Lyman

A severe illness at the age of fifteen left R. M. Williamson crippled for life. As a result of the illness, his right leg was drawn back at the knee. To compensate, he wore an artificial limb from the knee down, which led to his widely used nickname of “Three-Legged Willie.” Williamson was born in … Read more

In a land and at a time known for its tough and colorful characters, William A. “Bigfoot” Wallace felt right at home. During his sixty years in Texas, he set the standards as a ranger, backwoodsman and folk hero. Born in Lexington, VA on April 3, 1817, Wallace grew up and worked on his father’s … Read more

Born in South Carolina on 9 August 1809, William Barret Travis will always be remembered as the Texas commander at the Battle of the Alamo. He spent his childhood in Saluda Co., SC, which was also the home of James Butler Bonham, another Alamo defender. Travis studied law and became a practicing attorney for a brief … Read more

For over fifty years, Alexander Terrell maintained a high profile in Texas. His public service career progressed from that of district court judge to military officer, legislator, and U. S. minister to Turkey. Born in Virginia on November 3, 1827, Terrell moved with his family to Missouri at an early age. There, he studied law … Read more

For his role in the Provisional Government during the early stages of the Texas Revolution, Henry Smith is remembered as the first American governor of Texas. He is also remembered as having married three times (all sisters to each other), and as the father of nine children. Smith was born in Kentucky on May 20, … Read more

Erastus Smith was hearing impared. Despite this handicap, however, Smith became one of Sam Houston’s most reliable and most trusted scouts. He was a man of few words, but was well known for his coolness in the presence of danger. Born April 19, 1787 in Dutchess County, New York, Smith moved with his parents to … Read more

Born August 13, 1805 in Hartford, Connecticut, Ashbel Smith graduated from Yale in 1824 and became a doctor in 1828. After further medical study in Europe, he decided to go to the newly formed Republic of Texas in 1837. Here, he remained a resident for life. Soon after arriving in Texas, Smith was appointed surgeon-general … Read more

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the leading villain of Texas history, was born in Mexico on 21 February 1794. As a young military officer, he supported Emperor Agustin de Iturbide, and at one time courted the emperor’s sister. He later rebelled against the government, gained considerable backing. By 1833, he was elevated to president of … Read more

Thomas Jefferson Rusk was lured to Texas from Georgia in 1832. He was chasing business partners who had absconded with his money and fled westward. When he arrived in Nacogdoches, he decided to stay. Born December 5, 1803 in South Carolina, Rusk studied law and was admitted to the bar through the influence of John … Read more

Born in Iowa on 27 September 1838, Sul Ross moved with his family to Texas the following year. He attended Baylor University in 1856, then graduated from Wesleyan University at Florence, Alabama in 1859. Ross earned early recognition as captain of a ranger company that attacked a large Comanche village in 1860 and recaptured the … Read more