County's first judge helped establish government
County's first judge helped establish government
Written by Karen R. Thompson Wednesday, 07 November 2007
Greenleaf Fisk’s Texas government service in Bastrop, Williamson, and Brown counties over of period of five decades is unequaled. He is one of a handful of Republic of Texas statesmen who has a memorial marker in his honor at the Texas State Cemetery.
Born in New York in 1807, he received a good general education and prepared for the ministry, but never became a minister.
By 1834, Fisk moved to Texas and settled in Bastrop, at the time an Anglo community in Coahuila-Texas, Republic of Mexico. With the Texas Revolution gaining momentum, Fisk joined the Texas Army and served in the company of General Edward Burleson.
When the Alamo fell March 6, 1836, General Burleson dispatched Fisk and three other soldiers to Bastrop to assist the settlers with evacuation. He also participated in the Battle of San Jacinto, six weeks later on April 21, 1836, that established the Republic of Texas.
With the war over and the Republic established, Fisk began what was to become a career in government service.
In 1837, he became the Bastrop County District Clerk, but left that a year later to serve in the Texas House of Representatives. He became the Bastrop County Chief Justice, by 1840 where he served until 1844.
Texas joined the union in 1845 and Fisk moved with his family to the Williamson County area. When the county was formed in 1848, Fisk was elected the first Chief Justice (now County Judge) of the county. He was the best educated, and most experienced in government of the early settlers.
Fisk first married Mary Ann Manlove of Bastrop, and they were the parents of seven children. After Mary’s death, Fisk married Mrs. M. J. Lane in Williamson County on January 1, 1855. His final marriage was to Mary Piper Hawkins in Williamson County on May 8, 1857, and they had eight children together.
Fisk often traveled to the area that would become Brownwood, and in 1860 he and his wife Mary moved there. He taught school until 1862 when Brown County was formed and he became the first Chief Justice, just like he had done in Williamson County. He was also county clerk, treasurer and justice of the peace.
Fisk donated the land for the city, and county, and is known as the “Father of Brownwood.” He was a fine stonemason, and he replaced his original log cabin with a beautiful rock home. This historic home, at 418 Milton Street, which is being preserved by Brown County.
When Fisk died in 1888 the entire town closed to attend his funeral. He is buried in Greenleaf Cemetery named in his honor.
One of a handful of Republic of Texas statesman, Greenleaf Fisk has a memorial marker at the Texas State Cemetery, the final resting place for individuals who have made a significant contribution to Texas history, government and culture. Some well-known individuals buried there include Stephen F. Austin, Govs. “Ma” and “Pa” Ferguson, Gov. John Connally and Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock. For more information on the cemetery, visit www.cemetery.state.tx.us. Source: Texas State Cemetery Web site
Special thanks to descendants Anna Egger and Billie McCleery for providing information and images on the Fisk family.
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