Richard Montgomery Gano (1830-1913)

He gave up his medical career to become a Cavalry officer in the Confederate Army. He was said to have fought in 70-battles of which he won just four and had five horses shot from under him but somewhat miraculously was wounded only once. After the war, he settled in Dallas where he raised horses, preached the gospel (converting 16,000 souls to the Baptist faith) and surveyed new lands. Through his son, William, he is the great-grandfather of Howard Hughes, the legendary aviation pioneer etc. who from 1960 to 1976 was considered to be the richest man in the United States.