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.

Louis Kettner & Lina Meckel

Louis John Kettner was the eldest son/child of Franz Kettner and Katherine Keller (1). He was born on 16 December 1858 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, TX. In 1870, the Franz Kettner family lived in Mason, Mason County (2).

Louis was one of the very first pupils of the school in Grossville. The man married when he was about 34. On 20 May 1893, Miss Lina Meckel (born 8 December 1861), daughter of Konrad Meckel and Henriette Luckenbach, became Mrs. Louis John Kettner. The two got married in Fredericksburg where Lina was born. The girl was 5 years old when her father Konrad was killed by Indians. She got her education and was confirmed at Vereins Kirche in the town. 

Louis had a ranch in the Grossville area, then the Kettner couple moved to Mason County. Louis John Kettner served as County Commissioner, in 1888 (3), he was elected Justice of the Peace of Precinct #3 (which was in Hedwig's Hill).

Louis John and Lina's daughter Edna Hulda was born on 8 December 1895. 

 

On 11 November 1935 (4), Edna married Mr. Damon Harry Kothmann (born on 12 December 1890) who lived in Menard, TX. Damon was the son of Charles Kothmann and Sophie Brandenburger and grandson of Heinrich Fritz Kothmann and Sophie Hartwig (I am going to write more about the Kothmann family in the next post).

Damon Harry Kothmann was a WW1 veteran. The man was drafted on 6 February 1917. He had done one-year military training at the A & M Institute (5).

Private Damon Harry Kothmann served with Company F, 345 Field Artillery, 90 Division. The soldier was honorably discharged on 23 June 1919 (6).

 

Louis John Kettner died of coronary occlusion, after a stroke and paralysis on 1 May 1940 (7).

Lina lived 100 years. At the end of her life, she lived in Menard, probably with Edna and Damon. Lina Meckel Kettner passed on 3 April 1862 at Menard hospital (8). The couple was buried at the Crosby cemetery in Mason County, Texas.

Resources:

1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ML-JYH : 20 February 2021), Louis John Kettner, 01 May 1940; citing certificate number 24789, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,552.

2. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG3-1MD : 2 January 2021), Louis Kettner in entry for Francis Kettner, 1870.

3. Mason County, Texas 1888 Officers 

4. Karen's Genealogy 

5. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXL-462 : 23 February 2021), Damon Harry Kothmann, 1917-1918.

6. United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPTJ-BBS4 : 17 October 2019), Damon Harry Kothman, 23 Jun 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

7. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ML-JYH : 20 February 2021), Louis John Kettner, 01 May 1940; citing certificate number 24789, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,118,552.

8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSBZ-GRY : 20 February 2021), Lina Meckel Kettner, 03 Apr 1962; citing certificate number 25026, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,969. 

• "Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976.  
• Findagrave.com
  

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.

Findagrave.com