Kordzik Family

As I have noticed, all German-speaking immigrants who came to Texas tend to be regarded as Germans who came from Germany. It is not exactly true. Some of them were born in Germany indeed, but many, due to the complicated history of Europe, were born in the territory of Poland, which had been taken over by the Austrian and Prussian Empires. The country was divided during its partitions and overtaken by foreign monarchies. The people who lived there spoke German because, at that time, it was the language of their rulers. Not only speaking Polish but even having documents written in that language was forbidden during the partitions time.

The Kordzik siblings - Henry, Lina, Minna, and Julius, children of Daniel Kordzik and Magdalena Simon - came to Texas from Eastern Prussia on 14 December 1858, after a 41-day journey. Their hometown was Angerburg (1). Nowadays, it is Węgorzewo (situated in northeastern Poland in Warmia and Masuria region).

In 1701, Angerburg (its Polish name was Węgobork then) became a Prussian town. Later, the town and its area were also occupied by Russians. The complex history of that region brought there French and Polish army again, including the Polish king Stanisław Leszczyński. He stayed in Węgobork castle in  March and May 1736 (2).

In 1773, the town was part of the province of Eastern Prussia. The subsequent years brought Germanization of Masuria and the region's citizens.

The word "kordzik" means in Polish a short sword.

kordzik

The Polish names browser shows that there are still 47 living persons of the surname Kordzik in Poland, 9 of them live in the Warmia and Masuria region, the same where the Kordzik siblings came from.

Further research tells that also their mother, Maria Magdalena, younger sister, Marie Therese, and brother Otto arrived in the state.

Two years after his arrival in Texas, Henry Kodzik, b. 7 March 1837, lived at Precinct No. 1, Gillespie, TX. He worked and lived on the farm of Mr. Warren Cass (3).

Cave Creek area

When the Civil War started, both Henry and Julius served in the same units of the Confederate Army - 8th Battalion, Texas Cavalry (Taylor's Battalion, Mounted Rifles), Company C. Henry started the service on 1 May 1862 as a corporal. He was promoted to a sergeant. Then the man was part of Company E, 1st Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Yager's) (1st Mounted Rifles). He finished his military career as Second Lieutenant.

Private Julius was enlisted to 8th Battalion, Company C on 2 May 1862. Later he served together with his brother in Company E 1st Texas Cavalry, till the end of the war (4,5).

On 30 January 1868, Henry married Miss Augusta Meyer (6) who was born in 1850.

In 1880, the family of Henry, Augusta, and their children Mina, Loui (b. 1871), Emil, Henry Jr., Lilly, and Max was registered during the census at Precinct 1, Gillespie County, TX. Henry ran a farm there. The family had a farm helper Robert Ledbecher who lived with the Kordziks (7).

The 1910 Census was more precise and gave the name of the area where Henry, Auguste lived. It was Cave Creek, Gillespie, TX. Two of their children Alfred C (age 22) and Meta L M (age 20) still lived at the parents' home (8).

Cave Creek area

Mina Kordzik (b. 26 Oct. 1868) married Mr. Konrad Hahne (b. 14 Oct. 1865) on 12 February 1887 (9). Konrad's parents were Konrad Hahne Sr. and Anna Regina Walch.

Emil (b. 4 March 1873) married Miss Mathilde Evers (b. 19 August 1873) on 11 Dec. 1896 (10). Emil's in-laws were Mr. Ludwig Evers and Ms. Pauline Itz.

After Mathilde's death in 1911, he married Hulda Moellering (b. 26 Nov. 1878).

C. Otto Kordzik was born 14 December 1874 (11).

Lilly Bertha Hedwig Kordzik (b. 24 May 1877) married Mr. Alfred Henke (b. 8 March 1874) on 30 Oct. 1900 (12).

Max (b. 18 June 1879) married Miss Bertha Kammlah (b. 27 May 1883) on 16 Oct. 1906 (13).

Alma (b. 7 March 1882) married Mr. Karl Friederich Kiehne Jr. (b. 31 August 1872) on  27 May 1902 (14). Karl was the son of Karl Kiehne Sr. and Ilse Konradine Henriette Hotopp.

Alfred (b. 13 Nov. 1887) married Miss Cora Aguste Moellering (b. 23 Jan. 1888) on 7 June 1910 (15). Cora was Hulda's sister.

