Early Life
Smith was born the tenth and last child of James and Magdalen (Woods) Smith of Kentucky. At the age of 21, he became a merchant in Nashville, Tennessee, and married. Moving from place to place, he was ultimately attracted by land grants offered by the Mexican government and took his family to Brazoria County, Texas, in 1827. There he worked his lands, taught school, and did some surveying.
Becoming involved in politics, Smith was wounded in the 1832 Battle of Velasco. Elected alcalde of Brazoria in 1833, he was soon chosen a delegate to the Convention of 1833. In 1834, he was appointed by the Mexican governor as political chief of the department of the Brazos.
Read more about this topic: Henry Smith (Texas Governor)
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