John S. was a Texas Ranger enlisting at the age of 19 and was in Stephens County. The following is information from the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas.
Name and Rank: Frans, J. S. Pvt
Commanding officer: Curtis, J. W. Capt.
Organization: Stephens County Co. T.S.T.
Enlist: Feb 8, 1864
Discharge: - - - - - -
Description: Age 19 yrs.
Remarks: R & F 63 Enr Off G. E. Miller
Arms- 1 Rifle: 1 M.R.417

1880, Arrived In Lincoln County Washington
Freighted building materials for construction of Ft Spokane
homesteaded 640 acres of wheat land near Ft Spokane, called Egypt417

Married at 4:00 PM at Ft Davis in the residence of the bride's mother.
According to an entry in the Newcombe diary Mary's mother was opposed to the marriage. 417

Again according to the Newcombe diaries, the couple had planned to marry on February 4th but the Parson's family was ill and he could not leave Palo Pinto at that time. So Stephen waited until the Parson could leave to go back to Ft. Davis as the area was unsafe for the Parson to come alone.417