TITLE: Honoring Elder B. Barton for his service during the Texas Revolution.

SUMMARY: Honoring Elder B. Barton for his service during the Texas Revolution.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Pioneering Texan Elder B. Barton fought bravely for freedom during the Texas Revolution and contributed to the growth of Hidalgo County; and WHEREAS, Born in New York City in 1806, Elder Barton joined the Texian Army on March 13, 1836, and served in Captain Robert J. Calder's Brazoria Company at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836; on this day, the Texian Army under General Sam Houston decisively defeated the Mexican troops commanded by General Antonio L pez de Santa Anna in an engagement that lasted just 18 minutes; and WHEREAS, In October of 1836, Mr. Barton was honorably discharged, and he moved to Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, where he married Santitos Balli, with whom he had 16 children; the couple lived in several towns in the Rio Grande Valley, including Brownsville, Santa Rosa, and Los Indios, before settling in Nueces County, where Mr. Barton received 369 acres as compensation for his military service; and WHEREAS, Mr. Barton became an important figure in the economic development of Hidalgo County; he served as postmaster, worked in the steamboat industry, and utilized his military experience to help secure the United States border along the Rio Grande; he died on his ranch on August 4, 1884, and was buried in the courtyard of the Hidalgo County Courthouse, where his son Washington Barton served as county commissioner; and WHEREAS, After the courthouse burned down, Mr. Barton's remains were reinterred in the Hidalgo City Cemetery, and in 2016, the Texas Historical Commission placed a state historical marker there in his honor; and WHEREAS, Elder Barton fought courageously in the struggle for Texas independence, and the legacy he left behind will be remembered for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life and achievements of Elder B. Barton and commemorate his contributions to the history and heritage of Texas. Martinez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1507 was adopted by the House on May 10, 2019, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House