52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks: Unusual Names

Well, holy bronco busters…if this isn’t the tale of three Texas buckaroos! No, siree, they did not bear the usual cowboy names like Black Bart, Buckskin Joe, and/or Curly Bill. Yes, ma’m, their dagburn names came right off the pages of a history book. Their mammy and pappy, Daniel and Mary Franny, must have been real lovers of history. Why, the boys’ granddaddy, Daniel Boultinghouse, was a War of 1812 veteran while their great granddaddy, Joseph Boultinghouse, was a veteran of the American Revolution. So, why not name three of their younguns after heroes and the rest of their 14 kids with regular names…like Martha Jane, Calvin Gage, and Lizzie Ann.

The first of the boys was Christopher Columbus Boultinghouse, born in 1857…now isn’t that a handful of a name? Like his pappy, he was a farmer. He married his 20 year old sweetheart Nancy Lou Lewis when he was 30. Together they raised a passel of younguns ( a dozen to be exact) to learn the love of the land, especially the Lone Star State. He lived to the ripe old age of 85. His obituary states that his death brought sadness to San Saba County. One could tell how well loved he was by the number of floral tributes at his funeral.

The second boy was Napoleon Bonaparte Boultinghouse, born in 1859…now isn’t that a moniker for a Texas lad? He married his gal Sarah Jane Ray when they were both 21 years old…had a double wedding with her sister and her groom. Sixty years later, they would celebrate that anniversary with them along with 11 out of 12 living children, their children, and their children. N.B. lived out most of his 84 years on his farm in Karnes County.

Last of the trio was Stephen Austin Boultinghouse, born in 1865. Now isn’t that a great handle for a Texan? According to census records, he held many jobs…farmer, carpenter, cafe owner. He was 16 years older than his bride Johanna Brocksch. They remained childless. They made their home in San Patricio County.

So these Texas gentlemen lived out their lives nobly, honorably, and faithfully to the glory of the Boultinghouse family. One last piece of information for y’all, readers. If the Boultinghouses are in your tree, the ancestor that is granddaddy to them all is Joseph Boultinghouse…he is the start of the whole dangburn dynasty here in the United States. And that is history!