Thomas J. Rusk
Chicago Historical Society

Chosen to represent Texas in the federal Senate were the redoubtable Sam Houston, who drew the two-year term, and Thomas J. Rusk, who drew the six-year term. Like Houston, Rusk was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He had served the Republic as Secretary of War, representative and Chief Justice before chairing the Convention of 1845. As a senator in Washington, Rusk was considered presidential timber in some quarters and was elevated to President pro tempore of that body. The death of his wife and other reverses left him despondent, however, and he shot himself in 1857.