Jeremiah Galvan

Biographical Information top

Biographical Sketches

• Description of Radical Republican takeover of Brownsville during reconstruction: Israel Bigelow and, eventually, Jerry Galvan ousted; Ferdinand Schlickum sent to first Republican Convention; Rip Ford wounded in fight with the sheriff, pp. 305-309. I Would Rather Sleep in Texas: a History of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the People of the Santa Anita Land Grant, 2003.
• Portrait and biographical information. Galvan emigrated in 1846 from Cork, Ireland; he later settled in Brownsville. "He was an enterprising man, making himself useful to military leaders and building political equity for himself," pp. 122-123. Account of testimony before the Robb Commission, pp. 321-323. The commission investigated bandit problems on the border during 1872 and 1873. Jeremiah Galvan "describes himself as someone who knew Mexico and the Mexican people well, having spent five years in Mexico as a clerk, or imprisoned, until he moved to Brownsville. He took it upon himself to relate his own Irish-Anglo-Texan point of view," p. 321. I Would Rather Sleep in Texas: a History of the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the People of the Santa Anita Land Grant, 2003.
• Obituary, Hon. Jeremiah Galvan, The Galveston Daily News, 7/3/1879, p. 4. Born in Ireland, death date 6/20/1879. "He was made county judge in 1868-9. Subsequently, he was elected to the legislature, where his business ability and industry were only equaled by his generosity. A motion was made to adjourn for St. Patrick's day. A member asked: 'Who will pay our per diem if we adjourn?' 'I will,' said Mr. Galvan. The house adjourned, and the festival of Ireland's patron saint was duly kept."
  Death notice, "The death of the genial Jerry Galvan of Brownsville . . . He had been a member of the Texas Legislature and we believe a candidate for Congress." San Marcos Free Press, 7/12/1879, p. 2.
  Recounting of death near Lake Providence, Louisiana, "Sixteen Years Ago," The Daily Herald (Brownsville, Texas), 6/20/1895, p. 3. "Sixteen years ago today [June 20] Jeremiah Galvan, a well known citizen of this frontier." Death date 6/20/1879. Portal to Texas History (University of North Texas Libraries). Galveston Daily News San Marcos Free Press The Daily Herald

Other Resources

• Jeremiah Galvan, Brownsville, Cameron County, merchant, age 50, born circa 1824 in Ireland. Directory of the Members and Officers of the Fourteenth Legislature of the State of Texas . . ., 1874.
• Census of 1860 - J. Galvan, Brownsville, Cameron County, age 32, born circa 1828 in Ireland, merchant, living in household with Mary Galvan and John Clark.
  Census of 1870 - Jeremiah Galvan, Brownsville, Cameron County, age 45, born circa 1825 in Ireland, merchant, wholesale general. Not found in Cameron County in the Census of 1880. FamilySearch. 1860 1870
• Mentioned in TEJANO POLITICS. Listed among the Tejanos who served in the Texas House and Senate. Handbook of Texas Online.
• Mentioned in Minority Civil Rights and the Texas Legislature, 2018.
• Mentioned in Vaqueros in Blue and Gray, 2000.

Photographs

• Photograph. Jeremiah Galvan, 14th Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

• 14th session composite photo of Senate and House members (Ground floor elevator vestibule, east wall. GW.V3). State Preservation Board.

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