Kaufman, David S. (David Spangler), 1813-1851

David Spangler Kaufman (1813-1851) was a lawyer, soldier and politician, who served as the first Jewish United States Congressman from Texas. He was born in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania, studied law in Natchez, Mississippi, and moved to Nacogdoches, Texas in 1837. After moving to Texas, Kaufman practiced law, fought in military campaigns against Native Americans, served as a member of the Republic of Texas's House of Representatives, Speaker of the House, and the Texas Senate. After annexation he became a United States Congressman. He died in Washington, D.C. in 1848. Kaufman County, Texas and the town of Kaufman, Texas are named after him.

From the guide to the David Spangler Kaufman Papers, 1841-1848, (Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

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