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. |