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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 ]

Dr. Carroll Marion Peak November 13, 1828 - February 27, 1885 Dr. Carroll Marion Peak was born in Warsaw, Kentucky on November 13, 1828 to parents Jefferson and Martha Malvina Peak. At the age of 19, he began an apprenticeship studying medicine. He would later attend the University of Louisville where he would earn his medical degree in 1851.¹ He married Florence Chalfant on April 26, 1853 in Madison, Indiana. In that same year, the young Doctor was persuaded to move to Fort Worth, Texas to establish his practice. Their first home was a log cabin made from cottonwood trees. He is noted as being the first physician of Fort Worth, which was much needed as the city was growing quickly. With youth on his side, he committed himself to providing medical care to anyone within a 30 mile radius of Fort Worth. “The weather was never too bad nor way too perilous for him to go to those who needed him, may they be rich or poor, black, white or red.”² In 1855, Carroll and his wife founded the First Christian Church inside their home. The church is still operational today and is the oldest continuously operating church established in Fort Worth.³ By 1856, Dr. Peak built a larger home in Downtown Fort Worth near the present day historic Courthouse. Connected to their home was a drug store, where Dr. Peak sold anything from ointments and medications to pocket knives and sides of beef. His establishment was just the second mercantile established in Fort Worth. When the civil war started, Dr. Peak volunteered and helped recruit others to join the Volunteer Texas Cavalry for the Confederate Army. He would spend his service time in Louisiana as a surgeon. After the war, Dr. Peak returned home but found much of the landscape of the city had changed. Along with other prominent men in town, the decision was made that they would encourage the railroad to come through Fort Worth to help stimulate the economic growth of the city. Dr. Peak personally provided $2,250 for the cause and the railroad came to town as they had wished. Dr. Peak remained active in civic matters his entire life. Dr. Peak was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party and in 1880 he accomplished one of his long standing goals: to be a delegate for the Democratic National Convention held in Cincinnati. He also served on the City Council and did so much for the area schools he was known as “the father of the Fort Worth Public School System.” Dr. Peak was a dedicated advocate for the education of African Americans. In 1882, as the first president of the Fort Worth school board, he established the city’s first free public secondary school for African American students, originally named the East Ninth Street Colored School.⁴ In 1921, the school was renamed I.M. Terrell High School in honor of its former principal. Today, Carroll Peak Elementary, located at 1201 E. Jefferson St., stands as a tribute to Dr. Peak's contributions to education and his commitment to advancing opportunities for all students.⁵ Carroll and his wife Florence had four children together and also adopted two orphaned children.⁶ After a battle with a short illness, Dr. Peak died of a kidney disease on February 27, 1885 at the age of 56. His funeral took place in his home⁷ and he is laid to rest next to his wife and five of his children. __________________________ [1] “Dr. C.M. Peak Dead,” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. Fort Worth, TX, Vol. 9, No. 228, Ed. 1, Saturday, February 28, 1885, Pg. 5. Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth86422/m1/5 ; Accessed 24 Aug 2023. [2] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. Texas State Historical Association. The Junior Historian, Volume 5, Number 5, March 1945, periodical, March 1945; Austin, Texas, Pgs. 17-19. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth391509/ ; Accessed 24 Aug 2023. [3] “First Christian Church - Throckmorton.” Historic Fort Worth, 2022. https://historicfortworth.org/property/first-christian-church-throckmorton/ ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [4] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. 1945 [5] “Carroll Peak Elementary School.” Fort Worth ISD, 2023. https://www.fwisd.org/CarrollPeak ; Accessed 25 Aug 2023. [6] Pattie, Illene. Carroll Marion Peak: A Story of a Frontier Doctor. 1945 [7] “Dr. C.M. Peak Dead.” 1885. d, Katie. 2007, Pgs. 89-90. Block 3, Lot 20 [Explore the Map ]

