Johann Heinrich Strackbein and Family

The research related to creating this post took me quite a lot of time.

As usual, I first tried to find as many sources of information on the family members as possible. Then, I analyzed and compared the data to discard discrepancies and possible errors. It was again followed by more research to complete the missing pieces of information and possibly find new threads. The fact that quite a few family members (both men and women) used the same given names, did not help at all. Quite contrary. All in all, here are the results of my work.

★

Heinrich Strackbein was born on 9 September 1807 in Frohnhausen, Hesse-Nassau, Prussia. He was the son of Georg Andreas Strackbein (b. 2 November 1776, Frohnhausen/d. 28 November 1851, Frohnhausen), a miner and Marie Elisabethe Kunz (b. 18 July 1771, Frohnhausen/d. 26 September 1836, Frohnhausen).
Heinrich worked as a weaver in Frohnhausen and was also a citizen of Steinbrücken.

⚭ On 28 November 1830, he married Elisabeth Anna Eckhardt (born on 25 December 1809 in Steinbrücken), She was the daughter of Johann Philipp Eckhardt (b. 1 May 1783, Strassersbach/d. 3 February 1828, Steinbrücken) and A. Katharina Bräuer (b. 6 February 1778, Steinbrücken/d. 18 February 1833, Steinbrücken). The marriage ceremony took place in Steinbrücken.

Clipping source: Frohnhausen - religious marriage records 1817-1874

Children born to the couple in Steinbrücken:
♦ 27 November 1831 - daughter Elisabeth Katharine,
♦ 4 March 1834 - daughter Katharine Margarethe came to this world.

♦ Son Friedrich was born on 16 April 1836/ ♦ died 10 May 1836
♦ Christian was born on 7 May 1838/ ♦ died 13 June 1838.

♦ 22 November 1839 - Heinrich Johannes was born,
♦ 16 December 1842 - the oldest child/son, Christian Johann Heinrich, arrived.

🚢 On 15 August 1845, the family boarded brig Semiramus (Arminius) and sailed to Galveston where they arrived on 25 October of the same year (1). Heinrich had obtained a Fisher-Miller grant

The family traveled with other persons of their area, including Elisabeth's brother, Heinrich Anton Eckhardt, born in 1821 in Steinbrücken, and the Wickel, von Reede, Scholl, and Kraft families.

Jakob Aurand (b. on 19 December 1801 in Ebersbach), farmer and innkeeper in Steinbrücken, traveled with his wife Elizabeth Anna and their 6 children (all born in Steinbrücken):
♦ Jakob - born 10 June 1827,
♦ Friedrich -  born on 14 January 1830,
♦ Wilhelm Friedrich - 14 February 1835,
♦ Christine - b. on 22 March 1838,
♦ Wilhelmine - b. on 3 February 1841,
and ♦ Karl - born on 5 August 1844.

Their son, Daniel - born 4 July 1832/died on ♦ 10 September 1834 in Steinbrücken.
 
Jakob Aurand Sr. died on ♦ 10 June 1846* in New Braunfels (2) and was buried there (grave without a marker.)  He was the son of Johann Danie Aurand (b. 1756/d. 1813), church elder of Ebersbach and Anna Christine Blecher (b. 1760/d. 1885) of  Mandeln/lived in Ebersbach.

Before 1847, Heinrich's wife, Elisabeth Anna passed, too. Some time after that, the man remarried. His second wife was Elisabeth Aurand nee Wickel of Ebersbach, widow of Jakob Aurand. She was the daughter of Jakob Wickel the younger (b. 1777/d. 1813) and Anna Christine Nassauer (b. 1878/d. 1823). Elizabeth Anna was born on 18 July 1804*, in Steinbrücken.

1847 - Heinrich received town lot #147 in Fredericksburg, TX. Jakob Aurand owned lot #492 (3).

👉 Heinrich Strackbein (age 43), his second wife Elisabeth (age 45), and children were recorded in Fredericksburg during the 1850 census. The children were: Elisabeth (age 18), Christiana (Aurand? age 15), Henry (age 10), Christian (age 8), and Minna Aurand (age 8). The family name is given as Strackbein (4). I am not sure what happened to Karl Aurand. At first, I thought he might have died on their way to Texas, but another source** gives that Karl lived until 1934.

