Adele F. Baron Lubbock

LUBBOCK, ADELE F. BARON (1819~1882) Adele F. Baron Lubbock was born October 19, 1818, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to N. A. Baron, Jr., a former Parisian and prominent sugar and cotton dealer, and Laura Bringer Baron, the daughter of one of Louisiana’s earliest cotton planters. Miss Baron married Francis Richard Lubbock on February 5, 1835. The newlyweds lived in New Orleans where Lubbock had his own business. Several disasters and mishaps led Lubbock to close the doors of his business and take a job selling watches and trinkets.

The Lubbocks decided to move to Texas where, Tom, Lubbock’s brother, had some success. Mrs. Lubbock left her comfortable life in New Orleans and moved to the less sophisticated city of Houston. Living in a meager home, the Lubbock’s soon became members of Houston’s high society, which included President Sam Houston. Lubbock was appointed Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives by President Houston, and soon turned to a career in politics. Houston also appointed Lubbock as Comptroller of Public Accounts for the Republic of Texas. His new salary allowed Mrs. Lubbock to afford many of the items that she had growing up. After serving as Comptroller, Lubbock was elected District Clerk for Harris County.

When money was scarce Lubbock was often paid in livestock. As their livestock grew, the Lubbock’s moved six-miles from Houston to Sims Bayou. Ranching was not as big a draw as politics, so Lubbock once again turned to politics.

Francis R. Lubbock helped create the Democratic Party in Texas and was later elected Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Texas. Mrs. Lubbock’s warm personality and foreign accent helped in charming the voters. Once inside the Governor’s Mansion, the Lubbock’s always had guests. Serving Senators and House members dinner every night often proved difficult, as Mrs. Lubbock had problems finding food during the Civil War.

At the end of his term as Governor, he opted not to run again and joined the Confederacy. Leaving Mrs. Lubbock behind, Lubbock did not return home until December 1865. He, along with the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, were captured at the end of the war and held as political prisoners at Fort Delaware. Mrs. Lubbock was only able to hear from her husband through letters smuggled out by members of the Free Masons.

Upon his return to Texas, Lubbock went back into private business, first in Houston and then in Galveston. The Lubbock’s lived in Galveston for ten years until Lubbock once again entered politics. He ran for and won the office of State Treasurer in 1878. The Lubbock’s packed up and, once again, moved to Austin.

The last four years of Mrs. Lubbock’s life was a happy time for her, she became the godmother to many children, since she had none of her own. She died at Austin, Texas on December 1, 1882 and was buried in Houston, Texas. Lubbock continued to serve as State Treasurer and on the Board of Pardons until he was eighty. He passed away on June 22, 1905. In a letter, Lubbock requested that the remains of his wife be placed beside his in the Texas State Cemetery.