Pioneers Rest Cemetery Welcome to Pioneers Rest Cemetery A Historic Landmark in Fort Worth - Established in 1850, just a year after Fort Worth was founded by Major Ripley Arnold, Pioneers Rest Cemetery holds a significant place in the city's history. Overlooking the confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River, it originally served as the primary burial ground for the military outpost and later for the burgeoning city. Even after other cemeteries were established in 1879, Pioneers Rest remained a vital resting place for Fort Worth's early residents and their descendants. The cemetery is the final resting place for numerous notable figures, including two of Major Arnold’s young children, eleven soldiers from the fort, and some of Fort Worth’s earliest pioneers, such as General Tarrant, the namesake of Tarrant County. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of grave markers that showcase funerary motifs and designs from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, including Gothic, Egyptian, Classical Revival, and Rustic styles. Spanning approximately seven acres, Pioneers Rest Cemetery was proudly listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2021, cementing its status as a cherished historical site in Fort Worth. WHAT'S HAPPENING? Join us at Pioneers Rest Cemetery for our monthly volunteer cleanup days! It's a great way to give back to the community, preserve our historic grounds, and connect with fellow history enthusiasts. Read More Our Valued Benefactors Honoring Those Who Support Pioneers Rest We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our benefactors, whose generous contributions help us preserve the rich history and heritage of Pioneers Rest Cemetery in Fort Worth, TX. Their support enables us to continue our mission of maintaining this historic site and hosting community events such as Fall Fest. Below are the esteemed benenfactors who have made a significant impact through their generosity. Diamond - $1,000 + Marcia Fuller French Cecelia Van Donselaar Matt Dixon Michael Darter Platinum - $500-$999 Paul and Wendy Blanton Virginia Brown Melissa and Paul Hunter Karen Stetler Janey & James Korth Nan & Mark Matson Gold - $300-$499 Sam A. ‘Alex’ Denny Madeline and Jim McLain David Hart, Painting Silver - $100-$299 Loretta Black Mary Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Buckley Sam B. Cantey Family Jo Carpenter William ‘Bill’ Collins, Jr. Lane Crabtree Matt Dixon JoAnn Mouser Allen & Charmaine Williams Malinda and Dennis Crumly Megan Salas Silver - $100-$299 Diana Lussier Jerry Wallace Donna and Tim Weddle Julia Jackson Chapter - (United Daughters of the Confederacy) Roots Garden Center Christy Cruz Susie and Douglas Pritchett Fred Cheek Monuments Merrell Daggett Michele Elekes Loretta Shumway National Credit Finance Corporation With deep appreciation, we honor our benefactors for their vital support in safeguarding the legacy of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Their generosity preserves our past and nurtures our community’s future. Preserve Our Heritage: Donate to Pioneers Rest Cemetery Your generous donations help preserve the historic Pioneers Rest Cemetery, ensuring it remains a cherished landmark for future generations. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant impact in honoring and maintaining Fort Worth’s rich history. Please join us in our mission by donating today and help us continue this vital work. Ground Maintenance We need your support to hire maintenance workers for mowing and upkeep of the grounds, $20,000 of tree trimming across the seven acres, and ensuring proper watering and care. Your donations directly contribute to preserving the beauty and history of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. Join us in keeping this cherished landmark well-maintained for future generations. Support Restoration and Preservation Efforts Your donations are vital for repairing hundreds of headstones and antique wrought iron fencing, replacing markers for missing or deteriorated headstones, and undertaking essential tree removal and trimming. We urgently need support for new projects at Pioneers Rest Cemetery: restoring the Zane-Cetti monument and storm-damaged fencing, upgrading our water, electricity, and security systems, and launching a Native Plantings Initiative to beautify open spaces. Your contributions preserve the history and beauty of our cemetery for future generations. Please donate today to help make these projects possible. Completed Projects Thanks to your generous support, we are proud to announce the completion of several key projects at Pioneers Rest Cemetery. We have beautified the maintenance shed, restored and enhanced the sexton's cottage, expanded our QR Code Program, installed two new benches, replaced 33 headstones for individuals who previously lacked markers, and revitalized the main entrance by restoring the gates. Your continued support makes these achievements possible and helps preserve the historic charm of our cemetery. How to Donate To donate, please use 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: Donate with PayPal Your support is greatly appreciated and makes a significant impact on preserving the history and beauty of Pioneers Rest Cemetery. QR Codes - Gone but not Forgotten Lamont at Large, a prominent YouTuber known for his "Forgotten in Death" series, recently caught wind of our QR Codes through a news broadcast. Taking advantage of his proximity, he chose Pioneers Rest Cemetery as the centerpiece of one of his latest video features. Through our QR Codes, countless stories that might otherwise have been consigned to obscurity in death are now vividly recalled and celebrated. This project still needs expanding to incorporate as many stories as possible.

