As promised here are copies of the record of incorporation for the First Town Site Company. Several members of the Somerset Historical Society got to talking about early Somerset with our President, Ernest Russell Lopez. Ernest said that the town was laid out around the new Artesian Belt Railroad coming through and continued to tell us what he knew: (1) That it originally was not called Somerset; (2) it was established about 1910; (2) and was organized by members of the Kurz family, Dr. Touchstone, and others.
After doing a bit of research online with the Bexar County Courthouse, County Clerk’s office, I found some pieces of information and decided to contact the Texas Secretary of State’s office. This is the office that oversees corporations. I thought I’d see if I could acquire any documents for this unknown corporation. A clerk in the TXSOS’s Office did provide their wonderful service of finding the original documents. The following are copies of those original, founding documents for the First Town Site Company, Inc.
Above is the cover letter from the Texas Secretary of State for copies of the 1909 documents of incorporation that were provided to the Somerset Historical Society Secretary, Peggy A. Weyel in December, 2016.
I’m not sure what the hand notations, % -Fir – 346 and #7-2-21, are referring to.
Please note the words “CHARTER FORFITTED” at the top of most pages, are referring to this Charter being in effect for 50 years and as of April 26, 1950, the Charter is no longer in effect. The town of Somerset, Bexar County Texas is….free!
Above is page 3 of 6 pages. On this page, located near bottom of the second block of information in information about the investment – the amount and length of time: “Remarks: 200 shares 50 years. Fully pd.” This is referring to the investment of the original 8 people on this Charter. That investment was in effect for 50 years. After that time the township became an independent (for want of a better, legal term) community within the jurisdiction of Bexar County, Texas. The 51st Texas Legislature, under House Bill (HB) 776 confirmed the end of this Charter of Incorporation on April 26, 1950.
Page 3 of 6 pages, above, begins the two pages of the articles, or, the purposes for and the individuals incorporating this property. The name is “First Town Site Company.” Its purpose is to “purchase, sell and subdivide real property (“real property” is land as opposed to jewelry or a car). It is located at the “new town of Sommerset, (yes, 2 “m’s”) in Bexar County, Texas.”
This corporation will exist for “Fifty (50) years. Names of the directors and the amount of capital (real money) stock ($10,000) that was needed and raised is noted.
Page 4, above, continues explaining that the $10,000 is divided into 200 shares of $50 each. All the stock has been “subscribed” and “paid.” In other words the folk who signed the document, on April 18, 1909, have already paid their part of this incorporation.
Page 5 of 6 above, provides the following information: (1) Names and addresses of the investors, with (2) the number of shares they purchased. Also, (3) The number of acres (100) purchased and deeded to the First Town Site Company.
This last page, 5 of 6, provides the following information: (1) Names and addresses of the investors, with (2) the number of shares they purchased. Also, (3) The number of acres (100) purchased and deeded to the First Town Site Company.
As you have wandered through this old document, reflect (1) that we still have access to these old papers, and (2) we have been given a community created by the hopes and dreams these men (and their families) as well as those who invested in those hopes and dreams by purchasing town lots for their own homes and businesses. All had dreams of growing, thriving community with homes, businesses, churches, and school. And, most importantly, they all had the freedom to try and fulfill those dreams. I think they would be pleased with the community they created 100 years ago and one that you all are continuing to support and enjoy with the similar hopes and dreams with the freedom to work toward those dreams. Thank you for being a part of Somerset.
