Anson Jones

Anson Jones ( born January 20, 1798 in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, † January 9, 1858 in Houston, Texas) was an American physician, entrepreneur, member and past president of the Republic of Texas; he is sometimes called the architect of the annexation ( Architect of Annexation ).

In 1820, Jones was granted the license to practice medicine in Oneida (New York), where he practiced but without success. In 1824 he emigrated to Venezuela for several years. In 1832 he came to New Orleans, where he worked as a trader. After a year he gave up and moved to Texas, where he settled in Brazoria. Here he re-opened a medical practice. In 1835 he became politically active. During the revolution in Texas Jones was a surgeon of the Texan army.

From 1839 to 1841 he was a member of the Senate of Texas, he was also Secretary of State ( Secretary of State ) to 1844. In September 1844, he was elected President of the Republic of Texas and was the successor to Sam Houston. At the age of 59 years, he committed suicide with a gun.