Cleofus Dugosh & Family

The surname Długosz makes me think of Jan Długosz who lived about 600 years ago. Jan was a priest and the first Polish historian. He wrote the early history of the Kingdom of Poland.

I am going to write about quite a different man, though. The original spelling of his surname "Długosz" was changed in Texas to "Dugosh".

Cleofus Matthew Dugosh was the son of John Jacob Dugosh and Franciszka Kalka. He was born in Bandera, on 21 September 1896 (1). Cleofus and his siblings were the second generation born to the family of Johann Długosz and Franciszka Kasperczyk, who came to Texas from Polish Silesia.
Cleofus had 9 siblings, two of them died before 1910.

 

🏠 In that year, the family of John (age 54) and Frances Dugosh (age 50) were registered during the census. John owned a farm in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera County. Four of John and Frances' elder children had already left the family home. Annie (age 16), Cleofus (age 12), Florence (age 10), and Christina (age 8) still lived with their parents (2).

👉 In 1918, Cleofus was drafted into the Army. Interestingly, in the registration draft, the man stated that he was born on 20 September, not on 21st as it was given in the later records. The draft card also reads that Cleofus' eyes were blue and his hair was light (3).

He was enlisted on 4 September 1918 and served as Private with the 29th Company 165th Department Brigade until he was honorably discharged on 18 December 1918 (4, 5). Luckily, the man was enlisted late in the WW1 and he was not sent overseas. The soldier's name appears on the WW1 Rosters of Enlisted Men (St. Louis Military Records), his serial number was 3983993 (6).

 

 

On ⚭ 21 June 1922 (7), 25-year-old Cleofus married 18-year-old Miss Mary Ellsworth (born on 31 December 1903, in Bexar County), the daughter of Clarence Lamar Elsworth and his wife Marinda Pue.

On ♦ 17 July 1923, Charlie Le Roy was born in Bandera to Cleofus and Mary (8). About a year later, on 22 August 1924, their second son John Clarence came to this world (9).

👉 1930 - Cleofus, his wife, and sons lived in Justice Precinct #1, Bandera, TX. The man was a construction laborer (10). By 1940, he had rendered a farm/become a farmer (11).

 

 

👉 In 1942, Cleofus and his 18-year-old son Charlie went to Chicago where the boy was drafted into the Army. The two men were staying at 9824 S Peorias St. in Chicago. Their telephone number given in the draft was Cedar Crest 1385 (12).

Charlie was enlisted into the Air Corps in San Antonio, on 10 November 1942 (13). He was trained and became a technical sergeant. On 1 April 1944 Charlie's plane crashed over Arrace, France, and the man was taken to a POW camp in Austria (Stalag XVII-B). The soldier was liberated at the end of WW2 (14, 15). More about his WWII service here.

John Clarence, the younger son of Cleofus and Mary was a high student at the time of the WW@ drafting. He was recorded by the Army as well (16).

After the war, in ⚭ 1948 (17), 25-year-old Charlie married 8-year younger Miss Barbara Jean Stoughton (born on 12 October 1931), the daughter of Kenneth Allen Stoughton and Mary Alice Brandenburg. The young family settled in Kerrville.

Charlie became a mechanic and worked at the Kerrville airport. He served as the manager of the Kerrville Flying Service Inc. and later, the Louis Schreiner Field Airport.

In 1965, the man leased 4.1 acres at the S E of the airport and built a hangar there for the airport repair shop and a store (18).

Clippings source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 53, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, August 8, 1969, newspaper, August 8, 1969; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1057779/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

I have not found much information, regarding John Clarence.
👉 In 1949, John C. visited San Francisco. He traveled on board the ship USAT General William O Darby from Oahu Hawaii (16 March 1949) and arrived in San Francisco on 21 March (19).

By 10 March 1950, John had been back at the home of his parents. He worked as a gas station attendant then (20). The man was married to Marie Collen I.

--

July 1976 - sad news

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, July 23, 1976, newspaper, July 23, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118994/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ Cleofus Dugosh passed on 21 July 1976 (21).

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 9, Ed. 1 Friday, July 30, 1976, newspaper, July 30, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1118820/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

Clipping source: The Bandera Bulletin (Bandera, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1976, newspaper, August 6, 1976; Bandera, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1119054/: accessed October 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bandera Public Library.

♦ John Clarence died on 5 March 1985 in Bay, Florida (22).

♦ Cleofus' wife Mary left this world on 9 August 1990 (23).

