HERRON, HENRY C. (1855-1944). Henry C. Herron, frontier peace officer, was born on December 16, 1855, near Springville, Vernon County, Wisconsin, the son of John Meyer and Mary (Outcelt) Herron. The family moved to Shackelford County, Texas, and settled on a ranch near Albany in 1875. In March 1877 William R. Cruger,^qv newly appointed sheriff, selected young Herron as one of his deputies. All of the counties to the west were attached to Shackelford County for judicial purposes, and the sheriff's jurisdiction extended to the New Mexico line. Herron served several years under different sheriffs and was sent on various assignments, often at considerable distances from Albany. He was seriously wounded by a rifle bullet while pursuing horse thieves but recovered and continued his duties. He was elected sheriff of Shackelford County in 1886 and served two terms, after which he retired in 1890 to breed Hereford cattle on his ranch near Albany. He soon built a reputation as an authority on purebred Herefords, and many cattlemen depended upon his judgment in the selection of stock even after he had retired from the business in 1918. He died at Albany on August 18, 1944, and was survived by three daughters and two sons.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Cattleman, October 1944. J. R. Webb, "Henry Herron, Pioneer and Peace Officer during Fort Griffin Days," West Texas Historical Association Year Book 20 (1944).

J. R. Webb