Sam Houston Poster

Sam Houston, 1793-1863, leader of Texas independence and the first president of the Republic of Texas. Virginian by birth, Houston served with distinction in the American military during the War of 1812. He served as Tennessee's congressman and governor before living with the Cherokee Indians for a time. Houston set out for Texas with friends in 1832 and was made Major General of the Texas militia in 1836 after Texas declared itself independent of Mexico. Once again, Houston proved himself a capable military leader defeating General Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto. After Texas joined the United States Houston served his state first as a senator for three terms and then as governor until the beginning of the Civil War. With Texas succession from the United States, Houston was removed as governor as he refused to swear allegiance to the Confederate States of America. He died two years later of pneumonia in Huntsville, Texas.