Donna Gholson Cook
GHOLSON ROAD is the well-documented story of one family’srole in American history, from early Virginiathrough early Texas during theperiod of the Old West. Anthony2fought with the Virginia militiain the Revolutionary War and leased land from George Washington. In 1801, at age 68, he moved his family westto Kentucky. Samuel, son of Anthony2,fought in the War of 1812, participating in the Battleof the Thames and the Battle of New Orleans, moved to Arkansas Territory, then to Texas,arriving in 1832 with his son Albert. They were members of Robertson’s Colony while Texaswas still a part of Mexicoand were among the early Texas Rangers. Albert fought in most of the battles of the Texas Revolution and survivedmany Indian fights, only to be killed by a neighbor. His sons, Sam and Frank, were also TexasRangers, protecting the settlers and helping to retrieve several Indiancaptives. The brothers were persuadedto become Confederate soldiers by a lynch mob that threatened to kill them andtheir young wives if they did not. Afterthe Civil War, they were involved in the cattle industry and the trail drivesof the late 1800s.
