Father: Sam Tanner
Mother: Sarah Walker Tanner
James Henry Tanner, Sr. was born August 14, 1864 in Izzard County, Arkansas. He came to Dallas County in 1869 with his parents, Sam and Sarah Walker Tanner. Shortly, Sam's health failed and the family went back to Arkansas where Sam died 2 August 1871. That fall, Sarah brought her family back to Dallas County, Texas, by covered wagon. Sarah and her children lived with the Sam Uhl family, where Sarah was a housekeeper. James Henry Tanner worked on Sam Uhl's farm until 1877. For the next few years, he worked for Bill Trees and Alfred Phillips.
In March of 1884, Tanner went to work for Barry Gatewood gathering cattle for the Chisholm Trail and they left in April for the J 0 Ranch in Montana. They went Cheyenne Strip into Kansas, on to Nebraska, crossed Continental Divide to North Platte, crossed Fort Fetterman Valley into Wyoming, into Montana by Tun River (at one time crossing the Tun River 37 times in one day), arriving at the J 0 Ranch 14 August 1884, his twentieth birthday. On his return to Texas, he worked at a cotton gin in Ennis. In the spring of 1886, he left from Seymour, Texas, with 3,700 head of cattle for the Dakotas, took the Western Trail through Vernon, across Pease River to Red River, staying on the west side of the Red River to keep out of Indian Territory. He took the train back to Dallas then to Vernon, Texas, to join another cattle drive. He took sick and had to give his landlady his saddle, blankets, guns and spurs for room and board. When he arrived back in Dallas and got money, he sent for his things. In spring of 1887, he drove cattle to Abilene for Sam Trees. The next two years, he guarded convicts at Duncanville, Texas. On 8 June 1889, he went to work for Sheriff Henry Lewis of Dallas County. This was the beginning of
his long career in law enforcement. In October, 1892, he went to work for Jim Arnold, Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas. He was mounted, walked beat and was sergeant, lieutenant, captain,
detective, chief of detectives, assistant chief of police and acting chief of police. He would never accept the chief of police for at that time the chief was not allowed to join in the pension fund. He took his pension in April, 1922. In August, 1922 he went to work in Highland Park, Texas, as chief of police, chief of the fire department and town marshal, holding those positions until his death, 17 November 1939.
James Henry Tanner married Maggie Mary Webb on 20 March 1895. She was the daughter of Joshua Whitfield and Sarah Catherine (Dennis) Webb, and granddaughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Hughes) Webb. Maggie was born 18 April 1875 in Dallas County and died 25 August 1932 in Dallas, Texas. They had four children: James Henry, Jr., Sarah Ruth, Lucie Aline, and Jack Armstrong.
In 1913, Chief Tanner, one of the most widely known police officers in the southwest, was sent to Washington. D.C. to serve during the inaugural celebration of President Woodrow Wilson. He was even more honored to be selected as one of the six special guards to be assigned to President-elect Wilson. These six walked from the Capitol and back at the side of Wilson and Taft's carriage. At the inauguration, Chief Tanner was on a platform directly behind Mrs. Wilson and the three Wilson girls. Mrs. Wilson spoke to Chief Tanner asking him where he was from. When he told her Texas, she laughed and said,"Why, I thought all the people from Texas wore horns." These six special guards were given a set of China plates by President Wilson. Pictures of George and Martha Washington and famous buildings arc on the plates. These are now on the dining room wall of Sarah Valkus Coursey in Dallas. At the time of Chief Tanner's death, Dallas City Manager R. B. Thomas announced that city hall would be closed during the services. Mr. Thomas further stated, "He (Chief Tanner) was one of the best, only those who have worked with him here can know just how much we are going to miss him."
Submitted by: Sarah Valkus Coursey
http://www.dallaspioneer.org/stories/historical.php?ID=219
Mother: Sarah Walker Tanner
James Henry Tanner, Sr. was born August 14, 1864 in Izzard County, Arkansas. He came to Dallas County in 1869 with his parents, Sam and Sarah Walker Tanner. Shortly, Sam's health failed and the family went back to Arkansas where Sam died 2 August 1871. That fall, Sarah brought her family back to Dallas County, Texas, by covered wagon. Sarah and her children lived with the Sam Uhl family, where Sarah was a housekeeper. James Henry Tanner worked on Sam Uhl's farm until 1877. For the next few years, he worked for Bill Trees and Alfred Phillips.
