Notes for: Thomas Jefferson CHAISON

Following a better than average education at home and at private schools, Thomas Jefferson ("Jef") Chaison did surveying and worked with his father in farming and stock raising. He married a young lady from Virginia during the early days of the Civil War. When the call went out for volunteers, Jef volunteered for the duration, and his new bride, Clara, returned to Virginia where she remained throughout the war years.

Jef Chaison was in Co. F, Fifth Texas Infantry Regiment, Hood's Brigade, Confederate States Army. He was captured at Sharpsburg in September 1862 and exchanged two months later. He was then wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864. Wounded again in October, he was taken prisoner near Richmond, Virginia. Finally, he was paroled in March 1865 at Charlestown, West Virginia.

Back home following the war, Jeff and Clara acquired extensive holdings in central Jefferson County, Texas. Jeff was County Judge (1890-92), served on the school board, and was active in civic affairs.

Source: Madeleine Martin, More Early Southeast Texas Families, Nortex Press, Quanah, Texas, 1978. pp. 29-31. [email David McFadden 21 July2000]