We have an ancestor in our family named Valrious Turney. I know you are asking yourself, “Who –in their right mind-would name a child Valrious.” Well, his parents did…Valrious Jackson Turney as a matter of fact.
Valrious was borne in Coryell County in 1865 son of Jack and Sara Turney. Jack Turney came to Texas from Illinois before the Civil War, and at it’s outbreak, joined confederate forces. He was also one of the organizers for Coryell County and served a short time as the first sheriff there. (I know-his last name is misspelled-it is a common problem for the Turneys). Valrious went to school in Coryell County…and at the age of 19 in 1884, was hired by the Ohio Cattle Company to help gather cattle in south Texas and drive them to Mussel Shell River in Montana. Valrious enjoyed that 2,000 mile trip so much, he did it two more times. He became a member of the Old Trail Drivers Association.
Obviously battling saddle sore, Valrious decided it was time to settle. He engaged in various ranching endeavors and somehow, he wound up in Del Rio where he purchased a ten section ranch in 1904. He began to fence the ranch, and wanting to retire, he leased the place to some well known folks who continued to do well.
Valrious married a Bandera girl in Del Rio and had a son. You guessed it; his name was Valrious P. Turney. He went by Paul. Both are buried in the Sonora cemetery.
short stories 