 Navarro
County was named for Jose Antonio Navarro, who was born in San
Antonio February 27, 1795 to Maria Josefa (Ruiz) and Angel Navarro.
He was appointed Land Commissioner for DeWitt's Colony in 1831, and
in 1834-5 was Land Commissioner for Bexar District. He was a
consistent Republican and an implacable foe to despotism in any
form. He, with Samuel A. Maverick, was elected delegate from Bexar
to the convention which declared independence and framed the
Constitution of the Republic in March 1836. He became a member of
the Texas Congress in 1838. In 1840 he accompanied the Santa Fe
Expedition as a commissioner to treat with the New Mexicans; was
captured and carried to the Castle of Juan d'Ulloa, where he was
kept in close confinement until his release in 1845. He was an
object of special hatred by Santa Anna, who condemned him to
imprisonment for life, though during his captivity he was offered
his liberty and high office if he would forever abjure Texas. Being
a native Mexican and Texan, his zeal in behalf of Texas aroused all
the ire of Santa Anna. Santa Anna was succeeded by Herrera, a
liberal, in 1845, and he released Navarro. He arrived at Galveston
in February, 1845, after an absence of four and a half years. Upon
his return home he was immediately elected delegate to the
convention which framed the first State Constitution, in 1845, and
afterward served his district in the State Senate.
Always a strong
advocate of state's rights, in 1861 he defended the right of Texas
to secede from the Union. Although he was too advanced in years to
participate in the Civil War, Navarro's four sons served in the
Confederate Military. In 1825 Navarro married Margarita de la Garza;
they had seven children. He died in San Antonio on January 13, 1871,
universally beloved and respected by all patriots in Texas. His
father was a native of Corsica, and in compliment, the county seat
of Navarro was named Corsicana.
See Also:
Bibliography:
 |
Dawson, Joseph Martin, Jose
Antonio Navarro, Co-Creator of Texas, Baylor University Press, 1969. LOC: 73-112732
[Note: Contains detailed in Jose Navarro's involvement in the
creation of Navarro County]Here is
a vivid account of one of the major founders of Texas. In it we find fresh and full
recognition of his noble origins, his self-education in a period of great turmoil, his
versatility as successful lawyer, businessman, rancher and legislature, and his vast
influence.
Dawson, Joseph Martin, Jose Antonio Navarro, Co-Creator of Texas,
Baylor University Press, 1969. LOC: 73-112732 |
 |
Defending Mexican Valor in
Texas : Jose Antonio Navarro's Historical Writings, 1853-1857
by Jose
Antonio Navarro, David
R. McDonald (Editor), Timothy
M. Matovina (Editor) |
| |
"Jose Antonio Navarro" by Richard;
Mays, c. 1935. |
 |
Benito and the White Dove : A
Story of Jose Antonio Navarro
by Marj
Gurasich |
|
