Pastor Henry S W Basse & Family

Heinrich Stefan Wilhelm Basse, son of Pastor Basse and Charlotte Bof Dilinghofen, was born on 6 October 1804. The man married at the age of 28, on 29 February 1832 in Elsoff (1). Heinrich's spouse, Fredericke Charlotte Quentel (born 25 August 1810) lived with her father Pastor Karl Quentel, and mother Konradine in the Elsoff Community.

Google Maps - Map data Ⓒ2021 GEOBasis-DE/BKG Ⓒ2009 Google

 

Interestingly, there is another record of the marriage that took place in 1832. The groom's name was Stephan Heinrich Wilhelm Basse and his bride was Charlotte Caroline Quentel. The marriage was recorded in Deilinghofen, Iserlohn, Westphalia, Prussia (2). It seems it was the same Heinrich and the two - was it his first marriage and were the two Quentel ladies related? I do not know. Deilinghofen and Elsoff are in the same area.

Heinrich SW Basse worked for fourteen years as a minister in Erndtebrück, Siegen-Wittgenstein region, Rhine-Westphalia.

Towns and municipalities in Siegen-Wittgenstein

 

Children were born in Erndtebrück to Heinrich and  Fredericke Charlotte:

♦ Bertha Sophie Wilhelmine was born on 12 April 1835

♦ Emma Magdalene - born on 19 March 1837/christened on 30 March 1837 (2),

♦ Karl Philipp August - born on 7 March 1839/christened 13 March 1839 (3),

♦ Olga - born on 31 January 1841/christened on 12 February 1841 (4),

♦ Oscar Friedrich - born on 17 July in 1843/ christened on 25 July 1843 (5),

♦ Adolph Ludwig - christened on 28 September 1845 (6).

Erndtebrück

Pastor Basse personally knew Prince Solms of Braunfels. It probably influenced Heinrich's decision regarding relocating to Texas. Anyhow, like many other families who lived in the area, the Basses decided to leave the old country. First, they went to Antwerp, where they boarded the ship York. On 14 August 1846, the vessel left the Belgian port and sailed towards America. Sadly, ♦ baby Adolph did not survive the perilous journey - he died at sea. After over two months, on 23 October, the ship reached Galveston in Texas (7).

By the end of 1846, the family had been in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County area. During the very early time of the settlement, when the hardships of pioneers' life and epidemics were taking their toll, Pastor Basse was constantly busy providing religious service for dying people. He was the first minister in the community. At first, the services were held under an oak tree. In spring 1847, the cornerstone of the Vereins Kirche was laid and its construction started (8). Pastor Heinrich worked as the church Protestant preacher without a salary, the Basse family struggled to survive from one day to another.

Heinrich received two town lots, No. 91 and No. 174 (9).

Gradually, the congregation of Vereins Kirche broke and founded other churches in the town. A new minister, Pastor B. Dangers replaced Heinrich SW Basse in November 1848.  

Later, Mr. Basse opened a store in his house. 

On ♦ 7 October 1849, a son was born in Fredericksburg to Heinrich and Charlotte. They called him Adolf Friedrich, after the baby boy who died at sea. It was a common practice then to name a newborn baby after a child who had died earlier.

A few months later, in 1850, the family was registered during the census. Heinrich was recorded as a merchant (10).

♦ 2 February 1852 - another son, Wilhelm, was born.

♡ 28 November 1855 - the oldest daughter of Heinrich, Bertha left the family home. She married Friedrich Fresenius (11).

♡ Emma followed her sister and got married not long after that, on 30 December. Her husband was Mr. Heinrich Keller (born on 29 November 1833), the son of  Johann Peter Keller  (12).

 

The third daughter's wedding took place on ♡ 1 October 1859. Olga was married to Mr. Edward Tips, who was 9 years older than the bride. He was born on 23 May 1832 (13).

 

 

At the time of Olga's wedding, her mother Charlotte and father Heinrich were expecting their youngest child, who came to this world on ♦ 27 December 1859 (14). The baby boy was named Alfred.

 

The 1860 census records tell that Heinrich Basse still ran his store. The estimated value of his real estate was $2750, the man's personal estate was worth $8000. Heinrich's son Karl was then a farmer and Oscar worked as a clerk (15). During the Civil War, both young men were engaged in freighting.

