Texas State Historical Marker
at Fox Cemetery in Kaufman County
honoring Israel Spikes

Capt. Israel Spikes

  Pioneer, Patriot.  Spike's Prairie
named for him and his family.
   In 1875-1876 Spikes served as
an elected spokeman from this
district in state convention to
reestablish free government.  He
rode horseback to Austin with
John Reagan, former Confederate
Postmaster General, later United
States Senator.  The constitution
these men helped write has been
in force for nearly a century.
   Spikes, a Confederate veteran
and Mason, had ten children.

   Israel Spikes was born in Clarke County AL 19 Jan 1824 to John Edward Spikes and Nancy Colquehoune (Calhoun).  In 1847 Israel came to Texas with his father, settling in 1849 in that portion of Henderson County that became Kaufman County.  On 4 Oct 1850 he married Louisa Erwin in Kaufman County and started a family.  He was a farmer, a Mason and slave owner.

   During the Civil War Israel joined Co A 37^th Texas Cavalry - CSA - Terrell's Texas Regiment, and on 15 Dec 1862 was elected Captain of that company.  He served until 7 Dec 1863 when he resigned due to debilitating health problems.  In his Confederate documents he is described as 6'4" in height, fair complexion, auburn hair and gray eyes.

    In 1875 Israel was elected to attend the Texas Constitutional Convention as Kaufman County's representative.  He was an original signer of the state's constitution.  Israel died 19 Jan 1879 and is buried in the Fox Cemetery, where the Historical Marker is located, in what is now known as the Rand Community of Kaufman County.  Surrounding him are his father, wife and many of his children.

   Israel Spikes was respected by all that knew him.  The contributions he and his family made to the county are well-documented and mention of his name is scattered throughout the archives of Kaufman County history.  His prolific and generous nature is evident in his descendants who live in the same area today.  He was described by his neighbor and another early Kaufman County pioneer, Oscar Reierson, as thus: "…Israel, in union with a daughter of Jared Erwin, contributed his full share to populate the county with a vigorous stock."

Israel and Louisa had the following 12 children:

1. Ophelia SPIKES b: 27 Aug 1851 d: before 1935.
   Married 2 Mar 1871 Kaufman Co TX Otto Christian WAERENSKJOLD
2. Lawrence Calhoun "Bud" SPIKES b: 24 Jun 1854 d: 1 Apr 1935.  Buried Mabank.
   Married 19 Sep 1875 Kaufman Co TX Frances Viola "Fannie" WREN
3. Marshall Osborne "MO" SPIKES b: 1856 d: 1939 Buried Kaufman City.
   Married 1881 Harriett Jane HARRISON
4. John Allston "Austin" SPIKES b: 18 Sep 1857 d:1905  Buried Sand Flat - Van Zandt County   Married 12 Jan 1887 Kaufman Co Ann Overton "Ovie" McKEE
5. Caledonia Maria SPIKES b: 20 Jun 1859 d: 5 Nov 1933 - Buried Mabank
   Married 13 Dec 1883 Kaufman Co TX John L STANDLEY
6. Louisa Francis SPIKES b: 15 Aug 1860
   Married 8 Jan 1884 Kaufman Co TX William A McCUTCHEON
7. Israel Henry SPIKES b: 1862
8. Claudia L SPIKES (Twin) b: 12 Jul 1864 d: 13 Dec 1892 - Bur : Four Mile
   Married 29 Dec 1884 Kaufman Co TX John Peter PEARSON
9. Claude (Twin) born & died 12 Jul 1864 Buried FOX (unmarked)
10. Nancy Leticia "Letta" or "Letty" SPIKES b: 27 Jan 1866
11. Marion W SPIKES (Female) b: 15 Feb 1868 d: 15 Jul 1878 Buried Fox
12. Jarred Erwin SPIKES b: 20 Oct 1870 d: 1935 Loraine TX - Bur : Loraine TX
    Married 17 Jan 1894 Kaufman Co TX Francis I "Frankie" McKEE