1. Moses Austin

2. Born in 1761 in Connecticut Dies in 1821 in Missouri. A great businessman. Best attributes: Persistence and and drive to succeed. In 1783 he ran a successful dry goods store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1784: Moses buys a second store in Richmond, Virginia.

3. Lead Mine Moses sells his General Stores. 1785 – Moses buys a lead mine, and hires English Miners to come work and train new workers. Moses did much to improve the mining industry Brought in experts to introduce a new way of mining He was called the “Lead King” In 1790, his mine is in trouble and it fails. Moses is broke.

4. Moves West Moses Austin asks for Spain’s permission to mine in the Louisiana Territory He received a sitio, 4,428 acres of land, and several mines, and a contract to settle 30 families The land would be free if Moses and the 30 families would be loyal Spanish citizens Moses crafted the first settlement in Missouri

5. 1803 U.S. purchased Louisiana from France Moses became a U.S. citizen Started Bank of St. Louis and loaned money to speculators 1819 hits, U.S. in a recession. The bank failed and Moses lost his fortune

6. Moses Austin in Texas Went to Spain for help, proposed to settle 300 families Proposal was denied at first due to problems with filibusters Met with Baron de Bastrop who convinced Spain to agree with the proposal Became sick after returning to Missouri, his dying wish was for his son, Stephen F. Austin, to settle the families in Texas