In March of 1884, Tanner went to work for Barry Gatewood gathering cattle for the Chisholm Trail and they left in April for the J 0 Ranch in Montana. They went Cheyenne Strip into Kansas, on to Nebraska, crossed Continental Divide to North Platte, crossed Fort Fetterman Valley into Wyoming, into Montana by Tun River (at one time crossing the Tun River 37 times in one day), arriving at the J 0 Ranch 14 August 1884, his twentieth birthday. On his return to Texas, he worked at a cotton gin in Ennis. In the spring of 1886, he left from Seymour, Texas, with 3,700 head of cattle for the Dakotas, took the Western Trail through Vernon, across Pease River to Red River, staying on the west side of the Red River to keep out of Indian Territory. He took the train back to Dallas then to Vernon, Texas, to join another cattle drive. He took sick and had to give his landlady his saddle, blankets, guns and spurs for room and board. When he arrived back in Dallas and got money, he sent for his things. In spring of 1887, he drove cattle to Abilene for Sam Trees. The next two years, he guarded convicts at Duncanville, Texas. On 8 June 1889, he went to work for Sheriff Henry Lewis of Dallas County. This was the beginning of
his long career in law enforcement. In October, 1892, he went to work for Jim Arnold, Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas. He was mounted, walked beat and was sergeant, lieutenant, captain,
detective, chief of detectives, assistant chief of police and acting chief of police. He would never accept the chief of police for at that time the chief was not allowed to join in the pension fund. He took his pension in April, 1922. In August, 1922 he went to work in Highland Park, Texas, as chief of police, chief of the fire department and town marshal, holding those positions until his death, 17 November 1939.
James Henry Tanner married Maggie Mary Webb on 20 March 1895. She was the daughter of Joshua Whitfield and Sarah Catherine (Dennis) Webb, and granddaughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Hughes) Webb. Maggie was born 18 April 1875 in Dallas County and died 25 August 1932 in Dallas, Texas. They had four children: James Henry, Jr., Sarah Ruth, Lucie Aline, and Jack Armstrong.
In 1913, Chief Tanner, one of the most widely known police officers in the southwest, was sent to Washington. D.C. to serve during the inaugural celebration of President Woodrow Wilson. He was even more honored to be selected as one of the six special guards to be assigned to President-elect Wilson. These six walked from the Capitol and back at the side of Wilson and Taft's carriage. At the inauguration, Chief Tanner was on a platform directly behind Mrs. Wilson and the three Wilson girls. Mrs. Wilson spoke to Chief Tanner asking him where he was from. When he told her Texas, she laughed and said,"Why, I thought all the people from Texas wore horns." These six special guards were given a set of China plates by President Wilson. Pictures of George and Martha Washington and famous buildings arc on the plates. These are now on the dining room wall of Sarah Valkus Coursey in Dallas. At the time of Chief Tanner's death, Dallas City Manager R. B. Thomas announced that city hall would be closed during the services. Mr. Thomas further stated, "He (Chief Tanner) was one of the best, only those who have worked with him here can know just how much we are going to miss him."
Submitted by: Sarah Valkus Coursey
http://www.dallaspioneer.org/stories/historical.php?ID=219
Father: Sam Tanner
Mother: Sarah Walker Tanner
James Henry Tanner, Sr. was born August 14, 1864 in Izzard County, Arkansas. He came to Dallas County in 1869 with his parents, Sam and Sarah Walker Tanner. Shortly, Sam's health failed and the family went back to Arkansas where Sam died 2 August 1871. That fall, Sarah brought her family back to Dallas County, Texas, by covered wagon. Sarah and her children lived with the Sam Uhl family, where Sarah was a housekeeper. James Henry Tanner worked on Sam Uhl's farm until 1877. For the next few years, he worked for Bill Trees and Alfred Phillips.
In March of 1884, Tanner went to work for Barry Gatewood gathering cattle for the Chisholm Trail and they left in April for the J 0 Ranch in Montana. They went Cheyenne Strip into Kansas, on to Nebraska, crossed Continental Divide to North Platte, crossed Fort Fetterman Valley into Wyoming, into Montana by Tun River (at one time crossing the Tun River 37 times in one day), arriving at the J 0 Ranch 14 August 1884, his twentieth birthday. On his return to Texas, he worked at a cotton gin in Ennis. In the spring of 1886, he left from Seymour, Texas, with 3,700 head of cattle for the Dakotas, took the Western Trail through Vernon, across Pease River to Red River, staying on the west side of the Red River to keep out of Indian Territory. He took the train back to Dallas then to Vernon, Texas, to join another cattle drive. He took sick and had to give his landlady his saddle, blankets, guns and spurs for room and board. When he arrived back in Dallas and got money, he sent for his things. In spring of 1887, he drove cattle to Abilene for Sam Trees. The next two years, he guarded convicts at Duncanville, Texas. On 8 June 1889, he went to work for Sheriff Henry Lewis of Dallas County. This was the beginning of
his long career in law enforcement. In October, 1892, he went to work for Jim Arnold, Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas. He was mounted, walked beat and was sergeant, lieutenant, captain,
detective, chief of detectives, assistant chief of police and acting chief of police. He would never accept the chief of police for at that time the chief was not allowed to join in the pension fund. He took his pension in April, 1922. In August, 1922 he went to work in Highland Park, Texas, as chief of police, chief of the fire department and town marshal, holding those positions until his death, 17 November 1939.
James Henry Tanner married Maggie Mary Webb on 20 March 1895. She was the daughter of Joshua Whitfield and Sarah Catherine (Dennis) Webb, and granddaughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Hughes) Webb. Maggie was born 18 April 1875 in Dallas County and died 25 August 1932 in Dallas, Texas. They had four children: James Henry, Jr., Sarah Ruth, Lucie Aline, and Jack Armstrong.
