Andrew Edwards Gossett

(1812-1890)

Noted public official and soldier in Republic of Texas. Moved here from Tennessee in 1833 with wife Rhoda (Mulder); received large land grant from Mexico. Helped defend frontier in restless post-revolutionary period by serving in Texas Army. In 1836 he donated land for a townsite, naming it for his long-time family friend Day Crockett -- soon to be a martyr at the Battle of the Alamo. Gossett later served as peace officer and county judge. By first wife he had nine children. By second wife, Mary Margaret (Murchison), he had two.