DUANE
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Duane's take
The official marker tells this story, and I'm just the one passing it along. James P. Dumas, born in South Carolina in 1820, and right from the start this is a man who was going places.
In 1841 he married May Thompson and the two of them made their move to the Republic of Texas. Not the state of Texas, mind you. The Republic.
He got here early. In his capacity as surveyor he helped map land that would eventually become a section of Dallas. Think about that the next time you're sitting in traffic over there.
Dumas had already measured it out. He moved from Collin County to Grayson County just before Texas joined the Union, always staying one step ahead of the crowd. Then came the Mexican War in 1846, and Dumas fought in it.
When he came back, he was appointed surveyor for Grayson County, which, given his history, seems about right. He was already in the habit of drawing lines on the land. And the land kept coming.
He came to own the famous Sister Grove farm, and here is where the story gets almost hard to believe. So extensive was his land that he could ride from his home all the way to Sherman, about twenty miles, without ever leaving his own property. Twenty miles.
On his own land. Texas, ladies and gentlemen. He helped found the Merchants and Planters Bank in Sherman in 1872, and he kept at it all until his death in 1875.
James P. Dumas arrived when Texas was still its own country and left his lines on the map in more ways than one.
What the marker says
(1820-1875) Born in South Carolina. In 1841 married May Thompson and moved to the Republic of Texas. In his capacity as surveyor, he helped map land that became a section of Dallas. Moved from Collin to Grayson County just before Texas joined the Union. Fought in Mexican War, 1846. Was appointed surveyor for Grayson County. Later came to own famous "Sister Grove" farm. So extensive was his land that he could ride from his home to Sherman (about 20 miles) without leaving his own property. He helped found Merchants & Planters Bank in Sherman, 1872.