Frank Emil Jordan

Frank Emil was the son of Daniel Jordan and Emilie Willmann. He was born on 19 February 1896 in Plehweville. The boy received his primary education in the one-room school in Plehweville. Later, he studied at Mason High School, Cherokee Junior College, and Southern Methodist University. 

When WW1 time came, Frank was registered by the Army on 5th June 1918 (1).

He was enlisted a few months later, on 3 September. Private Frank Emil Jordan served with the Headquarters Detachment 19 Field Artillery. Luckily, the war ended in November, and he was not sent overseas (2).

 

After his honorable discharge on 7 February 1919 (2), Frank came back to Mason County and helped his parents with ranching.

On 17 December 1919, 23-year-old Frank got married. His bride was 19-year-old Miss Ella Lillie Eckert (b. 16 January 1900) the daughter of John Dietrich and Mathilda (Kothmann) Eckert. The Eckerts also lived in Plehweville, and young Ella was a graduate of the San Antonio Women's College.

Frank bought a few tracts of land, ranched and raised cattle.

27 January 1920 - Frank and Ella lived in Justice Precinct #7, Mason County, next to his parents Dan and Emilie, and siblings Milton, Gilbert, and Emelia (3).

♦ Son John Driskell was born to Frank and Ella on 30 December 1920 (4, 5).

Some animals of Frank's livestock were awarded the championship medals in the national Stock Show contests. Frank E Jordan was also a judge in the stock show competitions.  

♦ The first daughter Ethel Mae was born on 6 January 1928 in Art (6).

 

♦ The second daughter Louis Laverne was born on 23 April 1932 in Mason (7).

♦ Son Willard Kenneth was born on 27 October 1934 in Art (8).

Four years later, on ♦ 17 June, Frank's father Daniel died. He was buried in Art West Cemetery.

1935 - the Jordan family had their reunion which was noted in the local newspaper.

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 8, 1935, newspaper, August 8, 1935; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth823818/: accessed December 1, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

 Census 1940, 10 April - Frank (age 43), Ella (age 40) and children JD (age 19), Ethel Mae (age 12), Louis Lorene (age 7), and Willard Kenneth (age 5) were registered at their homestead in Justice Precinct #7 (9).

♦ Two years later, on 6 December, Mrs. Mathilda Kothamnn Eckert, Ella's mother passed.

♡ John Driskell married Carolyn Joyce La Barr a few weeks later on Christmas Eve. John was a Texas Farm Bureau field representative and operated a registered Hereford Ranch. The couple had 3 children.

December 1948 brought death to the family again. Ella's father, ♦ John Dietrich Eckert died on the first day of the month.

Frank and Ella Jordan were very active regarding their social and community life.

The man was a co-organizer of Mid Texas and the Hill Country Hereford Associations. Mr. Jordan was also their first president and the director of the Concho Hereford Association as well.  

♡ Ethel Mae got married when she was 22. On 21 December 1950, she became the wife of Harold Newman Byrn (born on 27 March 1922 in Wade, Oklahoma). At the time of the marriage, Harold was a student of seminary at the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, TX. He graduated from the school in 1951 with Bachelor's degree and high honors. Then, the two lived in Arizona and Southern California, where Harold served as a minister (10). The couple had 1 child.

♡ Willard married Miss Peggy Joyce Chew on 7 April 1954. She was born on 5 February 1935, to Dayton Cecil and Ruby Edna (Wainscott) Chew. Willard and Peggy had 2 children. Mr. Willard Jordan was the runner-up to the World Champion Auctioneer. He owned and operated the Junction Stockyard.

♡ Louis Laverne Jordan married William Wayne Koock in 1959. The bride was 27, her spouse (11) was 2 years younger (born on 22 January 1934, to William K Koock and Vera Henrietta Dannheim). William worked for Dr. Pepper Company. They had 3 children.

Death once more on ♦ 6 June 1963 - Mrs. Emilie Willman Jordan, Frank's mother passed on that day.

Frank and Ella celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on 17 December 1969.

