John Boyd donated 1,100 acres of land and financial assistance to establish the new university .
John Boyd had served in the Congress of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845 and in the Texas Senate from 1862 to 1863 .
John Boyd , who had served in the Congress of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845 and in the Texas Senate from 1862 to 1863 , donated 1,100 acres of land and financial assistance to establish the new university .