List of Texas Governors and Presidents
Encyclopedia
Texas
has had chief executives with the titles of governors and presidents since 1691. These were under the flags of:
was a part of New Spain
.
, the territory of Texas
was merged with Coahuila to form a new state, Coahuila y Tejas
.
, the Consultation declared independence from Mexico. An interim government was formed pending elections.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
has had chief executives with the titles of governors and presidents since 1691. These were under the flags of:
- (New) Spain (governors, 1691–1821)
- Mexico (governors, 1821–1835)
- Republic of Texas (presidents, 1835–1846)
- United States of America (governors, 1846–1861 and 1865–present)
- Confederate States of America (governors, 1861–1865)
Spanish Texas
From 1691 through 1821, Spanish TexasSpanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
was a part of New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
.
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Notes |
Domingo Terán de los Ríos Domingo Terán de los Ríos Domingo Terán de los Ríos served as the first governor of Spanish Texas from 1691 to 1692.-Previous service:Terán served the Spanish crown in Peru for two decades. He came to Mexico in 1681, and was governor of the province of Sonora y Sinaloa for approximately five years... |
January 23, 1691 | March 5, 1692 | Also served as governor of Sonora y Sinaloa Sonora y Sinaloa Sonora y Sinaloa was a province in the Provincias Internas and under the jurisdiction of the Real Audiencia of Guadalajara of Viceroyalty of New Spain. After Independence Sonora y Sinaloa became one of the constituent states of the Mexican Republic... , Nueva España New Spain New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire... . |
Gregorio de Salinas Varona | 1692 | 1697 | |
Francisco Cuervo y Valdés Francisco Cuervo y Valdés Francisco Cuervo y Valdes was a Spanish politician who ruled Nuevo Leon, Coahuila , Texas and New Mexico .- Biography :... |
1698 | 1702 | |
Mathias de Aguirre | 1703 | 1705 | |
Martín de Alarcón Martín de Alarcón Martín de Alarcón was the governor of Spanish Texas from 1705 until 1708, and again from 1716 until 1719. He founded San Antonio, the first civilian settlement in Texas.-First term:... |
1705 | 1708 | Founder of San Antonio San Antonio, Texas San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,... . |
Simón Padilla y Córdova | 1708 | 1712 | |
Pedro Fermin de Echevers y Subisa | 1712 | 1714 | |
Juan Valdez Gov. Juan Valdez Juan Valdez was lieutenant general and alcalde of the presidio and villa of Bexar in 1714 and 1716.- Biography :Juan Valdez was elected governor of Texas on two occasions: the first was in 1714 and the second in 1716. He was mayor of the presidio of villa of Bexar in 1720... |
1714 | 1716 | |
Martín de Alarcón Martín de Alarcón Martín de Alarcón was the governor of Spanish Texas from 1705 until 1708, and again from 1716 until 1719. He founded San Antonio, the first civilian settlement in Texas.-First term:... |
1716 | 1719 | |
José de Azlor y Virto de Vera José de Azlor y Virto de Vera José de Azlor y Virto de Vera, the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo, was the governor of the Mexican provinces of Coahuila and Texas between 1719 and 1722. During his tenure, Aguayo retook Eastern Texas from France without firing a shot... |
1719 | 1722 | |
Fernando Pérez de Almazán Fernando Pérez de Almazán Fernando Pérez de Almazán was an emissary Spanish and Governor of Texas - Biography :Fernando Perez de Almazan was born in the early eighteenth century, but their place of birth is unknown... |
1722 | 1727 | |
Melchor de Mediavilla y Azcona Melchor de Mediavilla y Azcona Melchor de Mediavilla y Azcona, was the acting governor of Texas between 1727 and 1731.- Biography :Melchor de Mediavilla y Azcona was born in the early eighteenth century. In 1727, he was appointed... |
1727 | 1730 | |
Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos was a soldier and governor of Texas and Coahuila, Mexico. He also served as alcalde ordinario in Mexico City.- Biography :... |
1730 | 1734 | |
Manuel de Sandoval Manuel de Sandoval Manuel de Sandoval was a prominent military and the governor of Coahuila and Texas - Biography :Manuel de Sandoval was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico to end XVIIth century, but as with other Spanish governor of Texas the exact date of his birth is unknown. In 1707, he joined the army of Santa Fe... |
1734 | 1736 | |
Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo, was a Spanish governor of Texas between 1736 - 1737.- Biography :Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo, was born in La Orotava, Tenerife in 1691. When he was young, he moved to Havana, Cuba, where he married Ángela de Alarcón y Ocaña. Later, in 1736 Philip V... |
1736 | 1737 | |
Prudencio de Orobio y Basterra | 1737 | 1741 | |
Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen de Winthuisen was governor of Texas from 1741 to 1743.- Biography :Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen was born in the early eighteenth century, but little is known about his life. He was appointed governor of Texas in 1741, to replace to Orobio Prudencio Basterra... |
1741 | 1743 | |
Justo Boneo y Morales | 1743 | 1744 | |
Francisco García Larios | 1744 | 1748 | |
Pedro del Barrio Junco y Espriella Pedro del Barrio Junco y Espriella Pedro del Barrio Junco y Espriela was acting governor of Texas from 1748 to 1750 and the governor of Nuevo León, Mexico .- Biography :... |
1748 | 1751 | |
Jacinto de Barrios y Jáuregui | 1751 | 1759 | |
Ángel de Martos y Navarrete | 1759 | 1766 | |
Hugo Oconór Hugo Oconór -External links:*... |
1767 | 1770 | |
Juan María Vicencio | 1770 | 1778 | |
Domingo Cabello y Robles Domingo Cabello y Robles Domingo Cabello y Robles was Office and Spanish governor of Nicaragua , of Texas and Cuba . His politics legislation in Texas was widely criticized.-Early years:... |
1778 | 1786 | |
Bernardo Bonavía y Zapata | 1786 | 1786 | |
Rafael Martínez Pacheco | 1786 | 1790 | |
Manuel Muñoz Manuel Muñoz (Governor of Spanish Texas) Manuel Muñoz was a soldier, a colonel and governor of Texas between 1790 and 1798.- Early life :Manuel Muñoz was born, in 1730, probably in Matamoros, a city of Castile-La Mancha, Spain. He was serving as Captain of the Spanish Army when, in 1759, he temporarily settled in Texas as the first... |
1790 | 1798 | |
José Irigoyen José Irigoyen José Irigoyen was appointed Spanish Acting governor of Texas in 1798, but he never came to work as governor.- Biography :José Irigoyen was born in the eighteenth century, but the exact date he was born is unknown. The same can be said of where he was born... |
1798 | 1800 | |
Juan Bautista Elguézabal Juan Bautista Elguézabal Juan Bautista Elguezabal was governor of Texas from 1800 to 1805. He also ruled this state temporarily in 1797, and Louisiana .- Biography :... |
1800 | 1805 | |
Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante Manuel Antonio Cordero y Bustamante was a military man and Spanish politician who served both as Acting governor of Coahuila, in the current Mexico , governor of the same city and acting governor of Texas .... |
1805 | 1808 | |
Manuel María de Salcedo Manuel María de Salcedo Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , (Malaga, Spain, (1776 - executed, 3 April 1813), was a governor of Spanish Texas from 1808 until his execution in 1813. Salcedo gained leadership experience helping his father Juan Manuel de... |
1808 | 1813 | Temporarily deposed by de las Casas |
Juan Bautista de las Casas Juan Bautista de las Casas Juan Bautista de las Casas led a revolt against the governor of Spanish Texas in 1811 and served as head of the province for 39 days until he was deposed.-Revolt:... |
1811 | 1811 | Led a coup against Salcedo and became governor for 39 days before being arrested. |
Cristóbal Domínguez Cristobal Dominguez Cristóbal Domínguez was an Argentine chess master.He has been one of the most significant developers of the chess game study techniques since the early 1960s, when he began preparing a young generations of players with major national and international projection, in the sea-side resort city of Mar... |
1814 | 1817 | |
Juan Ignacio Pérez | 1817 | 1817 | |
Manuel Pardo | 1817 | 1817 | |
Antonio María Martínez Antonio María Martínez Antonio María Martínez was a colonel in the infantry regiment of Zamora and the last governor of Spanish Texas.-History:He was born in Andújar, province of Jaén, Spain. He entered military service on July 7, 1785, and had a distinguished career, winning the Cross of Northern Europe and the Cross... |
1817 | 1821 |
Mexican Texas
Following the Mexican War of IndependenceMexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, the territory of Texas
Mexican Texas
Mexican Texas is the name given by Texas history scholars to the period between 1821 and 1836, when Texas was an integral part of Mexico. The period began with Mexico's victory over Spain in its war of independence in 1821. For the first several years of its existence, Mexican Texas operated very...
was merged with Coahuila to form a new state, Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.It had two capitals: first Saltillo, and then Monclova...
.