Mr. H S W Basse passed on ♦ 10 January 1865. After his death, his sons and wife Fredericke ran the store. Mrs. Basse purchased some land, cattle, and horses as well.

Soon, Oscar was betrothed to 7 years old younger Miss Mathilde Pape (born on 6 May 1850), the daughter of Friedrich Pape, and on ♡ 7 February 1867, the two got married  (16).

 

 

In the next year, on ♡ 9 November, Karl started his own family (17). He married Miss Agnes Johanna Bertha Doebbler, who was born on 11 December 1849, to Friedrich Wilhelm Doebbler and Wilhelmina Amalie Henrietta Hahnzog.

Oscar and his brother Karl were co-owners of the mill on Baron's Creek. Later they moved to San Antonio. 

Mourning came when Olga's husband ♦ Edward Tips passed on 20 June 1872. The couple had lived with their two daughters in Austin.

♡ William got married on 22 October 1874 (18). His bride was Miss Louise Wahrmund (born on 28 February 1855), the daughter of Emil Wahrmund and his wife Auguste Zander.

William then ran the family store.

A year later, ♡ 26-year-old Adolph married a few years younger Miss Lina (Emma Caroline) Schnerr on 14 November (19). She was born on 20 April 1855 in Gillespie County, to Mr. Friedrich Wilhelm Schnerr and his spouse Ms. Elizabeth Emma Schneider.

Another year passed and Heinrich and Charlotte's widowed daughter ♡ Olga remarried. Her second husband was August von Gehren.

 

Alfred opened his own merchandise place too. His wedding took place on ♡ 2 December in 1882 (20). Alfred, age almost 23, married his sister-in-law Miss Lina Wahrmund, who was born on 18 August 1861.

Both William and Alfred later relocated to San Antonio and started their own business there. Only one of the sons of Henry and Fredericke, Adolph, remained in Gillespie County, where he farmed and operated a ranch.

The mother of the family ♦ Fredericke Charlotte Quentel Basse passed on 17 August 1886.

☆

Resources:

"Pioneers in God's Hills. A History of Texas and Gillespie County People and Events." 1960, Gillespie County Historical Society. Printed by Boeckman-Jons, Austin, Texas.

Findagrave.com

Map of Siegen-Wittgenstein: By TUBS, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4653960

Photo of Erndtebrück: Mario Rösler, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

1. "Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JHNZ-DT9 : 13 July 2021), Friedericke Charlotte Quentel in entry for Henrich Basse, 1832.

"Deutschland Heiraten, 1558-1929", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JH3C-9XQ : 13 July 2021), Stephan Heinrich Wilhelm Basse, 1832.

 2. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-RHV : 26 March 2020), Emma Magdalene Basse, 1837.

 3. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-68N : 26 March 2020), Carl Philipp Basse, 1839.

4. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPVR-BM5 : 26 March 2020), Olga Basse, 1841.

5. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-JM9 : 26 March 2020), Oscar Friedrich Basse, 1843.

6. "Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N68B-R4V : 26 March 2020), Adolph Ludwig Basse, 1845. 

7. List of ships from Europe to Galveston 1846-187

8. German Pioneers in Texas: A Brief History of Their Hardships, Struggles  and Achievements: Biggers, Don Hampton, 1869-1957. German Pioneers in Texas; A Brief History of Their Hardships, Struggles and Achievements, book, 1925; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth29394/: accessed September 29, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting University of Texas at Arlington Library. 

9. 1847 Town Lot Owners of Fredericksburg, Texas 

10. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL2-7P2 : 23 December 2020), Henry Bass, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-26B : 10 March 2021), Frederick Fresenius and Bertha Basse, 28 Nov 1855; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

12. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-2XS : 10 March 2021), Henry Keller and Emma Basse, 30 Dec 1855; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

13. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VC2 : 10 March 2021), Edward Tips and Olga Basse, 01 Oct 1859; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

14. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K375-V8H : 20 February 2021), Alfred Basse, 07 Dec 1925; citing certificate number 41660, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,979.

15. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-VBD : 18 February 2021), Henry Basse, 1860.

16. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VPP : 10 March 2021), Oscar Basse and Mathilde Pape, 07 Feb 1867; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

17. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-GYP : 10 March 2021), Karl Basse and Agnese Doebbler, 09 Nov 1868; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801. 

18. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LSF : 10 March 2021), William Basse and Louise Wahrmund, 22 Oct 1874; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

19. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VG9 : 10 March 2021), Adolph Basse and Lina Schnerr, 14 Nov 1875; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

20. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FXSN-4JF : 10 March 2021), Alfred Basse and Lina Wahrmund, 02 Dec 1882; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.

Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt

Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt was born in the village of Göttern, Weimarer Land, Thuringia, The Grand Duchy of Saxony, on 7 September 1827. His father was Johann Georg Schmidt. I did not manage to find anything else regarding Friedrich's parents.

Evangelical church in Göttern built in 13th century

When Fritz was about 18, he decided to go to Texas as (like many others) he was not willing to do a mandatory, long-term military service in the army. Probably, Friedrich did not have enough money to pay for the passage - so he stowed away in Antwerp on the ship Strabo. They left the European port on 11 September 1845 (1). During the sea journey, Friedrich made friends with Peter Simon (born 7 April 1829 in Hilzhausen) and his family of Nassau, Prussia. They arrived in Texas on 20 November 1845. Next, the emigrants went to Galveston where they landed on 20 October. Subsequently, the Simons, Fritz, and others traveled by boat to Indianola. They were some of the very first settlers of Fredericksburg in Gillespie County. Later, when some years passed, they relocated to the Llano and San Saba area. Fritz lived with the Simon family.

Friedrich Johann G Schmidt built a log cabin by a spring at the Llano River Valley, in the Simonsville Community area.

On 14 January 1859, Friedrich married Peter's sister, Katharina Jakobina Simon, born 12 October 1820 in Grebenroth, Nassau, Prussia (2). The couple lived in a cabin built by Fritz. They had 12 children, only 8 survived till adulthood.

♦ Ann, the first child, and daughter was born on 18 November 1859,

♦ Karl, the first son was born on 29 May 1861 (3).

♦ Maria was born on 10 February 1863 (4) - tragically, ♦ she died in infancy.

Exactly two years later, son ♦ Phillip was born on 10 February 1865 (5).

♦ William was born 7 March 1867 (6),

Another daughter, ♦ Mathilde, was born to Fritz and Catherine on 12 April 1869 (7).

On 1 June 1870, they were recorded during the Census in Mason County, post office Hedwig's Hill, where Fritz farmed. The family real estate was worth $1000, and the value of their personal estate was $2000 (8).

Daughter ♦ Louise was born on 5 February 1871 (9).

Fritz and Catherine were devoted Lutherans. The very early Lutheran religious service was held at their home. Whenever it took place, they also prepared a meal for the pastor and service attendees.  In 1872, Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt was one of the signers of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mason. The couple also boarded the Simonsville school teachers.

♦ 1873 - 12-year-old son Karl had a devastating accident while riding a horse. The horse fell together with the boy on it - Karl died.

Another daughter, ♦ Mathilde, was born to Fritz and Catherine on 12 April 1869 (7).

♦ Susanne - I did not find the year of her birth. ♦ The girl died of scarlet fever when she was little.

Son ♦ Frederick William was born on 22 March 1875 (10).

♦ Emma was born to the family in 1878.

Census 1880 - 53-year-old Friedrich and his wife Catherine, and their 8 children Anna, Mary, Felix, Wilhelm, Mathilda, Louisa, Frederick, and Emma lived in Justice Precinct #3, Mason County. The family had a lodger a 30-year-old John Bolinierd, a farmer, who was born in Ohlenburg (Grand Dutchy of Oldenburg?) (11).

A few months after the census, on 5 December 1880, son ♦ Henry Carl, was born to Fritz and Catherine (12).

Fritz and Katherine were grieving again when their daughter ♦ Emma died of blood poisoning. 

Daughter ♦ Carolina (Lina/Lena) was born on 25 April 1882. In the same year, there was another merry celebration in the family - the oldest daughter ♡ Anna married Mr. Adolph Reichenau, born 17 November 1850 in Gillespie County, to Adolph Albert Reichenau and Katharine Arhelger.

♦ Friedrich Johann Georg Schmidt died on 6 December 1891, St. Nicholas Day. Fritz was buried at the Simonsville Cemetery. After his death, Katharine operated the family farm with the help of her grown-up children (13).

♡ 1895 - Phillip married Emilie Sophie Vater, born on 27 May 1874 in Mason County, to August Vater and Emma Catherine Elise Lemburg.

