Jonathon D. Rudd
Jonathon Davenport Rudd (February 17, 1840 – April 26, 1920) was an American planter and politician who served four terms in the Texas Legislature. He fought in the American Civil War as a lieutenant in the Confederate States Army. In the post-war Reconstruction era, he helped organize the Citizens Party and worked to reverse the political gains African Americans had made.
Early life[edit]
Rudd was born in Newberry, South Carolina, to Daniel and Elizabeth (née Davenport) Rudd. Orphaned at 16, he later moved to Texas with 25-30 inherited slaves and established the Bermuda Farm Plantation near Waskom.[1]
Civil War[edit]
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Rudd served as a lieutenant in Company G, 14th Texas Cavalry Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Allatoona in Georgia.[1]
After the war[edit]
After the end of the war in 1865, he returned to his plantation and married his cousin Leonora T. Hill. He became a noted cattle breeder.[1]
Rudd helped organize the Citizens Party in Harrison County, Texas, in 1878 to restore white control after Republicans came to power during the Reconstruction era,[2] and African Americans - Mitchell Kendall, Meshack Roberts,[3] and others - represented the county in the state house. Rudd served as Democratic county chairman and county commissioner; during his term, the 1878 election was marred by fraud and intimidation of African American voters.[1] He himself was elected to four consecutive terms in the Texas Legislature, from January 13, 1891, to January 10, 1899, as a Democrat.[4]
Rudd died at the age of 80.
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Connor, Seymour V. "Rudd, Jonathon Davenport (1840–1920)". Handbook of Texas.
- ^ "Confederate Veteran". S.A. Cunningham. December 28, 1920 – via Google Books.
- ^ Thompson, Nolan. "Roberts, Meshack". Handbook of Texas.
- ^ "Jonathon Rudd". Legislative Reference Library of Texas.