♦ Charlie Leroy died on 10 April 2015 (24).

PS

The original Polish spelling of Cleofus name is "Kleofas".

 

 

Sources:
1. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J57M-3M4 : 10 January 2021), Cleofus Dugosh, Jul 1976; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MR-46Z : Sun Mar 10 17:21:55 UTC 2024), Entry for John J Dugosh and Fannie Dugosh, 1910.
3. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76VJ-BR6Z : 26 June 2024), Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 1917-1918.
4. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPRC-B5Y4 : Sun Mar 10 14:33:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 18 December 1918.
5. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-69GG : Sat Mar 09 11:06:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Mathew Dugosh, 04 Sep 1918.
6. "United States, Enlisted and Officer Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1916-1939", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4C5S-H4ZM : Fri Jul 05 19:54:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus M Dugosh, 31 Oct 1918.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZK-VQP : Sat Jul 20 20:48:07 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Ellsworth, 21 Jun 1922.
8. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD9P-C9V : 1 January 2015), Charlie Le Roy Dugosh, 17 Jul 1923; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
9. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VD57-GWS : 1 January 2015), John Clarence Dugosh, 22 Aug 1924; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
10. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HPS9-CN2 : Sun Mar 10 19:54:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1930.
11. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWNJ-BJQ : Tue Jul 09 01:16:43 UTC 2024), Entry for C M Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 1940.
12. "Illinois, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP7W-RZ6S : Sun Mar 10 09:57:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Charlie Leroy Dugosh and Unemployed, 26 June 1942.
13. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-FTV : 5 December 2014), Charlie L Dugosh, enlisted 10 Nov 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
14. findagrave.com
15. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/charlie-leroy-dugosh
16. "Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3X-ZV4N : Sun Mar 31 04:22:05 UTC 2024), Entry for John Clarence Dugosh and C M Dugosh, 11 December 1942.
17. findagrave.com
18. Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Sieker, Robert Edward. Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, August 3, 2000, Supplement, text, August 3, 2000; Kerrville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1542822/: accessed October 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Kerr County Historical Commission.
19. "California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXHZ-N1Q : Fri Mar 08 19:20:13 UTC 2024), Entry for John C Dugosh, 1949.
20. "United States Census, 1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XP9-2YQX : Tue Mar 19 14:00:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Cleofus Dugosh and Mary Dugosh, 10 April 1950.
21. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZXG-5RL : 24 May 2014), Cleofus Dugosh, 21 Jul 1976; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number , Kerr, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.
22. "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VVWH-9PN : 25 December 2014), John Clarence Dugosh, 05 Mar 1985; from "Florida Death Index, 1877-1998," index, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : 2004); citing vol. , certificate number 23866, Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, Jacksonville.
23. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVVD-831 : 5 December 2014), Mary Lucetta Dugosh, Kerr, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.
24. "Find a Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK15-J637 : 17 August 2023), Charlie Leroy Dugosh, ; Burial, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas, United States of America, Garden of Memories Cemetery; citing record ID 145191659, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Photos 14/16 August 2020

Maria Paulina Leutbecher Grossenbacher & Family

Maria Paulina Leutbecher was born on 18 May 1865 in Prussia. According to the information published in a local newspaper*, she came to Texas with her parents, Karl and Elizabeth in about 1879. Her brothers, William and Robert, had already settled in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX.

⚭ 27 October 1885, she married Johann Hermann Grossenbacher (1). Johann was born on 22 February 1862 in Bandera, TX, to Johann H. Grossenbacher and Elizabeth Abe of Switzerland.

♦ 24 May 1887 - daughter Hulda (stillborn?) came to this world at Pecan Creek, Gillespie, TX. Her death is given as the same day.
♦ 3 August 1888 - second daughter was born to the family. Her name was Anna Louisa.
♦ 28 December 1890 - son Richard August was born.
♦ 27 April 1894 - son Arnold John arrived.
♦ 31 August 1897 - daughter Ida came to this world.

🏡 29 June 1900 - Census clerk Charles F. Luckenbach recorded the family of John and Maria at Justice Precinct #4 Gillespie, TX. John run his own farm (2).
A few years after that, the family moved. In 1900, they lived in Justice Precinct #4, Refugio, TX (3).

👉1918 - WW1 - Richard and Arnold were drafted (4,5).

Arnold served with 51st Company 3 Battalion 165 Department brigade up to 11 March 1918. Then, he was assigned to Company F 58th Infantry. Private Arnold J. Grosenbacher was severely injured at Chateau Thierry on 18 July 1918. He was honorably discharged on 24 May 1919 (6).