Henry Kordzik Jr. (b. 14 Dec. 1874) married Miss Amalia Schmidt (b. 4 Oct. 1877) on 4 Feb. 1899 (16).

Meta (b. 18 Feb. 1890), the youngest daughter of Henry and Augusta's, married Mr. Henry F Schmidtzinsky (b. 27 Nov. 1882) on 30 Jan. 1912 (17). Henry was the son of John Schmitdzensky and Louise Dietz.

Louis Kordzik (b. 17 Jan. 1871) was the youngest son of Henry Sr.'s. Louis married Miss Lina Schneider (b. 13 March 1869) on 9 Nov. 1890 (18).

Henry Kordzik Sr. passed away of old age (91 years, 2 months, 27 days) on 31 May 1938 in Fredericksburg (19). His wife Auguste lived about 2 years longer, she died on 24 June 1930. in Fredericksburg as well.

Henry's sister Mina (Wilhelmina) Kordzik (b. 1842) married Mr. Georg Emil Van der Stucken of Fredericksburg. The couple had six children. Mina lived 75 years, 7 months, and 28 days (20). I did not find any information about Lina, sister of Henry's.

Henry Sr.'s brother Julius Kordzik mentioned above was born on 16 Nov. 1838 (21).

Julius married Miss Hedwig Martin, the daughter of Louis Martin and Elizabeth Ahrleger. The marriage took place on 30 Dec. 1868 (22). Hedwig was the first white child born in Gillespie county (see the paper clip below).

Louise Kordzik, Julius and Hedwig's daughter, was born on 11 April 1871.
Ottilie Danielle Kordzik, Louise's younger sister, was born on 1 March 1875 (23).

In 1880 Hedwig, Julius, and daughters Ottilie and Louise lived Fredericksburg. Julius was a teamster, Hedwig was a housekeeper (24).

Louise married James F Barttlet a physician. It happened on 17 Dec. 1889 (25).

They lived in San Antonio city, Ward 4, Justice Precinct 9 (26).

In 1900, Julius, Hedwig, and their daughter Ottilie lived in Justice Precinct 1, south part of Fredericksburg town. Hedwig was a telephone operator, Ottilie was registered as a school teacher unemployed for 2 months, Julius (a nursery agent) had also been unemployed for 3 months (27).

On 25 Dec. 1907 (28) Ottilie married four-year-older Florent J Maier (b. 10 Oct. 1871).

By 1910 Mr. Julius Kordzik had owned a nursery and Hedwig did not work (29).

Julius passed 6 Jan 1923. Hedwig two years later on & Nov 1925.

Clipping source: Edwards, Henry. The Tyler Journal (Tyler, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, November 20, 1925, newspaper, November 20, 1925; Tyler, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth620173/: accessed August 25, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Smith County Historical Society. 

Mrs. Ottilie Kordzik Maier died on 28 Jan. 1956. She was buried not far from her parents.

Louis Kordzik, one of the Kordzik siblings - the immigrants - (b. 1849 in Prussia) was recorded during the 1870 Census. He lived at Fort Stockton, Pecos, and was a butcher (30). I did not find more information about him.

Otto Phillip, the youngest brother of Henry's, was born on 29 Feb. 1856 in Germany. He was a ranchman. Otto Phillip married twice. Otto's first wife was Miss Emilie Schildknecht. They married on 11 July 1880 (31).

The two had one son Felix (b. 1882). Ten years after Emilie's death (1887), Otto remarried.
On 23 May 1897, he became the spouse of Miss Josephine Benkel (32).

Otto was widowed again. He spent the last years of his life in Altenhein (Old Folks' Home) in Precinct 3, Kerr County. The man passed on 27 October 1953 (33).

Meta (Theresa M) Kordzik, Henry's youngest sister married Mr. Ernst Albert Nimitz, the son of Charles Heinrich Nimitz and Sophia Dorothea Mueller. The two were united in marriage on 26 March 1874 (34).

Ernst ran a hotel. In 1900, the family lived in Justice Precinct 2, Maverick, Texas. The couple had 8 children, one died early (35). Ten years later Meta, her husband, and children were recorded during the census in san Angelo, Tom Green, Texas (36).

The Kordzik siblings' mother Maria Magdalena Kordzik lived in San Angelo as well. She passed away in 1894.

The family tree sideline goes from Mr. Henry Kordzik to our 3rd cousin once removed Mr. Rufus Monroe Angel

Henry Kordzik Sr.
⇒ his daughter Lilly Bertha Kordzik Henke
⇒ her husband William Nimitz
⇒ his sister Anna Bertha (Nimitz) Nauwald
⇒ her daughter Anna (Nauwald) Luckenbach
⇒ her husband Friedrich Luckenbach
⇒ his brother Louis Karl Luckenbach
⇒ his wife Jeannie Katherine Hart
⇒ her sister Elizabeth (Hart) Angel
⇒ her husband Rufus Monroe Angel - our 3rd cousin once removed

UPDATE:

Henry's father and grandfather were teachers. The man received good education in the old country, he was fluent in English when he came to Texas.

During the Civil War, when he served with Frank Van der Stucken Company, Henry Kordzik was wounded in the shoulder during a battle.

In 1862, his parents, brothers Louis and Otto, and sister Theresa came to Texas as well. Two of them died in Texas.

Augusta Meyer's mother, Karoline Festerling Ahrens from Harsum, Hanover, Germany came to Texas in 1846 with her mother Hedwig Ahrens and a sister Sophie. The ladies landed in  Galveston on 15 May 1846. In Fredericksburg Karoline Ahrens married Mr. Karl Meier who  was a co-signer of the petition for forming Gillespie County. Augusta's father died when was one. Karoline married later Mr. Peter Imhof, who was a founder of the Methodist congregation in Fredericksburg. Auguste's mother died when the girl was 12. She then lived with her grandmother  and the family of John Hunters. Auguste married Henry five years later.

After the Civil War Henry was engaged in freighting from Fort McKavett to Galveston. In 1872, the man bought 480 acres (Palo Alto area). Later, he expanded his property up to about 3000 acres. It spread from Palo Alto Creek to baron's Creek.

Mr. Kordzik was a trustee of the Knopp Scool. From 1894 to 1900 he also served as County Commissioner. Henry liked social entertaining such as dances and picnicks, the man enjoyed playing chess, checkers, and dominoes. He was a member of the Arion Singing Society as well.

On 30 January Henry and Augusta celebrated 75th wedding anniversary.

Their children:

Minna married Conrad Hahne,

Louis m. Lena Schneider,

Emil m. Mathilde Evers,

Henry m. Amelia Schmidt,

Lily m. Alfred Henke,

Max m. Bertha Kammlah,

Alma m. Charles Kiehne,

Ida m. Alfred Schmidt,

Alfred m. Cora Moellering,

Meta m. Henry Schmidtzensky (37).

Resources:
Kordzik photo - Artur Andrzej / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

1. Pioneers in God's Hills. A History of Texas and Gillespie County People and Events. 1960, Gillespie County Historical Society. Printed by Boeckman-Jons, Austin, Texas.
2. Wikipedia
3. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFF-79V: 18 March 2020), Henry Kordzick in the entry for Warren Cass, 1860.
4. 1st Yager's Cavalry
5. Soldiers and Sailors Database
6. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-S7K: 22 January 2020), Auguste Meyer in the entry for Heinrich Kordzick, 1868.
7. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFN8-PQQ: 15 July 2017), Henry Kordzik, Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 61, sheet 267D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,305.
8. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK1K-211 : accessed 15 August 2020), Henry Kordzik Sr., Cave Creek, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 147, sheet 1A, family 4, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.
9. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-91L: 22 January 2020), Mina Kordzik in entry for Conrad Hahne, 1887.
10. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-92ZN : 22 December 2016), Emil Kordzik and Mathilde Evers, 11 Dec 1896; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
11. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-2BV : 13 February 2020), C. Otto Kordzik, 1874.
12. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9VPY : 22 December 2016), Alfred Henke and Lillie Kordzik, 30 Oct 1900; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
13. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9K5X : 22 December 2016), Max Kordzik and Bertha Kammlah, 16 Oct 1906; citing, Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9KSP : 22 December 2016), Charles Kiehne Jun and Alma Kordzik, 27 May 1902; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
15. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9PKQ : 22 December 2016), Alfred Kordzik and Cora Auguste Moellering, 07 Jun 1910; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.
16. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-92TV : 22 December 2016), Henry, Jr Kordzik and Amalia Schmidt, 04 Feb 1899; citing, Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
17. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9GZY : 22 December 2016), Henry Schmidtzinsky and Meta Kordzik, 30 Jan 1912; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.
18. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9K1T : 22 December 2016), Louis Kordzik and Lina Schneider, 09 Nov 1890; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
19. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1Y-CBP : 13 March 2018), Henry Kordzik, 31 May 1928; citing certificate number 21261, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,540.
20. Gillespie County Deaths and Obituaries 
21. Findagrave.com
22. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-GBZ : 22 December 2016), Julius Kordzik and Hedwig Martin, 30 Dec 1868; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.
23. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37Q-43D : 13 March 2018), Hedwig Martin in entry for Otillie Maier, 28 Jan 1956; citing certificate number 7497, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,627.
24.  "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFN8-F8Q : 15 July 2017), Julius Kordzick, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 61, sheet 254B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,305.

25. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9JTC : 22 December 2016), James Bartlett and Louise Kordzik, 17 Dec 1889; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
26. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M325-LPK : accessed 22 August 2020), Louise Bartlett in household of James Bartlett, Justice Precinct 9 San Antonio city Ward 4, Bexar, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 92, sheet 8B, family 152, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,611.
27. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3GZ-9QH : accessed 22 August 2020), Julius Kordzik, Justice Precinct 1 (south part) Fredricksburg town, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 31, sheet 1B, family 10, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,638.
28. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9PHL : 22 December 2016), Florent Maier and Tillie D. Kordzik, 25 Dec 1907; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.
29. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK1K-KQ2 : accessed 22 August 2020), Julius Kordzik, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 146, sheet 2A, family 24, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.
30. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG4-VFB: 19 March 2020), Lewis Kordzik, 1870.
31. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9JFV : 22 December 2016), Otto Kordzick and Emilie Schildknecht, 11 Jul 1880; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
32. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL8Y-BB9 : 22 December 2016), Otto P Kordzik and Josephine Benkel, 23 May 1897; citing El Paso, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 25,056.
33. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HQ-7CR : 13 March 2018), Otto P Kordzik, 27 Oct 1935; citing certificate number 47651, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,705.
34. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LMG : 22 December 2016), Ernst Nimitz and Theresa Kordzik, 26 Mar 1874; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.
35. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PF-RK4 : accessed 25 August 2020), Theresa M Nimitz in household of A E Nimitz, Justice Precinct 2, Maverick, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 55, sheet 2B, family 31, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,657. 
36. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2QC-ZV1 : accessed 25 August 2020), Theresa Nimitz in household of Earnest A Nimitz, San Angelo, Tom Green, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 281, sheet 8A, family 177, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1592; FHL microfilm 1,375,605. 
37. "PIONEERS IN GOD'S HILLS" : a History of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County People and Events", Part 1, Gillespie County Historical Society, 1960. 

 

Louis John Jordan

Louis John Jordan was born in Fredericksburg to William F Jordan and Augusta Keller on 30 January 1890. Originally, the family surname was pronounced "Yordan" as Louis' ancestors were of German descent.

Louis grew up on the family ranch together with his siblings Harry, Anna, Emma, Betty, and Elsie.
He started his education at Fredericksburg Public School. Later, at the age of 16, Louis became a licensed teacher.
Louis J Jordan was employed at Stein's Lumber Yard and also taught at Honey Creek School.

The boy's mother Augusta passed over in 1907 when he was 17 years old.

Louis Jordan attended San Antonio Academy, he was awarded a scholarship and then, studied at The University of Texas from 1911 to 1915.

During his studies, he played football in the University team. Young Louis became the team captain in 1914. He was a great athlete. The man was selected by Walter Camp and became a member of the Southern All-American football team. He also set a state hammer throw record.

Louis J. Jordan graduated in 1914 with a degree in electric engineering. Later he taught engineering in San Antonio Academy and worked as an engineer for the San Antonio Transit Company.

When WW1 broke out Louis volunteered on 15 August 1917. His registration card reads that at that time he was employed by the US government and worked at Fort Sam Houston. Studying the record we can also learn that Louis was a tall stout man with blue eyes and blond hair (1).

L J Jordan joined the officers' training camp at Leon Springs. He was commissioned First Lt. in the Field Artillery.

He was assigned at 149 Field Artillery 42nd Division, then transferred to 67th Field Artillery Brigade and Battery C 149th Field Artillery. Together with his Division, Louis was deployed overseas on 12 September 1917. They went to France. A few months later 1st Lt Louis Jordan was killed in action during fights in Lorraine. He was buried at Benemenil Cemetery in France - grave # 195 (2).

Sadly, he was the first man and officer of Fredericksburg, TX who perished in WW1.
1st Lt Jordan was awarded for his heroism and sacrifice the French medal Cross de Guerre (Cross of War).

On 11 June 1921, his remains were laid in the City Cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX.
Years later, on 9 November 1957, Louis John Jordan was honored with inscribing his name in the Longhorn Hall of Honor.

Resources:

1. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXZ-KZ4: 24 August 2019), Louis John Jordan, 1917-1918.

2. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-J56V : 13 March 2018), Louis J Jordan, 15 Aug 1917; citing Military Service, Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.

3. Medal Photo by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) 

Pioneers in God's Hills. A History of Texas and Gillespie County People and Events. 1960, Gillespie County Historical Society. Printed by Boeckman-Jons, Austin, Texas.

Orange Daily Leader (Orange, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 39, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 13, 1918, newspaper, March 13, 1918; Orange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth563580/: accessed August 7, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lamar State College-Orange.

 

Emil Peter "Shiney" Schandua

This August brings the 17th death anniversary of Mr. Emil Peter Schandua.

Emil Peter Schandua was born on 5 August 1915, parents Emil John Schandua and Clara Moritz (1).

His great-grandfather Peter Schandua of Frickhofen, Germany came to Texas (on the vessel Washington) with his wife Margarethe and children Peter and Johann on 6 December 1845. Peter Sr. was 29, Margarethe 26, Peter Jr. 3, and Johann about 1 (2). Margarethe passed not long after their arrival and Peter Sr. remarried later. He is buried with his wife Karolina in the old city cemetery in Fredericksburg.

On 31 Dec. 1937 Emil Peter Schandua married Miss Norma Bertha Henke (3).

Some time after their marriage, Emil and Norma moved to San Antonio. After WW2 Emil worked in sheet metal business and during the war he repaired bomber planes at Kelly Field.

Later Emil worked with his father, who was a tinsmith, in his Fredericksburg shop. In 1927 Emil John Schandua and his business partner Harry Reichenau applied for a patent for a blowfly trap. The patent was granted on 10 June 1930. You can see the details regarding their invention here.

Emil took over his father's shop after not long after his death in 1957. "Shiney" was Emil's nickname, so he changed the name from "Reichenau and Schandua" to "Shiney's Sheet Metal Work". The shop was situated in South Llano Street.

On a day in March 1980, Emil and his son Ricky tried to save the life of Mr. Ronald Bonn's. The latter one had been in a critical situation which was a result of a tragic accident. In spite of Emil and Ricky's efforts, Mr. Bonn could not be saved.

Clipping source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, March 7, 1980, newspaper, March 7, 1980; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1034789/: accessed August 2, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

"Shiney" retired in the 1980s. Mr. Emil was a skinful tinsmith, he enjoyed making knives with the old pioneer type tools. The man often presented his works at the Founders Day celebrated in Fredericksburg and at the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio (the first such festival was held in 1972).

Emil Peter Schandua passed away on 31 August 2003 (4).
God bless his soul. 

UPDATE

Found during our visit at a cemetery in Fredericksburg - the grave of  Emil's parents, Emil John and Clara Schandua.

Resources:
 
1. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2P7-XHV : 4 April 2020), Emil Peter Schandua, 05 Aug 1915; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 31909, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,284,865.

2. Pioneers in God's Hills. A History of Texas and Gillespie County People and Events. 1960, Gillespie County Historical Society. Printed by Boeckman-Jons, Austin, Texas.

3. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-DMHN : 10 December 2017), Emil P Schandua and Norma Henke, 31 Dec 1937; citing Marriage, citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,764,046.

4. "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKWS-P4LP : accessed 2 August 2020), Emil P Or Shiney Schandua, Texas, United States, 10 Sep 2003; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post, born-digital text. 

"Our Way of Life. Voices of Gillespie County in the 1970s.", Philip O'Bryan Montgomery III, Shearer Publishing, Fredericksburg, Texas, 2013.