Remembrance Honor Roll Call

In observance of this year's Remembrance Day, I am working on the serious of posts dedicated to the men and women of Gillespie County who perished during their WW2 service.

Here they are.

Lt. Luther B Stockard

Son of Luther E Stockard and Catherine E Bierschwale of Harper, born on 11 October 1917. Luther started his education in the Harper School of which his father, Luther E Stockard, was the Superintendent and Primary teacher. Next, the boy attended the Junction High School. He graduated from the high school in Columbia, TN in 1934. 

Later, Luther continued his studies at the Shreiner Institute in Kerrville (from 1936 to 1937). In 1940, Mr. Stockard Jr. was a Flying Cadet at Love Field in Dallas, and Curtis Field in Brady. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 26 September 1941.

A day later, Luther was married to Mildred Lambert from Columbia, TN.

Luther was a pilot of a P-38 motor fighter, stationed at Umnak Adak. He was commissioned a First Lieutenant during his service in the Aleutian Island. Luther volunteered to do the mission during which he was killed  over the Kiska Island on 2 October 1942. Luther E Stockard led the attack against the Japanese anti-aircraft guns. During the fight, Luther's plane caught fire, however, the pilot continued his heroic mission until it was completed. Then, the man parachuted trying to escape the tragic faith but the American rescue boats were not able to save him. 

Luther had completed many successful missions before his final flight. 

Lt. Luther B. Stockard was awarded The Order of the Purple Heart (1), the Air Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

 His name is commemorated on the Honolulu Memorial Wall.

National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

1st Lt. William Dietel Jr.

William Dietel Junior was born in Comfort on 24 October 1919 to William Dieter Sr. and Alma Susanna Holekamp. Mr. Dieter Sr. was the superintendent of the Comfort schools. The family relocated to Fredericksburg in 1921.

William Jr. graduated from the local High School in 1921. Later, he attended the University of Texas (his major was physics). After the two-year studying time, William came back to Fredericksburg and helped his father to run the newspaper. He was in charge of the Harper Herald for a year. Besides, he worked as a reporter and photographer, operated printing machines and helped the Fredericksburg newspaper office. Will was also a secretary of the Fredericksburg Junior Chamber of Commerce.

In 1940, William Dietel Jr. completed a course at the National Aquatic School at Camp Mystic near Kerville (the training was organized by the American Red Cross). After that, he was in charge of the swimming classes provided by the Red Cross chapter in Fredericksburg, Gillespie county.

William enlisted in the U S Air Corps at the end of January 1942. He completed the training at Kelly Field in Corsicana, Sherman, and Houston. William Dietel Jr. was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 9 October 1942 at Ellington Field. Next, he trained at the four-motor bombing school in Sebring, Florida. Afterward, William stationed at such locations as Salt Lake City, Utah, Boise, Idaho, Wendover Field, Utah (where he was promoted to First Lieutenant), and others.

On 18 April 1943, William married Maurine Mathis of Sherman, TX whom he had met during his training time at Perrin Field close to Sherman.

Lt. William Dietel Jr. was the flight commander of a B-7 bomber. The plane was called "Sky Queen". By the end of May 1943, he had stationed in England. William and his crew were reported lost in action over Holland on 28 July 1843.

They had been awarded the Air Medal for their brave actions over the European continent (2, 3).

Besides that, Lt. Dietel was awarded the Purple Heart, United States Aviator Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

 

Private 1st Class Andrew Robert Frantzen 

Andrew came to this world in Fredericksburg at 5 PM on 24 November 1918. His parents were Emil Frantzen and Olga Luckenbach (4).

Andrew R Frantzen attended the Lower South Grape Creek school. He helped his parents to run the farm. The man enlisted to the Army in Fort Sam Houston on 14 July 1941 (5).

On 24 May 1942, he was transferred with the 37th Infantry Division to the Fiji Islands where he stayed and was in an active service for about a year.  

Private first Class Andrew Robert Frantzen was killed in combat on the South-West Pacific, Solomon Islands on 30 July 1943. He was 24 years old (6).

Hew was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Staff Sergeant Harold E Ahrens

was born at Cherry Mountain on 10 March 1922 in Gillespie, TX. He was the oldest son of Mr. Albert Arhens and Miss Sara Rode (7). Eight years later, Mr. Albert Ahrens family, including his wife and children, Harold, Marven, and Norman lived in Precinct # 7, Gillespie County (8). A few years later, the Ahrenses moved to Gold Community. Harold attended the Rheingold School. The 1940 census found the family in Precinct # 1, Gillespie, TX (9).

He worked on the family farm in Cave Creek Community and studied at high school for one year. The young Ahrens was inducted to the Army on 3 August 1942 in San Antonio (10). The man was sent to the Air Force school in St. Petersburg, Florida and Chicago, Illinois, where he trained to become a radio operator. He graduated as a radio operator on 9 January 1943 and continued his military training in in Florida, Salt Lake City, Utah; Grand Island, Nebraska and Blythe California where he became a gunner (11).

 On 31 May 1943, Harold married Miss Viola Ida Sagebiel, the daughter of Arthur Sagebiel and Ida Walter (12) of Crabapple community. At that time Harold Ahrens stationed at the Army Base at Rapid City in South Dakota.

