Jose Francisco Ruiz

(January 29, 1783 - January 20, 1840) One of two native Texans who signed Declaration of Independence and helped found Republic of Texas. Ruiz, born in San Antonio, son of a wealthy rancher, was educator in Spain. Upon returning home, he was appointed school teacher by order of the cabildo (city government). He marred Josepha Hernandez, of one of city's founding families; had two children. Ruiz became an officer in the revolutionary army of the Mexican people opposing Spanish rule, 1811-1815; shared in defeat; and had to flee for his life to the United States. After freedom was won, he and his family returned (1822) and he became an officer in the republican army. Assumption of dictatorial powers by Santa Anna (1830s) caused Ruiz to join other Texans in opposition. He was elected delegate from Bexar to the March 1836 convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. There he became one of the three men of Spanish blood to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Late in 1836 he was seated in the first Congress of the Republic of Texas as first senator from Bexar District. In tribute to Ruiz, the State of Texas has marked his gravesite and moved his house from Dolorosa Street for preservation on grounds of Witte Museum. (1973)

Jose Francisco Ruiz is a historical marker in San Antonio, Bexar County, dedicated in 1973. It is one of 239 historical markers documented in Bexar County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 542 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.4243, -98.4951 near San Antonio. The nearest cataloged historic site is Barbed Wire (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Plaza De Armas (Military Plaza), Bexar County under Nine Governments, and Zero Milestone_Old Spanish Trail.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5029004386. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.