Gustav Adolph Loeffler & Family

Gustav Adolph Loeffler was the youngest son of Johann Martin Loeffler and his second wife Julianna Ziezelmann, born in Fredericksburg on 14 November 1862.

On 11 June 1870, young Adolph, his parents, and siblings (Christian, age 15, and Caroline, age 7) were recorded during the Census. The boy's father was then a joiner (1). The online dictionary (Oxford Languages) gives a definition of who a joiner was: "a person who constructs the wooden components of a building, such as stairs, doors, and door and window frames". 

 

Young Adolf received little formal schooling as he was needed at home.

Adolph's mother grew vegetables in their family garden. The boy sold them to the neighbors, going on a wagon from door to door. The money supported the family income.

Later, when he was 14, Gustav Adolph found employment at the farm which belonged to Mr. Fritz Brandenberger. The money Gustav Adolph earned there supported his family as well.

By June 1880, Adolph lived in the household of Mr. Brandenberger in Justice Precinct #4, Mason County (2).

Three years later, on ♡ 18 September, 20-year-old Adolph married Miss Emma Eckert, the 22-year-old daughter of Karl Friedrich Eckert and Eva Christina Guthoerle. The girl was born on 5 April 1861 in Hilda, Texas.
When a child, Emma attended the local grammar school only for three months.

Karl Eckert gave the newlyweds some land and Adolph built a house there. Soon, children were born to the young couple:

♦ Herman Karl Johann 20 October 1884 (3),

♦ Otto Ludwig 16 March 1888 (4),

♦ Meta Marie 14 November 1890 (5).

♦ ♦ 1891 - death of Adolf's father (in January) and mother (in November).

Daughter ♦ Anna Christine was born on 11 October 1894, and ♦ Walter Gustav on 21 September 1899 (6). All the children were born at home (with the help of Emma's mother).

Adolf and his family were of Lutheran faith, and they all attended the Sunday church service very regularly. The family had a Sunday house in Mason where they spent Christmas, among others.

When Emma's parents reached elderly age, Adolf + family moved in (1899) to Mr. and Mrs. Eckert's home to help and take care of them.

1900 - they all were registered by a census clerk Louis J Kettner in Justice Precinct #6, Mason County, TX. Karl Eckert was 77 then, his wife Christine 76 (7).

1905 - Adolph Loeffler was a member of the committee which was responsible for the construction of the new church in Mason. During that time, on Mondays, he left his home on a chuck wagon and spent the weekdays at the construction site, hauling rocks and working there.

23 April 1910 - the census found the family in Justice Precinct #3, Mason County. Adolph was the head of the family, and the Eckert grandparents/in-laws also lived in the household (8).

Three years later, on ♦ 2 February, Emma's father died.

The year 1914 brought two weddings of Adolph and Emma's children

♡ Herman married Martha Kroll (born on 1 December 1889 in Blanco County), the daughter of Karl Ludwig Kroll and Bertha Mueller.

♡ Otto married 5-years-younger Mary Ziriax (born on 19 September 1893). She was the child of William Ziriax and Catherine Wartenbach. The Ziriax family lived in the Mason County area as well.

1916 - ♡ Metta Loeffler married Seth Paul H Martin (born on 11 February 1889 to Karl Louis Martin and Ida Reichenau). The young man was 2 years older than Martha.
 

♦ 25 June 1917 - the death of Emma's mother, Catherine Eckert.

1920 - only 25-year-old Anna lived with her parents, Adolph and Emma, at their family home (10).

In the same year, Adolph bought a car, and a year later, a new house was built in Mason.

♡ Anna married her brother-in-law Paul Henry Martin (age 32 then) in 1922. Since then, Adolf and Emma lived on their own.
Mrs. Loeffler taught herself English, read books, and copied recipes into her recipe book. She also enjoyed knitting, growing flowers, and making lace.

1930 - recorded Adolph and Emma (9) in the South of Justice Precinct #1 (the town of Mason).

Gustav Adolf Loeffler took care of his ranch business and of his livestock until the day when he suffered a stroke. The man died two days later, on ♦ 18 November 1930. He was 68 years old.

His wife Emma lived two years longer, she died on ♦ 11 July 1932. Both spouses were buried in the Gooch Cemetery in Mason, TX.

