Edwin King Goree

b. 11 April 1843, d. 4 April 1914

Edwin King Goree, 1843-1914
  • Edwin King Goree was born on 11 April 1843 in Perry County, Alabama.
  • Sarah Williams Kittrell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Dayton PO, Polk County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edwin King Goree, Thomas Jewett Goree, Robert Daniel Goree, Langston James Goree Jr., Pleasant Kittrell Goree and Susan Margaret Goree. Thomas Jewett Goree also was enumerated as a lawyer in Montgomery County.
  • E. K. Goree entered CSA service as a private in Company H, 5th Texas Infantry Regiment, Hood's Brigade, on 20 August 1861 in Polk County. He served as a surgeon's orderly, and appears on the company muster rolls for May through December1864 as "absent wounded since May 6, 1864," and on the 5th Texas list of casualties for the year 1864 as wounded severelyin the leg during the Battle of Wilderness, 6 May 1864. He appears on a list of prisoners of war paroled at Lynchburg, Virginia, on 15 April 1865.
  • Thomas Jewett Goree and Eliza Thomas Nolley appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Midway, Madison County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edwin King Goree, Edward F. Goree, Lillian Otey and Pleasant Kittrell Goree.
  • He was a merchant, according to the 1870 census.
  • Mary Frances Goree appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Midway, Madison County, Texas. Other members of the household included Edwin King Goree, William Henry Kittrell, John Sterett, Sallie Langston Kittrell and Frank B. Sterett. Census enumerator for the area was E. K. Groee.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census, and also enumerator for the area.
  • Edwin King Goree appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas. Census enumerator for the area was Edwin K. Groee.
  • He was a clerk in the State store, part of the penitentiary, according to the 1900 census. He also was census enumerater for that part of Huntsville.
  • The following appeared on 4 July 1909 in the Dallas Morning News: . . . Hood's Texas Brigade, in reunion at Jefferson, Tex., June 25-27. . . The resignation [of George A Barnard] was accepted and Comrade E. K. Goree unanimously elected secretary and teasurer; same was accepted in an appropriate manner by Comrade Goree and he assumed his duties at once.
  • Edwin King Goree appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas.
  • He was employed as a bookkeeper at the State Penitentiary, according to the 1910 census.
  • Edwin King Goree died on 4 April 1914 at age 70 in Midway, Madison County, Texas.
  • The following appeared in the Huntsville Item: The announcement of the death of Edwin King Goree, which occurred at 10 P.M. Saturday, April 4th at the home of his brother-in-law and sister Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hayes, near Midway in Madison Co., touched a tender chord in many hearts in Huntsville, where for more than thirty years he has made his home, and where he was held in high esteem and bound by strong ties of friendship to all with whom he was associated. Deceased was born in Perry Co., Ala., April 11th, 1844, and came to Texas with his parents, who settled in Walker co. December 1850. Dr. Goree his father and Dr. P. W. Kittrell a brother-in-law, opening large farms near Trinity river, in what has since been known as Kittrell's Cut-off. When only eighteen years of age he quit school to join the confederate Army, enlisted in Co. H, 5th Texas volunteer Infantry which was later made a part of Hood's Brigade. With this command he did valient service until the battle of Wilderness at which time he received a serious wound in his right knee which disabled him for active field service and lamed him for life. It did not however cause him to "give up". He remained on duty, such as he could perform throughout the war, never once relinquishing the struggle until surrender at Appomattox April 10th 1865. Captain E. K. Goree was one of five brothers which his courageous and loyal mother sent "to the front" as Confederate Soldiers in 1861, viz. Thos. J., Langston, P. K., Robert and himself. All did soldierly and unremitting service, were for bravery and were so fortunate as to return to gladden the heart of their mother and prove themselves as good and reliable citizens in peace as had been true and honorable soldiers. Of the five "Goree Boys" only two are now left, P. K. and Robert, one living at Midway the other at Rock City, Mrs. Hugh Hayes, their only sister survives and lives in Midway. The subject of this sketch filled several positions of honor and truth in both Madison and Walker counties. Was a member of the official staff of the State Prison for many years under changing administrations and was holding the position of Criminal Registor at the time of his death. No member of Hood's brigade Association was better known, more respected and loved as a comrade, a friend and a high-toned Southern gentleman than veteran E. K. Goree. During the two terms which he served as Pres. of the Association he was indefategable in his efforts to promote the erection of the monument to the Brigade on the Capitol grounds in Austin. On his retirement from htis office he was elected by unanimous vote as Sec. and Treas. of the Association for life. His demise was preceded by several months of suffering. . . . His remains were laid to rest Sunday April 5th in Midway cemetery by the side of his devoted mother. Many relatives and friends from near and far were present to pay becoming tribute to his memory, while many others at a distance were there in spirit. Among them were the members of J. B. Gordon Chapter U. D. C. of Huntsville, all of whom were his personal friends, and who are now exerting themselves to erect a substantial and beautiful monument to "Confederate Soldiers," of which E. K. Goree was one in the true sense of that honored name.
  • Last Edited: 3 Oct 2012