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 ]

John T. Wilkes 1848 - May 30, 1894 John T. Wilkes was born in Florida in 1848, just a few short years after Florda was given statehood. In his youth, John lived in south Texas and eventually moved to Fort Worth in 1875.¹ John served with the volunteer Fort Worth Fire Department with his brother, Richard “Dick” Wilkes. Both John and his brother served as Chief of the department.² John was elected to the rank of Chief in 1886 and served two terms. He was an active fireman for nearly 20 years in Fort Worth. In addition to his fireman career, John was also a business owner. He ran a livery, a stable for horses and carriages, named Wilkes & Gauze .³ He ran the business with his lifelong friend, George L. Gauze.⁴ John was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias - Queen City Lodge in Downtown Fort Worth. This lodge, located at the corner of Main and 3rd St., was built in 1881. The building featured a distinctive Knight in a suit of armor on the outside of the building. A replacement lodge was built on the same location in 1901 with the Knight feature remaining. The building stands today at 315 Main St. and the Knight can be seen at the top of the building, still standing guard.⁵ On May 30, 1894, John unexpectedly died after complications with a stroke. John was given a hero’s sendoff as he was buried in his official Knights of Pythias uniform. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His funeral featured a horse drawn procession to the cemetery with a band playing along the way even though the weather that day was described as “bad.” People lined up on the sidewalks along the procession route, paying their respects to a well beloved man.⁶ John is buried in an unmarked grave next to his brother Richard. John never married and has no known children. In 2024, Fort Worth Professional Firefighters Association purchased and dedicated the current headstone at this grave. The grave went unmarked for 130 years. __________________________ [1] “John T. Wilkes Dead.” Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 189, Ed. 1, Thursday, May 31, 1894 - Page_ 6 of 8. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth109849/ [2] “Burial of Richard Wilkes.” Fort Worth Daily Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 262, Ed. 1, Tuesday, April 19, 1887 Page: 8 of 8. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth85411 . [3] “John T. Wilkes Dead.” 1894. [4] “Funeral of John Wilkes.” Fort Worth Gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 190, Ed. 1, Friday, June 1, 1894 Page: 6 of 8. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth109850/m1/6/ . [5] “Opening Knight: Pythian Cornerstone Is Laid.” Hometown By Handlebar, 5 Dec 2018. Retrieved 13 Aug 2023 ; https://hometownbyhandlebar.com/?p=4145 . [6] “Funeral of John Wilkes.” 1894. Block 4, Lot 42 [Explore the Map ]

Pioneers Rest Cemetery Pioneers Rest Cemetery was created in 1850, a year after the military outpost known as Fort Worth was established on a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Clear and West Forks of the Trinity River. It served as the fort’s primary burial ground and then the city’s, until 1879 when other cemeteries were established in the city. However, burials continued at Pioneers Rest and it remained the cemetery of choice for many early Fort Worth residents and their descendants. Pioneers Rest Cemetery's grave markers reflect mid-19th to early 20th-century sentiments regarding death and mourning through their funerary motifs and Gothic, Egyptian, Classical Revival, and Rustic designs. The cemetery is approximately seven acres. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. Links to Burials at Pioneers Rest Go Map and Historic Burial Index View Layout of the Cemetery and Access a Comprehensive Searchable Burial Listing Spreadsheet Go Miss Belle S. Andrews 1853-1882 Go Maj. Ripley Allen Arnold 1817-1853 Go Martha Celinda (Utley) Bridgess 1846-1928 Go Gen. James J. Byrne 1841-1880 Go George Washington Chapman 1872 - 1934 Go AddRan Clark 1869-1872 Go Ephraim Merrill "Eph" Daggett 1810 - 1883 Go Dr. Isaac Michael Darter 1851 - 1893 Go Charles “Chas” David Ferguson 1877-1942 Go Jesse “Jess” Robert Ferguson 1880-1952 Go Christopher Columbus Fitzgerald 1848 - 1877 Go Col. Abraham “Abe” Harris 1824 - 1915 Go George William Isbell 1921 - 1945 Go Charles J. Louckx 1846 - 1913 Go Robert E. Maddox 1849 - 1907 Go Mary May (Morgan) McGuire 1881 - 1946 Go Etta (Price) Newby 1862 - 1936 Go Harry Palmer Jr. 1911 - 1952 Go Carroll M. Peak 1828 - 1885 Go Josephine Hirschfield Ryan 1851 - 1931 Go Robert Alvis Ryan 1883 - 1950 Go Anna Shelton 1861 - 1936 Go Sydney Smith 1888 - 1944 Go Charles J. Swasey 1847 - 1939 Go May (Hendricks) Swayne 1856-1940 Go Gen. Edward Hampton Tarrant 1796 - 1858 Go Rowan Hardin Tucker Sr. 1855-1920 Go William “Bony” Tucker Jr. 1861-1987 Go William “Bony” Tucker Sr. 1824-1900 Go Clara (Peak) Walden 1854 - 1914 Go George Henry White 1857 - 1879 Go John T. Wilkes 1848 - 1894 Go Jesse Shenton Zane-Cetti 1844-1922 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.