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JONES, ANSON
(1798-1858)
Ten
Things you should know about...
Anson Jones
by
John Troesser |
- Born in Great
Barrington, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1798.
- He wanted
to be a printer but became a physician. In 1820 he was licensed
to practice in New York State.
- In 1824 he
spent two years in Venezuela.
- In October
1832 he became a merchant in New Orleans where he had a series
of disastrous business ventures.
- In October
1833 he came to Texas where John Wharton and other citizens of
Brazoria encouraged him to practice medicine. He soon prospered.
- In 1835,
Jones (with four others) established the
first Masonic lodge in Texas (in Brazoria).
- When war
came he enlisted in Robert J. Calder's company where he served
as Surgeon (with the rank of Private).
- On the field
of battle
at San Jacinto, he found the journal of Juan N. Almonteal
and had it published in 1836.
- In 1853 he
helped found the Medical Association of Texas which later became
the Texas Medical Association.
- He committed
suicide at Houston on January 9, 1858, and is buried in Glenwood
Cemetery at Houston.
|
| Barrington,
his plantation home (named after his birthplace) is preserved at Washington-on-the-Brazos
State Historical Park. Known today as Barrington Farm -
it is a hands-on educational facility demonstrating early 19th Century
Texas life/ agriculture and animal husbandry. |
Various
Offices held by Anson Jones
and Some highlights of his Public Life
He
served briefly as "Apothecary General of the Texas Army"
President Sam Houston appointed him minister to the United States
in June 1838
He was recalled by President Mirabeau B. Lamar in May 1839
Houston appointed Jones his secretary of state in December 1841
Jones was elected president of The Republic of Texas in September
1844 and took office on December 9th.
He helped formulate legislation to regulate medical practice and advocated
a uniform system of education. He also left an endowment for a university.
He was the last president of the Republic of Texas. On February 19,
1846, at the ceremony setting up the government of Texas as a state
in the Union, Jones declared, "The Republic of Texas is no more."
Then he retired to Barrington, his plantation near Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Anson,
Texas and Jones County are both named after him.
July
2002
© John Troesser |
Anson Jones
- Texas Forum
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