Keeping History Alive: 2026 Volunteer Workdays & Events Join Us to Preserve Pioneers Rest! We invite you to join our monthly cleanup events at Pioneers Rest Cemetery, where volunteers help keep this historic resting place beautiful and well-maintained. Each month, we tackle tasks like weeding, mulching, picking up trash, trimming trees, managing overgrown vegetation, and cleaning headstones. We also treat fire ant beds to ensure a safer environment for all visitors. 📍 Location: 620 Samuels Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76102 📅 Upcoming Workdays & Events (In case of inclement weather, events may be canceled or rescheduled. Check Facebook, your email, or call 817-332-8515 for updates.) Saturday, January 24 – Volunteer Workday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Saturday, February 28 – Volunteer Workday (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) Saturday, March 28 - Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) Saturday, April 25 – Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, May 16 – Volunteer Workday (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, June 27 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, July 25 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, August 22 - Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, September 19 – Volunteer Workday (7:00 AM – 11:00 AM) Saturday, October 17– Volunteer Workday (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM) Saturday, November 14 – Volunteer Workday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) 🔨 What to Bring & How to Help Please bring work gloves, scoop shovels, rakes, spades, and, if desired, equipment for tree and shrub trimming. Volunteers are needed to rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs, transplant irises, pick up trash and fallen limbs, and help with general cemetery upkeep. Complimentary granola bars and water will be provided, but we encourage you to bring your own tools, sunscreen, and insect repellent. ☎️ Want to help at our next event? or have Questions? Contact Melanie at 682-225-6921. ⚠️ Important Notice: Each individual who enters the grounds of Pioneers Rest Cemetery does so at his or her own risk. The cemetery association is not responsible for injury or accidents. Your time and effort help keep this historic cemetery beautiful and well-maintained. Thank you for being part of our preservation efforts!

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

Charles J. Louckx January 22, 1846 - October 19, 1913 Charles Louckx was born in 1846, likely in France but census records show he was born in Belgium. The Louckx family immigrated to the United States in 1856 and they settled in a community nicknamed Frenchtown¹ (more formerly known as La Reunion), just 4 miles west of Dallas in the present day Oak Cliff area.² In October 1857, Charles moved with his parents to Fort Worth.³ At the young age of 21, Charles became the Postmaster of Fort Worth in April 1867. He held this role until July of 1869⁴ and was later succeeded by Joseph A. Clark, father of Addison and Randolph Clark, founders of TCU.⁵ Charles resigned his postal position as he was appointed Sheriff of Tarrant County on July 20, 1869. He was the 11th person to hold the position. However, Charles resigned the position in February 1870.⁶ Some records state Charles was the First Postmaster of Fort Worth, but this title appears to belong to Julian Feild, who took the position 10 years prior in 1857.⁷ Charles was the 10th Postmaster of Fort Worth.⁸ Charles married Nannie Overton on September 9, 1868 in Ellis County, Texas.⁹ They had two children that lived to adulthood. On June 1,1902, Nannie passed away leaving Charles a widower.¹⁰ After the death of his wife. Charles began communicating with an old childhood sweetheart named Ermine Robinson, who became widowed herself. Ermine had dated Charles in their youth, but Ermine said that another girl “cut me out” and he married her instead. 40 years later, the two crossed paths again and were married shortly after.¹¹ Charles died on October 19, 1913 after suffering a long illness of “dropsy,” known today as swelling associated with heart failure. He was 67 years old and was given a Masonic funeral.¹² He is buried next to his father and other extended family. __________________________ [1] “Y’all Ain’t from Around Here, Are Y’all?” Hometown by Handlebar, 18 Apr 2012.; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=1169 : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [2] Davidson, Rondel. “La Reunion,” N.D., Handbook of Texas Online, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/la-reunion : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [3] "Sheriff of Pioneer Days Here is Dead Funeral of Charles J. Louckx, Also First Postmaster." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, vol. XXXII, no. 278, 20 Oct. 1913, p. Page Twelve. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [4] “Former Sheriffs From 1850-1880,” Tarrant County, Texas, 26 Oct 2017; https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/sheriff/about-us/former-sheriffs/1850-1880.html : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [5] Ya’ll, 2012. [6] Former, 2017. [7] “Julian Field 2005,” Texas Trail of Fame, N.D.: https://www.texastrailoffame.org/inductees/julian-field : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [8] “Postmasters & Post Offices Of Tarrant County, Texas, 1851 - 1930,” RootsWeb, N.D.; https://sites.rootsweb.com/~txpost/tarrant.html : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [9] “Charles J. Louckx,” Ellis County Clerk's Office; Waxahachie, Texas; Ellis County Marriages, 1850-1955, Ancestry.com [10]"Nannie Overton Louckx,” Fort Worth Morning Register, vol. VI, no. 229, 2 June 1902, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [11] “Spy Hanging Recalled Pioneer Remembers Dueling Days,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, HOME ed., 30 Oct. 1923, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current : accessed 29 Sept 2024. [12] Sheriff, 1913. Block 3, Lot 53 [Explore the Map ]

