David Whaley

 

     He was born in 1822 in Pennsylvania and was a prominent educated gentleman who was schooled to be a doctor.  He was from a devout military family.  His grandfather, Benjamin Whaley, was an officer of the Revolutionary War and his dad, James Whaley, was an officer of the War of 1812.  David was a soldier at heart all of his life and was actively involved in local and national politics.

    David came to Leon County in 1853 as a druggist.  He helped to establish the new Texas frontier, with medical needs to tend to.  He helped to promote the medical field.  He came to Leon County for the purpose of distributing medicine to the sick settlers and to establish a drug dispensary for the new Texas State.

   David with accomplishment of his goal soon earned the trust of our people.  He helped them to be healed and providing a place to supply our pioneer settlers medicine for their many ailments.  This was one of our first drug stores.  It is believed his main headquarters was of the Centerville, Leona Communities, yet he traveled to other parts of our county to doctor our people.  He was considered as a physician and a druggist.

    David, a very handsome gentleman, was pursued by the ladies, yet he never married and he with the greatest interest of politics and with the strongest belief of patriotic duty soon became a welcomed, respected spokesman and a Texas Representative.  He brought a remarkable recognition of our Leon County.

    David, a brilliant man, an outstanding speaker, was soon elected as Senator and representative of the 21st District on the Texas House.  He represented our Leon County as an influential leader.  He attended the National Convention at Philadelphia and Mississippi and he gave strong support for the platform of Sam Houston.  In spite of David's love for the union and his true respect for Sam Houston when Texas voted for succession;  he showed his southern loyalty by joining the Leon Hunters.  David was immediately elected Captain of the 5th  Texas Regiment.

     He was a brilliant soldier and honorable leader.  He was in every battle beside his men.  He performed excellent in the Ethan's Landing, Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Mahiern Hill and Freeman's Ford Battles.  He was promoted to Major, due to his recognized performance.  David's brilliant career was ended at the Freeman's Ford Battle, when he received his death would.

     A rare event took the life of our confederate hero, David Whaley.  A fight between a Confederate soldier and a Union soldier occurred in the middle of a large cornfield.  Both of these soldiers were so hungry and both were eating green corn.  To both their surprise they met while gathering and eating the corn.  They started a fierce fight and with help from their respective companies going to the aid of their men.  The 5th District Flag floating above the corn, caught the eye of an expert Federal Artillerist.  The shot he fired took the life of David Whaley.  David was buried near a stone fence close to the spot where he fell.  A memorial marker was erected near David Whaley's burial site.

     The words on the marker with deep love and admiration reads:
"Then in tribute now and sorrow too, we can but trust in realms of light and glory fat above our own, thy spirit dwells, with thy comrades dear for rights he could not live with out or trust with those he fought against."

     David Whaley's every day words as a soldier in battle were "I give my all to the finish for my Texas and my Leon County."  David was considered a bright colorful confederate with much importance to the unique history of our Leon County as a memorable hero.