Lodge No.19 in Velehrad

 In 1897, the SPJST (Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas) came into being and Lodge 19 in the Velehrad Community, Lavaca County, was established.

 

The lodge hall was built there in August 1895. The building served as a community lodge meeting place. Business and social gatherings, dances, and funerals took place in the hall as well. When there were more children in the area than there was room in the nearby school, the lodge building was also used as a school.

 

 

After WWII, many of the community residents left Velehrad, and it started deteriorating. The last meeting of the members of the SPJST Lodge 19 in Velehrad took place on 16 February 1999.

On 9 November 2017, the lodge hall was moved from Velehrad to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, where you can see it/visit nowadays.

 

Source: leaflet issued by TCHCC

 

Photos from our visit to the Czech Heritage and Cultural Center - on a very hot summer day in August 2021.

 

The double doors were used when a funeral ceremony was held in the building. A coffin was brought in (and out) through those doors.

 

The meeting has been started

 

Guest speaker today...

Konrad Schuessler

Konrad Schüssler was born in Bonfeld, Germany on 1 July 1838. He was one of the children of Johann Adam Schüssler and Eva Katharina Dischinger. I have already written about then here so I will not write again about the details of their arrival in Texas. Konrad was 7 years old when the family left Bonfeld in Baden-Würtemeberg.

Konrad got married at the age of 21. On 14 December 1859, Miss Wilhelmina Margaret Storch (born on 6 August 1841) became his wife. Their marriage ceremony took place in Gillespie County, TX (1). 

At first, they all lived at Cherry Springs. That was the time when everyday life was a fight for survival and the fight was quite literal when hostile Indians raided the area. Many settlers left Cherry Springs as the place was regarded to be not safe. Konrad and his family stayed and continued to live there. Eventually, in 1860 (2), the Schuesslers moved to Mason County.

Konrad Schüssler was a farmer, he probably also owned a saddlery in Mason.

The couple had nine children.

♦ John Jacob (Jake) was born in 1860,

♦ Friedrich Charles was born on 2 December 1862 (3),

♦ Anton Louis born 27 May 1865, Fly Gap Community,

♦ Emil Otto born 25 December 1867.

 

On 22 November 1869, Konrad Schuessler was registered as a voter in Mason County (4).

♦ Son Adam was born on 5 January 1870.

On 27 June 1870, the family was recorded by census clerk, Mr. Francis Kettner. 5-year-old Anton Louis appears in the records as Henry (5).

It happened that Indians stole all but one of Konrad's horses. They also tried to get the horse left behind but the man managed to save the animal in quite an unusual way. One night, when an Indian got close to Konrad's house to get the horse, Mr. Schüssler who was around noticed somebody moving in the dark. He thought it was one of his sons and started talking to the "dark figure" in German. It must have surprised the Indian as the latter did not take the horse and disappeared in the night.

♦ Son Rudolph was born to Konrad and Minnie in 1871. 

♦ The first daughter Amelia (Emily) was born to Konrad and Minna on 16 June 1872.

♦ Another son Fritz Albert was born on 24 December 1874.

♦ Daughter Anna Hulda was the youngest child of Konrad and Minnie Schuessler. The girl was born on 6 July 1881.

♦ Tragically, the teenage son Rudolph was bitten by a snake and died in the result of it.

1885 - ♡ John Jacob (age 35) married 7-years-younger Miss Johanna Elizabeth Eisenbeiser, the daughter of Johannes Eisenbeiser and Katharina Dorothea Albrecht. Johanna was born in Germany on 21 February 1867.

1887 - ♡ Henry Anton Louis married Miss Martha Irene Catwig/Cating (born on 9 December 1872 in Jackson Township, Jackson, Ohio), the daughter of  Edward William Cating. Their children were:

• Anna Laura, b. 28 September 1888,
• Amelia Clara, b. 20 September 1890,
• Alex, b. 25 April 1892,
• Lillie May, b. 2 May 1894,
• Margaret Minnie, b. 4 February 1896/d. 1899,
• twins - Effie, b. 2 April 1898 and another baby who died at birth,
• Edna, b. 21 March 1900,
• Sadie Bell, b. 28 March 1902,
• Wesley Morgan, b. 12 October 1903,
• Myrtle, b. 13 may 1905/d. 26 March 1921,
• Howard, b. 15 February 1907.

1892 - ♦ John Jacob Schuessler, the father of two (Ella born in 1884 and Arnold who died young), passed.

According to the information shared by Ms. Karanell Marshall* "... he (Jake) was put in jail or prison for horse theft, claiming innocence, and died there of illness, leaving her with her daughter Ella."

