Sam Houston

Often referred to as the "Father of Texas", Houston’s career is one of the amazing stories in American political history. Born in Virginia in 1793 the fifth of nine children, he was named for his father, himself a descendent of Scottish settlers who came to this country in the early 1700’s. Largely self educated from his father’s library, Houston was an avid reader of the classics. In 1807, after the death of his father, Houston's family moved to Maryville,Tennessee, south of Knoxville. Young Sam did not take to farming, so he found work as a shopkeeper. At 15, the adventuresome Houston ran away into Indian country and began living with the Cherokees. The tribal chief bestowed the name "Raven" on Houston, whose three years with the Cherokees shaped his outlook on life. His talk and writings throughout his years were filled with images of the Indian. At 19, Houston returned to Maryville and opened a school which in six months enabled him to pay his debts. In 1812, recruiters for Andrew Jackson came to town and, with his mother’s permission, Houston enlisted. After five years in the army, Houston resigned and moved to Nashville where he studied law and began his practice. Rising quickly in Tennessee politics, Houston was elected to the United States Congress in 1823. Four years later, he was elected governor of Tennessee. While governor, Houston married a young girl of 18. The marriage failed from the outset and Houston resigned as governor in 1829 because of a sense of personal disgrace. He moved to Arkansas and rejoined the same band of Cherokees. For several years, Houston held a position as ambassador to Washington for area Indian tribes. This service ended when Houston beat a Congressman with a hickory stick after the man had attacked Houston in a speech on the floor of Congress. Leaving Washington, Houston sought a new life in 1832 with his move to Nacodoches, Texas, where he again began to practice law. In 1835, the Texans began an armed rebellion against Mexico culminating with the siege of the Alamo in San Antonio. In April, 1836, the Mexican General Santa Anna arrived at the mouth of the San Jacinto River to find Texans in his path. The next day Sam Houston led the charge in what was to become one of the most significant battles in American history.    Houston’s 800  troops mounted a surprise   attack, routed the Mexican forces and captured Santa Anna, himself. Houston then dictated the terms of Texas’ independence. Texas became a republic from 1836 until 1845. Houston was elected its first President. He struggled to have Texas admitted to the Union, but his    efforts were hindered by the slavery question. However, admission was ultimately granted and Houston served as U. S. Senator from 1846 to 1859. In 1859, he was elected governor on an anti-secessionist platform. In 1861, however, Texas voted to secede from the Union. Houston refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy and was