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Sources:

• "Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976.
• "The Eckert's Golden Opportunity" by Julius E DeVos, Mason, TX, 1977,
• "The Eckert Record. Story of Georg Bernhardt Eckert and his descendants 1793-1957" by Mrs. Estella Hartmann Orrison, San Angelo, Texas, 1957.
• Mason County Marriages

1. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL5-6RB : 29 May 2021), Adolph Loeffler in entry for J M Loeffler, 1870.
2. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-BVT : 15 January 2022), Adolph Loeffler in household of Fritz Brandenberger, Justice Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33H-KJ4 : 20 February 2021), Adolph Loeffler in entry for Herman Carl John Loeffler, 11 Apr 1957; citing certificate number 21608, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,700.
4. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7D9-3NS : 20 February 2021), Adolph Loeffler in entry for Otto Louis Loeffler, 09 Jan 1964; citing certificate number 04933, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,404.
5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3C5-4CZ : 20 February 2021), G A Loeffler in entry for Meta Marie Martin, 23 Oct 1951; citing certificate number 50290, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,868.
6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K38J-3QL : 20 February 2021), Adolph Loeffler in entry for Walter G Loeffler, 15 May 1973; citing certificate number 41635, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,784.
7. "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-63L : 14 January 2022), Adolph G Loefler in entry for Charles Eckert, 1900.
8. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2QH-DZH : accessed 7 July 2022), Adolph G Loefler, Justice Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 203, sheet 3A, family 34, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589.
9. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBQ-VPK : accessed 7 July 2022), Adolph Loeffler, Mason, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm .
10. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HXTY-NW2 : accessed 7 July 2022), G A Loeffler, Precinct 1, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 4B, line 95, family 101, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2375; FHL microfilm 2,342,109.

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Photos included in the post were taken on 29 July 2020.

Christian Friedrich Loeffler

Christian Friedrich came to this world on 9 December 1854 in Comal County, TX. His father Johann Martin was a farmer, his mother Johanna Christiana passed on ♦ 1 January 1856.

Since then, until the day when Johann Martin Loeffler married again (25 November 1859), little Christian was taken care of by Mrs. Christian Schlaudt. The boy grew up in Fredericksburg.

In 1860, he lived with his father, stepmother Juliane, and siblings in Fredericksburg, Precinct No. 2, Gillespie County. The siblings were Paul (age 13), Rosina (age 10), and stepsisters Auguste (age 13), and Sabine (age 10) Stalp (1).

When Christian got older, he moved to the Mason County area. In 1878 (2), Christian married Miss Maria Geistweidt, who was the eldest child of Wilhelm and Anna Elizabeth (Rohring) Geistweidt. Maria was born exactly a year later than her spouse, on 9 December 1855 in Fredericksburg and she lived with her family by Beaver Creek (Hilda Community).

The wedding ceremony took place in the Geistweidts' home.  When the couple moved to Hilda, they joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

♦ 26 February 1879 - son Frank Adolph Heinrich was born (3).

Census June 1880. At that time Christian, Marie, and their baby Frank lived in Justice Precinct #4, Mason County. The family had two borders/hired hands - 22-year-old Henry Geistweidt (who was Marie's brother) and 40-year-old Louis Mund (4).

♦ 12 November 1880 - daughter Ida Elizabeth was born. Grievously, the girl died on ♦ 5 March 1882.

♦ 11 August 1883 - daughter Maria Olga was born (5).

In the very same year, Christian and Marie became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Beaver Creek (Hilda Community). Christian built rock fences and pens in the area. The man ranched, grew cotton which he hauled to Fredericksburg. Occasionally, he also carried mail (with his cotton haul) from Loyal Valley.

♦ 28 April 1886 - son Edwin August was born (6).

♦ 2 February 1888 son Karl Daniel was born in Hilda, Mason County. (7)

♦ 10 August 1890 - son Wilhelm Elias was born (8).

Mourning time came back on ♦ 10 July 1892 - Christian and Marie's 8-year-old Olga died.

♦ 8 July 1893 - daughter Hulda Emma was born in Hilda. She died a few days later on ♦ 14 July (9).

