Heinrich Konrad Pluenneke

Heinrich Konrad Plünneke (Pluenneke) was born on 26 December 1819 in the village Klein Lafferde, Kingdom of Hanover (nowadays Kreis Peine, Niederschasen).

In 1845,  Konrad, his parents, and 7 siblings left for America. They encountered a storm when they were reaching Galveston and their ship was wrecked at the Texas coast. The family lost their belongings, nevertheless, they all survived the wreck. However, Konrad's sister got separated from her people. Tragically, later, the parents and three of Konrad's siblings died of cholera. The Plünneke orphans continued their travel until they reached Fredericksburg. Konrad obtained a town lot and 10 acres of land in the settlement area, which would have been granted by the German Emigration Company to his late father.

When the war with Mexico started, Konrad became one of the Texas Mounted Volunteers.  His wartime comrades were, among others, Christian, Fritz, and Henry Leifeste (Leiweste). Konrad was introduced to their sister Sophie Christina (born 7 January 1824). He was very much taken with the young lady and the two got married on 23 August 1847.

After the war, Heinrich Konrad came back to Fredericksburg. 

♦ Sophia Emma was born to Sophie and Konrad in Fredericksburg on 1 March 1850. 

In 1850, Konrad and Sophie moved to the Llano River area, Mason County, where they made their dwelling. 

♦ Son Heinrich Conrad was born on 17 May 1852.

♦ Son Henry was born on 9 June 1854 (1).

♦ Daughter Dina (Conradine) was born to Konrad and Sophie on 1 April 1856 (2). 

♦ Johanna was born on 28 November 1857 (3).

1859 - Konrad obtained 640 acres of land, which had been granted to his father (Fisher-Miller grant).

♦ Son Heinrich August was born in Hilda, Mason, TX on 5 August 1859 (4). 

♦ Son Carl Friedrich was born on 28 December 1860 in Hilda (5).

♦ Son John Friedrich was born on 16 August 1862 in Hilda (6).

Due to the common demand soon, the Methodist Mission was founded at the Llano River. Heinrich Konrad Puenneke was its minister for 45 years. Since there was no doctor there, besides spiritual service, Konrad helped local people with his homeopathy based healing treatment when it was needed. Visiting members of his congregation, minister Pluenneke always carried not only the Bible, but a bag with herbal medicine as well.

♦ Maria Elizabeth was born on 5 February 1865, Hilda, Mason, TX (7). Grievously, the girl did not live long. She passed a few days after her 1st birthday anniversary, on 17 February 1866.

A joyful day - ♦ Daniel was born on 26 May 1867 (8). The youngest child of Konrad and Sophie did not have a chance to grow up. Sorrow came again when the baby died on 7 December 1867.

In 1870, the family lived in the town of Mason, Mason County. Conrad Sr. was registered as a Methodist Preacher, his son Conrad Jr. did the farming (9) with the help of the family.

20 March 1872 - a family event and celebrations - the eldest daughter Sophie Emma was married to Theodor Wiedemann (10).

Two years later, on 11 June 1874, Heinrich Konrad Jr. married Miss Elise Brandenberger in Hilda, Mason, TX (11).

2 December 1878 - Death visited the family - Konrad Jr.'s wife Elise passed. The widower and their three little children were left behind. A year later Konrad Jr. remarried. Karoline Henrietta Wiesemann was his second wife.

Johanna married John Henry Brandenberger in 1880, before the Census. The groom's parents were Rudolph Gottlieb Brandenberger and Maria Katherine Bierschwale.

18 June 1880, the Census recorded Conrad (farmer and stock raiser) and Sophie, who lived with their children at Precinct #4, Mason, Texas. Dena (Dina), August, Charles, and John still lived at the parents' home (12).

A year later, Dina left the family home - she married Mr. Heinrich Friedrich Kothmann, the son of Heinrich Friedrich Kothmann Sr. and Sophie Anna Hartwig. 