1894 - ♡ 30-year-old Friedrich C. married Miss Katie Scott who was about 15 years old then. She was born on 11 July 1879, to Sevanty M Scott and Katharina Degel Schafstead. Their children: 

• Andrew Jackson, born on 3 December 1895,
• Cora Mary, born on 21 July 1896,
• Sam Wesley, born on 29 August 1897,
• Florence Elizabeth, born on 30 September 1898,
• Conrad, born on 21 January 1900,
• Robert Rudolph, born on 10 May 1901,
  
• Charles Frederick, born on 2 December 1902,
• Minnie Margaret, born on 27 July 1905,
• Alonzo, born on 14 April 1907,
• Katie Kathlene, born on 16 December 1908,
• Annie Amelia, born on 21 June 1912,
• Lucille, born on 28 September 1916,
• Dixie Lee, born on 23 July 1917,
• Ruth Levora, born on 7 December 1919.

1894 - ♡ Mrs. Hannah Schuessler, Jake's ex-wife remarried. Her second husband became Clemens Mueller (born in 1856) - more info* about them at the end of the article.

1895 - ♡ Otto (age 28) married Miss Amanda Schmidt (born on 8 November 1871).

• Nellie, b. 24 February 1896,
• Leonard Valentine, b. 7 March 1898,
• Peano Alonzo, b. 27 October 1900,
• Frank Dennis, b. 16 June 1903,
• Johnny Adam, b. 21 April 1906,
• James Roy, b. 18 May 1909,
• Amelia Louise, b. 27 August 1912.

1896 - ♡ 26-year-old Adam married Miss Cora Mary Ritter, the daughter of William Heinrich Adam Ritter and Osanna Christiana Storch. Cora was about three years younger than Adam, she was born on 11 April 1873. They had ten children:

• Amsey E, b. 8 September 1897,
• Ervin E, b. 14 August 1898,
• twins - Willy E and Willard E stillborn on 21 September 1899,
• Woody Ran, b. 28 September 1902,
• Vaine Van died at birth on 28 September 1902,
• Clarence, b. 9 January 1908,
• Eldon, b. 12 February 1915,
• Cora Mae, b. 16 August 1916,
• Elmer, b. 13 September 1917.

1901 - ♡ Annie married Mr. Robert Sneed Hubbard (born 22 May 1883). Children born to them:

• Minnie Margaret Wilhelmina - 23 December 1903,
• May Arline - 11 April 1906,
• Bobby - 28 June 1909,
• Willard Lee - 26 November 1910,
• Thomas Ira - 3 July 1914,
• Ella Nora - 23 January 1916,
• Verna Belle - 27 March 1919,
• James Frank - 5 March 1922.

Emily married Stephen Henry Raines (b. 15 February 1874). Their children were:

• Charles Howard - b. 9 January 1902/d. after two weeks,
• David Henry - b. 22 April 1903,
• Minnie - b. 6 June 1906,
• Dan - b. 2 April 1910,
• Jesse William - b. 6 October 1911,
• Cora Mae - b. 12 April 1916.

1908 - the youngest son of Konrad and Minnie's, ♡ 34-year-old then Albert Fritz married 17-year-old Miss Martha Elizabeth Gierisch (born on 12 December 1891). Their children:

• Anton Louis - b. 25 November 1908,
• Annie Donie - b. 20 May 1910,
• Estella May - b. 2 February 1912,
• Pauline Gusta - b. 13 November 1913,
• Ima Catherine - b. 18 April 1915,
• Ura Alma -b. 17 December 1916,
• John Henry - b. 26 October 1921,
• Robert - died at birth in 1922.

When most of Konrad and Minnie's children grew up, Konrad sold part of his land in Fly Gap to Mr. August Willmann Sr. Then, Konrad and Minnie moved to New Mexico.

♦ Konrad Schuessler passed four years later on 23 May 1912. He was about 74. Konrad's departure was mentioned in the San Antonio "Freie Presse für Texas" published on 25 May of the same year.

 

Clipping source: Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse für Texas. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 9201, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 25, 1912, newspaper, May 25, 1912; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1084460/: accessed September 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

♦ Minnie Lehmann Schuessler, Konrad's wife, died on 23 January 1919.

Information about Hannah Eisenbeiser, the wife of Jake Schuessler, and the family photo was provided by Ms. Karanell Marshall*:

Hannah had four husbands. "They all died before her (...) my great-grandfather Clemens Carl Mueller from Culitzsch, Sachsen (...), Gottlieb Lorenz, and finally a Schneider. His son was John, wife Annie."

