Edwin Reuben Herring

Edwin Reuben Herring was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee on March 10, 1834.  He was the youngest of the eight children of Benjamin and Rachel Whitfield Herring of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively.  Benjamin served in the War of 1812 under General Jackson at New Orleans.  He was a prominent planter and slave-owner.  Rachel was the daughter of Bryant Whitfield, a prominent farmer and miller in Tennessee.

On June 1, 1855, Edwin married Susan Killebrew in Montgomery County, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of Edwin and Mary Killebrew and was born circa 1834.  Her father was a farmer and brick maker. 

After being married for only a few months, Edwin left his young wife in Tennessee and traveled to Texas, settling in Falls County.  In the following year, he brought his family to Texas with him.  In 1857, he moved to Springfield in Limestone County where he operated a saddle and harness business and also engaged in stock-raising.

In 1862, Edwin closed his business and enlisted in Sweet’s Regiment, which was mustered into service as the Fifteenth Texas Calvary on March 10.  The Fifteenth Texas was active in Arkansas and Louisiana and fought its first battle on July 8, 1862 near Batesville, Arkansas.  On July 24, 1862, the regiment was dismounted, and their horses were sent home. For the rest of the war, the Fifteenth served as infantry.  Colonel Sweet and most of his men were captured at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863. Sweet was exchanged in the spring of 1863 and was sent to the Trans-Mississippi Department in the fall to collect the men of his regiment who had escaped from Arkansas Post.  This included Edwin Herring who had been sick at the time of the siege and escaped capture.  He returned home and after recovering, rejoined Sweet’s command. 

When Edwin first entered service, he was made Regimental Quartermaster and later served as Brigade Quartermaster.  Prior to being made Brigade Quartermaster, he served as Second Lieutenant, having risen to that rank from private.

At the close of the Civil War, Edwin returned to his home at Springfield and “engaged in stock-raising and looking after his numerous interests.”  In 1865, Edwin purchased 900 acres just north of what would later become the community of Delia.  The Herring Family was the first to settle in this area, and Edwin was instrumental in the establishment of the community.  He continued to raise stock until 1868 when he began raising horses and farming.

Edwin and Susan Herring had four children: Edwin Killebrew (1858-1937), Annie (1860-1861), William Benjamin (1865-1935) and Lelia (?).  Susan died on April 7, 1868. 

Edwin married his second wife, Laura Elizabeth Wylie, circa 1869.  Laura was born in Tennessee on February 15, 1847 and was the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Wylie who came to Texas in 1858.  Edwin and Laura had four children: Brooks (1870-1962), Noble Osborne (1874-1971), Samuel B. (1876-1931), and Frank T. (1882-1964).  Laura died March 4, 1901 and is buried in the Delia Cemetery.

Edwin Herring was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and was a member of the Baptist Church.  He died January 31, 1906 and is buried in the Delia Cemetery next to Laura.