House. In 1857, the family moved to Chicago, Illinois and later Boone County.² At the young age of 13, Charles began playing baseball in the greater Chicago area, but with the Civil War in full swing he enlisted into the war effort in 1864. He was a Union soldier in the 134th Vol. Regiment, Illinois Infantry. This unit was nicknamed the “hundred days men” as they were volunteers who served a one hundred-day enlistment and performed routine duties to allow veteran units to go to the front lines for combat. In 1864, Charles put down the rifle and again shouldered the bat. He played second and third base for two of America’s early baseball teams: the Forest City team of Rockford, Illinois and the Excelsiors of Chicago, formed in the late 1850’s. At the time he was playing baseball, they would catch baseballs bare-handed. While playing with Forest City, Swasey had the pleasure of playing with teammate Albert Goodwill Spalding, the very Spalding that was the namesake for the sporting goods brand and inventor of the baseball glove. By 1869, Charles put a temporary pause on his baseball career and moved to St. Louis, Missouri in order to study business at a commercial college. After completion of college, in 1873 at the age of 26, Charles along with his business partner G.H. Day, moved to Fort Worth.³ They traveled by “prairie schooner,⁴” which was a common nickname for a covered wagon. In early 1874, Swasey & Day opened a liquor store downtown. Charles then partnered with Martin Casey and together they had Casey-Swasey & Co. (a wholesale liquor, wine, and cigar business) eventually located in a building constructed in 1893 (now demolished) at 1001 Jones Street at E. Ninth Street. He also became an investor in real estate and later in life sold cigars when prohibition laws prohibited the sale of liquor. Charles never lost his love for baseball, and, by 1877 he was back to playing baseball for the city of Fort Worth. However, later that season he broke his finger in a game against Weatherford, and the injury ended his baseball career at the age of 31. Just 10 years later, in 1888, he was instrumental in developing the Fort Worth Baseball Association in order for the city to participate in the newly formed Texas Baseball League. The team would be called the Fort Worth Cats — Fort Worth’s long term, much loved baseball team.⁵ After being ill for several years, Charles passed away on March 24, 1939 at the age of 91. He was never married and has only indirect descendants.⁶ __________________________ [1] “C J Swasey,” Texas, U.S., Death Certificates, 1903-1982, Tarrant, 1939, Jan-Mar, 15527, Ancestry.com : accessed 30 Sept 2024. [2] “Swasey Samuel,” The Past and present of Boone County, Illinois, Biological Directory, 1877, Pg. 365, Ancestry.com : accessed 30 Sept 2024. [3] “Who the Heck Was . . . C. J. Swasey?” Hometown by Handlebar, 22 Aug 2020.; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=32665 : accessed 30 Sept 2024. [4] “ C.J. Swasey is Honored at 88,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, TX, Sun, 8 Sept 1935, Pg. 32; Find a Grave : accessed 30 Sept 2024. [5] Who, 2020. [6] C J Swasey, 1939 Block 1, Lot 13 [Explore the Map ]