Introduction
My husband and I purchased our home in 2006 from an estate left by Don M. Wilder, a well-known Brenham business man who had utilized the home as a rental property for many years. Because of this, we were given no information on the history of our home. One family who used to live in our home told us that Mr. Wilder believed the home to be built sometime between the 1860’s to 1880’s; however, we have not been able to trace this information to verify it. Therefore, this page is dedicated to the discovery and future discovery of our home’s rich history.
Arabella Harrington League
Our home resides in the Arabella Harrington League of Brenham. Upon doing some research, here is what I discovered about A. Harrington according to Handbook of Texas Online:
Arabella Gray Deaver (Dever) Harrington, pioneer settler, was born about 1790 in South Carolina, the daughter of Lydia and William Gray. Sometime in the early 1800s she married a Revolutionary War veteran, Nathaniel Deaver. He died in Randolph County, Illinois, in 1810, leaving his wife and several children. Arabella moved back to North Carolina, then to Missouri, Arkansas, and on to Texas. She married John William Harrington, who was killed in a sawmill accident in Arkansas as they moved toward Texas. Three children were born of Arabella's second marriage. She entered Texas in 1826 and made her home at Washington-on-the Brazos. She received a Mexican land grant on March 22, 1831. It consisted of one league on New Year's Creek in what later became Washington County. She is said to have practiced midwifery, tended the sick, and served meals in her home to support herself and her younger children. Both of her sons fought in the Texas Revolution. Most of downtown Brenham is built on the Arabella Harrington League, for which purpose she sold 100 acres. She built her home on a hill south of Brenham. She was a charter member of the Brenham Methodist Church, founded in 1844. She died in 1860.
Known History
1/28/1911
The home was sold by Mrs. E.P. (Hettie) Curry to Mrs. Lelia Thornhill in the amount of $3500 cash.
10/23/1970
The home was sold by Lelia Koerth (Dallas Co.) and numerous other people referred to as et. al. including Thetis McDaniel (Harris Co.), Debbie Kay Pletzer (Brazos Co.), Jimmy Joe Pletzer (Brazos Co.), Thetis McKay (Grimes Co.), and Edgar Pletzer (Brazos Co.) to Mr. Eugene Settanni.
10/30/1983
Mr. Eugene Settanni passed away, leaving the home to Mr. Harry E. Settanni (his only son).
7/19/1984
It appears the estate of Mr. Eugene Settanni was settled and officially deeded over to Mr. Harry E. Settanni.
2/25/1985
Mr. Harry E. Settanni sold the home to Mr. Don M. Wilder who utilized the home as a rental property to various tenants. One tenant operated an antique shop/tea room during the 1990's called "Gina's Antiques" in which many people in Brenham fondly remember.
1985
Mr. Don M. Wilder passed away.
8/3/2005
Mrs. Mary Wilder (executor of the estate of Mr. Don M. Wilder) deeded the house to Mr. Wilder's daughter, Cornelia “Connie” Wilder.
2/28/2006
We purchased the home.
Eugene Settanni
The home was owned by Eugene Settanni. Mr. Settanni was born in New Jersey on Feb. 6, 1918 to Italian immigrant parents, Joseph and Caroline Settanni. He had one sister that we know of, Vera, who was born in 1916. At the time of the 1930 U.S. Census, the family lived at 2203 S. Woodstock St. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Settanni played the violin in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1944-1945 when he was in his late 20's. On Oct. 25, 1964, he was married to Irene (maiden name unknown) but was divorced nine years later on Nov. 13, 1973 in Harris County. Mr. Settanni died on Oct. 30, 1983.
Mr. Settanni seemed to be a very eccentric man. Upon talking to numerous long-time Brenham residents, it was well known that Mr. Settanni was a bit of a pack rat. Walking through the house was like walking through a maze of boxes, books, and collectibles, stacked from floor to ceiling. It was also common for him to be seen around town with his beloved dog. We have been told that he passed away in the house and that when local law enforcement came to the house to investigate, his dog was very protective of the body.
Additional Research
If you have any information on our house or its former occupants, or if you know of ways I can further my research, please email me at ShariLTackert@yahoo.com.
