DUANE
Duane's take
Here's what the official marker has to say, and I'm going to do it proper justice. Benjamin F. Gholson.
Born November 17, 1842, in Falls County, Texas. And if you've got a few miles of road ahead of you, friend, this is the kind of life worth settling in for. His parents were Albert G. and Elidia Anderson Gholson — early Texas settlers, the kind of people who showed up before the state had all its rough edges worn down.
Young Benjamin didn't stray far from that spirit. By 1858 and 1859, he was already riding with the Texas Rangers. Not yet twenty years on this earth, and he's already answered the call.
But he wasn't done. He re-enlisted — this time in a company under Captain J. M.
Smith — and in 1860, he was part of something that had been a long time coming. Cynthia Ann Parker had been taken by Comanche Indians all the way back in 1836. That's twenty-four years of a story the Parker family never stopped carrying.
And in 1860, Benjamin F. Gholson rode with the men who aided in her rescue. Let that land for a moment.
He came home from all of that, and when the Civil War arrived, he answered that call too — serving in the 2nd Regiment, Texas Cavalry. After the fighting was done, he married Jane Adaline Langford, built himself a life as a prominent stockman, and stayed connected to the men he'd ridden beside, staying active in the Texas Ex-Rangers Association. He lived all the way to April 3, 1932.
Born 1842, gone 1932 — a life that stretched from the raw frontier days clear into the twentieth century. Some men just carry more history than others. Benjamin F.
Gholson was one of them.
What the marker says
(Nov. 17, 1842-April 3, 1932) Born in Falls County. Son of early Texas settlers Albert G. and Elidia Anderson Gholson. After 1858-1859 service with Texas Rangers, he re-enlisted in company under Capt. J. M. Smith, and in 1860 aided in the rescue of Cynthia Ann Parker, kidnapped by Comanche Indians in 1836. Served in 2nd Regiment, Texas Cavalry in Civil War. Married Jane Adaline Langford. Prominent stockman, was active in the Texas Ex-Rangers Association.