Portal:Houston/Selected biography/October 2006

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Richard William "Dick" Dowling (1838 – 1867) was the victorious commander at the Second Battle of Sabine Pass in the American Civil War, and is considered Houston's first prominent citizen and hero. Orphaned, Dowling settled in Houston where he established a successful chain of saloons starting in 1857. After the battle of Sabine Pass, Dowling was elevated to hero status in his hometown of Houston. He subsequently served as a recruiter for the Confederacy and was personally commended for his action at the battle by Jefferson Davis. After the war Dowling returned to his saloon business in Houston and quickly became one of the city's leading businessmen.