Johann Adam Schüssler

Johann Adam was born on 24 August 1811, in the village of Bonfeld (nowadays part of the city Bad Rappenau, Baden-Würtemeberg), southern Germany. From 1806 Bonfeld was part of the Kingdom of Württemeberg, however, it had belonged to the lords of Gemmingen-Guttenebrg since 1476.

Upper Castle in Bonfeld, built from 1749 by barons of Gemmingen

 

Anyway, Johann's parents were Johann Konrad Christof Schüssler, a citizen and farmer of Bonfeld, and Eva Rosie Margaretha Bender. Since they were Evangelicals, the baby boy was baptized by Pastor Vogel in Krie Evangelical Parish 3 days later.

Evangelical church in Bonfeld built in 1774

During the so-called Wars of Liberation against Napoleon (which took place in 1813) and within the next two years time, the citizens of Bonfeld had to bear the presence of soldiers and war prisoners who were stationed in the town. In 1814, Bonfeld had 1150 and was an agricultural and market town.

Young Johann Adam visited a few other places in Europe including the nowadays territory of Poland (on 29 March 1833) before he got married at the age of 23. On ♡ 13 January 1835, Eva Katharina Dischinger (born on 5 September 1810) became Adam's wife. Eva's parents were Johannes Dischinger, a farmer, and Katharina Kloench. 

Six children were born to Johann and Eva Katharina:

♦ Jacob F, came to this world on 2 August 1836. Sadly, the boy died on 30 March 1836.

♦ Johannes, born on 1 June 1836,

♦ Konrad, born on 1 July 1838,

♦ Jacob, born on 17 December 1840,

♦ Christiana, born on 5 September 1843,

and ♦ Katharina born on 1 July 1845.

When emigration to Texas became possible, Johann Adam applied for a land grant in Texas. In 1845, he received 320 acres in Bexar County, via the German Immigration Company. Johann Adam Schüsslers started getting ready for their departure from the old country.

Bonfeld seen from the south

First, the family went to Antwerp, Belgium, where they boarded the ship  "Dyle". It left the European port on 28 November 1845 and reached Galveston, TX after about four months, on 15 March 1846 (1). From there, Johann Adam and his folks traveled to Indianola. Grievously, baby ♦ Katharina died and was buried there. 

 

After months of perilous journey, the Schüsslers finally came to their land grant. Johann Adam received  town lot #90 in the Fredericksburg area (2) and settled 28 miles south of the nowadays Mason. The house Johann Adam built, was the first one constructed there.

 

 

♦ 4 August 1849, son Louis was born to Johann and Eva.

♦ Hermann joined the family on 28 July 1850.

 

In the same year, J Adam was taking care of 10 acres of land in Gillespie County, he had three town lots, no. 501, 502, and 90 (3). Two years later, the man also had 30 acres more and raised 7 head of cattle (4).

 

The youngest son, ♦ Adolph was born in 1852. The boy died when he was 4, on ♦ 22 May 1854.

 

In 1855, Johann Adam Schuessler aid taxes for 213 acres in Gillespie County (originally, the land was granted to M Arcolido?), he had 8 head of cattle and still owned 3 town lots in Fredericksburg (5).

 

♡ 16 July 1858 (6), Johannes, the youngest son, married Miss Louise Wilhelmine Flick (born 8 November 1840).

 

 

By the end of 1858, Johann's (John's) cattle herd had grown to 65 head. He also owned a wagon (7).

 

 

By 1860, Christiane, Konrad, and Jacob got married as well. 

 

♡ 14 December 1859, 16-year-old daughter Christiane married 10 years older Gustav Frasch, the Justice of the Peace in Fredericksburg. Gustav had come to Texas from the Kingdom of Würtemberg as well. Actually, he was born in Heilbronn (8), a city not far from Bonfeld (where the Scuesslers originated from).

 

♡ On the very same day, Konrad's spouse (9) became Mina Margret Storch (born 6 August 1841 in Hesse), ♡ Jacob's wife was Katherine Franziska Hicks. The families of Johann Adam, John's, Konrad's, and Jacob's lived in Gillespie County, next to each other (10).

