Johann Joachim Schmidt and Family

Quite a few men by the name of Schmidt came to the Fredericksburg area in the second half of the 19th century.Since Schmidt is quite a common surname, not all the people were related to each other.

One of them was Johann Joachim Heinrich Schmidt, born in Gresenhorst, Mecklenburg on 5 April 1826*. The baby, son of Johann Heinrich Schmidt and Marie Lisch Bruedegam was baptized 4 days later at the Evangelische Kirche in Blankenhagen, Ribnitz, Mecklemburg-Schwerin, Germany (1)**. 

On 25 November 1847 (2), Johann married Johanne Karoline Wilhelmine Koenig, daughter of Kuno Ludwig Koenig and Anna Katharine Fett. Johanne was born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg, on 21 June 1818, and baptized on 27 June in Evangelische Kirche Volkenshagen (3).

 

Johann and Wilhelmine's sons were given similar or even the same names. In some cases, they did not use the first names as the main ones. It made my research difficult and quite confusing. It was easy to get lost in who was who.

I. Ludwig Karl Heinrich (Heinrich) - born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin on 29 June 1847/baptized on 4 July (4) in Evangelische Kirche. Stadtkirche Ribnitz (Mecklenburg-Schwerin); 

II. Johann Wilhelm - born in Klein Mueritz , Mecklenburg on 26 September 1849/1940;

III. Wilhelm Heinrich Theodor - born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin on 6 March 1852/baptized 14 March (5).

IV. Ludwig Karl Heinrich - born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg on 23 December 1854/baptized 7 January 1855 (6);

V. Bertha Ernestine Johanna - born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg on 26 Aug 1857/baptized 6 September (7);

VI. Bernhard Friedrich Johann (Fritz) - born in Klein Mueritz, Mecklenburg on 26 June 1860 (8);

VII. Karl Friedrich Heinrich - born in Klein Mueritz  on 12 December 1863/baptized on 25 December 1863 (9);

VIII. August Theodor Johann- born in Kelin Mueritz, Mecklenburg on 20 September 1865/baptized 8 October (10).

 

The three oldest sons of Johann and Karoline were Mariners in the Prussian Navy, in the service of Emperor Wilhelm I of Germany. Johann Wilhelm served for 2.5 years and was also a sailor for 9 years.

Ludwig in his teenage years happened to damage his trigger finger when he was chopping fodder. The finger healed but it stayed permanently bent. Due to that, he was disqualified from the military service. and worked as a head servant at a big farm estate.

👉 Census in Germany 1867 -  Johann ("arbeiter"/worker), his wife Wilhelmine, and their children lived in Klockenhagen, district Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin. I. Heinrich worked as "Schiffskoch"/ship's cook. Other kids who appear in the register are Ludwig, Bertha, Fritz, and August. II. Johann was in Rostock then, and III.Wilhelm was registered in Klein Mueritz (11). Possibly, he was visiting his mother's family (?). VII.Karl Friedrich Heinrich was not listed there. The boy had most likely passed away by then.

According to the family history, III.Wilhelm Heinrich Theodor died during his maritime service. Tragically, he fell from a mast on the ship deck during a storm while helping a young sailor.  The story tells that Wilhelm was then buried at sea and it happened in the Yokohama Bay in about 1872.

I found III.Wilhelm Theodor Heinrich's death record (with the names of his parents). The church book says that the man died on 18 June 1874 and was buried on 21 June at the Evangelische Kirche. Stadtkirche Ribnitz church cemetery (12).

Ludwig Koenig, Wilhelmine's brother, was the first family member who left the old country in 1852 and emigrated to America. The man settled close to Fredericksburg, TX. Heinrich, the eldest son of Johann and Karolina, came to New York in 1873. Then, he led a farmer's life at Meusebach Creek, near Fredericksburg.
In the same year, on ♦ 28 January, Johann Joachim Schmidt's mother Marie Lisch Bruedegam passed away in Bartelshagen, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin (13). When his father, Joachim Heinrich, died, I do not know.

🚢 Johann, Karolina, and their children Johann W, Ludwig, Friedrich, August, and Bertha boarded a ship in Bremen and left Germany on 4 November 1875. The party was accompanied by Ludwig's fiancee, 20-year-old Lisette Lehmann, and Johann W's wife, Amalia Thomson. The family arrived in New Orleans and then, by a steamer went to Galveston, Texas. Ludwig and Lisette stayed in Galveston until they earned enough money to get train tickets to Austin. A few ox teams waited for the Schmidts in the city, including the oldest son Heinrich, and August Koenig, Wilelmine's brother. The latter had come to Texas in 1852. August's son Louis Adolph Koenig later married Ludwig and Lisette's eldest daughter Bertha.

Fritz, Lisette's brother served as an infantryman and later was a mail carrier for the German government. August cavalryman settled in Nebraska, where sister Dora had gone before.

🏠 Johann Schmidt and his wife Karoline settled on a farm in Doss. During the first year at the new place, all the family (besides Ludwig) worked at the farm in Doss (rented by Johann Joachim Schmidt). Ludwig worked at Heinrich's farm at Meusebach Creek. The $1400 that Johann had brought to Texas (the money from selling his farm in Germany) was soon gone as they all needed food, various household tools, and other items. Lisette worked as a maid at a family house in Austin.

 

⚭ 3 November 1876 - Ludwig married Lisette Lehmann (14), the daughter of Christian Nicholaus Albrecht Lehmann and Blondine Millahn. Ludwig and Lisette were married by Pastor K. Weiss at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

Lisette was born in Blankenhagen on 22 July 1855. In Germany, she worked as a maid at a farmer's house. Ludwig and Lisette had 7 children. At first, the young couple lived and worked at August and Sophie Koenig's place. Just before their first child was born, Ludwig and Lisette moved to a farm close to Live Oak. They rented the place that belonged to Mr. Schroeder. A few years later, Ludwig and his family relocated and they lived in Fredericksburg, where the man worked at a flour mill. In about 1886, they moved again, and then a few times more as Ludwig was a sharecropper. The couple had 15 children.

Johann Joachim Schmidt purchased a farm at Meusebach Creek and the family relocated there as well. Sometime later, the man bought a farm three miles west of the town of Fredericksburg, where he lived until his passing.

⚭ 13 May 1878 - Bertha was married to Heinrich Kuhlmann (15), son of Johann Peter Kuhlmann and Anna Margarete Sauer.

⚭ 26 December 1878 - Heinrich (Ludwig Karl Heinrich) married Anna Kuhlmann (16), daughter of f Johann Peter Kuhlmann and Anna Margarete Sauer. 4 children.

VI. Friedrich (Bernhard Friedrich Johann) married Bertha Treibs on ⚭ 22 February 1883 (17). She was the daughter of Jacob Treibs and Catharine Durst. Fridrich farmed until he fell and as a result of a concussion got blind.

👉 Census 1880 Johann Schmidt (farmer, age 63), his wife Wilhelmine, and son August (age 15) were registered in Justice Precinct 2, Gillespie, Texas. Heinrich (age 32), his wife Anna (age 28), and their son Gustav (6 months) lived in the next house (18).

Johann Joachim Schmidt passed away on ♦ 14 July 1887. He was buried in the cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX.

⚭ 8 May 1889 - August married Martha Strackbein (19), born 28 April 1869, the daughter of Johann Heinrich Strackbein and Katharine Elisabethe Crenwelge. August and his wife had 7 children.

Johann's wife Wilhelmine died on ♦ 18 November 1893. The family farm was then purchased by Johann's son August. At the beginning of the 20th century, August sold the farm and bought land on Llano Road.

===

*In the book "Ludwig Heinrich and Lisette Lehmann Schmidt", Wilhelmina Anna Karolina Koenig's birth date is given as 21 December 1818 and Johann Schmidt's birthday is noted as 9 April 1828.

** Since there are discrepancies in the sources, regarding Johann's date of birth, I do hope the names of Johann's parents given above are correct.

Sources:
"Ludwig Heinrich and Lisette Lehmann Schmidt" by Ruth Schmidt Dyar, Nortex Press, Austin, Texas, 1994.

Findagrave.com

1. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPJ5-2HW3 : 19 May 2023), Johann Joachim Schmidt, 9 Apr 1826; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Blankenhagen, Blankenhagen, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Dänschenburg, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.

2. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPVQ-W52C : 17 May 2023), Johann Schmidt in entry for Johann Joachim Schmidt, 25 Nov 1847; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Marriage, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.

3. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKQ-WT8W : 19 May 2023), Wilhelmine Anna Carolina König, 27 Jun 1818; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Rostock u Volkenshagen, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.

4. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPV3-R9BL : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Heinrich Schmidt in entry for Schmidt, 4 Jul 1847; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
5. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPV3-T19C : 17 May 2023), Johann Heinrich Schmidt in entry for Wilhelm Heinrich Theodor Schmidt, 14 Mar 1852; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
6. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPVQ-4F33 : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Schmidt in entry for Ludwig Carl Heinrich Schmidt, 7 Jan 1855; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
7. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPVQ-WR92 : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Schmidt in entry for Bertha Ernestine Johanna Schmidt, 6 Sep 1857; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
8. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPV3-1STB : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Schmidt in entry for Bernhard Friedrich Johann Schmidt, 15 Jul 1860; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
9. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPVQ-C2JS : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Heinrich Schmidt in entry for Carl Friedrich Heinrich Schmidt, 25 Dec 1863; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
10. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPV3-YLB3 : 17 May 2023), Johann Joachim Heinrich Schmidt in entry for August Theodor Johann Schmidt, 8 Oct 1865; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Ribnitz, Ribnitz, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
11. "Deutschland, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Volkszählung, 1867", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV3S-Z4J9 : Thu Oct 05 07:42:38 UTC 2023), Entry for Johann Schmidt and Wilhelmine Schmidt, 03 Dec 1867.
12. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPVQ-3TW1 : 17 May 2023), König in entry for Wilhelm Theodor Heinrich Schmidt, 21 Jun 1874; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Burial, Ribnitz, Ribnitz, Ribnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Deutschland, Ribnitz, German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
13. familysearch.org
14. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-25P : 10 March 2021), Ludwig Schmidt and Lisette Lehmann, 03 Nov 1876; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.
15. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-PM9 : 10 March 2021), Henry Kuhlmann and Bertha Schmidt, 13 May 1878; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.
16. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-55N : 22 January 2020), Heinrich Schmidt, 1878.
17. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9JQV : 10 March 2021), Friedrich Schmidt and Bertha Treibs, 22 Feb 1883; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
18. "United States Census, 1880", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFN8-LTD : Thu Oct 05 10:17:41 UTC 2023), Entry for Johann Schmidt and Wilhelmine Schmidt, 1880.

19. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSN-79Z : 10 March 2021), August Schmidt and Martha Strackbein, 08 May 1889; citing Gillespie County, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.

 

★

Photos included in this post were taken during our walk on 3 August 2020.

 

 

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. 

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.

Cherry Spring Country School

Not long ago, on 11 September, we visited the old Cherry Spring School, which was built in 1885. The school pavilion was constructed much later, in 1935. The latter was used for school performances/gatherings and classes were run there as well.

 

Visiting an old classroom makes us think about all those students and teachers who learned and worked there. Unfortunately, most often the teachers are not remembered and their names are gone with the wind. I have tried to find the names of the educators who worked at Cherry Spring. Well, at some point Miss Cora Petmecky taught there.

Once a teacher, always a teacher - a blessing or a curse?

 

 

The curtain (made of canvas) was purchased in the 1950s.

 

Best student in class

I know, teachers should like all the students equally. I did try to follow that rule in the past. These days, that best student is my favorite one. Rules do not apply here. 😊

Gillespie County Fair Parade

Last year, there was no parade and no county fair due to obvious reasons. This year, we could enjoy it again. Luckily. As always, it was very patriotic and enjoyable.

 More photos from the parade to see on our FB page here.

Otto Adolphus Keller

Every life means somebody's plans, dreams, hopes, major or minor achievements, and smaller or bigger disappointments. Every life is filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions. One of those lives was the life of Otto Adolphus Keller.

He was born in the family of Karl P Keller, stock raiser, and trader, and his wife, Caroline Keiser, on 24 October 1879. The family lived in Precinct #4, Mason County, Texas. In June 1880, a few-month-old baby Otto was registered by a census clerk, together with his parents, a year older brother, Charles, and  his grandfather John who was born in Germany. At that time, the family hired a farmhand in the person of 22-year-old Christopher Figa and had a boarder, William Bierschwale, who worked as a store clerk (1).

Otto grew up on his father's ranch who passed when the boy was about 10. Nine years later, on 17 November 1898, 19-year-old Otto Adolphus enlisted in the Army to fight in the War with Spain. The young man served with Company L 4th Texas Infantry. After four months, Otto was honorably discharged on 9 March 1899. He must have been injured during the fights as he was later granted a veteran's pension and issued a War in Spain invalid certificate (2). 

After the war experience, Otto continued his education. On 4 June 1900, he and his 2-year-younger brother Henry William, were renting rooms at Mrs. M Hill's in Dallas City Ward 6, Dallas County. They had been students, for 4 months (3).

By 1913, Otto had become a dentist/dental surgeon.

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 12, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 9, 1913, newspaper, October 9, 1913; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth817480/: accessed July 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library. 

On 14 January 1914, Otto Adolphus, age 34, married 20-year-old Miss Jean B Weaver in Gillespie County (4).

The two made their home in San Antonio. Soon, on 12 November 1914, their first child, Wallace Otto was born (5).

Dr. Otto Adolphus Keller practiced dentistry at 305 Brady Boulevard in the city of San Antonio.

Clipping source: Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse für Texas. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 262, Ed. 1 Monday, June 28, 1915, newspaper, June 28, 1915; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1087314/: accessed July 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

When WW1 came, Otto was registered. At that time, the dentist (a short, stout man with brown eyes and dark hair) lived at 237 Wilkinson, San Antonio (6).

 

The rooster of Company C 73rd Infantry informs that Private Otto Adolph Keller (3198219) served with the unit since 1st August 1918 (7,8). Was it Dr. Keller or just a coincidence regarding his name?

After the war, on 29 July 1920, at 5 PM, a daughter was born to Otto and Jean (9). They called her Jean Venilda.

The family lived then at 231 Warwick Boulevard. Otto worked as a promoter (?).

Unfortunately, Otto and Jean's marriage did not survive, they got divorced. 

At the end of his earth's existence, Dr. Keller lived at 103 Buena Vista Street.  Otto lived 55 years 6 months and 20 days. His life was cut short by gas gangrene of his left arm and related to that myocarditits. Otto Adolphus Keller died at 6 PM on 14 May 1936 at Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio. He was buried at Mission Burial Park in San Antonio on the next day. 

The person who gave personal information for Otto's death certificate was his brother Henry. By mistake, the late doctor's birth year was registered as 1880, not 1879 (10).

Resources:

1. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-BJM : 20 February 2021), Charles Keller, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 498D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

2. fold3.com 

3. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LC-PFT : accessed 23 July 2021), Otto Keller in household of Mrs. M Hill, Dallas city Ward 6, Dallas, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 108, sheet 3B, family 67, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,625.   

4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9595 : 22 December 2016), Otto A. Keller and Jean B. Wever, 16 Jan 1914; citing , Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,803.

5. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLQD-PP5 : 1 March 2021), Otto Keller in entry for Wallace Otto Keller, 12 Nov 1914; citing San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States, certificate 38801, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,192,606. 

6. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXY-JLR : 23 February 2021), Otto Adolphus Keller, 1917-1918.

7. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:873T-YZW2 : 17 May 2021), Otto Adolph Keller, 1918.

8. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:87WS-3Z3Z : 17 May 2021), Otto Adolph Keller, 1918.

9. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2Y9-T5F : 1 March 2021), Otto Keller in entry for Jean Venilda Keller, 29 Jul 1920; citing San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, United States, certificate 33941, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,516,091. 

10.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBL-PJT : 20 February 2021), Otto A Keller, 14 May 1936; citing certificate number 24175, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,864.