Moses Austin (October 4, 1761 – June 10, 1821) played a large part in the development of the
American lead industry and was the father of
Stephen F. Austin, a leading American settler of
Texas. After receiving a land grant from the
Spanish government in 1820, Moses Austin planned to be the first to establish an English American settlement in
Spanish Texas, but died before his dream was realized. His son, Stephen F. Austin, led the colony to a now sovereign
Mexico, and in time, the settlers would demand autonomy and win independence from the Mexican ruler
Antonio López de Santa Anna thereby establishing the
Republic of Texas.