Samuel B. Pryor holds the distinction of being Dallas’s very first mayor. He took office on February 2, 1856, after the Texas State Legislature officially granted the city its charter. His leadership spanned from 1856 to 1857. You can learn more about him on dallas-yes.
Biography of Dallas’s First Mayor
Born in Brunswick County, Virginia, in 1816, Samuel B. Pryor was the son of Philip Pryor and Susan Wilkes. His lineage traces back to affluent colonial Virginians. Census records from 1810 and 1820 list his father as the head of the household. However, historians believe Philip Pryor passed away by 1830, as Samuel’s mother is then listed as the head of the household. This suggests that Samuel, still in his teenage years, lost his father and took on the responsibility of his family.
From 1839 to 1840, Samuel B. Pryor was part of the inaugural class of cadets at the Virginia Military Institute, and he graduated from Hampden–Sydney College in 1844. Before becoming mayor, Pryor served as a court clerk in Dallas County. Beyond his public service, Samuel B. Pryor also had a keen interest in medicine and was a skilled physician. Historical accounts generally portray him as a highly proactive and compassionate individual.
Dallas’s first mayor passed away in 1866.
The First Mayor’s Pivotal Role in Dallas’s History
As Dallas’s inaugural mayor, Samuel B. Pryor played a crucial role in the city’s development. One of his most significant achievements was championing the interests of the local populace against the formidable Peters Colony.
Peters Colony was the collective name for four land grant contracts initially established with the Republic of Texas and later with the State of Texas, aiming to settle North Texas. These contracts were signed by groups of American and English investors. The Peters Colony program offered land to settlers in North Texas. Investors were required to attract at least 200 families and provide them with land within three years. In exchange for their services, they retained a portion of this land. The less-than-perfect terms of these contracts led to numerous disputes between city authorities, settlers, and investors.
Local residents felt threatened by Peters Colony’s aggressive tactics as they sought to control vast tracts of land. Samuel B. Pryor went all out to confiscate important Peters Colony documents. This action was a key part of his fight for the city’s land and resources.
Supporting Dallasites Even After His Term
Dallas’s first mayor continued to support its residents even after his term in office concluded. Samuel B. Pryor remained invested in the city’s affairs, offering assistance to those in need whenever necessary.
In the summer of 1860, a massive fire erupted in downtown Dallas, destroying a significant portion of the city’s business district. Without hesitation, Samuel and his brother Charles penned a letter to the editor-in-chief of The Houston Telegraph. In it, they vividly described the extent of the damage the city had endured. Furthermore, the brothers suggested that the fire was no accident, believing it was deliberately set to destabilize the economy and undermine local authorities.
Regardless of the fire’s cause, Dallas’s first mayor didn’t stand idly by. From the moment the tragedy struck, he began drafting a recovery plan, meeting with architects, and aiding those affected.
For the residents of Dallas at the time, it remained a mystery why Samuel B. Pryor never sought a second term as mayor.