Historical Marker
Sam Rayburn
Historical marker location:
Bonham, Texas
( Willow Wild Cemetery (near W. 10th& SH 121); marker located very near the main entrance)
Marker installed: 1986
(Jan. 16, 1882 - Nov. 16, 1961)
Tennessee native Sam Taliaferro Rayburn moved to Texas with his family in 1887. His long and successful political career began with his election to the Texas Legislature in 1906. It continued through 25 consecutive terms in the U. S. House of Representatives, where Rayburn served with 8 presidents and held the speakership for 17 years. His funeral at the First Baptist Church in Bonham was attended by 30,000 people, including 4 presidents and 105 Congressmen. Recorded - 1986.
The cattle industry played a significant role in the development of Texas, with cowboys driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas during the late 1800s and early 1900s.