Marathon in Brewster County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Colonel Lewis Given Harman
1818-1902
Typical of those who served the South and then moved into new counties of Western Texas. Surveyor, Indian agent, soldier, legislator, Justice of the Peace.
Born in Tennessee. Moved to Texas 1838. Fought in Mexican War. Though 43 when Civil War began, immediately joined 11th Texas Cavalry, in swift 1861 campaign to place Confederate forts in Indian Territory. Was Post Commander, Fort Arbuckle, I.T., June to August 1861.
Civic leader in Marathon after its founding in 1882. Had town's first Masonic funeral.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 964.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 30° 12.441′ N, 103° 11.929′ W. Marker is in Marathon, Texas, in Brewster County. Marker is on U.S. 90, one mile east of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling east. The marker is located two miles east of downtown Marathon and one mile east of the Denuded Ouachita Rock Belt historical marker on US 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marathon TX 79842, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies . Marathon (approx. 1.8 miles away); First School House (approx. 2.7 miles away); Albion E. Shepard House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Chambers Hotel (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Gage Hotel (approx. 2.8 miles away); Fort Peña Colorado (Red Rock) (approx. 6½ miles away); Los Caballos (approx. 10.7 miles away).
Regarding Colonel Lewis Given Harman. Marathon's Lewis Harman had worn the three collar stars of a Confederate colonel. Beyond the information from the historical marker, however, there are very few sources on this distinguished character.
Additional commentary.
1. Missing Gravesite of Colonel Harman
Even though the historical marker records that Colonel Harman's funeral was in Marathon his grave is not at the Marathon Cemetery. One source offers only that he was buried in Brewster County, an area the size of the state of Connecticut. Considering his rank in the Confederate Army and postwar prominence in Marathon it is peculiar that the old soldier's grave is not a known memorial. I am currently researching the colonel and in finding his grave site. Anyone with any information please e-mail me.
— Submitted August 28, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,488 times since then and 129 times this year. Last updated on July 11, 2022, by Joe Lotz of Denton, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 2. submitted on August 28, 2011, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. 3. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.