Staff Sergeant H E Ahrens was a gunner and a radio operator on a B-17 four-motor bomber. Harold's plane crashed over Europe, near the coast of England on 5 August 1943 (13, 14).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

Sergeant Lorenz August Kirchhoff

The son of Alfred Phillip Kirchoff and Anna Margaret Wendel was born on 19 April 1921 in Knocksville, Kimble County (15). In 1940, Lorenz lived with his parents and two sisters, a year older Helen, and a year younger Elizabeth in Commissioner's Precinct # 4, Kimble, Texas (16). Together with his parents, he worked on the family farm and ranch.

Lorenz August was enrolled to the Army in San Antonio on 26 September 1942. The soldier completed his training in the Army Air Force School at Keesler Field, Mississippi. He visited his family in Harper in October, and then came back to Harvard, Nebraska Air Force for combat training in the 2nd Air Force. Sergeant Lorenz Kirchhoff was Assistant Engineer-Gunner of a B-17 Flying Fortress. During the transfer to England, on 22 November 1943. Lorenz's four-motor heavy bomber crashed 50 over Canada, 50 miles from Goose Bay, Labrador. Sgt. Kirchhoff was 24 years old (17, 18).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Mechanist's Mate Emil Schlaudt

was born in Stonewall on 20 June 1916 to Mr. Emil Schlaudt Sr. and Miss Lina Herber (19).

Emil Jr. got his primary education in the Stonewall community school. He graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1938. Two years later on 12 August 1938, Emil Schlaudt enlisted in the Navy, and he planned to stay with the Navy until the war was over. Emil's Navy training place was USNTS in San Diego, California (20).

Mechanist's Mate Emil Schlaudt perished in action (during an engagement with Japanese fighting ships) while operating guns on the USS Pensacola on 1 December 1942 (21).

National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

 

Private First Class Rubin Max Henry Althaus

Rubin was born on 2 December 1907 to Christian Althaus and Ella Herbort (22). In 1910, the family lived at Cave Creek, Gillespie County (23).

Rubin was inducted in the Army on 3 April 1941 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was sent for training to Camp Wallace, not far from Galveston, and at Fort Bliss, El Paso area. In the autumn of 1941, Rubin was sent overseas. In May 1942, Private Althaus fought with a New Mexico artillery unit on Corregidor Island, in the Philippines. After the fall of Corregidor, Rubin was taken prisoner. He died in the Hoten POW camp (Mukden) in Manchuria. His estimated day of death is 2 December 1942 (24,25).

Awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Corporal Edgar Harry Wittkohl

Edgar was born on 29 June 1912. His parents were Otto Wittkhol and Augusta Reinhardt of Johnson City (formerly from Doss).

Edgar joined the army voluntarily. He was enlisted on 14 January 1941 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas (26).

Prior to that, he had worked on Mr. Jess Johnson's ranch. In January 1941, Edgar H Wittkohl was sent to Camp Bowie. In the autumn of the same year, the man was released from the Army, however, after the Pearl Harbor attack, Edgar was reassigned to the 36th division. Corporal Wittkohl served at Camp Bowie, Camp Bending in Florida, North Carolina, and Camp Edwards, Massachusetts. later, he was sent with his division to North Africa. Edgar fought in the Sicilian Campaign. He was wounded in combat action in Italy, near Vellestri, when his vehicle ran over a mine. It happened on 1 June 1944. Two days later, on Saturday, Edgar died without recovering consciousness. On the day of his death, Edgar Harry Wittkohl was 32 years old (27, 28, 29).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Private First Class Elgin Emil Becker 

was born on 25 April 1916 in Fredericksburg. His parents were Mr. Adolph Becker and Cornelia Hopf (30).

When he finished school, Elgin worked with his parents at the family farm and ranch. The young man joined the Army on 17 March 1942 at Fort Sam Houston. He continued his training at Camp Berkeley, Louisiana, Camp Granite, California, and Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Private First Class Elgin Emil Becker was transferred to England in March 1944. He served in the 358 Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division. Elgin was killed in action in France on 10 June 1944 and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. On the day of his departure, Elgin Emil was 28 years, 1 month and 15 days old, old His remains were buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. The memorial certificate dedicated to Private First Class Elgin E Becker is available here.

The Requiem Church Service in remembrance of Elgin Emil Becker was held in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fredericksburg on 10 July 1944 (31).

Awarded: the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.

Private Ewald Jacob Novian

was born on 31 July 1924 to Willie William Novian and Meta Ahrens (32). 

In 1940, the family were registered during the Census, they lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie County. Ewald appears in the record as a "new worker". He worked in farming (33).

Ewald J Novian enlisted in the army on 29 October 1942 in San Antonio, TX (34). He was scheduled to serve in Signal Corps. At first, Private Novian was to be stationed at Hondo, however, later, the soldier was transferred to El Paso, and then to Camp Adair, Oregon. During the service in the 383 Infantry, Ewald contracted pneumonia from which he died on 15 January 1943. He was 18 years old. Private Ewald J Novian's body was buried at the St. Mary's Church Cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX (35).

Awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Second Lt. Gladys Roberta Lee

The daughter of Robert E Lee and Louise L Ransleben born on 30 September 1921 (36). The family lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX. Mr. Lee was a carpenter (37, 38).

