Haltom City in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Judge Benjamin Franklin Barkley
(1822 - 1882)
Photographed By J Frye
1. Judge Benjamin Franklin Barkley Marker
In 1855 Benjamin F. Barkley, a Kentucky physician, with his wife Malinda Elizabeth Duncan (1827-1917) and their children settled on a farm at Birdville. There he practiced medicine, became a lawyer, and a charter member of Masonic Lodge No. 148 in Fort Worth. In 1856 Dr. Barkley tried unsuccessfully to keep the county seat at Birdville. As a Republican leader, he spoke out against slavery and secession. Barkley was admired for donating land for Birdville's cemetery and participating in Indian campaigns, but his strong will and pro-Union stand stirred anger in the area. He barely escaped death several times.
Barkley treated wounded Confederate soldiers and aided their families despite his opposition to the Civil War, and served as local postmaster during the war. During Reconstruction, Barkley headed the county registration board which denied the vote to former Confederate supporters. He was appointed county judge in 1867 and used federal troops to maintain order. With great courage he fought to protect the rights of the ex-slaves. He left office after Democrats won all county offices in 1873, but remained active in law and medicine throughout North Texas for the remainder of his life.
Erected 1979 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20186.)
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Location. 32° 48.221′ N, 97° 15.141′ W. Marker is in Haltom City, Texas, in Tarrant County. Marker is on Cemetery Road south of East Belknap Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Haltom City TX 76117, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Archibald Franklin Leonard (a few steps from this marker); Birdville Cemetery (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Birdville Schools (approx. ¼ mile away); Birdville Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); West Fork Baptist Association (approx. 0.3 miles away); Harper's Rest Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Amon Carter Riverside High School and Riverside ISD (approx. 3.2 miles away); Mount Olivet Cemetery (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haltom City.
More about this marker. The marker stands near his grave in the Birdville Cemetery in Haltom City, Texas.
Photographed By J Frye
2. Judge Benjamin Franklin Barkley Marker
Photographed By J Frye
3. Judge Benjamin Franklin Barkley Marker
4. Judge Benjamin Franklin Barkley
This photo of the judge and physician is from the Tarrant County College Collection at The Portal to Texas History.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2021, by J Frye of Fort Worth, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
