David S. Kaufman
David Spangler Kaufman (December 18, 1813 – January 31, 1851) was an attorney, politician and diplomat, serving as U.S. Representative from Texas.[1] When the Republic of Texas was independent, he served in both houses of its legislature, and as Chargé d'Affaires of Texas to the United States.
David S. Kaufman | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 1st district | |
In office March 30, 1846 – January 31, 1851 | |
Preceded by | Constituency established |
Succeeded by | Richardson A. Scurry |
Republic of Texas Chargé d'affaires to the United States | |
In office 1845–1846 | |
Republic of Texas Senator | |
In office 1843–1845 | |
5th Speaker of the House (Republic of Texas) | |
In office 1840–1841 | |
Preceded by | John M. Hansford |
Succeeded by | Kenneth L. Anderson |
Member of the Republic of Texas House of Representatives from Nacogdoches County | |
In office 1838–1841 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Jefferson Rusk |
Personal details | |
Born | David Spangler Kaufman December 13, 1813 Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | January 31, 1851 37) Washington, D.C. | (aged
Resting place | Texas State Cemetery |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Jane Baxter Richardson |
Children | Anna Daniel David Jr. Sam Houston |
Alma mater | Princeton College |
Profession | Attorney |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Republic of Texas Army |
Rank | Aide to Gen. Thomas J. Rusk |
Battles/wars | Battle of the Neches |
Early life and education
David Spangler Kaufman was born in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, the son of Mary (Spangler) and Abraham Landis Kaufman. He was of German ancestry, and his paternal great-grandfather was a Mennonite minister. (Kaufman is sometimes incorrectly described as Jewish).[2] Kaufman pursued classical studies and was graduated from The College of New Jersey in 1833.[3]
Kaufman moved to Natchez, Mississippi, where he studied law with John A. Quitman from New York state.[3] Kaufman was admitted to the bar in Natchez. He commenced practice in Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1835. Attracted to the developing country in the Southwest, Kaufman moved in 1837 to Nacogdoches, Republic of Texas.[3]
Military service
Kaufman served in the military against the Cherokee people in the Texas-Indian Wars. He was wounded at the Battle of the Neches in 1839. These Cherokee had migrated to Texas from their territory in the American Southeast, to avoid being removed to Indian Territory. But the Texas president wanted to push them out of the republic.
Political career
He served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives 1838–1843. He served in the Texas Senate 1843–1845. He was appointed Chargé d'Affaires of Texas to the United States in 1845.[4]
Upon the admission of Texas as a State into the Union, Kaufman was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth Congress. He was reelected to the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Congresses, serving from March 30, 1846, until 1851. He served as chairman of the Committee on Rules (Thirty-first Congress).
Death
Kaufman died from a heart attack[4] in Washington, D.C., on January 31, 1851. Kaufman was originally interred in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. In 1932 his remains were moved and he was reinterred in the Texas State Cemetery at Austin.[5]
Fraternal memberships
- Freemasons[6]
- The Philosophical Society of Texas[7]
Legacy and honors
Kaufman is the namesake of Kaufman County, Texas,[8] and its seat, Kaufman.
References
- "KAUFMAN, DAVID SPANGLER".
- Kaufman-Kauffman: the house of Oley; Kaufman, Texas was named for David Spangler Kaufman, the son of Abraham and Mary (Spangler) Kaufman. Abraham was the son of John and Christianna (Landis) Kaufman; John was the son of Frederick Kaufman, a Mennonite minister. Frederick was the immigrant Kaufman ancestor, arriving in Philadelphia on 21 September 1742, at a time of strong German immigration to the colony.
- Ornish, Natalie: David Spangler Kaufman from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 8 July 2010. Texas State Historical Association
- Guttery, Ben R (2008). Representing Texas: A Comprehensive History of U.S. and Confederate Senators and Representatives from Texas. BookSurge Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-1-4196-7884-4.
- "David Spangler Kaufman final resting place". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "DSKaufman-The Political Graveyard". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- Gambrell, Herbert: The Philosophical Society of Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 8 July 2010. Texas State Historical Association
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 172.
Sources
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.
External links
- David Spangler Kaufman at the Handbook of Texas Online
- United States Congress. "David S. Kaufman (id: K000021)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- David S. Kaufman at Find a Grave
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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New district | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 1st congressional district March 30, 1846 – January 31, 1851 |
Succeeded by Richardson A. Scurry |