Port Lavaca in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Howard G. Hartzog, Sr.
Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 21, 2018
1. Howard G. Hartzog, Sr. Marker
Inscription.
Howard G. Hartzog, Sr.. . In the mid-twentieth century, Calhoun County was beginning an unprecedented period of growth. Howard G. Hartzog, Sr. was an active community leader who guided the county as a private citizen, county judge and as a state representative by diligently promoting growth and community spirit. Howard Gallemore Hartzog was born on April 11, 1901 in Tolosa, Texas to J.O. and Sybil Hartzog. He graduated from San Marcos Academy, attended Southwest Texas Normal School (now Texas State University), obtained a bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1926 and a law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1928. After a season of professional football with the New York Giants, he returned to Port Lavaca to practice law. In 1935, he married Anna Paul Allen (d. 1967) of Marlin and they had two children., In 1933, Howard was elected representative for the 69th District and, for fourteen years, he actively contributed to writing bills to benefit education, vehicle safety and water conservation. After he left the Texas House of Representatives in 1947, he served on the Calhoun County Independent School District board of trustees and served as the interim city attorney. In 1950, he ran for county judge and was elected for six consecutive terms, a total of seventeen years. During his tenure, many local programs and projects were completed, including the Lavaca Bay Causeway, Matagorda Ship Channel, a new library, airport and two major hospital expansions. As a community leader and member in numerous groups, Howard Hartzog devoted his life to service and worked tirelessly to promote growth, well-being and industry in Calhoun County. He died on May 18, 1968.
In the mid-twentieth century, Calhoun County was beginning an unprecedented period of growth. Howard G. Hartzog, Sr. was an active community leader who guided the county as a private citizen, county judge and as a state representative by diligently promoting growth and community spirit. Howard Gallemore Hartzog was born on April 11, 1901 in Tolosa, Texas to J.O. and Sybil Hartzog. He graduated from San Marcos Academy, attended Southwest Texas Normal School (now Texas State University), obtained a bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1926 and a law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1928. After a season of professional football with the New York Giants, he returned to Port Lavaca to practice law. In 1935, he married Anna Paul Allen (d. 1967) of Marlin and they had two children.
In 1933, Howard was elected representative for the 69th District and, for fourteen years, he actively contributed to writing bills to benefit education, vehicle safety and water conservation. After he left the Texas House of Representatives in 1947, he served on the Calhoun County Independent School District board
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of trustees and served as the interim city attorney. In 1950, he ran for county judge and was elected for six consecutive terms, a total of seventeen years. During his tenure, many local programs and projects were completed, including the Lavaca Bay Causeway, Matagorda Ship Channel, a new library, airport and two major hospital expansions. As a community leader and member in numerous groups, Howard Hartzog devoted his life to service and worked tirelessly to promote growth, well-being and industry in Calhoun County. He died on May 18, 1968.
Erected 2013 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17477.)
Location. 28° 36.787′ N, 96° 37.567′ W. Marker is in Port Lavaca, Texas, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of South Ann Street and West Live Oak Street, on the right when traveling south on South Ann Street. Marker is located on the courthouse
Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 21, 2018
2. Howard G. Hartzog, Sr. Marker
Marker can be seen under the tree to the right of the photo. Visible markers from left to right are: Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Sr., Calhoun County Hurricanes, and Calhoun County Participation During World War II.
grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 South Ann Street, Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
