Looscan, Michael, 1838-1897

Born in Caher, Ireland, on September 25, 1838, Michael Looscan came to the United States in 1855 and to Texas in 1858. He taught school before passing the bar exam in 1861. In April 1861 Looscan enlisted in the Second Regiment of the Texas Mounted Riflemen. After the war he taught school in Colorado, Lampasas, and Hamilton Counties. In 1866 he established a law practice in Houston. In 1870 he was appointed county attorney of Harris County and was elected to that office in 1876. He practiced primarily real estate law. His mishandling of the holdings of the Brazoria Land and Cattle Company and the estate of James O'Donnell resulted in an unsuccessful lawsuit against him and his retirement from the practice of law. Looscan worked for the reelection of Governor James S. Hogg in 1892. He belonged to the Irish Benevolent Association, the Emmet Council of Houston, the D.C.F.B. of Houston, the Magnolia Council of O.C.F., and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He was interested in Civil War veterans organizations. He married Adele Lubbock Briscoe in 1881. Looscan died September 7, 1897.

From the description of Michael Looscan papers, 1859-1899, (bulk 1880-1892). (San Jacinto Museum of History). WorldCat record id: 50068083

Born in Caher, Ireland, to Michael and Mary Walsh O'Looscan on September 25, 1838, Michael Looscan immigrated to the United States in 1855. After a series of menial jobs in Utica, New York, he traveled to Mobile, Alabama, and worked as a press boy for the Mobile Mercury . Looscan's lifelong desire for self-education and improvement began at this time. In 1858 he moved to Earpville, Texas, and became a schoolteacher. In 1859 Judge M. H. Bonner encouraged Looscan to read law and to become a lawyer. He worked with Bonner in his law office, lived in his home, and passed the bar examination shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861.

In April 1861, Michael Looscan enlisted as a private in the Second Regiment of the Texas Mounted Riflemen, serving in the Trans-Mississippi West Theater. By the end of the war he had attained the rank of Major and was serving as an acting inspector general. After Appomattox Looscan once again taught school, first in Colorado County near Eagle Lake, later in Lampasas County in the home of Dr. Robert McAnally, and finally in Barnes Settlement, Leon River, Hamilton County. By 1866 he saved $200 and moved to Houston to establish a law practice. He began practice with Judge William S. Oldham and upon Oldham's death Looscan moved to his own office in 1868. In 1870 he was appointed county attorney of Harris County and was elected to that office in 1876. An 1880 lawsuit accusing him of misappropriating county funds - later ruled invalid by the state supreme court - denied Looscan his party's 1880 nomination. He continued to practice primarily real estate law, arranging land purchases and obtaining clear legal titles to land. His mishandling of the holdings of the Brazoria Land and Cattle Company and the estate of James O'Donnell (1883-1892) resulted in an unsuccessful lawsuit against him in 1892-1893 and his eventual retirement from the practice of law.

Always an extremely interested and energetic participant in politics, Michael Looscan actively supported the reelection of Governor James S. Hogg in 1892. His role in the election earned him a position on the board of managers of the Confederate Home and a commission as aide-de-camp on the governor's staff. Looscan belonged to numerous organizations from his earliest days in Houston. Among them are the Irish Benevolent Association, the Emmet Council of Houston, the D. C. F. B. of Houston, the Magnolia Council of O. C. F. (Order of Chosen Friends), and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His interest in Civil War Veterans organizations began as early as 1872.

Michael Looscan married Adele Lubbock Briscoe, the daughter of Andrew Briscoe and Mary Jane Harris Briscoe, on September 13, 1881, thus allying himself with one of the founding families of Texas. They had no children.

Michael Looscan died on September 7, 1897, at his home in Houston, Texas.

From the guide to the Miohael Looscan papers MC054. 50068083., 1859-1899, (Bulk: 1880-1892), (Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, )