CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  W. S. HERNDON - Smith County, TX

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Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
17 November 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

W. S. HERNDON

W. S. Herndon, of Tyler, was born in Rome, Georgia, Nov. 27, 1837, and came 
to East Texas with his parents in 1851. He was graduated from McKenzie 
College, near Clarksville, Texas, in 1859; then studied law and was admitted 
to the bar the next year. When the war opened he became first lieutenant of 
Capt. W. F. Hamilton's company in the 13th Texas Infantry and later was 
promoted captain. He served throughout the entire war. In November 1865, he 
formed a co-partnership for the practice of law with Judge John C. 
Robertson, and the firm had great success and made much money. In 1871 he 
was nominated for Congress from the then first district of Texas, and after 
a fierce and noted campaign was elected. He served for four years and became 
widely known for his ability and eloquence. In 1876 he resumed the practice 
and for twenty years was a leader at the bar. He was also instrumental in 
building the Tyler Tap R. R., the Kansas & Gulf Short Line Ry., and was 
general counsel for other important railways. He did much for this section 
of the state. Col. Herndon was married Nov. 11, 1860 to Miss Maria Louise 
McKellar, and the union was blessed with eight children. Of this number W. 
S. Jr., is in business in Kansas City, Mo., James M. is located in Los 
Angeles, Cal., J. H. and Charles are lawyers in Tyler, and Hugh is a lawyer 
in New York City. Col. Herndon died in the fall of 1903 and is buried in 
Oakwood cemetery in Tyler. As a magnetic orator and a resourceful debater 
Col. Herndon was easily the peer of any public man in Texas. His triumphs at 
the bar and on the hustings were many and notable.