Johnson County Military Heroes of WWII

Thank You for Your Service

(The following information is from “The Men and Women in World War II from Johnson County". An extended list from the Cleburne Times Review edition 9/19/1943 is available on the Portal to Texas History at the University of North Texas: texashistory.unt.edu/search/guided search)

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F 2/c Randolph Harris, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Harris of Cleburne and husband of La Vere Brown, attended Cleburne High School and entered the Navy in 1942. He trained at Dallas Air Station and was discharged in October 1945.

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

 Did you know?

On January 20, 1869 Sheriff E.M. Heath and Maj. Cathy set out from Cleburne heading for Austin with $3,800. A few miles beyond Hillsboro they were overtaken by four masked riders who held them up at gun point and stole the money! (drawing courtesy of David Lozeau)

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

Did you know?

Keene, Texas, founded in 1893–1894 in Johnson County, originated as a Seventh-day Adventist community centered around education, specifically the establishment of the Texas School (now Southwestern Adventist University). Originally known as Elm Grove, the town was renamed for a post office and grew from a tent settlement into a, vibrant city known for its religious, educational, and manufacturing heritage. 

Key Historical Aspects of Keene:

• Establishment (1893-1894): Adventist families relocated to the area, with 67 charter members forming the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church in January 1894, notes visitkeenetx.com.
• Educational Foundation: The Texas School began in 1893, evolving into Keene Academy in 1896, and eventually becoming Southwestern Adventist University, which remains a central pillar of the community.
• Growth and Industry: The town served as a hub for Adventist-run industries, including a furniture factory, broom factory, and agricultural enterprises.
• Cultural Significance: The city is known for its quiet, family-oriented atmosphere, heavily influenced by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, including the tradition of closing many local businesses on Saturday. (information from “visitkeenetexas.com”)
• Key Landmarks: The Mizpah Gate signify the lasting influence of the university and its early, student-driven development

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

Here in the JC Courthouse Museum we have numerous old photo negatives. We will be posting these here and on several other sites to see if the people in the negative can be identified. If you recognize your relative, you are welcome to drop by the Museum and pick them up. If you recognize someone but don’t want the negative, please contact Museum Administrator at dwest@johnsoncountytx.org. Donor: David Fife

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

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The gentleman in the photo below is J.P. (Jack)) Wright who was one of the early Santa Fe Railroad employees in Cleburne. He served as the first ticket agent in the original brick depot and the last ticket agent in the original depot which was located on the east side of the tracks. Mr. Wright served as ticket agent from 1892 until 1899 and was later traveling passenger agent in Fort Worth and Dallas. He retired I 1930 after 50 years of service with the railroad.

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

Did you know?

Duties of County Treasurer:

• Receives and deposits all county revenues
• Acts as chief liaison between the county and depository banks
• Disburses funds upon the order of the Commissioners Court
• Records receipts and expenditures and reconciles bank statements
• Investment officer for the county

   

  • Current County Treasurer: Kathy Blackwell (2026)

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

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Johnson County First:

The first election of officers in Johnson County was held on August 7, 1854. Approximately 120 votes cast. David Mitchell was elected Chief Justice; Jeremiah Easterwood, County Clerk; John Roberson, Treasurer; W. H. Onstatt, Sheriff; F.L. Kirtley, Tax Assessor and Collector; A. D. Kennard, Christopher Billingsley, Cain Wise, William O’Neal, County Commissioners.

Samuel Myers donated the land and is credited with building the first school In Johnson County located about 3 miles north of Alvarado. He was assisted by Jackson Bradley and Abraham Futhey. William Wise was the first teacher.

(Information from “Johnson County, Texas 1854-1954, Century Re-Call Official Program”)

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Sgt. John E. Harris, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Harris of Cleburne, attended the University of Texas and entered the Army in 1943. He trained in Texas and Georgia and served in Australia and New Guinea. Sgt. Harris was awarded the SWPA Ribbon, GC Medal, and 1 Battle Star.

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

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In 1899 Charles C. Taylor, Sr. entered into the general merchandise business with Mr. Bob Norwood which in 1908 became the “Big Four” located at 112 South Main in Burleson. The store bought eggs, vegetables, butter and fire wood from the farmers or traded for goods. They also bought cotton, corn and peanuts and sold them in the store. The store extended credit to the farmers for seed, food and clothing until their crops were harvested.

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

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Johnson County was without railroad facilities until the 1880s. The Fort Worth-Temple division of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe was completed in December 1881; the Missouri, Kansas & Texas was built at the same time, and in 1882 the Cleburne-Dallas branch of the Santa Fe, originally known as the Chicago, Texas & Mexican was built. In 1887 the Santa Fe constructed its line from Cleburne to Weatherford, and in 1888 the Fort Worth & Rio Grande was built through the extreme northwest corner of the county. The Trinity & Brazos Valley opened its line from Cleburne to Mexia in 1904, and its trains run north to Fort Worth over the Santa Fe tracks. Within the present decade an interurban line has been built from Fort Worth to Cleburne, known as the Southern Traction Company of Fort Worth. (Information from “Texas Genealogy Trails” - 1914 County Overview: A History of Texas and Texans, Volume 2 By Francis White Johnson (Published by American Historical Society, 1914) -Transcribed by Veneta McKinney)

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

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Robert Patton Crockett, son of legendary Alamo defender Davy Crockett, was borne in Tennessee in 1816. After his father’s death in 1836, Robert traveled to Texas and served in the Texas Revolution until independence was secured. He later returned to Tennessee to marry and settle down. In 1854 he returned to Texas with his mother, Elizabeth Patton Crockett settling on land granted to her by the Republic of Texas as the widow of Davy Crockett. Their home was located in what was then Johnson County and later Hood County. Robert’s mother passed away in 1860 with Robert following in 1889. They are buried in Acton Cemetery located Acton Cemetery is located at 3610 Fall Creek Hwy, Granbury, TX 76049 in the unincorporated community of Acton. It is about six miles east of downtown Granbury and situated in the northeastern portion of Hood County. You can still visit their grave site. (information from “Texas  Historical Commission)

Robert P. Crockett

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Johnson County Courthouse Museum

Burleson “First”:

• First Ad Valorem Tax: $.25 per $100 assessed value February 4, 1913

• First City Depository: Farmers & Merchants State Bank August 3, 1915

• First Electricity Franchise: Fort Worth Southern Traction Company June 12, 1913

• First Street Lights in Business area1920

• First Natural Gas Franchise: Farmers Gas Co., Dallas September 1, 1921

• First Private Telephone Line: Residence of G.W. Bransom May 6, 1913First Cleburne Highway authorized: September 1922

• First accounting of Clark Park: May 7, 1916

• First Bond Election: Waterworks and Sewer Revenue Bonds: August 15, 1938

• First Sanitary Sewer System completed: April 26, 1939

• First Redbud Tree named as City Tree February 22, 1960

• First dial telephone: November 27, 1948