Konrad Simon & Family

Johann Konrad Simon was born on 3 September 1832 in Grebenroth, Nassau, Prussia. It is a town situated about 286 miles south-west of Berlin.

Johann Konrad's lived with his parents, Phillipp Jakob Simon (born 11 November 1800, Holzhausen auf der Heide) and Suzanne Weiss (b. 12 November 1809, Laufesmuhle /Laufes Mill/ near Laufenselden), and brother Peter (born 7 April 1829 in Holzhausen). The father of the family was a wheelwright. When Konrad was about 5, on 15 March 1838, Christian was born. On 12 October 1840 in Grebenroth, Katherina Jacobina, and on 8 August 1843 Anna Maria joined the family. In 1845, they all emigrated to Texas. First, they traveled to Antwerp. The Simons left the European port on 13 September 1845, on the Barque Straba. 

The vessel's passenger list informs that Johann Konrad's oldest brother, 17-year-old Peter, was registered separately as an adult emigrant passenger. His occupation given in the manifest was "farmer". After several weeks of an oppressive journey, the vessel and the emigrants on its board reached Galveston on 20 November (1).

In 1847, Konrad and his family had already been in Fredericksburg. Phillip Jakob and Peter Simon got town lots there - Phillip lots no. 412 and 414, Peter lot no. 413 (2). Phillip was also granted 24 acres of land in the Fredericksburg area.

♦ 24 April 1848, a brother was born to Konrad. The baby boy was named Gottlieb.

1849, Phillip Jakob was granted 640 acres, Peter 320 acres, by the Llano River.

The 1850 census, on 13 September (3), found the family still in Fredericksburg. Phillip's profession was given as stonemason, Christian was not mentioned in the records (he had died?). Later, Konrad's father sold the land and town lot which he had in Fredericksburg, and the family moved to Castell, where a rock house was built.

♦ 2 October 1851, Henry Leander Simon (4), the youngest brother of Konrad's was born.

According to Gillespie County Rolls of 1854, Peter Simon kept some land (10 acres) there, he also had 1 horse, 50 head of cattle, 17 hogs, and 15 sheep (5). In 1855, he had even more land (40 acres) in Gillespie County (6). 

About 1856, the Simon family relocated and settled four miles southeast of Mason, at the place that was called Simonville, after their family name. At first, they lived in log cabins which after some time, were replaced with rock houses.

♡ 19 April 1857, in Gillespie County, Johann Konrad Simon married Miss Josephine Hasse (7), daughter of Karl Heinrich Hasse. 

In 1857, both Peter and Conrad owned 160 acres of land in Gillespie County. Conrad also had 1 wagon and a horse, and 30 head of cattle there. The property which belonged to him was worth $330. Peter raised 56 head of cattle. The man also had 20 hogs and owned a land certificate. The value of the latter was given as $150. According to the tax assessment, all the property that belonged to Peter worth $650 (8).

♦ 31 Jan 1858, the first child, Sophie Josephina, was born to the couple (9).

♡ 14 January 1859, Konrad's sister Katherine Simon married Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt (born 1827), son of Johann Georg Schmidt.

♦ 10 December 1859 twin boys, Konrad and Heinrich arrived to parents J K and J Simon (10, 11).

Konrad and Josephine were charter members of the German Methodist Church. Johann Konrad was also a preacher and sometimes preached at the local church.

♦ 2 September 1862, another boy, Karl was born to Konrad and Josephine (12).

♦ 13 April 1863 - mourning in the family - Konrad's father Phillip Jakob passed.

 

When Civil War time came, in September 1863, 31-year-old Conrad joined Texas State Troops. Private Simon served in Precinct #3, Mason County (local defense), under Lt. Gottlieb Brandenburg.

The above CA registration card reads that Conrad was 5'6" tall, had grey eyes, and light hair. His occupation was "stock raiser". When he joined TST, the man owned a shotgun (13).

♦ 8 August 1865, Konrad's daughter Emilia came to this world (14).

Four years later, on ♦ 1 September 1869,  the Konrad Simons had another baby girl. She was named Nelly (15).

