"Never been resident" means more in 1700s English that what was meant by the earlier "reside" for 2 years. Having had to wade through countless 1700s John Wesley sermons and the English of that era, "never been resident" would have meant that the father actually had to have "lived" there, that is, had his life there.
FWIW Rafael Cruz not only had his life here, but the business he owned that took him to Calgary was in Austin Texas. There are those who would argue that the Republic of Texas is not really in the United States, but most of us Native Texans, if pressed, will reluctantly that admit that the Republic of Texas may actually be a member of the Union.