Henry Wax Karnes was born in Rogersville, Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1812. His parents were George Karnes, Jr. (1780 - 1835) and Hannah WAX (1785 - 1836). He was the sixth of 11 children: William Knox (1802 - 1872), Elizabeth (1803 - >1888), Maria ( 1805 - 1844), Nancy N. (1808 - 1869), Martha B. (1810 - 1848), Henry, Daniel Howery (Howrey/Howry) (1814 - 1858), Susan Howery (Howrey/Howry) (1816 - 1907), James L. E. (1819 - 1866), Andrew J. (1821 - 1839) and Amanda (1824 - 1875). Henry and his youngest sister Amanda had the same birthday, September 8.

    Henry is mostly of German descent, although there is a possibility that some Scottish descent is also in his blood. His mother, Hannah, is the daughter of Captain Henry WACHES/WAX, a Revolutionary soldier from Pennsylvania. He later moved to Virginia and died in Botetourt County, Virginia when Hannah was 11 (1796). After her father died, Hannah moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee with her older sister, Catherine, and her husband, Henry PRICE. Captain WACHES/WAX is thought to be Henry's Karnes' namesake.

    "Henry was a short, heavy set man with bright red hair. While he was uneducated, he was modest, generous and devoted to his friends. He was brave and fearless and ranked with "Deaf" SMITH as a scout and spy. He had a beautiful singing voice." (Karnes Digest by Louise Stracener Payne)

    Henry's parents moved to Franklin County, Arkansas where Henry and his father, George, were engaged in trapping. Henry soon felt the pull of adventure, took off on his own and "joined a company of trappers in Arkansas, who turned their attention to attacks on Pawnee villages on the head branches of the Red River, but having disagreed, they separated. Karnes, with three or four others, proceeded across the head of the Trinity River where their horses were stolen. They obtained a canoe and floated down the river to Robbins Ferry. Karnes obtained employment at Groce's Retreat, where the war found him." (San Antonio Express-News, December 1932) This took place in 1834 or 1835. It is believed that Henry came to Texas for a short time in 1828 or 1831 and then returned to his family in Arkansas.

    On June 24, 1839, Karnes advertised for volunteers, stating that he had been authorized by the president to raise four to six companies. On August 10, 1839, a company commanded by Karnes was attacked on the Arroyo Saco by a large band of Comanches. Colonel Karnes took a position in a deep ravine and prepared for defense. A bloody battle was soon waging. The Indians were defeated and routed, although Captain Karnes received a wound from which he never recovered.

    Upon returning to San Antonio from Houston he contracted yellow fever. He thought his business required him in Houston and contrary to Dr. Weidman's advice started back before he was sufficiently strong. Traveling stretched out in a light wagon, he suffered a relapse after the first day and was returned to San Antonio. He passed away August 16, 1840, at 11:40 a.m. Throughout his protracted illness he was faithfully attended to by Dr. Edward Weidman, a Russian by birth, an eminent surgeon and a skilled physician. Indeed the doctor not only acted as practitioner, but as friend and brother. Had he lived Karnes would have been appointed commander of the Santa Fe expedition by President Lamar.

April 15th, 1931
Mr. W. F. Clancy
The Texas Co. Drawer F
Houston, Texas.