Sam Houston was born in a cabin on the hilltop to the east on March 2, 1793. As commander-in-chief of the Texas army, he won the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, which secured Texan independence. He was President of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and from 1841 to 1844, United States Senator from 1846 to 1859, and Governor from 1860 to 1861. He died on July 26, 1863.