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Notes |
José Félix Trespalacios José Félix Trespalacios José Félix Trespalacios was the first governor of Coahuila y Texas as part of the United Mexican States.Trespalacios was a member of the militia in Chihuahua but then in 1814 was charged with organizing rebellion and was sentenced to death. His sentence was reduced to ten years in prison, but he... |
1821 | 1823 |
Luciano García | 1823 | 1824 |
Rafael Gonzales | 1824 | 1826 |
Victor Blanco | 1826 | 1827 |
José María Viesca | 1827 | 1830 |
Ramón Músquiz Ramón Músquiz - Biography :Don Muzquiz Ramón González was born in 1797 in San Antonio, Texas, in an environment where he lived with presidio soldiers and settlers, both Spanish and Mexicans and Anglos, mostly of northern Texas. Coming from a Basque family, his life was spent in the company of missionary friars... |
1830 | 1831 |
Juan Martin de Veramendi Juan Martín de Veramendi Juan Martin de Veramendi was the governor of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas from 1832 until 1833.Veramendi was born on December 17, 1778 in San Fernando de Béxar, known as Bexar, to Fernando Veramendi and Maria Josefa Granados... |
1831 | 1833 |
Juan José de Vidaurri y Villaseñor | 1833 | 1834 |
Juan José Elguézabal | 1834 | 1835 |
José María Cantú | 1835 | 1835 |
Agustín Viesca Agustín Viesca Agustín Viesca was a governor of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas in 1835. He was the brother of José María Viesca, also a governor of Coahuila y Tejas during 1827-1831.... |
1835 | 1835 |
Marciél Borrego | 1835 | 1835 |
Ramón Músquiz Ramón Músquiz - Biography :Don Muzquiz Ramón González was born in 1797 in San Antonio, Texas, in an environment where he lived with presidio soldiers and settlers, both Spanish and Mexicans and Anglos, mostly of northern Texas. Coming from a Basque family, his life was spent in the company of missionary friars... |
1835 | 1835 |
Texas Revolution
During the Texas RevolutionTexas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, the Consultation declared independence from Mexico. An interim government was formed pending elections.
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Notes |
Henry Smith Henry Smith (Texas Governor) Henry Smith was first American-born Governor of the Mexican territory of Texas and briefly presided over the revolution there.-Early life:... |
1835 | January 1836 | Impeached. |
James W. Robinson James W. Robinson James W. Robinson was a politician in what became the U.S. states of Texas and California.-Early years:J. W. Robinson was born in what is now Hamilton County, Indiana in c. 1791. He was a lawyer and partnered with William Henry Harrison. He married Mary Isdell in 1820, but abandoned his first... |
January 1836 | March 2, 1836 |
Republic of Texas
Name | Took Office | Left Office | Notes |
David G. Burnet David G. Burnet David Gouverneur Burnet was an early politician within the Republic of Texas, serving as interim President of Texas , second Vice President of the Republic of Texas , and Secretary of State for the new state of Texas after it was annexed to the United States of America.Burnet was born in Newark,... |
1836 | 1836 | Burnet County, Texas Burnet County, Texas Burnet County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 34,147. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate was 44,488. Its county seat is Burnet. Burnet is named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas... ; (acting) Vice-President of Texas under Lamar, U.S. Senator-Elect 1866. |
Sam Houston Sam Houston Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of... |
1836 | 1838 | Houston, Texas Houston, Texas Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ... ; Houston County, Texas Houston County, Texas Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 23,185. Its county seat is Crockett. Houston County is named for Samuel Houston, a president of the Republic of Texas and Governor of Texas... ; also served as Governor and U.S. Senator, and formerly in Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area... as Governor and U.S. Representative. Referred to as the first President of the Republic of Texas. |
Mirabeau B. Lamar Mirabeau B. Lamar Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was a Texas politician, diplomat and soldier who was a leading Texas political figure during the Texas Republic era. He was the second President of the Republic of Texas, after David G. Burnet and Sam Houston.-Early years:Lamar grew up at Fairfield, his father's... |
1838 | 1841 | Lamar County, Texas; Minister to Nicaragua Nicaragua Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean... . |
Sam Houston Sam Houston Samuel Houston, known as Sam Houston , was a 19th-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He was born in Timber Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, of Scots-Irish descent. Houston became a key figure in the history of Texas and was elected as the first and third President of... |
1841 | 1844 | Houston, Texas Houston, Texas Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ... ; Houston County, Texas Houston County, Texas Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 23,185. Its county seat is Crockett. Houston County is named for Samuel Houston, a president of the Republic of Texas and Governor of Texas... ; also served as U.S. Representative and Governor for Tennessee Tennessee Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area... , and as Governor and U.S. Senator for Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... . |
Anson Jones Anson Jones Anson Jones was a doctor, businessman, congressman, the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas, sometimes called the "Architect of Annexation."- Early life :... |
1844 | 1846 | Jones County, Texas Jones County, Texas As of the census of 2000, there were 20,785 people, 6,140 households, and 4,525 families residing in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile . There were 7,236 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile... . |