Johann Heinrich Hoerster and Family

Johann Heinrich Hörster (Hoerster) was born in Piertzenthal, Prussia, on 16 July 1814. The town of Pirzental which I have found in Europe is situated in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in nowadays Germany, south-west of Berlin.

Johann was a shoemaker, his wife was Maria Christina Gelhausen (born 25 August 1818). Three sons were born to them in Prussia Fritz (Friedrich) - born 11 November 1841 (1), Daniel - born 15 September 1843 (2), and Anton (Johann Anton) - born 8 January 1845 (3).

Johann had done his time in the Prussian Army and together with Christina, they decided to emigrate. The family traveled to Texas on the ship Prince Edward and arrived in Galveston, Texas in September 1846. From there, the Hörsters relocated to New Braunfels and subsequently to Fredericksburg. In the spring of 1847, Johann Heinrich obtained 10 acres of land (nowadays the area of Highway #9).

On 18 September 1850, during the Census, Johann Heinrich's /Henry's family was recorded in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County (4):

• Henry, age 36,
• wife Mary C (Maria Christine), age 33,
• Frederick (Fritz), age 9,
• Daniel, age 7,
• Anton, age 5,
• Mary Catherine, age 2, she was born on 11 April 1848 (5),
• William (Wilhelm), born on 16 April 1850 (6).

Johann Heinrich and Maria had 10 children, only 7 survived until their adulthood.

• Karoline was born on 12 April 1852 (7).

October 1856, the Hörsters moved to Mason County, nowadays Art area. They were one of the first pioneer families who settled there. Heinrich built a house close to other families, on a hill by Upper Willow Creek. The new home had 3 rooms, an attic, and it was made of logs sealed with mud.

• Wilhelmina (Minnie) was born on 11 November 1856 (8).
  

The pioneers were self-sufficient regarding produce and making their own food. Heinrich grew corn, potatoes, sugar cane, beans, and cabbage. The meat was provided by wild game. Later, the man also raised longhorns and hogs. His cattle brand was "HSTER". It happened that he butchered 100 hogs at a time. They made sausages, and Heinrich had his own recipe for curing meats. Johann Heinrich sold much of it to the soldiers at Fort McKavett, and in San Antonio as well. 

 

1856 - the family moved to the Mason area (nowadays Art). In 1859, Christina, the mother of the family, died. Some time later, Heinrich remarried. Anna Elise Gammenthaler (born 1 October 1833, Sumiswald, Switzerland) became the stepmother to Heinrich and Christina's kids. Seven children were born to Heinrich and Anna Elise Hörster:

• Rosina - arrived on 4 May 1862, Hilda, Mason, TX (9),
• Heinrich - born on 23 November 1864, Hilda, Mason (10),
• Lydia - born on 4 Aug 1867 in Hilda (11),
• John August Emil - born on 18 September 1870 (12),
• Henry John - born on 12 March 1872 (13),
• William Eddie born 9 November 1874, Art, Mason (14),
• Alfred Willie Eddie born on 4 April 1877 (15).

Only 3 of their sons, Henry (Heinrich), William Eddie, and Henry John - died 31 July 1957 (16), lived till adulthood.

The Upper Willow Creek area was not a safe place - Indian raids happened quite often there. On 19 July 1859, a band of Kiowas stole the horses guarded by nine-year-old Wilhelm and captured the boy as well. Bill had been shot in the neck. The band crossed the Sana Saba, they got to the Indian village after 6 days. Billy was mistreated by the kidnappers and  beaten often. Luckily his neck wound healed. Later, he Indians sold the boy to the Mexican Comancheros for a mule and other items which were worth $100. On 19 November 1859, one of the Mexican brought the boy to Ute Indian agent by the name of Christopher Carson who worked in Taos, the territory of New Mexico. Billy was in a bad condition and he was not able to say where his family lived. William hardly could speak English then, but remembered who his parents were (17). To make the story short, in the result of an exchange organized by the state legislature, Bill came back home in January 1860.  

