Taken from an article "The Flo News" written by Norma
Moore in the Buffalo Express newspaper
April 30, 2003
The Middleton Leon County Settlement
established in 1844. It being named for W. Middleton who with his
father W. D. and his two brothers Benoni and Thomas Middleton immigrated to
the new founded Leon County in search of farm land at reasonable prices.
They being the first pioneer settlers
of the new Texas land W. B. and establishing a general store being popular
with the other settlers who soon made Middleton their new home, was reason
the township was named for W. B. Middleton. The town Middleton at its
beginning was farmland and the Middleton general store which supplied the
few settlers feed, farm and see items that was needed.
The Middletons, James Riley, Philpot
Easton, Howell Hinton, Christopher Staley, Baxten King and the Byrns
families all as the first settlers found hardships with the Indians who were
the previous owners of this Leon County Land. They suffered from raids
stealing of their livestock produce and other items. Families built
Fort Boggy for protection from the Indians.
After the Indian uprising was
partially conquered General Sam Houston called for troops to fight the
invading Mexican Army who intended to take Texas. These Middleton
settlers were thrown into another hardship. W. B. and Benoni Middleton
and Baxton King joined with General Sam Houston of Mexican War. All
three of these men with other soldiers were captured by the Mexicans Benoni
losing his life, W. B. and Baxton lived to come back home to Middleton.
W. B. Middleton was the
first Sheriff of Leon County, he served two terms. A Post Office was
established in Middleton, Sampson Holleman was the first Post Master.
Other Post Masters were John Marshall, W. B. Middleton, Wiley Davis, Eugene
Houston, William Faucett, Mrs. Tippie Adams, Mrs. Jennie Coleman, and Mrs.
Frankie Moore.
The post office closed in 1954.
Other businesses of Middleton were a Brick Kiln Mill, and Ice House, a
Saloon, a Blacksmith shop, Garage, a canning house, two cotton gins, owned
by Coy and Bob, and D. C. McCoy. W. C. Adams was the Justice of the Peace,
Oscar Davis was the Constable. After the Middleton Store was owned and
operated by C. F. Thompson and his brother then the Dewitt Coleman family
were owners operators of the Middleton Store for many years. The
Coleman family served some delicious barbecue that was bought from the local
people and the many visitors who found their way to the Middleton Store.
The Dewitt Coleman Family are descendants of the Benjamin Coleman Family.
May 14, 2003
The Middleton, Leon
County Settlement was established in 1844. It was one of our earliest
settlements located in the southeast section and was named for W. B.
Middleton. He was the owner, operator of the first Mercantile store of
the community and he was an important homesteader who provided a business
opportunity. He was a brave soldier of the Texas, Mexican War, the
first sheriff of Leon County, a gentleman who as a citizen gave time and
money for the betterment of our Leon County people. It seems the title
of Middleton was most worthy of W. B.'s name.
Middleton since its beginning had
been known for its fertile farm land. At first the farmers rich supply
of cotton and corn crops provided our county with resourceful market which
brought recognition and wealth and through the years Middleton has been
recognized for the bounty of a variety of vegetables, for its lush pasture
land, for horses, cattle. The sweet delicious watermelons are sought
by our local people and by visitors and still today their sweet ears of corn
are sought after all these years.
1892-1893 were the best for
Middleton. It was populated with different well organized businesses,
a church, a post office, a saloon and two cotton gins was a busy thriving
community.
Middleton never had a proper school
system, yet Clint Adams a teacher of the community made provisions to teach
the children in a small house that was located behind the community church
which was not built until 1939. Worship services prior to this
were held at Jeff McCoy's garage. The Jeff McCoy family being longtime
settlers, had been and are vital of great success and prosperity.
Clint Adams was a concerned teacher who taught his students the basic
reading, writing, math and spelling academic. He often spent time in
their homes for more teaching lessons. Middleton's population dwindled
during WWII, yet ancestors of the first settlers have remained and today
other ancestors have returned and other families are finding Middleton to be
the proper place for their new home. All agree Middleton is the home
of warm-hearted people who love God and care for each other. |
