Haden Harrison Edwards facts for kids

Haden Harrison Edwards (born 1812, died 1865) was an important person in Texas history. He was born in Virginia but moved to Nacogdoches, Texas, when he was young. His father, Haden Edwards, was an empresario (a land agent who helped settle Texas). Haden Harrison Edwards had many jobs. He traded animals, was a soldier, a politician, and a railroad leader. He even started a railroad company called the Sabine Pass and East Texas Railway. He was also its first president.

Edwards' Military Adventures

Haden Harrison Edwards was a cattle trader who traveled a lot. When the Texas Revolution began, he became a leader. He was chosen to be a captain of a group of volunteer soldiers. These soldiers fought in an important battle called the Siege of Bexar.

After the Texas Revolution, Edwards continued to serve. He helped in campaigns against Native American groups. Because of his service, the government of the Republic of Texas made him a brigadier general. This is a high military rank.

Later, Texas joined the United States. This event is called the annexation of Texas. After this, the Texas military was no longer active. So, when the Mexican–American War started, Edwards joined as a regular soldier, called a private. He was part of the Texas Mounted Rifles. However, he had to leave the army on August 31, 1846, because of a disability.

Edwards in Politics

Haden Harrison Edwards was also involved in politics. He was elected to the first Congress of the Republic of Texas. He represented the area around Nacogdoches.

After Texas became a state, he continued his political career. He served in the Texas Legislature two times. He again represented the Nacogdoches area. In 1861, he was a delegate (a chosen representative) at the Texas Succession Convention. This group voted for Texas to leave the Union (the United States) before the American Civil War.

Edwards' Business Ventures

In 1858, Edwards became the president of the Sabine Pass and East Texas Railway. This was a railroad company he helped start. Construction on the railroad began, and some tracks were laid.

However, the American Civil War soon broke out. This stopped all work on the railroad. The tracks that had been laid were even taken up. They were used to build defenses at Sabine Pass.

After the war ended, Edwards worked hard to restart the railroad project. In August 1865, he was in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was trying to get money to fund the railroad when he passed away.

Edwards' Family Life

Haden Harrison Edwards married Sarah Forbes. They were married in Nacogdoches on October 22, 1843. Haden and Sarah had eight children together.

Their oldest child was Peyton Foster Edwards (1844–1918). Peyton also became a soldier, fighting for the Confederate side in the Civil War. After the war, he followed in his father's footsteps and entered politics. He was known as "the red rooster of Nacogdoches." Peyton served two terms in the Texas Senate, representing his home area. Later, he moved to El Paso.