⚭ Elisabeth Katharine was married on 18 August 1851, to Johann Georg Steubing, Comal County, TX (5)

⚭ 15 December 1851, Gillespie, TX - Katharine Margarethe married Johann Durst (6) of Dettenhausen (born on 13 January 1829). Johan was the son of Johannes Durst and Christine Margaretha Binder.

👉 1855 - Heinrich paid taxes for 53 acres of land and 53 acres granted to J. Aurand (7)
18 November 1859 - Christine Aurand married Theodor Schlaudt from Westerburg (8), the son of Georg Schlaudt. Theodor was born on 6 March 1835.

⚭ 18 November 1859, in Gillespie, TX, Christine Aurand married Theodor Schlaudt (9). He was the son of Georg Schlaudt and was born on 6 March 1835.

👉 1860 - Henry Strackbein (age 52), Elizabeth (age 56), Henry (age 20), Christian (age 17), Fritz Aurand (age 30), a wagoner, and Minna Aurand (age 17) were registered in Precinct #2, Fredericksburg during the census (9).

The Civil War came - Christian Johann Heinrich and his brother Heinrich Johannes Strackbein served in the CA (10):

•     Company E, 1st Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Yager's) (1st Mounted Rifles),
•     Company C, 8th Battalion, Texas Cavalry (Taylor's Battalion, Mounted Rifles).

⚭ 4 December 1865 - Wilhelmine Aurand married Wilhelm Wiedmann (11), the son of Christina Lauterwarser Wiedmann.

⚭ 2 April 1866 - Johann Heinrich Strackbein married Katherine Elisabeth Crenwelge (born on 26 March 1844), the daughter of Johann Peter Crenwelge and Katharine Henriette Siegmund (12).

♦ 29 Ferbuary 1868 - Heinrich Strackbein Sr., the father of the family, died.

👉 1870 Census -  Elizabeth Strackbein, the widow of Henry, lived with her daughter Minna and her husband Wilhelm (13).

⚭ 16 December 1870 - Christian Strackbein married Katharine Eckert (14), the daughter of Karl Friedrich Eckert and Eva Katharine Guthörle. 

♦ 2 December 1878 - Anna Elizabeth Wickel Aurand - Strackbein passed away. Interestingly, her gravemarker does not include the name Strackbein (?).

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According to the info given on findagrave.com, Friedrich Aurand received 320 acres of land between Fort Mason and Fort McKavett. Later, he relocated to Williamson county where he married Eliza Jane Montgomery on ⚭ 23 January 1862 (15).  Elisa died on 19 September 1889.

 

⚭ 24 December 1890 F. Aurand married Mrs. M J Haskeill (16). 

 

 

 

Another record reads that on ⚭ 4 August 1897, F. R. Aurand married Mrs. M. J.Williams (17). 

 

 

Unfortunately, I have not found much information on Friedrich Aurand. Nothing more on his brothers Jakob, Wilhelm Friedrich, and Karl either. In case of new founds, I will post an update below this post.

 

 ★

 

*Dates according to the book mentioned below. Galveston database gives different dates:

Jakob Aurnad's death - 5 June 1846,  Elisabeth Wickel Aurand's birth date as 12 July 1804.

** geneanet.org

Sources:
"From Dillenburg to Texas. Emigration in the District of Dillenburg from 1845 to 1846" Ursula Hatzfeld, translated by Henry Salzhandler, El Gritodel Lobo Press, 2015.

1. Arminus passengers list
2. Deaths in New Braunfeld 1845-46
3. Fredericksburg, TX town lots - 18474. "United States Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-LNG : Sun Mar 10 18:10:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Henry Strachbine and Elizabeth Strachbine, 1850.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL43-PV3 : Fri Mar 08 16:49:37 UTC 2024), Entry for Mr. Johann G Henbing and Miss Cath Elizabeth Strackbei, 18 Aug 1851.
6. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-BMJ : 22 January 2020), Katharine Strackbein in entry for John Durst, 1851.
7. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RNKV : Sun Mar 10 19:56:18 UTC 2024), Entry for Henry Strackbein, 1855.
8. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VC1 : Fri Mar 08 05:57:33 UTC 2024), Entry for Theodor Schlaudt and Christine Aurand, 18 Nov 1859.
9. "United States Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-BTM : Fri Mar 08 16:48:57 UTC 2024), Entry for Henry Strackbein and Elizabeth Strackbein, 1860.
10. Soldiers database
11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-L8L : Sun Mar 10 22:30:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Wilhelm Wiedmann and Wilhelmine Aurant, 04 Dec 1865.
12. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-Q8T : 22 January 2020), Johann Heinrich Strackbein, 1866.
13. "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL5-NLN : Tue Mar 05 12:44:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Wm Wiedmann and Wilhelmina Wiedmann, 1870.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VKZ : Sun Mar 10 21:06:32 UTC 2024), Entry for Christian Strackbein and Katharine Eckert, 16 Dec 1870.
15. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MK-H8L : 22 January 2020), Eliza Jane Montgomery in entry for Frederick Arrand, 1862.
16 "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-G6TQ : Sun Mar 10 10:28:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Mr F Aurand and M J Haskeill, 24 Dec 1890.
17. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6BW-L22 : Thu Mar 21 00:34:08 UTC 2024), Entry for F. R. Aurand and M. J. Williams, 04 Aug 1897.

