A native of Missouri, Ambrose Fitzgerald settled near here in 1846 on land that was then part of Nacogdoches County. As this area was included in the creation of later counties, he served as the first clerk for Van Zandt and Wood counties. After participating in the Civil War, he returned here and became the tax assessor, district clerk, and county clerk for Rains County. A Baptist preacher, he baptized James S. Hogg, later the Governor of Texas.