William Branch Sayers was born February 22, 1843, in Canton, Mississippi. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Bastrop, Texas, and William was educated at the Bastrop Military Institute. In 1861 he joined the Civil War effort as a private in Terry’s Rangers, rose to the rank of general and fought at Shiloh, the battles of Perryville and Murfreesboro in 1862, and at the battle of Chickamauga in 1863 as well as many other smaller battles. After the war ended, he returned to Bastrop for a short while before moving to Gonzales in the fall of 1865. He studied law in the offices of Mr. Parker and J.F. Miller and was admitted to the Gonzales Bar on October 9, 1866. In 1867 he became a law partner with ex-congressman J.F. Miller. On October 2, 1868, the banking firm of Miller and Sayers was formed and he remained a member of that organization until his death. Sayers was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1871 and again in 1873. In 1874 he married Adele L. Lockhart. She was born September 13, 1853, the niece of ex-Texas Governor F.R. Lubbock. Adele and William had two sons.
William bought the lots for his home in 1871 and began building shortly after marrying Adele. The one story Queen Anne style house was completed in 1875. The house was neglected for many years and as of 1998 was approaching the point of no return. However, the house was purchased and efforts to restore it to its original splendor are being completed.
The Miller and Sayers banking business was so successful that in 1883 they both abandoned their law practice and concentrated on banking. William died February 24, 1898, at his residence and is buried in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery. The following year his brother, J.D. Sayers, became Governor of Texas. Adele died December 28, 1913, and is buried beside her husband.