1972 - Frank was granted life membership of the Texas Hereford Association for his contribution to the Herefords promotion. Ella became the first member of the Texas Hereford Auxiliary and was awarded a  gold plaque for her efforts related to the Hereford business. The lady taught music at home, she was a pianist and the organist at the local church. Mrs. Ella Jordan was a very active lady. She was a Sunday School teacher, the President of the Mason Methodist Women's Missionary Society, and its district officer for eight years. Moreover, she was the president of the Federated Women's Club,  the director of the local Historical Society, and was involved in the works of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Frank Jordan was elected (twice) a delegate to the Methodist General Conference and was vice president of the Conference Youth Work Board. Many times he was a delegate to the Church Annual Conference as well. He was also a member of the Methodist Hospitals and Homes Conference Board. Adittionally, Mr. Jordan was the director of the San Saba Production Credit Association (for 9 years), and its president for 2 years. He held the position of Mason County Fair Board director and the director of the Mason County Historical Society.

If that was not enough, Frank and Ella took care of 3400 acres they acquired during their marriage. Despite being so busy, the couple managed to find time to do some trips around the US. They also visited Canada and Mexico. 

Frank Emil Jordan passed over on ♦ 28 February 1987 in Gillespie County, TX (12). Ella lived about ten years longer. She died on ♦ 24 May 1997 (13).

Sources:

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

Mason County Marriages 

Findagrave.com

1. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-YQG : 23 February 2021), Frank Emil Jordan, 1917-1918.

2, "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-XD1D : 9 March 2021), Frank Emil Jordan, 03 Sep 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.

3. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBQ-4DX : accessed 27 November 2021), Frank Jordan, Mason, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm .

4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2TT-4D9 : 1 March 2021), Frank Emel Jordon in entry for J D Jordon, 30 Dec 1920; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 68562, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,519,763.

5. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2TT-4D3 : 1 March 2021), John Driskell Jordan, 30 Dec 1920; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 68562, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,519,763.

6. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH8H-M8J : 1 March 2021), Ethyl Mae Jordan, 06 Jan 1928; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 5746, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,240,509.

7.  "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6G8-CTP : 1 March 2021), Lois Laverne Jordan, 23 Apr 1932; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 31920, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,281,854.

8. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6G7-ZJZ : 1 March 2021), Frank Emil Jordan in entry for Willard Kenneth Jordan, 27 Oct 1934; citing Art, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 85214, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,283,676.

9. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4S4-SSJ : 10 January 2021), Frank E Jordon, Justice Precinct 7, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 160-7, sheet 2A, line 3, family 23, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 4103.

10. Rev. Harold N Byrn - obituary

11. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VDGZ-3YT : 1 January 2015), William Wayne Koock, 22 Jan 1934; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services

12. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVTP-NY9 : 5 December 2014), Frank Emil Jordan, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

13. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JV5W-MZ2 : 5 December 2014), Ella Lillie Jordan, Mason, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

Christian Friedrich Loeffler

Christian Friedrich came to this world on 9 December 1854 in Comal County, TX. His father Johann Martin was a farmer, his mother Johanna Christiana passed on ♦ 1 January 1856.

Since then, until the day when Johann Martin Loeffler married again (25 November 1859), little Christian was taken care of by Mrs. Christian Schlaudt. The boy grew up in Fredericksburg.

In 1860, he lived with his father, stepmother Juliane, and siblings in Fredericksburg, Precinct No. 2, Gillespie County. The siblings were Paul (age 13), Rosina (age 10), and stepsisters Auguste (age 13), and Sabine (age 10) Stalp (1).

When Christian got older, he moved to the Mason County area. In 1878 (2), Christian married Miss Maria Geistweidt, who was the eldest child of Wilhelm and Anna Elizabeth (Rohring) Geistweidt. Maria was born exactly a year later than her spouse, on 9 December 1855 in Fredericksburg and she lived with her family by Beaver Creek (Hilda Community).

The wedding ceremony took place in the Geistweidts' home.  When the couple moved to Hilda, they joined St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

♦ 26 February 1879 - son Frank Adolph Heinrich was born (3).

Census June 1880. At that time Christian, Marie, and their baby Frank lived in Justice Precinct #4, Mason County. The family had two borders/hired hands - 22-year-old Henry Geistweidt (who was Marie's brother) and 40-year-old Louis Mund (4).

