History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 127

tIISTORY OF TEXA8. 127~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CAPTAIN JAM3IS G. SwISIIErn, in whose
honor a county in this State is named, was
born in Knoxville, Tennessee, November 6,
1794. Joining John Donelson's company,
under General Jackson, he participated in the
battles of New Orleans on the night of December
23, 1814, and on January 8, 1815. He
came from near Franklin, Williamson county,
Tennessee, to Texas in 1833, and during the
following January he settled at the town of
TeiKxtitlan on the Brazos river, not now in
existence, but which up to the year 1832
had been garrisoned by 200 Mexican troops.
Swisher commenced life here with his family
apparently under the finest auspices, but in
a few months two Comanche Indians stole
most of his horses, which, however, he reeovered
after a long journey in pursuit.
Captain Swisher was the father of James
M. Swisher and John M. Swisher, of Travis
county. The latter, known as Colonel "Milt."
Swisher, was in the employ of the Republic
from 1839 up to tlle time of annexation, and
from that time to 1856 in the employ of the
State. In 1841 he was chief clerk and acting
secretary of the treasury of the Republic,
and in 1847 was appointed auditor to settle
up thle debts of the late Republic.
JOhIN L. WILBARGER, brother of the author
of "Indian Depredations in Texas," was born
in Mafagorda county, Texas, November 29,
1829, and grew up in his parents' family in
Austin colony, inured to the roughness of
pioneer life. Having considerable talent he
became well qualifieJ to manage the interests
of those exposed on the frontier; but before
he had opportunity to exercise his talent to
a considerable degree he joined an expedition
which eventually proved disastrous to
him. August 20, 1850, lie and two other
young men were quietly pursuing their journey
back to the command in Bastrop county

which they had left, when Indians attacked
them, shooting down the two other young
imen at the first fire. an(l then Wilbarger,
after a chase of about two miles. One of
the young men (Neal), however, was not
killed, and succeeded in getting back home,
to tell the news.
COLONEL GEORGE G. AI FORD, prominent in
the early history of the State, was born in
Cayuga, Seneca county, New York, June 19,
1793, reared on lakes Champlain and Cayuga,
that State, and served as lieutenant of artillery
under General Winfield Scott during
the second war with Great Britian, in 1811'13,
participating in the battles of Queenstown
Heights, Lundy's Lane, etc. His
father, who was a cousin of General Ethan
Allen, of Revolutionary fame, had twelve
children. In 1815 the family removed to
Detroit, Michigan, then an obscure and
remote frontier Indian village, making the
trip in a small sail vessel, which was wrecked
at what is now thle great city of Cleveland.
In 1819 he moved to New Mladrid, Missouri.
the former capital of the Spanish province of
Louisiana, and there engaged in mercan tile
pursuits. In 1821 lie married Miss Jeannette
Lesieur, a sister of Hon. Godfrey Lesieur,
one of the oldest and wealthiest French settlers
of that section: she died, leaving him
one daughter. Jeannette. About 1829 Colonel
Alford married Miss Ann Barfield, of
Murfreesborough, Tennessee, born May 9,
1807, a descendant of Governor Badger, of
North Carolina. By this marriage there was
born Judge George Frederick Altord, now of
Dallas.
While a resident of Missouri the Colonel
prospered and became wealthy, and served
with satisfaction to his constituents a term
in the State legislature.

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IUTORY OFl TEXA8.r