Anna Shelton August 20, 1861 - August 28, 1939 Anna Shelton was born August 20, 1861, just north of Fort Worth, to Dr. John Foster Shelton, Jr. and Martha Bronaugh Shelton. She was the youngest of 4 children born to the family. At the young age of 13, Anna’s mother died, leaving her father a widower. Anna attended several local schools in Fort Worth, but was sent to her mother’s alma mater, Bethel College in Kentucky, to attend finishing school.¹ Anna returned to Fort Worth to care for her widowed father in 1890, and moved in with her sister's family after her father's death the following year. After witnessing the divorce of her sister, Lizzie, Anna vowed she would never marry in order to avoid the financial and business ramifications she witnessed. The divorce also gave Anna a new found sense of confidence as she began to reject the traditional female roles of the time and “became civic-minded, informed and a ‘new woman.’” Anna began her professional career as a teacher and tutor of English at the Fort Worth University, a local Methodist Episcopal college. In 1902, Anna decided to leave teaching and studied French and Spanish literature in Paris and New York City for six months. Ultimately, she would return to Fort Worth and become one of the city’s first female realtors and real estate developers. Anna’s success did not stop there, as she was active in the development of many social welfare organizations, many of which focused on the advancement of women.² In 1923, she founded The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth³ and held the office of President until June 1939.⁴ With the success of the club, in 1926, an additional banquet and lecture hall was constructed at 1316 Pennsylvania Ave. The building was named the Anna Shelton Hall in her honor and is still in use to this day.⁵ In addition to the numerous organizations she was a member of, Anna was also a member of the Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On August 28, 1939, Anna passed away after a lengthy illness with arteriosclerosis, a vascular disease. Her funeral was held at The Woman’s Club in the hall that bore her name.⁶ She is buried in the Shelton family plot and now rests in eternity next to her parents and brother. She was never married and has no known children. __________________________ [1] Paddock, Buckley. Fort Worth and the Texas Northwest, 1922, Pgs. 583-584. [2] Sherrod, Katie. Grace & Gumption : Stories of Fort Worth Women. TCU Press. 2007, Pgs. 69-71. [3] “Funeral Held For Miss Anna Shelton.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 31 Aug. 1939, p. 2. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 13 Aug. 2023. [4] Naylor, Pauline (1939-05-28). "Miss Shelton's 16-Year Tenure as Woman's Club Head Was Period Marked by Record Expansion". Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Three Star ed., 28 May 1939, p. 34. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 14 Aug. 2023. [5] “Anna Shelton Hall - Pennsylvania.” Historic Fort Worth. 2022. Retrieved 14 Aug 2023 ; https://historicfortworth.org/property/anna-shelton-hall-pennsylvania/ . [6] “Funeral Held For Miss Anna Shelton.” 1939. Block 3, Lot 64 [Explore the Map ]