 

Later, Christiane and Gustav Frasch moved to San Antonio, where he worked as a tax assessor. 

The oldest sons relocated as well. They made their homes in Mason County. Jacob was the first one in the county who grew cotton there. John settled at Battle Springs/Fly Gap area.

1870, 59-year-old John Adam, his wife, and 20-year-old son, Hermann still lived and farmed at Cherry Springs. Their real estate was worth $730, their personal estate was estimated at $900. Son Louis, who was a teamster, and his wife Minna, lived next to his parents' (11).

The youngest living son of Johann Adam and Eva Katharina's, Hermann married Minna Leifeste on 8 October 1874.

1874 - Gillespie County tax rolls inform that in that year, John Adam Schuessler paid taxes for 214 acres (the land was originally granted to Marion Aceredo). Besides, John had 4 horses and 35 head of cattle (12).

Johann and Eva moved to Mason County to be closer to their sons and their families. 

Johann/John Adam lived  about 72 years. He was buried on ♦ 7 April 1884 at Crosby Cemetery, Mason County, TX (13).

After his death, Eva Katharina, the mother of the family, lived with John's family at Justice Precinct #1, Mason County (14). The lady was 89 when she passed over on ♦ 9 January 1901.

 

The surname Schüssler is related to the German word "Schüssel" ("bowl") and the trade name "bowl/dish maker" (15). According to a family story, the Schüsslers are related to the royal von Hohenzollerns via a Schüssler man who was knighted and then, married to a Hohenzollern lady.

I am planning to write more about Konrad and his brothers later/soon. Christiana and Gustav Frasch's children were:

• Minnie - born on 26 August 1862,
• August - born 13 March 1868,
• Louise - born 9 March 1871,
• Hermann - born 7 December 1877,
• and Ida born 22 February 1888.

Resources: 

"John Adam and Eva Schuessler Pioneers, A Family History and Genealogy" by Johnita Schuessler Bohmfalk, 1984,

Wikipedia

Photos:

The Upper castle in Bonfeld: Roman Eisele, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Church in Bonfeld: Peter Schmelzle, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Church inside: Roman Eisele, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bonfeld - the view from the south: Roman Eisele, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

1. Colonists' ships

2. 1847  Fredericksburg town lots owners

3. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RXWM : 20 February 2021), Adam Schuessler, 1850.

4. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RXBR : 20 February 2021), Adam Schuessler, 1852.

5. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RNV7 : 20 February 2021), Adam Schuessler, 1855.

6. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-V4V : 10 March 2021), John Schussler and Louisa Wilhelmina Flick, 16 Jul 1858; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

7. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-RVYG : 20 February 2021), John A Schuessler, 1858.

8. San Antonio Express, 25 October 1917

9. Gillespie County Marriage Records

10. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFF-CTL : 18 February 2021), Jacob Schuessler, 1860.

11. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL5-R5B : 29 May 2021), Adam Schuessler, 1870. 

12. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-T9Z5 : 20 February 2021), Adam Schuessler, 1874.

13. "United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPT7-N6BF : 1 July 2021), John S Schuessler, 1884.

14. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-VKM : accessed 20 July 2021), Eva Schuessler in household of John Schuessler, Justice Precinct 1, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 50, sheet 14B, family 192, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658. 

15. Ancestry.com

Herman Schüssler Family

Herman was one of the sons (the youngest) born to Johann Adam Schüssler and Eva Katharina Dieschinger. Herman came to this world on 28 July 1850 in Cherry Spring, TX.

On ♡ 8 October 1874 (1), Herman married Miss Minna (Wilhelmina) Leifeste, born on 5 May 1849 in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. 

Minna's parents were August Heinrich Leifeste and Elizabetha Sophie Henriette Viedt.

In 1874, Herman owned 160 acres in Gillespie county (which were originally granted to his brother Conrad). The land was worth $100 then. The county tax rolls inform that in the very same year, Herman had  2 horses and 25 head of cattle (2). A year later (3), the man had a bigger  livestock herd (40 head of cattle). Before a well was dug near their house, the family hauled water from the river.