4 May 1886 - the family in mourning - Sophie Christine Leifeste Pluenneke, the mother of the family, Konrad' s wife passed.

A few months later, on Christmas Day 1886, Karl Friedrich married Miss Emilie Lemberg (13). After her death (which came in 1914), his second wife was Annie Willenberg nee Raesener, widow of Edward Bruno Willenberg. Karl (Chas) and Annie married on 20 August 1917 (14).

 

Heinrich August married Miss Mina Pape on 28 February 1889 at the Bethel Methodist Church in Hilda, Mason County (15). His in-laws were Mr. Heinrich Friedrich Simon Pape and Ms. Johanna Georgine Sievers.

John Friedrich started his family in the next year. His spouse was Miss Emma Mathilda Heins. John became a minister. He was President of Blinn College in Brenham, TX from 1901 to 1909.

Minister Heinrich Konrad Pluenneke retired in 1895. He passed two years later, on 13 May 1897. Konrad Sr. was buried at Lower Creek Willow Cemetery, Mason County, TX.

 

Resources: 

• "Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976.
• "Homestead: German Family Makes Texas Home"
  
• Findagrave.com 

1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3WQ-VJB : 20 February 2021), Conrad Pluenneke in entry for Henry Pluenneke, 14 Aug 1913; citing certificate number 18835, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,050,996.

2. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-43T2 : 14 February 2020), C. Pluenneke in entry for Dina Pluenneke, 1856.

3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LG8-83MM : 14 February 2020), C. Pluenneke in entry for Johanna Pluenneke, 1857.

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-MN3Z : 14 February 2020), Conrand Pluenneke in entry for H. August Pluenneke, 1859.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DLZM : 14 February 2020), Conrad Pluenneke in entry for Carl Friedrich Pluenneke, 1860.

6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-XN3Z : 14 February 2020), C. Pluenneke in entry for John Friedrich Pluenneke, 1862.

7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-DC2M : 14 February 2020), Conrad Pluenneke in entry for Maria Elisabeth Pluenneke, 1865.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-FLPZ : 14 February 2020), C. Pluenneke in entry for Daniel Pluenneke, 1867. 

9. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-4BV : 2 January 2021), Dina Pluneke in entry for Conrad Pluneke, 1870.

10. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-48C : 22 January 2020), Sophie Pluenneke in entry for Theodor Wiedemann, 1872.

11. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-F6P : 22 January 2020), Elise Brandenberger in entry for H. Conrad Plunneke, 1874.

12. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-LGW : 20 February 2021), Conrad Pluenneke, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 502D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

13. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-W2X : 22 January 2020), Carl Pluenneke, 1886.

 14. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-88QT : 23 February 2021), Chas Pluenneke and Annie Willenberg, 20 Aug 1917; citing Marriage, citing Llano, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 982,996. 

15. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-4ZT : 22 January 2020), August Pluenneke, 1889.

Johann Heinrich Hoerster and Family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

Karolina married Caleb Cook Smith in 1872.

William Hoerster married 

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

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

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

  
  
  

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

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

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

William Eddie married Sophie Henrietta Steinmann about 1898.

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

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

 

Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alfred Wilhelm Kensing & Family

Wilhelm Alfred Kensing, born on 5 July 1885, was the eldest son of Friedrich Heinrich Kensing and Mathilde Lemburg. The baby boy was christened at the Hilda/Bethel Methodist Church in Mason (1). His grandfather was Johann Friedrich Heinrich Kensing and Hanne Justine Wilhelmine and Sophia Louise Borchers.

 

Alfred went to school in Mason. In the days of his youth, Alfred Wilhelm did many jobs to support the family. He worked in freighting, well drilling, farming, he was also a carpenter and a ranch hand, and cattle drover.

On 24 December 1913, the man married Miss Marie Gross (born 21 August 1894 in Mason County), the daughter of Louis Georg Gross and Christine Marine Ischar. The wedding took place at the bride's home in Grossville.

