Texas has many legendary heroes. Most people have never heard of one of them. But in his time, Collin McKinney was one of the most beloved, respected and honored statesman in the Lone Star State. Texas Maker is the story of McKinney, a humble yet steel-willed man who, through his long life spanning the American Revolution to the Civil War, helped guide Texas through independence, the formation of a republic, statehood, to the brink of the Civil War. He was one of five men tasked with drafting the Texas Declaration of Independence (and was honored with being presented the quill and inkwell that was used by all the declaration's signers), was responsible for the configuration of Texas counties, and quietly mentored and influenced generations of Texas leaders and citizens. All this during his seventies through nineties. Because in his younger years he was an Indian fighter, outfitter and guide, businessman and hunter on par with the likes of Davy Crockett, who sought out his friend McKinney on his way to the Alamo. To the people who settled Texas, there was a storied roll of legendary statesmen whom they honored: Houston, Travis, Austin, Bowie, Crockett... and McKinney.