Limestone county unveils historical marker for African American House Representative, David Medlock Jr.
GROESBECK, Texas (KWTX) - A new historic marker was unveiled today at the Limestone County Courthouse in Groesbeck, to honor David Medlock Jr.
The Texas Senate passed a resolution in 2023 to honor African American lawmakers who served during the reconstruction era, choosing Medlock as one of the recipients.
The surviving family of former Texas House Representative David Medlock Jr. came together today to celebrate his life and work.
Medlock was originally born as a slave in Georgia but later found himself on a plantation in Springfield Texas.
After the emancipation of slaves, he came to work as a laborer in limestone county.
“During this era of time, as you know the KKK was alive and well and very prevalent,” Surviving great granddaughter, Jocelyn Medlock-Price, said at the ceremony.
“For him to have the courage to get the education that he needed, I believe he was resourceful and acquired valuable skills while enslaved and used these skills as a foundation in politics,” Medlock-Price added.
Medlock ran for the Texas house and served from 1870 to 1873.
He was able to pass a bill to build the county jail, without relying entirely on local taxpayers.
The unveiling was a big reunion for the Medlock family; Houston resident Kenneth Medlock says he was able to meet new family members he had never known about.
“I feel connected, I feel a part of something, the fact that my relative is a part of not just Texas history, but American history, that says a whole lot on him and a lot on our country,” Medlock said.
5 generations later, Medlock’s great granddaughter, Toska Medlock, hopes the marker inspires others across the county and state to live a life like he did.
“To know that some of the things that he accomplished as a self-made leader, it pales to some of our complaints in this time right now, and it really tells us that we just need to standup and lead like he did, we have many more resources available to us,” Medlock said.
David Medlock Jr. represented Limestone, Falls and McLennan County during the 12th legislature.
He passed away sometime before the 1880 census.
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