Henry Marion Smith

Birth: 26 May 1812
Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death: 8 Jun 1885 (aged 73)
Bergheim, Kendall County, Texas, USA
Burial: Henry Marion Smith Grave Site

Bulverde, Comal County, Texas, USA Show Map GPS-Latitude: 29.7522705, Longitude: -98.6067925
Memorial ID: 87484566 View Source

He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, came to Texas as a young man in March of 1836, through Kentucky where he enlisted with Green's Brigade, came to Galveston and was discharged in Nov. 1836. Served as a Captain with the Texas Rangers volunteer from March 01 1839 to September 02, 1839. While serving with Capt. Bird, he participated in a skirmish with Indians near present-day Temple, Texas, known as Bird's "Creek Indian Fight" on May 26, 1839. He served with the Austin County Volunteers under Capt. Nathan Brockshire, from June 16, 1839 to July 24 1839.

Married Frances M. "Fannie" Short in Washington on-the- Brazos September 08 1839, moved to Austin in 1841. They had 11 children and raised 9 to adulthood. He helped to erect some of the 1st buildings in Austin and moved to San Antonio in 1847.

Established a blacksmith and gunshop in the County Court house area. In 1853 he served as City Marshall of San Antonio where he lived during the Civil War. Henry and his son William, worked as freighters between San Antonio and Indianspolis after the war.

In 1851, Henry traded a rifle for property in Comal County moved his family to Comal sometime in the mid 1860's. Frances died May 22 1869 and on June 14 1869 Henry married Harriet E. Savory Nicholson.

On Feb. 26 1871 his two youngest sons, Clinton and Jeff, were captured by the Lipan and Comanche Indians near the house. Texas Ranger Capt. John Sansom, a cousin, and his regiment chased the indians, but were unable to catch them. Henry got up a $1000 dollar reward for the boys. Jeff was sold to Apache Chief Gerranmo and Clinto stayed with the Comanches. They lived with the indians for several years. Henry died at his home and is buried on the banks of the Cibolo Creek in Comal County on the Camp Bullis Military Reservation Property.