Born in Iowa Territory, Ross served Texas with zeal unmatched by many of its native sons. He devoted his life to the Lone Star State as an Indian fighter, Texas Ranger, Confederate soldier, sheriff, constitution framer, state senator, governor, and president of Texas A & M College (which is today Texas A & M University. Ross, at the Battle of Pease River, is credited with recovering Cynthia Ann Parker, who had been taken captive by the Comanches. Today Sul Ross University in Alpine bears his name.