Photo: "Clemens Carl and Johanna Eisenbeisser, seated. Standing her daughter Ella from her first marriage with husband Herman Faselar, my grandfather Frank William L, Uncle Dick center, and Uncle Herman, baby. Taken shortly before his [Clemens'] death, 1908.

"My great-grandfather, Clemens Mueller, died in 1909 when my grandfather was just 8. Clemens had gone to hitch the horse to the wagon to go to church. He didn't come back, so Oma sent my grandfather to go see what was taking so long. My grandfather found his father lying dead, with his head bleeding, laying on a rock."

Resources:

"John Adam and Eva Schuessler Pioneers, A Family History and Genealogy" by Johnita Schuessler Bohmfalk, 1984,

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

Mason County Marriages

* Information shared by Ms. Karanell Marschall, a descendant of Hannah and Clemens Carl Mueller.

1. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-RY5 : 22 January 2020), Conrad Schussler, 1859.

2. "Texas, Voter Records, 1867-1918", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WBXN-H5W2 : 15 December 2020), Conrad Schussler, 1869.

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K344-Q9Q : 20 February 2021), Conrod Schuessler in entry for Frederick Charles Schuessler, 03 Jan 1934; citing certificate number 474, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,115,948.

4. "Texas, Voter Records, 1867-1918", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WBXN-H5W2 : 15 December 2020), Conrad Schussler, 1869.

5. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-2LB : 29 May 2021), Konrad Schüssler, 1870.

Painted Church in High Hill, TX

The church was established in 1860. The first church service was held in High Hill by Rev. Victor Gury of Fredericksburg in 1861. At the beginning, the mass was celebrated in the log cabin which belonged to Mr. Andreas Bilimek and then at Franz Wick's place. Later, in 1870, the first church log building was completed and blessed. 

 

Soon after that, in 1875, a new wooden church was built and primary the log building was used as a school (on weekdays only) for 55 years.

Father Gerlach, who came to High Hill in 1899, was the first parish priest there.

The local community grew and needed a bigger church, so in 1905 the plans for a new stone church building were created by Leo MJ Dielmann, an architect of San Antonio. Starting in 1906, when the first brick of the new structure was blessed, all the people of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish worked on the construction of their new church. Their efforts resulted in completing the place in 1910.

The original stained glass windows were transferred from the old church and installed in the new building.

The church pillars are painted so craftfully - looking at them you may think, the pillars are made of marble, however, it is just wood covered with paint.

That was the second "painted church" that we visited during our August day trip. In the short video you can see the beautifully decorated ceiling and a few other elements of the church decorations.

  

You can see few more photos from the church on our FB page.

Fish Fry

Our thanks to the volunteers of the Doss Fire Department for the annual fish fry event. So well organized, and the food was great! We did enjoy the live music as well.

Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt

Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt was born in the village of Göttern, Weimarer Land, Thuringia, The Grand Duchy of Saxony, on 7 September 1827. His father was Johann Georg Schmidt. I did not manage to find anything else regarding Friedrich's parents.

Evangelical church in Göttern built in 13th century

When Fritz was about 18, he decided to go to Texas as (like many others) he was not willing to do a mandatory, long-term military service in the army. Probably, Friedrich did not have enough money to pay for the passage - so he stowed away in Antwerp on the ship Strabo. They left the European port on 11 September 1845 (1). During the sea journey, Friedrich made friends with Peter Simon (born 7 April 1829 in Hilzhausen) and his family of Nassau, Prussia. They arrived in Texas on 20 November 1845. Next, the emigrants went to Galveston where they landed on 20 October. Subsequently, the Simons, Fritz, and others traveled by boat to Indianola. They were some of the very first settlers of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County. Later, when some years passed, they relocated to the Llano and San Saba area. Fritz lived with the Simon family.

Friedrich Johann G Schmidt built a log cabin by a spring at the Llano River Valley, in the Simonsville Community area.

On 14 January 1859, Friedrich married Peter's sister, Katharina Jakobina Simon, born 12 October 1820 in Grebenroth, Nassau, Prussia (2). The couple lived in a cabin built by Fritz. They had 12 children, only 8 survived till adulthood.

♦ Ann, the first child, and daughter was born on 18 November 1859,

♦ Karl, the first son was born on 29 May 1861 (3).

♦ Maria was born on 10 February 1863 (4) - tragically, ♦ she died in infancy.

Exactly two years later, son ♦ Phillip was born on 10 February 1865 (5).

♦ William was born 7 March 1867 (6),

Another daughter, ♦ Mathilde, was born to Fritz and Catherine on 12 April 1869 (7).