Ludwig Bernhard S Eckert & Family

Ludwig Bernhardt S Eckert was the youngest surviving son of Georg Bernhardt Eckert and Anna Margareta Holoch. Ludwig was born on 19 October 1834 in Hüffenhardt, Baden, Prussia and christened 4 days later (1, 2).

Georg Bernhard Eckert, the son of Johann Peter Eckert and Eva Christine nee Eckert and Anna Margaretha, the daughter of Georg Philipp Holoch and Catharina nee Eckert, got married on 20 June at 10 o'clock. The marriage took place in Hüffenhardt as well (3). 

The couple's other children were

• Catharina Margaretha, born on 17 November 1820 (4),
• Karl Friedrich, born on 5 October 1822 (5),
• Georg Philip, born on 10 November 1824 (6),
• Elisabetha, born on 8 May 1828 (7),
• Eva Christina, born on 12 September 1831 in Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden (8)/died on 21 August 1832 (9),
• Wilhelm Peter, born on 15 October 1838 (10)/died on 18 November 1838 (11).

Ludwig's mother Anna Margaretha died on ♦ 15 November 1838 (12) not long after giving birth to her youngest child. Little Ludwig Bernhardt was only 4 years old then.

Two years later, on ♡ 3 September 1844, 24-year-old Katharina Margaretha Eckert (Ludwig's sister) married Johann Georg Groß (Gross), the son of Johan Georg Groß and Maria Sibilla Welch (13). Katharina's husband was a shoemaker. The couple had six children. 

Ludwig completed his primary education in the Hüffenhardt school in April 1849. Later, he worked together with his brothers and studied at night till the year 1851. 

When Ludwig finished his studies, the mandatory service in the Prussian army reached him. During that time (1853), Ludwig's siblings Karl Friedrich, Georg Philipp, Bernhardt, and Elisabetha left the family home and emigrated to Texas. I mentioned them in the articles dedicated to Georg Philipp and Karl Friedrich. 

As soon as Ludwig finished the military service, he joined his siblings in Texas. The young man first traveled to Wittenberg, then sailed to New Orleans where he arrived on 27 March 1856. From there, Ludwig went to Meyersburg. He stayed for three years at the home of his brother Bernhardt who lived in the area, together with his wife and children.

Then, Ludwig decided to move to Mason County.
Sad news reached the Eckert siblings in Texas in 1860. Their sister ♦ Katharina (age 39) died on 20 February 1860.

About a year later, in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, he married Miss Karoline Herber on 16 April 1861. The two were married in Vereins Kirche by pastor Dangers (14). 

Karoline was the daughter of Peter Herber and Maria Magdalena Bonn. Born on 17 March 1843 in Coblenz, Prussia,  she was about 9 years younger than Ludwig.
At first, the two made their home in the community of Beaver Creek, on the land that was owned by one of Ludwig's brothers.
Sometime after that, The young couple moved to Mason County and lived by the Llano River.

♦ First daughter Anna Margaretha was born to Ludwig and Karoline on 11 February 1862.
♦ ♦ 8 January 1864 - a stillborn baby girl was born.

1865 -  Ludwig Bernhard Eckert was granted American citizenship.

♦ 18 June 1866 - daughter Louise Elisabetha was born.
10 August 1867 - Ludwig was registered on the Texas voters list. He was a resident of Live Oak Creek Community (15).

♦ 26 October 1869 - daughter Bertha Karoline was born.

1870 census, 13 July, Live Oak Creek Settlement, Gillespie County. Value of real estate was $250, value of personal estate = $350 (16).

1872, Ludwig and his family relocated to Gillespie County (Honey Creek area).

