History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 118

HISTORY OF TEXA S.

to 1842, he was a participant in every struggle
of his countrymen. When the revolution
broke out in 1835, lie had introduced more
than 600 families into the colonies, fully
one-half of the whole number at his own
expense.
DAVID G. BURNETT, according to the foregoing
history of Texas, is first known in this
State as an "emupresario," wiho, D)ecelmber
22, 1826, contracted to colonize 300 iainilies
in Texas. After the annulment of Edwards'
contract, his grant was divided between Burnett
and Joseph Vehlein. He was a member
of the second State convention, which
met April 1, 1833, at San Felipe; was elected
the first President of the Republic of Texas
in 1836; had a stormy time during an engagement
with the MIexicans, being accused
of treason; resigned his presidency October
22, 1836; was elected vice-president in 1838,
but in 1841, as a candidate for the presidency,
was defeated by General Houston.
MAJOR GEORGE B. ERATHI, after whom
Erath county is named, was born at Vienna,
Austria, January 1, 1813. His mother was
supposed to be of Greek origin. At Santa
Anna College, Vienna, he studied Spanish,
French, Italian and English, besides other
branches. IHe also spent two years at a polytechnic
institute. When fifteen years of age
his father died, and he was taken in charge
by relatives in Germany, who, at the request
of his mother, managed, by a ruse, to keep
him from conscription by the Austrian government.
By the connivance of the German
and French governments he managed to get
a start to America, and in due time landed
at New Orleans with no money. After
traveling and working his way along to several
points, he came to Texas in 18 33, first
stopping at Brazoria. He visited several
points in the southern central portion of the

State, and at length engaged in war with the
Indians, in which he distinguished himself
for bravery and fidelity. He also was in
Captain Billingsley's company at the battle
of San Jacinto. Moreover, he at several
times engaged as an assistant in land surveying.

In 1839 he was a member of a company of
rangers, by which he was elected captain, and
again he was active in repelling Indian invasions.
lie was also in the noted " Mier expedition,"
but, not crossing the Rio Grande
with the headlong faction, he escaped the
horrible experiences of the Mier prisoners.
From 1843-'46 he was a member of the
Texas congress, and in the latter year he was
elected a member of the legislature of the
State of Texas. In 1848 he was elected by
an overwhelming majority to the State senate,
from the district of McLennan county,
his home; and in 1861 he was again elected
to the same body, and after the legislature
adjourned raised a company of infantry and
fought under the command of Colonel
Speight. Ill health not permitting him to
remain in the service, he returned home, but
was appointed major of the frontier forces of
Texas, in which capacity he won the gratitude
of tlie State.
After the war he settled down upon his
farm on the South BQsque, eight miles from
Waco, and endeavored to confine himself to
the quiet pursuits of agriculture; but his extended
knowledge of land and surveying in
that part of Texas led others to persuade
him to engage again as a surveyor. He was
called the i" walking dictionary of the land
office." In 1873 he was again elected to the
State senate, and was an influential member of
that body. B is intelligence and integrity were
so great that in many instances he was selected
as sole arbitrator in preference to. a

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