Robert Wilson (Texas politician)

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Robert "Honest Bob" Wilson (1793 – 1856) was a land speculator and politician in Texas.

Early life[]

Robert Wilson was born in Talbot County, Maryland, on December 7, 1792, to James and Elizabeth (Hardcastle) Wilson. Robert received some schooling and learned a variety of skills in Baltimore, including carpentry, machining, and running boilers. He joined the military service of the United States during the War of 1812.[1]

Career and personal life[]

Wilson fought in the Battle of 1812.[2]

In 1819, Wilson married Margaret Prendergrast, after which they moved to St. Louis.[2]

Robert Wilson ran for the presidency of the Republic of Texas in 1838. Initially he was engaged in a four-way race with Vice-President Mirabeau Lamar, Peter Grayson, and James Collingsworth, but Grayson committed suicide on July 9, 1838, and Collingsworth drowned in Galveston Bay two days later. Lamar won the race by a landslide, 6,987 votes to 252 for Wilson.[1]

Death and legacy[]

Wilson died on May 25, 1858, and he is interred at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.[2]

Wilson's son, James Theodore Wilson, was a two-term mayor of Houston.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Southwick, Leslie H. "The Texas Presidential Election of 1838: Robert Wilson" (PDF). The Houston Review: 3–20.
  2. ^ a b c d Southwick, Leslie H. "Wilson, Robert". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
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