Government of Texas ten dollar note, signed by Sam Houston November 15th, 1838 hand-dated from 1838, plates from Draper, Toppan, Longacre & Co., Philadelphia and New York. (Some discoloration) H3" W7" *Biography: Sam(uel) Houston, governor of two states, president of the Republic of Texas, U.S. senator, and military hero, was one of the most colorful figures of 19th century America. Born near Lexington, Va., on Mar. 2, 1793, he was reared in Tennessee by his widowed mother. As a youth he spent much time with Cherokee Indians and developed close ties with them. Joining the army, he served under Andrew Jackson in the Creek wars (1813-14). He served two terms in Congress (1823-27) and in 1827 was elected governor of Tennessee. By 1835, Houston had moved to Texas. With the outbreak of the Texas Revolution in that year he was named commanding general of the revolutionary army. In March 1836, Houston was a delegate to the convention that declared Texas an independent republic. His command was reconfirmed, and he led the Texas army to a brilliant victory over Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto (Apr. 21, 1836). Houston served as the first president of the new republic from 1836 to 1838 and was later elected to a second term (1841-44). After the annexation (1845) of Texas by the United States, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving from 1846 to 1859. In the Senate, Houston was known for his staunch Unionism and friendship for the Indians. Unhappy that Texas seemed to be moving toward secession, he successfully ran for governor as an independent Unionist in 1859. Despite his efforts, however, the people of Texas voted to secede, and he was forced out of office in March 1861. Houston died at his home in Huntsville on July 26, 1863. The city of Houston, Texas, was named for him.