History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 421

IIISTuRY OF TEXAS. 421

civilized than now. On a visit to San Antonio
in 1842, he wvas taken prisoner by General
Woll, and carried to Mexico, where, at
Perote, he endured hunger, chains, and all
the manifold sufferings of a captive in the
hands of Mexicans. Returning to Texas
after two years' captivity, he removed in
1845 from Bastrop to Austin. In 1848 lie
visited California, returning to Austin in
1851, and has since resided liere, well known
to almost every one in the city and vicinity,
and here closed at last his wanderings to the
grave.
"Mr. Stone was a man of noble and generous
impulses, an affectionate husband and
father, and a warm friend; and his character
has received its form and coloring from the
frontier life he has always led. His sickness
was rapid and malignant from the first, and
lie was earnest in supplication to the Throne
of Grace for pardon and acceptance with
God, through the merits of a divine Redeemer.
His remains were attended to the
grave by the 3Masonic fraternity, of which he
was a member, as well as by many others of
lis many friends. lie will long be rememnbered
as one of the few and brave pioneers of
that civilization which so many are now permitted
to enjoy."
Mr. and Mrs. Boyce have had seven children:
Mlaud, now Mrs. I. P. Jones, of Travis
county; Mary, wife of H. L. Hill, who resides
with our subject; Albert G., Beatrice,
Claudie, Dona and Gladys, at home.
-- a-N.------, .-- *OLONEL
J. C. DEGRESS, Postmaster
of Austin, was born in Cologne, Prussia,
April 23, 1842, a son of Charles
and Walburga (Bramino) DeGress, the former
a native of Prussia, and the latter of Italy.

The father was an officer in the army, studied
medicine in his native country, and, after
coming to the United States in 1853, practiced
his profession at Cape Girardea, 3Missouri.
He died in 1856, at the age of fiftyfive
years. Both he and his wife were members
of the Catholic Church, and the latter
died in 1885, aged seventy-four years. Mr.
and Mrs. DeGress were thle parents of eight
children, six of whom are now living-four
in the United States and two in AMexico.
Colonel DeGress was educated in Europe
and at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. May 10,
1861, he enlisted in the United States service
in the Third Missouri Reserve Infantry; ]h:
subsequently raised Company K, Sixth Missouri
Cavalry, of which lie was commissioned
Captain February 15, 1862. He first served
under General Nathaniel Lyon, next under
General Curtis, and then under Grant at
Vicksburg. At the battle of Vicksburg he
was twice wounded, on the same day, one ball
entering the left leg at the ankle, and the
other, a piece of shell, striking him near the
right eye. After his recovery from these injuries,
in December, 1863, Captain DeGress
rejoined his company in Louisiana, took part
in a number of battles under Geteral Banks,
and 'April 7, 1864, lie was wounded in the
left leg. Waiting only for nature to grant
her healing benefices, in September of the
same year he was detailed as Aide-de-Camp
on the staff of General Mower, participating
in a number of battles. He was also witli
Sherman in the memorable march from Atlanta
to the sea. For meritorious service at
the battle of Bayou de Glaize, Louisiana, lie
was promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, and
May 12, 1865, was promoted Major and Aidede-Camp.
Colonel DeGress was honorably
mustered out of service September 1, 1866,
and on July 28 of the same .year was ap

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