John M. Wyatt

WYATT, JOHN M. (1814-1908) ~ John M. Wyatt, Confederate Veteran, was born in Kentucky in 1814. He came to Texas in 1839, where he worked as a farmer. In 1845, he married Martha Chance, daughter of Captain Joseph Bell Chance. They had eight known children: Thomas A., James A., William C., John A., Ora B., Anna E., Arthur, and Augustus W.

John, Martha and their children were settled in Burleson County, Caldwell, Texas in 1860, where John was County Sheriff. He was elected on August 2, 1858, and then re-elected August 6, 1860, and served until August 4, 1862. His second term explains his late entrance into the Civil War. John is only shown as serving for the years of 1864 to 1865. He mustered into Company H of Showalter‘s Brigade also known as 4th Regiment Arizona Brigade and Baird‘s Regiment Texas Cavalry. This regiment was formed in New Mexico and Arizona, yet the enlisted men came from Texas. Wyatt enlisted at Camp Hood and was absent for the months of October - December of 1864, when he was detatched to bring in absentees. Wyatt entered and left the service as 1st Lieutenant, yet it is not known why Captain is inscribed on his headstone.

After the war, Wyatt returned to Burleson County, this time working as a farmer. However, he ran for Sheriff of Burleson County once more and was elected on February 15, 1876, then re-elected November 5, 1878, serving until November 2, 1880. Eleven more years passed and it was not until April 24, 1901, that he entered the Confederate Men‘s Home in Austin, Texas. He died there, a little over seven years later on May 6, 1908, and was buried in the State Cemetery the following day.