The Fearless Fifty-Nine, Jose Francisco Ruiz

Jose Francisco Ruiz was the 54 year old Bexar representative. Ruiz, along with his nephew Navarro, were the only delegates born in Texas. In 1803, he was appointed San Antonio schoolmaster. The house that held the school was removed from its original location in Military Plaza in 1943 and reconstructed at the Witte Museum. Ruiz held several public office positions in San Antonio in the Mexican government. He served in the battle of Medina and was exiled after the defeat in 1813. He remained in exile until 1822, and spent part of that time with the Indians. Upon returning to Texas, he continued his work with the Indians helping them sign a peace treaty with the Mexican government. He wrote a book titled “Report on the Indian Tribes of Texas in 1818” that is currently preserved at Yale. Ruiz was active in the military upon his return as well taking part to put down the Fredonian Rebellion. He and his men were sent out to what is now Burleson County to establish a post, Fort Tenoztitlan, to prevent further American colonization. By 1830, he wanted out of military life and in August 1832 was officially retired from the Mexican military. Once the fight for Texas Independence came up, he aligned with Texas and expressed that his family do so too. After the Convention, he served as a Senator from San Antonio in the Texas Congress from 1836 to 1837.