(1793–1836). Often called the father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin was responsible for settling thousands of American colonists in what was still part of Mexico. He also played a large role in the diplomatic activities that preceded Texan independence. Stephen Fuller Austin was born on Nov. 3, 1793, in Austinville, Va. When Stephen was 5 years old, the Austin family moved to Missouri. He later attended an academy in Connecticut and Transylvania University in Kentucky. After losing his wealth in the panic of 1819 Austin's father decided to reestablish himself by bringing American families into Texas. He died soon afterward, and Stephen Austin took over the task. In 1821 Stephen picked a site on the Brazos River for the first settlement. During the next ten years he brought more than 5,000 settlers into Texas. In 1833 Austin journeyed to Mexico City with the colonists' petition for a separate state government. Various difficulties led him to write the Texans not to wait for approval but to go ahead with their plans for a separate government. This letter was intercepted, and Austin was imprisoned until 1835. Later that year, when Texas started to fight for independence, Austin was made the commander of the volunteer army. He left the army to win recruits and financial support in the United States. After independence had been won in 1836, he was defeated for the presidency of the new republic by Gen. Sam Houston. Houston appointed him secretary of state. Austin's health was broken, however, and he died on Dec. 27, 1836. The Texas republic's capital (now the state capital) was named in his honor. (See also Texas; Austin, Tex.) |