The New Student's Reference Work/Houston, Sam

Houston, Sam, president of Texas when it was a republic, was born in Virginia on March 2, 1793, and was adopted and reared by a Cherokee Indian in Tennessee. He enlisted in the army in 1813, and by his bravery rose to the rank of second-lieutenant. After leaving the army he studied law, and in 1823 and 1825 was a member of Congress and in 1827 governor of Tennessee. After three months of married life, he, in 1829, abandoned his home to go to the Cherokees beyond the Mississippi. He remained here three years, and at the outbreak of war between Mexico and Texas was made commander-in-chief. On April 21, 1836, he defeated the Mexican force under Santa Anna at San Jacinto and won the independence of Texas. He was elected its first president and was re-elected in 1841. When Texas came into the Union, in 1845, he was sent to the United States senate and in 1859 became governor of the state. He opposed secession, and was deposed in March, 1861. He died on July 25, 1863.