Albert G. Gholson
Albert G. Gholson, b May 25,1818 in Kentucky, d June 10, 1860 in Coryell County, Texas, on Owl Creek - was a son of Colonel Samuel Gholson, b 1772 in Kentucky, who served as a Colonel in Jackson's Army in the War of 1812, participating in the Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815, d July 4, 1852 in Marshall, Texas, and his wife, Mary Ann (Slaten) Gholson- daughter of a farmer living near Paducah, Kentucky. Colonel and Mrs. Gholson were married in 1801, and they were the parents of five children: Angeline Gholson, who married Jenkin Williams, settled in Arkansas, lived and died there; Alvades Gholson, who died ca 1829 in Illinois; Alhanon Gholson, who was killed and robbed in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the Fall of 1827; Elvira, who died, unmarried, at the age of seventeen; and Albert G. Gholson - the fifth and last child.In 1825, Albert G. Gholson moved with his parents to Madison County, Tennessee. In 1832, leaving Madison County, Tennessee on April 3rd with an emigrant train of wagons and families, they immigrated to Texas - reaching San Felipe about July 29, 1832.
When the uprising of the colonists of Texas took place, Albert G. Gholson joined the army in 1835 - rendering his first service at Gonzales under Captain Carey White. He was in the battle of Concepcion near San Antonio, and was later in the battle of San Antonio that was led by Ben Milam. It was in this five-day fighting that Milam was killed, with Albert G. only about forty feet of him when he fell.
After San Antonio was taken and the army ordered to evacuate the city and fall back to Gonzales, Albert G. and the majority of the army, obeyed the command. By the time the army reached Gonzales, new companies were being organized in the different localities of the colonies. Captain Thomas Hudson Barron was organizing a company near Washington, on the Brazos. Some of the men suggested to Captain Barron that they would like to have Albert G. Gholson for their first lieutenant; and Captain Barron suggested that if enough of the soldiers voted to have Gholson as their officer, that vote would bring him to the company. The vote was cast, unknown to Albert G., and he was transferred by Captain Carey White to Captain Thomas H. Barron's Company.
When General Sam Houston took command of the army at Gonzales, the army fell back from place-to-place, with the Mexican Army pursuing. This brought about what became known as the "Run-Away Scrape." Captain Barron was permitted to return to his to help move the families and slaves out of danger, and Albert, then unmarried, remained with the army in command of the Company. Before the return of Captain Barron, the Battle of San Jacinto had already been fought, with Albert G. Gholson in command of Captin Barron's Company. He was in the thick of the fighting at Vince's Bridge. There was a wholesale capture of Mexicans there, and no one will ever know how many were killed in the bayou. One of the men who fought under Gholson was once heard to say: "I'll declare to you, Albert, from the blood that was coming down the stream, it seemed that two thousand men were shot in the stream." "Yes," answered Albert G. Gholson, "but there were many horses shot too, and some of the blood you saw was horse blood." Gholson was also in the chase to the bayou, where the bridge was destroyed.
Gholson was an admirer of "Deaf" Smith - saying he was hard of hearing, but by no means deaf. He added that there were so many Smiths in the army, they nicknamed him "Deaf" Smith, just to identify him. Gholson always spoke highly of Smith's abilities.
When the Texas Army disbanded, Albert G. Gholson returned to what is present-day Falls County, and engaged in farming and later in stock raising. He did not remain long in peace, however, for the Mexican government encouraged the different tribes of Indians to carry out depredations against the colonists. This brought about the organization of Ranger companies in self defense. Captain Barron and Albert G. Gholson organized a ranging company, under the authority of The Republic of Texas - each holding the same positions of Captain and First Lieu- tenant. This company began in 1837, and they served twelve-month enlistments, ending in 1838. In December 1838, Albert G. Gholson was married in a now extinct village called "Welch," to Elydia Anderson, b September 22, 1822 at Blue Ash, Missouri (now located in present-day St. Louis), d September 1843 and buried at Springfield, Limestone County, Texas, in what is known as the Stroud Cemetery - a daughter of William Anderson - often called "Uncle Billy." The Andersons immigrated to Texas in 1832, settling in Robertson's Colony.
After the death of Elydia (Anderson) Gholson, Albert G. Gholson moved to what was then known as "Blue Ridge," and located his headright which he had obtained from his service to Texas in the army. This was in what was later Falls County, Texas, in present- day Stranger. When Falls County was organized, Wilburn Jones had opened a store where Stranger now is, and it was known as "Jones' Store." Three places were voted for as possible county seats: site of Jones' Store as one; Adams Spring, as another (later renamed Marlin); and old Bucksnort as the third possible site. Adams Spring received the majority vote, was selected as the county seat, and renamed Marlin.
In 1846, Albert G. Gholson was married second to Mary Matthews. The marriage was performed by Justice of the Peace, David A. Barclay. In 1851, Albert sold all his real estate holdings on Blue Ridge, crossed the Brazos River to the west side, and below, and bought out a man by the name of Squire Meeks. He remained there only one year, selling out in November 1852, and then resettled about twelve miles north of Waco, between the Brazos and Aquilla Rivers. This be- came known as "Gholson Valley", and the town of Gholson now stands there. Leaving there June 12, 1855, they moved again to the Blue Water hole on North Sims Creek - becoming the first ranch on that creek, from head to mouth, and now in present-day Mills County. Albert put a good stock of cattle and horses on the ranch.
In March 1857, the Kiowas and Comanche Indians began their depredations on the frontier of Texas, and war was waged by them on a systematic plan for several hundred "moons." Gholson knew, from his past experiences of Indian troubles in his early life, that it was necessary to move his herd of horses and the family and slaves to a safer place. He bought a farm in the lower part of Coryell County, on Owl Creek. Moved his family, stock, and slaves to that place, and remained there the remainder of his life.
The children of Albert G. Gholson and his first wife, Elydia (Anderson), were:
Samuel S. Gholson, b November 13, 1840-moved to Lubbock, Texas.
Benjamin Franklin Gholson, b November 17, 1842 in what became Falls County, Texas, and was then Robertson's Colony. On July 18, 1862, he married Jane Adaline Langford - a daughter of Asa and Eliza (McDonald) Langford, Sr. They had Frances Electra who married Henry Arnold, Elydia Cordelia who married J. V. Stephens, Mantolo Isolo who married R. W. Warren, Ada Lela who married A. L. Churchill, Samuel L.; Almedia Eliza Pearl, Albert Franklin, Katy Lena; and Emma Lee Gholson, who died August 6, 1872. Benjamin Franklin Gholson (Called "Frank") was identified all his life with the Ranger Service, and from 1851 through 1862, he was found, almost altogether, on the frontier - enduring hardships in order to protect the women and children. In 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army, serving in the Second Regiment of Texas Calvary under Colonel Pyron, and was in the retaking of Galveston. He had the reputation of being one of the best cowmen in Texas.
The children of Albert G. Gholson and his second wife, Mary (Matthews), were:
Eliza Jane Gholson, b July 29, 1847, in Falls County, Texas.
Oakley Gholson, b February 28, 1849, in Falls County, Texas.
James P. Gholson, b January 27, 1859, in Coryell County, Texas.
Albert G. Gholson can truly be ranked with the Marlins, Piersons, Powers, Barrons, and many other pioneer settlers who fought for the freedom of the Republic of Texas, and spent many years of his life in present-day Falls County.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