♡ 1896 - Louise was married to Charles Kettner, who was born on 12 March 1866 in Mason County. His parents were Francis Kettner and Kathrina Keller.

♡ 1897 - William married Miss Meta Kott, the daughter of Albert Kott and Maria Jane McDougall. The bride was born on 29 December 1890 in Gillespie County.

♡ 1906 - Henry and Katie Keller were married at Bethel Methodist Church.

♡ 1907 - Lina (25) and Ed (Edward John) Keller (born 26 September 1878, to Adolph Adam Keller and Edna Katherina Regner Reichenau) were united in marriage.

In the same year, ♡ Fred Wilhelm Schmidt married Miss Ellen Louise Hofmann. The girl was born on 3 March 1883 in Mason County, to August Peter Wilhelm Hofmann and Marie Bogusch.

♡ 1909 - 40-year-old Mathilda married a year older Richard Arhelger (born on 26 June 1868 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County).

♦ Mrs. Katherine Simon Schmidt left this world on 30 August 1921. She lived for about 91 years.

 

Resources:

Photo of the church: Ludwig, Silvio, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Mason County marriages 

Findagrave.com 

1. Ships from Europe to Galveston

2. Indianola Immigrants Database 

3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-F32M : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Carl Schmidt, 1861.

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-8N6Z : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Maria Schmidt, 1863.

5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3W3-94D : 20 February 2021), Philip Schmidt, 14 Nov 1913; citing certificate number 23917, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,050,997.

6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS13-KPG : 20 February 2021), William Schmidt, 17 Nov 1944; citing certificate number 51527, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,819.

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-4QN2 : 14 February 2020), Friedrich Schmidt in entry for Mathilde Schmidt, 1869.

8. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG3-1MJ : 29 May 2021), Fried Schmidt, 1870.

9. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CS-C5C : 20 February 2021), Fred Schmidt in entry for Kettner, 03 Sep 1933; citing certificate number 39872, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,115,619.

10. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ZS-M78 : 20 February 2021), Fred W Schmidt, 04 Sep 1951; citing certificate number 45258, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,777

11. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-P85 : 20 February 2021), Frederick Schmidt in household of Frederick Schmidt, Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 497C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

12. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CC-B7Q : 20 February 2021), Henry Carl Schmidt, 01 Dec 1950; citing certificate number 59804, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,550.

13. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-KD5 : accessed 31 August 2021), Frederick Schmidt in household of Catharina Schmidt, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 133, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.

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.

Henry William Keller and Cora Keiser

Henry was born on 11 January 1882 in Mason County to Charles Keller and Karoline Keiser (1). His brothers were Charles Christie - b. 10 September 1878 (2), Otto A - b. 24 October 1879 (3), Alonzo E, - b. 10 December 1883 (4), and Archie. The children's parents died early (Charles - the father passed in 1849). The orphaned brothers were raised by their relatives until the time when the boys were legally able to take over the land left by their parents.

Henry and Otto studied in Dallas. In 1900 the two brothers lived at ED 108 Dallas City Ward 6, Dallas, TX. They rented a room at Mrs. M. Hill's house (5). Henry William graduated from men's business college in Dallas.

On 1 March 1904. Henry Keller married Miss Cora Auguste Caroline Keiser (b. 30 December 1882), daughter of Johann Keiser and Wilhelmina Lehmann. The ceremony took place at Cora's parents' home. The young couple soon settled on Henry's ranch which was 3 miles South East of Royal Valley (6). Mr. Keller was a rancher-farmer, he raised cattle, goats, hogs, cotton, and fodder crops.

 

Henry had sharecroppers to whom he gave a hog each Christmas. Cora helped the sharecropper's wife when the latter delivered babies. The family transport means were a horse, a buggy, and a wagon with a team of horses.

In 1817, Henry William Keller was registered by the Army. The draft registration card informs that the man was of medium weight, medium built, had brown eyes and brown hair (6). 

 

Mr. Keller was exempted from the service because of family reasons. Henry and Cora had already had two children then. It was Henry Jr. (born on 3 January 1907), and Keyser Kith (Kelly), born on 5 August 1914.

In 1918 Henry bought a Model T automobile. As a family story says his father had predicted that in the future men would fly in the air and travel in horseless carriages.

