James Wesley Forehand, son of John W. and Margaret Jane (Marlin/Martin) Forehand, was born 09 October 1825 [March per his two headstones] in Texas.
First marriage was to Susan Ann Armstrong, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, on 14 May 1851 in Dickson County, Tennessee.
Second marriage was to Louise Virginia (Stifflemire) Farris, widow of A. S. Farris, daughter of Jacob Stifflemire and Martha Cloyd, on 05 February 1865 in Grimes County, Texas.
James came to Texas about 1855 and enlisted on 18 March 1856 in travis County as a Texas Ranger Minuteman, Comm. Officer J. H. Conner. He reenlisted 02 December 1857 in San Saba County under John S. “RIP” Ford. Discharged 05 August 1858.
Family legion says James Wesley returned to Tennessee about 1859 and stole his small daughter, returning to Texas with her. He is listed in the 1860 census of Austin County, Texas with a small daughter Amanda Ann born ca 1851 in Tennessee.
He entered the Civil War 10 April 1862, age 37, as a Private in Company F, 21 Cavalary, 1 Reginment, Carter’s Brigade, Texas Lancers. This company later became 21st Regiment Texas Cavalry. He was captured at Murfeesboro, Tennessee on 02 January 1863. (The Union Army retreated after losing 9,000 men in this battle on 02 January 1863). He is on the Roll of Prisoners of War dated 17 June 1863 to be transfered from Louisville, Kentucky to Camp Chase, Ohio. Listed as Private in Company F, 44th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Discharged June 1863 after taking the oath of the Union. [His headstone list him as serving in Company H, 2nd Texas Calvery.]
In the probate records of Austin County, Texas, Term 1867, Book S page 71-72, “James W. Forehand petition for guardenship of his minor daughter, Amanda Ann Forehand, so he can return to Tennessee and handle her mother’s Estate.” He moved to Grimes County, texas in 1865; Austin County 1867-8; Hill County 1869-77; Hamilton County 1878 and Waller County 1879 until his death in 1904.
Children:
Amanda Ann Forehand – born c 1851 TN.; married William Hogan Harris.
Ophelia M Forehand – born 1868 Texas; married W. M. Turpin.
Maggie Lee Forehand – born 1876; married William “Bill” Wesley Morris Clepper; died 1968
Source:
Lucille Mehrkam, History and Genealogy of the Family of Jacob Klepper/Clepper Family and Malcolm McAlpine Family (The Gregath Company, 1996), Library of Congress under card number 86-62751 (page 384