Memorials › William Van Herring

William Van Herring

8 Sep 1843 – 24 Jul 1930

Birth8 Sep 1843
Death24 Jul 1930
CemeteryDevine Evergreen Cemetery
Devine , Medina County , Texas , USA
Added byBarbara Moore on 06 Nov 2024
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83765979

Bio

William Van Herring was born on September 8, 1843 in Macon, Georgia. He was the 6th of 10 children, consisting of 4 boys and 6 girls, born to William H. Herring (1813-Aft. 1860) & Christian Passmore (1820-Bef. 1860) as follows: Lafayette Columbus “L.C.” Herring (1835-1905) Kesiah Georgia Herring (1836-????) Joel Calvin Herring (1837-1903) Joshua Ellis Herring (1839-1902) Penelope Herring (1843-????) William Van Herring (1843-1930) Joanna “Jo” Herring Crutchfield (1847-1925) Christian “Crissey” Jane Herring Secrest (1849-1929) Mary A. Herring (1852-????) Angeline Herring (1855-????) According to census records and the birth years of their children, William's family relocated from Georgia to the Dale County, Alabama before 1847, then to Florida before 1852, and finally to San Augustine County, Texas before 1860. William’s mother died before the 1860 census and his father died after the 1860 census in San Augustine County, Texas. On February 17, 1861, at 17 years old, William married Elizabeth Hunt in San Augustine County, Texas. According to William’s Confederate Soldier’s Pension Application, William enlisted in the Confederate Calvary (also in 1861) and fought in the US Civil War until 1865 - 3 years. He was a private in Company E of Lane's Regiment and “he was discharged in Bell County, Texas in 1865 at the close of the War." A personal reference on his application stated that "he was a good soldier." He was a farmer before the War and returned to that life afterwards. Between 1870 and 1880, William and Elizabeth lived first in Comal County, Texas, then in Medina County, Texas and had 6 children as follows: Alice Leona Herring Hastings (1866-1892) Richard Columbus Herring (1868-1921) Christian “Crissey” Jane Herring Bowman (1872-1951) Joshua Herring (1874-1892) Benjamin Franklin Herring (1872-1906) Catherine “Katie” Herring Wier (1883-1962) The census of 1900 indicates that William was 58 that year and lived with his 60 year old wife Elizabeth and 17 year old daughter Catherine “Katie” in Justice Precinct 5, Medina County, Texas - most likely on their own farm. Prior to that time, two of William & Elizabeth’s children, Alice and Joshua, died in 1892. Alice died at 26 following the birth of a son Earl, who also died shortly after. Joshua was only 18 when he died. In October 1905, William's wife Elizabeth died; their son Benjamin died soon after, in March of the following year. Also, about that time, William was made an invalid in a Train Wreck and was permanently disabled for the rest of his life. It is not clear if Elizabeth and Benjamin were also victims of that same train wreck. However, Articles in the Hondo Anvil Herald Newspaper (more like small personal ads) confirm that William sued the railway company (G. H. & R. S. Ry Co.) for damages in 1908 in Hondo, Medina Co, Texas and lost that suit. In 1909, William appealed the case to the Texas Supreme Court in Austin, and lost again. In a letter included with his Confederate Soldiers Pension Application dated 1914, William "was compelled to sell his home some time ago," as needed money. So, it is assumed he had no other home after Elizabeth died - most likely he was flat broke. According to the 1910 census (enumerated on 16 April in Electra, TX - near Wichita Falls), at 78, William lived with his daughter-in-law, Bessie Love Herring (Benjamin's widow) - Bessie remarried in about 1914. After that, a separate census enumerated on 23 April of the same year shows that William lived with his daughter Christian “Crissey” and her family in Devine, Texas. The 1920 census enumerated in Atascosa County, TX shows William living with his youngest daughter Catherine “Katie” and her family. In 1921, William’s only remaining son, Richard Columbus died at 53 - leaving William with only 2 living children, Christian “Crissey” and Catherine “Katie.” During his lifetime, William outlived his wife and 4 of their 6 children. Before 1930, William must have applied for admittance and was accepted into the Confederate Solder's Home in Austin, Travis County. He died there in 1930 at the age of 87 - a pauper no doubt. "Written by Don Herring - William is his 2nd -Great Uncle." Contributor: Don Herring (48531255)

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