George R. Reeves

Duane's take

The official marker tells it this way, and I'm just the voice carryin' it down the road. George R. Reeves.

Born January 3, 1826, in Tennessee. Died September 5, 1882. And somewhere out in West Texas, there is a county of 2,600 square miles bearing his name, which tells you something about the kind of life this man lived.

Now let's back up and follow the trail. He married Jane Moore in 1844, over in Arkansas, and then he came to Texas, around 1845. Grayson County, up here in the north.

And Grayson County put him to work fast. Tax collector, 1848 to 1850. Then sheriff, 1850 to 1854.

The man knew how to hold a county together. From there he stepped into the State Legislature, serving as a representative from 1855 all the way to 1861. Six years of lawmaking.

Then the war came. Reeves was commissioned as a Confederate army officer in 1863, and he did not sit out the fighting in some quiet corner. He was a participant in the Battle of Chickamauga.

He went through the Hundred Days Atlanta Campaign. Those are not small entries on a man's record. When it was done, he came back, and Grayson County sent him back to the Legislature in 1873.

He wasn't finished yet. Not by a long measure. In 1881, George R.

Reeves became Speaker of the House. He held that office until 1882, the year he died. A county of 2,600 square miles, a speakership, a war, a sheriffship, and a life that ran from Tennessee to the heart of Texas.

The marker lets you do the math on what all that adds up to.

What the marker says

(Jan. 3, 1826-Sept. 5, 1882) Man for whom 2600-sq. mi. West Texas county was named. Born in Tennessee. Married Jane Moore in 1844 in Arkansas. Came to Texas about 1845. Was Grayson County tax collector, 1848-1850; sheriff, 1850-1854. Served as State Representative, 1855-1861. Commissioned Confederate army officer, 1863. Participant in Battle of Chickamauga and Hundred Days Atlanta Campaign. Returned to Legislature, 1873. Speaker of the House, 1881-1882. Recorded, 1967