 

Ida attended the Grossville school. When she was a young girl, she picked cotton in the summertime and worked for the neighborhood families as a live-in maid. 

After their marriage, Albert and Ida lived in a tent, owned only very little, only a few necessary items, and both worked for small wages to make a living. 

• Ernest Eddie was born on 23 July 1914 (2).
• Seth Herbert was born on 8 March 1916 in Big Spring, Howard, Texas (3).
• Esther Lucille was born on 9 February 1918 in Mason, Mason, Texas (4).

In 1919/1920, the family lived in Menard (5). Alfred and Ida were employed by Mr. Charlie Kothmann on his ranch. 

• Leroy T was born on 16 December 1919 in Menard, TX (6). His twin brother Elroy died at birth.

 

Later, they moved to Fort McKavett, and the Billy Bevins Ranch near Opp. After that, the Alfred W Kensings relocated to Mason County.

• Emma Marie was born on 1 September 1921, Mason, Texas (7)
  
• Alfred and Ida lost their baby - died at birth in Mason on 25 May 1925 (8). 

 

 

1930 Census recorded Alfred and his family (wife Ida, children Seth H, Ernest E, Leroy, and Emmie M) in Justice Precinct #6, Mason, Texas. Alfred was a farmer (9).

• Wilburn Perry was born on 26 March 1931, Mason, Mason, Texas (10).
•  Richard Alfred was born on 10 September 1934 in Mason, Mason, Texas (11).

In 1940, Alfred, Ida, and their children still lived in Justice Precinct #1, Mason. The man's occupation was "Contractor". Alfred W Kensing worked in "Building" then (12).

 

 

During WW2, Alfred also did construction work in San Antonio. In his older years, he worked as a carpenter.

 

Seth married Miss Linda d'Spain on 5 May 1941 in Menard, TX (13).

 

Esther Lucille married August Daniel Jordan (b. 20 November 1917 in Mason County) about 1941. He was the son of Daniel Anton Jordan and Estella Sophie Pluenneke. Later, on 21 July 1984 Esther was married to William Edgar Hartmann (14). His parents were Konrad Hartmann and Rosa Anna Eckert.

 

Emma Marie married ID Trammell on 13 January 1942, Williamson, Texas (15).

Lee Roy married miss Betty Lula Latimer (b. 29 May 1925, McCulloch Counyt, TX) in El Paso, TX on 17 November 1942. She was the daughter of Charles Alfred Latimer and Becky Haleen Huffmann (16).

In 1953, Wilburn Perry married Marilyn Joyce Ohlenbusch (b. 5 December 1932). Her parents were Ernest A Ohlenbusch and Martha S Schmidt (17).

 

Ida and Alfred were members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mason.

Alfred enjoyed fishing in his spare time. On 15 October 1955, together with Mr. Ernest Reichenau, he went fishing on the James River. Tragically, Mr. Kensing suffered a stroke during the fishing trip. The man died on the next day in Mason Memorial Hospital. Alfred W Kensing was buried at the Gooch Cemetery in Mason.

After the husband's passing, Ida lived in an apartment in Mason. She was keen on quilting and growing flowers (18). Ida Maria Kensing died on 19 November 1981.

 

Resources:

1. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LGR-TDMM : 14 February 2020), Wilhelm Alfred Kensing, 1885.

2. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2V-XRWP : 9 June 2020), Ernest E Kensing, 1977; Burial, , ; citing record ID , Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSYR-FPP : 13 March 2018), Alfred W Kensing in entry for Seth Herbert Kensing, 15 Apr 1972; citing certificate number 29258, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,223,768.

4. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2KD-8JN : 4 April 2020), Esther Lucille Kensing, 09 Feb 1918; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 9296, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,503,144.

5. "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH1S-P2Q : accessed 12 February 2021), Ernst Kensing in household of Alfred Kensing, Menard, Texas, United States; citing , sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll ; FHL microfilm. 

6. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X22F-RLS : 4 April 2020), Leroy T Kinsing, 16 Dec 1919; citing , Menard, Texas, United States, certificate 62508, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 4,492,608.

7. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8CD-Q53 : 5 December 2014), Emmie Marie Kensing, 01 Sep 1922; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.

8.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3Q1-L5P : 13 March 2018), Alfred Kensing in entry for MM9.1.1/K3Q1-L5G:, 19 May 1925; citing certificate number 19004, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,920.

9. "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HXTL-2ZM : accessed 12 February 2021), Esther L Kensing in household of Alfred Kensing, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 6, sheet 5A, line 10, family 94, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2375; FHL microfilm 2,342,109.

10. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHNY-V44 : 4 April 2020), Alfred Kensing in entry for Wilburn Perry Kensing, 26 Mar 1931; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 25226, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,281,405.

11. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6G3-1YD : 4 April 2020), Alfred Kensing in entry for Richard Alfred Kensing, 10 Sep 1934; citing Mason, Mason, Texas, United States, certificate 74864, Texas Department of Health, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,283,672.

12. "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4SW-YL4 : 10 January 2021), Ernest Kensing in household of Alf Kensing, Justice Precinct 1, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 160-2, sheet 5B, line 59, family 125, 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. 

13. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-SBCV : 7 December 2020), Seth Kensing and Linda d'Spain, 05 May 1941; citing Marriage, citing Menard, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 4,333,494.

14. "Texas Marriages, 1966-2010," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VT17-5GN : 6 December 2014), William E Hartmann and Esther Kensing, 21 Jul 1984; citing Tom Green, Texas, United States, certificate number 108985, Vital Statistics Unit, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin.

15. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1H-526J : 7 December 2020), L D Trammell and Emma Marie Kensing, 13 Jan 1942; citing Marriage, citing Williamson, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,579,018.

16, 17. Fingagrave.com 

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

Memories: Dwarfs

When I was little, on every workday my mom walked me to the local kindergarten before she walked to work. Work-day meant from Monday to Saturday (including the latter) as only Sundays were off at that time. Kindergartens in Poland take care of children of three age groups - the youngest group are the little ones, then there is the medium age group and the oldest kids are called the seniors.

My group of little ones was called Dwarfs. During the Carnival time every group, led by their teachers, of course, prepared and gave a little program for parents. It was songs, poems, and dances.

For the day of the show purpose, all Dwarfs were to wear red tights, white blouses, and red hats which were made by the teachers. I also wore red ribbons on my hair and around the blouse collar (I was about 4 then).

As you can see in the above photo, there was a parent who did not follow the teachers' instructions - one girl wore a dress and white trousers, and no hat on her head. It did spoil the overall artistic impression a bit (and displeased the teachers).

 The second photo - the Dwarfs after their performance, an older group is waiting for their showtime.

Johann Martin Loeffler

Considering the meaning of the surname Löffler/Loeffler, while browsing the Internet, I have come across an explanation that the name is related to the word "spoon" (Löffel). According to that Löffler would mean a spoon trader/maker or just a spooner. However, there is a much nicer clarification of Löffler. It is the German word for "Eurasian spoonbill" - a pretty bird of the ibis and spoonbill family.

Eurasian spoonbill

 

Johann Martin Loeffler was born on 25 December 1818 in Cleebronn, Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany. His parents were Johann Jakob and Katharina Margarita Loeffler.

Johann Martin, a cabinetmaker, got married when he was 25. On 11 February, his second wife became Johanna Christiana Zizelmann (b. 14 January 1822), who was the daughter of Phillip Christian Zitzelmann (1793/1872) and Anna Elizabeth Kranich (1793/1867).

Two children were born to the young couple (2,3) - Paul Friedrich  (b. 9 June 1847) and Rosine C (b. 5 February 1850). In 1844 the family of Johann Martin and Johanna Christiana came to Texas, Fredericksburg area.

