First Footer of the Republic of Texas, Michael Ziller was a German immigrant and ex-soldier under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte. He came to Texas when it was a republic, around 1834, and opened a general store in Austin called the Missouri House, which was located on the corner of Congress Avenue and Sixth Street (then Pecan Street). He is credited with erecting the first stone building in Austin. Michael and his wife, Catherine, had five children: Henry, August, William, Mary, and Annie. He died in 1858.
Picture and bio courtesy of Save Austin Cemeteries.
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