Gladys R Lee completed 3 years of high school. The young lady enlisted in the Women's Auxiliary  Army Corps on 30 January 1943 in San Antonio, Texas. The enlistment record tells that Gladys' occupation had been related to "physicians and dentists assistants and attendants".  Gladys R Lee enlisted as an Aviation Cadet, her serial number was A-800422 (39). She was the first woman of Gillespie County who joined WAAC. Gladys Roberta Lee perished while training at Des Moines, Iowa on 3 April 1943(40).

2nd Lt. Gladys R Lee was awarded: the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Memorial plaque at the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX

 

To Be Continued

Other parts of my Remembrance Day project:

Honor Roll Call - Part 2

Honor Roll Call - Part 3 

Honor Roll Call - Part 4

Resources:

1. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, October 15, 1943, newspaper, October 15, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896851/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

2. Clipping and info: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, August 6, 1943, newspaper, August 6, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896779/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

3. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 45, Ed. 1 Friday, November 5, 1943, newspaper, November 5, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896782/: accessed November 8, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2KS-8SQ : 4 April 2020), Andrew Robert Frantzen, 24 Nov 1918; citing Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States, certificate 56592, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,516,039.

5. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PL-RPT : 5 December 2014), Andrew R Frantzen, enlisted 14 Jul 1941, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

6. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, August 27, 1943, newspaper, August 27, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896847/: accessed November 11, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-6KM : 13 February 2020), Harold Elias Ahrens, 1922.

 8. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYM1-2MM : accessed 12 November 2020), Harold Ahrens in household of Albert Ahrens, Precinct 7, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 9, sheet 7A, line 26, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

9. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWVL-J6C : 29 February 2020), Harold Ahrens in household of Albert Ahrens, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-2A, sheet 10A, line 1, family 201, 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 4040.

10. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMXM-BPR : 5 December 2014), Harold E Ahrens, enlisted 03 Aug 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

11. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, October 22, 1943, newspaper, October 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896771/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

12. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6PM-8QX : 13 February 2020), Viola Ida Sagebiel, 1924.

13. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, August 17, 1945, newspaper, August 17, 1945; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135582/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

14. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 34, Ed. 1 Friday, August 20, 1943, newspaper, August 20, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896895/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

15. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXMH-QZL : 4 April 2020), Lorenz August Kirchoff, 19 Apr 1921; citing Noxville, Kimble, Texas, United States, certificate 24198, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,521,170.

16. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW26-S3Q : 24 May 2020), Lorenz Kirchhoff in household of Aug Kirchhoff, Commissioner's Precinct 4, Kimble, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 134-5, sheet 6A, line 32, family 120, 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 4087.

17. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, December 10, 1943, newspaper, December 10, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896844/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

18. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 43, Ed. 1 Friday, October 22, 1943, newspaper, October 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896771/: accessed November 12, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

19. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LKF-JQW2 : 14 February 2020), Emil Schlaudt, Jr., 1916.

20. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WW4K-9MN2 : 26 October 2019), Emil Schlaudt, ; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

21. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, December 17, 1943, newspaper, December 17, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896781/: accessed November 11, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

22. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-3H5 : 13 February 2020), Rubin Max Henry Althaus, 1907.

23.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK12-7LS : accessed 9 November 2020), Rubin M H Althaus in household of Christian C Althaus, Cave Creek, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 147, sheet 8A, family 139, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1554; FHL microfilm 1,375,567.  

24. "Texas Deaths and Burials, 1903-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6TD-7HJ : 13 February 2020), Rubin M. Althaus, 1947.

25. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 52, Ed. 1 Friday, December 24, 1943, newspaper, December 24, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896889/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

26. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8PL-GGH : 5 December 2014), Edgar H Wittkohl, enlisted 14 Jan 1941, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

27. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, December 15, 1944, newspaper, December 15, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135721/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

28. Collins, Will. The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 56, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 29, 1944, newspaper, June 29, 1944; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth816003/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library. 

29. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, June 30, 1944, newspaper, June 30, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1135760/: accessed November 9, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

30. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-D4L : 13 February 2020), Elgin Emil Becker, 1916.

31. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 28, Ed. 1 Friday, July 14, 1944, newspaper, July 14, 1944; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1145909/: accessed November 10, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

32. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-SRX : 13 February 2020), Ewald Jacob Novian, 1924. 

33. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-2WD : 29 February 2020), Ewald J Novian in household of Willie W Novian, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-3, sheet 2B, line 48, family 30, 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 4040.

34. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8GD-VDF : 5 December 2014), Ewald J Novian, enlisted 29 Oct 1942, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

35.  The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 4, Ed. 1 Friday, January 22, 1943, newspaper, January 22, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896759/: accessed November 10, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

36. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6G1-1ZB : 13 February 2020), Gladys Roberta Lee, 1921.

37. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HYSX-DZM : accessed 13 November 2020), Gladys Lee in household of Robert E Lee, Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 3A, line 18, family 53, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2335; FHL microfilm 2,342,069. 

38. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV2-23L : 29 February 2020), Gladys R Lee in household of Robert E Lee, Justice Precinct 1, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 86-3, sheet 1B, line 47, family 10, 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 4040.

39. "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8LW-5S6 : 5 December 2014), Gladys R Lee, enlisted 30 Jan 1943, San Antonio, Texas, United States; citing "Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938-1946," database, The National Archives: Access to Archival Databases (AAD) (http://aad.archives.gov : National Archives and Records Administration, 2002); NARA NAID 1263923, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

40. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, April 16, 1943, newspaper, April 16, 1943; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896906/: accessed November 13, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library. 