Robert Alvis “Bobby” Ryan September 17, 1883 - September 24, 1950 Robert Alvis Ryan was born September 7, 1883 to parents Capt. Alvis and Josephine H. Ryan . He was born in the first brick home built in Fort Worth. Robert received an education from the “old Fort Worth University”¹ , which was operational from 1881-1911.² The campus consisted of four buildings that spanned a 10 acre tract of land just south of Downtown.³ By 1915, the Fort Worth School District purchased the land and the buildings were later razed.⁴ Today, Trimble Technical High School sits on part of the land that belonged to the former university. By trade, Robert was an architect which he did until his retirement in 1940.⁵ However, in his youth Robert was also known to perform on the stage doing comedic Vaudeville acts under the stage name of Bobby Ryan. Robert’s first marriage was to Effie Kratz. Effie also had ties to Vaudeville performing. They would have one daughter together in 1920, but by the early 1930’s their marriage ended in divorce. In 1933, Robert would remarry to Alene Smith in Carter County, Oklahoma.⁶ They would remain married until his death on September 24, 1950. Robert is buried in Pioneer Rest Cemetery near the grave of his mother and several half-siblings. __________________________ [1] “Robert A. Ryan Funeral Will Be Held Tuesday.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sept 1950, pg. 4. [2] "Historical Statement". Annual Catalog - Methodist University of Oklahoma. July 1, 1915. p. 13. https://books.google.com/books?id=li5HAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA13 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. [3] “Catalogue of Fort Worth University.” Keystone Printing Co, Fort Worth, Texas. Vol. 1905-1906, Pgs. [14]-15, https://archive.org/details/catalogueoffortw19fort_0/page/n15/mode/2up?view=theater ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [4] “Fort Worth University.” Lost Colleges, N.D. https://www.lostcolleges.com/fort-worth-university ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [5] “Robert A. Ryan Funeral Will Be Held Tuesday.” 1950. [6] “Marriage Record: R.A. Ryan.” Ancestry.com. Oklahoma, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1890-1995, Carter County, 1931-1943, Pg. 89 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. Block 4, Lot 85 [Explore the Map ]

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 ]

May Hendricks Swayne May 1, 1856 - July 13, 1940 On May 1, 1856, May Hendricks Swayne was born in Sherman, Texas to parents Harrison and Eliza Everts Hendericks. Her father was a pioneer Texas attorney & Judge and they moved to a farm on the northside of Fort Worth early in her childhood. In her teenage years, she was sent to an academy in Kentucky to complete her education. At the age of 18, May married John F. Swayne, Fort Worth's first city secretary. They would have 4 children, but only 2 would live to adulthood. In 1884, The Swaynes would build a stately home at 503 E. First St. which featured a rosewood grand piano. The couple would reside in this home their entire lives. The home is no longer standing. May served as an officer of the Women's Committee for the Spring Palace in 1889. In the same year, May also founded the Women's Wednesday Club in her living room, focusing on promoting arts and literature in the growing City of Fort Worth.¹ In 1923, The Woman's Club of Fort Worth would be organized in her home and she served as President. The Women’s Wednesday Club was one of 11 Charter Clubs that founded The Woman’s Club and is the oldest continuously functioning woman’s club in Fort Worth.² In 1904, May was accepted into the Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The following year, she would be the third Regent for the chapter. She also served as Vice-Regent for the Texas Society of DAR from 1906-1908 and parliamentarian from 1910-1911.³ May also had a desire to preserve and maintain local cemeteries. She served as the first elected President of the Oakwood Cemetery Association.⁴ She also served as President at Pioneers Rest Cemetery.⁵ On July 1, 1940, May passed away at the age of 84 in her home due to a lengthy illness related to complications from a broken hip.⁶ She is buried in the Hendricks Family plot next to her parents, husband, 2 children and 3 siblings. __________________________ [1] “Woman’s Wednesday Club Scrapbook.” Portal to Texas History, N.D. Pg. 95. Retrieved 15 Aug 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth821691/m1/95/zoom/?q=%22pioneers%20Rest%20cemetery%22&resolution=3.428524634636288&lat=4054.033605097839&lon=3281.431303715895 [2] “Woman’s Wednesday Club.” The Woman’ Club of Fort Worth, 2023. Retrieved 15 Aug 2023 ; https://www.thewomansclubfw.com/clubs [3] “May Hendricks Swayne.” Find a Grave, N.D. Retrieved 15 Aug 2023 ; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18924406/may-swayne [4] “Woman’s Wednesday Club Scrapbook.” N.D. [5] Granite plaque located at front gates of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. [6] “Woman’s Wednesday Club Scrapbook.” N.D. Block 3, Lot 46 [Explore the Map ]

