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Broughton and the Johnson Guards, Capt. Edward Thomas | Chisum, Colonel Isham | Forney | Kaufman County | Birthplace of City of Kaufman; Site of King's Fort | King's Fort | Reaugh, Frank | Silent Wings Museum | Terrell Heritage Museum
Capt. Edward Thomas Broughton and the Johnson Guards
Marker Title: Capt. Edward Thomas Broughton and the Johnson Guards
City: Prairieville
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1995
Marker Location: on FM 90 near intersection w/FM 1836
Marker Text: Alabama native Edward Thomas Broughton, Jr. (b. 1834) came to Jasper, Texas, with his family in 1847. Broughton married Mary Elizabeth Douglas in 1856. He studied law in Smith County and was admitted to the bar in 1857. By 1860 the Broughtons were living in Kaufman, Texas, where Edward was elected district attorney in 1861. In early 1861 Broughton and other men in the area formed the Kaufman Light Infantry. The company mustered in Prairieville in Sept. 1861 with Captain Edward T. Broughton in command. After renaming their company the Johnson Guards for prominent local merchants John H. and Jasper W. Johnson, they joined Confederate Colonel John Gregg's 7th regiment of Texas Volunteers in Marshall, Texas, as part of Company C in late 1861. Broughton was captured at Ft. Donelson, Tennessee, in February 1862. Later released in a prisoner exchange, he returned to the war and was again taken prisoner in 1863. Before his release in May 1864 Broughton suffered a debilitating illness. Although in poor health he rejoined the 7th Texas Regiment and for a brief period became acting commander. Broughton moved to Sherman, Grayson County, Texas, shortly after the war, and later served in the Texas Senate. He died on February 12, 1874. Sesquicentennial of Texas Statehood 1845 - 1995
Colonel Isham Chisum
Marker Title: Colonel Isham Chisum
City: Kaufam
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1971
Marker Location: Courthouse grounds, E. Grove St. between Jackson and Washington, Kaufman.
Marker Text: (1818-1884) One of leading early citizens of Kaufman County. Represented the county in Texas Secession Convention, Jan.-March 1861. Later in 1861, he fought in Confederate cavalry of Col. Tom Green in New Mexico campaign. As Colonel of 2nd Partisan Rangers, Walker's Division, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill (LA.), in Red River Campaign to prevent a Federal invasion of Texas in 1864. A cousin of Jesse Chisholm, who pioneered famous Chisholm Cattle Trail, and of cattle baron John Simpson Chisum, Col. Chisum married Charlotte Martin. They have many descendants in Texas.
Forney
Marker Title: Forney
City: Forney
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1995
Marker Location: Corner of Main and Bois d'Arc Sts., Forney
Marker Text: A Native American trail, sometimes referred to as the Kickapoo Trace, and early Anglo-American roads traversed this area prior to the settlement of the pioneer families of Isaac Briscoe and Jacob Sheltman in the mid-1840s. By 1871 a village called Brooklyn, which included a combined school, church, and lodge building, general store, saloon, and blacksmith shop, was established about one mile south of here. Brooklyn's business and housing activity shifted here after the Texas & Pacific Railroad extended its line through this area in 1873. A post office opened in 1873 and the town was renamed Forney for noted railroad official John W. Forney. By 1891 Forney had become a bustling town with more than 50 business establishments including a bank, opera house, and two hotels. Ranch and farm produce, including cotton, Bois d'Arc wood products, and the area's nationally recognized blackland prairie hay were shipped by rail at Forney and the town prospered. In the 1920s U.S. Highway 80 (The Dixie Highway) and an interurban railroad came through the town. Beginning with the Great Depression Forney's agricultural economy declined for several decades. Eventually Forney experienced a revival of growth as a bedroom community of Dallas, Texas.
Kaufman County
Marker Title: Kaufman County
City: Kaufman
County: Kaufman
Marker Location: Courthouse grounds, E. Grove St. between Jackson and Washington, Kaufman.
Marker Text: Created February 26, 1848; organized August 7, 1848; named in honor of David Spangler Kaufman 1812-1851; came to Texas in 1837 and located at Nacogdoches; member of the Texas Congress 1839-1845; Member of the United States Congress. Kaufman, the County Seat
Birthplace of City of Kaufman; Site of King's Fort
Marker Title: Birthplace of City of Kaufman; Site of King's Fort
City: Kaufman
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Location: 607 N. Clay at Pyle St., Kaufman
Marker Text: (Founded 1840) Established by Wm. P. King and 40 pioneers he led from Holly Springs, Miss.; this was then in Nacogdoches County, Republic of Texas. Caddo, Cherokee, Delaware and Kickapoo Indians roamed the area. Settlers built log cabins inside the fort. When the Indian menace lessened, Kingsboro (or early Kaufman) began to grow. Supplies came from San Antonio, in arduous yearly trips there. Hearing the Texas Republic was joining the United States, King in 1846 got patent to lands at the fort. Although he soon died, his widow carried on his plans for the colony. (1970) Incise on back: Kaufman County Historical Survey Committee
King's Fort
Marker Title: King's Fort
Address: 607 N. Clay St.
City: Kaufman
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1970
Marker Text: An early frontier fort of the Republic of Texas, King's Fort was built in June of 1840 by a survey party led by Warren A. Ferris, then Nacogdoches County surveyor. Dr. William P. King of Mississippi financed the expedition and accompanied Ferris. Because the fort was located on a favorite hunting ground for area Indians, settlement was delayed several years by fear of attacks. The fort, with its four cabins and a stockade, was used primarily as a way station and place of refuge for travelers. William King continued his efforts to lure settlers to the area, buying area land until shortly before his death in 1841. When Charles F. Mercer's colonists began to arrive in the vicinity between 1844 and 1846, King's Fort became the center of a dispersed community known as Kingsborough. Kaufman County was formed in 1848. The town lost its bid to be the county seat then and in 1850, but won a crucial election in 1851. The name of Kingsborough was changed to Kaufman according to state law. Though her legal claim to the title was disputed, King's widow, Frances Tabor, is credited with the donation of 150 acres of the Kingsborough tract to the county seat for a townsite. (1997)
Frank Reaugh
Marker Title: Frank Reaugh
City: Terrell
County: Kaufman
Year Marker Erected: 1971
Marker Location: in Oakland Cemetery, 1001 W. Moore Ave., enter cemetery through main road, marker is on E side of main road about 2/10 mile from entrance.
Marker Text: (December 29, 1860 - May 6, 1945) Graphic historian of longhorn cattle, western trails, and range. Born in Illinois. Son of George W. and Clarinda Morgan Reaugh. In 1876 moved to Kaufman County, where on trail beside the family cotton farm was born his love for wild range cattle. Earning his way, studied in St. Louis and in Europe. Settled (1890) in Dallas, where style matured and he was influential. His significant works in pastel hang in Austin, Dallas, and other cities.
Silent Wings Museum
Museum Name: Silent Wings Museum
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 775
City: Terrell
Zip Code: 75160
Street Address: 119 Silent Wings Blvd
Area Code: 972
Phone: 563-0402
County: Kaufman
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Science, Art, Military, Aviation, Natural History, Archeology, Interactive, Photos, Historical, Local/Pioneer History, Archives, Other
Terrell Heritage Museum
Museum Name: Terrell Heritage Museum
Mailing Address: 207 N Frances Street
City: Terrell
Zip Code: 75160
Area Code: 972
Phone: 563-6082
County: Kaufman
Types of Exhibits/Collections: Military, Aviation, Natural History, Photos, Historical, Local/Pioneer History, Archives, Other