Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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JACK, WILLIAM HOUSTON -- Born April 12, 1806 in Wilkes County, Georgia. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1827 after which he studied and was admitted to the bar. He moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and there practiced his profession. In 1829 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. In 1830 he emigrated to Texas and settled at San Felipe. His brother Patrick C. Jack with others was thrown in prison at Anahuac by John Davis Bradburn, Commander of the post. William H. Jack and others went to their rescue and while at Turtle Bayou waiting for an answer to demand sent to Bradburn, Mr. Jack wrote the "Turtle Bayou Resolutions," signed by all present.
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On August 15, 1835, Mr. Jack was elected a member of the Committee of Safety and Correspondence for the jurisdiction of Columbia (Brazoria). He received Bounty Certificate No. 996 for 320 acres of land, December 15, 1837 for serving in the army from March 1 to May 30, 1836.
He was a member of Captain William H. Patton's Columbia Company at San Jacinto and on December 19, 1838 was issued Donation Certificate No. 707 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle.
Mr. Jack was appointed Secretary of State by President Burnet serving until in October, 1836. He represented Brazoria County in the House of Representatives of the First, Fourth and Eighth Congresses of the Republic and in the Senate of the Sixth and Seventh. In 1842 he participated in the Vasquez Campaign.
Senator Jack died August 20, 1844 at the residence of Hiram G. Runnels, former Governor of Mississippi, in Brazoria County, of yellow fever. His remains and those of his brothers, Spencer and Patrick C. Jack, were later moved to Galveston and reinterred in Lack View Cemetery.
Jack County was named in honor of William H. and Patrick C. Jack.
Senator William H. Jack was married to Laura Harrison, daughter of Isham Harrison of Mississippi. Their children were: Hally Patrick, who married William Pitt Ballenger on April 30, 1850; Laura, who married Guy Morrison Bryan; and Thomas McKinney Jack, who married Nannie Knox.
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Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Capt. David Murphree
Personal Statistics
- Date of Birth: 1806 Apr 12
- Birthplace: Georgia, Wilkes County
- Origin: Alabama, Tuscaloosa
- Came to Texas: 1830
- Date of Death: 1844 Aug 20
- Burial Place: Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas
- Other Battles: Grass Fight
- Comments: Author of Turtle Bayou Resolutions.
- Bounty Certificate: 996
- Donation Certificate: 707
- Profession: Lawyer
- Wife: Laura Harrison
- Children: Hally Patrick Jack Ballinger; Laura Jack Bryan; Thomas McKinney Jack
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