History of Texas United States of America

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Biographies:

Edmund Jackson Davis, governor of Texas, was born in St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 21, 1830; son of William Goodwin and Mary Ann (Channer) Davis. He removed to Texas in 1848 where he practised law; was collector of customs, 1850-52; district attorney, 1853-54, and district judge, 1854-60. He joined the Union army as colonel, 1st Texas cavalry; was promoted brigadier-general, Nov. 10, 1864; and mustered out, Aug. 24, 1865. He was a member of the first and president of the second reconstruction conventions, and Republican governor of Texas, 1870-74. He died in Austin, Texas, Feb. 8, 1883.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Edward Degener, representative, was born in Brunswick, Germany, Oct. 20, 1809. He was twice a member of a legislative body in Amhalt-Dessau, and was a member of the first German parliament in Frankfort. He removed to the United States in 1850 and became a farmer in Sisterdale, Texas. He afterward engaged in business in San Antonio, TexaS. He was a member of the state constitutional convention of 1866-68; a Republican representative from Texas in the 41st congress, 1870-71; and a member of the Texas legislature several terms. He died in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 11, 1890.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Sam Houston, president of the republic of Texas, was born in Rockbridge county, Va., March 2, 1793; son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Paxton) Houston; grandson of Robert and Margaret (Davidson) Houston; great grandson of Samuel and Ann (Dunlop) Davidson, and great2 grandson of John Houston, of lowland Scotch origin, who emigrated from the north of Ireland in 1689 and settled in Philadelphia. The Paxton family immigrated to America at the same time as the Houstons and in their company. Samuel Houston served in General Morgan's brigade of riflemen in the war for independence and was assistant inspector-general of frontier troops with the rank of major at its close. He died in 1806, and his widow with her nine children, Sam at the time being thirteen years old, crossed the Alleghany mountains and settled in Blount county, where a cabin was built and the family lived the bard life of pioneers. Of the early educational advantages of Sam little is recorded. He could read, however, and his one book was Pope's translation of the Iliad, which he knew nearly by heart. He was a clerk in a trader's store, when he suddenly left home and went to live with the Cherokee Indians, where be was adopted in the family of one of the sub-chiefs of the tribe. He acquired their language, wore their dress and lived apart from his family until 1811, when he returned to civilization in order to pay his debts incurred in the purchase of ammunition and trinkets during his voluntary nomadic life. He taught a country school, and with the money so earned liquidated his debts and paid for his tuition for a session at Maryville academy, his only school attendance. He then enlisted as a recruit in the army organizing for the war of 1812, and was made sergeant of a detachment which joined a regiment marching against the Creek Indians. While the regiment was at Knoxville he received from President Madison a commission as ensign, and be subsequently joined General Jackson's army and took part in the desperate battle of Tohopeka, Ala., March 29, 1814, where be was wounded with a barbed arrow while scaling the enemy's breastworks, and he was ordered to the rear by Jackson. He refused to leave the field, forced his comrades to pull out the arrow by main strength, and with blood flowing from the wound, and unsupported, he answered the call for volunteers to storm the ravine in which the remnant of the Creeks had taken refuge. He reached the entrance, when he fell pierced by two bullets in his right arm and shoulder. He was borne from the field and his wounds were pronounced fatal by the surgeon in attendance. One of the bullets was removed, but the other he carried in his shoulder for two years and the wound had not healed at the day of his death. His gallantry gained for him promotion to a lieutenancy and the lifelong friendship of General Jackson. He resigned his commission in 1818, when his motives in defending his old friends, the Cherokee Indians, from the rapacity of government agents, were questioned. He was admitted to the bar after six months' preparation, his chief recommendation being his eloquence as a speaker and he never claimed to be other than a political lawyer. He was prosecuting attorney of the district which included Nashville, 1820-29; representative in the 18th and 19th congresses, 1823-27, and while in congress fought a duel with Gen. William White, severely wounding his antagonist, while he escaped untouched. This was his only duel recorded, although he was repeatedly challenged and no one questioned his courage. He was elected governor of Tennessee in 1827 by a majority of 12,000, and was a candidate for reelection in 1829. Before the election he was married to Eliza Allen, the daughter of a rich and influential resident of Nashville. The young lady had rejected a lover for the brilliant match with the governor of Tennessee at the urgent request of her parents, and the appearance of the lover at the wedding betrayed her secret to Houston, who noticed her agitation while holding her hand during the ceremony. The same day he questioned her so earnestly that he forced from her the confession that another had her love, and without awaiting the explanation she was anxious to make, the impetuous soldier at once released her from her obligation as a wife and left the presence of his bride. He placed his resignation as governor in the hands of a friend, to be delivered to the proper authorities, and sought seclusion among his old friends, the Cherokees, who had been removed through his influence to a reservation beyond the Mississippi. He never explained his conduct, and the narrative here given the bride confided to a friend, and it was not made public for seventy years. His silence on the subject and his sudden departure did an injury