Caldwell County presented by Genealogy Trails

John R. Polk

The life history of John R. Polk touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of San Saba County, where he has long been well and prominently known as a land owner and stock farmer. He was born in Caldwell County, Texas, in 1853, to the marriage union of Headley and Hettie E. (Sebastian) Polk. Headley Polk, born in North Carolina but reared in Tennessee, came to Texas in 1844, settling first in Bastrop County, but later moved from there with his family to the western part of Caldwell County, on the San Marcos river. There he developed a fine farm in a beautiful location, and his old homestead there is still in the possession of the family, the home of his daughters. Headley Polk died in the year of 1907, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He was by trade a miller, but always owned a farm.

It was at the old Polk homestead in Caldwell County that John R. Polk attained to mature years, but in 1883 he left there and came to San Saba County, locating ten miles west of the County seat, on the San Saba river, a most favorable location for farming and stock raising. He still owns his property there, as well as other valuable land in the County, but he lives in the city, in a pleasant home in the western part, one of San Saba's highly esteemed citizens.

Mr. Polk married Kate Wood, born in Guadalupe County, Texas, and they have five living children-Ivor May, Mrs. Katie Sloan, Annie Lee, Eupha C. and Lex D. Mr. and Mrs. Polk had the misfortune to lose by death their only son, Headley Word Polk, who died in January of 1904, at the age of eighteen years, one of the bright, strong and gifted sons of San Saba. He stood just upon the threshold of what promised to be a successful career when death claimed him, and his memory is cherished by his family, associates and acquaintances. Mr. Polk is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. The family worship at the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

(Source: Some Historical Facts in Regard to the Settlement of Victoria Texas; Its Progress and Present Status, by Victor M. Born; Daily Times Print; Laredo, TX: transcribed by Susan Geist)

Back to the Main Page