♦ 12 November 1880 - daughter Ida Elizabeth was born. Grievously, the girl died on ♦ 5 March 1882.

♦ 11 August 1883 - daughter Maria Olga was born (5).

In the very same year, Christian and Marie became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Beaver Creek (Hilda Community). Christian built rock fences and pens in the area. The man ranched, grew cotton which he hauled to Fredericksburg. Occasionally, he also carried mail (with his cotton haul) from Loyal Valley.

♦ 28 April 1886 - son Edwin August was born (6).

♦ 2 February 1888 son Karl Daniel was born in Hilda, Mason County. (7)

♦ 10 August 1890 - son Wilhelm Elias was born (8).

Mourning time came back on ♦ 10 July 1892 - Christian and Marie's 8-year-old Olga died.

♦ 8 July 1893 - daughter Hulda Emma was born in Hilda. She died a few days later on ♦ 14 July (9).

♦ 15 November 1895 - son Johann Willy was born (10).

Census 1900 - the family still lived in Justice Precinct #4. The oldest son Frank was 21, and he worked as a farm laborer (11).

In 1903, Christian and Marie moved to another location. They had sold their homestead to Frank.

♡ 23 June 1904, Frank Henry married Miss Cornelie Ernestine Pluenneke (born on 9 February 1882), the daughter of Heinrich Konrad Plurnneke Jr. and his wife Karoline Henriette Wiessemann. Frank and Nellie had 5 children.

♡ Karl Daniel got married on 23 March 1910 in Doss. His wife was Miss Meta Itz (born on 8 January 1892). They had 4 children. 

A month later, on 28 April, a census clerk by the name SC Brockman came to Christian's home. The official registered the head of the family, 31-year-old then Christian F, his wife Mary, and two sons 19-year-old Ely (Wilhelm Elias) and 14-year-old Willie (Johann Willy) in Justice Precinct #3, Mason, TX. Christian and Marie's oldest son lived with his wife Nellie and their kids Ben, Earl, and Lolita not far from the parents' house (12).

♡ Edwin August married Miss Ida Amelia Brandenberger on 1 January 1913. She was born on 25 August 1890 to James Brandenberger and Martha Leifeste. Edwin and Ida had 5 children.

The next son whose wedding the family celebrated on ♡ 23 May 1917 was Wilhelm "Lee". He was married to Jennie Mae Gipson (born on 13 September 1895 in Quitman, TX, to Beck Gipson and Emma Mayberry). The two had 3 children.

5 June 1917 - WW1 Military Draft registration day for Karl Daniel (13), (14) Johann Willy (Will John), and (15) Wilhelm Elias (Lee Will).

 

23 July 1918, Johann Willy was inducted into the Army. Lee Will was called by the Military about a month later, on 5 September. At first, both brothers served with 165th Department Brigade. Then, Johan Willy was assigned to Battery E 126th Field Artillery. He was sent overseas on 24 September 1918 where he was with his military unit until 5 January 1919. Private Johann Willy Loeffler was honorably discharged a month later, on 4 February (16, 17).

Lee was with 165th Department Brigade a bit longer than his brother, until 5 November 1918. After that, he served with the Quartermaster Corps at Camp Johnston in Florida. The man was honorably discharged on 2 January 1919 (18, 19).

12 September 1918 - Frank Adolph Henry (20) and Edwin August (21) were registered by the Army.

 

 

Census 1920 - only the youngest son, 23-year-old  Willy lived with the parents Christian and Marie Loeffler. The young man was a farmhand, the father of the family was registered as a stock farmer (22).

Two years later, on 22 February, ♡ Johann Willy was married to Hilda Alma Anna Eckert. She was born on 23 August 1895 to Wilhelm Philipp Eckert and Christiana Lemberg. Johann and Hilda had 2 children.

In May of 1928, Christian Friedrich and Marie Loeffler celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Christian and Marie moved three times. Census 1930 found them in Justice Precinct #7 of Mason County. They lived at the home of their 35-year-old son Willy, with Alma, daughter-in-law, and the grandchildren William P (age 5), and Myrtle Mae (age 2). Christian was 75, Marie 74 (23).

On ♦ 27 January 1934, Marie Loeffler was granted lifetime membership of the Women's Society of Christ Service.

Christian Fritz Loeffler lived 80 years 10 months and 25 days. He died of apoplexy on ♦  4 November 1935 (24). 

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 14, 1935, newspaper, November 14, 1935; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth824033/: accessed November 20, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

Marie Loeffler passed on 5 February 1946. She lived 90 years 10 months and 27 days (25). The couple was buried at the Hilda Cemetery in Mason County.

 

Resources:

"Our Loeffler Family 1854-1979. One Hundred Twenty-Five Years in Texas", Ruby Neal Sorrels, 1979,

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

1. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-G1X : 18 February 2021), Christian Laeffler in entry for John Laeffler, 1860.

2. Mason County marriages

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3F9-K6X : 20 February 2021), Frank H Loeffler, 13 Mar 1967; citing certificate number 18777, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,138,495. 

4. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ9-MYS : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 499D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-RK6Z : 14 February 2020), Chr. Loffler in entry for Maria Olga Loffler, 1883.

6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-TQMM : 14 February 2020), Christian Loffler in entry for Edwin August Loffler, 1886.

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-LMT2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Karl Daniel Loeffler, 1888.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGH-7GN2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Wilhelm Elias Loeffler, 1890.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-GR6Z : 14 February 2020), Christian Loeffler in entry for Hulda Emma Loeffler, 1893.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-48W2 : 14 February 2020), Christian Loffler in entry for Johann Willy Loffler, 1895 

11. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-69P : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian Loefler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet 7A, family 75, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658.

12.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-6JT : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian F Loefler, Justice Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 203, sheet 4A, family 48, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589. 

13. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y69 : 23 February 2021), Dan Charles Loeffler, 1917-1918.

14. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6H : 23 February 2021), Will John Loeffler, 1917-1918.

15. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6Q : 23 February 2021), Lee Will Loeffler, 1917-1918.

16. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-X5Z1 : 9 March 2021), Will John Loeffler, 23 Jul 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin

17. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:71N8-6D3Z : 23 October 2019), Will John Loeffler, 4 Feb 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

18. "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV18-X5ZB : 9 March 2021), Lee Will Loeffler, 05 Sep 1918; citing Military Service, Mason, , Texas, United States, Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.

19. "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:71DX-KSN2 : 23 October 2019), Lee Will Loeffler, 2 Jan 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.

20. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y6S : 23 February 2021), Frank Adolph Henry Loeffler, 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-Y6M : 23 February 2021), Edwin August Loeffler, 1917-1918.

22. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHBQ-ZG6 : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian F Loeffler, Mason, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm .

23. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HXRV-RZM : accessed 14 November 2021), Christian Loeffler in household of William Loeffler, Precinct 7, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 5B, line 84, family 114, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2375; FHL microfilm 2,342,109. 

24. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HF-3L6 : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, 04 Nov 1935; citing certificate number 52816, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,707. 

25. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HF-3L6 : 20 February 2021), Christian Loeffler, 04 Nov 1935; citing certificate number 52816, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,707.

Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria

We came back to Panna Maria after nine years, to participate in the opening ceremony of the Polish Heritage Center. On the day of the first visit there, during our honeymoon, we met very few people, maybe four. The second visit was very different as quite a crowd gathered for the opening day celebrations.

 

The event and the call were quite meaningful to us, and they did appear to be full of coincidences or some kind of messages from above. Well, we knew nothing about the origins of the Center besides the fact that the first Polish Silesian settlers in Texas founded Panna Maria. During the opening ceremony, we learned that it was Bishop Emeritus John Yanta who had given the idea of creating the Polish Heritage place. The thought came to him nine years ago - at the same time, when I was still in Poland, we started preparing for our life together and initiated the legal procedure of my coming here.

After the official part, there was sightseeing and looking around time, and the artistic program presented by the Polish folk group from Dallas. Quite accidentally, we met an old acquaintance, who was that group member. The three of us had used to be part of the original Polish-American Dance Ensemble which had its base in the Dallas area.

We also re-experienced the places that we visited during our first Panna Maria call - the old Pilarczyk store and visitors center, the old church, and the school that years ago, was the only museum place there.

