CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  M. D. ECTOR - Harrison County, TX

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Submitted by Peggy Brannon - peggybrannon@hotmail.com
17 November 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

M. D. ECTOR

Matthew Duncan Ector, of Marshall, was born in Putnam county, Ga., February 
28, 1822. He was educated in Center College, Kentucky. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1844 and two years later was a member of the Georgia legislature. 
He came to Texas in 1849, locating in Henderson, and was a prominent member 
of the Texas legislature in 1855. He enlisted in 1861 as a private, but was 
soon promoted to adjutant of Gen. Joseph L. Hogg's, brigade; was made a 
colonel for gallantry in the field, and two weeks later was commissioned 
brigadier-general for the same reason. He served with distinction at 
Chickamauga and Murfreesboro, and in the Atlanta campaign received a wound 
which caused the amputation of his left leg. After the war he resumed the 
practice of law, and was elected district judge in 1866, but was deposed the 
next year by the Federal authorities. He removed then to Marshall, Texas, 
where he enjoyed a fine law practice until in 1874 he was again made 
district judge. In 1875 he was elected one of the judges of the Court of 
Appeals, was chosen by his colleagues the presiding judge and held this 
position until he died in Tyler, Oct. 29, 1879. Gen. Ector was a brave 
soldier, learned judge and, lovable man. No public man in Texas stood 
higher.