CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  R. B. HUBBARD - Smith 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

R. B. HUBBARD

Richard Bennett Hubbard of Tyler, was born in Walton County, Georgia, Nov. 
1, 1834. He was graduated from Mercer University in 1851, and from the 
University of Virginia the following year, then entered Harvard University, 
Massachusetts, where he attained the degree of Bachelor of Law. Going at 
once to Texas he located in Tyler, where he resided until his death. He 
entered upon the practice of his profession,and began to build his way to 
fame and fortune. ,He was U. S. District Attorney in 1856-58, and then a 
member for two years of the Texas Legislature. In 1860 was a delegate to the 
Charleston Convention and an elector on the Breckenridge ticket.  Upon the 
secession of his state he raised tne 22nd Texas Infantry, C. S. A., of which 
he was made Colonel. He served throughout the war and was commander of a 
brigade on the cessation of hostilities. In 1872 was an elector-at-large on 
the democratic ticket, and was president of the State Democratic Convention 
in 1874. In 1876 he became Governor of Texas and his administration was 
characterized by many, far-reaching and effective measures in the interest 
of his state which won him a wide popularity. While he was Governor he 
delivered at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, July 4, 1876, an 
oration that attracted the attention of the nation. The critics pronounced 
it a classic and it has been translated into seven foreign languages. In 
1880 at the National Democratic Convention in Cincinnatti he seconded in a 
brilliant speech the name of Gen. Hancock for president. In 1884, at the 
national convention of his party in Chicago, Gov. Hubbard was elected 
chairman of the convention, and his speech on assuming the chair was a 
memorable oration. President Cleveland appointed him Ambassador to Japan, 
where he served with great credit for four years. Gov. Hubbard was a 
talented lawyer, fine executive and one of the foremost of American orators. 
He died at his home in Tyler July 12, 1901, and is buried in Oakwood 
cemetery.