HonorStates.org

More About von Donop/von Plehwe family

After Otto von Donop's death, Mina (Wilhelmina), his widow, married Otto von Plehwe. It happened on  26 January 1880.

Mina's second husband Otto von Plehwe was born on 26 August 1844 in Berlin. However, his family town was Bruehl. Otto joined the German Army in Cologne, on 1 May 1865. He served as aide de camp (confidential secretary of a high-ranking commander) in the 4th Army Corps, Regiment Number 30. Later, from 1866 to 1868 it was the 8th Army Corps, Regiment No. 33.

 

Otto's brother Capt. Karl Felix Georg von Plehwe was probably one of the officers who assisted  J. O. Meusebach during his trip to the Comanche area to prepare the ground for the peace treaty.

Otto von Plehwe relocated to Texas in 1868 (1). Sometime later, Otto settled in Mason.  The man joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1881. He and his wife bought a general store from Mr. Anton Hoerster, which was situated at Upper Willow Creek. In 1886, Otto started a post office in the store and became the first post office master of Plehweville.

Mr. Otto von Plehwe was also a music teacher, and was elected Justice of the Peace, Precinct #6 twice, in 1882 and 1890.

 

Otto passed on 29 May 1916. It was on Monday at 8 a.m.

Plehweville was later renamed and was called Art.

Wilhelminna Deinnheim Donop von Plehwe died on 19 September 1920.

 

Otto von Donop Jr. turned  17 on 22 June 1875. In the very same year, on 5 October, his father died.

Five years later, on 4 September, Otto Jr. married Miss Suzanne, the daughter of Konrad Meckel and Gertrude Merbreurinn. Suzanne was born on 16 September 1859 in Fredericksburg, TX. The two built their family house made of rock within a year after the marriage. In 1908 the family got a windmill and they did not have to haul water from a well anymore.

 

Otto Jr. was a rancher. He grew cattle including milch cows, chickens. The family was self-sufficient regarding making food - meat, sausages, eggs, vegetables (they had a vegetable garden), fruit, and so on. The items which they needed to buy were flour, sugar, and coffee.

Otto von Donop Jr. had a telephone installed in the house in 1910. He bought a car in 1919.

 

Otto Jr. and Susanne were members of the Methodist Church. Otto taught at the Sunday school for many years. 

The couple had seven children

• Amanda Bertha (b. 21 Feb. 1882) - married Hermann Neu,
• Alfred - died when he was 7 months old,
• Cora (b. 5 Jan. 1886) - married Ernest Willmann,
• Lena Wilhelmina (b. 16 Nov. 1888) - married Louis Jordan,
• Edwin Otto (b. 3 July 1891) - married Hulda Jordan,
• Charles (b. 27 June 1894) - married Bertha Fischer,
• Susanna died at the age of 4 months.

When the children were little and after the retirement, Otto and family lived in Mason, besides that, they lived in the Art area.

Emma von Donop and Peter Jordan (b. 17 January 1852, Fredericksburg) were married on 6 September 1877. Peter was the son of Ernst Jordan and Lisette Bickenbach. When Peter was four years old, his father bought land in Mason County and the family settled at Upper Willow Creek. Peter Jordan helped his father and was a driver in Jordan Sr.'s freighting business. In 1873, he worked at the family ranch as a cowboy and foreman.

Peter built a log house for his wife and himself. The furniture for the house he hauled from Austin.
In 1900, Peter Jordan's family was recorded in the Census (2). The family  (Peter, Emma and their 11 children) lived in Justice Precinct #6, Mason, Texas.

Nine years later Peter built a house in Mason and they all moved to town.
Peter and Emma Jordan had fourteen children:

• Reuben died when he was nine,
• Minnie - married Emil W Kothmann,
• Emma (b. 17 April 1880) - married Alex Durst,
• William E - married Ida Sophie Lehmberg,
• Ella (b. 30 January 1883) - married Daniel Friedrich Julius Lehmberg,
• Benjamin P,
• Louise (b. 5 January 1887) - married George Charles Stengel,
• Eli Ernst (b. 1 January 1889) - married Elna Louise Grote,
• Elizabeth (b. 11 November 1890) - married Samuel August Hoerster,
• Bertha - married Ben Grote,
• Pearl - married Daniel J Hoerster,
• Peter A (b. 14 July 1896) - married Foncine Robinson,
• Helen Jennie Esther (b. 9 June 1904) - married William Harold Zesch.

 

Emma Donop Jordan died on 29 June 1941 (3). Her husband passed about a year later, on 20 August 1942.

Bertha von Donop married Egon Hoermann on 19 October 1883 in Hilda Bethel Methodist Church, Mason (4).

They had two daughters Emilie Wilhelmine, b. 6 Dec 1889 (5) and Hedwig, b.16 Nov 1887 (6), and a son, Charles Moritz Kottke, b. 29 Aug 1891, Oakland, Alameda, CA (7).

In 1900 Bertha, Egon (a druggist), and the children mentioned above lived in Precinct # 3 Fruitvale town, Alameda, California, they had a boarder Christian Elnef, born in Germany. The record tells that Egon emigrated in 1885, Christian in 1878. The latter appears in the Census record as a bartender (8).

Egon and Bertha most parted their ways (?). Egon died in 1937 so the first marriage probably ended with a divorce. According to the information shared on Findagrave.com, Bertha married Christian (the former boarder) on 9 Nov 1901. 