 

Some things have changed within those years. New statues near the church had been founded. We also noticed many changes in the Panna Maria area, including the oil rigs that had emerged around.

I like that part of the Heritage display. However, it is a bit confusing. The nun is pointing at the word "słoń" (=elephant). The word "koń" (=horse) is next to it, to the left. Was it meant to be like that?

The Polish Heritage Center is quite an impressive and interesting place. We were glad we could be in Panna Maria on that special day. Another coincidence was that I had not looked for the information about the place/event. I simply did not know it was being built. It found me on its own, by chance. Or maybe not. Maybe we were meant to be there.

More about our first visit to Panna Maria, years ago, in the old post here.

Painted Church in Praha, TX

At the time when I lived in Europe, I did not an opportunity to visit Prague in the Czech Republic or earlier, when it was Czechoslovakia. However, last summer, we did go to Praha in Texas.

 

The St. Mary's of the Assumption church is our most favorite one of all the painted churches we have seen so far.

It was built in 1895, painted by Gottfried Flury, who was an artist of Swiss origin.

 

Just to let you see some of the church interior.

The St. Mary's was the third painted church we visited on that day. Outside the church, there is a lovely little place dedicated to Holy Mary.

After the visit and the spiritual and esthetic experience we also visited the ones who were buried at the local cemetery. 

Then, it was finally time to play in the church yard!

After that, we went to see the Texas Czech Culture and Heritage Place in La Grange. However, more about that another time, in a different post.

Wilhelm W Geistweidt

Erndtebrück in Westphalia, Prussia, has already been mentioned in the blog posts. There, among other people, was born (on 1 November 1791) and lived Johann Heinrich Geistweid, a shoemaker. When he was 34, the man married Miss Gertrude Roth, the daughter of a charcoal burner Herr Friedrich Roth and Margarethe Weyandt. The marriage ceremony took place on 21 June 1826. Gertrude, the bride (born on 8 August 1807), was 18 then.

The couple had three children. Their oldest son Jacob came to this world in Erndterbruck on 19 March 1826, Johann Heinrich was born on 8 September 1829, and the youngest boy Wilhelm on 30 August 1833. The boys were baptized at the Evangelical church. Wilhelm's baptismal ceremony took place on 1 September and it was Pastor Basse who christened him.

When Wilhelm was 11, on 11 November 1844, his mother passed. About five years later on 17 June 1849, the father Johann Heinrich died as well. Possibly, it was a sister of the boys' mother (Christina) who took care of the nephews then.

Johann Heinrich and Wilhelm decided to leave Prussia and emigrate to Texas. I have already written about that in the article regarding the elder brother Johann Heinrich. Jacob stayed in Erndterbrück.

 

The two brothers arrived in Galveston on 18 December 1853. Later, they went to New Braunfels and then, Fredericksburg. Both Johann and Wilhelm worked there, doing odd jobs, to make the ends meet. They attended Zion Lutheran Church, where Wilhelm met Anna Elizabeth Röhrig, his future wife. Anna (born on 7 September 1838 in Röhrigshof) was the daughter of Gerhard Röhrig and Anna Elisbeth Kolb.

The young ones, Wilhelm and Anna, were married on 29 December 1854 (1) by Pastor Zizelmann. 

 

They settled on Beaver Creek, where they built a house a few years after their marriage.

♦ Daughter Marie was born to Wilhelm and Anna Elizabeth on 9 December 1855.

♦ Second child and daughter as well came to the family in December, two years later. It happened on Christmas Eve and the girl was named Wilhelmina Louise.

1858 - Wilhelm bought 320 acres from his father-in-law Gerhardt (2).

Two years later, the man was granted American citizenship, and then, the spelling of his surname was changed from Geisweidt to Geistweidt.

♦ Third daughter Elizabeth was born on the second day of Christmas in 1862.

In 1864, the man served with Mason County Minute Man, he was on the Fort Mason Muster Roll. 

♦ The first son Johann Heinrich was born on 1 January 1866.

♦ Another boy, William Jr., arrived on 3 January 1869.

Census 5 June 1870 (3) - Elizabeth, Wilhelm, and their 5 children were recorded in Mason County (post office Loyal Valley).

♦ The third son was born to Wilhelm and Anna on 21 February 1872. 

Wilhelm and Anna Elisabeth Geistweidt were of Lutheran faith. They helped to organize St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mason.

Anna's mother passed in 1873, subsequently, Mr. Gerhard Röhrig gave some of his land and livestock to his daughter and her husband Wilhelm.

In about 1873, Anna's father Gerhard married the second time. His new wife was Carolina Heisig. 

♦ Daughter Olga was born on 19 September 1874. 

♦ Son Frank joined the family on 4 June 1877.

Wilhelm was a farmer. He owned 109 leagues (3) of land (1 league = 4,428 acres).

Clipping source: The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 36, No. 217, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 1, 1877, newspaper, December 1, 1877; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth464444/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

♡ 17 May 1878, Marie, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Christian Friedrich Löffler. I am going to write more about them and their eight children in the next post.

About a year later, on ♡ 27 November 1879, Mina Louise started her own family too. Her husband was Fritz W Leifeste, born on 14 February 1858. The two had eight children:

• Adele (b. 23 August 1880),
  
• Albert Maximilian (b. 21 December 1881),
• Lee Frederick (b. 13 January 1885),
• Monroe Reubin (b. 12 February 1887),
• James W (b. 27 January 1889),
• John Wesley (b. 17 July 1891),
• Emma Elizabeth (b. 15 July 1894),
• Minna Medora (24 June 1897).
  

1880 Justice Precinct No. 4, Mason County Wilhelm and family 6 children + two laborers Antonio Gorsa (23) and William Arudo (4).

♦ The youngest child Emma Christina was born on 6 June 1881.

♡ 16 March 1884, another wedding took place in the family. Elizabeth was married to Mr. August Kothmann (born on 3 May 1861), the son of Heinrich Friedrich Kothmann and Sophie Hartwig. Elizabeth and August had five children:

• Edgar (b. 12 February 1889),
• Marvin Wilhelm (b. 2 November 1886),
• Olivia (b. 31 July 1891),
• and Ida Emilie (b. 10 March 1894). 

With the help of his son John Henry, Wilhelm ran the biggest store situated west of San Antonio. Farmers bought supplies in his store on credit. The people paid their dues after harvest when the crops were sold and they had money to deal with.

Clipping source: The Galveston Daily News. (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 48, No. 303, Ed. 1 Monday, February 24, 1890, newspaper, February 24, 1890; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth469400/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium. 

♡ 18 January 1891 was the day of son John Henry and his bride Theresa Caroline Lemburg's wedding. Theresa was two years younger than John, she was born on 2 March 1868, to Johann Karl Lemburg and Sophie Carolina Dannheim. John and Therese's children were:

• John William (b. 23 January 1892/ d. 2 October 1892),
• Ervin Carl (b. 23 August 1893),
• Eugene Henry (b. 26 October 1895),
• Rose May (b. 29 May 1897/d. 30 May 1899),
• Carrie Esther (b. 27 February 1900),
• Florence Nettie (b. 25 August 1902),
• Arthur Frank (b. 29 December 1904),
• Nell May (b. 11 October 1907),
• and Ernest William (b. 8 October 1912).

In the summer of ♦ 1892, Anna Elizabeth, Wilhelm's wife, got sick with typhoid fever. Grievously, the mother of the family did not overcome the disease. She passed on 2 July of the same year.

♡ William Jr. and Emma Ellebracht's union in marriage was celebrated by the family in the wintertime as well, a few years later. It was on 22 February 1894. The groom was eight years Emma's senior. The lady was born on 16 October 1877, her parents were Friedrich Albert and Sophie (Behrens) Ellebracht.

The children born to Will Jr. and Emma:

• Meda (b. 11 February 1895),
• Olivia (b. 20 February 1896),
• Elizabeth (b. 20 November 1899),
• Nettie (b. 12 July 1902),
• Edgar William (b. 22 August 1906),
• Perry (b. 26 January 1916). 