On 9 December 1854, their son Christian Friedrich was born. Johanna Christiana died about a year later, on 1 January 1856.

On 25 November 1859 (4), Johann, the father of three young children, remarried. His spouse was Mrs. Juliane Stalp nee Jung (b. 3 March 1822), widow of Herr Heinrich W. Stalp. The marriage license was issued two days earlier.

 

Juliane had a daughter Sabine (b. 9 January 1850). The family moved in to the home on town lot #150 located on Main Street in Fredericksburg which Johann had bought in 1859. Two children were born there to Johann Martin and Juliane: Carolina - came to this world on 8 December 1860, and Gustav Adolph - born on 14 November 1862 (5).

5 April 1865 - marriage in the family: Sabine united in the holy matrimony with August Hoffman (6). You can read more about them and their children in the post "Life of August Hoffmann".

In 1867 Johann Martin Loeffler purchased also lot #149 on the same street. A room was added to the house then. The three sons of Johann Martin's moved to Mason County.

Paul married Menia (Minna) Neffendorf (b. 21 December 1853) on 29 January 1870 (7).  She was the daughter of Jakob Neffendorf and Catherina Dietz.

Rosine Loeffel, Johann Martin's eldest daughter, married Mr. John Alexander on 12 April 1875 in Bexar, Texas (8).

Christian married Mary Geistweidt in 1878.

Caroline married Karl (J Charles) Weber on 2 November 1881 (9). Karl's parents were Johann Jakob Weber and Mathilde Christina Schlaudt.

Gustav Adolph's spouse was Miss Emma Eckert. They married in 1883.

The family mourned the passing of Sabine, the daughter, sister, mother, and wife, on 20 June 1890.

Johann Martin Loeffler died on 23 January 1891, his wife Juliane lived only a few months longer. She died on 6 November in the same year.

Johann Martin's grave - the Old City Cemetery, Fredericksburg, TX.

Resources:

1. Eurasian spoonbill photo: Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

2. Findagrave.com

3. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CB-924 : 13 March 2018), Martin Loeffler in entry for Rosine C Alexander, 20 Jul 1924; citing certificate number 22167, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,113,625.

4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-L38 : 17 January 2021), Johann Martin Loeffler and Julianna Stalp, 25 Nov 1859; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33S-93V : 13 March 2018), Gustav Adolf Loeffler, 18 Nov 1930; citing certificate number 54506, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,428.

6. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX7X-C28 : 22 January 2020), Sabina Stalp in entry for August Hoffmann, 1865.

7. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-38XW : 7 December 2020), George Alexander and Rosa C Loeffler, 12 Apr 1875; citing Marriage, citing Bexar, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 24,920.

8. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-VV9 : 17 January 2021), Paul Loeffler and Menia Neffendorf, 29 Jan 1870; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,80

9. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9J9K : 22 December 2016), J. Carl Weber and W. Caroline Loeffler, 02 Nov 1881; citing , Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802. 

Findagrave.com

August Heinrich Leifeste Sr. & Family

The surname Lifeste has its origins in France where it was originally "la Feste". In Germany, it was changed to Leiweste, and later the name transformed to "Leifeste" (1).

August Heinrich Leifeste Sr. was born on 1 August 1812 in Broistedt, Grossherzogtum, Braunschweig, Hanover. He was the second oldest child and son of Johann Heinrich Konrad Leiweste (b. 11 July 1782/d. 1 February 1867) and Johanna Sophie Wöbekind (b. 1786/d. 4 July 1827). August's parents got married on 27 January 1774. The boy had 7 siblings, 4 brothers, and 3 sisters:

Johann Konrad (b. 18 April 1810), Johann Heinrich Karl Christian (b. 6 December 1814/d. 11 November 1897), Marie Christine Elizabeth (b. 19 January 1817/d. 2 March 1823), Johann Heinrich Gottfried (b. 2 May 1819/d. 18 March 1908), Johann Friedrich (b. 1 September 1821/d. 30 July 1896), Sophie Christine Elizabeth (b. 7 January 1824/d. 9 January 1898), Johanna Sophie Elizabeth (b. 13 September 1826/d. about 1847).

