Montgomery in Montgomery County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

J. Goldstein DuPree

Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2026

1. J. Goldstein DuPree Marker

Inscription.
Following the American Civil War and emancipation of slaves in 1865, it was not until 1871 that African Americans in Texas were able to uniformly register to vote, following the ratification of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

While African Americans served as delegates to state constitutional conventions prior to 1870, the first African Americans elected to serve in the Texas Legislature were elected to the 12th Legislature, which convened in provisional session on February 8, 1870. Prior to the end of Federal Reconstruction in 1870, twelve African Americans served in the Texas House of Representatives, and two served in the Texas Senate. This marker is erected in honor of J. Goldstein DuPree (c. 1846–April 1872), representative in the 12th Texas Legislature representing Montgomery and Harris counties. J. Goldstein (Goldsteen) DuPree was born into slavery around 1846 in Montgomery County. In 1868, he registered to vote and became involved with Radical Republican politics. DuPree was elected to the 12th Legislature to represent the 14th District. He served on the State Affairs and the Public Buildings

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and Grounds committees. After his service completed in 1871, he returned to Montgomery County. The next year, DuPree was reported dead. In February 1873, DuPree’s brother testified that he was hanged by the Ku Klux Klan for making a speech in support of Governor Edmund J. Davis.

Erected 2023 by 88th Texas Legislature and the Texas Historical Commission as authorized by SB 667.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is February 8, 1870.

Location. 30° 24.214′ N, 95° 41.798′ W. Marker is in Montgomery, Texas, in Montgomery County. It is on Willis Montgomery (Farm to Market Road 1097) 0.1 miles east of Liberty Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22985 FM 1097, Montgomery TX 77356, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also on the American Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

J. Goldstein DuPree Marker (Right Side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 5, 2026

2. J. Goldstein DuPree Marker (Right Side)

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Montgomery Memorial Cemetery (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Montgomery Memorial Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Mt Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Montgomery County, C.S.A. (approx. 0.8 miles away); Montgomery County Jail (approx. 0.8 miles away); James Jordan (Jardine) Log House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Town of Montgomery (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles Bellinger Stewart (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montgomery.

More about this marker. The marker was dedicated on April 22, 2026

Also see . . . J. Goldsteen Dupree: A Pioneering Black Legislator in Texas History. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)

J. Goldsteen Dupree, who represented Montgomery and Harris counties in the Twelfth Legislature in 1870, was probably born in Texas between 1822 and 1846. He was
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residing in Montgomery County when voters from the Fourteenth District elected him to the House of Representatives. He served on the State Affairs and the Public Buildings and Grounds committees and was one of twelve Blacks in the House. Dupree, who only served a single term, became involved in a controversy over voter fraud after his term expired. He appeared before a legislative investigating committee and helped unseat two Black legislators, Richard Allen and E. H. Anderson, by testifying that nonresidents of Harris and Montgomery counties had voted in the election of 1872. His critics charged that he had received money to testify against the two contested legislators. Dupree allegedly died at the hands of White vigilantes who opposed his campaigning for Governor Edmund J. Davis's reelection in 1873.

(Submitted on September 5, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.