Legislative Reference Library

Texas Legislators: Past & Present

Matthias Ward

Full Name: Matthias Ward
Birth date: October 13, 1805
Death date: October 5, 1861

Terms of Service

  • Senate, 3rd (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Legislature
    11/13/1849 - 11/3/1851
     
(1) Entire Senate went up for reelection due to Senatorial redistricting. Act approved Jan. 16, 1850, 3rd Legislature, ch. 44. Apportionment Laws of Texas, 1836-1950 1950.
(2) 1st Senatorial District comprised of Bowie, Titus, and Cass Counties. Act approved Mar. 1848, 2nd Legislature, ch. 162, Apportionment Laws of Texas, 1836-1950 1950.
(3) JEFFERSON, TEXAS (Marion County). "In 1846 Jefferson became the county seat of Cass County, upon that county's separation from Bowie County, and served as such until Linden became county seat in 1852 . . . In 1860 Jefferson became county seat of the newly established Marion County." Handbook of Texas Online .
(4) Roster of members elect of the 3rd Legislature, Matthewson, R.C., Texas State Gazette (Austin, Texas), 9/29/1849, p. 6, crediting Dolph Briscoe Center for American History. Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries) .
(5) 3rd Legislature, Regular Session - Not present at the organization of the Senate. Oath of office, 11/13/1849, p. 113. Senate Journal .

Biographical Notes and Resources

Other Resources

  • Biographical sketch, p. 186. Came to Texas in 1836, settling in Bowie County. Biographical Directory of the Texan Conventions and Congresses, 1832-1845 1942.
  • WARD, Matthias (1805-1861). Senator, TX. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress .
  • WARD, MATTHIAS (1805-1861). " . . . moved to the Republic of Texas in 1836. Settling in Bowie County and then at Clarksville, Red River County, in 1845, he engaged in trading. He served in the Seventh and Eighth Congresses of the Republic. After his removal to Jefferson, he served in the Texas Senate, 1849-50 . . ." Handbook of Texas Online .
  • Portrait and biographical sketch, "Matthias Ward spoke for the Democrats," pp. 14-15. "Moving to Texas in 1836, he settled first in Bowie County, then moved on to Clarksville. He served in the Congress of the Republic, was a state senator from Jefferson . . . As the leading Texas Democrat, upon the death of J. Pinckney Henderson, Ward was appointed to the [U.S.] Senate." The Texas Senator 1978.
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