John C. Upton and His Brother, W. F. Upton

The brothers' Texas home was in Fayette County. William came in 1853 with their mother and kept a farm and store at Blum Hill, later High Hill; John, who had gone to California in 1850, joined him in 1859 to run the farming. When the railroad town of Schulenburg was platted four miles away on October 20, 1873, its Upton Avenue was named for both brothers. William moved his business there in 1875, served as an alderman and sat in the legislature from 1879 to 1885. He died in Schulenburg on February 7, 1887.

What the plaque says

John C. Upton and His Brother, W. F. Upton County named for Texas Confederates (Star and Wreath). Colonel John Cunningham Upton (1828-1862) Born Tennessee. Came to Texas 1859. Raised company outbreak of Civil War. Attached to 5th Texas Infantry, Hood's famed Texas Brigade, fighting in the campaigns in and around Virginia. Rose to Lt. Colonel of his regiment. The day before his death at the Battle of Second Manassas, led charge upon the enemy rear guard which was a seldom seen, yet brilliantly executed move. Colonel William F. Upton (1832-1887) Born Tennessee. Came to Texas 1853. When Civil War broke, enlisted Texas state troops mustered in for Texas frontier protection. He served in various military units in Texas, helping to successfully guard the 2000 miles of frontier and coastline open to Union or Indian attack. Promoted to Lt. Colonel of Mann's regiment, stationed in Galveston area along with other Texas troops to prevent expected mass Union invasion in 1865. Member of State Legislature 1866, 1876-82. (1963)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Rankin Museum (Yates Hotel) — 0.4 mi
  The fireproof hotel Ira Yates built beside the Orient railway depot months after oil came in on his ranch in 1926, kept as it was down to the wicker lobby furniture.
• Mendoza Trail Museum — 18 mi
  A 1966 museum in a 1925 oil town, named for the Spanish officer who crossed this country in 1683 at the invitation of the Jumano, with a 1915 bungalow beside it.
• Alley Oop Park and Iraan Museum — 21 mi
  An oil-boom town named for Ira and Ann Yates, where the creator of the caveman comic Alley Oop once worked, and a park of giant cartoon figures beside the town museum.

More markers nearby

• Upland First Upton County Seat — steps away
• First State Bank of Rankin — steps away
• Site of First Church in Upton County — 0.4 mi
• Rankin Cemetery — 1.0 mi