♦ 15 November 1895 - son Johann Willy was born (10).

Census 1900 - the family still lived in Justice Precinct #4. The oldest son Frank was 21, and he worked as a farm laborer (11).

In 1903, Christian and Marie moved to another location. They had sold their homestead to Frank.

♡ 23 June 1904, Frank Henry married Miss Cornelie Ernestine Pluenneke (born on 9 February 1882), the daughter of Heinrich Konrad Plurnneke Jr. and his wife Karoline Henriette Wiessemann. Frank and Nellie had 5 children.

♡ Karl Daniel got married on 23 March 1910 in Doss. His wife was Miss Meta Itz (born on 8 January 1892). They had 4 children. 

A month later, on 28 April, a census clerk by the name SC Brockman came to Christian's home. The official registered the head of the family, 31-year-old then Christian F, his wife Mary, and two sons 19-year-old Ely (Wilhelm Elias) and 14-year-old Willie (Johann Willy) in Justice Precinct #3, Mason, TX. Christian and Marie's oldest son lived with his wife Nellie and their kids Ben, Earl, and Lolita not far from the parents' house (12).

♡ Edwin August married Miss Ida Amelia Brandenberger on 1 January 1913. She was born on 25 August 1890 to James Brandenberger and Martha Leifeste. Edwin and Ida had 5 children.

The next son whose wedding the family celebrated on ♡ 23 May 1917 was Wilhelm "Lee". He was married to Jennie Mae Gipson (born on 13 September 1895 in Quitman, TX, to Beck Gipson and Emma Mayberry). The two had 3 children.

5 June 1917 - WW1 Military Draft registration day for Karl Daniel (13), (14) Johann Willy (Will John), and (15) Wilhelm Elias (Lee Will).

 

23 July 1918, Johann Willy was inducted into the Army. Lee Will was called by the Military about a month later, on 5 September. At first, both brothers served with 165th Department Brigade. Then, Johan Willy was assigned to Battery E 126th Field Artillery. He was sent overseas on 24 September 1918 where he was with his military unit until 5 January 1919. Private Johann Willy Loeffler was honorably discharged a month later, on 4 February (16, 17).

Lee was with 165th Department Brigade a bit longer than his brother, until 5 November 1918. After that, he served with the Quartermaster Corps at Camp Johnston in Florida. The man was honorably discharged on 2 January 1919 (18, 19).

12 September 1918 - Frank Adolph Henry (20) and Edwin August (21) were registered by the Army.

 

 

Census 1920 - only the youngest son, 23-year-old  Willy lived with the parents Christian and Marie Loeffler. The young man was a farmhand, the father of the family was registered as a stock farmer (22).

Two years later, on 22 February, ♡ Johann Willy was married to Hilda Alma Anna Eckert. She was born on 23 August 1895 to Wilhelm Philipp Eckert and Christiana Lemberg. Johann and Hilda had 2 children.

In May of 1928, Christian Friedrich and Marie Loeffler celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Christian and Marie moved three times. Census 1930 found them in Justice Precinct #7 of Mason County. They lived at the home of their 35-year-old son Willy, with Alma, daughter-in-law, and the grandchildren William P (age 5), and Myrtle Mae (age 2). Christian was 75, Marie 74 (23).

On ♦ 27 January 1934, Marie Loeffler was granted lifetime membership of the Women's Society of Christ Service.

Christian Fritz Loeffler lived 80 years 10 months and 25 days. He died of apoplexy on ♦  4 November 1935 (24). 

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1935, newspaper, November 14, 1935; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth824033/: accessed November 20, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

Marie Loeffler passed on 5 February 1946. She lived 90 years 10 months and 27 days (25). The couple was buried at the Hilda Cemetery in Mason County.

 

Resources:

"Our Loeffler Family 1854-1979. One Hundred Twenty-Five Years in Texas", Ruby Neal Sorrels, 1979,

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

1. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-G1X : 18 February 2021), Christian Laeffler in entry for John Laeffler, 1860.

2. Mason County marriages

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3F9-K6X : 20 February 2021), Frank H Loeffler, 13 Mar 1967; citing certificate number 18777, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,138,495. 

4. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ9-MYS : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 499D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-RK6Z : 14 February 2020), Chr. Loffler in entry for Maria Olga Loffler, 1883.

6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-TQMM : 14 February 2020), Christian Loffler in entry for Edwin August Loffler, 1886.

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-LMT2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Karl Daniel Loeffler, 1888.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGH-7GN2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Wilhelm Elias Loeffler, 1890.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-GR6Z : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Hulda Emma Loeffler, 1893.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-48W2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loffler in entry for Johann Willy Loffler, 1895 

11. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-69P : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian Loefler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet 7A, family 75, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.

12.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-6JT : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian F Loefler, Justice Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 203, sheet 4A, family 48, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589. 

13. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y69 : 23 February 2021), Dan Charles Loeffler, 1917-1918.

14. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6H : 23 February 2021), Will John Loeffler, 1917-1918.

15. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6Q : 23 February 2021), Lee Will Loeffler, 1917-1918.

16. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-X5Z1 : 9 March 2021), Will John Loeffler, 23 Jul 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin

17. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:71N8-6D3Z : 23 October 2019), Will John Loeffler, 4 Feb 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

18. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-X5ZB : 9 March 2021), Lee Will Loeffler, 05 Sep 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.

19. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:71DX-KSN2 : 23 October 2019), Lee Will Loeffler, 2 Jan 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

20. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6S : 23 February 2021), Frank Adolph Henry Loeffler, 1917-1918.

21. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6M : 23 February 2021), Edwin August Loeffler, 1917-1918.

22. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBQ-ZG6 : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian F Loeffler, Mason, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm .

23. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HXRV-RZM : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian Loeffler in household of William Loeffler, Precinct 7, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 5B, line 84, family 114, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2375; FHL microfilm 2,342,109. 

24. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HF-3L6 : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, 04 Nov 1935; citing certificate number 52816, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,707. 

25. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HF-3L6 : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, 04 Nov 1935; citing certificate number 52816, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,707.

Wilhelm W Geistweidt

Erndtebrück in Westphalia, Prussia, has already been mentioned in the blog posts. There, among other people, was born (on 1 November 1791) and lived Johann Heinrich Geistweid, a shoemaker. When he was 34, the man married Miss Gertrude Roth, the daughter of a charcoal burner Herr Friedrich Roth and Margarethe Weyandt. The marriage ceremony took place on 21 June 1826. Gertrude, the bride (born on 8 August 1807), was 18 then.

The couple had three children. Their oldest son Jacob came to this world in Erndterbruck on 19 March 1826, Johann Heinrich was born on 8 September 1829, and the youngest boy Wilhelm on 30 August 1833. The boys were baptized at the Evangelical church. Wilhelm's baptismal ceremony took place on 1 September and it was Pastor Basse who christened him.

When Wilhelm was 11, on 11 November 1844, his mother passed. About five years later on 17 June 1849, the father Johann Heinrich died as well. Possibly, it was a sister of the boys' mother (Christina) who took care of the nephews then.

Johann Heinrich and Wilhelm decided to leave Prussia and emigrate to Texas. I have already written about that in the article regarding the elder brother Johann Heinrich. Jacob stayed in Erndterbrück.

 

The two brothers arrived in Galveston on 18 December 1853. Later, they went to New Braunfels and then, Fredericksburg. Both Johann and Wilhelm worked there, doing odd jobs, to make the ends meet. They attended Zion Lutheran Church, where Wilhelm met Anna Elizabeth Röhrig, his future wife. Anna (born on 7 September 1838 in Röhrigshof) was the daughter of Gerhard Röhrig and Anna Elisbeth Kolb.

The young ones, Wilhelm and Anna, were married on 29 December 1854 (1) by Pastor Zizelmann. 

 

They settled on Beaver Creek, where they built a house a few years after their marriage.

♦ Daughter Marie was born to Wilhelm and Anna Elizabeth on 9 December 1855.

♦ Second child and daughter as well came to the family in December, two years later. It happened on Christmas Eve and the girl was named Wilhelmina Louise.

1858 - Wilhelm bought 320 acres from his father-in-law Gerhardt (2).

Two years later, the man was granted American citizenship, and then, the spelling of his surname was changed from Geisweidt to Geistweidt.

♦ Third daughter Elizabeth was born on the second day of Christmas in 1862.

In 1864, the man served with Mason County Minute Man, he was on the Fort Mason Muster Roll. 

♦ The first son Johann Heinrich was born on 1 January 1866.

♦ Another boy, William Jr., arrived on 3 January 1869.

Census 5 June 1870 (3) - Elizabeth, Wilhelm, and their 5 children were recorded in Mason County (post office Loyal Valley).

♦ The third son was born to Wilhelm and Anna on 21 February 1872. 

Wilhelm and Anna Elisabeth Geistweidt were of Lutheran faith. They helped to organize St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mason.

Anna's mother passed in 1873, subsequently, Mr. Gerhard Röhrig gave some of his land and livestock to his daughter and her husband Wilhelm.

In about 1873, Anna's father Gerhard married the second time. His new wife was Carolina Heisig. 

♦ Daughter Olga was born on 19 September 1874. 

♦ Son Frank joined the family on 4 June 1877.

Wilhelm was a farmer. He owned 109 leagues (3) of land (1 league = 4,428 acres).

Clipping source: The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 217, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 1, 1877, newspaper, December 1, 1877; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth464444/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

♡ 17 May 1878, Marie, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Christian Friedrich Löffler. I am going to write more about them and their eight children in the next post.

About a year later, on ♡ 27 November 1879, Mina Louise started her own family too. Her husband was Fritz W Leifeste, born on 14 February 1858. The two had eight children:

• Adele (b. 23 August 1880),
  
• Albert Maximilian (b. 21 December 1881),
• Lee Frederick (b. 13 January 1885),
• Monroe Reubin (b. 12 February 1887),
• James W (b. 27 January 1889),
• John Wesley (b. 17 July 1891),
• Emma Elizabeth (b. 15 July 1894),
• Minna Medora (24 June 1897).
  

1880 Justice Precinct No. 4, Mason County Wilhelm and family 6 children + two laborers Antonio Gorsa (23) and William Arudo (4).

♦ The youngest child Emma Christina was born on 6 June 1881.

♡ 16 March 1884, another wedding took place in the family. Elizabeth was married to Mr. August Kothmann (born on 3 May 1861), the son of Heinrich Friedrich Kothmann and Sophie Hartwig. Elizabeth and August had five children:

• Edgar (b. 12 February 1889),
• Marvin Wilhelm (b. 2 November 1886),
• Olivia (b. 31 July 1891),
• and Ida Emilie (b. 10 March 1894). 

With the help of his son John Henry, Wilhelm ran the biggest store situated west of San Antonio. Farmers bought supplies in his store on credit. The people paid their dues after harvest when the crops were sold and they had money to deal with.

Clipping source: The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 303, Ed. 1 Monday, February 24, 1890, newspaper, February 24, 1890; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth469400/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium. 

♡ 18 January 1891 was the day of son John Henry and his bride Theresa Caroline Lemburg's wedding. Theresa was two years younger than John, she was born on 2 March 1868, to Johann Karl Lemburg and Sophie Carolina Dannheim. John and Therese's children were:

• John William (b. 23 January 1892/ d. 2 October 1892),
• Ervin Carl (b. 23 August 1893),
• Eugene Henry (b. 26 October 1895),
• Rose May (b. 29 May 1897/d. 30 May 1899),
• Carrie Esther (b. 27 February 1900),
• Florence Nettie (b. 25 August 1902),
• Arthur Frank (b. 29 December 1904),
• Nell May (b. 11 October 1907),
• and Ernest William (b. 8 October 1912).

In the summer of ♦ 1892, Anna Elizabeth, Wilhelm's wife, got sick with typhoid fever. Grievously, the mother of the family did not overcome the disease. She passed on 2 July of the same year.

♡ William Jr. and Emma Ellebracht's union in marriage was celebrated by the family in the wintertime as well, a few years later. It was on 22 February 1894. The groom was eight years Emma's senior. The lady was born on 16 October 1877, her parents were Friedrich Albert and Sophie (Behrens) Ellebracht.

