Joseph Hudson Barwise, a native of Ohio, brought his family to Texas in 1877 and to Wichita County in 1880. An astute businessman and community leader, he earned the nickname "Father of Wichita Falls" after he donated land to the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway as an inducement for the building of a rail line through this area. He was instrumental in much of the city's growth and development and served as county judge for three terms. Married to the former Lucy Hansell, Barwise was the father of seven children. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery.