Israel Skelton Standefer

I. S. Standefer was a member of the Texas Rangers in the battle with the savage Indian tribes during 1854 and 1855. His captain was Charles E. Travis, son of immortal Travis who fell in the siege of the Alamo. He went to Comanche Country where Hamilton was formed in 1857. He signed the petition for the creation of Hamilton County, TX. Israel was a soldier in the Confederate Army for three and half years in Co. G, 2nd Texas Volunteer infantry and was wounded in the siege of Vicksburg. In 1880, he was living with Naomi and Thomas Mayes in Burleson County, TX.

He served in the Mexican War as a private with Shaply P. Ross' Co. He was a member of the Texas Rangers in the battles with the savage Indian tribes during 1854 and 1855. His captain was Charles E. Travis, son of the immortal Travis who fell in the siege of the Alamo. He went to Comanche County, from which Hamilton County was later taken in 1857. He signed the petition for the creation of Hamilton County and took part in its organization, being elected as the first County Clerk. He issued the first marriage license issued in Hamilton County to Joel Regeit and Miss Emily J. Ferell, stepdaughter of Uncle Jim Carter.

Israel Skelton was a soldier in the Confederate Army for three and one half years in Company G, 2nd Texas Volunteer Infantry. He was seriously wounded in the thigh at Shiloh and lost his gun 6 Apr 1862. He was again wounded in the siege of Vicksburg, captured 4 Jul 1863 and paroled 7 Jul 1863. In May of 1864 he was in a hospital at Chappell Hill. Gen. Magruder placed him as a
commissary clerk on 16 Jul 1864 as disabled from field service.

He signed a petition for the creation of Hamilton Co and was elected the first county clerk. He issued the first marriage license ever issued in the county to Joel Baggett and Miss Emily J. Ferrell.

Mr. Standefer is now living in West Texas and is the only survivor among those who were first selected as officers in Hamilton county. The Herald is indebted to him for much of the material in this history of the county.

From: The Hamilton Herald, Hamilton, TX; Special Historical Edition; Vol. XXXI, No. 8; Feb. 20, 1907

Note: Israel Skelton Standefer was born October 22, 1834 in Madison Co., AL, the son of Israel M. and Naomi Standefer. He married to Elizabeth Frances Conover January 14, 1874 in TX. He died June 13, 1913 in McCullough Co, TX.