Anyhow, ten years later In the Census of 1910, The Elnef family lived in Alameda Ward 1, Alameda, California. Chris was an electrician, Hattie a tailoress, and Charles was a plumber (9).

I tried to find out more about Christian - on 17 Sept. 1898 Christian Hansen Elnef was registered as a voter - carpenter. He had blue eyes, dark hair, was height 6 1/2, and he was naturalized on 7 December 1891 in Wyandotte (10).

Bertha passed on 21 July 1912.

I have not found any more information regarding Rosa Anna Emilie von Donop (besides her birth certificate record). Possibly the girl died young (?).

William von Donop was ten years old when his father and first school teacher, Otto Sr., died. After his death, the boy was a pupil of the Lower Willow Creek School. Later, Bill continued his education in Fredericksburg.

 

Afterward, William von Donop worked in his stepfather's freighting business as a wagon driver. They hauled the goods (such as dried hides, bees' wax, smoked and baked ham and bacon) to San Antonio and sold the products there.

Will's first cattle brand was T03 which was later replaced with W-.

 

On 11 April 1893, William von Donop married Auguste Bertha Kensing (11), the daughter of Friedrich Kensing and Mathilde Lemburg.

Auguste Bertha (Bertha) became a member of the Methodist Church in 1891.

At first, William and his wife lived in Otto Sr.'s house at Upper Willow Creek. The following children were born there

Minna Bessie, b. 9 December 1894 (married Dr. Baze on 7 November 1917),
Esther, b. 17 June 1898 (married Arch Reichenau in 1931),
Lilian, b. 12 May 1900 (married William Splittberger in 1928),
Susanne, b. 15 July 1902 (married Emeth Keller in 1923),
William Reuben (12), b. 2 Sept 1904 (m. Mary Kirkpatrick in 1931).

About 1899, William built a house on the Llano River, west of Mason. A baby girl, Mathilda Bertha was born in the new home on 19 January 1911. Sadly, the child died in infancy. Sometime after the girls' death, William sold their house and the family moved to Gooch Addition, Mason.
Olivia Vivian, another daughter was born there on 3 March 1913 (13) - she married Milton Zesch in 1935.

Three years later in 1916, Will purchased the OK Wagon Yard. He ran the business with his son William Jr. Besides stabling and taking care of the horses, they also sold food to traveling people passing Mason. They kept the Yard until 1918.
The William von Donops attended the Methodist Episcopal Church in Mason.
William passed on 2 May 1945 in Mason, TX (14).

Caroline Louise von Donop married Richard Ernest Grosse on 22 July 1886 in Hilda Methodist Church, Mason.
They had children

• Willie Mae (15), b. 25 May 1904 (married Harris Mohler),
• Richard Alfred (16), b. 2 Feb 1889 (married Mea Lyn Cox),
• Mina Laura (17), b. 6 Jul 1887,
• Alfred R (18), b. 2 February 1889,
• Alexander Egon (19), b. 15 Nov 1891 (m. Bertha Ann Willmann),
• Laura M (20),  b. 06 Jul 1888,
• Louise Antonia, b. 13 Oct 1897 (m. Max Theodor Pluenneke),
• Elsie E 1900, and another daughter 
• Willie M., born in 1904. 

In 1910 They all lived in Justice Precinct #1, Mason, Texas. Richard worked as a carpenter (21).

Caroline died four years after that Census, on 21 October 1914.

Alexander Julius Friedrich von Donop died in 1890 of ptomaine poisoning.

August Ernest von Donop was only 3 years old on the day when his father Otto Sr. left this world. When the boy was growing up, he helped his mother in the family shop in Plehweville. August attended a country school, later a college in Fredericksburg.

He was also a driver of a horse wagon - he took the produce from the Plehweville store to San Antonio.
August married Marya Elizabeth Lifeste (Leihfeste) in Hilda Bethel Methodist Church on 12 October 1889 (22). Maria's parents were Johann Heinrich Leihfeste and Margarethe Rheinhard.
Maria and August's house was built between Llano Road and Willow Creek.

In 1900, August, Maria and their daughters, Hedwig, Pearl, and Mina lived in Precinct #6, Mason, TX. Maria's father Henry (Heinrich, age 81) lived with them as well (23).

Hedwig Emilie was born on 23 October 1890 (24).

Pearly Mathilda was born on 11 October 1892 (25).

Mina Viola  - 27 March 1895 (26).

Perry Theodore - 11 May 1906 (27).

There is another record for the same day in May 1906. The boy's name is Perry Theophil not Theodore, though. Does it mean, twins were born to August and Maria? I am not sure (28).

Benjamin Elias - 13 January 1902 (29).

Tarney Gordon - 16 November 1910 (30).

The 1910 Census data states that August, Mary and children, Hedwig, Pearl, Mina, Ben and Perry lived in Precinct #6, Mason, TX (31).

A year later, a son, Gordon Thomas was born on 16 Nov 1911 (32).

August drove his cattle to Fort Worth (via Burnet and Brady) market.
After Hattie's (Hedwig's) death, the family moved to Llano. Mr. August E von Donop lived an active life till the ripe and old age. He was a religious man, a Methodist lay minister. August helped to build quite a few churches (in Art, Hilda, Hoersterville, Mason, and Llano), he hauled lumber for their construction and support the churches financially.

