Col. William F. Upton
Schulenburg, Fayette County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1832 - 1887) Coming to Texas in 1853, W. F. Upton settled near High Hill. He organized (1861) and was Lieutenant Colonel of Texas state troops guarding frontiers and coastline during the Civil War. A leading state legislator in 1866 and 1879-85, he aided post-war recovery in Texas. Had a store in Schulenburg many years. A West Texas County, created soon after he died, honors name of Col. Upton and a brother, Col. John C. Upton, a hero killed at second battle of Manassas in 1862. Recorded-1976
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Arriving in Texas in 1853, W. F. Upton settled near High Hill and, when war came in 1861, organized and led Texas state troops guarding the frontier and coastline as a lieutenant colonel. After the war he became a leading state legislator who worked to rebuild Texas, while keeping a store in Schulenburg for many years. A West Texas county bears his name and that of his brother John, a colonel killed at the Second Battle of Manassas in 1862.
Why it matters
Upton's career bridges the Confederate war effort and the difficult work of Reconstruction-era recovery, embodying a generation of Texans who fought, then had to rebuild.
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Related people
- · William F. Upton
- · John C. Upton
Related events
- · Second Battle of Manassas
Themes & tags
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