Shack Roberts | |
|---|---|
 Roberts in 1873 | |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 5th district | |
| In office 1873–c. 1878 | |
| Preceding | Thomas Gillespie Allison and William Wright Morris |
| Preceded by | Washington Holley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Meshack R. Roberts Arkansas, US |
| Party | Republican |
Meshack R. Roberts was an American enslaved man and later politician.1
Early life
Born in Arkansas, his owner O. B. Roberts moved him to Gilmer, Texas in 1844. During the American Civil War, O. B. served in the Confederate States Army while Roberts cared for his house and family. After the war, O. B. gave him land and material to build a log cabin. In 1867, he was whipped by members of the Ku Klux Klan, and soon moved to Marshall, where he worked as a blacksmith.2
Career
In 1873, Roberts was elected to the 13th Legislature of the Texas House of Representatives. A Republican from the 5th district, he helped improve education of African American children. He was also noted for his sarcasm and sense of humor.3 He was reelected for the 14th and 15th Legislatures.4 He was removed from office by the White Citizens Parties. He also helped establish Wiley University.56
Legacy
He was honored by the 79th Texas Legislature, along with other early African-American legislators, for their service to Texas.7
References
References
- "TSHA | Roberts, Meshack". www.tshaonline.org.
- "Meshack Roberts Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- Beadle, John Hanson (1877). Western Wilds, and the Men who Redeem Them: An Authentic Narrative, Embracing an Account of Seven Years Travel and Adventure in the Far West; Wild Life in Arizona; Perils of the Plains; Life in the Cañon and Death on the Deseret; Thrilling Scenes and Romantic Incidents in the Lives of Western Pioneers; Adventures Among the Red and White Savages of the West; a Full Account of the Mountain Meadow Massacre; the Custer Defeat; Life and Death of Brigham Young, Etc. Jones Brothers. p. 417.
- Lentz, Sallie M. (1957). "Highlights of Early Harrison County". The Southwestern Historical Quarterly. 61 (2): 240–256. ISSN 0038-478X. JSTOR 30241928.
- Association, Texas State Historical. "Roberts, Meshack". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
- Howell, Kenneth Wayne (2012). Still the Arena of Civil War: Violence and Turmoil in Reconstruction Texas, 1865-1874. University of North Texas Press. p. 222. ISBN 978-1-57441-449-3.
- "Shack left his mark on East Texas". Longview News-Journal. 17 August 2014. pp. A2. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