 Richard served with 165th Department Brigade and, later, with Company D 105th Infantry. He served overseas and was honorably discharged on 20 May 1919 (7).

👉 Census 1920 shows that they had moved again - to Justice Precinct #3, Starr, TX. Richard, a single man then, had his place next to his parents' home. (8).

⚭ Ida Elizabeth was married to Mr. Edwin C Ahrens on 31 December 1922. 

👉 At the end of 1925, John Grossenbacher's house got burned with everything that was inside (check out the newspaper clippings). It let to another move (in January 1926) that took  John, Mary, and their daughter Anna, to Roosevelt, Justice Precinct #2, Kimble, TX (9).

 

Clippings source: Davis, Fletcher. The Hondo Anvil Herald. (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 23, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 2, 1926, newspaper, January 2, 1926; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth564608/: accessed August 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hondo Public Library.

⚭ Richard married around 1920/1921. In 1930, The man lived with his wife Mary in Precinct #2, Kimble, TX. On the day of their marriage, Richard was 30 years old, Mary 17 (10). The marriage did not survive.

⚭ Arnold John married in about 1924 - his wife Mildred M (Milda), born on 24 January 1905, was around ten years younger than him. In 1930, the couple lived in Justice Precinct #2, Kimble, TX. Arnold owned a farm (11).

Clipping source: Source: Davis, Fletcher. The Hondo Anvil Herald. (Hondo, Tex.), Vol. 40, No. 23, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 2, 1926, newspaper, January 2, 1926; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth564608/: accessed August 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hondo Public Library.

♦ 18 June 1937 - Maria's husband, John Hermann passed due to cardiac failure (12).

👉 1940 - Annie (age 51) and her mother Maria (age 74), lived at the same place in Kimble County. Annie was recorded as a "ranch woman", she ran the family stock ranch. The record also tells that Maria had completed 8 years of education, and Annie 5 (13).

♦ 23 January 1941 - Maria (Mary) Grossenbacher left this world.

Source: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 26, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, January 31, 1941, newspaper, January 31, 1941; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896774/: accessed August 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

⚭ 17 July 1952 - Richard remarried. His second wife was Mrs. Allie Lee Smith nee Davis, born on 10 January 1902. She was the widow of Mr. L. L. L. Smith (14).

♦ Richard August Grosenbacher died on 23 January 1956, at his home in the rural area of Kimble County, TX, due to chronic heart related condition (15).

♦ Arnold John Grosenbacher passed on 30 December 1963 at his home, 18 miles north-west  of  Junction, Kimble, TX (16).

♦ Anna Louisa died on 1 March 1967 (17).

♦ Ida Elizabeth Grosenbacher Ahrens passed on 8 December 1977 (18).

Clipping source: Source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 61, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, December 16, 1977, newspaper, December 16, 1977; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1034986/: accessed August 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

 
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I did not find any information, regarding the passing years of Maria's parents, Karl and Elizabeth. However, there is a Census record that mentions Carl Liebacher (?), age 73, who lived with his 56-year-old wife Johanne in Justice Precinct #5, Bandera, TX. The couple married in 1893. The record also gives Carl's arrival in America as 1856

* I am not sure whether that info is precise/correct. There is an immigration record of Carl Leutbecher, born in 1823 in Germany, who came from Bremen to Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland on 18 September 1868. The man was a musician (0). Perhaps the father of the Leutbecher family came to America first and the rest of the family, the 2 brothers (Robert and Wilhelm), Maria with her mother Elizabeth, and then Louise with her husband and children followed Carl later.

