UPTON, WILLIAM FELTON (1832–1887). William Felton Upton, early Schulenburg settler and legislator, was born on August 31, 1832, near Winchester, Franklin County, Tennessee. In 1853 he moved to Texas with his mother and became a farmer and store owner in the Blum Hill community, west of Foerster's Creek in southern Fayette County. In 1859 he was joined by his older brother, John Cunningham Upton, who took charge of the farming operations while William concentrated on the mercantile business in the community, which by 1858 was called High Hill. During the Civil War both brothers rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served with distinction. John was killed during the second battle of Manassas, and William served with Texas state troops along the Texas coast and frontier. On October 20, 1873, the new town of Schulenburg was platted on the route of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway four miles southeast of High Hill. Upton Avenue in the new town was named jointly for the two brothers. In 1875 Upton moved his business to the growing city, where he was elected alderman and his father-in-law, Alfred Henderson, was the newly elected mayor. Upton served Fayette County in the Texas legislature in 1866 and again from 1879 to 1885. He died in Schulenburg on February 7, 1887, and is buried beside his wife, Mary Ann (Henderson), who died in 1911, and her parents in the Wolters Cemetery. Upton County, established in 1887 and organized in 1910, was named jointly for the two brothers.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Jane Knapik, Schulenberg: 100 Years on the Road, 1873–1973 (Yoakum?, Texas: Nortex, 1973).
