Melrose, Nacogdoches County
(1832 - 1913) Born in Virginia. Came with parents to Texas 1842. Married Angelina Thomas; had 9 children. Drilled the first oil well in Texas, 1866. If efforts to drill early in 1859 had succeeded, he would have completed first oil well in the United States. Low demand and scarce capital halted his oil operations. He spent rest of his life as a farmer and community leader. Recorded - 1966