Bio
Lucas Charles “Luke” Brite II (1860–1941) was a pioneering rancher and philanthropist in Presidio County, Texas. Born on July 29, 1860, in Caldwell County, he began working on ranches as a boy after his father’s early death. In 1879, he and his brother Robert worked in Coleman and Tom Green counties until Robert’s death in 1885. Luke then drove a small herd of cattle from Frio County to Capote Peak in Presidio County, where he established a substantial ranch in the wilderness.
Brite married Edward (Eddie) McMinn Anderson in 1896, and they lived at Capote Peak before moving to Marfa in 1902. The couple had two children. Brite’s ranch eventually expanded to 125,000 acres, and he became known for breeding champion Hereford cattle, shipping thousands of bulls over the years. His cattle won numerous awards, including the prestigious Cudahy Trophy for Grand Champion Carload of Feeder Cattle in 1922 and 1925. He was instrumental in organizing the Highland Hereford Breeders Association in 1918 and served as president of both the Panhandle and Southwestern Stockmen’s Association and the American National Live Stock Association.
A committed Christian, Brite joined the First Christian Church in Marfa in 1897. He and Eddie donated nearly $60,000 to establish the Chair of English Bible and build the Bible College at Texas Christian University (TCU). Brite served as chairman of the board of trustees for Brite College of the Bible at TCU in 1926. He died on September 4, 1941, from complications following surgery. Eddie continued his legacy, becoming the first woman on the TCU board and receiving various honors.
