David S. Kaufman | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 1st district |
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In office March 30, 1846 – January 31, 1851 |
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Succeeded by | Richardson A. Scurry |
Republic of Texas Chargé d'affaires to the United States | |
In office 1845–1846 |
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Republic of Texas Senator | |
In office 1843–1845 |
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Member of the Republic of Texas House of Representatives from Nacogdoches County | |
In office 1838–1841 |
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Preceded by | Thomas Jefferson Rusk |
Personal details | |
Born |
David Spangler Kaufman December 13, 1813 Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | January 31, 1851 Washington, D.C. |
(aged 37)
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 |
David Spangler Kaufman (December 18, 1813 – January 31, 1851) was an attorney, politician and diplomat, serving as U.S. Representative from Texas. When the Republic of Texas was independent, he served in both houses of its legislature, and as Chargé d'Affaires of Texasas to the United States.
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). Kaufman pursued classical studies and was graduated from The College of New Jersey in 1833.
Kaufman moved to Natchez, Mississippi, where he studied law with John A. Quitman from New York state. Kaufman was admitted to the bar in Natchez. He commenced practice in in 1835. Attracted to the developing country in the Southwest, Kaufman moved in 1837 to Nacogdoches, Republic of Texas.
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.
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.
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).