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 , MP and last President of the Republic of Texas .

Jones was born to Solomon and Sarah (Strong) Jones in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In his youth he actually wanted to be a printer. But he was pushed to study medicine. In 1820 Jones was licensed to practice medicine in Oneida, New York . From 1822 he practiced rather unsuccessfully in Bainbridge. He then opened a pharmacy in Norwich , Vermont . This company too quickly failed. He apparently ran into debt and has been arrested in Philadelphia for that debt. He stayed in the city until 1824, where he worked as a teacher, among other things. Then he moved to Venezuela for two years . In 1826 he returned to Philadelphia, where he was again active in the medical field until 1832. He then moved 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 opened a doctor's office again . In 1835 he became politically active and joined the Texan independence movement from Mexico . During the Texas Revolution , Jones was a surgeon for the Texas Army . He first became a member of the Texas House of Representatives . Between 1838 and 1839 he represented the Republic of Texas as ambassador in Washington, DC From 1839 to 1841 he was a Member of the Senate of the Republic of Texas , and he was until 1844 Foreign Minister ( Secretary of State ) of the Republic of Texas. Jones was hesitant about his republic's proposed accession to the United States. On this question, however, he found no approval in the Texas Congress, which advocated a merger.

In September 1844 he was elected President of the Republic of Texas to succeed Sam Houston . As president, he tried, among other things, with diplomatic aid from Mexico to delay the connection to the USA. This turned parts of the Texan population against him. He was reprimanded by the Texas Congress. A dismissal was being considered. Eventually this measure was waived. However, its presidential powers were restricted. With the eventual accession of Texas to the United States, Jones' presidency ended for good.

After his presidency ended, Jones became a successful planter in Texas and made some fortune. Politically, however, he was annoyed that he had not been considered as a US Senator . The first two Texas Senators were Sam Houston and Thomas Jefferson Rusk . His pre-existing aversion to Houston turned into hatred. Jones became frustrated with the development of Texas political events and became depressed. At the age of 59 years he committed with a gun suicide .

According to him, Jones County named in Texas.

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personal data
SURNAME	Jones, Anson
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American medic, entrepreneur, MP, and last President of the Republic of Texas
DATE OF BIRTH	January 20, 1798
PLACE OF BIRTH	Great Barrington , Massachusetts
DATE OF DEATH	January 9, 1858
Place of death	Houston , Texas