♡ Charles and Ida Ellebracht's wedding took place on 21 February 1872. The bride (born on27 April 1873) was his sister-in-law (Emma's sister). Charles and Ida had six children:

• Oscar (b. 9 September 1897),
• Pearl (b. 24 December 1899),
• Hattie (25 August 1901),
• Ewald William Fritz (b. 8 January 1904),
• Elgin Clarence (b. 31 July 1906),
• Lillie (b. 29 November 1909).
  

Grief and mourning came a few years later when Wilhelm's daughter ♦ Elizabeth Kothmann died on 12 August 1896.

Two years later, on ♡ 29 September 1898, Olga married Mr. William Carl Eckert (born on 14 April 1875), the son of Karl Ernest Eckert and Minna Schupp. Olga and William Eckert had two children:

• Arthur (b. 20 February 1904) and
  
• Nettie Theresa (b. 1 August 1908).
  

Not long after Olga's wedding, on ♡ 10 November 1898, the family celebrated Frank's marital union. His bride was Miss Cornelia Ott (born on 19 July 1878), the daughter of Jacob Ott and his wife Friederike Huhne.

1900 - Wilhelm, his daughter Emma (18) son Frank (22) + his wife Cornelia (21), Albert Fleischer (32) laborer, Edgar R Dabney (24) school teacher, and sheepherder Joseph M Fresine (31) lived in Justice Precinct No. 4, Mason County (5).

In the same year, on 9th September, Frank's young wife ♦ Nellie passed and left behind a baby daughter Gertrude Isabel, born a month earlier (on 10 August), and the child's 23-year-old father.

 

Frank remarried two years later, on ♡ 17 February 1902. His second wife was Milda Apelt who was 6 years his junior. She was born on 9 December 1883 to August Karl Apelt and Augusta Angelita Leifeste. Four children were born to Frank and Milda:

• Ryland (b. 14 September 1905),
• Anita (b. 19 July 1908),
• Roy (b. 15 February 1913),
• and Alice (born on 19 August 1915).
  

Wilhelm Geistweidt Sr. was a co-founder of German American Bank of Mason, which formally came into being in January 1904. 

 

Clipping source: The Daily Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 17, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 17, 1909, newspaper, January 17, 1909; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441873/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

 A big transaction took place in July 1907.

Clipping source: The Daily Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 186, Ed. 1 Friday, July 5, 1907, newspaper, July 5, 1907; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441972/: accessed October 19, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

♡ Emma Christina, the youngest child of Wilhelm's, was married on 20 January 1909 to Benjamin Abraham Brandenberger (born on 29 December 1883), the son of Georg Heinrich Brandenberger and Johanna Pluenneke. Emma and Ben Brandenberger had one son Howard George, who was born on 2 September 1915.

Wilhelm Geistweidt lived in Justice Precinct No. 3 in Mason County with his son Frank, daughter-in-law Milda and their children. In 1910, they had two boarders, a hired man by the name of Alfred Hahn (age 15), and a teacher John S Broyles (born in Tennessee) who was then 19 (6). 

♦ Wilhelm Sr. died of a heart attack on 9 October 1915. Wilhelm Geistweidt lived 82 years. He was buried next to his wife in the family cemetery.

Clipping source: The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 197, Ed. 1 Sunday, October 17, 1915, newspaper, October 17, 1915; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth607736/: accessed October 18, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; . 

In 1934, on 13 March, Franks' wife Milda passed. The man's third marriage took place on 30 April 1936, and Selma Pluenneke (born on 23 January 1888) became his spouse.

Resources:

"The Gestweidt Family Book. Germany: 1560-1914, Texas 1853-1994.", Geistweidt, Schmidtzinsky and Geistweidt, 1994.

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

1. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-L6F : 10 March 2021), William Geistweidt and Elisabeth Rohrig, 29 Dec 1854; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

2. Homestead: Family Ranch Marks 150 Years

3. Land in Mason County

4. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-SRP : 29 May 2021), Elisabeth Geistvesdt in entry for William Geistvesdt, 1870.

5. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-BVX : 20 February 2021), Wm Geistweight, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 499C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

5. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-6S5 : accessed 19 October 2021), William Geistweidt, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 79, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658. 

6.  "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-J5D : accessed 19 October 2021), William Geistweidt in household of Frank H Geistweidt, Justice Precinct 3, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 203, sheet 3A, family 63, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589.