Anson Jones was the last president of
The Republic of Texas.
He was born in
Great Barrington, Massachusetts on January 20th, 1798. He studied medicine in
Litchfield, Conneticut in 1817 and received his license to practice in 1820.
After years of practicing medicine, and numerous failed
business ventures in
New Orleans; Jones moved to Texas and established a
medical practice in
Brazoria, Texas.
In the war between
Texas and
Mexico, he served as a
soldier and
surgeon in the
Texan army. He was a
representative in the
Texan Congress in 1837 where he attempted unsuccessfully to secure the
annexation of Texas to the United States. He held the office of
Secretary of State under President
Sam Houston for three years (1841-1844).
In September 1844 he was
elected President of the Republic of Texas, he maintained the office until the annexation of Texas to the United States.
Jones helped found the Medical Association of Texas in 1853, known today as the
Texas Medical Association. After years of clinical depression, Anson Jones committed
suicide in 1858
His
journal and
autobiography “
Republic of Texas” was published in 1859.
Jones County and
Anson, Texas were named after him.
The Anson Jones, MD, Award; started in 1957, by the
Texas Medical Association, was also named in his honor.
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/jones.htm
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/JJ/fjo42.html
http://www.texmed.org/ata/nrm/AnsonJones.asp
http://www.dmwv.org/mexwar/documents/ajones.htm