William Joel Bryan, grandson of Moses Austin, came to Texas with his mother and stepfather in 1831 and served in the Texas army from 1835 to 1838. A highly successful planter, he was instrumental in building a deepwater port at the mouth of the Brazos. The town of Bryan, Texas, bears his name. He married Lavinia Perry, lived at the Durazno plantation, a gift from his uncle Stephen F. Austin, and had seven children.