King was born in New York City into a poor Irish family. He was indentured as an apprentice to a jeweler in Manhattan at the age of nine. At the age of 11 he fled the city and stowed away on a ship bound for Mobile, Alabama. Upon discovery, he was adopted by the crew and trained in navigation, becoming a steamboat pilot by the age of sixteen. By 1850 he was a steamboat captain and had formed a steamboat firm with three other partners. This firm achieved "nearly monopolistic" control on the Rio … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What Richard King’s Occupation was Prior to Owning the King Ranch?
Thought for the Day:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Maya Angelou … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Estate Planning and Charitable Giving
A comprehensive estate plan starts with a Last Will and Testament; however, from there an estate plan can take numerous different forms and accomplish a wide variety of goals. For some people, an estate plan must include provisions that allow them to give to charity. If you are one of those people, there a number of tips that you may wish to consider when deciding which charities to include in your estate plan and how to include them. Choosing the right charities can be difficult, considering … [Read more...] about Estate Planning and Charitable Giving
Texas History – Do You Know What First Public Office George Bush Was Elected to?
George Bush was first elected to United States House of Representatives seat from 7TH District of Texas in 1966. He defeated Democrat Frank Briscoe with 57% of the vote, becoming the first Republican to represent Houston. Bush’s representative district included Tanglewood, the Houston neighborhood that was his residence. His voting record in the House was generally conservative. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know What First Public Office George Bush Was Elected to?
Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Robert Craig Knievel "Evel Knievel" (1938-2007) - Daredevil Evel Knievel gained worldwide fame between the late 1960s and early 1980s for nationally televised death-defying motorcycle jumps. In his career he attempted over 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps between 1965 and 1980, and in 1974, a failed attempt to jump across Snake River Canyon in Skycycle X-2, a steam-powered rocket. Knievel’s stunts gained him international recognition and resulted in 433 broken bones, earning him an entry in the … [Read more...] about Famous Estates – Legacy Champ or Chump?
Thought for the Day:
You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated. Maya Angelou … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
For most people, an estate plan is much more than simply a list of how they want their assets divided after they die. A comprehensive estate plan often includes tax and probate avoidance, incapacity planning, and retirement planning as well. In the end, your estate plan is a road map for the rest of your life and beyond. Because of its importance, be sure not to commit any of the common mistakes people make when estate planning, including: Mistakes relating to property ownership laws. Your … [Read more...] about Common Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Texas History – Do You Know Where the First 48-Star U.S. Flag Was Flown?
The first 48-star U.S. flag was flown in Fort Bliss, Texas in October 1911, even though Arizona was not officially admitted to the Union as the 48TH state until February 14, 1912. Arizona was the last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union. … [Read more...] about Texas History – Do You Know Where the First 48-Star U.S. Flag Was Flown?
Thought for the Day:
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Maya Angelou … [Read more...] about Thought for the Day:
Estate Plan Changes for a Blended Family
Blended families have become the norm in America. While blending families may be the norm these days it doesn’t mean that they blend easily. Often, it takes a significant amount of work and patience to create a harmonious blended family. Along with all of the work it takes to make your new family work, be sure that you also make changes to your estate plan that reflect your new blended family. For starters, review all of your old life insurance policies, retirement accounts and financial … [Read more...] about Estate Plan Changes for a Blended Family
