David S. Kaufman


David Spangler Kaufman 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 Texas to the United States.

Early life and education

David Spangler Kaufman was born in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, the son of Mary and Abraham Landis Kaufman. He was of German ancestry, and his paternal great-grandfather was a Mennonite minister.. 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 Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1835. Attracted to the developing country in the Southwest, Kaufman moved in 1837 to Nacogdoches, Republic of Texas.

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.
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.

Death

Kaufman died from a heart attack 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.

Fraternal memberships

Kaufman is the namesake of Kaufman County, Texas, and its seat, Kaufman.