Moses Austin, Pioneer and Empresario | Secured Permission to Settle Texas | Texan Leaders in History | Grades 6 - 8 Biographies
Before Stephen F. Austin brought the first American colonists to Texas, his father Moses Austin laid the groundwork — securing permission from the Spanish government to establish a colony in what would become the Lone Star State. This engaging biography tells the remarkable story of Moses Austin, the pioneer and empresario whose vision helped set Texas on the path to independence. Students will follow Moses Austin from his early life as a merchant and lead miner in Virginia and Missouri, through his bold journey to San Antonio in 1820 to petition the Spanish government for a land grant. They will discover how Austin's persistence and diplomatic skill won him permission to bring 300 American families to Texas — a grant that his son Stephen would ultimately fulfill after Moses's death in 1821, launching the colonization of Texas that would eventually lead to the Texas Revolution. This biography connects to Texas history and social studies curricula, offering students a fascinating look at the entrepreneurial spirit and determination that helped shape the American West. A glossary, timeline, and discussion questions help students explore Moses Austin's pivotal role in the history of Texas and the American frontier.