[1][2] He was born on June 21, 1851, in Cherokee County, Alabama.
In 1888, he was re-elected to the 6th District (21st Texas Legislature).
In 1891, he was elected Speaker of Texas House of Representatives.
In 1907, he was appointed first-ever Texas Agriculture Commissioner.
He resigned as Agriculture Commissioner in 1908 to become President of Texas A&M College, in which role he served until 1913.