Historical Marker
Wm. B. Middleton
Historical marker location:
Leona, Texas
( from intersection of SH 75 and FM 977 in Leona, go W on FM 977 .8 of mi. to dirt road on S side of road at 1174, go S on dirt road to Makamson Cemetery)
Marker installed: 1936
A participant of the Mier Expedition, 1842, first sheriff of Leon County. Born in Illinois August 4, 1819; died March 17, 1877.
His first wife Mary J. Potts Middleton, born Sept. 9, 1823; died May 5, 1874.
In memory of Beoni Middleton who died in prison in Mexico while a prisoner of the Mier Expedition.
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.