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Future Texas leader born in Sweden
On this day in 1816, Swante Magnus Swenson was born in Jönköping, Sweden.
In 1838 he became the first Swedish immigrant to Texas. Thereafter he
encouraged many Swedes to immigrate. Swenson founded the SMS Ranches,
became one of the largest landholders in the state, and headed extensive
mercantile enterprises. He also served two terms as a Travis county
commissioner and was the first treasurer of the State Agricultural
Society. As an outspoken Unionist, he moved to Mexico during the Civil
War, then in 1865 to New York. He continued to maintain close ties with
Texas.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- SWENSON, SWANTE MAGNUS
- SWEDES
- SMS RANCHES
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
- Travis pens his famous letter from the Alamo (1836)
- Rangers sent to Wiley College in response to student demonstrations (1969)
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