Stephen F. Austin

Known as the Father of Texas and the Founder of Anglo-American Texas, the settlement of Waterloo on the banks of the Colorado River was renamed in honor of Stephen F. Austin and became the capital of the State of Texas. Although he came to Texas somewhat reluctantly himself, Austin was instrumental in persuading others to come to the Texas frontier and he worked diligently with the Mexican government to make it happen.

He died young but did live long enough to see his adopted home become an independent Republic. Austin's full name was Stephen Fuller Austin.

Birth and Early Homes of Stephen F. Austin:
November 3, 1793

Place of Birth: Wythe County, Virginia

Parents: Moses and Maria (Brown) Austin

Raised/Lived: Virginia, Missouri, Connecticut, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas

Education and Employment of Stephen F. Austin: Bacon Academy in Connecticut, Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky

Early Jobs: Worked in his father's general store; managed father's lead manufacturing business; member of the Missouri territorial legislature; director of the Bank of St. Louis; circuit judge of the first judicial district of Arkansas; editor of a newspaper in New Orleans.

Arrival in Texas and Nicknames Associated with Stephen F. Austin: He arrived in Texas in August 1821

The Father of Texas; Founder of Anglo-American Texas; "Old Three Hundred" - the name given to the settlers of Austin's first colony

Death and Burial of Stephen F. Austin: He died December 27, 1836 at the age of 43

Place of Death: West Columbia, Texas

Original gravesite of Stepen F. Austin was in Gulf Prairie Cemetery at Peach Point, Brazoria County, Texas; Reinterred October 20, 1910 at the Texas State Cemetary in Austin, Texas. Gravesite is located in the Republic Hill Section, Section 1 Row L Number 20.

Significant Contributions to Texas by Stephen F. Austin: Continuing colonization plans first set in motion by his father, Stephen F. Austin worked extensively with the government of Mexico to enact immigration laws that paved the way for Anglo-American colonization of the territory. Austin exercised civil and military authority over his colonists for several years. In additon to encouraging immigration and overseeing the colonists, Austin was influential in the establishment and maintenance of the land system in Texas.

His final service to Texas was a short term as Secretary of State after an unsuccessful bid for the presidency of the newly independent Republic in September 1836.

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