Arkansas native John Silas Edens, born December 15, 1820, arrived in present-day Houston County, Texas, in 1831. He served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836, then joined the Texas Rangers and took part in several Indian campaigns in 1841. He returned to farm and ranch in Houston County, where he and his first wife Amanda Adams reared a family of 7 children. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, then returned to his Houston County home and established the area's first school. In 1868 the Edens moved to McLennan County and settled in the Leroy community. Edens died at his Leroy home on July 3, 1892.