DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker on Alfred M. Hallmark tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Alfred M.
Hallmark came into this world on June 19, 1817, in Madison County, Alabama — and he came into Texas in 1834, a young man traveling with his parents, putting down roots in what is now Houston County. Now, he hadn't been here long before Texas herself was asking something of her people. On March 6, 1836, Alfred enlisted in the Texas Army.
And then came April 21, 1836 — the Battle of San Jacinto. Alfred M. Hallmark was there.
You let that sit a moment. He was there. After the smoke cleared and history had been made, Alfred came home to Houston County and built a life the way pioneers do — with his hands in the dirt, working as a farmer.
He also helped operate the post office out in the Mustang Prairie Community, which tells you something about a man: he wasn't just working his own land, he was keeping his community connected. Then in 1842, Alfred married his cousin Sarah Hallmark, born in 1826, and together they raised twelve children. Twelve.
That's not a family, that's a congregation. Alfred M. Hallmark, veteran of the Texas War for Independence, farmer, postmaster's helper, father of twelve, drew his last breath on April 16, 1880.
He'd seen Texas become Texas. That's a life that earned a marker.
What the marker says
(June 19, 1817 -- April 16, 1880) A veteran of the Texas War for Independence, Alfred M. Hallmark was a native of Madison County, Alabama. He came to Texas in 1834 with his parents and settled in present Houston County. He enlisted in the Texas Army on March 6, 1836, and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. A pioneer farmer, he helped operate the post office in the Mustang Prairie Community. In 1842 he married his cousin Sarah Hallmark (b. 1826). They had twelve children. (1978)