Historical Marker
John A. Wharton
Historical marker location:
909 Navasota, Austin, Texas
( Texas State Cemetery)
Marker installed: 1936
Came to Texas from Tennessee. Prominent orator, jurist, and prosecutor. Delegate Texas Secession Convention 1861. Joined Confederate Army as Captain Company "B" Terry's Texas Rangers. After Terry was killed Wharton elected Colonel and led this famous regiment Battle Shiloh and Kentucky Campaign 1862. Twice wounded and made Brigadier General for bravery in action. Promoted Major General 1863 after brilliant fighting Chickamauga Campaign. Gallantly led cavalry corps Red River Campaign to prevent invasion of Texas 1864. Erected by the State of Texas 1963.
Texas has been a major oil-producing state for over a century. The first big oil discovery in Texas was the Spindletop field near Beaumont in 1901, which set off a massive oil boom that transformed the state's economy and made Texas one of the wealthiest states in the country.