The children born to Will Jr. and Emma:

• Meda (b. 11 February 1895),
• Olivia (b. 20 February 1896),
• Elizabeth (b. 20 November 1899),
• Nettie (b. 12 July 1902),
• Edgar William (b. 22 August 1906),
• Perry (b. 26 January 1916). 

♡ Charles and Ida Ellebracht's wedding took place on 21 February 1872. The bride (born on27 April 1873) was his sister-in-law (Emma's sister). Charles and Ida had six children:

• Oscar (b. 9 September 1897),
• Pearl (b. 24 December 1899),
• Hattie (25 August 1901),
• Ewald William Fritz (b. 8 January 1904),
• Elgin Clarence (b. 31 July 1906),
• Lillie (b. 29 November 1909).
  

Grief and mourning came a few years later when Wilhelm's daughter ♦ Elizabeth Kothmann died on 12 August 1896.

Two years later, on ♡ 29 September 1898, Olga married Mr. William Carl Eckert (born on 14 April 1875), the son of Karl Ernest Eckert and Minna Schupp. Olga and William Eckert had two children:

• Arthur (b. 20 February 1904) and
  
• Nettie Theresa (b. 1 August 1908).
  

Not long after Olga's wedding, on ♡ 10 November 1898, the family celebrated Frank's marital union. His bride was Miss Cornelia Ott (born on 19 July 1878), the daughter of Jacob Ott and his wife Friederike Huhne.

1900 - Wilhelm, his daughter Emma (18) son Frank (22) + his wife Cornelia (21), Albert Fleischer (32) laborer, Edgar R Dabney (24) school teacher, and sheepherder Joseph M Fresine (31) lived in Justice Precinct No. 4, Mason County (5).

In the same year, on 9th September, Frank's young wife ♦ Nellie passed and left behind a baby daughter Gertrude Isabel, born a month earlier (on 10 August), and the child's 23-year-old father.

 

Frank remarried two years later, on ♡ 17 February 1902. His second wife was Milda Apelt who was 6 years his junior. She was born on 9 December 1883 to August Karl Apelt and Augusta Angelita Leifeste. Four children were born to Frank and Milda:

• Ryland (b. 14 September 1905),
• Anita (b. 19 July 1908),
• Roy (b. 15 February 1913),
• and Alice (born on 19 August 1915).
  

Wilhelm Geistweidt Sr. was a co-founder of German American Bank of Mason, which formally came into being in January 1904. 

 

Clipping source: The Daily Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 17, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 17, 1909, newspaper, January 17, 1909; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441873/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

 A big transaction took place in July 1907.

Clipping source: The Daily Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 186, Ed. 1 Friday, July 5, 1907, newspaper, July 5, 1907; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441972/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

♡ Emma Christina, the youngest child of Wilhelm's, was married on 20 January 1909 to Benjamin Abraham Brandenberger (born on 29 December 1883), the son of Georg Heinrich Brandenberger and Johanna Pluenneke. Emma and Ben Brandenberger had one son Howard George, who was born on 2 September 1915.

Wilhelm Geistweidt lived in Justice Precinct No. 3 in Mason County with his son Frank, daughter-in-law Milda and their children. In 1910, they had two boarders, a hired man by the name of Alfred Hahn (age 15), and a teacher John S Broyles (born in Tennessee) who was then 19 (6). 

♦ Wilhelm Sr. died of a heart attack on 9 October 1915. Wilhelm Geistweidt lived 82 years. He was buried next to his wife in the family cemetery.

Clipping source: The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 197, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 17, 1915, newspaper, October 17, 1915; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth607736/: accessed October 18, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; . 

In 1934, on 13 March, Franks' wife Milda passed. The man's third marriage took place on 30 April 1936, and Selma Pluenneke (born on 23 January 1888) became his spouse.

Resources:

"The Gestweidt Family Book. Germany: 1560-1914, Texas 1853-1994.", Geistweidt, Schmidtzinsky and Geistweidt, 1994.

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

1. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-L6F : 10 March 2021), William Geistweidt and Elisabeth Rohrig, 29 Dec 1854; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

2. Homestead: Family Ranch Marks 150 Years

3. Land in Mason County

4. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-SRP : 29 May 2021), Elisabeth Geistvesdt in entry for William Geistvesdt, 1870.

5. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-BVX : 20 February 2021), Wm Geistweight, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 499C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

5. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-6S5 : accessed 19 October 2021), William Geistweidt, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 79, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658. 

6.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-J5D : accessed 19 October 2021), William Geistweidt in household of Frank H Geistweidt, Justice Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 203, sheet 3A, family 63, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589.

Fritz Brandenberger

The surname Brandenberger comes from the name Brandenburg which was later changed to Brandenberg. The Brandenberger family originates in the village of Adetswil, Bäretswil municipality, canton Zurich, Switzerland. If you want to know what Branderberger means, it is "fire on the mountain".

Friedrich Brandenberger was born on 29 November 1823 in Bern, Bern, Switzerland (1), to parents Hans Heinrich Brandenberger (born 5 May 1780) and his second wife Anna Katharina Gasser (christened on 16 January 1791). The baby boy was baptized on 11 January of the following year.

Bern, Switzerland

Little Fritz was the fifth child in the family. He had a half-sister Elisabetha (born on 30 November 1810), born to Hans Heinrich Brandenberger (a stable/dairyman) and his first wife Elisabeth Rieben. His other elder siblings, all born in the city of Bern, were:

brothers 

• Johannes - christened on 11 February 1813 (2), 
• Heinrich Johann - christened on 26 February 1816 (3),
  
• Jakob Kaspar Heinrich - born on 27 April 1818 (4), and sisters 
• Maria Elisabetha - born on 28 November 1819 (5), 
  
• Anna Maria - born on 20 September 1821 (6).

 

On 9 October 1925, brother Rudolph Gottlieb joined the family (7). Two years later, on 27 February, the youngest sister Maria Elisabeth came (8).

In March 1832, brother Johannes left for India (Java) with his military unit in the service of the Netherlands. 

When Friedrich was 11, on ♦ 17 November 1834, the boy's father died. Fritz learned the saddler's trade. 

Another death came to the Brandenberger family on 10 April 1839, when half-sister ♦ Elizabetha Brandenberger Mueller passed.

1846 - grieving news came from India. Brother ♦ Johannes died on 20 June in Kendong Kebo.  In the same year, on 29 August, the family celebrated Jakob Heinrich's wedding. The brother married Miss Maria Magdalena Schorri, daughter of Jakob Schorri. Their son Friedrich was born three months later, on 3 October.

When emigration opportunities opened to the citizens of Switzerland, brother 29-year-old Jakob Heinrich (Henry) left the homeland and together with his wife 23-year-old Maria Magdalena, and their baby boy Friedrich started the voyage to America on 10 July 1847. On 4 September, the three were registered on the Steamer New York passenger. they traveled from New York to Ohio (9). They got to some time in Evansville, Indiana, in October 1848. In the very same month, Gottlieb and Friedrich left home to join Henry and his folks in America. In the meantime, Henry, Magdalena, and Friderich settled in Center Township, Vanderburgh, Indiana (10).

In 1850, Fritz was recorded there during the census in Switzerland Township, Monroe, Ohio. The man lived at the house of Nicolas Welter and his wife Mary, both natives of Switzerland as well. Fitz was a laborer then (11) and probably did odd jobs to make the ends meet (11). Later, Fritz reached Evansville, where ♡ Fritz married Ursula Würthner on 15 April 1854. The two brothers decided to go to California (with a group of other men) to look for gold. Since they did not find the mother load, the young men switched to a different, more profitable job. They raised hogs and sold them to prospectors.

Fritz and Ursula's child was born child ♦ Eliese (Elise) was born on 25 February 1855. Sadly, ♦ Ursula died due to childbirth complications. Friedrich took the baby daughter and, together with his mother Katharina went to Texas, where Gottlieb had obtained some acres and gone before them.

At first, Fritz did any job he could find. In 1860, the census found him in Mason County. He was a stock raiser then. He lived with his daughter Elise. Fritz's mother Katharine lived nearby with Gottlieb, his wife Maria, and their three sons (12).

When the Civil War time came, Fritz served in the 2nd Frontier Brigade under Capt. Hermann Biberstein (from 1 March 1861 to 15 February 1862). During that time, on ♡ 17 October 1861, Friedrich married Miss Ernestine Apelt Lehmann, the widow of Charles Lehmann, in Hilda, Mason, Texas (13, 14). They made their home at a ranch on Beaver Creek, near Gottlieb's.

