Three Confederate Army privates who went on to become elderly men in Johnson County were honored Saturday during a ceremony in the Prairie Springs Cemetery, southeast of Burleson.

Hosting the grave marker dedications were two camps of The Sons of
Confederate Veterans: the Camp Henderson Camp and the General Felix H.
Robertson Camp #129 of Waco.

Among the honorees was Samuel Bonaparte Kirkham Sr., a renowned Johnson County pioneer who played a key role in finding the location for what today is the city of Fort Worth.

His memory was joined by those of Benjamin Bransom and Thomas Jefferson Mills, Kirkham's brother-in-law.

All three veterans were privates in the Confederate Army.

W. E. "Jack" Carlton, local historian, was principal speaker.

He included Kirkham's biography in a talk on early day life in Johnson
County. Kirkham at age 32 became a blacksmith for the Confederate Army.

At home he was a farmer, frontiersman, and one of the first 13 settlers of
Johnson County.

As a pre-Civil War military scout, he recommended the site for the outpost
that became Fort Worth, and the city grew up around that post. Kirkham died at age 90.

Pvt. Bransom was also an early settler in Johnson County. He joined the army at age 39 and served in the Johnson County Company of Home Guards. He lived to age 61.

Pvt. Mills also joined the Home Guards, but later transferred into the 2nd
Texas Cavalry. He was stationed on Galveston Island and was discharged in
1865, but his homecoming was delayed as he recovered from yellow fever. He also lived to age 90.

Charles D. Kirkham III, great-great grandson, unveiled the Kirkham marker.
Mary Ruth Graham, Burleson, great-great niece, assisted by her daughter,
Elaine Light, unveiled the Mills marker. The Bransom marker did not arrive
in time for the event. In addition to the spouses Kayte Head, Jim Schueber,
Sylvester Reed and guests, Kirkham ancestors present for the ceremony were descended from Kirkham's sons, John Franklin and S.B., Jr. - Pauline Wright Hodges and Helen George McKnew, great-granddaughters; Terry Paul Kirkham, great-grandson, and his daughter, Alicia, and Laverne George, wife of great-grandson Bob George, all descended from John Franklin Kirkham.

Besides, Charles D. Kirkham III, descendants of Samuel B., Jr. were great-granddaughters Janice Willingham Scheuber (daughter of Pearl), Rowena Head (daughter of Grace) and Wilma Kirkham Reed, (daughter of C. D. Kirkham); great-grandson Charles W. Head, his daughter, Charlotte Head Lawson, his granddaughter, Rowena Lawson, and his grandson Max Boston. Emily Head was also present. She is Kirkham's great-great-great-great-granddaughter.

Melvin Burt, commander of the Camp Henderson Unit, SCV, was master of
ceremonies.

Otis Gorman of Godley, chaplain, gave the invocation, the service record of
the three honored veterans and the history of the Confederate Flags.

Adjunct Jerry Jetsel read the roll of Confederate veterans buried in the Prairie Springs Cemetery. The service concluded with a rifle salute by members of the SCV camp from Waco.