Thomas Durwood Manford Jr.
Thomas Durwood Manford Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives | |
| In office January 11, 1949 – January 9, 1951 | |
| Preceded by | William O. Reed |
| Succeeded by | Reuben E. Senterfitt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Durwood Manford Jr. Smiley, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1988 (aged 71) |
| Party | Conservative Democrat |
| [1] | |
Thomas Durwood Manford Jr. (1917 - 1988) was an American lawyer and politician from the State of Texas. He served as the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives for the 51st Texas Legislature.[2]
Early life and education
Thomas Durwood Manford Jr. was born on March 13, 1917, in Smiley, Texas,[3] to Thomas Durwood Manford, Sr. and Mary Estella Patterson. He attended Southwestern University and the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, as well as studying law.[3]
Career
Manford was an attorney by trade after learning the profession in a law office.[2] He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1940, running as a Conservative Democrat,[3] where he served five consecutive terms and was the author of the Manford Act of 1943. Manford also established the Legislative Budget Board and the Legislative Council[4] and served as the Speaker of the House in 1949.[3] He served as a Member of the Industrial Accident Board, as Chairman of the State Board of Water Engineers, and as Chairman and member of the State Board of Insurance.[5] After his work in the legislature, Manford became a rancher and helped with his family's retail business. He also served on numerous boards, including the Texas Board of State Hospitals and Special Schools.[3]
Personal life
Thomas married Joyce Price, and in the early years of their marriage, they lived in Gonzales County, where his family was instrumental in the settling of the area.[5] Thomas Manford died on March 24, 1988, and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.[3][5]
References
- ^ "Durwood Manford". Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ a b Mayer, Margaret (12 January 1949). "Manford Doubts If He's Liberal". The Austin American. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Sharp, James Roger; Sharp, Nancy Weatherly (30 June 1999). American Legislative Leaders in the South, 1911-1994. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9780313032066. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Durwood Manford". Austin American-Statesman. 25 March 1988. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Thomas Durwood Manford Jr". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved 2026-03-20.