Dorsey B. Hardeman

Portrait of Dorsey B. Hardeman Headstone Photograph


Hardeman

Dorsey B. Hardeman
Born Dec. 11, 1902
Henderson, Tennessee
Died August 11, 1992
Austin, Texas

Geneva Moore Hardeman
Born Sept. 30, 1918
Brownwood, Texas

Back of headstone

DHB

Dorsey B. Hardeman
Patriot - Soldier - Statesman

Assistant Attorney General of Tennessee
1929 - 1930
Mayor San Angelo, Texas
1936 - 1938
Texas House of Representatives
1938 - 1942
U. S. Army Air Force - Captain JADG
1942 - 1946
Texas Senate
1947 - 1969
Executive Director Texas Water Commission
1969 - 1970
Commissioner Texas Water Commission
1971 - 1982
Full Name: Dorsey B. Hardeman
Location: Section:Republic Hill, Section 2 (C2)
Row:B  Number:8
Reason for Eligibility: Member, Texas House of Representatives; Member and President Pro Tempore, Texas Senate 
Birth Date: August 11, 1902 
Died: August 13, 1992 
Burial Date:  
 

HARDEMAN, DORSEY, B. (1902~1992) Dorsey Hardeman was born December 11, 1902 in Henderson, Tennessee to Professor N.B. and JoAnna Hardeman. His early education was spent at the Freed Hardeman College, founded by his father and A.G. Freed in 1908. He attended the University of Florida and earned his LLB from Vanderbilt University. He came to Texas in 1932 and practiced law in San Angelo before being elected mayor in 1936. In 1938, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served two terms before joining the United States Army Air Corps and was sent to officers training school. He served in the Headquarters of the Judge Advocate General. When he got out of military service he was elected to the State Senate serving for more than twenty years. During his tenure in the Senate he was considered one of its most powerful figures because of his knowledge of the constitution, legislative procedures and as chairman of the State Affairs Committee. He sponsored or co-sponsored and contributed significant amount of legislation including the sponsorship of a revised code of Criminal Procedure; the establishment of a state senior university in San Angelo; and the Stacy Dam and Reservoir on the Upper Colorado River. After his time in the Senate it was said it was "the end to an era." Governor Preston Smith appointed him Executive Director of the Texas Water Commission later being named a commissioner. Senator Hardeman had many family ties to the Lone Star State, notably General William P. Hardeman and Bailey Hardeman, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was a very loyal and proud citizen of Texas and was a very astute student of the history of Texas. He was also a very successful businessman owning the historic San Angelus Hotel in San Angelo, had ranching and farming interests in Texas and Colorado, and owned and operated a title company in West Texas. Among his many business interests he was a member of many organizations. Including hereditary membership in Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Knights of San Jacinto, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Order of Stars and Bars, the Baronial Order of Magna Charta, Huguenot Society, Knights of Malta and he held an honorary membership in the Greek order of St. Denis of Zante. All these organizations aimed at the preservation of history and was a lifetime member of the Texas State Historical Association. He was also a member of the American Legion, State Bar of Texas and the Travis County and Tom Green County Bar Associations.

Notes:

#8784) Served in the 46th, 48th, 50th, and 60th sessions. Dorsey has three lateral ancestors buried in the State Cemetery. Gen. Wm. P. Hardeman, Thomas Hardeman, and Bailey Hardeman- a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Entered by Administrator on 2/1/1998 12:11:22 PM

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