Sydney (aka Sidney) Smith June 12, 1888 - July 9, 1944 Sydney Smith was born on June 12, 1888 in Buckholts, Texas to John William and Dora Smith. Sydney married May Sterley, a native to Fort Worth. By profession, Sydney was a lawyer. Passport records reveal that Sydney was 5’ 7” tall with brown hair and eyes. For much of the early 1900’s, Sydney worked for the federal government for the Department of State as an American Consulate for the Philippines and Mexico. Sydney and May lived in the Philippine Islands from 1912-1916,¹ where in 1914, May gave birth to their only child, Rosaileen May.² After leaving the South Pacific, the family moved to Mexico from 1917-1919 when he was appointed Consulate to Ensenada, Mexico.³ By 1922, Sydney was employed by the Sinclair Oil Corporation as a Foreign Attorney and traveled the world while his family returned to Fort Worth and then later El Paso.⁴ His daughter, Rosaileen, was just 15 years old when she entered Southern Methodist University from which she graduated in 1934. She also received a master's degree at The University of Texas.⁵ In 1943, May died after a battle with cancer.⁶ The following year, Sydney died at the age of 56 from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis.⁷ He is buried in the Sterley family plot alongside his wife, daughter and in-laws. __________________________ [1] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Passport Applications, January 2, 1906 - March 31, 1925; Roll #: 2019; Volume #: Roll 2019 - Certificates: 188476-188849, 10 Jun 1922-10 Jun 1922. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [2] “Rosaileen Smith Hoffman.” Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982, 8 Jun 1961. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [3] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Special Diplomatic Passport Applications, 1916-1925; Volume #: Volume 4. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [4] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); 10 Jun 1922. [5] “Rosaileen M Smith Hoffman.” Find a Grave. N.D. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18911190/rosaleen-hoffman ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [6] “May S. Smith.” Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982, 22 Jan 1943. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. [7] “Sydney Smith” Texas, Death Certificates, 1903-1982, 10 Jul 1944. Ancestry.com ; Accessed 23 Aug 2023. Block 1, Lot 70 [Explore the Map ]

Josephine H. (Turner) Ryan January 4, 1851 - April 13, 1931 Josephine Harvelia (Turner) Hirshfield Ryan was born to Capt. Charles and Amanda Turner on January 4, 1851. Her father fought in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848. In 1849 he was one of the soldiers who rode with Major Ripley Arnold and Colonel Middleton Tate Johnson when they selected a site on the Trinity River on which the Army would establish Fort Worth.¹ Josephine was a small child when her parents moved from Shelby County, Texas to Tarrant County in the early 1850’s.² The family crafted a farm out of nothing but prairie grass and live oak trees at the location of the present day Greenwood Cemetery. When the Civil War began, the Confederate government ordered Southerners to exchange their gold for Confederate money. Charles Turner chose not to. Instead, with the help of a trusted slave, Turner buried thousands of dollars worth of gold under an oak tree that still stands in Greenwood Cemetery, known as the “Turner Oak.” After the war, Turner dug up that gold he had buried and used the money to help stabilize Fort Worth’s economy and to ease the debt Fort Worth had incurred. In 1866, at the age of 15, Josephine married 37 year old John S. Hirshfield. Mr. Hirshfield owned a very successful construction company that is noted as building the “first road into the city.”³ Alongside with his father-in-law Charles Turner, he also owned stores of general merchandise along the route of the Houston & Texas Central Railway in Robertson and Limestone counties. Hirshfield is noted as being one of the Fort Worth business leaders that brought the railroad to the city in 1876. The couple would have 7 children, five of which would live to adulthood. Jospehine is also “the step-granddaughter of Captain E. M. Daggett” who “owned the silver wash basin captured from General Santa Anna.” Josephine H. Ryan said of the wash bowl: “. . . my husband, John S. Hirshfield, gave him [Daggett] fifty dollars in gold for it…and my children and grandchildren have had their first bath in it.”⁴ After the death of her first husband in 1877, Josphine found love again. In 1880, she married Capt. Alvis P. Ryan. The couple would have 3 children, but sadly their marriage would end in divorce in 1889.⁵ Josephine passed away in her home on April 13, 1931 at the age of 80. She is buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery in the Hirshfield family plot next to her first husband and 4 children. Her parents and one sister are also buried at Pioneers Rest. __________________________ [1] “Josephine Ryan: Her Story is Our Story”. Hometown by Handlebar. 6 Aug 2020, https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=4087 ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. [2] Hudson, Weldon and Barbara Knox. Pioneers Rest Cemetery, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Fort Worth Genealogical Society. 2001. Pg 142. [3] "Tarrant Pioneer, Mrs. J. H. Ryan, to be Buried Today." Dallas Morning News, Final Edition ed., 14 Apr. 1931, p. 9. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current , Accessed 22 Aug. 2023. [4] “Josephine Ryan: Her Story is Our Story.” 2020. [5] “Alvis Parmley Ryan.” Find a Grave. N.D. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12895747/alvis-parmley-ryan ; Accessed 22 Aug 2023. Block 4, Lot 17 [Explore the Map ]

