The life of the man who was influential in Texas securing their independence from Mexico
Who was Sam Houston, and why do Texans hold him so dear? Sam Houston was inarguably the most important player in the early history of the state of Texas, and the people of Texas still remember him for his bravery.
Born in 1793 in Virginia, Houston's father died suddenly when Sam was just 13. Young Sam's mother, Elizabeth, was left with nine children whom she took to live on a farm near Maryville, Tennessee. The family worked the farm and Sam became a clerk in a general store to help support them.
Disenchanted at age 15 with his life, Houston left his job and family and ran away from home to an Indian reservation near what is now Dayton, Tennessee. He enjoyed their way of life much more than his own, and although he returned home for a short period of time, Houston eventually moved back and stayed with the tribe. The Cherokees of eastern Tennessee welcomed and adopted Houston and he became an official Cherokee with the name Indian name Raven. This period of his life was the basis of Houston's lifelong love of the Cherokee Indian.
Although he loved his life with the Cherokees, after about three years Houston still had some of the wanderlust within him, and he went back to live with the white man. By this time he was in debt and also saw the need for educating children in Tennessee. He opened a private school, which quickly became very successful. Houston was able to pay off his debt with his teaching salary
Becoming disenchanted with teaching, Houston enlisted in the 39th Infantry of the army to fight the Creek Indians. He was seriously injured in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, sustaining three possibly mortal wounds. His bravery caught the eye of General Andrew Jackson, who took an immediate liking to the brave Houston. Sam Houston eventually rose to the rank of first lieutenant before he leaving the army in 1818 to take up the study of law. He was able to establish a practice in Tennessee in six months, and the popular, but quiet man ran for and was elected district attorney in his area. A few years later, and with Andrew Jackson's continuing strong support, Houston was then elected to Congress, and then as governor of Tennessee by a large margin.
Although quite successful professionally and politically, Houston was unhappy that his marriage was suffering and his wife, Eliza, left him during this time. Sam Houston found himself unable to work effectively and sought the consolation of his friends, the Cherokees. He resigned from politics, and the speaker of the senate, William Hall, finishing up Houston's term as governor of Tennessee. Meanwhile, Houston went to live with the Cherokees for about five years, eventually moving to Texas.
Texas was happy to have Houston living there, and elected him as a delegate to the Convention of 1833. This was the second convention arranged to discuss problems with Mexico, and the constitution that Texas was trying to get Mexico to agree with. Texas was still a part of Mexico, but the state had come to realize that they wanted independence. In 1836, they demanded this from Mexico, and positioned Sam Houston as the commander-in-chief of the Texas army as they fought their civil war.
Houston successfully led his forces against the many battles against General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna of Mexico and his troops. After a Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, General Santa Anna was captured and the General realized that he would have to give up Texas. The Mexican was released after declaring Texas to be independent of his country. A joyful Texas elected Sam Houston President of the now-Republic of Texas. Houston served successive terms from 1838 to 1844, and was always elected by a large majority. He worked during that time to have Texas admitted to the United States.
Texas became part of the United States in 1845, and the people immediately elected Sam Houston to the Senate, with him enjoying service from 1845 to 1859. By now, Texans were talking about secession from the Union, and Houston was completely opposed to the idea. He felt that Texas benefited in many ways by being a part of the United States. In 1859, he used his anti-secession campaign to become elected as Governor of Texas. Two years later, Texas still voted to secede from the United States, with Houston still in strong opposition. By then, he had very few supporters in his quest, and Houston was removed from his position as Governor in 1861 when he refused to do anything toward helping Texas break from the Union. This ended Sam Houston's career in politics. He retired with his family to a home that they rented in Huntsville, Texas in 1861, and he died of pneumonia two years later.
Needless to say, Texas remained part of the United States, and eventually named a city after Sam Houston. There is a status of him in Statuary Hall in Washington D. C.
