m. 30 May 1799
Facts and Events
In October 1833, William B. Stout came into the area of the Republic of Texas and moved to Clarksville, Texas.
He applied for a headright certificate for two-thirds of a league and a labor of land to the Board of Land Commissioner's of Red River County. In 1840, he and Selen Stout married sisters, Matilda Caroline Richey and Elvira Richey. William B Stout served as administrator for his father-in-law's estate when it was first entered into probate court in Red River County.
Both Henry and William B. Stout were brothers and captains in the Texas Rangers under the leadership of General Tarrant and during these times, Selen Stout rode with them. They ranged along the Red River frontier and helped to protect the settlers. William B. Stout was responsible for the building of Fort Sherman, Fort Rusk, and other fortifications. They were involved in the famous Village Creek Battle, in which Captain Denton was killed and Henry was badly injured by the Indians. William B. was a member of the second Texas legislature, representing Red River County, which at that time covered most of northeast Texas. Conflicting evidence exists regarding his service as a member of Captain Wood's Company at San Jacinto, however based upon a document by Thomas Rusk written on October 14, 1842 stating that William B participated in the battle, he received 640 acres granted to all veterans of San Jacinto.
Later he was a member of the fifth legislature, representing Hopkins, Red River, Cook, and Fannin Counties. He also served as Captain of the Texas Rangers 1840-1841; Chief Justice of Red River county in 1844, and was a prominent lawyer. During this time the principal mode of travel was the stagecoach. There were no paved roads, and the black, sticky mud in parts of east Texas made traveling difficult. As a captain in the Texas army, William B. mustered 95 men in the early part of 1861; they were transferred later that year to the Confederate Army. He was known as an assessor during the Civil War and had the rank of captain. He was involved in many land deals and had amassed large land holdings, but due to his failing health and the impact of the Civil War, he lost most of it. He died in 1867.
Red River County, Texas, 1850 census:
Red River County, Texas, 1860 census: