S for Sauerkraut

 This post relates both to My Polish and My Texas Alphabets.

A few days before Christmas, we were invited to the Christmas song concert which took place at Pecan Grove Store. While waiting for the program, we ordered something to eat. On the menu, I saw one item served with sauerkraut - it was ”Fred Dog”. The sauerkraut caught my attention so I thought I would  give it a try. I had not eaten good sauerkraut in 15 years. Last time, it was when I was still in Poland. I had tried to find some after I cane to Texas, but with no satisfying result.

T & C Miller at Pecan Grove - Christmas program

To my utter surprise, the Fred Dog was sooooo delightfully  good! It was the good brand of sausage and, most of everything, the super tasty sauerkraut. I ate it all very quickly. That was it! The sauerkraut – not to sour, not too sweet, perfectly thin pieces of cabbage. Just right! It was so delicious and I was so happy having it, I almost ate the aluminum foil the dog was wrapped in.

The music program was very nice and Christmassy. We also really enjoyed the instrumental part presented by T. Miller, not to mention the time spent with friends. However, the culinary experience both unexpected and wonderful.

at Pecan Grove Store

After the music performance, I talked to the owners, praising their sauerkraut. It tasted just like home made stuff served by my mom long time ago. The man showed me a jar of the product – Bavarian Sauerkraut, made in Germany. One of its ingredients is wine, instead of commonly used vinegar. To my total surprise, the jar was also gifted to me. Thank you so very much! I am now enjoying eating the sauerkraut again and again!

Robert Leutbacher

 

Thanks to the help of my Facebook page reader, I managed to decipher correctly the surname of Robert's (written on his tombstone). It made the further research possible, regarding the man.

⚘

Robert Leutbacher, born on 12 March 1857, emigrated to the United States with his 17-year-old* brother Wilhelm. They came to New Orleans, Louisiana on 12 October 1872. The two boys were born in Saxony, Prussia, and their parents names were Karl and Elizabeth.

Robert and Wilhelm traveled from Bremenhaven - sea port of Bremen. They were, among many others, the passengers of the 🚢 SS Hanover steerage deck-house (1).

The brothers, listed as farmers, did not give any specific place in the US as their destination. They must have come to Texas at least by ♦ 17 March 1876. Wilhelm got married in Gillespie County then. His bride was 9-year-younger Anna Eleonora Agathe Seiter (2). She was born on 11 May 1862 in Fredericksburg, TX, to Georg Seiter and Henrietta Kirchner.

👉 14/15 June 1880 - Robert (recorded as hired laborer) lived with the family of Henry Kordzik. At the same time, Wilhelm, his wife and two baby girls, Emma and Ida, lived in Justice Precinct #4, Gillespie, TX. Wilhelm rendered a farm (3).

Two weeks after the Census, on ♦ 29 June 1880, Robert passed.

 ⚘

* As given in the ship manifest. Wilhelm's date of birth given on findagrave was 27 November 1853.
 

Sources:

findagrave.com,

familysearch.org
1. "Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNP-2BQC : Sat Mar 09 04:14:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Robert Leutbacher, 1872.
2. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-Y5C : 22 January 2020), Achade Seither in entry for Wilhelm Leutbecher, 1876.
3. "United States Census, 1880", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFN8-Y5L : Fri Jul 12 18:30:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Wilhm Leudbecher and Achada Leudbecher, 1880.

"V" for Vereins-Kirche

 

The building of Vereins-Kirche (Society Church) is the unofficial symbol of the town. It was the very first local church, built in 1847 by the settlers who came from Europe to the Fredericksburg area. The church was shared for worship services by all the local religious groups and was the school building as well.

Originally, the top of the roof was decorated with a rooster-shaped weather vane,  which was replaced with a cross when the lightning (in 1862) destroyed the prior installation.

The time seriously damaged the earliest wooden structure of the building. In 1934, the newly organized Gillespie County Historical Society decided to reconstruct the building. Among others, the construction was given new stone walls (instead of the wooden ones) - the restoration works took 2 years.

Since then, the old church building was used by the City Council for various purposes. Nowadays, it is part of the Pioneer Museum and a well-known and liked town landmark.

 Recently, the cloudy sky has brought a bit lower temperatures and relief from the summer heat.

---

"My Texas Alphabet" is quite a personal summary of our hitherto life in Texas. More series entries here.

One of my latest creations - Vereins-Kirche inspired hand painted T shirt.

 

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 (?).

★

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.

Johann Leyendecker

Johann Leyendecker (Leiendecker) was born in the community of Kadenbach (Duchy of Nassau, Prussia), on 17 October 1794. His parents were Franz Leyendecker and Anna Elizabetha Backhauss. 

 

Johann did his time in the Prussian army - among others, he fought in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The man became a school teacher. On 18 May 1825, at about 31, he married Maria Magdalena Zirvas, the daughter of Matthias Zirvas and Anna Maria Herbel (1). The bride was a bit younger than Johann, she was born on 19 June 1803. Their marriage ceremony took place in the Catholic church in Niederelbert, Unterwesterwaldkreis (2).

 

St. Joseph Catholic Church, Niederelbert*

 

 Johan and Maria Magdalena's children were:

• Anna Maria, born 1825,
• Johann, born on 10 September 1827/baptized on 15 September 1827 (3),
• Franz Josef, born on 21 December 1829,
• Katharina died on 1 April 1834/buried on 4 April 1834 (4),
• Matthias Jakobus, born on 12 January 1835 (5),
• Johann Karl, born on 25 June 1837 (6),
• Johann Adam, born on 27 October 1839 - died on 30 September 1841/buried on 2 October (7, #8),
• Johann Adam, born on 16 July 1842, was baptized on 19 July in the same year (9).

In November, Johann, his wife, and children left Prussia and went to Antwerp where they boarded the ship Riga. The vessel departed from the port of Antwerp on 🚢 11 November 1845. 138 emigrants were on the sip. On 8 January 1846, they reached Galveston (10).

On the passengers manifest, the members of the Leyendecker family were listed:

• 51-year-old Johann, wife Maria and children,
• Johann (Johann Zirvas) Leyendecker, son of Johann and Maria, age 18,
• Matthias Leyendecker of Kadenbach, age 71,
• Catherine Leyendecker, her husband Friedrich Metzger of Kadenbach, and their 5 children (11).

Indianola records give the names of Johann and Maria's children who arrived in Texas: Anna, Johann, Franz, Jakob, Karl, Maria (12).

The latter child was probably born at the sea or in Galveston. There is a record of Maria Magdalena Leyendecker, daughter of Johann and Maria Magdalena, who was christened on 20 January 1846 in Galveston, at St Mary's Catholic Church (13).

 

 

They all went to Gillespie county, nowadays the Fredericksburg area. Only Johann Zirvas didn't. The young man probably went straight to the Texas garrison in Matamoros, Mexico, and joined the army to fight in the war with Mexico. At that time, many German volunteers did a six-month or a year-long term, serving in the army for the same cause. Later (by 1847), John Z. went to Laredo, where he settled (14).

 

 

Johann Sr. became a teacher of the newly created school in the building of Vereins Kirche in Fredericksburg. He worked in the school until 1847, when another teacher, Jakob Brodbeck, succeeded him. His home was a place of the Catholic church service before the church building came into being (15).

 

1847 - 4 town lots in Fredericksburg belonged to Johann Leyendecker #224, 313, 337, and 380 (16). In the same year, daughter Ellen was born to Johann and Maria Magdalena Leyendecker.

 

 

In 1850, during the census, Johann and his family were registered. They had a boarder, a 14-year-old Gertrude Knapp, born in Germany as well (17).

Another record (18) mentions Johann Sr. in 1869 (Texas Voters List). The man served as the first Gillespie County Treasurer and also Justice of the Peace.

Mary Magdalena Leyendecker lived 70 years. She passed on 1 July 1873.
Professor Johann Leyendecker died at the age of 80, on 19 June 1876, in Fredericksburg.

Prof. Leyendecker's eternal resting place, St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery, Fredericksburg.

* Photo of St. Joseph Church: Dieterwick, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Resources:

1. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4W7-63PZ : 2 October 2020), Johann Lagendecker, 1825.
2. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4W6-P6ZM : 2 October 2020), Johann Leyendecker in entry for Johann Adam Leyendecker, 1842.
3. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D47T-K4ZM : 2 October 2020), Johann Leiendecker in entry for Johann Leiendecker, 1827.
4. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4WX-7K3Z : 2 October 2020), Johann Leyendecker in entry for Katharina Leyendecker, 1834.
5. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4WX-SMPZ : 2 October 2020), Johann Leyendecker in entry for Mathias Jakobus Leyendecker.
6. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4WF-7P6Z : 2 October 2020), Johann Leiendecker in entry for Johann Karl Leiendecker.
7. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4WN-FG2M : 2 October 2020), Johann Leiendeker in entry for Johann Adam Leiendeker.
8. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4W8-D62M : 2 October 2020), Johann Leyendecker in entry for Johann Adam Leyendecker, 1841.
9. "Deutschland, Hesse-Nassau, Diözese Limburg, Katholische Kirchenbücher, 1601-1919", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:D4W6-P6ZM : 2 October 2020), Johann Leyendecker in entry for Johann Adam Leyendecker, 1842.
10. Ships from Europe to Galveston
11. "A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1844-1847" by Chester Geue, Chester William Geue, Ethel Hander Geue, 1966,
12. Indianola Immigrant Database
13. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRS5-75Y : 13 February 2020), Johann Leyendeker in entry for Maria Magdelena Leyendeker, 1846.
14. The Children of John Z Leyendecker" by Felix Garcia, 1984.
15. "History of the German Element in Texas from 1820 - 1850 And Historical Sketches of the German Texas Singers' League and Houston Turnverein from 1853-1913", Moritz Tiling, Published by Moritz Tiling, 1913.
16. 1847 Fredericksburg townlots: https://sites.rootsweb.com/~txgilles/townlot.htm
17. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-GM4 : 23 December 2020), Gertrude Knap in household of John Leyandecker, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
18.  "Texas, Voter Records, 1867-1918", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:48S9-3HMM: 15 December 2020), Johann Leyendecker, 1869.
Findagrave.com

Photos included in the post were taken during our walk on 10 August 2020.

Karl Richard Weiss

Pastor Weiss was mentioned in the previous post. Here is a bit more about the man.

Karl Richard Weiss was born on May 10, 1840, in Bavaria, Germany. His parents were Karl Weiss and Philippina Ertel.
Karl was christened a day later in the Evangelical church in Wörth on Rhein, Erding, Bavaria, Germany (1). 

 

Not much is known about his early years.

From 1868 to 1872, Karl R Weiss studied at St. Chrischona Pilgermission Institute in Basel, Switzerland.
After that, in 1872, the man arrived in Texas.

In January 1873, Rev. Karl Weiss started his service at Zion. Since then, due to his strong Lutheran beliefs and Christian leadership, the congregation grew. The construction of the second parsonage was completed. The plans for the church building reconstruction were created. 

Pastor Weiss preached also at the churches in North Grape Creek and Crabapple. Subsequently, he transformed those two branches of Zion into separate, filial congregations. 

Crabapple Church

During his work at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, which lasted until Nov. 1883, Rev. Weiss performed 325 baptisms, 152 confirmations, and 10 wedding ceremonies.

Later, he was called to Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church in Coletoville, Victoria, TX, and then to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Victoria. 

Luther's translation of the Bible, 1756

 

1896 - Rev. Weiss was the first president of The Old German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas.

Pastor Carl Richard Weiss passed in Victoria on July 12, 1917 (2).

 Sources:

"German pioneers in Texas: a brief history of their hardships, struggles and achievements" compiled for the Fredericksburger wochenblatt and Fredericksburg standard by Don H. Biggers, Fredericksburg, TX, Press of the Fredericksburg Publishing Co., 1925;
ELCA Region 4 South Archives: https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com;
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.
1. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKF-HHK5 : 25 March 2023), Karl Richard Weiß, 11 May 1840; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Wörth (Ba. Germersheim), Bayern, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
2. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZN5-BYC: 24 May 2014), Karl Wiess, 12 Jul 1917; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2006); citing certificate number 20636, Victoria, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.

Raymond Walter Durst

Raymond Walter Weber was born to Dina Burns and her husband Henry J. Durst, on March 13, 1917, in Gillespie, TX (1). 

Raymond was a descendant of the pioneer couple Johannes Durst and Christina Margarethe Binder.

The boy grew up and received his first schooling where he was born, in Fredericksburg, TX.
In 1920, Raymond, his parents, and his sister Cora were registered during the census in Justice Precinct # 4, Gillespie, TX (2). Not long after that, Raymond's brother was born. His name was Elton Christian (3).

♦ June 14, 1931 - Raymond's mother passed.

About a year later, on October 29, Mr. Henry Durst remarried. Elizabeth Wendel was the stepmother to his children (4).

Raymond studied at the Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas. Next, the man went to Columbus Ohio, and continued his studies at the Capital University and Capital Seminary. While studying, he also worked as a phone box operator. The workplace was where he probably met his future wife Mary Anna Kochenderfer. The lady was also a student and a phone box operator. The two got married on September 2, 1949, in Franklin, Ohio (5).

Soon, after their marriage, the couple lived in Bexley, Franklin, Ohio (6). They had two children.

Raymond Walter Durst was ordained in 1952. His pastoral work took him to several churches in Texas, including St. John's American Lutheran Church in Ellinger, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Prairie, St. John Lutheran Church in Rutersville, (from 1952) St. John Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Zion Lutheran Church in Arneckeville, and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in San Antonio (7).

Rev. Durst's father Henry Jacob died on ♦ February 19, 1969, at the Fredericksburg Hospital and Clinic (8).

Pastor Raymond W. Durst lived 89 years. He passed on ♦ January 20, 2007, in Duluth, St. Louis, Minnesota (9).

God bless their souls.

Sources:
1. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-WF8 : 13 February 2020), Raymond Walter Durst, 1917.
2. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9H-B5K : Wed Jul 12 02:35:27 UTC 2023), Entry for Henry J Durst and Dina Durst, 1920.
3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-3NL : 13 February 2020), Elton Christian Durst, 1920.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-D3NN : 23 February 2021), H J Durst and Elizabeth Wendel, 29 Oct 1932; citing Marriage, citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,764,046.
5. "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3GR-KH8 : 27 September 2021), Raymond W Durst and Mary Anna Kochenderfer, 1949.
6. "United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JKT-N1FY : Fri Jul 21 23:15:52 UTC 2023), Entry for Sarah M Swinehart and Raymond W. Durst, 10 April 1950.
7. ELCA Region 4 South Archives: https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7DH-2BW : 5 April 2023), Henry J Durst, 1969.
9. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JK4Y-L3T : 12 January 2021), Raymond Walter Durst, 20 Jan 2007; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
- findagrave.com

Viola Minna Stein

A few words about another baptism certificate that was displayed at the exhibition "History of the Lutheran Church.

 

Viola Minna Stein came to this world on 7 March 1911 in Gillespie County, TX. She was the daughter of Joe Stein and Ella Baag. Viola was christened on 26 December 1911.

 

About nine years later, in January (2), Minna lived with her parents (both age 30), sister May (age 6), brothers Harvey (age 3), and Clifton (age 11 months). Sadly, baby Clinton died of pneumonia on 25 March of the same year (3).

 

1930 - the Stein family was recorded in Fredericksburg, TX. Minna had another sister Marlee E, who was 9 at that time (4). Joe and May were born later.

Viola married at the age of 24, on ♡ 18 August 1935 (5). Her spouse was Laurie Andrew Wells, the son of Walter Gray Wells and Sallie Margaret Calk (6).

In 1940, Viola and Laurie lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (7). Two children were born to them: Terry Allan and Amy Aneen.

♦ Laurie Wells died of a stroke on 2 February 1965. He had worked as a mechanic for the Ford Company (8). The family lived in San Antonio then.

Viola Minna lived 86 years. She died on ♦ 25 October 1997 (?).

I am not sure about the last date as I did not find any copy of a document confirming that.
Both children of Viola and Laurie have passed away as well.

UPDATE:

With a little help from a reader, I am able to complete the post.
Viola remarried (as I suspected), which is why I could not find any more data related to her.
On 3 May 1969, she became the wife of Mr. Willie G Bench, born in 1908 (9).
The second husband passed on ♦ 22 March 1989 in Gillespie County (10).
Ms. Viola Minna Bench did die on the day mentioned above (11).

Sources:
1. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6G1-1TL : 13 February 2020), Viola Mina Stein, 1911.
2. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-M2H
3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GY1H-X2S... : 22 July 2014), Death certificates > 1920 > Vol 021-027, certificates 010111-013275, Mar-Apr, El Paso-Dallas counties > image 302 of 3388; State Registrar Office, Austin.
4. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HY38-X6Z : accessed 26 September 2022), Viola M Stein in household of Joe E Stein, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 16B, line 56, family 232, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8B-S683 : 10 March 2021), Louise A Wells and Viola Minna Stein, 18 Aug 1935; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,764,046.
6. familysearch.org
7. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-DZH : 29 February 2020), Viola Wills in household of Laurie Wills, Fredericksburg, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-1A, sheet 10B, line 48, family 226, 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 4040.
8. Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
9. "Texas Marriages, 1966-2010," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTLY-27Q : 6 December 2014), Willie G Bench and Viola Stein, 03 May 1969; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate number 040936, Vital Statistics Unit, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin.
10. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V32N-PJZ : 11 January 2021), Willie G Bench, 22 Mar 1989; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
11. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ8R-KC7 : 24 May 2014), Viola Bench, 25 Oct 1997; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number , Gillespie, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin. 

"L" for Library

The local library is a place we enjoy visiting. Friendly and helpful staff, good book and DVD collections, and computers when needed. Besides that, quite a positive atmosphere can be felt there too.

The library building (designed by Alfred Giles in 1882) was originally Gillespie County Courthouse.

The other side of the building

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More entries of "My Texas Alphabet" here.

Alfred Henke and Lilly Kordzik

Alfred Henke was the son of Heinrich Henke and Dorothea Weirich. He was born on 8 March 1874 in Gillespie, TX.

In 1880, Alfred, his parents, and 9 siblings were recorded by a census clerk in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX. Mr. Henry Henke and his eldest son, 17-year-old William, were butchers. 14-year-old Otto attended cattle. Another note in the record states that 11-year-old Henry was "in bed scolded by boiler explosion" (1).

 

 

Alfred was confirmed on 25 March 1888. His Confirmation certificate was on display at the exhibition "History of Lutheran Church", May 2022.
 

1 June 1900, Alfred worked as a salesman, and his brother Richard was a butcher as their father Henry. The family lived in Justice Precinct #1 (south part), Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX (2).

A few months later, on 30 October, young Alfred married Miss Lilly Bertha Hedwig Kordzik (3), the daughter of Henry Kordzik and Auguste Meyer. Lilly came to this world on 24 May 1877 in Gillespie County, TX (4).

 

 

Lily's Baptismal Certificate - Baptism took place on 14 October 1877. Interestingly, Lily's name given on the Certificate is Lilia. Picture taken at the exhibition mentioned above.

 

Marriage Certificate - Source #3

Children born to Alfred and Lilly

• Nora Alma Lina, born on 16 September 1901 (5),
• Viola Bertha Ida, born on 8 July 1905 in Fredericksburg (6),
• Gilbert Adolph, born on 3 December 1907 (7),
• Victor E, born on 5 June 1911 (8),
• Paul Max, born on 22 April 1913 (9).

1910 - Alfred owned a general merchandise store. He and his immediate family lived in Justice Precinct #1, Fredericksburg, TX (10).

15 September 1918, Mr. Alfred Henke was registered by the army (11). As a married man with children, he was exempted from the service.

1920 - Alfred, Lilly and their 5 children lived in Fredericksburg, Alfred ran a farm, and his eldest daughter Nora worked as a saleswoman at the store (12).

Mr. Alfred Henke lived 64 years and 9 months. The man contracted broncho-pneumonia on ⌛ 3 December 1938. He passed a few days later, on 7 December. Lilly Kordzik Henke lived till the age of 88. She died on ⌛ 10 November 1965 (14).

Sources:
Sources:
1. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFN8-FDF : 15 January 2022), Alfred Henke in household of Henry Henke, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district, sheet, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm.
2. "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3GZ-93F : 14 January 2022), Alfred Henke in entry for Henry Henke, 1900.
3. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9VPT : 10 March 2021), Alfred Henke and Lillie Kordzik, 30 Oct 1900; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F65F-G3J : 13 February 2020), Lilly Bertha Hedwig Kordzik, 1877.
5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6PM-JLD : 13 February 2020), Lilly Kordzik in entry for Nora Alma Lina Henke, 1901.
6. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX96-6H2 : 1 March 2021), Lilly Kordzik in entry for Viola Bertha Ida Henke, 08 Jul 1905; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 74998, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,380,570.
7. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX96-S5P : 1 March 2021), Lilly Kordzik in entry for Gilbert Adolph Henke, 03 Dec 1907; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 75493, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,380,570.
8.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K345-WC4 : 5 April 2023), Lillie Kordzik in entry for Victor E Henke, 1935.
9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-JQK : 13 February 2020), Lilly Kordzik in entry for Paul Max Henke, 1913.
10. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK12-SSZ : accessed 13 May 2023), Alfred Henke, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 146, sheet 3A, family 59, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.
11. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXZ-K7J : 29 December 2021), Alfred Henke, 1917-1918.
12. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-ZC3 : 3 February 2021), Alfred Henke, 1920.
13. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3MW-FBB : 5 April 2023), Alfred Henke, 1938.
14. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBQ-Z5G : 5 April 2023), Lilly Henke, 1965.

