Sam Houston
Houston was instrumental in the defeat of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna at San Jacinto in 1836, securing Texas' independence from Mexico. Texans then elected Houston as president of the Republic of Texas; he served in that office from 1836 to 1838, and later was elected again to serve as governor (1841-1844). The Republic of Texas existed as an independent country from 1836 to 1846.
