Hugh Ochiltree

Duane's take

The official marker's the source for this one, and I'm just the one bringin' it to life for you. Now settle in, because this is a man who covered a lot of Texas ground before Texas was even finished becomin' itself. Hugh Ochiltree.

Born July 10, 1820, in North Carolina. And by 1840, he'd already made the decision that would define everything: he migrated to Texas. First stop, Nacogdoches, where he did something quietly smart.

He studied law, not in any formal academy, but right there in the office of his cousin, William Beck Ochiltree, who would go on to become a prominent Justice and Texas statesman. Not a bad person to learn from. Not a bad connection to have.

By 1843, Hugh moved on to San Augustine, and it was there he married Margaret Ann McKnight. He wasn't settling into comfort just yet, though. When the Mexican War came calling, Ochiltree volunteered.

He didn't wait to be asked. He stepped forward and participated in the Battle of Monterrey. That's the kind of man you're dealing with.

Shortly after the war, he moved to Sabine Pass and ran a warehouse business alongside a partner named John G. Berry. That's two ventures now, law and commerce, and he was still finding his stride.

Then 1852 arrives, and Hugh Ochiltree makes the move that sticks. He comes to Madison, the place that would later be known as Orange. And here, finally, is where the roots go deep.

He established a mercantile. Then he developed a commission business, working in cotton, sugar, and molasses. The commerce of the region, the very lifeblood of it, ran through what Hugh Ochiltree was building.

In 1855, tragedy. His wife Margaret Ann died. The following year he wed Mary Josephine Shaw, and life continued with the kind of forward motion that seems to have been Hugh Ochiltree's nature.

He was an active Mason. A charter member of Madison Lodge No. 126. He served as Madison's first postmaster.

He served as an Orange County Commissioner, and as county clerk. And if that sounds like a man who showed up every time something needed doing, well, that's because it was. He was instrumental in supporting deep water ports on the Sabine and Neches rivers, understanding early what waterways meant to a region's future.

During the Civil War, he served as provost marshal of Orange. And when it was all said and done, Hugh Ochiltree died March 28, 1891. The marker says his active leadership was vital to the early growth and development of the city.

And standing here in Orange County, looking at what this place became, that's not flattery. That's just the record speaking.

What the marker says

(July 10, 1820-March 28, 1891) A native of North Carolina, Hugh Ochiltree migrated to Texas in 1840. Settling first in Nacogdoches, he studied law in the office of his cousin William Beck Ochiltree, who became a prominent Justice and Texas statesman. In 1843 he moved to San Augustine, where he married Margaret Ann McKnight. During the Mexican War, Ochiltree volunteered for service and participated in the Battle of Monterrey. Shortly after the war he moved to Sabine Pass and operated a warehouse business with John G. Berry. In 1852 Ochiltree moved to Madison, now Orange. Here he established a mercantile and later developed a commission business in cotton, sugar, and molasses. His wife died in 1855 and the following year he wed Mary Josephine Shaw. An active Mason and a charter member of Madison lodge No. 126, Ochiltree was also a leader in public service. He served as Madison's first postmaster, as an Orange County Commissioner, and as county clerk. In addition, he was instrumental in the support of deep water ports on the Sabine and Neches rivers. During the Civil War he was provost marshal of Orange. His active leadership was vital to the early growth and development of the city.