Born in Essex, New York on June 22, 1840, Henry Bates Stoddard came to Texas in 1860. He enlisted in the Confederate Army and served throughout the war, was captured and exchanged twice, and attained the rank of Captain by the time of his parole.
Following the war, Stoddard settled in Millican, and in 1867 moved to Bryan, his home for the remainder of his life. He engaged in business pursuits in a number of areas, including livestock raising and processing, land development, mining, and oil.
Stoddard continued his military connections after his service in the Civil War, as an officer in the Texas Volunteer Guards. He served from 1879 to 1893, reaching the rank of Brigadier General.
Another significant aspect of Stoddard's life was his involvement in Freemasonry and the Knights Templar. Stoddard held high offices in the state and national Knights Templar organization, including the highest national office, Grand Master, from 1901-1904. Stoddard was also a 33rd degree Mason.
Stoddard married Lerrissa R. English in 1869. The couple had a daughter, Charlotte. Mrs. Stoddard died in 1904. Henry Bates Stoddard died in Bryan on May 29, 1925.
Stoddard's service with the Texas Volunteer Guard is evidenced by an invitation to the 1888 dedication of the new Texas State Capitol where Stoddard commanded an encampment of militia troops.
His primary involvement was with the Knights Templar, serving as Grand Commander of the Texas Commandery and as Grand Master of the national organization. A number of letters and reports concern Knights Templar relief to the victims of the Galveston hurricane of 1900.
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