Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 359 of 372
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ENCYCLOPEDIA.
293
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Isurvey of Missouri. He had been for some time associated with and fully equal to those intellecmost
successfully engaged in that great work, tual gifts, which, with those other qualities already
andl had already prepared a learned and ex- mentioned, have insured him the enviable eminent
tensive report on a portion of that State, when in position he now fills in the galaxy of the scientific
1858, under authority of the legislature, he received men of our time.
a commission as Chief Geologist from the chief We can not more appropriately conclude this
magistrate of our own) Texas, to make a geological Sketch than by quoting an extract fromn an article
survey of the State. written by a friend and published in the Louisville
Besides the reports alluded to and the monograph Journal soon after his appointment to the office:
already mentioned, Dr. Shumard has published of State Geologist. "We bespeak for Dr. Shumtard
numerous luminous and well-digested papers in the the kind consideration of our friends in Texas,
transactions of the Philadelphia and St. Louis with whom his labors may bring him in contact.
"Academies of Science," descriptive of new spe- He is not only -a profound geologist, but a man in
cies of organic remains, etc., whichl his researches whose heart every noble and gentle quality dwells."
have discovered and added to that branch of
science. His personal scientific investigations and
explorations, extending over all the western, north- S
western, and southiwestern states and territories- LSON JAMES C., the first Commissioner
to the Mauvaise terres of Nebraska and the moun- ;%i of the Texas Court of Claims, was born
tain ranges of California and Oregon--have brought l on the 21st of August, 1818, near Halifax
under his eye as much of geology, and especially Yorkshire, England, where he was eduin
its latter and fresher revalations, as has fallen cated. He immigrated to Texas in his eighteenth
to the lot of thel most famed votary of this axat- year, to participate in our glorious struggle for
ing science; nor has any opportunity been lost by independence. In 1839, he went to Brazoria, where
him to improve himself or enlarge the domain of he began the study of law. To support himself
science. during the period of his studies, he was compelled
HIc observes with care and is rarely at fault. to teach school. But even the study of law was
His powers of discrimination, and his industry, not sufficient to quell his roving disposition; forat
patience, and the extent of his scientific learning, the first cry of "Indians!'" young Wilson was ever
are such that his conclusions are reliable and ac- foremost to seize his rifle and mount his horse and
cepted as established facts in science. rush to the scene of savage outrage. His love of
His constant employment and the demand of his adventure induced him in 1812 to join the Mier
services in different portions of the Union, together Expedition. He was taken prisoner; and, when
with other testimonials, attest the admiration and urged by the British consul and other influential
admitted rank he holds among his own country- Englishmen to claim the protection of the British
men. The scientific men and associations of Europe flag, he proudly refused, exclaiming, "I am an
also have not been slow to assign him a high rank American citizen, and as such will live or die."
and admit his prominence in the scientific world- After enduring all the horrors attendant on the life
and to show the estimation in which ihe is held at of a Mexican prisoner, he finally escaped, on the
home and abroad, we tmay not improperly state 31st of July, 1843, with Samual H. Walker. After
that, by their voluntary and unsolicited action, Dr. innumerable hairbreadth escapes and severe privaShumard
-has been elected a miember of the "Geo- tions he succeeded in reaching New Orleans, when
logical Society of France," a member and president he immediately returned to Texas. In 1843, he
of the "Academy of Sciences," St. Louis, a mem- edited the Brazos Planter, and continued to do so till
her of the "American Association for the Advance- 1845, and was among the first to lead off in the
mIent of Science," also corresponding member of advocacy of annexation. Several articles written
the "Imperial Society of Vienna," of the "Impe- by hirn in 1844, on that subject, were copied into
rial Geological Society of Hermanastadt," and of the Washington Union and other leading Democra"Acadamies
of Science" of Philadelphia, of Cali- tic papers in the United States. In 1835, he was
fornia, of Cincinnati, New Orleans, etc. elected County Clerk of Brazoria county. the records
Such is Dr. B. F. Shumard as a man of science. of which office bear ample evidence of his talent
In-the social walks of life, those most estimable and industry. In 1844, he took out a license to
qualities of modesty, generosity, uniform courtesy, practice law..
and gentlemanly deportment, are to found in him In 1849, he was elected member of the Legisla
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/359/?rotate=90: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.