Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 177 of 372
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'ENCYCLOPEDIA. .
141
In 1876 Judge White temoved to, Dallas, Texas,
where he has sice been engaged in the practice
of the law. 'He has already taken a high position
among the advocates 'and jurists of Northern Texas.
In religion Judge White is a 'Presbyterian. In his
social and domestic relations he' is' courteous and
kind, and in his'intercourse with the world candid,
just and honorable. Decided in his opinions when
maturely formed, and' advocating whatever he believed
to be right, in the sharp collisions of party
strife he hias often been the object of rancorous
political assault, but his integrity of purpose 'has
been unas'sailed, and: honesty of belief has been accorded
to him by his bitterest opponents.
r^ I RATH, MAJOR GEORGE B., was born, at
z- Vienna, in Austria, on the'l 1st day of
-_ January, 1813, and was educated at the
'Polytechnic Institute. He immigrated to
the United States, and landed in New Orleans
July 18, 1832, from whence, after traveling through
several of the Western 'States, he made his way
to Texas early in 1833. His finances were then
in a very reduced condition, but he was determined'
to see the' 'country; and to be able to do so
hlie exchanged his money for a Spanish pony and
a rope. He then started, without saddle or bridle,
for San Felipe; there, having earned five dollars,
he provided himself with those articles. Ie pursued
his' journey to the Colorado, and then returned
to the mouth of the Brazos, when, finding
that both his pony and money had given out, he
hired himself at fifteen dollars a month to make
salt. In the fall of '1834, surveying having coimmnenced
in Robertson county, we find him engaged
as a chain carrier with one Altexander Thompson.
Being found capable, industrious and zealous for
the interest of -his employers, he was soon promoted.
lie continued with Thompson until July,
1835, when the war with the Indians commenced.
Fond of excitement, he went with a party to the
head of the Trinity river. While with Captain
Burnet on one of his expeditions against the Indians,
'his wild horse became unmanageable, and
ran away with him into a thicket where they
supposed the redskins to be secreted. His companions,
not understanding the cause of this feat,
and ever ready to show their appreciation of courage
and valor, promoted him on the spot.
On his return from the Indian campaigns he
went out with Thomas A. Graves on a surveyingexpedition on the head of San Gabriel,, where the
party had several thrilling adventures. He afterward
joined several scouting parties, and was in
Captain Billingesly's company at the battle of San
Jacinto. H-Ie then went to the frontier and joined
Captain Hill's company of rangers, in which he
rendered important service. After this company
disbanded lie, joined Captain Barrow's company
of rangers, as orderly sergeant. This company
was very efficient, and rendered valuable assistance
to the settlers on the frontier. Early in 1838
he was made lieutenant, and given comman d of a
squad of men. His life was then one of great activity,
and he had several combats with the Indians.
In 1838 the General Land Office was opened, and
Mir. Erathli formed a company of surveyors; but the
Indians were on the war path, and mhiore fighting
than surveying was done. In March, 1838, another
ranging company was organized, and Mr. Erath
elected captain. Fromi that time until hlie took
command of the minute iimen, in 1841, hlie was actively
engaged in checking inroads of the savages,
except during slhort periods when he was
engaged in surveying, which was absolutely necessary
to enable him to raise the nmeans with which
to discharge -debts contracted while in his military
vocation, and to equip him for the next campaign.
The pay of the pioneers while acting as rangers
was very inadequate, and they were paid in Texas
Treasury notes, worth about ten cents on the dollar.
But for the excitement attending military
life, and the consciousness that they were rendering
their country valuable service, these mnien would
have sought the imore pleasant walks of life, and
the Indians have been left to roam at will.
In 1842, all the troops having been discharged,
he, thiirsting for excitement, joined the "MIier Expedlition,"
and participated in all its honors and
sufferings. Upon his return home his friends,
appreciating his many noble qualities and sterling
talents, elected him to the Congress of Texas. In
1844 - 45. hlie was re-elected, and' proved himself
a very efficient memnber. In 1846 hlie was elected
member of the first Legislature of Texas. December
28, 1845, at the town of Nashville, Texas, he
was married to Miss Chahnlmers. In 1848 he was
elected by an overwhelming majority to the State
Senate from the district including M-eLennan
county, and in that assemibly displayed talents and
abilities of the first order. In the year 1849, as
the agent of the owiners of the Thomas J. Chambers
-league of land, he located the village 'of
Waco. Erath comuiity derived its name from Major
George B. Erath, who originally surveyed the whole
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/177/?rotate=180: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.