Johann Heinrich (John Henry) Hoerster served as County Commissioner from 1858 to 1866.

In the middle of 1874, the Mason County War started. The war was all about cattle and cattle rustlers. Tragically, young Daniel, the son of Henry Hoerster, who worked as a cattle inspector, was one of the war casualties. He was killed on 29 September 1875 (18).

The note contains a mistake. Peter Jordan, mentioned in it, was a friend of the Hoerster family. Besides that, he was also Daniel's brother-in-law. Peter's sister Wilhelmine was Daniel's wife. The two were married on 1 December 1871. Deputy Sheriff John Wohrley (Johann Anton Wohrle) was married to Miss Helene Geistweidt.

 

Katherine married Karl Kothmann on 28 March 1867, in Hilda, Mason, TX (19).

Fritz married Johanna Leifeste on  5 January 1871 in Hilda, Mason, TX (20). She was the daughter of Anton Heinrich Leihfeste (Leifeste) and Elisabetha Sphie Henriette Viedt.

Karolina married Caleb Cook Smith in 1872.

William Hoerster married 

• Anna Alperson on 23 January 1873 (21), she died in 1878.
  

• then he married Maria Seipp on 27 July 1880 (22),

• his 3rd wife Anna Theresa Scholl, they got married on  31 October 1884 (23).

  
  
  

Johann Anton married Louise Marschall on 19 September 1873 (24).

Minna married Heinrich Leifeste, the son of Johann Friedrich Leihfeste and Sabine Molzbergeron. The ceremony took place on 4 March 1875 (25). After Minna's death, he married Bertha Hartmann in 1912.

Henry married Emilie Leifeste on  22 July 1886 in Hilda, Mason, TX (26). Emilie's parents were Johann Heinrich Leifeste and  Margarethe Reihnhard.

William Eddie married Sophie Henrietta Steinmann about 1898.

John was married to Frieda Kassel on 16 September 1903 in Llano, Texas (27). 

John Henry Hoerster was proud of his children and grandchildren, and all of the family achievements in their new home Texas. He passed on 20 June 1900 in Mason, Mason County. Henry's wife Anna Elise died 12 years later on 31 July 1912 in Art, Texas.

 

Resources:

1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K339-JVB : 13 March 2018), Fritz Hoerster, 23 Feb 1931; citing certificate number 9247, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,506.

2. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVG-KKMJ : 8 August 2020), Daniel Hoerster, ; Burial, , Mason, Texas, United States of America, Daniel Hoerster Cemetery; citing record ID 20061640, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K332-JT2 : 13 March 2018), J Anton Hoerster, 17 Jun 1932; citing certificate number 23997, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,874.

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

5. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVG-GKW9 : 8 August 2020), Kate, ; Burial, Art, Mason, Texas, United States of America, Kothmann Cemetery; citing record ID 19494326, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

6. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKF-BVS3 : 8 August 2020), William Hoerster, ; Burial, , Mason, Texas, United States of America, Art East Cemetery; citing record ID 41093091, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

7. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVLD-GDLB : 8 August 2020), Carolina Hoerster Smith, ; Burial, Mason, Mason, Texas, United States of America, Gooch Cemetery; citing record ID 87812121, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

8. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVGP-LDG1 : 13 September 2020), Minnie, ; Burial, Goldthwaite, Mills, Texas, United States of America, Goldthwaite Memorial Cemetery; citing record ID 123820367, Find a Grave, http://ww.findagrave.com.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-D1MM : 14 February 2020), H. Horster in entry for Rosina Horster, 1862.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-XBZM : 14 February 2020), Heinrich Horster in entry for Heinrich Horster, 1864.

11. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-GFT2 : 14 February 2020), H. Horster in entry for Lydia Horster, 1867.

12. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LP9-RK3Z : 14 February 2020), H. Horster in entry for John August Emil Horster, 1870.

13. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-4TT2 : 14 February 2020), H. Horster in entry for Henry John Horster, 1872.

14. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3XF-RFP : 13 March 2018), Henry Hoerster in entry for William Eddie Hoerster, 12 Dec 1963; citing certificate number 79257, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,356.

15. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-5NT2 : 14 February 2020), H. Horster in entry for Allfred Willy Eddy Horster, 1877.

16. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K338-FGX : 13 March 2018), John Hoerster, 31 Jul 1957; citing certificate number 43508, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,798.

17. "A Fate Worse than Death: Indian Captivities in the West, 1830-1885", by Gregory Michno, Susan Michno, Caxton Press, Idaho, 2007.

18. Clipping: Downs, J. W. The Waco Daily Examiner. (Waco, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 234, Ed. 1, Saturday, October 9, 1875, newspaper, October 9, 1875; Waco, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth112150/: accessed February 20, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; . 

19. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-HT9 : 22 January 2020), Catherine Horster in entry for Carl Kothmann, 1867.

20. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-WLQ : 22 January 2020), Fritz Horster, 1871.

21. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-FXH : 22 January 2020), Wilhelm Horster, 1873.

22. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-QQV : 22 January 2020), William Hoerster, 1880. died 1883

23. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6BM-T8N : 17 January 2021), Wm. Hoerster and A. T. Scholl, 31 Oct 1884; citing Travis County, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 978,166.

24. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1Y-QVQ : 22 January 2020), J. A. Hoerster, 1873. 

25. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-4ZY : 22 January 2020), Minna Horster in entry for Heinrich Leifeste, 1875.

26. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-W2N : 22 January 2020), Henry Hoerster, 1886.

27. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-Z1GT : 7 December 2020), Mr John Hoerster and Frida Kassel, 16 Sep 1903; citing Marriage, citing Llano, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 982,995.

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

Johann Friedrich Heinrich Kensing and Hanne Justine Wilhelmine Sophia Louise Borchers

On 20 January 1846, brig Gerhard Hermann arrived at Galveston. Among its passengers, there was the family of Johann Christian Ludwig Borchers' of Lüttringhausen, Kingdom of Hannover, Prussia, and the family of Georg Christian David Kensing's of Bad Münder. They left Bremen on 13 November 1845 and traveled for a few months.

The Borchers

The Gerhard Hermann passengers list registered Johann Christian Ludwig Borchers - head + 5 persons:

• Sophia Dorothea Louise Borchers - wife,
• Hanne Justine Wilhelmine Sophia Louise - daughter - born 4 August 1823
  
• Johann Friedrich August - son - born 12 October 1826,
• Johann Friedrich Ludwig - son - born 5 October 1831.  

Who was the fifth person? Possibly a baby Borchers. The adult sons of Mr. Borchers' were listed there as well:

• Christian, b. about 1819, 
• Friedrich, b. about 1821,
• Johann, b. about 1822.

The Kensings

Georg Christian David Kensing - head - born 23 March 1795 in Beber, Springe, Bad Münder am Deister, Hameln-Pyrmont, Lower Saxony, Germany/d. 18 July 1847, Victoria, Victoria, TX.

• Henriette (Bremeier) Kensing - wife - born 2 May 1792, Beber, Springe, Bad Münder am Deister, Hameln-Pyrmont, Lower Saxony, Germany/ d. 1846, Indianola, Calhoun, TX,
  
• Heinrich Friedrich Ludwig "Adam" - son - born 6 June 1820, Hamelspringe, Bad Münder am Deister, Hameln-Pyrmont, Lower Saxony, Germany/  d. about 1846, Indianola, Texas.
  
• Johann Friedrich Heinrich - son - born 11 November 1822, Hamelspringe,
• Dorothe Friederike, Louise - daughter - born 18 March 1826, Hamelspringe/ d. 1846, Indianola, TX,
  
• Heinrich Friedrich Karl - son - born 30 July 1828, Hamelspringe,
  
• Christine Justine Louise Charlotte - daughter - born  26 November 1831, Hamelspringe.

