“Early Settlers of Atascosa County”, a sketch appearing in Early Settlers and Indian Fighters of Southwest Texas : Facts Gathered From Survivors of Frontier Days, by A. J. Sowell (originally printed Austin : Ben C Jones & Co., Printers, 1900; Facsimile Reproduction of the Original by State House Press, Austin, Texas, 1986.) pp 249-256.

From this sketch, one can generally ascertain where the earliest settlers in the county located. By comparing this information to the 1860 census, we can generally recognise communities outlined in the census. While not an exhaustive list of early county settlers, this sketch does a good job of placing those it does mention.

The following settlers and locations are mentioned in this sketch.

Justo Rodrigues, Judge J. S. Fern, Calvin Horton, the Askins, Yarbers, Tumlinsons, Brights, Slaughter, “Scotch” Jim Brown, Franks, Spears, James Lowe, Charles Hood, old man Terry, McCoys, and Dan Arnold, who were already established at the organization of the county. (p 249);

Jose Antonio Navarro, who established the first county seat of Navatasco, located about twelve miles “above the present one of Pleasanton”. (p249);

John Bowen, who donated the original site of Pleasanton, and named it after General Pleasanton (p250);

E. B. Thomas, who built the first house and the first store in Pleasanton (p250);

Tobias Kelly, Calvin S. Turner, Judge Ferryman, J. H. Dorsey (Dossey?), Capt. John Tom, Rev. W. W. Whitley (Methodist preacher), John W. Stayton, V. Weldon (Stayton and Weldon were brothers-in-law and partners in the blacksmith business, and practiced law together), Dr. Pyrtle, another blacksmith named Garlinghouse, and “a German” named Slickum (ran a saloon and grocery store) were also early Pleasanton settlers (p250). as was Judge A. G. Martin (p 255);

First county officers: County Judge (chief justice) Marcellus French; sheriff, James H. French; county and district clerk, Daniel I. Tobin; assessor and collector, Ed Walker (W. H. Long elected as assessor/collector but for some reason did not serve) (p250).

First commissioners: Eli J. O’Brien, Levi English, James Lowe, and J. A. Durand (p 250):

First District Attorney : James Paul ; First District Judge: E. F. Buckner; First Grand Jury: William N. Gates, James McDonald, Jacob Ryman, Sexto Navarro, Gil Rodrigues, James Brown, Jesus Hernandez, James Feeder, Rich Hilburn, Isaac Cavender, Drake Gilliland, Thomas R. Bright, Tryon Fuller, Cullen Benson, and Calvin Horton (p 250-251)

Somerset settlers : Ducks, Klemkes, Millers, and Louis families;

Gates Valley : Rutledge, Gardner, Gates, and Williams;

“Spanish families” : Navarros, Flores, and Tiriens;

“In town” : Musgroves, Barksdales, O’Briens;

Below town (on Laparita Creek) : Juan Palacia, Captain Fountain, Jesse Lott, the Cook boys, and Dan Brister (p 251);

On the Laguilinas (Las Gallinas? Gallinas?-mp) : the Marshalls, Odens, Newtons, Lease Harris, and Tom Kerr (p 251);

Galvan Creek : R. G. Long and the Cavenders;

Salt Branch: Eli Johnson, Ed Lyons, Jake Young:

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