Lawrence Sullivan Ross

Lawrence Sullivan Ross, born on September twenty-seventh, eighteen thirty-eight, was a prominent figure in Texas history, serving as the 19th governor of the state and a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Raised in the Republic of Texas, which later became part of the United States, Ross spent much of his childhood on the frontier, where his family played a pivotal role in founding the town of Waco.

His educational journey took him to Baylor University and Florence Wesleyan University, where he faced adversity during a summer break when he sustained severe injuries while fighting Comanches. After completing his studies, Ross joined the Texas Rangers and led them in the Battle of Pease River in eighteen sixty, a significant event that resulted in the recapture of Cynthia Ann Parker, a child abducted by the Comanches.

When Texas seceded from the Union, Ross enlisted in the Confederate Army, participating in one hundred thirty-five battles and skirmishes, earning recognition as one of the youngest generals in the Confederate ranks. Following the war, he briefly served as sheriff of McLennan County before engaging in the 1875 Texas Constitutional Convention. Except for a two-year stint as a State Senator, Ross dedicated the next decade to his agricultural pursuits.

In eighteen eighty-seven, he ascended to the governorship of Texas, where he oversaw significant events such as the dedication of the new Texas State Capitol and the resolution of the Jaybird-Woodpecker War. Despite his popularity, Ross chose not to seek a third term. Shortly after leaving office, he became the fourth president of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas A&M University. His leadership was instrumental in reorganizing the university's finances and expanding its facilities, as well as opening the first classes to women.

Ross's legacy continued after his passing, with the Texas Legislature establishing Sul Ross State University in his honor, ensuring that his contributions to education and governance would be remembered for generations to come.