Gould, Colonel Robert Simonton

(1826-1904) Born in North Carolina. Educated at University of Alabama. Came to Texas in 1850. Practiced law in Centerville. Served as the first district attorney, then as judge in the Old 13th Judicial District. Represented Leon County as member of Secession Convention, 1861. Afterward, as this county voted 534 to 82 in favor of secession, raised locally troops which as Co. B, became nucleus for 6th Texas Cavalry (or Gould's) Battalion, in the Confederate Army. First as major, then as colonel, Gould led battalion for 4 years in Louisiana and Texas. Saw duty in Red River campaign to prevent invasions of Texas, fighting in the 1864 repulses of Federals at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. At Jenkins Ferry, Ark., Col. Gould had his horse killed under him. After the war he was reelected judge of the Old 13th District, but was removed in 1867 by military authorities in charge of reconstruction in Texas. Appointed assistant justice of Texas Supreme Court in 1874, he was afterwards elected, and served until Dec. 31, 1882 (being chief justice in 1880-1882). Was named, along with Governor O. M. Roberts, as one of two first professors of law at the University of Texas, holding tenure 1883-1899. Died in Austin.

Gould, Colonel Robert Simonton is a historical marker in Buffalo, Leon County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 20 historical markers documented in Leon County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 102 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.4427, -96.0845 near Buffalo. The nearest cataloged historic site is Buffalo Sandhill Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.5 miles away. Others within a short drive include First Baptist Church of Buffalo, Buffalo Cemetery, and Jackson Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5289009625. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.