August Ernest (von) Donop passed on 20 Sep 1956. He was buried in the Llano cemetery. His wife Mary lived till 17 Jul 1945.

 

More about their children

Hattie (Hedwig) married John Henry Emil Willmann, she died at childbirth on 10 May 1924.
Pearl married Miles Elliott Buttery.
Minnie married Edwin George Beerwinkle.
Ben married Willie Lee.
Perry T married Edna H. Buerschwake.
Gordon T married Lugenia Stribling

 Resources:

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

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plehwe_Complex

2. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-DJ5 : accessed 1 November 2020), Emma Jordan in the household of Peter Jordan, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet 1B, family 9, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7DC-TMQ : 13 March 2018), Emma Jordan, 29 Jun 1941; citing certificate number 28693, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,138,612.
Her husband passed about a year later, on 20 August 1942.
Bertha von Donop married Egon Hoermann on 19 October 1883 in Hilda Bethel Methodist Church, Mason.

4. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-LF3 : 22 January 2020), Bertha Von Donop in entry for Egon Hoermann, 1883.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-D5PZ : 14 February 2020), Bertha Donop in the entry for Emilie Wilhelmine Hoermann, 1889.

 

6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-H3MM : 14 February 2020), Bertha Donop in the entry for Hedwig Hoermann, 1887.

 

7. "California Births and Christenings, 1812-1988", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4VGG-RD3Z : 11 January 2020), Egon Hoermann in the entry for Carl Moritz Koltke Hoermann, 1891.

 

8. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9P9-4PJ : accessed 5 November 2020), Christian Elnef in household of Eldon Hoerman, Precinct 3 Fruitvale town, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 326, sheet 9A, family 192, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,081. 

 

9. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MV2M-CWF : accessed 1 November 2020), Chris Elnef, Alameda Ward 1, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 3B, family 78, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 69; FHL microfilm 1,374,082.

10. "California Great Registers, 1850-1920," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNFX-VJS : 25 July 2019), Christian Hansen Elnef, 17 Sep 1898; citing Voter Registration, S S High, Alameda, California, United States, county clerk offices, California; FHL microfilm 976,452.

 

11. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-FX2 : 22 January 2020), William Donop, 1893.

 

12. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX99-283 : 4 April 2020), Wm Donop in the entry for Willie Reuben Donop, 02 Sep 1904; citing Plehweville, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 103835, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,371,100.

 

13. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLS4-8RX : 4 April 2020), Willie Donop in entry for Olivia Vivian Donop, 03 Mar 1913; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 49437, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,149,950.

 

14. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ69-6Y4 : 24 May 2014), William Donop, 02 May 1945; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 22213, Mason, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.

 

15. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX99-L4C : 4 April 2020), Louise Donop in entry for Willie Mae Grosse, 25 May 1904; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 103852, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,371,100.

 

16. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-FSPZ : 14 February 2020), Louise V. Donop in entry for Richard Alfred Grosse, 1889.

 

17. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-NLPZ : 14 February 2020), Louise V. Donop in entry for Minna Laura Grosse, 1887.

 

18. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K369-VX9 : 13 March 2018), Louise Dunop in entry for Alfred R Grosse, 12 Apr 1943; citing certificate number 20246, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,137,305.

 

19. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33X-QX8 : 13 March 2018), Louise Donop in entry for Alexander Egon Grosse, 26 Oct 1957; citing certificate number 56676, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,871.

 

20. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K78K-C64 : 13 March 2018), Louise Donop in entry for Laura M Eckert, 06 Feb 1972; citing certificate number 13827, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,223,616.

 

21. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-K4K : accessed 5 November 2020), Willie M Grosse in household of Richard E Grosse, Justice Precinct 1, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 197, sheet 4B, family 99, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589. 

 

22. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-H3M : 22 January 2020), August Donop, 1889.

 

23. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-5CL : accessed 3 November 2020), August Donap, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet 4A, family 40, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.

 

24. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DD2M : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Hedwig Emilie Donop, 1890.

 

25. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-K5MM : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Pearly Mathilda Donop, 1892.

 

26. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-KBZM : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Minna Viola Donop, 1895.

 

27. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX9S-LV7 : 4 April 2020), August Donop in entry for Perry Theodore Donop, 11 May 1906; citing Hedwigs Hill, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 104216, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,371,100.

 

28. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-Q5N2 : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Perry Theophil Donop, 1906

 

29. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-XCMM : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Benjamin Elias Donop, 1902.

 

30. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGH-QXPZ : 14 February 2020), August Donop in entry for Tarney Gorden Donop, 1910.

 

31. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-VSJ : accessed 3 November 2020), Aug Donap, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 202, sheet 3A, family 34, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589.

 

32. findagrave.com

Arhelger Family

Johann Jacob Arhelger  was born on 16 May 1796  in Rittershausen, Germany. His parents were Johann Jakob Arhelger (b. 1754/d. 1810) from Bergebersbach and Anna Maria Schlappig (b. 1763/d. 1814). The couple were married on 27 August 1820 in Begebersbach, Germany.

Johann Jacob Jr. was a farmer in Ritterhausen. He married Elisabeth Müller (b. 9 October 1794 in Rittershausen. Elisabeth was the daughter of Peter Müller (b. 1765/d. 1837), a cartwright, and his second wife Elizabeth Kunz (b. 1761/d. 1823 in Rittershausen).