Mrs. Cora Keller tended a big garden, she also made preserves, cured meat, and made clothes for the family. The Kellers helped relatives with butchering beef and hogs. 

 

Two Keller girls were born in the 20s:

Chleo Katherine (Bobby) - born on 19 May 1920, Loyal Valley, Mason, TX (7),

Louis Lorene - born on 4 May 1924.

Henry William Keller Sr. was a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday School in Loyal Valley. The school and the church which the family attended were at the small, rock house. They all took part in the  church camp meetings held under a brush bower every summer (for a week). The meetings included  baptism ceremony performed in the Llano River.

 

Henry was also an athlete - he played second base for the Loyal Lads (the Loyal Valley baseball team).

Besides that, Henry W mounted deer heads as he was a taxidermist. The man was an active community member - he served as a school trustee and deputy sheriff and an officer of the Loyal Valley Game Protective Association (which was created to protect wild game before the State Department came into being). The members of the organizations did night watches regarding persons who violated hunting rules. An interesting thing is that the game protectors used mounted deer heads (which had mirrors installed in their eyes) as a decoy.

 

In October 1925, a fire happened - it started in the kitchen flue. Anyway, the Kellers' home was totally destroyed. The family lived in the garage until a new house was built in 1926.  During that critical time, the neighbors supported Henry, Cora, and their children providing them with clothing and necessary household items. Later, Mrs. Cora also raised turkeys for sale to help with the house payments.

In 1926, Mr. Keller became a state game warden. His wife Cora raised deer. The lady fed the fawns with bottled milk when the animals were old enough, the family sold them to the State of Texas (for $20 per deer).

 

In 1935, Cora Keller was bitten by a rattlesnake when she was working in her garden. Luckily, the mother of the family was cured and recovered.

1940, the family was registered during the Census. Henry, Cora, their two daughters Chleo and Louis, their son Keyser Keith and his 19-year-old wife Imogene lived in Justice Precinct #7, Mason, Texas (8).

On 30 October 1942, Henry was attending his warden duties near Junction, he suffered from a heart attack. 

He was taken to the hospital in Kerrville where he passed at 4:30 a.m (9). Henry William Keller was 60 years 9 months and 19 days.

Cora Augusta Caroline Keller lived 66 years and 4 days. She died of breast cancer (which she had fought for 8 years), after 5 weeks of treatment, at the Fredericksburg hospital, on 10 January 1949 (10).

Resources:

1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1K-JVN : 13 March 2018), William Henry Keller, 30 Oct 1942; citing certificate number 45612, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,184.

2. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3SV-9DK : 13 March 2018), Charles C Keller, 20 May 1915; citing certificate number 10877, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,051,271.

3."United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPBM-S6T1 : 17 October 2019), Otto A Keller, 9 Mar 1899; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

4. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBX-XSJ : 13 March 2018), Alonzo E Keller, 11 Oct 1962; citing certificate number 59730, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,117.

5. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3LC-PFT : accessed 27 January 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. 

6. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y77 : 20 January 2021), Henry William Keller, 1917-1918. 

7.  "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2T2-Z87 : 4 April 2020), Chlo Catharine Keller, 19 May 1920; citing Loyal Valley, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 26928, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,516,038.

8. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4S4-CMP : 10 January 2021), Keyser Keith Keller in household of Henry W Keller, Justice Precinct 7, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 160-8, sheet 4B, line 75, family 88, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4103.

9. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1K-JVN : 13 March 2018), William Henry Keller, 30 Oct 1942; citing certificate number 45612, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,184.

10. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K39B-H93 : 13 March 2018), Cora Augusta Caroline Keller, 10 Jan 1949; citing certificate number 1889, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,223,118. 

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

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Franz Kettner and Katherine Keller

Francis Kettner, the son of Dr. Franz Lambert Kettner, doctor, surgeon, assistant of the Grand Duke of Baden, and Anna Maria Kettner (1). He was born on 12 October 1826 in Oberkirch, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany. Francis received his education in Germany as well. 

In 1848 he joined the revolutionary party which aimed to create the Republic of united Germany. The revolution was suppressed by the army and Franz had to flee the country (before finishing his studies) to avoid retaliation. He went to France, then traveled to Texas on the ship Louis. The ship passengers landed in Galveston on 20 November 1848.

Francis first tried farming in New Braunfels, on the Guadalupe River. Later, he enlisted in the Texas Rangers, Capt. Conner's Company.

In 1853, Francis Kettner came to Gillespie County. Some time after that, he ran a store together with  Emil Kriewitz. The man also did farming, freighting, and raised livestock until the year 1855. Then, he was called back by the Texas Rangers service, his company assisted government wagons that traveled to El Paso.

 

After the completion of the Ranger's duties, Francis purchased a farm at Fredericksburg. On 3 September 1857, he married Miss Katherine Keller, daughter of Johannes Peter Keller (b. 1802/d. 1882) and Anna Maria Mohr (b. 1817). The marriage ceremony took place in the Vereins Kirche.

From 1858 to 1859, Franz served as Gillespie County Sheriff. Two years later, the family relocated to the Llano River, Their new home was at Foley's Crossing.

In 1861, Francis Kettner was Sheriff of Mason County.

The area were the Kettners lived were often raided by the Indians who tended to steal horses of the settlers. Franz happened to have closer encounters with Indians as well. First time five Indians leading about forty stolen horses passed the man, his wife, and son Louis (who was ready to fight) when they were riding on an ox wagon. Not long before that their neighbors had been killed and scalped by Comanches so the scare was high. However, the Indians just passed them by, without attacking the family.

Another time, two Indians got close to the Kettner's home and stayed around for two days. Franz locked his horses in the house in the night and during the day he guarded them on the meadow. On the third day, the two Indians left and went to Franz's neighbor's place where they finally managed to steal three horses. Despite his efforts, some time later, Francis lost two horses during a later incident. That time Franz used his rifle, his wife and son Louis helped to chase the Indians away.

Looking for a safer place, the Kettners moved to the area situated six miles south of Mason on Comanche Creek. After a few years, they all moved to the town.

 

Francis was an active community member. Besides serving as sheriff, he was a revenue officer, cattle inspector (in the early 1870s), county commissioner (and was reelected a few times).

Francis and Katherine Kettner had five children

Louis John - b. 16 December 1858 in Fredericksburg (2), married Lina Meckel, daughter of Konrad Meckel and Henriette Luckenbach;

Ida Clara - b. 7 December 1860 in Mason County, married August William Keller;

Alice - b. 1862, Mason County, married John William Gamel;

William F - 1 May 1864 (3), married Bertha Meckel, Lina's sister, on 27 October 1892 (4);

 and Charles - b. 12 March 1866, married Louise Schmidt.

At the age of 81, on the day of his Golden Wedding Anniversary, Francis suffered from a stroke. About a week later, on 8 September 1907, at 4 p.m., he passed away. He was buried at the Crosby Cemetery in Mason. Here is the eulogy written by his son Louis. It was published in "Freie Presse für Texas" on 19 September 1907 (5).

 

Katherine Keller Kettner died at the age of 74, on 31 July 1913 (6).

UPDATE:

A message from Kathleen Kriewitz Jordan, a descendant of Emil Kriewitz:

 

" (...) .  I am one of the keepers of the genealogy for the Kriewitz family and have a large collection of information and artifacts relating to my family. (...)

A tidbit about Emil:  One of the Comanche's requirements for the German settlers to live on Comanche land was that one German live with the Comanches in their camp and learn their way of life as a "sign of peaceable intention".  Only one German settler volunteered...Emil.  He knew that what he was volunteering for could potentially cost him his life.  During his time with the Penateka, Santa Anna grew so fond of Emil that he offered him one of his daughters as a wife however, Emil politely refused."

 

Resources:

1. Die Kettner Briefe: the Kettner letters: a firsthand account of a German immigrant in the Texas hill county (1850 - 1875), Ilse Wurster, Wilmington, DE : Comanche Creek Press, 2008.

2. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ML-JYH : 13 March 2018), Louis John Kettner, 01 May 1940; citing certificate number 24789, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,552.

3. "United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPTW-LXXJ : 13 November 2020), William F Kettner, 4 Jul 1916; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah; FHL microfilm 007897015.

4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9VM2 : 17 January 2021), W. F. Kettner and Bertha Meckel, 27 Oct 1892; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.

5. Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse für Texas. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 7728, Ed. 1 Thursday, September 19, 1907, newspaper, September 19, 1907; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1087263/: accessed January 25, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; . 

6. San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 215, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 3, 1913, newspaper, August 3, 1913; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth432112/: accessed January 25, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium. 

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

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