 ♡ 8 April 1867, in Hilda, Mason, Fritz Lorenz married Annie Simon (16), Konrad's younger sister.

1870 - census Anna, Henry, Charles, Emily, John, and Nelly. Annie lived with Fritz Lorenz nearby, next to Annie house was their mother's Susanna's dwelling in which their brother Gottlieb also lived. Then, Christina and Fred Schmidt + their children lived (17).

♡ Konrad's brother, Gottlieb married 26 Mar 1871 Louise Oestreich (18).


♦ 23 July 1872, daughter Bertha was born in Mason County (19).

♦ 18 September 1874, another baby girl, Ida was born.

Peter Simon, Konrad's older brother was engaged in freighting. At some point, he sold his wagon and left for California to join the gold rush. The man exchanged letters with Gottlieb. In 1875, Peter sent his mother Josephine a power of attorney to sell his land and property in Mason County.

♦ Franz was born 18 Apr 1876 to the family of Konrad and Josephine Simon's (20).


Tragically, 11-year-old ♦ Nellie died 27 Jan 1877 of diphtheria. It was the time when the disease took quite a toll among the children in the area. A few months later, also 2-year-old ♦ Ida succumbed to the malady. The girl passed on 11 February 1878.

Census 1880 - Konrad and Josephine lived in Justice Precinct #3, Mason, TX, together with children Anna, Henry, Charles, John, Emily, Bertha, and Frank. Konrad's siblings, Emma with her husband Fritz Lorenz, and two children; Catherine with husband Fred Schmidt and eight children; Henry L and mother Susanne, lived nearby (21).

In 1881 Konrad Simon and his Family moved to the Todd Mountain area, south of Mason where Konrad bought some land. He got some acres east of  James River Road as well.

♦ 26 Mar 1886, brought time of mourning again. Konrad's mother Suzanne died. She was buried in the family cemetery, next to her daughters. 

In the same year, on ♡ 12 November, Konrad's son, Heinrich married Miss Mary Martin (22). The marriage ceremony took place at the Hilda Bethel Methodist Church, Hilda, Mason, TX. 1886 also brought the marriage ceremony of  Henry Leander, Konrad's brother. He was married to Miss Lizzie Lackey.

♡ Karl Simon another brother of Konrad's, married Ernestine Nagel on 30 December 1890 (23). Not long after that, on 23 July 1891, Konrad and Josephine's daughter ♡ Bertha married  Friedrich Wartenbach (24).

Another daughter, ♡ Emilie, was married to Mr. Adolph Schulze on 26 November 1893 (25).

Several years later, on ♦ 18 November 1901, death took Emilie Simon Schultze. Konrad's daughter died when she was giving birth to her fourth child.  

About 1903/4, the youngest son of Konrad and Josephine's, Franz (Frank) married Josephine Pryor. The two had twins on 17 June 1904 (26) - one girl died and found her resting place at the Todd Mountain, the other one, Edna survived.

 ♦ 7 September 1921 John Konrad Simon left this world. He was buried near his wife, in the family cemetery.

 
Frank's first marriage did not survive. In 1921, the man married 27-years-younger Miss Mary Gerdes (born 1903). They had three sons, Frank (born 1922), Edward (b. 1924), and Damon (born 1930).

Emilie and Adolph Schulze's children - Lilli - born 10 October 1894 (27), Arthur  - born 18 April 1896 (28), Edgar, Emily - born 18 November 1901 (29).

Bertha and Fritz Wartenbach's children - Oscar Johannes - born 5 July 1892 (30), Josephine Anna - born 7 April 1895 (31), Karl John - born 7 September 1896 (32), Ida Mae - born 7 April 1908 (33).

Karl H, Heinrich and Katherine Simon will have their own posts.

UPDATE:

The photos and information shared by Ms. Karanell Marshall, a descendant of Annie and Fritz Lorenz:

 

"Thanks for your article on the Simon family. My great grandmother, Johanna Eisenbeisser, was married to a Lorenz.(...) I do have a very old photograph, with hand painting, of Fritz and Annie Simon Lorenz!! They were Oma Hannah's parents-in-law. When Annie was elderly she was blind. My grandmother had a pencil drawing that Annie drew of herself. It looked just like the woman in the picture. I thought you might enjoy hearing these little bits of family history.

 

There is a considerable water stain at the bottom. Don't know what the red is. Since they married in 1867, this must have been taken in the '70s or '80s. Here is a little book of Fritz's I inherited.
No date!

Oh! Found another with a date. Very faint as in pencil.

 

My g grandmother, who was Fritz's daughter in law, passed these on to her son, my grandfather."

Ms. Karanell Marshall kindly shared also some information (and a photo) related to her great grandmother, Johanna Eisenbeisser, and her immediate family. I am planning to post that material with another article dedicated to the Schuessler family, Johanna and her other relations.

 

Karanell, many thanks for sharing that all!

 Source:

"Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976. 

Findagrave.com 

Victoria Regional Center

1. Barque Straba

2. Fredericksburg town lots 1847

3. 1850 Census Fredericksburg 

4. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1Y-4TJ : 20 February 2021), Henry Leander Simon, 20 Jun 1929; citing certificate number 31820, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,940. 

5. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RFPN : 20 February 2021), Peter Simon, 1854.

6. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RNV5 : 20 February 2021), Peter Simon, 1855.

7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-L4J : 10 March 2021), John C Simon and Josephine Hasse, 19 Apr 1857; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

8. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RJH5 : 20 February 2021), Conrad Simon, 1857.

 9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DDMM : 14 February 2020), C. Simon in entry for Sophie Josephina Simon, 1858.

10.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3SW-WFL : 20 February 2021), Conrad Simon in entry for Henry Simon, 07 Oct 1949; citing certificate number 49601, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,223,524.

11. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-XCW2 : 14 February 2020), Heinrich Simon, 1859.

12. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LG4-143Z : 14 February 2020), Carl Simon, 1862.

13. "Texas, Confederate Army and Commanding Officer Card Index, ca.1861-ca.1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z82B-RWN2 : 18 June 2020), Conrad Simon, 1863.

14. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DCT2 : 14 February 2020), Emilia Simon, 1865.

15. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-LL3Z : 14 February 2020), Nelly Simon, 1869. 

16. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-FX8 : 22 January 2020), Anna Simon in entry for Fritz Lorens, 1867. 

17. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG3-194 : 29 May 2021), Nelly Simon in entry for Conrad Simon, 1870.

18. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-5JD : 22 January 2020), Gottlieb Simon, 1871.

19. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-LL6Z : 14 February 2020), Bertha Simon, 1871.

20. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LLC-6YPZ : 14 February 2020), Franz Simon, 1876.

21. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-PDQ : 20 February 2021), Bertha Simon in household of Conrad Simon, Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 497C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

22. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-HST : 22 January 2020), Henry Simon, 1885.

23, "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-W22 : 22 January 2020), Carl Simon, 1890.

24. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-LF9 : 22 January 2020), Bertha Simon in entry for Friedrich Wartenbach, 1891.

25. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-W2J : 22 January 2020), Emilie Simon in entry for Adolph Schultze, 1893. 

26. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX99-2FX : 1 March 2021), Josie Pryor in entry for Edna Simon, 17 Jun 1904; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 103935, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,371,100. 

27. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-V73Z : 14 February 2020), Emilie Simon in entry for Lilli Josephine Leonore Schulze, 1894.

28. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-FQ3Z : 14 February 2020), Emilie Simon in entry for Arthur Schulze, 1896.

29. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3M8-5CL : 20 February 2021), Emilia Simons in entry for Emily Bertha Schulze, 12 May 1939; citing certificate number 24603, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,017.

30. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DK6Z : 14 February 2020), Bertha Simon in entry for Oskar Johannes Wartenbach, 1892.

31. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-XKT2 : 14 February 2020), Bertha Simon in entry for Josephine Anna Wartenbach, 1895.

32. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-T9PZ : 14 February 2020), Bertha Simon in entry for Karl John Wartenbach, 1896.

33. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX99-PFJ : 1 March 2021), Bertha Simons in entry for Ida Mae Wartenbach, 07 Apr 1908; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 104635, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,371,100.