 

Tragically, most members of both families  - the parents and their children perished during the first months of their stay in Texas. Indianola and Victoria were their last stops on Earth in their lives.

Heinrich (Johann Friedrich Heinrich) Kensing, his wife Johanne (Hanne Justine Wilhelmine Sophia Louise Borchers), Heinrich's brother Karl and their sister youngest Christine Kensing left for Fredericksburg. At first, the young couple lived not far from the town. 

On 19 July 1848, Henry was granted 640 acres of land (Fisher-Miller grant) north of the Llano River. He worked as a blacksmith (1). Three oldest children were born to the family there, a son died young:

• Johanna - born 14 October 1848 (2),
• Dorothea - born 23 March 1850 (3).

Christine, Henry's sister was married to John W. Braeutigam on 19 August 1850 (4). In the same year, on 29 October, Karl Kensing (Henry and Christine's brother) married Friedericke Reeh (5). Henry sold his land grant for $20 in 1851.

• Friedrich Heinrich - born 8 May 1853 (6)
  
• Sophia - born 4 October 1855 (7)
• Louise - born about 1858

Although both Henry and Johanna were raised in the Lutheran faith, they both joined the Methodist Church in Hilda on 28 August 1858. In 1860, the Kensings (parents: Henry and Johanna/children: Johanna, Dorothea, Friedrich, and Sophie) were registered during the Census. I am not sure why Louise was not listed then. maybe she was born after 1860? Anyway, they lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie County (8).

Later, they all moved again, when Henry obtained 160 acres of land in Mason County. He was both a farmer and a blacksmith.

• Emma - born 3 January 1861, Hilda, Mason, TX (9)
• Minna (Wilhelmina) - born 28 December 1862, Hilda, Mason, TX (10)

On 26 July 1865, Henry and Johanna were coming back home from a visit at their relatives who lived at Beaver Creek. When the couple passed the hill called "Platt Kopf" (Flat Head) on the southern part of Mason County, the Comanches attacked them.  Henry was scalped and killed instantly. Johanna (who was pregnant then) was drugged away from her spouse's body and cruelly assaulted, her body was horribly mutilated, she was also scalped and shot with an arrow.

Johanna was found, still alive, a few hours later. She was attended by the family of Konrad Welge. sadly, the lady passed away two days after the incident. Henry, Johanna, and their baby were buried on the land which belonged to Mr. Karl Kensing, Heinrich's brother.

What happened to the orphaned children of Henry and Johanna's I do not know. Probably, they were raised by their relatives/friends. 

Johanna Kensing married Mr. Louis Krüger on 18 October 1869 (11). After the marriage, Johanna's younger sisters Emma and Mina lived with the young couple (12).

Dorothea married Mr. Heinrich Seipp on 4 January 1872 (13).

Friedrich Heinrich married Miss Mathilda Lemburg in 1873 - more about them in this post.

Sophia married Mr. Theodor Schmidt on 20 April 1875 (14).

Minna married Mr. Louis Schmidt on 26 November 1881 (15).

Emma married Mr. Friedrich Ludwig on 25 November 1882 (16).

 

UPDATE:

Here is the information provided by Ms. Lindy Bierschwale Haley and Mr. Steven Kensing, descendants of German Pioneers in Texas.

 

Lindy Bierschwale Haley: "Two of them (the children of Henry and Johanna's)  were raised by my great, great grandparents Heinrich and Margarete Bierschwale. He was one of the two men who cared for Mrs. Kensing until she died. I’ve read that the women could not care for her because of the terrible smell of her mortal wounds.

 

The story of the Kensings is actually published in the book Fredericksburg, Texas, The First Fifty Years. The article is titled “ The Murder Of The H. Kensing Couple By Indians.” The book is copyrighted by the Fredericksburg Publishing Co. 1971. You might be able to find it at the Pioneer Museum bookstore" (in Fredericksburg). 