to both the parties, but no word of blame ever escaped from the lips of either. Mrs. Houston long after secured a divorce on the ground of desertion and was married to a Dr. Douglass. Houston remained in seclusion with the Cherokees till 1832, when he visited Washington, wearing the garb of an Indian, was received by President Jackson, and had a street fight with Representative Stunberry, of Ohio. While with the Indians he attempted to forget the world by debasing himself with drink, and the Indians on account of his habits changed his name Colonneh to the more expressive one of "Big-Drunk." He married a half-breed woman named Tyania Rodgers, according to the Indian fashion. They had no children, and his sincere attachment to her was evidenced by his sending for her to join him at Nacogdoches, Texas, but she refused to leave her people and a few years afterward she died. Toward the close of 1839 be went to Texas at the invitation of President Jackson, who gave him a commission to arrange treaties with the Comanches and other tribes of Indians for the protection of American settlers on the borders. He took up his residence at Nacogdoches, and on the outbreak of the struggle for independence he was elected commander-in-chief of the forces of eastern Texas and organized a volunteer force to aid the revolution. He also helped to organize a civil government for the republic at San Felipe de Austin, April 1, 1833. He opposed the declaration of absolute independence and used his influence to conciliate the liberal party in Mexico and to remove the impression that the movement was a conspiracy of slaveholders. Under the provisional government formed, Stephen S. Austin was made a commissioner to the United States, and Sam Houston, commander-in-chief of the army. The delay of the council in passing ordinances providing for a recruiting service paralyzed Houston's efforts and he was unable to raise an adequate army to meet the advance of Santa Anna. The capture of San Antonio, the siege of the Alamo and the massacre of Geliad followed. The fall of the fortress of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, resulted in the destruction of the entire garrison of 145 Texans, who had held at bay 2500 Mexicans until the last defender was killed, and at Geliad 220 prisoners-of-war were murdered. A new convention met, March 2, 1836, a declaration of independence was adopted, and Houston was unanimously re-elected commander-in-chief. The inhuman warfare conducted by Santa Anna aroused the people of Texas to desperation and a large army was quickly recruited. General Houston commanded the troops at the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, where with 743 men with "Remember the Alamo!" a battle-cry he engaged 1400 Mexicans, completely defeating the enemy, and captured their arms, baggage and camp equipments. The Mexicans lost 630 killed, 208 wounded and those not escaping by flight were made prisoners-of-war. Santa Anna escaped to a swamp, where he secured a disguise, but was captured and his life spared through the powerful influence of Houston, who secured from him a cessation of hostilities, an interchange of prisoners, and secret agreement that the Mexican general would procure the acknowledgment of the independence of Texas. The Mexican congress, however, decreed that all treaties and conventions subscribed by Santa Anna while he was a prisoner should be null and void. Houston was severely wounded [p.365] at San Jacinto, and was sent to New Orleans for treatment. From there he sent a protest against the execution of Santa Anna by the Texans who clamored for his blood to avenge the Alamo and Goliad; and they allowed him his life according to the terms of the agreement. While absent from the state, Lemur was made commander-in-chief and an election for President of the republic had been ordered by the March convention. Twelve days before the general election, which was held July 22, 1836, General Houston announced himself as a candidate and he was chosen President, receiving 4374 out of a total of 5104 votes. He took possession of the office in October. Santa Anna was then released by him and sent under escort to Washington by way of New Orleans. Texas was recognized by the United States as an independent republic, and the recognition was coupled with the notification that the question of annexation could not be considered. Great Britain and France made special commercial treaties with the new republic. The army became insubordinate and was disbanded and re-organized, Albert Sidney Johnston being made senior major-general. Houston kept up his drinking habits, in spite of which he held the respect of the community. He married as his third wife Margaret M. Lea, of Alabama, in 1841. She finally succeeded in reforming his habits and he abandoned drinking and swearing and became a consistent member of the Baptist church. The constitution of Texas rendered the President ineligible for two succeeding terms, and in 1826 Mirabeau B. Lemur was elected President and General Houston served two terms in the Texan congress as senator, 1839-41, during which time Great Britain, France, Holland and Belgium recognized Texan independence. In December, 1841, Houston was inaugurated President of Texas for the second time, and in order to restore financial credit, then greatly impaired, he suggested the reduction of all official salaries one half, which was acted on, his own salary being reduced from $10,000 to $5000, and during his three years' term the treasury paid out less than $440,000. In 1842 Santa Anna undertook to renew the invasion of Texas, which only resulted in a sharp correspondence between President Houston and the Mexican dictator. In June, 1843, President Houston directed the Texan minister at Washington to withdraw the application filed with the government for annexation to the United States and then after receiving assurances of protection during negotiation, appointed a special commissioner to renew the proposal for annexation. When it came before the senate with a commendatory message from President Tyler it was rejected by a vote of 35 to 16. Houston then sent instructions to Anson Jones, the Texan secretary of state, to accept the offer