Hugo Oconór facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hugo O'Conor
23rd Governor of the Spanish Colony of Texas
In office 1767–1770
Preceded by	Ángel de Martos y Navarrete
Succeeded by	Juan María Vicencio
Governor of Yucatan
In office 1777–1779
Personal details
Born	1732 Dublin, Ireland
Died	March 8, 1779 Mérida, Captaincy General of Yucatán, New Spain
Military service
Allegiance	Spain
Branch/service	Spanish Army
Rank	Brigadier General

Hugo O'Conor, also known as Hugh O'Conor, was an important military leader and governor in what is now northern Mexico. He was born in Ireland but served Spain. In 1767, he became the governor of Texas. People said he rode over 10,000 miles on horseback while doing his job! The Apache people called him "The Red Captain" because of his red hair and strong leadership in battles.

O'Conor is known as the founder of the city of Tucson, Arizona. He approved building a military fort there in 1775. In 1777, O'Conor asked to move to the Yucatan Peninsula because he was not well. He was then promoted to brigadier general and became Governor of Yucatan. He served there until he died in 1779.

Early Life and Military Career

Hugo O'Conor was born in 1732 in Dublin, Ireland. He came from a noble Irish family called the O'Conor Don. His family was related to ancient kings and even a High King of Ireland.

At that time, laws in Ireland made it hard for Irish Catholics to have political or business rights. Because of these laws, O'Conor left Ireland and moved to Spain. His cousins were already officers in the Spanish Royal Army. He joined the Volunteers of Aragon regiment and became a major.

Service in the Spanish Army

During his time in the military, O'Conor was sent to Cuba and Mexico City. He showed great skill as a military planner. Because of this, he was made a captain for the Northern Territory. His job was to control this large region.

He later went to Texas to look into a problem at a fort called San Agustín de Ahumada Presidio. He became the inspector general of the Interior Provinces. These were the northern areas of New Spain.

Governor of Texas

In 1767, Hugo O'Conor was appointed governor of Texas. When he took office, he found that San Antonio, a major city, was often attacked by different Native American tribes. To protect the city, he set up a military base at Los Adaes.

In 1771, he became the commander of the Chihuahua border region. In 1773, he was made a colonel and inspector of all the forts.

Protecting the Frontier

O'Conor worked to protect areas like Nueva Vizcaya, Coahuila, and Sonora, Mexico. He decided to remove the Apaches from these regions. He led wars against them in 1775 and 1776. Many Apaches died, and those who survived moved to areas further west.

In 1777, O'Conor became very ill. He was sent to the Yucatan Peninsula and given the title of governor and brigadier general. This was a less demanding job than his previous one. He died on March 8, 1779, in Mérida, Yucatán.

Founding Tucson

Hugo O'Conor is remembered for founding the city of Tucson, Arizona. He signed an order to build a fort there. This order, written in 1775, explained his decision.

San Xavier del Bac.

August 20, 1775

"I, Hugo Oconor, knight of the order of Calatrava, colonel of infantry in His Majesty's armies and commandant inspector of the frontier posts of New Spain

Certify that having conducted the exploration prescribed in Article three of the New Royal Regulation of Presidios issued by His Majesty on the tenth of September 1772 for the moving of the company of San Ignacio de Tubac in the Province of Sonora, I selected and marked out in the presence of Father Francisco Garces and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona a place known as San Agustin del Tucson as the new site of the Presidio. It is situated at a distance of eighteen leagues from Tubac, fulfills the requirements of water, pasture, and wood and effectively closes the Apache frontier. The designation of the New Presidio becomes official with the signatures of myself, Father Francisco Garces, and Lieutenant Juan de Carmona, at this mission of San Xavier del Bac, on this twentieth day of August of the year 1775."

Hugo Oconor
Fray Francisco Garces
Juan Fernandez Carmona

This document shows that O'Conor chose the spot for the new fort. He made sure it had enough water, grass for animals, and wood. He also noted that it would help protect the border from the Apache people.

See also

In Spanish: Hugo O'Conor Cunco y Fali para niños

• List of Texas Governors and Presidents
• Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
• Irish military diaspora