Steven Kensing: "The two youngest girls were raised by the Heinrich Bierschwales.Heinrich was the trustee for the all the minor children until they came of age. The eldest daughter, Johanne married Louis Krieger in 1869. They lived near Luckenbach. Heinrich and Johanna Kensing had moved on from Squaw Creek to Beaver Creek near Hilda in 1865. His younger brother, Karl and his wife Friedericke had moved from Liveoak Creek to Henry’s former home on Squaw Creek. Henry had left the children at home and gone to Karl’s to get Johanna and take her home. Both women were pregnant. The land on which the attack took place was the Welge Ranch.

The only son, Friedrich Kensing grew up in the Brandenburger home. Dorette married Heinrich Seipp. Sophie married Theodor Schmidt. Louisa married Conrad Bohlinger/Wilhelm Zurbregg. Emma married Frederich Ludwig. Mina married Louis Schmidt, Theodor’s brother. They lived in Mason.
 

I think Leonard Passmore’s interview with Carl Kensing is probably the oldest account (regarding the report on the killing of the Kensing couple). It was published in J. Marvin Hunter’s periodical in 1924 I believe. I wrote an article which Gerry Gamel posted in Mason News several years ago. Those can be found by googling Henry and Johanne Kensing. Emma Kensing Ludwig was the last surviving child of the murdered couple and her obituary in Fredericksburg Standard mentions the account.

 

Several years ago Gillespie County Historical Assn. had an honorarium of the county’s blacksmiths. The speaker whose name I don’t recall posed a story I hadn’t heard before stating that some believed the murder was the work of the Hangerbunde who were Confederates killing German setters because they were anti-slavery. I told him that was preposterous as every accurate account indicated an Indian atrocity and the county militia known as the Minute Men of which Carl Kensing was a member actually retrieved the scalp of Johanna where the Indians were routed from their war dance."

 

Lindy and Steven, many thanks for your input.

 

More information on the tragic fate of Heinrich and Johanna's, and more about their children, in the article "Braeutigam-Kensing tales rife with woe".

 

Resources:

Geneanet.org

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

1. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-XZB : 23 December 2020), Dorothy Kensing in household of Henry Kensing, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

2.  "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVGP-VDBX : 7 August 2020), Dorothy, ; Burial, Bronte, Coke, Texas, United States of America, Fairview Cemetery; citing record ID 125323777, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

3. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL2-GXLD : 17 July 2020), Johanna Kensing Krieger, 1926; Burial, , ; citing record ID , Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

4. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-YYF : 22 January 2020), Christina Kensing in entry for John W. Brentgam, 1850.

5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VMJ : 22 December 2016), Carl Kensing and Francesca Rech, 29 Oct 1850; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

6.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3QG-736 : 13 March 2018), Fred Henry Kensing, 07 Mar 1925; citing certificate number 11308, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,844.

7. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK15-6WD3 : 23 July 2020), Sophia Kensing Schmidt, 1892; Burial, , ; citing record ID , Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

8. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFF-C59 : 11 November 2020), Henry Kensing, 1860.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGD-9WN2 : 14 February 2020), Emma Kensing, 1861.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-GPMM : 14 February 2020), Mina Kensing, 1862. 

11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VJW : 22 December 2016), Louis Kriger and Johanna Kensing, 18 Oct 1869; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801. 

12. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL5-FS4 : 2 January 2021), Emma Kensing in entry for Louis Krieger, 1870.

13. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-2G4 : 22 December 2016), Heinrich Seipp and Dorette Kensing, 04 Jan 1872; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

14. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-V2N : 22 December 2016), Theodor Schmidt and Sophie Kensing, 20 Apr 1875; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

15. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9J9Y : 22 December 2016), Louis Schmidt and Minna Kensing, 26 Nov 1881; citing , Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.

16. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9266 : 22 December 2016), Frederick Ludwig and Emma Kensing, 25 Nov 1882; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.