Martin de Leon

Biography

The Mexican empresario Martín de León was a strong leader and founder for one of Texas’ oldest communities and families. Through his work, Martín set the bar of expectations for business and economic trade in and out of Texas. Born in 1765 to Don Bernando De León and Madame María Galvan of Burgos, Spain, by the mid-18th century the family had settled in the colony at Nuevo Santander (currently known as Tamaulipas, Mexico). The family was wealthy and aristocratic, proud of their rich heritage. The birth of their children in present day Mexico made the family, in the eyes of newer Spanish immigrants and government, less pure or criollos, because their birth had not been in Spain. Nevertheless, the de Leon family remained proud of their distinct Spanish features and heritage, living in a grand home right off of the main plaza.

Martín’s father pushed for his sons to be well educated and informed of their surroundings. His offers of continued schooling in Europe or Monterrey did not interest Martín however, who was adamant about joining the military. For a time, prior to his military involvement, Martín acted as a merchant, routinely supplying the miners of the Real de San Nicolas with provisions. He and had a strong stock of pack mules to aid his business: he bought only the best mules and took care exceptional of them. His choice to invest in the pack mules showed early entrepreneurial skills. Martín learned many valuable skills he would later use when trading and driving cattle between Mexico and Texas to New Orleans and other destinations.

His military career began to take off in 1790 when he joined Mexican Viceroy Juan Vicente Guernes and his Fieles de Burgos regiment to fight and protect the Nuevo Santander region from growing Indian conflicts. His longstanding interest and devotion to the military in his earlier years helped him succeed and land promotions as high as captain. What Martin took from his role in the military were leadership skills and connections with other high-ranking officials that would support his pleas to create a community in later years.

By 1795, Martín was ready to settle down, start his own family and ranch. He and his new bride, Patricia de la Garza, were married and settled in Cruillas, Nuevo Santander. Patricia was born to a wealthy family in Soto la Marina, Nuevo Santander, in 1775. Her family was well to do, her father (Felipe de la Garza) served as a Commandant for the Spanish government, and had made sure his daughter was educated and refined. Upon settling in Cruillas, Martín and Patricia set up their first ranch. By 1805, Martin had ventured out to regions in Texas including La Bahía, San Antonio, and Nacogdoches, all of which he found appealing for ranching, and prompted him to move his family and reestablish his ranch between the Chiltipin Creek and the Aransas River in what is now Texas.

In addition to tending to his ranch, Martín and Patricia raised their family of ten children, beginning in 1798. Fernando, Candelaria, Silvestre, Guadalupe, Felix, Agapito, Maria Jesusa, Refugia, Augustina and Francisca were all children who made their parents very proud, and many followed in Martín and Patricia’s footsteps to help strengthen their community of Victoria for years to come. Not only did Martín’s children mirror their father’s efforts, but many generations of de Leons to follow have been recognized for their contributions to the development of the region. As a family they stressed unity, hard work, education, honesty and nobility, as well a strong faith. Devoted Catholics, the family often contributed to various causes within the church, making it a focal point of their lives.

By 1807 with a thriving ranch and many successful cattle drives and trade expeditions between Texas and New Orleans, Martín petitioned to the Spanish Government that he be granted the land to create a colony, but was denied in 1809 when his loyalty to the Spanish government was questioned. Determined to do well, Martín made plans to create a new ranch along the Nueces River, in order to have greater pastureland and increase his herding of cattle to New Orleans. His herds of cattle continued to grow, and by 1823 he had 5,000 head of cattle and moved them along to New Orleans, keeping his eye on settling a community along the Guadalupe River.

With the Mexican Independence in 1821, Martín de León was finally recognized as a valuable candidate for an Empresario contract. In 1824, Martín was granted land and permission to locate forty-one families to the lower region between the Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers, the center of which became the town of Nuestra Señora Guadalupe de Jesús Victoria, or, as it is commonly known today, Victoria, Texas.

Martín’s vision for his community was not just that of ranch land and cattle drives, he wished to create a strong and comfortable community that supported all the needs of it’s members, whether it was monetarily, work related or spiritually. He, his wife and children in years to come would be singled out as saints and traitors, depending on which group of leaders happened to have the most influence over Texas communities at the time. Despite their trials and tribulations, the de Leóns often found the means and abilities to support themselves and their community, whether it was with money, supplies, or occasionally fleeing to Louisiana for safety.

In 1833, the cholera epidemic spread rapidly, and Martin became the first member of his community to contract the disease and die. He had saved and done well for himself and left his family with money and supplies to continue their work. At the end of his life, people knew Martin as “Capitan Vacas Muchas” (Captian Many Cows), in addition to supportive titles citing him as the “Most Successful Mexican Empresario.” His devotion pushed his family and friends to take charge and responsibility in post-revolutionary Mexico and the growth of Texas to make their business and heritage an important part of everyday life. His drive created the second oldest community in the state of Texas today, a hub and epicenter for the cultural diversity within the state.