James Jackson Beeman
Lampasas, Lampasas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(December 21, 1816 - December 7, 1888) One of the first settlers in Dallas and Weatherford. Born in Madison County, Ill., came to Texas 1840. He helped cut first road in Trinity Bottoms, name Turtle Creek (1841), and plat city of Dallas, 1842. He guided Texas President Sam Houston to Indian parley, 1843; joined California Gold Rush, 1849; pioneered, Parker County, 1854; aided in rescue of Comanche captive Cynthia Ann Parker, 1860. Returned to Dallas to live, 1864. Died in Lampasas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Illinois-born James Jackson Beeman came to Texas in 1840 and became one of the first settlers of Dallas and Weatherford. He helped cut the first road through the Trinity bottoms, took part in platting the future city of Dallas in 1842, and guided President Sam Houston to an Indian council in 1843. His restless frontier life carried him to the California Gold Rush and into the 1860 recovery of the long-captive Cynthia Ann Parker before he returned to Dallas.
Why it matters
Beeman's life threads together the founding of Dallas, frontier diplomacy with Native nations, and the great western migrations of the mid-1800s.
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Related people
- · James Jackson Beeman
- · Sam Houston
- · Cynthia Ann Parker
Related events
- · California Gold Rush
Themes & tags
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