JONES, Anson, president of Texas. born in Great, Barrington, Massachusetts, 20 January, 1798; died in Houston, Texas, 8 January, 1858. He studied medicine in Litchfield, Connecticut, was licensed to practise in 1820, and after residing successively in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and in South America, he went to Texas and settled in Brazoria county in 1833. As chairman of a mass-meeting that was held there in December, 1835, he drew up resolutions in favor of a declaration of independence, and of a convention of the people of Texas to form a constitution. He afterward raised a military company, with which he was engaged in the battle of San Jacinto, was judge-advocate-general, held several other military commissions in 1836-'7, and in the last year was a member of the Texas congress. He was minister from Texas to the United States government in 1837-'9, president of the senate and ex-officio vice president of the republic in 1840, secretary of state in 1841-'4, and president from 1845 till the annexation of Texas to the United States. His earnest opposition to this measure greatly affected his popularity, and destroyed his political influence. His reason became unsettled, and in a fit of insanity he died by his own hand. The county of Jones, Texas, and its court house, Anson, are named in his honor. His journal, preceded by a brief autobiography, was printed privately in 1859.