Robert S. Gould facts for kids
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Robert Simonton Gould (born December 16, 1826 – died June 30, 1904) was an important judge on the Texas Supreme Court. He served as a Justice from May 1874 to December 1882. For part of that time, from November 1881 to December 1882, he was the Chief Justice, which is the head judge of the court.
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Robert Gould's Early Life and Schooling
Robert Gould was born in Statesville, North Carolina. His father, Daniel Gould, was a minister, but he passed away when Robert was only seven years old. In 1837, Robert's mother, Zilpha Gould, moved their family to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Becoming a Scholar
Robert was very smart and started attending the University of Alabama when he was just fourteen. He finished his studies and graduated at eighteen. After graduating, he worked at the university for three years as a math tutor. He also earned a special degree called an A.M. in 1847.
Starting His Law Career
In 1849, Robert Gould got his license to practice law. He moved to Macon, Mississippi, where he started a law firm with Joshua Martin, who used to be the Governor of Alabama. In 1850, Gould moved to Texas. A judge named R. E. B. Baylor allowed him to practice law in Texas, and Gould settled in Centerville, Texas.
Public Service in Texas
Robert Gould was elected as a district attorney in 1853 and held that job until 1857. In 1861, he was elected as a district judge. However, he soon left this position to join the army during the American Civil War.
Military Service During the Civil War
Robert Gould was part of the Secession Convention in 1861, which was a meeting about states leaving the United States. He then gathered a group of cavalry soldiers (soldiers who fight on horseback) from Leon County for the Confederate army. He was chosen as their captain.
Leading Soldiers in Battle
His company joined with four others to form a battalion, and Gould was elected as the major in charge. Gould's battalion fought in important battles like Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Jenkins' Ferry. At the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, he was injured, and his horse was killed right under him. More companies joined his group, and Gould was promoted to colonel.
After the War
When the war ended, Robert Gould went back to practicing law in Leon County. In 1866, he was elected as a district judge again. But soon after, he was removed from his job by a military order. This happened during the time called Reconstruction, when the country was being put back together after the war.
Later Legal Work and Teaching
In 1870, Gould moved to Galveston, Texas. There, he worked as a lawyer with his nephew, Robert Gould Street. Their law firm was called Gould & Street.
Becoming a Supreme Court Justice
In 1874, Governor Richard Coke chose Robert Gould to be an Associate Justice on the Texas Supreme Court. In 1876, he was elected to the same position. He served as a Justice until 1881, when he was appointed Chief Justice, the highest judge on the court. He held this important role until 1883.
Teaching Law at the University
In 1883, the leaders of the University of Texas at Austin chose him to be a Professor of Law. He taught law at the university until he passed away.
Robert Gould's Family and Faith
In 1855, Robert Gould married Serena Barnes. They had a son named Robert, who later had four children of his own. Sadly, their son Robert died young, so Robert Gould and his wife raised their grandchildren in Austin.
Honors and Beliefs
In 1886, Gould received an honorary degree called an LL.D. from a university in Tennessee. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, first in Galveston and later in Austin. He remained a strong Christian throughout his life. When Robert Gould passed away, his funeral was one of the largest ever held in Austin at that time.