George Henry White December 7, 1857 - August 8, 1879 George Henry White was born in 1857 in Georgia to Enoch and Amanda White. His father was a poor farmer who moved his family from Georgia to Alabama, then to Rusk County, Texas. By 1877, George had left his family behind and moved to Fort Worth. He befriended several families in his new hometown, living with them as he established himself in Tarrant County. In early 1879, George found steady employment with the Fort Worth Police Department as a Deputy Marshall (the department was only 6 years old). He also worked part-time as a bailiff for the Tenth District Court when court was in session during the months of March thru July. He was regarded as “one of the best and most efficient officers” on the force in a time when Fort Wort was experiencing a crime wave.¹ In addition to his law enforcement work, he was also a volunteer fireman. He worked with the Hook and Ladder Company #1 (aka the Panther Company) and was the Captain of Cart #1.² On August 2, 1879, Deputy Marshal White was tasked with arresting a known horse thief named Tom Alford. Even though Alford was located in Arlington, Texas, George still wanted to make the arrest personally as a favor to the Sheriff.³ While in Arlington, George was successful in arresting Alford. As they began the trip back towards Fort Worth, the suspect’s family ambushed them, striking George with a shotgun blast.⁴ He was shot in the abdomen.⁵ George fought back and killed at least one of the Alford family members during the altercation. Shortly after the shooting, many felt that George would survive his wounds as his condition looked promising.⁶ However, on August 8, 1879, George died of complications in Arlington, TX. This made him the second officer to die in the line of duty in Fort Worth.⁷ He was just 21 years old. Alford was later rearrested and sentenced to 5 years, but the ruling was later overturned on appeal – on a technicality.⁸ George is buried alone with no family around him. He never married. There are no known direct descendants. The current headstone found at his grave was placed in 2002 by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.⁹ __________________________ [1] Selcer, Richard and Kevin Foster. Written in Blood: The History of Fort Worth’s Fallen Lawmen, University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas, 2010, vol. 1, pgs. 53-54. [2] “Fire Fighters,” The Daily Fort Worth Democrat, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 3, No. 337, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 5, 1879, [Pg. 4], Portal to Texas History : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [3] Selcer, 59. [4] “Deputy City Marshal George White,” Officer Down Memorial Page, 2024; https://www.odmp.org/officer/16203-deputy-city-marshal-george-white: accessed 24 Oct 2024. [5] Selcer, 2010, vol. 1, pg.64. [6] “The Wounded at Arlington,” The Daily Fort Worth Democrat, Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 3, No. 337, Ed. 1 Tuesday, August 5, 1879, [Pg. 4], Portal to Texas History : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [7] “In Memoriam,” Fort Worth Police Department, N.D.; https://police.fortworthtexas.gov/about/memoriam : accessed 24 Oct 2024. [8] Deputy, 2024. [9] Selcer, 2010, vol. 1, pg.71. Block 2, Lot 47 [Explore the Map ]

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 ]

