Texas Honors Sheppard “Shep” Mullens, the Formerly Enslaved Leader Who Rose to Serve as McLennan County’s First Black Commissioner and State Legislator
McLennan County officials gathered Tuesday to honor Sheppard “Shep” Mullens, the county’s first Black commissioner and one of Texas’ earliest Black legislators. A new Texas Historical Commission marker now stands on the courthouse lawn in Waco, recognizing Mullens’ life of service, courage, and progress.
The dedication was held by the McLennan County Commissioners Court and the McLennan County Historical Commission. The honor was approved by the 88th Texas Legislature under Senate Bill 667 — theTexas Black Reconstruction Legislators Recognition Act, authored by State Senator Royce West. The law ensures public recognition for Black Texans who served in the Legislature between 1870 and 1875 during Reconstruction.
“This moment is about honoring a man who rose from bondage to leadership,” said Clint Lynch, chairman of the McLennan County Historical Commission. “Sheppard Mullens carried freedom into public service and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire.”
Born enslaved in Lawrence County, Alabama, in 1828,Sheppard Mullens was broughtto Texas in 1854. After gaining freedom in 1865, he began building a new life in Waco and McLennan County, acquiring land and marrying Sallie Downs in 1866.
Only two years later, his leadership potential caught the attention of U.S. Army officials overseeing Reconstruction. Maj. Gen. Charles Griffin appointed him to the McLennan County board of voter registration in 1867. That same year, Mullens helped shape the platform for Texas’ first Republican Party convention — a movement rooted in equality and political inclusion.
“He embodied resilience,” said County Judge Scott Felton at the ceremony. “Mullens wasn’t just participating in history; he was shaping it.”
In 1868, Mullens was elected to the Texas Constitutional Convention, where he served on committees for public lands, commerce, and manufacturing. His contributions reflected his belief in equality, opportunity, and access for all Texans.
That same year, General Joseph J. Reynolds appointed him McLennan County commissioner — making him the first Black person to hold the office. A year later, Mullens won election to the 12th Texas Legislature, where he championed reforms that protected freedmen and expanded access to education.
“He fought for education for all children, opposed segregation, and pushed for law enforcement reform to protect the newly freed population from violence,” Lynch said.
Mullens served until his death in 1871 and was laid to rest at First Street Cemetery in Waco. His life, though brief, reflected the transformational spirit of Reconstruction — the period when formerly enslaved people across the South helped rebuild democracy from its foundations.
A Lasting Legacy in McLennan CountyMullens’ story continues to influence local leadership today. In 2009, the late McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson spearheaded efforts to name the county visitation center on Highway 6 in Mullens’ honor. The 2025 historical marker now deepens that tribute, ensuring his legacy is remembered publicly for generations.
“From bondage to elected office in less than a generation — that is the American story we must continue to tell,” Lynch said. “Shep Mullens is a symbol of faith, perseverance, and civic courage.”
