Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Harrisburg

The Kemp Sketch

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ZUBER, WILLIAM PHYSICK - Born in Twiggs County, Georgia, July 6, 1820, a son of Abraham and Mary Ann Zuber. He with his parents and only sister moved to Montgomery County, Alabama in 1822. In 1824 they settled in East Felicina Parish, Louisiana and in 1827 they moved to St. Helena Parish. In 1830 they came to Texas and settled in what is now San Augustine County, moving in 1831 to the present county of Harris. In 1832 they settled on a farm on the east edge of the Brazos bottom 25 miles north of the town of Brazoria. In 1833 they moved to Mr. Zuber’s headright league near the present town of Shiro, Grimes County. There Mr. Zuber died November 24, 1848, aged 68 years and ten days old.

On March 1, 1836 William P. Zuber in his sixteenth year enlisted in Captain James Gillaspie’s Company. His name is on one of the army rolls in the General Land Office but on January 7, 1839 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 734 for 640 acres of land for having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836. He received Bounty Certificate No. 9293 for 320 acres of land for his services in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836.

In the War between the States Mr. Zuber served in Company H, Twenty-first Regiment of the Texas Cavalry from March 20, 1862 until the close of the war in 1865. Mr. Zuber is thought to have been the last veteran of the Texas army of the San Jacinto campaign to die. He passed away September 22, 1913 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Samuel P. Mize at Austin and was buried in the State Cemetery. He was a guard at the State Capitol during the last few years of his life.

Alphonzo Steele, the last survivor of the battle of San Jacinto died July 9, 1911.

Descendants of Mr. Zuber are Mrs. J. E. Mayfield, 1922 West Dallas Avenue, Houston and Mrs. J. T. Swanson, Navasota.

Mr. Zuber was on July 17, 1851, married to Louisa Liles. Mrs. Zuber died in Anderson County March 17, 1851.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Zuber were (1) Daniel Carl, (2) Rachel Zerena and (3) James Andrew Zuber.

(1) Daniel Carl Zuber was born November 12, 1854 and died May 26, 1902 in Bryan, Texas. He was married twice. His first wife was Julia Johnson by whom the following children were born: Edna and Mabel Zuber. His second marriage was to Zannie McDougal, and of this union there were two children, Margaret and Neill Zuber.

(2) Rachel Zerna Zuber was married to Samuel P. Mize. Their children were Ruby, Maude, Austin, Morris and Bascom Mize.

(3) James Andrew Zuber was married to Lillie Owen. Some of their children were Shannon, Willena, Blanche and Annie Zuber.

Some of the descendants of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Zuber are Mrs. J. E. Mayfield, 1922 West Dallas Avenue, Houston and Mrs. J. T. Swanson, Navasota.

Texas June 18, 1830

H R No. 641/3 L

Montgomery

ZUBER, WILLIAM P. - On April 20, 1901 at the convention of the Texas Veterans Association held at ________ “Comrade Zuber read a paper sustaining his contention that Rose escaped from the Alamo.” --Galveston News.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: [Capt. James Gillaspie] detailed to guard baggage

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1820 July 6
  • Birthplace: Georgia, Twiggs County
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1830
  • Date of Death: 1913 Sept 11
  • Comments: Somervell Expedition; Civil War, Confederate Army
  • Bounty Certificate: 9293
  • Donation Certificate: 734
  • Profession: Schoolmaster, justice of peace
  • Wife: Louisa Bonaparte Liles
  • Children: Daniel Carl Zuber; Rachel Zerena Zuber Mize; James Andrew Zuber