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Sam Houston Facts

Sam Houston Facts
Sam Houston was a soldier and an American politician, most famous for making Texas a constituent state in the U.S. Samuel Houston was born March 2nd, 1793, in Rockbridge County in Virginia, to Major Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton. He was the fifth born son, and the fifth born child of nine children born to the couple. His father Major Samuel Houston was a Revolutionary War veteran, and passed away when Sam Houston was only 14 years old. Sam's family then moved to Tennessee and Sam became friends with Cherokee Indians in the area. Sam went on to join the U.S. Military, where he met Andrew Jackson who inspired Sam to take up politics. His political career eventually led to him becoming Governor of Tennessee, President of Texas, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Texas.
Interesting Sam Houston Facts:
Sam Houston learned a lot about the Cherokee Indians' way of life when growing up as a teenager in Tennessee.
Sam Houston ran away from home as a teenager when he became unhappy working for his brother. He lived with the Cherokee on Hiwassee Island for approximately three years.
Sam Houston's Indian name, given to him by the Cherokee Indians was 'The Raven'.
Sam Houston served in the War of 1812 and earned the attention of then General Andrew Jackson (who later became President of the United States).
Sam Houston took Andrew Jackson's advice and entered politics following the war.
Sam Houston served two terms representing Tennessee's 7th District.
Sam Houston was elected Governor of Tennessee in 1827.
Sam Houston's marriage to Eliza Allen ended in 1829 and soon after he resigned his position as Governor of Tennessee.
Sam Houston left Tennessee and chose to return to his Cherokee lifestyle. In 1830 he married Tiana Rodgers, a Cherokee woman. Sam began to represent the Cherokee Indians and other Indian tribes in native affairs in Washington D.C.
Sam Houston moved to Texas in 1832, which was a Mexican Territory. He began to lead a group of Texan army men and his military skills helped Texas secure its independence.
After securing independence for Texas in 1836, Sam Houston became the new country's president.
In 1846 Texas joined the United States and Sam Houston became a U.S. Senator, serving until 1860.
In 1836 the city of Houston was named after Sam Houston.
In 1840 Sam Houston married a third time, to Margaret Lea. They had eight children together.
Sam Houston owned slaves but he did not support the idea of expanding slavery into the new territories. This placed him at odds with the southern states in the U.S.
Sam Houston, as Governor of Texas in 1861, did not agree with the state becoming affiliated with the Confederacy, even though he did agree to the state leaving the Union. A convention was held and he was removed from his post.
Sam Houston retired to Huntsville, Texas in 1861. He died there on July 26th, 1863.
Sam Houston is the only person elected governor to two different U.S. states, Texas, and Tennessee.


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