Gail Borden Jr.

     Gail Borden Jr. was born on 9 November 1801 in Norwich, Chenango County, New York.^1,2 He was the son of Gail Borden Sr. and Philadelphia Wheeler.¹ He married first Penelope Mercer in 1828 in Mississippi.² He married second Augusta Stearns in 1845.² He married third Emeline Eunice Church in 1860.² He died on 11 January 1874 in Borden, Colorado County, Texas, at age 72.^3,2
     
     Gail Borden Jr. arrived in Texas on 24 December 1829. He was surveyor for Stephen F. Austin's colony, was named one of three members of the San Felipe committee of correspondence, and represented Lavaca District in the Convention of 1833. He founded a newspaper, the Telegraph and Texas Register, that he published in partnership with his brother Thomas, and Joseph Baker. He prepared the first topographical map of Texas and helped lay out the site of Houston. However, he is best known as the man who invented the process for condensing milk in a vacuum, and also processes for condensing various fruit juices, for extract of beef, and for coffee. He and Penelope Mercer had seven children.²