American enslaved man and later politician
Meshack R. Roberts was an American enslaved man and later politician.[ 1]
Early life
Born in Arkansas , his owner O. B. Roberts moved him to Gilmer, Texas in 1844. During the American Civil War , O. B. served in the Confederate States Army while Roberts cared for his house and family. After the war, O. B. gave him land and material to build a log cabin. In 1867, he was whipped by members of the Ku Klux Klan , and soon moved to Marshall , where he worked as a blacksmith.[ 2]
Career
In 1873, Roberts was elected to the 13th Legislature of the Texas House of Representatives . A Republican from the 5th district , he helped improve education of African American children. He was also noted for his sarcasm and sense of humor.[ 3] 14th and 15th Legislatures .[ 4] White Citizens Parties . He also helped establish Wiley University .[ 5] [ 6]
Legacy
He was honored by the 79th Texas Legislature , along with other early African-American legislators, for their service to Texas.[ 7]
See also
References
^ "TSHA | Roberts, Meshack" . www.tshaonline.org .^ "Meshack Roberts Historical Marker" . www.hmdb.org . Retrieved 2024-08-10 .^ Beadle, John Hanson (1877). Western Wilds, and the Men who Redeem Them: An Authentic Narrative, Embracing an Account of Seven Years Travel and Adventure in the Far West; Wild Life in Arizona; Perils of the Plains; Life in the Cañon and Death on the Deseret; Thrilling Scenes and Romantic Incidents in the Lives of Western Pioneers; Adventures Among the Red and White Savages of the West; a Full Account of the Mountain Meadow Massacre; the Custer Defeat; Life and Death of Brigham Young, Etc ^ Lentz, Sallie M. (1957). "Highlights of Early Harrison County" . The Southwestern Historical Quarterly . 61 (2): 240– 256. ISSN 0038-478X . JSTOR 30241928 . ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "Roberts, Meshack" . Texas State Historical Association . Retrieved 2024-08-10 . ^ Howell, Kenneth Wayne (2012). Still the Arena of Civil War: Violence and Turmoil in Reconstruction Texas, 1865-1874 ISBN 978-1-57441-449-3 ^ "Shack left his mark on East Texas" . Longview News-Journal . 17 August 2014. pp. A2. Retrieved 19 March 2021 .
