First Cooke County Surveyor Daniel Montague (1798-1876)
Cooke County, Cooke County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born in Massachusetts. Moved to Texas 1836. Accepted post of Surveyor, Fannin Land District, helping settlers locate claims and fight Indians. Joined Snively Expedition to capture Mexican traders trespassing in Republic of Texas, 1843. Captain of Company in Mexican War, 1846. When Cooke County was created, 1848, Montague was named County Surveyor. Like most surveyors, took land as pay for duty that called for constant risk of life. Rifles to stand off Indians were in field kits. Like Surveyor-Senator John H. Reagan, Montague was honored in having a county named for him. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Massachusetts-born Daniel Montague came to Texas in 1836 and took up the dangerous work of surveying the Fannin Land District, helping settlers stake claims while defending against raids. He joined the 1843 Snively Expedition against Mexican traders in the Republic's disputed borderlands and captained a company in the Mexican War of 1846. When Cooke County was organized in 1848 he became its first surveyor, and like fellow surveyor John H. Reagan he was honored with a county bearing his name.
Why it matters
Montague's career shows how frontier surveyors—rifle in the field kit beside the chain—were the advance agents of American expansion, converting contested wilderness into titled, settled land.
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Related people
- · Daniel Montague
- · John H. Reagan
Related events
- · Snively Expedition
- · Mexican War
Themes & tags
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