♦ Lina Maria was born on 24 May 1872.

1874, saddening news came from Europe again. Ludwig's father, ♦ Georg Bernhardt, died on 11 March at the age of 81 (17). He had lived in the home of his son-in-law Johann Georg Gross.

♦ 20 April 1877 - baby girl Lina was born. Tragically, she died ♦ 8 days later.

Census 1880 - 3 June - the family was recorded at the Commissioner's Precinct #3 of Gillespie County. Ludwig age 47 was recorded as a farmer, he was also a rancher. 1-year-old Caroline Hartmann, given in the record as Ludwig's granddaughter (?), lived with Ludwig and Caroline Eckert. Their nearest neighbors were Jacob Herber (age 48), farmer and laborer Ludwig Meier (age 28), Adam Meurer and family, and John Kuntz Jr. and family (18).

♡ 2 October 1884 - Louise Elisabetha (age 18) was married to Mr. Ferdinand Baethge (b. 12 October 1855), age 29. They had 11 children. Louise's in-laws were Johann Heimlich Ludwig Baethge and Sophie Christine Conradine Pape.

♦ Ida Konradina, the youngest daughter, was born on 22 February 1885.

♡ 14 November 1886 - 24-year-old Anna Margaretha married 27-year-old Jacob Reinhardt (b. 9 August 1859). The two had four children. Jacob was the son of Jacob Reinhardt and Wilhelmine Real (19).

♡ 25 November 1891 - Lina Maria's wedding. She was then 19, and her spouse William A Kunz Jr. (b. 8 May 1865) was 26. 

William was the son of Peter Felix Kunz and Anna Maria Roeder. Lina and William had six children.

♦ 21 March 1897, Ludwig's wife Karoline died. She was 54. After her passing, Ludwig lived with his daughter Ida Welch and her family.

♡ 30 November 1893 - Bertha Karolina (age 24) married 31-year-old August Ochs (b. 31 January 1889), the son of Christian Ochs and Suzanne Marie Molz. Bertha and August had three children.

♦ 2 December 1904 - daughter Anna Margaretha Reinhardt nee Eckert died.

♡ 16 October 1906 - Ida Karolina (age 21) married 24-year-old Mr. Bertle B Welch (b. 26 February 1882). The couple had nine children.

♦ 25 November 1907 - another daughter Bertha Karoline Ochs nee Eckert died.

1910 census - Ludwig (age 75) was the head of the household situated by the Pedernales River, in which his daughter Ida lived with her husband, and 2 children (20).

1920 census - 85-year-old lived on the farm (which he owned) in Justice Precinct #2, Gillespie County. The family of Ida and Bertle Welch + 6 children lived in the same house (21).

Ludwig B S Eckert died of kidney failure on ♦ 27 December 1920. He had suffered from chronic nephritis (22).

Clipping source: Dietel, William. Fredericksburg Standard (Fredericksburg, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 11, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 4, 1920, newspaper, December 4, 1920; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1418370/: accessed July 24, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu;.

Ludwig's grave at the old City Cemetery, Fredericksburg, TX. Photo taken on 30 Jan. 2022.

Source:

"The Eckert's Golden Opportunity" by Julius E DeVos, Mason, Texas, 1977.

1. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRL-D4KJ : 26 October 2021), Entry for Ludwig Eckert, 19 Oct 1834; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Hüffenhardt, Mosbach, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
2. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:MLLZ-1QB : 24 October 2021), Entry for Ludwig Eckert, 1834.
3. "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9SW1-NMT : 26 October 2021), Entry for Georg Bernhardt Eckert, 1820.
4. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPDT-WF1T : 27 October 2021), Georg Bernhardt Eckert in entry for Catharina Margaretha Eckert, 19 Nov 1820; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Hüffenhardt, Mosbach, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
5. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPDT-6B51 : 27 October 2021), Georg Bernhardt Eckert in entry for Karl Friedrich Eckert, 6 Oct 1822; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Hüffenhardt, Mosbach, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
6. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRD-51KN : 27 October 2021), Entry for Georg Philipp Eckert, 12 Nov 1824; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Hüffenhardt, Mosbach, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
"Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NC4J-NVN : 26 October 2021), Georg Bernhardt Eckert in entry for Elisabetha Eckert, 1829.
7. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRV-369V : 27 October 2021), Entry for Eva Christina Eckert, 16 Sep 1831; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
8. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRV-369V : 27 October 2021), Entry for Eva Christina Eckert, 16 Sep 1831; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
9. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:M1F5-5TW : 24 October 2021), Entry for Eva Christina Eckert, 1831.
10. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRJ-D5H9 : 27 October 2021), Entry for Wilhelm Peter Eckert, 25 Oct 1838; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
11. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRRV-7CTZ : 27 October 2021), Entry for Wilhelm Peter Eckert, 21 Nov 1838; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Burial, Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
12. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9M9H-V7K7 : 27 October 2021), Entry for Anna Margareta Holoch, 1797.
13. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP6H-LXCH : 27 October 2021), Georg Bernhard Eckert in entry for Johann Georg Groß, 3 Sep 1844; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Marriage, Neckarbischofsheim, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
14. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:M6PB-2M1 : 22 January 2020), Entry for Ludwig Eckert, 1861.
15. "Texas, Voter Records, 1867-1918", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:WQ3V-WZN2 : 15 December 2020), Entry for Ludwig Eckert, 1867.
16. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:MHPN-FX9 : 29 May 2021), Household of Ludwig Eckert, 1870.
17. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:QRR6-R1LJ : 27 October 2021), Entry for Georg Bernhard Eckert, 13 Mar 1874; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Burial, Siegelsbach, Sinsheim, Baden, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
18. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:MCSB-8BF : 15 January 2022), Household of Ludwig Eckert, Justice Precinct 2, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,305.
19. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9M6R-21HZ : 20 February 2021), Entry for Jacob Reinhardt, 16 Mar 1943; citing certificate number 12285, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,251.
20. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9ZZZ-QJQ : accessed 19 July 2022), Household of Ludwig Eckert, Pedernales, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 148, sheet 1B, family 12, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.
21. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:M827-9TN : 3 February 2021), Household of Ludwig Eckert, 1920.
22. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:2:9M61-YMQS : 20 February 2021), Entry for Ludwig B S Eckert, 29 Nov 1920; citing certificate number 34858, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,073,875.

📷

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

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.

⌛

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.

Frank Emil Jordan

Frank Emil was the son of Daniel Jordan and Emilie Willmann. He was born on 19 February 1896 in Plehweville. The boy received his primary education in the one-room school in Plehweville. Later, he studied at Mason High School, Cherokee Junior College, and Southern Methodist University. 

When WW1 time came, Frank was registered by the Army on 5th June 1918 (1).

He was enlisted a few months later, on 3 September. Private Frank Emil Jordan served with the Headquarters Detachment 19 Field Artillery. Luckily, the war ended in November, and he was not sent overseas (2).

 

After his honorable discharge on 7 February 1919 (2), Frank came back to Mason County and helped his parents with ranching.

On 17 December 1919, 23-year-old Frank got married. His bride was 19-year-old Miss Ella Lillie Eckert (b. 16 January 1900) the daughter of John Dietrich and Mathilda (Kothmann) Eckert. The Eckerts also lived in Plehweville, and young Ella was a graduate of the San Antonio Women's College.

Frank bought a few tracts of land, ranched and raised cattle.

27 January 1920 - Frank and Ella lived in Justice Precinct #7, Mason County, next to his parents Dan and Emilie, and siblings Milton, Gilbert, and Emelia (3).

♦ Son John Driskell was born to Frank and Ella on 30 December 1920 (4, 5).

Some animals of Frank's livestock were awarded the championship medals in the national Stock Show contests. Frank E Jordan was also a judge in the stock show competitions.  

♦ The first daughter Ethel Mae was born on 6 January 1928 in Art (6).

 

♦ The second daughter Louis Laverne was born on 23 April 1932 in Mason (7).

♦ Son Willard Kenneth was born on 27 October 1934 in Art (8).

Four years later, on ♦ 17 June, Frank's father Daniel died. He was buried in Art West Cemetery.

1935 - the Jordan family had their reunion which was noted in the local newspaper.

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 8, 1935, newspaper, August 8, 1935; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth823818/: accessed December 1, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

 Census 1940, 10 April - Frank (age 43), Ella (age 40) and children JD (age 19), Ethel Mae (age 12), Louis Lorene (age 7), and Willard Kenneth (age 5) were registered at their homestead in Justice Precinct #7 (9).

♦ Two years later, on 6 December, Mrs. Mathilda Kothamnn Eckert, Ella's mother passed.

