Samuel Willis Tucker Lanham served as governor of Texas from January 20, 1903 to January 15, 1907. Born (1846) and raised in South Carolina, Lanham was the last Confederate soldier to serve as governor of Texas. He immigrated to Texas in 1866 with his wife, settling in Red River County, and then in Weatherford in Parker County. Teaching school while he studied law, Lanham was admitted to the bar in 1869. He was soon appointed district attorney for the 11th District, covering most of West Texas. His early career was marked by the successful prosecution of the Kiowas Satanta and Big Tree. He served as U.S. Congressman from the 11th District, 1882 to 1892 and 1896 to 1902. Twice elected governor, in 1902 and 1904, Lanham presided over the creation of two reform election laws, which required filing of campaign expenditures (Lanham spent only $20 on his 1904 campaign) and provided uniform primaries for major political parties. An important anti-trust law was passed, and two schools of higher education opened: the College of Industrial Arts at Denton, and Southwest Texas Normal School at San Marcos. Lanham died on July 29, 1908.
From the guide to the Records, 1901-1907, (Texas State Archives)
