DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I wouldn't change a word. Neal Martin. Born 1777, died 1879 — and friend, you let those two numbers sit side by side for just a moment.
Neal Martin came to Texas from Kentucky in 1816, long before Texas was anything but a dream and a fight waiting to happen. He was out here hunting buffalo in Van Zandt County around 1839, which means this land you're rolling through right now was his hunting ground before most folks had even heard of the place. He settled here later.
Put down roots in the same soil where he'd once tracked the big herds. Now, the buffalo hunting alone might make a man worth remembering. But Neal Martin was just getting warmed up.
He fought in the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas War for Independence. He rode as a member of the Texas Rangers. He fought in Indian campaigns.
And then, as if that weren't enough miles on a man, he served in the United States Army during the Mexican War. War after war after campaign after conflict, and Neal Martin came through it all. He was born in 1777.
He died in 1879. You do not need me to say anything else about that. He's buried right here in Van Zandt County, on the land he hunted and settled, and it was his great-granddaughter, Mrs.
Edna Martin Pollard, who made sure the rest of us would know it — placing this marker in 1968 so nobody passing through would ever roll past Neal Martin without at least tipping their hat.
What the marker says
(1777-1879) Came to Texas from Kentucky in 1816. Hunted buffalo in Van Zandt County about 1839 and settled here later. Fought in Battle of San Jacinto during Texas War for Independence. Was later a member of Texas Rangers. Fought in Indian campaigns. Served in U.S. Army during Mexican War. (1968) Incising on base: Marker placed by great-granddaughter, Mrs. Edna Martin Pollard.