of Lord Aberdeen to arrange for the permanent independence of Texas. This action aroused the alarm and jealousy of the United States, and on the issue the Democratic party secured the election of James K. Polk as President. On Feb. 14, 1845, a joint resolution passed congress for the admission of Texas into the Union, and on Oct. 14, 1845, the republic of Texas became one of the United States and Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk were chosen U.S. senators. Houston drew the short term and took his seat, March 4, 1846. In January, 1847, be was re-elected, and again in January, 1853, his third term expiring March 3, 1859. In the senate he voted against the introduction of slavery in Oregon; in favor of the admission of California as a free state; for the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia; for the Clay compromise measures; and against the Nebraska bill, being one of the two opponents to the measure from southern states, the other being John Bell, of Tennessee. He received eight votes for Presidential nominee in the Democratic national convention of 1852, three votes in the American national convention of 1856 and fifty-seven votes in the Constitutional Union national convention of 1860. In 1857 he was defeated by Hardin R. Runnels for governor of Texas, and in 1859 he failed of re-election to the U.S. senate. The same year he was elected governor over Runnels, but the Secessionists elected a majority of the legislature and most of the executive officers. He took no part in the presidential election of 1860 but worked against secession and was denounced as a traitor to the South. He vetoed the resolution recognizing the authority of the Texan state convention of Jan. 28, 1861, and the resolution was passed over his veto and the convention carried the state out of the Union by a vote of 167 to 7. As governor he then submitted to the will of the people, rather than involve the state in a civil war. He declined to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy and was declared deposed from office and Edmund Clark was sworn in as governor. He declined a commission of major-general in the U.S. army offered him by President Lincoln. He had four sons and two daughters, children by his third wife. His eldest [p.366] son was a soldier in the Confederate army. See Life of Sam Houston, by Charles Edwards Lester, published anonymously in 1855; revised, l878. His name was in "Class E, Missionaries and Explorers," for a place in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, New York university, in October, 1900, and received sixteen votes, which gave the name a place in the list for election in October, 1902. General Houston died at Huntsville, Walker county, Texas, July 26, 1863.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Richard Bennet Hubbard, governor of Texas and diplomatist, was born in Walton county, Ga., Nov. 1, 1835; son of Richard B. and Serena (Carter) Hubbard; grandson of Richard B. Hubbard, of North Carolina, and a descendant on his mother's side of the Carters of Virginia. His father was a planter. He was graduated at Mercer university, Georgia, A.B., 1851, A.M., 1854; attended law lectures at the University of Virginia, 1851; was graduated at Harvard, LL.B. in 1852, and began the practice of law in Tyler, Texas. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Cincinnati, June 2, 1856, and President Buchanan appointed him U.S. district attorney for the western district of Texas. He resigned in 1858 and was elected a representative in the state legislature. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Charleston, April 23, 1860, and at Richmond, Va., June 21, 1860. He took sides with the South, and raised the 22d regiment of Texas infantry, which be commanded throughout the civil war. At the close of hostilities he cultivated his farm and when his political disabilities were removed he resumed the practise of law. He was a Presidential elector at large from Texas on the Greeley ticket in 1872; presided over the Democratic state convention of 1874 and was unanimously nominated for lieutenant-governor and elected by a majority of 50,000 votes. He was re-elected in 1876 by 102,000 majority, and when Governor Coke was transferred to the U.S. senate, Dec. 1, 1876, he became governor of Texas. His administration met the approval of the citizens as manifested by resolutions passed unanimously at the Democratic state convention of 1878. He was a delegate at large to the Democratic national convention at Cincinnati, June 22, 1880, where he was the first delegate to second the nomination of Gen. W. S. Hancock for President. He was again a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago, July 8, 1884, where he was temporary chairman, and in the canvass that followed he accompanied the Vice-Presidential candidate in his tour of Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. President Cleveland appointed him U.S. minister to Japan in 1883, where be negotiated the celebrated extradition treaty and also negotiated and signed the independent treaty of amity and commerce in 1889. On returning to the United States in 1890 be made his home in Tyler, Texas, and became interested in railroads in Texas, and was elected president of the Alexandria, Tyler and Northwestern Railroad company. He was married first to Eliza, daughter of Dr. C. B. Hudson, of Lafayette, Ala., and secondly to Janie R., daughter of the Hon. Willis Roberts, of Texas. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Mercer university in 1891. He is the author of an address delivered at the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1876, on the "Resources of Texas," which was published in permanent form and translated in the languages of the continent of Europe and largely read, resulting in an influx of desirable settlers to the state; and he was a member of the Trans-Mississippi state congresses at Topeka, Omaha and New Orleans. He is the author of: The United States in the Far East, or Modern Japan and the Orient, an epitome of his observations in Japan. He died in Tyler, Texas, July 12, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

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