On 1 June 1870, they were recorded during the Census in Mason County, post office Hedwig's Hill, where Fritz farmed. The family real estate was worth $1000, and the value of their personal estate was $2000 (8).

Daughter ♦ Louise was born on 5 February 1871 (9).

Fritz and Catherine were devoted Lutherans. The very early Lutheran religious service was held at their home. Whenever it took place, they also prepared a meal for the pastor and service attendees.  In 1872, Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt was one of the signers of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mason. The couple also boarded the Simonsville school teachers.

♦ 1873 - 12-year-old son Karl had a devastating accident while riding a horse. The horse fell together with the boy on it - Karl died.

Another daughter, ♦ Mathilde, was born to Fritz and Catherine on 12 April 1869 (7).

♦ Susanne - I did not find the year of her birth. ♦ The girl died of scarlet fever when she was little.

Son ♦ Frederick William was born on 22 March 1875 (10).

♦ Emma was born to the family in 1878.

Census 1880 - 53-year-old Friedrich and his wife Catherine, and their 8 children Anna, Mary, Felix, Wilhelm, Mathilda, Louisa, Frederick, and Emma lived in Justice Precinct #3, Mason County. The family had a lodger a 30-year-old John Bolinierd, a farmer, who was born in Ohlenburg (Grand Dutchy of Oldenburg?) (11).

A few months after the census, on 5 December 1880, son ♦ Henry Carl, was born to Fritz and Catherine (12).

Fritz and Katherine were grieving again when their daughter ♦ Emma died of blood poisoning. 

Daughter ♦ Carolina (Lina/Lena) was born on 25 April 1882. In the same year, there was another merry celebration in the family - the oldest daughter ♡ Anna married Mr. Adolph Reichenau, born 17 November 1850 in Gillespie County, to Adolph Albert Reichenau and Katharine Arhelger.

♦ Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt died on 6 December 1891, St. Nicholas Day. Fritz was buried at the Simonsville Cemetery. After his death, Katharine operated the family farm with the help of her grown-up children (13).

♡ 1895 - Phillip married Emilie Sophie Vater, born on 27 May 1874 in Mason County, to August Vater and Emma Catherine Elise Lemburg.

♡ 1896 - Louise was married to Charles Kettner, who was born on 12 March 1866 in Mason County. His parents were Francis Kettner and Kathrina Keller.

♡ 1897 - William married Miss Meta Kott, the daughter of Albert Kott and Maria Jane McDougall. The bride was born on 29 December 1890 in Gillespie County.

♡ 1906 - Henry and Katie Keller were married at Bethel Methodist Church.

♡ 1907 - Lina (25) and Ed (Edward John) Keller (born 26 September 1878, to Adolph Adam Keller and Edna Katherina Regner Reichenau) were united in marriage.

In the same year, ♡ Fred Wilhelm Schmidt married Miss Ellen Louise Hofmann. The girl was born on 3 March 1883 in Mason County, to August Peter Wilhelm Hofmann and Marie Bogusch.

♡ 1909 - 40-year-old Mathilda married a year older Richard Arhelger (born on 26 June 1868 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County).

♦ Mrs. Katherine Simon Schmidt left this world on 30 August 1921. She lived for about 91 years.

 

Resources:

Photo of the church: Ludwig, Silvio, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Mason County marriages 

Findagrave.com 

1. Ships from Europe to Galveston

2. Indianola Immigrants Database 

3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-F32M : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Carl Schmidt, 1861.

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-8N6Z : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Maria Schmidt, 1863.

5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3W3-94D : 20 February 2021), Philip Schmidt, 14 Nov 1913; citing certificate number 23917, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,050,997.

6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS13-KPG : 20 February 2021), William Schmidt, 17 Nov 1944; citing certificate number 51527, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,819.

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-4QN2 : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Mathilde Schmidt, 1869.

8. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG3-1MJ : 29 May 2021), Fried Schmidt, 1870.

9. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CS-C5C : 20 February 2021), Fred Schmidt in entry for Kettner, 03 Sep 1933; citing certificate number 39872, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,115,619.

10. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ZS-M78 : 20 February 2021), Fred W Schmidt, 04 Sep 1951; citing certificate number 45258, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,777

11. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-P85 : 20 February 2021), Frederick Schmidt in household of Frederick Schmidt, 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.

12. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CC-B7Q : 20 February 2021), Henry Carl Schmidt, 01 Dec 1950; citing certificate number 59804, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,550.

13. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-KD5 : accessed 31 August 2021), Frederick Schmidt in household of Catharina Schmidt, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 133, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.