Johann Jacob and Elizabeth had eight children. Their third son Heinrich (b. 27 Nov 1825) died in Rittershausen on 22 April 1830. The Arhelger family (Johann Jacob, Elisabeth, and their seven children) emigrated to Texas on the ship Herschel. Their sea journey started in Bremen in August 1845, and they traveled to Galveston, and later to New Braunfels.

The Arhelgers came to the Fredericksburg area with the very first settlers on 8 May 1846. The father and adult sons were granted land/town lots. At first, the men built a Mexican-type hut for a temporary shelter, then a log cabin was constructed. Johann Jacob took care of his farm. With the help of his sons he fenced it with rock and rail fences, built pens for cattle and other livestock, planted crops. He died on 30 June 1857 in Fredericksburg. His wife Elisabeth passed four years later on 13 February 1861.

Fredericksburg City Cemetery

 

The Arhelgers' children who came to Texas were:

Jakob  - b. 31 March 1817/d. 10 December 1894 Fredericksburg 

He was 29 when the family arrived in Texas. Jacob was part of the scouting group who cleared the trail leading to the Fredericksburg area.

Johann Jacob married Karolina Stahl on 17 April 1854 in Fredericksburg (1).

Daniel  was born on 17 February 1821. In Texas, he married Christine Müller (b. 1819 in Prussia). the marriage took place probably before 1850.

In 1860, Daniel and Christine lived in Precinct #2, Gillespie County. Daniel was a farmer (2).

Four years later, during the Civil War, Daniel was Private in Company B (II), Gillespie County, 3rd Frontier District Texas State Troops (3).

Daniel Arhelger died on 8 Sept 1909 Fredericksburg, TX. He lived 88 years.

Clipping source:  Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse für Texas. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 45, No. 8332, Ed. 1 Saturday, September 11, 1909, newspaper, September 11, 1909; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1084815/: accessed October 28, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Elizabethe (b. 1 December 1827). 

On 16 October 1847 (4), she married Louis Martin (b. 20 November 1820) from Erndterruck, the son of Nicholas Martin and Hedwig Sinner. 

Louis came to Texas on the deck of Johann Dethardt. He arrived in Galveston on 23 November 1844.  Martin was the first Sheriff of Gillespie County and a District Clerk (1850) He was also a farmer and rancher, and had a freight business. In 1856, Martin signed a contract with the US - he delivered beef to the army stations along the frontier including Fort Martin and the settlers of Fredericksburg (among others). Martin was also involved in buying and selling land. In 1853, he became a legal guardian of Johann/John Grün after the death of John's father Frederick (5).

In 1853, Elizabethe and Louis Martin moved to Mason. The place where they lived was called Martin's Farm at Hedwig's Hill,  (named for Louis' mother Hedwig). Louis Martin was the first postmaster of Hedwig's Hill. From 1861 to 1862, he was Mason County Justice of the Peace. In 1861 he also served with captain Alf Hunter's Minutemen.

On 16 June 1864, Louis and his nephew were on a freighting trip to Mexico transporting cotton. The men had gold hidden under the layers of bacon. The freighters were ambushed by a mob near Eagle Pass and hanged by a gang of outlaws.

 

 

Elizabeth had their bodies recovered and buried at the Cemetery in Fredericksburg. Later Louis remains were moved to the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock (6).

 

Elizabeth Martin died on 24 December 1908 in Brenham, TX.

 

 

Clipping Source: Tucker, George. Brenham Evening Press. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 187, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 31, 1908, newspaper, December 31, 1908; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth519890/: accessed October 28, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

Katharine (b. 11 November 1830/d. June 1877, Simonsville, TX) - married Adolph Albert von Reichenau on 16 October 1848 (7). 

Adolph A Reichenau was born on 16 Nov 1824 at Frankfurt on the Main, Dillenburg, Germany. At the age of 16, he traveled to new York where he lived with his uncle for about two years. Then, he moved to New Orleans and joined the Minute Men. In 1846, Adolph fought in Mexican-American War including the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de Palma, and in Monterrey. During that time the man was wounded three times.

Adolph married Katharine, when he stationed at Castell. Later, in the very same year, he went on the Texas Chihuaha Expedition.

The young Reichenau family had their first house at Live Oak Creek. Four children were born to Katharine and Adolph there - Mathilda, Adolph, Gustav, and Augusta. They all moved to Castell in 1856. During the Civil War, Adolph Sr. served with the Llano County Minute Men. There more children arrived - Emma, Ida, and Albert.

Later, Adolph bought 15 sections of land in Kimble County and the family relocated there. Adolph was a cattle raiser and freight hauler. He was also a chief drover on the Chisholm Trail to Kansas. In Kimble, two sons, Alex and Max, were born.

During the Mason County War, The Reihenaus' house was raided and there was a shooting attempt to kill Adolph. Luckily, the man had managed to move the family to hiding, and nobody got hurt.

By 1867 the Indians had become hostile and life in the area was no longer safe. Adolph sold their land, the family put their belongings on the cart, and they walked to the Hedwig's Hill settlement on the Llano River. Adolph built a rock house by the river and bought a ranch at Simonsville. New babies were born there - Emil and Olga. Baby Emil and his mother Katherine died (1877) of the typhoid and were buried at the Reichenau Cemetery.

Two years later, on 25 August 1879, Adolph married Johanna Moldenhauer (b. 1849/d. 1943).
The two had four children Hugo, Katherine, Willie, and a baby girl who died.

