Historical Marker
Felix De Leon
Historical marker location:
Evergreen Cemetery, N. Vine & W. Red River streets, Victoria, Texas
( Evergreen Cemetery, Vine St. and Red River Sts., Victoria)
Marker installed: 1972
(1806-1850) Born in Texas; third son of the Empresario Don Martin de Leon, founder of De Leon Colony and City of Victoria. Felix de Leon was held hostage on a pirate ship about 1822, to force his father to comply with buccaneer demands. Later he became active in Colony's affairs. A skilled Indian fighter, he served Texas' cause in War for Independence.
His business was supplying horses, mules, and cattle to the New Orleans market. (1972).
In the late 19th century, Texas became known for its cattle drives, in which cowboys would move herds of cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas and other northern states. The cattle drives were dangerous and difficult work, but they played a key role in the development of the American cattle industry.