BIOGRAPHY:  E. E. LOTT - Smith County, Texas 

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Submitted by Wanda Anita Clayton - TYR148150@tyler.net
6 April 2002
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The Texas Album of the Eighth Legislature, 1860, A Texas Enterprise,
By Wm. DeRyee & R. E. Moore, Austin, Texas, Printed by Miner, Lambert 
& Perry, 1860

The subject of this sketch is a native of Mississippi.  His father was 
John Lott.  He was born on the 24th day of February, 1820, and 
consequently was a boy during the ”flush times” of the southwest.”   
He remained in that gallant State, imbibing the ardent spirit and 
temper of her social and political associations until 1840.  In that 
year having married Miss Lott, of Mississippi, a most accomplished 
lady, he removed to Texas, and settled in the county of Harrison.  
Reared as he had been, in the State of Mississippi, and having seen 
something in his earlier life of the hardships of the border he was 
prepared for the adventurous scenes of the early Republic of Texas.  It 
was in this county that he began his political career, which has been 
continued successfully from that day to the present.  Before entering 
upon the slippery paths of politics, he had become noted for his 
hospitality, his generosity, integrity and sagacity.

In 1842, therefore, Hon. Isaac Vanzant, (then a member of Congress of 
the Republic) having been appointed by the President of Texas, Minister 
to the United States, and his place becoming vacant, Mr. Lott was 
brought forward as a candidate for Congress, although then a young man, 
and having able and distinguished competitors, he was triumphantly 
elected.

He entered the Congress of the Republic, at that stormy and gloomy 
period, with Hon. David S. Kaufman as his colleague, and bore himself 
gallantly in that assembly of bold and able men, as the records of that 
Congress will amply testify.

It was at this session that a strong and lasting friendship was formed 
between two colleagues (Lott and Kaufman) which was broken only by 
death.

In 1843-4, he served the District, composed of the counties of Harrison, 
Panola and Upshur, in Congress, with that fidelity and ability which 
are characteristic of the man.  It was during the session of 1844, he 
being a member, that the celebrated “Cherokee Land Bill” was repealed; 
which law, up to that period, had reserved from settlement what is now 
the wealthiest and most fertile portion of the State, composed of the 
counties of Cherokee, Smith, etc.

In this contest his services were of great value to the country.  Soon 
after the repeal of the law, Col. Lott removed to that section of the 
country formerly embraced within this old Indian reservation, and now 
within the county of Smith, where he has ever since resided.  He 
remained in private life from 1845 to 1847; but his efficient services 
rendered the Republic as a member of Congress, were remembered by his 
fellow-citizens, and he was not permitted to stay in retirement.  During 
this interval the Republic had become a part of the Union.  In this 
great movement, though in private life, he took an active part, as the 
strong friend of annexation.  He was elected by an overwhelming vote, 
a member of the second Texas Legislature, to represent the old district 
of Nacogdoches, and he was continued a member of every legislature from 
that day to this: during all of which time---representing at times 
extended territories of country, and always intelligent constituencies
---he has proven himself to be an able counselor for the people’s 
interests, a sagacious and successful legislator: and today, as senator 
from one of the most populous and enlightened districts of the state, 
he stands second to no one of that able body, either in industry, 
devotion to his constituency, or general intelligence.

In 1852, Col. L., was unanimously elected a Delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention at Baltimore.  Now, as then, Col. L., is a true 
member of that gallant party.  In 1857, he was nominated by Smith 
County for Governor, and brought forward by several of the press; but 
he declined the use of his name.  He has always stood by the nominees 
of his political organization in prosperity and defeat.

Col. Lott is strictly a people’s man.  He knows their wants, (being a 
planter himself) and enters heart and soul into every legislative or 
other movement, which has for the object, the advancement of their 
interests.  During his long and useful career in this State he has 
always favored the people.  In Texas he has been the warm advocate of 
every preemption measure from 1845 to this day.

In 1856, having lost his first wife, he married Miss Anna Cook, a most 
estimable and intelligent lady, who, with her liberal husband, bestows 
upon their hosts of friends a bountiful hospitality.  Col. L. is a man 
physically of a tall and commanding stature.  He has a strong native 
intellect, enriched by experience.  He is kind to a fault, and devoted 
to his friends.

He is one of those useful practical citizens, who leave their mark 
behind them on the history of their country, and Texas may well be 
proud of having such men in her midst.