Montgomery County Deeds

"Edwin R. Herring, a respectable resident of the State of Texas, came to this state in 1855. He was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, March 10, 1834. He was reared on a farm, and remained under the paternal roof until he reached his majority. His parents are Benjamin and Rachel (Whitfield) Herring of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The father served in the War of 1812, under General Jackson, at New Orleans, and was a prominent planter and slave-owner. His death occurred in 1860. His wife, Rachel Whitfield, was a daughter of Bryant Whitfield, a prominent farmer and miller of Tennessee. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of eight children born to these parents, two of whom, besides himself, came to Texas.

In 1855 our subject made his way to Texas, leaving behind him a young wife, to whom he had been married but a few months. His first settlement was in Falls county, where he remained two years, and then removed to old Springfield, where he carried on the saddle and harness business, and also engaged in stock-raising.

In 1862 he closed that business and enlisted in Sweet's regiment and served in Louisiana and Arkansas with Captain Tyler, Fifteenth Texas Cavalry, which was afterward dismounted. The regiment served in Arkansas and Louisiana, and he was in some battles in Arkansas. Part of the command was captured, but our subject, being sick at the time, escaped capture and returned home. After his recovery he returned to the seat of conflict, and served under Colonel Sweet. During his service he was Brigade Quartermaster. Previous to being made Brigade Quartermaster, he served as a Second Lieutenant, having risen to that office from the rank of private. At the close of the war he returned home and engaged in stock-raising and looking after his numerous interests. Here he remained until 1865, when he removed to his present location, where he bought a tract of 900 acres of land, on which was a small log cabin, and a small portion of which was under fence. He continued in the stock-raising business until 1868; now, however, he engages in the raising of horses, having about 150 head. About 150 acres of his farm is cultivated, and on this land he raises cotton, corn, oats and farm produce. When he has more of the latter than he can use, he markets it at Mexia.

Mr. Herring's first marriage was to Miss Susan H. Killebrew, daughter of Edwin and Mary Killebrew, the father a farmer and brick manufacturer. By this marriage Mr. Herring had four children, two of whom died when young. The two remaining are: Edwin K., married, living at Marlin, in the drug business, and William B., yet at home. The wife and mother died in 1869, and the same year, in the fall, Mr. Herring married again, this time to Miss Laura Wylie, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Wylie, of Tennessee, who came to Texas in 1858. The father was a farmer, and died in this county in 1886. By this last marriage, four children have been born, namely: Brooks, Noble O., Sam B., and Frank T., all at home. The wife and mother was born February 15, 1847.

Mr. Herring is a member of I. O. O. F., and himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Formerly, our subject affiliated with the Democratic party, but has now espoused the platform of the third party, claiming it to contain the principles of a pure democracy."