Hardin Richard Runnels

Hardin R. Runnels ( born August 30, 1820 Mississippi, † December 25, 1873 ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and the sixth Governor of the State of Texas.

Runnels was born the son of Hardin D. Runnels and Martha " Patsy " Burch (born Darden ) in the state of Mississippi. His father died in 1839 and in 1842 he moved with his mother, his three brothers and his uncle Hiram Runnels to Texas. The uncle was 1833-1835 Governor of Mississippi. The family first settled on the Brazos River, but moved a short time later on in the Bowie County, where they built a cotton plantation on the Red River. From 1847 to 1855 he was a deputy in the Texas House of Representatives during the second, third, fourth and fifth legislative session of the Texas Legislature.

On 21 December 1857 his role as Vice Governor he succeeded by Elisha M. Pease governor of Texas and remained in office until 21 December 1859. His successor was Sam Houston, the former president of the Republic of Texas.