John S. Greer

Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales

---

Obituary

Died, in Corpus Christi, Texas Aug 19, 1886 at ten minutes to 2 p.m. of general debility, Capt. John Sunderland Greer aged 67 years.

With the death of Capt. Greer passes away an old soldier and landmark of Southwest Texas. _______ Ohio, June 15, 1819; he enlisted in the U.S. army in company H ________ and served four enlistments (twenty _______) entitling him to distinction and ________ in the ranks and was afterward made Captain. On April 3, 1842 he married in Dearbonvill,e Mich. To Miss Fannie M. Wetmore, daughter of the late Philip Wetmore, who survives him.

Three children were born to them-- ________ and George and Jane—who died young. Capt. Greer and wife came to Corpus Christi with Gen. Taylor’s army of occupation in July, 1845; was well acquainted with Generals Taylor, Grant, Harney and others. At the battle of Pal Alto Capt. Greer was wounded on the forehead by a spent ball—the scar he carried to his grave—and for a while he was sent on a recruiting service on account of the wound. Afterwards he joined his regiment and participated in the storm of San Juan de Uloa at Vera Cruz and the taking of the City of Mexico. Those who saw the Captain in Mexico reported he was a fine looking officer. At the close of the war he settled at Santa Gertrudis (King ranch). In the late unpleasantness he joined the Southern army and acted in the capacity of ordinance officer.  Some years previous to his death Capt. Greer moved to this city where he build and adorned a handsome home of the bluff and where he ended his days in peace.

Source: Corpus Christi Caller, August 22, 1886
Research by:  Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by:  Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission