Cherokee County Texas

 Cherokee County, located in Texas, is named after the Cherokee Native American tribe, with Rusk as its administrative center. The early presence of Native Americans in the area is well-documented, particularly at the George C. Davis Site near Mound Prairie, where evidence of various stages of southeastern Indian civilizations, dating back to the ancient 12,000-year-old Clovis culture, has been discovered. The region experienced a significant Spanish cultural influence starting in 1690, marked by the founding of the San Francisco de los Tejas Mission in the adjacent Houston County.

The earliest recorded European exploration occurred on November 6, 1691, with Domingo Teran de los Rios and Father Damian Massenet traversing the county during their journey from the San Francisco de los Tejas Mission to the Red River. In 1798, the county's first land grant was awarded to Nacogdoches merchants William Barr and Peter Samuel Davenport, though they did not establish residence there. The county's namesake tribe, the Cherokees, along with the Delawares, Shawnees, and Kickapoos, began to settle north of the Camino Real (Old San Antonio Road) around 1820. Most of the county's early settlers originated from the southern United States, bringing with them their distinct economic and social customs.

By 1850, Cherokee County had a population of 6,673, ranking as the third-largest in Texas at the time. Cotton played a pivotal role in the county's economy, with local farmers producing 6,251 bales in 1860. Additionally, the county was known for its substantial corn and wheat production, yielding over 496,000 bushels of corn and approximately 21,000 bushels of wheat in the same year.

• Mrs. M. A. Addis, 77, passed away in Stamford, Texas, and will be buried in Rusk. She leaves behind four children.
• Mrs. Lizzie C. Allen of Flint, formerly of Rusk, passed away. She is survived by two sisters.
• Robert A. Ballew, 29, died in Rusk. He was well-regarded in the community and a member of the Methodist church and Knights of Pythias.
• Civil War veteran Rich Bell, 90, died in Troup, Texas. He is survived by one daughter and two sons.
• Mrs. - Blankinship, about 65, passed away near Rusk, leaving several children.
• John Boyd died in Weches, Houston County, and was buried in Palestine cemetery.
• Mrs. Ella Causey passed away near Jacksonville, leaving her husband, ten children, and many relatives.
• Wm. Cole died of appendicitis near Rusk.
• W. L. Davis, about 60, died in Rusk, leaving a wife and six children.
• Paul Morrelle Eilenberger, aged 9 months, died in Rusk.
• J. R. Engledow, a long-time East Texas resident, died in Marshall. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a brother.
• Pearl Gates, 23, was buried in Rusk, Cherokee County.
• George W. Gibson, a leading citizen of Cherokee County, died in Rusk.
• Willis J. Grimes, 68, a farmer from Nacogdoches County, passed away and was buried in North Church cemetery.
• Hon. Robert H. Guinn, a notable figure in Texas law and politics, died in Homer, Texas, at 66.
• The community mourned the death of Hubbard Harrison of Gilmer.
• W.W. Hatchett, a long-time Cherokee County resident, died near Rusk.
• William Hines died from an accidental gunshot wound.
• Mrs. G. W. Holcomb passed away in Palestine and was buried in Cleburne. She is survived by her husband, three daughters, her mother, and a brother.
• Mrs. J. G. Hoover died hours after her husband's funeral in Alto.
• James M. Jackson, a farmer, was killed by lightning in Troupe, Texas.
• Ed McElyea died of typhoid fever near Boon school house.
• Mr. Joe McSpain died in Alto.
• Dr. J. M. Noell, 83, a long-time Alto resident and Methodist church member, died.
• T. L. Phillieo, a Rusk merchant, committed suicide.
• Wm. Ricketts, a beloved pioneer of Rusk, passed away.
• Abe Swanson, a young man, was killed by a train in Troupe.
• Mrs. Caroline Webb died near Craft and was buried at Meador cemetery.
• W.A. Whatley, a former Cass County sheriff, died in Rusk.
• Mrs. Jennie Willis of Waxahachie was buried in Jacksonville Cemetery.
• Mrs. Geo. F. Wyatt, 31, died in Knox City and was buried in the I. O. O. F. Cemetery.