History of T4 Ranch

The Whitehead family came to Texas with Stephen F. Austin's Colony in 1831 with Ephriam Whitehead, who migrated to Texas from New Orleans, La. For a short time they settled in La Vaca County. After Texas won her independence, the family moved on to Gonzales County, and finally, in 1882, traveled to and settled in Val Verde County. The family remains here today, and in 1999 was honored as a Texas First Family celebrating 150 years of land ownership in Texas.

The T4 brand was the cattle brand used by Grandfather Walter E. Whitehead, and as his namesake, was passed on to W.E. for his use and protection.

W.E.'s grandfather on his mother's side, Basil Manley Halbert, helped to organize the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association of Texas and became its second president. He, along with three other Texas Ranchers, helped to establish the Texas A&M Experiment Station in Edwards County. He was a member of the first graduating class of Texas A&M. He was an Angora goat raiser, importing those first goats from South Africa and Turkey. In 1936, at the Texas State Fair, he showed his prize Angora billy, "Bill the 8th," and won 1st Place. He then donated Bill to the Naval Academy as their first Angora Mascot. He was responsible for the word "chevon" appearing in Webster's Dictionary.

W.E.'s mother, Della Rose Halbert Whitehead, was the founder of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association Women's Auxiliary and was its first president. She was key in implementing the "Miss Wool Contest" for the fiber industry.

The Whitehead and Halbert families have traditionally ranched sheep, goats, horses and cattle. But since the downturn of the fiber markets and the drop in cattle prices, T4 Ranch, the original homestead of the Whitehead family, is now dedicated to the meat goat industry, especially with South African Boer goats.

Blending raising the finest Boer goat breeding stock with the distribution of T4 Ranch's newest product, "Mesquite Smoked Chevon Summer Sausage with Real Jalapenos and Cheese," has been a real challenge but one worth waiting for.

Look for our product beginning this year at this web site 2000 and check out our newest boer goat additions from South Africa.

Visitors are always welcome at T4 Ranch and appointments may be made by calling (325) 387-3003 or by email, info@t4ranch.com


Site Copyright © 2004 -- T4 Ranch, W.E. and Carolyn Whitehead

History of T4 Ranch

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