Hugo Oconor
| Hugo O'Conor | |
|---|---|
Hugh O'Conor
|
|
| 23th Governor of the Spanish Colony of Texas | |
|
In office 1767–1770 |
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| Preceded by | Ángel de Martos y Navarrete |
| Succeeded by | Juan María Vicencio |
| Governor of Yucatan | |
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In office 1777–1779 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1732 Ireland |
| Died | 1779 Yucatan |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Spain
|
| Service/branch |
Spanish Army
|
| Rank | Brigadier General |
Hugh O'Conor by birth or Hugo Oconór by Spanish, was a military governor of northern Mexico. He was appointed governor of Texas by the Spanish viceroy of New Spain in 1767. It is recorded that O'Conor rode well over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) on horseback in the course of conducting his duties. O'Conor was called "The Red Captain" by the Apache, both for the color of his hair and his formidable military leadership.
O'Conor is the founding father of the city of Tucson, Arizona having authorized the construction of a military fort in that location in 1775. In 1777, O'Conor requested, due to his failing health, to be transferred to the Yucatan Peninsula, whereupon he was promoted to brigadier general and appointed Governor of Yucatan Peninsula. He served there until his death in 1779.
O'Connor was born in 1732 in Dublin, Ireland, into the Gaelic-Irish aristocratic O'Conor Don Family. He was a descendant of king of Ireland Turlough Mor O'Conor. For political and religious reasons, when he was 18 years old—like many other Irish aristocrats—O'Conor left his homeland and moved to Spain where his cousins Alexander and Dominic O'Reilly, were serving as officers in the Spanish Royal Army. He was established in Aragon.
In his youth he joined the regiment of Volunteers of Aragon, eventually acquiring the title of major. During his years in the military, he was sent to Cuba and Mexico City. There he distinguished himself by his ability as a military strategist and was appointed captain for the Northern Territory to exercise dominion in the region.
He went to Texas to investigate a dispute around San Agustín de Ahumada Presidio between Governor Ángel de Martos y Navarrete and Rafael Martínez Pacheco (future governor of Texas). It was at this time that he obtained the title of inspector general of the Provincias Internas (general inspector of the Interior Provinces). Later, in 1767, he was appointed governor of Texas, in replacement of Martos and Navarrete. When he took office, he found that one of its major cities, San Antonio, was shattered by frequent attacks of several Indian tribes. Therefore, the new governor set up a garrison at Los Adaes to protect the city.
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Wikipedia