Adolph was a respected man - he served as President of a school trustee and was elected a Justice of the Peace. He was a co-organizer of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He died on 23 December 1904 at the ranch where he lived.

Heinrich  - born on 17 October 1833. In Texas, he was a farmer on Grape Creek. He married Karoline Itz in Fredericksburg on 17 April 1854 (8). Karoline came to Texas from Westerburg, Germany. She was born in 1834/d. 1910.

Marriage license was granted on 14 April 1854

Heinrich was killed by Indians on 13 February 1863. The man was in the frontier ranger service - on the day of his death, Heinrich and his associate were scouting not far from Fredericksburg. The two were suddenly attacked by Comanches. Heinrich's companion who rode a fast horse was able to escape. Sadly, Heinrich with the mule he rode was condemned to death. Despite that, he fought fiercely, trying to defend himself. Henry killed one Indian and wounded others. Finally, the Indians left and did not scalp Heinrich. He, despite being wounded, managed to move away from the place of the attack. Henry was found dead with thirteen arrows in his body (8). After his death, Karoline married Christian Reeh from Brethausen, Germany.

Wilhelm - b. 6 April 1838/d. 20 December 1918. He was a cartwright and a cabinet maker, for some time a Texas Ranger. He married Katharine Grün (b. 1842/d. 1903) from Altendiez on 14 May 1865 in Fredericksburg (9).

 

In the Civil War, William was Private in Company A, Gillespie County, 3rd Frontier District Texas State Troops, which he joined in 1864.

 

August (b. 1 August 1843) - a cartwright and a Fredericksburg storekeeper.

From 1861 to 1862 August was with Texas Rangers. On 1 May 1862, he joined Company E, Buechel's 1st Regiment, Texas Cavalry/later, 8th Battalion,Company C, Texas Cavalry (Taylor's Battalion, Mounted Rifles).

When his Company stationed in San Antonio, he married Therese Schulze who was the daughter of Ferdinand Schulze and Eleonora Grossman. The marriage took place on 6 July 1868 (9).

The Schulze family came to Texas in 1846 on the vessel Eliza-Charlotte.
Theresa and August had three children: Theresa Rosa, Max and Ernest. The latter died in infancy. Theresa passed when he was giving birth to Ernest. 

A year later, in 1877, August married Therea's sister Alvina Schulze.

August, Alvina and children moved to Mason in 1878 where the man started a tool and blacksmith shop and built a rock house. The children born to the union of Alvina and August were Gustav, Ella, Harry, and Meda. Three of them died in infancy.

Besides his work in the shop, August did hunting. He died on 11 April 1908 and was buried in the Gooch Cemetery in Mason.

Clipping source:  The Daily Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 106, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 15, 1908, newspaper, April 15, 1908; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441661/: accessed October 30, 2020), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

 

Jacob , Heinrich, and Daniel Arhelger were among the signers of the petition (submitted to the Texas Legislature on 15 Dec 1847) requesting the founding/formation of Gillespie County in Texas (10). 

The family connection from the Arhelger family goes again to our cousin Rufus Monroe Angel:

Johann Jacob Ahrelger

⇒ his daughter Elisabeth (Arhelger) Martin
⇒ her daughter Hedwig Martin
⇒ her husband Julius Kordzik
⇒ his sister Therese Marie (Kordzik) Nimitz
⇒ her husband Ernest Albert Nimitz
⇒ his sister Anna Bertha (Nimitz) Nauwald
⇒ her husband Friedrich Luckenbach
⇒ his brother Louis Karl Luckenbach
⇒ his wife Jeannie Katherine (Hart) Luckenbach
⇒ her sister Elizabeth (Hart) Angel
⇒ her husband Rufus Monroe Angel

UPDATE

On All Sants' Day, we visited the Catholic Cemetery in Fredericksburg where we found Katherine and Adolph Reichenau's grandson Clarence John's grave. Clarence's spouse was Miss Dorothy Louise Koch who was interred next to Clarence. His father was Harry Gustav Willie Reichenau. Clarence and Dorothy's infant son Robert found his eternal resting place in the family grave as well.

Resources:

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

"From Dillenburg to Texas. Emigration in the District of Dillenburg from 1845 to 1846" Ursula Hatzfeld, translated by Henry Salzhandler, El Gritodel Lobo Press, 2015. 

1. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-V7C : 22 December 2016), Jacob Arhelger and Caroline Stahl, 17 Apr 1854; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801. 

2. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-Y5Y : 18 March 2020), Daniel Ahrhelger, 1860.

3. Texas Rangers

4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL83-54M : 4 November 2017), Louis Martin and Elisabeth Arhelger, 16 Oct 1844; citing Bexar, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 24,917

5. "Death of a Texas Ranger: A True Story of  Murder and Vengeance on the Texas Frontier", Cynthia Leal Massey, Rowman & Littlefield, 2014

6. Wikipedia

7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-V78 : 22 December 2016), Heinrich Arhelger and Caroline Itz, 17 Apr 1854; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

8. "German Pioneers in Texas", Don H. Biggers, Gillespie County Edition, Press of the Fredericksburg Publishing Co., 1925

9. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LZ4 : 22 December 2016), Wilhelm Arhelger and Katharine Grun, 14 May 1865; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801. 

10. Texas Genealogy Trails