♡ John Driskell married Carolyn Joyce La Barr a few weeks later on Christmas Eve. John was a Texas Farm Bureau field representative and operated a registered Hereford Ranch. The couple had 3 children.

December 1948 brought death to the family again. Ella's father, ♦ John Dietrich Eckert died on the first day of the month.

Frank and Ella Jordan were very active regarding their social and community life.

The man was a co-organizer of Mid Texas and the Hill Country Hereford Associations. Mr. Jordan was also their first president and the director of the Concho Hereford Association as well.  

♡ Ethel Mae got married when she was 22. On 21 December 1950, she became the wife of Harold Newman Byrn (born on 27 March 1922 in Wade, Oklahoma). At the time of the marriage, Harold was a student of seminary at the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX. He graduated from the school in 1951 with Bachelor's degree and high honors. Then, the two lived in Arizona and Southern California, where Harold served as a minister (10). The couple had 1 child.

♡ Willard married Miss Peggy Joyce Chew on 7 April 1954. She was born on 5 February 1935, to Dayton Cecil and Ruby Edna (Wainscott) Chew. Willard and Peggy had 2 children. Mr. Willard Jordan was the runner-up to the World Champion Auctioneer. He owned and operated the Junction Stockyard.

♡ Louis Laverne Jordan married William Wayne Koock in 1959. The bride was 27, her spouse (11) was 2 years younger (born on 22 January 1934, to William K Koock and Vera Henrietta Dannheim). William worked for Dr. Pepper Company. They had 3 children.

Death once more on ♦ 6 June 1963 - Mrs. Emilie Willman Jordan, Frank's mother passed on that day.

Frank and Ella celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on 17 December 1969.

1972 - Frank was granted life membership of the Texas Hereford Association for his contribution to the Herefords promotion. Ella became the first member of the Texas Hereford Auxiliary and was awarded a  gold plaque for her efforts related to the Hereford business. The lady taught music at home, she was a pianist and the organist at the local church. Mrs. Ella Jordan was a very active lady. She was a Sunday School teacher, the President of the Mason Methodist Women's Missionary Society, and its district officer for eight years. Moreover, she was the president of the Federated Women's Club,  the director of the local Historical Society, and was involved in the works of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Frank Jordan was elected (twice) a delegate to the Methodist General Conference and was vice president of the Conference Youth Work Board. Many times he was a delegate to the Church Annual Conference as well. He was also a member of the Methodist Hospitals and Homes Conference Board. Adittionally, Mr. Jordan was the director of the San Saba Production Credit Association (for 9 years), and its president for 2 years. He held the position of Mason County Fair Board director and the director of the Mason County Historical Society.

If that was not enough, Frank and Ella took care of 3400 acres they acquired during their marriage. Despite being so busy, the couple managed to find time to do some trips around the US. They also visited Canada and Mexico. 

Frank Emil Jordan passed over on ♦ 28 February 1987 in Gillespie County, TX (12). Ella lived about ten years longer. She died on ♦ 24 May 1997 (13).

Sources:

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

Mason County Marriages 

Findagrave.com

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

2, "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-XD1D : 9 March 2021), Frank Emil Jordan, 03 Sep 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.

3. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBQ-4DX : accessed 27 November 2021), Frank Jordan, Mason, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm .

4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2TT-4D9 : 1 March 2021), Frank Emel Jordon in entry for J D Jordon, 30 Dec 1920; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 68562, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,519,763.

5. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2TT-4D3 : 1 March 2021), John Driskell Jordan, 30 Dec 1920; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 68562, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,519,763.

6. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH8H-M8J : 1 March 2021), Ethyl Mae Jordan, 06 Jan 1928; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 5746, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,240,509.

7.  "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6G8-CTP : 1 March 2021), Lois Laverne Jordan, 23 Apr 1932; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 31920, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,281,854.

8. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6G7-ZJZ : 1 March 2021), Frank Emil Jordan in entry for Willard Kenneth Jordan, 27 Oct 1934; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 85214, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,283,676.

9. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4S4-SSJ : 10 January 2021), Frank E Jordon, Justice Precinct 7, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 160-7, sheet 2A, line 3, family 23, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4103.

10. Rev. Harold N Byrn - obituary

11. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VDGZ-3YT : 1 January 2015), William Wayne Koock, 22 Jan 1934; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services

12. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVTP-NY9 : 5 December 2014), Frank Emil Jordan, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

13. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JV5W-MZ2 : 5 December 2014), Ella Lillie Jordan, Mason, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.