Freestone County, Texas Biographies Biography of Moses Wright Hannon, Sr. from material done by Dru Hannon Moses Wright Hannon Sr. was born on 14 Dec 1827 in Baldwin County, Georgia, died on 3 Jun 1897 in Oakwood, Texas at age 69, and was buried in Oakwood City Cemetery Montgomery, Alabama (Montgomery County). Noted events in his life were: • Military Service: Csa Brig General 53Rd Ala Cav. MARRIAGE: Moses married Caroline Rebecca Mastin daughter of Thomas Mastin and Rachel Gregory on 11 Nov 1859 in Montgomery, Alabama (Montgomery County). Caroline was born on 7 Jul 1836 in Montgomery County, Alabama, died on 16 Aug 1909 in Oakwood, Texas at age 73, and was buried in Oakwood City Cemetery Montgomery, Alabama (Montgomery County). OCCUPATION: Mercantile Business. BIOGRAPHY: Moved to Alabama in 1847 engaged in mercantile business. From 1850-1858 he lived in California where he and his two brothers James Henry and Joseph went during the Gold Rush. He returned to Montgomery in 1858 and married Caroline in 1859. He was in the mercantile business in Alabama and in New Orleans, LA. He moved to Texas in 1870. (ref: Bob McLendon) On 2/7/1860 he affiliated with Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 173, F&A.M. in Montgomery, Al. (ref: Bob McLendon) LAND: In 1867 he purchased land in Freestone, Limestone, and Navarro Counties in Texas. By 6/1/1870 he was living in Limestone County, Texas engaging in planting. By 1876 he was living in the Liberty Community of Freestone, Texas located a short distance from Oakwood, Texas (Leon County) where he is buried. (ref: Bob McLendon) MILITARY: Civil War. M. W. Hannon, known as Wright Hannon, entered military service in the 1st Regt. Alabama Cav., elected captain of Co. B 11/14/61. Apptd. Lt. Col. Upon organization of regt. 12/1/61. Resigned 7/5/62 to organize command of partisan rangers, later to become 53rd Alabama. Served as Col. Of 53rd Alabama and as commander of Hannon’s Brigade. Although he was verbally promoted to brigadier general by Gen John Bell Hood in August 1864, and several general officers wrote letters on his behalf for promotion, his promotion was never officially received from Richmond. Having functioned as a brigadier commander since April 1, 1864, he was often referred to as "General Hannon," a term used in referring to him by Gen. Wheeler. Hannon's brigade too their heaviest casualties of any battle at Pickett's Mill, GA, on the New Hope Church line, on 5/27/64. Kelly's cavalry division held the right flank of Cleburne's line. As Kelly's Division left the field, Cleburne's men yelled, "Hooray for the cavalry!" Records say New Hope Church, but it's Pickett's Mill. Hannon's brigade captured a Union supply train, and at least 1500 beef cattle, on 8/14/64 near Calhoun, GA. They were on the 4th day of Wheeler's great cavalry raid. The 53rd took the cattle back to Gen. Hood, who verbaly promoted M. W. Hannon to Brigadier general. However, his promotion was never officially received from Richmond. (ref: Bob McLendon) A veteran later recalled how the 53rd supported Cleburne's famous stand at New Hope Church, where Hannon "with sword in hand, dashing along the line exhort[ed] us never to give up the fight." (ref: Prof. Justin Glenn) CHILDREN: Children of M. W. and Caroline Hannon were (1) Elizabeth “Bessie”, b. 1861, AL, md. Walter Johnson, and lived in Fairfield, TX; (2) Carrie Mastin, b. 7/11/62, AL; (3) Grace, b. 1863, AL (4) Addie, b. 7/2/65, md. Oscar Wiley of Groesbeck, TX, and removed to Oakwood, TX; (5) Maude “Ruth”, b. 1868 in AL, md. A Mr. Smith, and removed to CA; (6) George E., b. 3/71, TX; (7) Moses Wright, Jr., b. 12/6/73, TX; (8) Robert R., b. 7/76, TX; (9) Gertrude, b. 8/79, TX, md. 1st to a Mr. Echols, and 2nd to a Mr. Keltz, and removed to CO. (ref: Bob McLendon) CENSUS: 1880 Freestone County, Texas Census, District 53, pg. 511. (Prof. Justin Glenn)