In 1864, Private Brandenberger joined the 2nd Brigade again (15).

 

Friedrich and Ernestine Brandenberger were members of the German South Methodist Church and the Llano River Valley Circuit. In 1862, Fritz worked on the construction of the Methodist Church building on Beaver Creek. Elise was confirmed there on 12 November 1868 and did her school education in the same place.

Two years later, on 2 June, the Fritz Brandenberger family was recorded during the census by Mr. Francis Kettner, assistant Marshal. They lived in Mason County, Hedwig's Hill area. Fritz worked in farming (16), hired by other people until 13 December 1875, when he purchased 34,5 acres from Mr. F. Lemberg. 

A few months earlier, on 11 June 1874, ♡ Elise was married to Heinrich Konrad Pluenneke (17), son of Rev. H Konrad Pluenneke and his wife Sophie Leifeste.

In May 1875, Fritz bought more land (640 acres from H Kensing). Two months after that, on 24 July, Elise gave birth two her first son Alfred. The joy caused by the new arrival in the family did not last long. Baby ♦ Alfred died six days later.

Two years later, mourning came again, ♦ baby girl Alma, born to Elize and Heinrich on 17 November 1877, lived only one day.

At the end of September 1878, Fritz expanded his farm. On the 30th day of that month, he purchased 3655 acres from Mr. W Geistweidt. All in all, Friedrich owned 4310 acres of land in the Mason County area.

2 December of the same year - grief struck the Fritz Brandenberger family. Daughter Elise died while giving birth to baby girl Augusta Amalia Elisabeth. Elise was buried at the Lower Creek Cemetery. Her sister-in-law Johanna looked after the newborn baby Ellie.

In 1892, when the Methodist Episcopal Church was built in Mason, Fritz and his wife donated the bell to the church.

♦ Friedrich Brandenberger died on 5 September 1897. His wife ♦ Ernestine passed on 6 June 1896, both spouses were buried at Hilda Cemetery.

Resources:

Photo of Bern: H.Helmlechner, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

• "Brandenberger - A Family History" by Evelyn Duke Brandenberger and Frances Brandenberger Cole, 1975,
• "Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976, 
• West Kerr Current, 20 September 2020.
  

1. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDF-D2K : 9 February 2020), Friedrich Brandenberger, 1823.

2. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDB-P89 : 9 February 2020), Johannes Brandenberger, 1813.

3. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVD1-94F : 9 February 2020), Heinrich Johann Brandenberger, 1816.

4. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDX-TXS : 9 February 2020), Jakob Kaspar Heinrich Brandenberger, 1818.

5. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDF-7JD : 9 February 2020), Anna Maria Brandenberger, 1821.

6. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDF-7JD : 9 February 2020), Anna Maria Brandenberger, 1821.

7. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDF-JYF : 9 February 2020), Rudolf Gottlieb Brandenberger, 1825.

8. "Schweiz Taufen, 1491-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FVDF-LYD : 9 February 2020), Maria Elisabeth Brandenberger, 1827.

9. "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27GP-C5R : 20 February 2021), Friedrich Brandenburger, 1847; citing Immigration, New York City, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 2,315.

10. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHVC-ZLX : 19 December 2020), Frederick Brandenberg in household of Henry Brandenberg, Center Township, Vanderburgh, Indiana, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

11. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX3Q-5SJ : 21 December 2020), Frederick Brandenberg in household of Nicholas Welter, Switzerland Township, Monroe, Ohio, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). 

12. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFV-SJL : 18 February 2021), Fredrick Brandenber, 1860.

13. Llano County, German Episcopal Methodist Church

14. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-W2G : 22 January 2020), Fritz Brandenberger, 1861.

15. "Texas, Confederate Army and Commanding Officer Card Index, ca.1861-ca.1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z44R-6LN2 : 18 June 2020), Pvt Fritz Brandenberger, 1864.

16. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-SPB : 29 May 2021), Fritz Brandenberg, 1870.

17. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-F6P : 22 January 2020), Elise Brandenberger in entry for H. Conrad Plunneke, 1874.