The young couple settled by the Llano River, where Herman's brother Louis lived as well. Both Herman and Mina were very religious. They attended the Methodist Church in Hoersterville, prayed at home every morning as well. In the summer, Herman's family joined the summer camp meetings which were organized at Lower Willow Creek.

The Herman Schuesslers had seven sons. 

♦ August Herman Alfred - born on 18 July 1875 (4),
♦ Friedrich Karl Emil - born on 2 November 1876 (5),
♦ John Herman Charles - born on 25 September 1878.

June 1880 Census - Herman, the head of the family was registered as a farmer and butcher. The parents and their 3 sons lived in Precinct $ 4, Mason County, TX (6).

Not long after the census, on 4 July 1880, the fourth son, ♦ Daniel Alvin was born to Mina and Herman (7).
♦ August Daniel was born on 24 July 1883 (8). 

♦ Adolph Max was born on 13 January 1888 (9).
Sadly, the youngest boy, Leonhart Harry did not live long.  The baby was born on ♦ 28 August 1892 (10) and died a few days later, on ♦ 4 September. 

All boys received their primary education at the Bauer School. Mina and Herman, like other early settlers, and their children raised/made their own food, worked on the family farm, took care of their household. Mrs. Schuessler made lye soap for her family. In the wintertime, Herman did butchering, they made sausages and preserved meat. Summer was the time of making watermelon Schmeer preserves (more about that in another post). Herman's cattle brand was 7H (seven sons of Herman's).

♡ Alfred (August Herman Alfred) was the first Herman's son who got married. It happened on 1 March 1894 (11). His spouse was Effie Wallis.

Four years later, on ♡ 29 September 1898, Emil Friedrich married Miss Emily Koch (12).  The bride was 20 years old (born on 16 March 1878), her parents were Georg Koch and Dorothea Ude.

Emil became a minister.

7 June 1900 - Mr. Louis J Kettner, census clerk, visited Herman and Mina's home. They lived in Justice Precinct #6 Mason, TX with their sons Max, Daniel, and John (13). At that time, 20-year-old Alvin lived in Brenham, Washington, Texas (14). He had left home to study and became the first Ph.D. in Mason County.

In ♡ 1905, John married Ida Jordan, the daughter of Daniel Jordan and Emilie Willman. John was a Sunday school men's teacher. 

Max left home and became a pre-med student of Blinn College. Not long after his final exams, Max got ill with typhoid fever. The young man came back home before the graduation ceremony at the college. Tragically, he did not recover. After several weeks of illness and suffering, Max passed on ♦ 22 June 1908. His college certificate was delivered by mail a day after his funeral. What a sorrow it all must have brought to his parents Herman and Mina. 

The parents adopted two girls, Selma Vonderbaum and Annie Mae Carey, born on 7 May 1899 (15). The latter appeared in the 1910 census record as a "companion" who lived with the Scuesslers and their son Dan. Annie was 10 then (16). John Schuessler and his wife Ida gave home to Selma's and Annie's brothers.

♡ Dan married Miss Alma Grote (born on 23 June 1885) a few months later, on 30 August 1911, in Hilda, Mason, TX (17). Alma's parents were Karl Heinrich Grote and Wilhelmine Sophie Keese.

The year 1818 brought the grief again. On ♦ 2 March, at the age of 68, Herman's wife Mina died of pneumonia. 

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 7, 1918, newspaper, March 7, 1918; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth768252/: accessed July 6, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

A few months later, on 12 September, the Schuessler brothers were registered (WW1 draft registration).

 

John Charles was a stock farmer, and he lived with his wife Ida in Castell, Texas (18).

Emil Friedrich, a Gospel minister, lived with his wife Emily at 2009 S Franklin St. in New Orleans (19).

 Alvin Daniel, a teacher, his wife Edna lived at 302 University Boulevard in Dallas, TX (20).

Daniel August, a stock farmer, his wife Alma Adah lived in Castell, Mason, TX (21).

 

Not many days passed when ♦ Alma Grote Schuessler, Dan's wife, died. She left this world on 27 September 1918. 

In the same year, in Hilda, Mason County, ♡ Annie Carey married Alfred Feuge (22).

