HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

Noah C. Batis

Sanger, Denton County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A native of Illinois, Noah C. Batis (1860-1950) came to Texas at an early age. In 1881 and 1882, he worked as a cowboy driving cattle up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas. He came to Sanger in 1889 and ten years later, at this site, established the Sanger Stock Farm, which became known for its fine horses, mules, and other livestock. Although he lacked the formal training, Batis provided veterinary care for his animals and for those of nearby farms. A county commissioner from 1919 to 1923, he lived here with his wife Laura (b. 1864). They died in 1950. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Illinois-born Noah C. Batis came to Texas young and, in 1881 and 1882, rode as a cowboy driving cattle north up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas. Settling near Sanger, he established the Sanger Stock Farm here in 1899, building a reputation for fine horses, mules, and livestock and — though untrained — providing veterinary care for his own and neighbors' animals. He also served as a county commissioner from 1919 to 1923.

Why it matters

Batis's life bridges the open-range cattle-drive era and the settled ranching and civic life that followed, tracing the frontier's transformation into working farm country.

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Related people

  • · Noah C. Batis
  • · Laura Batis

Related events

  • · Chisholm Trail cattle drives

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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