Robert Anderson Irion

Robert Anderson Irion (July 7, 1804 – March 2, 1861) was a physician, surveyor and Secretary of State of Texas under Sam Houston's first presidency of the Republic of Texas.

Early life

Irion was born in Paris, Tennessee, in 1804 to John Poindexter and Maacha (White) Irion. He was trained as physician graduating from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, in March, 1826. He began practicing medicine in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1832, following the death of his first wife, Ann Vick, he moved to Texas, first practicing medicine in San Augustine. He subsequently moved to Nacogdoches, where he became a surveyor and later, as tensions with Mexico rose, he resumed his practice of medicine.^[1]

During the Texas Republic

On September 14, 1835, Irion was elected to the Committee of Safety and Vigilance for Nacogdoches and on April 14, 1836, was a commandant of Nacogdoches Municipality. Irion served as a senator from Nacogdoches in the 1st Congress of the Republic of Texas, from October 4, 1836, to June 13, 1837. Texas President Sam Houston appointed him secretary of state of the Republic of Texas in 1837, and Irion traveled to the United States, Canada, England, and Europe representing Texas until President Mirabeau B. Lamar appointed Barnard E. Bee, Sr. to succeed him on December 13, 1838.^[1]

Memorials

Irion County, Texas is named after Robert Irion.

References