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Dolph Briscoe Jr.: The Uvalde Rancher Who Became Governor

A South Texas rancher and banker who led cattle raisers, fought screwworms and served two terms as governor.

Who was Dolph Briscoe Jr.?

Dolph Briscoe Jr. was born April 23, 1923, in Uvalde, Texas, and died there June 27, 2010, at 87, according to Wikipedia, used here as a lead and cross-checked against the Ranching Heritage Association. After Army service in World War II he returned to Uvalde and the ranching business. He is buried at the Briscoe Rio Frio Ranch Cemetery on the family ranch in Uvalde County.

How big was the Briscoe ranching operation?

The Ranching Heritage Association profile says he owned and managed one of the largest and most diverse ranches in Texas and that by 1972 he was the largest individual landowner in the state. The sources reviewed give no acreage or herd figures, so this profile does not offer any.

After his governorship he returned to ranching and banking in Uvalde.

Leading Texas cattle raisers and fighting screwworms

In 1960 Briscoe became president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, described in the Golden Spur profile as its youngest. He and the association raised $3 million in voluntary contributions to start a screwworm eradication program, which the profile says saved Texas livestock producers millions of dollars a year.

As governor he continued to help farmers and ranchers, including work to eradicate the screwworm on both sides of the Rio Grande. In 1970 he helped establish the Mohair Council of America and served as its first chairman.

From the Texas Legislature to the governor's office

Briscoe served in the Texas Legislature from 1949 to 1957. He was elected the 41st governor of Texas, serving from January 16, 1973, to January 16, 1979, as a Democrat, per the Texas State Library governors page. Re-elected in 1974, he was the last governor to serve a two-year term and the first to serve a four-year term. He lost the 1978 Democratic primary to John Luke Hill.

He co-authored the Colson-Briscoe Act, which funded the state's farm-to-market road system, a program of obvious importance to rural producers.

The Key to Briscoe's Success

The documented record shows a rancher who used industry office and public office to solve problems for agriculture. The sources are largely honor and reference pages, so they say little about the finances of his ranch.

  • He built scale: by 1972 he was the largest individual landowner in Texas.
  • He used organization power, raising $3 million in voluntary contributions with the cattle raisers for screwworm control.
  • He moved into politics early, serving in the Legislature from 1949 to 1957.
  • He backed rural infrastructure by co-authoring the Colson-Briscoe farm-to-market road law.
  • He created new markets and structures, helping found the Mohair Council of America.
  • He faced political limits: he lost the 1978 Democratic primary after serving as governor.

Legacy, philanthropy and honors

Briscoe gave $15 million to the Center for American History, which was renamed the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, and $5 million to the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. In 2011 the Garner Museum in Uvalde was renamed the Briscoe-Garner Museum.

The Ranching Heritage Association lists him among National Golden Spur recipients. Read more on farm.FM's ranching section or in a farm.FM story about Texas ranch country.

Timeline

  1. 1923Born in Uvalde, Texas
  2. 1949Begins service in the Texas Legislature
  3. 1957Leaves the Legislature
  4. 1960Becomes president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
  5. 1970Helps establish the Mohair Council of America
  6. 1973Sworn in as governor of Texas
  7. 1979Leaves office after losing the 1978 primary
  8. 2010Dies at home in Uvalde

Frequently asked questions

Who was Dolph Briscoe Jr.?

Dolph Briscoe Jr. (1923 to 2010) was a Uvalde rancher and banker who served as president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and as governor of Texas from 1973 to 1979.

How much land did Dolph Briscoe own?

The Ranching Heritage Association says he was the largest individual landowner in Texas by 1972. The sources reviewed give no acreage figure.

What did Briscoe do about screwworms?

As cattle raisers' president in 1960, he and the association raised $3 million in voluntary contributions to launch a screwworm eradication program, which later continued during his time as governor.

Was Dolph Briscoe a governor of Texas?

Yes. He served as the 41st governor, from January 16, 1973, to January 16, 1979, and lost the 1978 Democratic primary.

Sources and further reading

Profiles are compiled from public sources and reviewed against them. See our editorial policy to suggest a correction.

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