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James W. Throckmorton | |
|---|---|
 Throckmorton, 1865–1880 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromTexas | |
| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 | |
| Preceded by | George W. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Silas Hare |
| Constituency | 5th district |
| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | Dewitt Clinton Giddings |
| Succeeded by | Olin Wellborn |
| Constituency | 3rd district |
| 12th Governor of Texas | |
| In office August 9, 1866 – August 8, 1867 | |
| Lieutenant | George Washington Jones |
| Preceded by | Andrew J. Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Elisha M. Pease |
| Member of theTexas Senate | |
| In office November 2, 1857 – November 4, 1861 | |
| Preceded by | Malachi W. Allen |
| Succeeded by | Lewis F. Casey |
| Constituency | 4th district |
| In office November 2, 1863 – August 6, 1866 | |
| Preceded by | William Dixon Lair |
| Succeeded by | John K. Bumpass |
| Constituency | 15th district |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives | |
| In office November 3, 1851 – November 2, 1857 | |
| Constituency | 25th district (1851–1853) 7th district (1853–1857) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | ( 1825-02-01)February 1, 1825 Sparta, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | April 21, 1894(1894-04-21) (aged 69) |
| Resting place | Pecan Grove Cemetery,McKinney, Texas |
| Party | Democratic |
| Profession | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit |  1st Texas Volunteers 6th Texas Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
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James Webb Throckmorton (February 1, 1825 – April 21, 1894) was an American politician who served as the12th governor of Texas from 1866 to 1867 during the early days ofReconstruction. He was aUnited States Congressman from Texas from 1875 to 1879 and again from 1883 to 1889.
Following the outbreak of aMexican–American War, he joined the 1st Texas Volunteers as a private in February 1847. A few months later, he was assigned as an assistant surgeon to theTexas Rangers, until receiving a medical discharge in June of that year.[1] During the Texas secession convention in 1861, he was one of only eight delegates to vote against secession from theUnited States.[2] ne of the negative votes is enshrined in Texas history books. James Webb Throckmorton, from Collin County in North Texas, in response to the roar of hisses and boos and catcalls which greeted his decision, retorted, "When the rabble hiss, well may patriots tremble." Appreciating his style, the crowd afforded him a grudging round of applause (like many Texans who initially opposed secession, Throckmorton accepted the result and served his state, rising to the rank of brigadier-general in the Confederate army).[3]. Despite this, he served in theConfederate Army, first as a captain of Company K, 6th Texas Cavalry Regiment.[4]
He was promoted to brigadier general by 1862. During late 1862 while stationed inNorth Texas, which was chaotic because of military and state militia abuses, he saved all but five men inSherman, Texas, from being lynched by militia as suspects in anticonscription activities.[5] Violent acts had spread in North Texas after theGreat Hanging at Gainesville earlier in October 1862, when a total of 42 men were killed, most hanged.
Throckmorton defeatedElisha M. Pease in the Texas gubernatorial election of June 25, 1866, at the same time that the legislature approved a new constitution. He was elected withGeorge Washington Jones as Lt. Gov. During his term as governor, Throckmorton's lenient attitude toward formerConfederates and his attitude toward civil rights conflicted with the Reconstruction politics of theRadical Republicans inCongress. He angered the local military commander,Major GeneralCharles Griffin, who persuaded his superior,Philip H. Sheridan, to remove Throckmorton from office and replace him with Elisha M. Pease, an appointedRepublican andUnionist.[2]
As the Radical Republicans' influence began to wane in the mid-1870s, Throckmorton was elected to Congress representing Texas's 3rd Congressional District in 1874 and re-elected in 1876. He was not a candidate in 1878. He again later served the 5th District, elected in 1882 and re-elected in 1884. He was not a candidate in 1886.[6] In 1882 he was elected to the seat vacated by his former Lt. Gov.George Washington Jones, as G.W. Jones did not run for re-election.
Throckmorton died at age 69 from a fall, having become frail due tokidney disease.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by Hardin Richard Runnels | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Texas 1865,1866 | Succeeded by |
| Texas Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Texas State Senator from District 4 1857–1861 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Texas State Senator from District 15 1863–1866 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Texas 1866-1867 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTexas's 3rd congressional district 1875–1879 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTexas's 5th congressional district 1883–1887 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