Sources:
0. "United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDSQ-TFQ : 27 December 2014), Carl Leutbecher, 18 Sep 1868; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Baltimore, departed from Bremen, arrived in Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, NAID identifier 1746067, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
1. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-F3F : 22 January 2020), Maria Leutbecher in entry for Johann Grossenbacher, 1885.
2. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3GC-BL1 : Tue Jul 23 18:38:58 UTC 2024), Entry for John Grossenbacher and Maria Grossenbacher, 1900.
3. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M23R-ZLG : Thu Mar 07 20:59:45 UTC 2024), Entry for John H Grosenbacher and Mary Grosenbacher, 1910.
4.  "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXV-G18 : 26 June 2024), Richard Guss Grosenbacher, 1917-1918.
5. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXV-G1Z : 26 June 2024), Arnold John Grosenbacher, 1917-1918.
6. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-JH26 : Sat Mar 09 11:00:32 UTC 2024), Entry for Arnold J Grosenbacher, 19 Sep 1917.
7. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-6VR5 : Wed Mar 06 21:16:53 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard Gus Grosenbacher, 27 Jun 1918.
8. "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCSC-34G : Thu Mar 07 22:06:55 UTC 2024), Entry for John Grosenbacher and Mary Grosenbacher, 1920.
9. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CSP7-C2M : Wed Mar 06 17:12:16 UTC 2024), Entry for John Grosenbacher and Mary Grosenbacher, 1930.
10. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CSPF-X6Z : Wed Mar 06 17:12:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard Grosenbacher and Mary Grosenbacher, 1930.
11. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CSL8-F6Z : Sat Mar 09 06:17:03 UTC 2024), Entry for Arnold Grosenbacher and Milda Grosenbacher, 1930.
12. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HY-VGK : Sun Mar 10 03:33:17 UTC 2024), Entry for John Grossenbacher and John H Grossenbacher, 18 June 1937.
13. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW2X-SVC : Thu Jul 11 18:36:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Meria Grosenbacher and Annie Grosenbacher, 1940.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-65XT : Wed Jul 31 23:51:25 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard August Grosenbacher and Allie Lee Smith, 17 Jul 1952.
15. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37Q-QTJ : Fri Jul 12 06:23:04 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard August Grosenbacher and John Grosenbacher, 23 Feb 1956.
16. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3SL-BKB : Wed Jul 17 23:48:59 UTC 2024), Entry for Arnold John Grosenbacher and Aubrey C Tife, 30 Dec 1963.
17. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVB7-MY4 : 5 December 2014), Annie L Grosenbacher, Kimble, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.
18. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V3D4-52G : 10 January 2021), Ida Ahrens, Dec 1977; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
Photos: 14 August 2020

"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.

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"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.

 

I for (Texas) Independence Day

 

Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 02, 1836.

The Texas Independence Day is observed annually in Luckenbach, TX. The ceremony is Texas Patriotic and quite uplifting.

 It all starts with the Texas song and clapping.

Then comes the hymn.

The first responders, Texas Rangers, the military, Border Patrol, and teachers are appreciated. 

 

 

Next, the history part comes - the Alamo is mentioned of course.

 

Every year, among others, an old Texas flag is taken down and retired in a very solemn mode. It is followed by putting up a new flag. 

 

 

There is also Pistol Packing' Paula, presenting her skills.

More about the Texas Declaration of Independence - History Facts: HERE.

Friedrick Luther Bracher

Frederich Luther Bracher was born in Fredericksburg, TX, on 28 December 1917. His parents were Frederick Albert Bracher and his wife, Emma Hardt. Rev. F. A. Bracher started his ministerial service at Zion Lutheran church in the town in the very same year.

Frederick Luther grew up in Fredericksburg.  In 1920, the boy lived with his parents and five siblings in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (1). Having completed his education in Fredericksburg, F. L. Bracher studied at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas, Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa as well.

The man's WWII Military Draft Registration inform about his whereabouts at that time (2).

 

 

On June 4, 1942, young Mr. Frederick married Miss Gladys Bauer. The ceremony took place in Iowa. 

 

 

 Clippings source: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 19, 1942, newspaper, June 19, 1942; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896910/: accessed June 14, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

 

A few weeks later, on June 21, Frederick Luther Bauer was ordained by his father, Rev. F. A. Bracher, in Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Rev. F. L. Bracher's first call place was  St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sagerton, Texas. Subsequently, the Pastor worked at the following churches:

• Trinity Lutheran Church in Haskell, Texas,
• St. Peter Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington,
• First Lutheran Church in Avoca, Nebraska,
• St. Paul Lutheran Church in (Shive) Hamilton, Texas,
• Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, Texas,
• St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas, and
• Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome, Texas.

 

The minister passed on August 28, 1987, in Gillespie, TX (2). His body was laid for eternal rest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Sources:

1. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-8B2 : 3 February 2021), Frederick L Bracher in entry for Fred A Bracher, 1920.
2. "Iowa, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9Q-SK3K : Sat Feb 10 07:17:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Frederick Luther Bracher and Theological Student, 16 Oct 1940.

  3. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVTN-KPG : 5 December 2014), Frederick Luther Bracher, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

SWT Synod

Photos included in the posts - from our walk on 12 August 2010.