Did you know Colonel Stephen Heard Darden once resigned from the Confederate Army to serve in Congress? This plaque commemorates a man of many roles. It stands as a tribute to his diverse contributions to Texas and the Confederacy.
Here at the Colonel Stephen Heard Darden Plaque, we remember a life that spanned soldiering, legislating, and public service. Stephen Heard Darden was born in Mississippi in 1816. He moved to Texas in 1841. He established himself as a citizen. Darden purchased land on the Guadalupe River.
Before the Civil War, Stephen Heard Darden was a politician. He served in the Texas Senate. He also served in the Texas House of Representatives. He represented the 62nd district in the House. He served from 1853 to 1857. Later, he represented the 25th district in the Senate. He served from 1861 to 1862.
At the start of the Civil War, Darden joined the Confederate Army. He was commissioned as a first lieutenant. He served in Company A of the 4th Texas Infantry. This unit became known as the Texas Brigade. Darden was promoted to captain. He then resigned to join the Second Confederate Congress.
As a Confederate Congressman, Stephen Heard Darden served on the Naval Affairs Committee. He opposed taxation. He also fought against the confiscation of slaves for public works. He represented the First Congressional District of Texas. He served from 1864 to 1865.
After the war, Darden returned to his farm in Gonzales County. He was later appointed Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. He served in this role from 1874 to 1879. Darden also helped organize the Texas State Democratic Party. He was secretary of the Texas Veteran’s Society from 1886 until his death.
Stephen Heard Darden died in Wharton, Texas in 1902. He was 85 years old. He is buried here at the Texas State Cemetery. This Colonel Stephen Heard Darden Plaque marks his final resting place.
The Colonel Stephen Heard Darden Plaque is a gray granite Texas Historical Marker. The State of Texas erected it in 1936. It notes his service in the Army of Texas in 1836. It also mentions his time as State Senator and Confederate Colonel.
Consider Stephen Heard Darden’s journey as you stand before this plaque. From volunteer soldier to state comptroller, his life reflects the complex history of Texas. The Colonel Stephen Heard Darden Plaque serves as a reminder of his contributions. It also commemorates his place in Texas history. Catherine Mays Darden, his wife, rests here with him. She was born in 1836 and died in 1912. They share this final resting place.