Photo by Tracy Gupton
The West Columbia Rotary Club was treated to a program by area members of the Sons of the Republic of Texas at Wednesday’s luncheon meeting at the West Columbia Civic Center. WC Rotarian Chris Gilbert invited the SRT members to attend this week’s meeting. Chris, who like his father Randy Gilbert and brother Ryan Gilbert are members of the Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6 of the Sons of the Republic of Texas out of Angleton, was unable to attend the August 2nd Rotary Club meeting due to his working out of town. West Columbia Mayor Laurie Beal Kincannon, who recently replaced Pecos Beal as local Rotary Club president, is pictured above with the SRT members who were present at Wednesday’s Rotary luncheon meeting. Pictured, from left, are Bill Yates of Angleton, vice president of SRT Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6; Randy Gilbert of West Columbia, Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6 member; Ron Obenhaus of Angleton, past president of Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6; Bud Northington of Egypt, Texas, historian of Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6; Ray Beall Jr. of Boling, president of Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6 and Gulf Coast District representative; WC Mayor Laurie Kincannon; Steve Manis of League City, treasurer of Knights of San Jacinto Sidney Sherman Chapter 2 of the SRT; Robert Schnuriger of Kemah, chaplain of the SRT Sidney Sherman Chapter 2; and Bill Adriance, a fifth generation Galvestonian who is a descendant of the John Adriance family from early East Columbia, Texas history. Bill Adriance is also a SRT Stephen F. Austin Chapter 6 member.
Ray Beall, a former Boling High School principal and head football coach, and Steve Manis spoke to the Rotarians Wednesday and encouraged anyone present whose ancestral lines can be traced to Texas residency prior to 1846 when the Republic of Texas became a state in the United States of America to pursue becoming a member of either the Sons of the Republic of Texas or the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Manis said Texas became the 28th state on February 19, 1846.
West Columbia was the first capitol of the Republic of Texas in 1836 and 1837.
Manis told West Columbia Rotarians that the purpose of the Sons of the Republic of Texas is to promote, protect and preserve Texas history. The objectives of the society have been to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who founded Texas, to encourage research and publication of historical records and documents prior to and during the days the Republic of Texas existed, and to promote the observance of Texas holidays. He said the Sons of the Republic of Texas was formed 130 years ago in Richmond, Texas, in neighboring Fort Bend County.
The SRT traces its origins back to April 21, 1893. It was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1934.
Randy Gilbert, a former West Columbia city councilman, said he is looking forward to a Sons of the Republic of Texas medallion being placed in the near future at his father’s gravesite. Randy is the son of former West Columbia Mayor C.B. “Bubba” Gilbert.