Captain Ephraim “Eph” Merrill Daggett June 3, 1810 - April 19, 1883 Captain Ephraim Merrill Daggett , also known as E.M. and Eph, was born on June 3, 1810 to Eleazer and Elizabeth Daggett. A Canadian by birth, Eph was the oldest of 6 children. While Eph was still a toddler, the War of 1812 began and his father Eleazer moved to the United States to join the war effort. The family moved just over the Canadian Border to Batavia, New York. This act was considered to be treason to Canada and their Canadian land/property was confiscated by the British government. When Eph was about 10 years old, the family moved from New York to Terre Haute, Indiana. His father was awarded land in Indiana from the U.S. Government for his allegiance to the U.S. and participation in the War of 1812. On December 15,1835, Eph married his first wife Pheroba Strouse in Parke County, Indiana. What happened to Pheroba is lost to time as we are unsure if she died or if the marriage ended in divorce. They had at least one known child together named Ephraim Beck Dagett, who was born in Jackson County, Missouri in 1838. Eph would arrive in Texas around 1839, along with his siblings and parents. His father secured land in Shelby County through a Texas Headright Certificate. He married his second wife in 1842, a widow named Carloine Matilda Adams. She brought 3 children into the marriage. At some point, Sam Houston and the Daggetts became friends, especially with Eph. It is likely the friendship became during the Regulator Moderator War of East Texas (1839-1844) as many members of the Daggett family, including Eph, were heavily involved in the conflict. Eph, alongside with his two brothers and sister Helen, become leaders of the Regulators. Sam Houston himself would negotiate with both sides in the conflict and a Peace Treaty was signed on July 24, 1844. In 1845, Texas entered the United States as the 28th State. Shortly after this, the Mexican-American War broke out and Eph fought in the war. He reached the rank of Captain and fought alongside Major Ripley Arnold, another notable name in Fort Worth history. After the war, Eph became interested in the land that is present day Fort Worth and made his first trip to the area in 1849 in anticipation of receiving a land grant for his participation in the Mexican-American war. He continued to live in Shelby County and was a state representative for his county in 1851 and 1853. Eph’s interests in Fort Worth continued to grow and in 1853 he bought a livery stable and hotel catty-corner from today’s historic courthouse. In 1854, Eph moved his entire family and property in a caravan of drawn oxen wagons and settled in the southern part of downtown Fort Worth (present day Fort Worth Convention area and south.) This happened to be the land he was awarded from the land grant and it would later be known as “Hell’s Half Acre” due to the lawlessness, brothels and saloons that popped up in this area. He continued to purchase large tracts of land throughout Tarrant County. In 1856, Eph was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives representing Tarrant County. By November of the same year, he was instrumental in obtaining the votes needed to relocate the Tarrant County Seat from Birdville, Texas to Fort Worth. Eph built the first courthouse located in Fort Worth, which was a wood frame structure with just three rooms. He would also financially help the building of the second courthouse. During the Civil War, Eph was a Brigadier General for the Confederate Army but exact details of his participation are unknown. After the war, Eph was instrumental in bringing the Texas & Pacific Railroad to the city and donated 96 acres south of town for tracks and a train station. He also donated land to the Catholic community for the present day St. Patrick’s Cathedral. His involvement , promotion and generous donations to the City of Fort Worth has afforded him the title “Father of Fort Worth.” A street just south of Downtown bears the name of Daggett as well as the schools E.M. Daggett Elementary and Daggett Middle School.¹ On April 19, 1883, Eph passed away and his funeral was held in the home of his son. At the time of his death, his estate was valued at $125,000. This is the modern day equivalent of approximately 3 million dollars. He is buried in Pioneers Rest Cemetery alongside his second wife, one child, mother, and one sibling.² __________________________ [1] Smith, Melanie. “Origin and Lineage of the Charles Biggers Daggett Family of Fort Worth, Texas”. 2022, pgs. 30-36. [2] “Death of E.M. Daggett.” The Daily Democrat. Fort Worth, Tex., Vol. 1, No. 134, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 19, 1883, newspaper, April 19, 1883; Fort Worth, Texas. Accessed 15 Sept 2023; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth233636/m1/4/?q=%22E.M.+Daggett%22 . Block 3, Lot 17 [Explore the Map ]