biography – Page 67 – Texas History Notebook

William Cowper Brann

williamcowperbrann

(Image credit: Texas Co-op Power Magazine)

William Cowper Brann was born in Coles County, Illinois in 1855 and was raised by a local farmer after his mother died when he was 2 1/2. His first job was to serve as a bell boy at a local hotel. Following that, he worked as a painter, a drummer, a grainer, a printer, a reporter and an editorial writer. It was written that he talked his way into a position as chief editorial writer for the Houston Post. Brann earned a reputation for being a hard worker at whatever he attempted to do.

Continue reading William Cowper Brann

Samuel Maverick

mavericksketch

Samuel Augustus Maverick was born in the summer of 1803 in South Carolina to Samuel and Elizabeth Anderson Maverick. His father operated an import business. Young Samuel worked in the family business, graduating from Yale University in 1825. He left the family business and moved to Virginia in 1828 to study law. For a while he practiced law and in 1833 he moved to Georgia for a year before relocating to Alabama to operate a plantation that had been given to him by his father.

Continue reading Samuel Maverick

Pompeo Coppini, Sculptor

Coppini was a sculptor in Texas who created many memorable works, including notable statues on several Texas universities and the familiar Alamo Cenotaph just outside the Alamo in San Antonio.

Continue reading Pompeo Coppini, Sculptor

James C. Loving

James C. Loving was the son of the well known cattleman and trail driver Oliver Loving and his wife Susan Loving, and was born in Kentucky in 1836. His parents came to Texas in 1845, settling for a year in Lamar County before moving to Collin County.

Continue reading James C. Loving

John Salmon “RIP” Ford, Texas Ranger

John Salmon Ford was born in 1815 in South Carolina. His family later moved to Shelbyville, Tennessee where he studied medicine. Ford came to Texas shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, arriving in June of 1836. One of his first memories in Texas was to attend a Forth of July celebration in San Augustine in which Sam Houston was honored. Houston was still suffering from his wounded leg, but he gave a rousing speech. Ford joined the Texas Army and served until about 1838 under Col. Jack Hays, participating in many Indian battles. He then set up a medical practice in San Augustine which he operated until about 1844. During this time, he also studied law and passed the bar exam. In 1844, he won an election and began serving in the Texas House. It was Ford who introduced the resolution for Texas Annexation by the United States.