Cave Johnson was prominent in the early years of Beaumont. He had a store and a hotel and was a riverboat captain. He also served as sheriff of Jefferson County and in other county offices. Cave was a close associate of Captain George O'Brien of Beaumont, and they were related by marriage. Cave planted an oak switch in Beaumont that he had brought from Village Creek. The switch grew into a huge tree that was called the "O'Brien Oak" because it grew in front of George O'Brien's house. O'Brien had bought the house from Cave Johnson. The tree is no longer standing. Marker has been removed