(Jan. 31, 1817 -- Mar. 26, 1867) A native of Louisiana, Joseph Randolph Yarbrough served in the Texas War for Independence from Mexico and was assigned to guard the camp opposite Harrisburg during the Battle of San Jacinto. He and his father, John Swanson Yarbrough, signed the petition requesting the creation of Houston county in 1837. In 1840, he married Phebe Clementine Crawford (1823-1907). They eventually settled in north Houston County near Grapeland and had a family of 11 children.