 

Alfred Konrad Kordzik

Some time ago, I wrote a post about the Kordzik family - Henry, Augusta, and their children, including Alfred. Today, more about him. 

Alfred Konrad Kordzik was born on 30 November 1887, in Fredericksburg, TX (1), to Henry Kordzik (age 50) and Augusta Mayer (age 37). The boy was their youngest son.
By 1900, little Alfred, his parents, and his siblings had lived in justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (2).
Alfred Konrad was confirmed on 23 March 1902 at the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church by Pastor Gustav Hone.

About twenty years later, during the 1910 census, the family was recorded in the Cave Creek area, Gillespie, TX (3). Only Alfred and his younger sister Meta lived in the home of their parents then. Their elder siblings had already left the family home. 

22-year-old Alfred started his own family in the very same year, on 7 June. He married a few months younger Miss Cora Auguste Moellering (4). She was born on 23 February 1888 to Heinrich and Louise Moellering. 

Cora and Alfred lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX. Alfred was a farmer like his father (5).
WW1 time - Alfred was registered by the Army (6). The man was exempted from the service as he was the only supporter of his wife Cora.

31 May 1928 - Alfred's father passed. Two years later, on 24 June, his mother Auguste died.
Census 4 April 1950, Alfred (age 62) ranched in Fredericksburg, and Cora helped him with the ranch work (7). 

Alfred's time came on 21 October 1968. He died in the Nix Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, where he had been treated for four weeks (8).

More about Alfred's parents and siblings: Kordzik Family.

Sources:
1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1D-TDC : 20 February 2021), Alfred Kordzik, 21 Oct 1968; citing certificate number 67999, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,150.
2. "United States Census, 1900", database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3GC-PMY : 14 January 2022), Alfred Kordzila in entry for Henry Kordzila, Sr., 1900.
3. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK1K-LM9 : accessed 26 November 2022), Alfred C Kordzik in household of Henry Kordzik Sr., Cave Creek, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 147, sheet 1A, family 4, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9PKQ : 10 March 2021), Alfred Kordzik and Cora Auguste Moellering, 07 Jun 1910; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.
"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HY92-LN2 : accessed 28 November 2022), Alfred Kordzik, Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 14A, line 27, family 320, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069.
6. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXZ-KKC : 29 December 2021), Alfred Conrad Kordzik, 1917-1918.
7. Version:0.9 StartHTML:00000097 EndHTML:00000167 StartFragment:00000131 EndFragment:00000131
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1D-TDC : 20 February 2021), Alfred Kordzik, 21 Oct 1968; citing certificate number 67999, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,150.

• findagrave.com

F for Fredericksburg

I am not going to write about the history and early beginnings of Fredericksburg here or what you can see in the town. I did that quite a few times in the posts written earlier. We do have our favorite spots in Fredericksburg and things we enjoy doing. Well, the town is changing and (in my opinion) gradually losing its original charm. More and more stores on Main Streets that have been there almost forever cease their existence, and more and more wine-tasting rooms and art galleries selling art pieces for N thousand dollars each come into being instead. The town is getting in the "all-about partying and drinking" direction more and more, becoming a weekend party gateway. Its traditional German spirit is, little by little, fading away.

Luckily, quite a lot of cultural events are still there. Most of them are run by the people of the older generations. Will the ones who are younger continue their work? Well, I am not sure. Enjoy till they last! I mean the events. Well, at least, we are going to.

Some things have already changed. For example, the lighting of the town's Christmas tree in December. It used to be a merry event with live music, hot chocolate, cookies, lots of cheer, and Christmas spirit. Not long ago, it all was replaced with a tape recording. You can listen to it daily at Christmastime. Now, it is as in any other city. You have heard the recording once, you do not need to listen to it again.

More and more people come to live in the town, bringing more and more traffic. My guess is that soon, Fredericksburg will become just like Gruene. It used to be a separate settlement, in the middle of nowhere. These days it is part of New Braunfels, with millions of cars around the place 24/7. 

Well, we do like Fredericksburg a lot. We just wish we had lived there 20+ years ago. 

During one of our visits to the town, some years ago

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More posts related to Fredericksburg, TX from the past:

• Fredericksburg - National Museum of The Pacific War 
• Fredericksburg - Side Streets & Roads 
• Fredericksburg, TX & Its Main Street

My Texas Alphabet is quite a particular and personal summary of our hitherto life and my blogging time in Texas.