In 1913, Chief Tanner, one of the most widely known police officers in the southwest, was sent to Washington. D.C. to serve during the inaugural celebration of President Woodrow Wilson. He was even more honored to be selected as one of the six special guards to be assigned to President-elect Wilson. These six walked from the Capitol and back at the side of Wilson and Taft's carriage. At the inauguration, Chief Tanner was on a platform directly behind Mrs. Wilson and the three Wilson girls. Mrs. Wilson spoke to Chief Tanner asking him where he was from. When he told her Texas, she laughed and said,"Why, I thought all the people from Texas wore horns." These six special guards were given a set of China plates by President Wilson. Pictures of George and Martha Washington and famous buildings arc on the plates. These are now on the dining room wall of Sarah Valkus Coursey in Dallas. At the time of Chief Tanner's death, Dallas City Manager R. B. Thomas announced that city hall would be closed during the services. Mr. Thomas further stated, "He (Chief Tanner) was one of the best, only those who have worked with him here can know just how much we are going to miss him."
Submitted by: Sarah Valkus Coursey
http://www.dallaspioneer.org/stories/historical.php?ID=219
Mother: Sarah Walker Tanner
James Henry Tanner, Sr. was born August 14, 1864 in Izzard County, Arkansas. He came to Dallas County in 1869 with his parents, Sam and Sarah Walker Tanner. Shortly, Sam's health failed and the family went back to Arkansas where Sam died 2 August 1871. That fall, Sarah brought her family back to Dallas County, Texas, by covered wagon. Sarah and her children lived with the Sam Uhl family, where Sarah was a housekeeper. James Henry Tanner worked on Sam Uhl's farm until 1877. For the next few years, he worked for Bill Trees and Alfred Phillips.
In March of 1884, Tanner went to work for Barry Gatewood gathering cattle for the Chisholm Trail and they left in April for the J 0 Ranch in Montana. They went Cheyenne Strip into Kansas, on to Nebraska, crossed Continental Divide to North Platte, crossed Fort Fetterman Valley into Wyoming, into Montana by Tun River (at one time crossing the Tun River 37 times in one day), arriving at the J 0 Ranch 14 August 1884, his twentieth birthday. On his return to Texas, he worked at a cotton gin in Ennis. In the spring of 1886, he left from Seymour, Texas, with 3,700 head of cattle for the Dakotas, took the Western Trail through Vernon, across Pease River to Red River, staying on the west side of the Red River to keep out of Indian Territory. He took the train back to Dallas then to Vernon, Texas, to join another cattle drive. He took sick and had to give his landlady his saddle, blankets, guns and spurs for room and board. When he arrived back in Dallas and got money, he sent for his things. In spring of 1887, he drove cattle to Abilene for Sam Trees. The next two years, he guarded convicts at Duncanville, Texas. On 8 June 1889, he went to work for Sheriff Henry Lewis of Dallas County. This was the beginning of
his long career in law enforcement. In October, 1892, he went to work for Jim Arnold, Chief of Police in Dallas, Texas. He was mounted, walked beat and was sergeant, lieutenant, captain,
detective, chief of detectives, assistant chief of police and acting chief of police. He would never accept the chief of police for at that time the chief was not allowed to join in the pension fund. He took his pension in April, 1922. In August, 1922 he went to work in Highland Park, Texas, as chief of police, chief of the fire department and town marshal, holding those positions until his death, 17 November 1939.
James Henry Tanner married Maggie Mary Webb on 20 March 1895. She was the daughter of Joshua Whitfield and Sarah Catherine (Dennis) Webb, and granddaughter of Isaac B. and Mary (Hughes) Webb. Maggie was born 18 April 1875 in Dallas County and died 25 August 1932 in Dallas, Texas. They had four children: James Henry, Jr., Sarah Ruth, Lucie Aline, and Jack Armstrong.
In 1913, Chief Tanner, one of the most widely known police officers in the southwest, was sent to Washington. D.C. to serve during the inaugural celebration of President Woodrow Wilson. He was even more honored to be selected as one of the six special guards to be assigned to President-elect Wilson. These six walked from the Capitol and back at the side of Wilson and Taft's carriage. At the inauguration, Chief Tanner was on a platform directly behind Mrs. Wilson and the three Wilson girls. Mrs. Wilson spoke to Chief Tanner asking him where he was from. When he told her Texas, she laughed and said,"Why, I thought all the people from Texas wore horns." These six special guards were given a set of China plates by President Wilson. Pictures of George and Martha Washington and famous buildings arc on the plates. These are now on the dining room wall of Sarah Valkus Coursey in Dallas. At the time of Chief Tanner's death, Dallas City Manager R. B. Thomas announced that city hall would be closed during the services. Mr. Thomas further stated, "He (Chief Tanner) was one of the best, only those who have worked with him here can know just how much we are going to miss him."
Submitted by: Sarah Valkus Coursey
http://www.dallaspioneer.org/stories/historical.php?ID=219
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