SENATOR THOMAS “TOM” TERRY CONNALLY
Senator & Mrs. Tom Connally and Son, Ben
Senator Tom Connally
SURNAMES: CONNALLY, TERRY, CLARKSON, READ, CARTER,
BARKELY, TRUMAN, STRONG, SHEPPARD.
Senator Thomas Terry
Connally (called "Tom"), b August 19, 1877 near Eddy, Texas, d October 28,1963
in Washington, D.C. and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Falls County,
Texas -
was a son of Jones Connally, b September 17,1825, d January 11,1903 and buried
in Eddy Cemetery, and his wife, Mary E. (Terry) Connally, b August 8, 1844, d
March 19, 1932 and buried in Eddy Cemetery.
Tom studied at Baylor University, where he earned his B. A. degree in 1895, and
then finished Law School at The University of Texas, Austin, two years
later -
graduating cum laude. He was a Sergeant -
Major in the Spanish American War. His father encouraged Tom to run for
flotorial representative of Falls, Williamson, and Milam Counties, and he was
successful in his race, being reelected in 1902 when his district was changed to
include Falls, McLennan, and Limestone Counties.
On November 6,1904, Tom was married to Louise Clarkson, b December 16, 1880 in
Falls County, d August 16, 1935 in Washington, D.C. and buried in Calvary
Cemetery in Marlin - a daughter of Benjamin Bedford Clarkson, b January 2, 1845,
d May 16, 1891, and his wife, Fannie (Read) Clarkson, b September 14, 1849 in
Texas, d August 24, 1927, and both also buried in Calvary Cemetery near their
own parents. Louise had studied music in Chicago, and was active in the Music
Club and Opera House Functions.
In 1906, Tom ran for and won the office of County Attorney - his opponent being
Colonel George Carter. After two terms, he became involved in the community and
civic affairs of Marlin, where he established a law practice. The Connally’s
were active in the First Methodist Church of Marlin, where he was on the
Building Committee, and he served as a School Trustee and member of the
Commercial Club.
In 1916, Tom ran for and was elected to the Congress of the United States, and
spent six terms in the House of Representatives - becoming a Senator for the
State of Texas in 1928. The State of Texas was proud of the service and work of
the man who became a powerful man in the Senate. He fought "court packing" and
the Anti-Lynch Bill. As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he supported
Roosevelt's policy, the Barkley - Connally Amendment to the Neutrality Act,
permitting arming of U.S. ships, fought for Arms - Embargo Repeal, Lend Lease,
Selective Service, and sponsored the Smith - Connally Anti-Strike Law.
Senator Connally was a witty, picturesque, belligerent leader of rough and
tumble debate. He appointed a bi-partisan committee to serve as delegates in San
Francisco to establish the United Nations.
Tom and Louise Connally had built a lovely two- story on Capps Street in
Marlin, and it is still called "The Conally Home." They never forgot Marlin, and
in 1949, Senator Connally secured approval for the location of a Veterans
Hospital in Marlin.
The only child of Senator and Mrs. Connally was:
Federal Judge Ben Clarkson Connally, b ca 1906, d December, 1975 in Houston, who
was appointed by President Harry S. Truman. He became Chief Justice of the South
Texas Judicial District, married, and had two children: Tom Connally, is a
lawyer in Houston, Texas, is married, and has two sons; and Louise (Connally)
Strong, M. D., is associated with M. D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, and is
nationally known as a Geneticist. The Strong’s have two children.
Louise (Clarkson) Connally died suddenly of a heart attack in his office in
Washington, D.C.; and seven years later, Senator Connally was married second to
Mrs. Lucille Sheppard - the widow of his colleague, Senator Morris Sheppard, of
Texas.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for
printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 88 column 1 and 2 and page 89 column 1.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