Dan married again two years later, on 11 March 1920. His second wife was Sarah Urbantke, born on 19 January 1889 (23).

Herman Schuessler, the father of the family, remarried as well. Mina Macron, born 3 July 1861 in Prussia, was his second spouse (24).

Hermann lived 72 years and 3 months. He died of cirrhosis (fibrosis) of the liver on ♦ 28 October 1922 (25).

 UPDATE

Information provided by Mr. Steven Kensing:  "Alfred Albert Feuge born March 11, 1899 in Doss, Texas. Died March 26, 1930. He was the youngest child of Christoph Feuge and Marie Mathilda Kensing. Annie Mae Carey Schuessler born May 4, 1899. Died July 15, 1983. They married September 10, 1919. Their children were Juanita Meta Feuge (Mrs. Paul Williamson). May 2, 1920-Feb. 2, 1996. Alfred Albert Feuge July 1, 1921-Dec. 30, 1977.(married Esther Barnes). Orson Hollis Feuge March 29, 1925- Jan. 4, 1999. ( married Jean Carver). Joseph Vincent Feuge Sept. 21, 1929. ( married Mary Ann Beidiger Llewelyn).

Annie Mae Feuge married Erwin Andrew Lang Sept. 12, 1936 in Travis County, Texas. E. A. Lang born April 14, 1893. Died April 20, 1978 in Bexar County, Texas. He had children from a prior marriage, as did she. They had a son together, Erwin Carl Lang born Jan 1, 1939."

Resources:

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

Findagrave.com

1. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LS3 : 10 March 2021), Herrman Schüssler and Mina Leifeste, 08 Oct 1874; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

2. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-T9ZR : 20 February 2021), Hermann Schuessler, 1874.

3. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-TSKX : 20 February 2021), Herman Schüssler, 1875. 

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-RJ2M : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schussler in entry for August Hermann Alfred Schussler, 1875.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-MN6Z : 14 February 2020), Herman Schussler in entry for Friedrich Carl Emil Schussler, 1876.

6. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ9-4MH : 20 February 2021), Emil Schuessler in household of Hermann Schuessler, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 501B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

7. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXQ-2QG : 23 February 2021), Alvin Daniel Schuessler, 1917-1918.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-YRW2 : 14 February 2020), H. Schuessler in entry for August Daniel Schuessler, 1883.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LLQ-WY3Z : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schuessler in entry for Adolph Max Schuessler, 1888.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-QPT2 : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schussler in entry for Leonhart Harry Schussler, 1892.11. on 29 September 1898

11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL7F-X8J : 10 March 2021), A H Schuessler and Effie Wallis, 01 Mar 1894; citing Burnet, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 978,760.

12. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-Z1SS : 23 February 2021), E F Schuessler and Emily Koch, 29 Sep 1898; citing Marriage, citing Llano, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 982,995.

13. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-541 : accessed 6 July 2021), Herman Schuesler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 32, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658. 

14. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35N-F2B : accessed 6 July 2021), Alvin Schuessler in household of Edward F Becker, Justice Precinct 3 Brenham city Ward 3, Washington, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 107, sheet 14A, family 312, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,677.

15. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-7ZPZ : 14 February 2020), Amie May Carey, 1899.

16. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-5JR : accessed 6 July 2021), Annie Carey in household of Hermann Schuessler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 202, sheet 4A, family 56, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589. 

17. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCM8-1Y2M : 22 January 2020), Dan Schuessler, 1911.

18. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y23 : 23 February 2021), John Charles Schuessler, 1917-1918.

19. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ8J-D3G : 22 February 2021), Emile Frederick Schuessler, 1917-1918.

20. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXQ-2QG : 23 February 2021), Alvin Daniel Schuessler, 1917-1918. 

21. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y1B : 23 February 2021), Daniel August Schuessler, 1917-1918.

22. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMJ-RW6Z : 22 January 2020), Annie Mae Carey in entry for Alfred Feuge, 1918.

23. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMJ-RWN2 : 22 January 2020), Dan Schuessler, 1920. 

25. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CX-4MN : 20 February 2021), Hermann Schuessler, 28 Oct 1922; citing certificate number 29438, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,636.