On 4 July 1827, August's mother Johanna Sophie died. On 30 November in the same year, his father Johann Heinrich Konrad remarried. The step-mother of August and his siblings became Marie Karoline Dorothea Juliane Heike. Johann Heinrich Konrad Leiweste and his second wife had 5 children.

August's step-siblings were (2):

Johann Heinrich Julius (b. 22 December 1828), Karoline Henriette Dorothea (b. 1 December 1830), Sophie Dorothea Henriette (b. 18 May 1837), Ernst Friedrich Christian (b. 25 March 1840), and Heinrich Julius Theodore (b. 4 December 1841).

In 1838, August Heinrich Leifeste married Elizabeth Viedt (b. 1 January 1816). The couple had 5 children born in Boistedt: 

• Sophie Christine Henriette (b. 5 December 1839), 
• Friedericke Henriette Elizabeth (b. 5 March 1842),
• Heinrich August Konrad (b. 11 November 1844), 
• Wilhelmine (b. 5 May 1849), 
• and Johanna Dorothea Friederike (b. 27 March 1850).

 

In winter 1845, Johann Heinrich Gottfried, Johann Friedrich, and their sister Sophie Christine Elizabeth emigrated to Texas. Another brother of August's, Johann Heinrich Karl Christian, followed their siblings and relocated to Texas in 1848 (3).

August and his wife decided to leave their home area and seek a better life in Texas as well. The family landed in Indianola in 1852, next they traveled to Mason County by an ox-driven wagon. August, Elizabeth, and their children settled by the Llano River (on its north bank) where forty-three-year-old August built a log cabin for his family.

Four more children were born to the couple in Texas:

• Sophie Conradina - b. 12 February 1854 (4, 5),
• Auguste - b. 28 January 1856 (6),
  
• Fritz - Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm - b. 14 February 1858 (7),
  
• and Charles Hermann - b. 31 October 1861 (8).

Henrietta (Sophie Christine Henrietta) married Karl Lehmberg on 7 Nov 1856 (9). 

Elizabeth (Friederike Henriette Elizabeth) married Christian Winkel on 25 May 1860 (10).

August (Heinrich August Konrad) married Ida Wiedemann in Hilda, Mason County on 17 August 1868 (11).

In 1870, August Leifeste and his wife joined the Bethel Methodist Church in Hilda (12). In that year, on 1 August they were registered during the census. The August Leifeste family lived in Castell, Llano, TX. August was a farmer and the value of his real estate was $1500. The estimated value of their personal estate was also $1500 (13).

Johanna married Fritz Hoerster in Hilda Methodist Church on 5 January 1871 (14). Fritz was the son of Johann Heinrich Hoerster and Mary Christina Gelhausen.

Mina (Wilhelmine) married Herman Schüssler in Gillespie County on 8 October 1874 (15). Herman's parents were Johann Adam Schüssler and Eva Katharina Dieschinger.

 

Augusta married Friedrich Bode, son of Robert Emil Bode and Johanna Carolina Radetzky.

 

Sophie married John Brandenberger on 20 April 1877 - in Hilda Bethel Methodist Church (16).  Sophie's in-laws were Rudolf Gottlieb Brandenberger and Maria Katherine Bierschwale.

 

Fritz  (Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm) married Wilhelmina Geistweidt in 1879.

 

Charles H. married Emilie Lehmberg on 6 June 1883. The ceremony took place in Hilda, Methodist Church (17).  After Emilie's death Charles married Louise Vasterling, daughter of Heinrich Vasterling and Mary Frederike Werthmann on 10 April 1901 (18).

Elizabeth, the mother of the family, died on 11 June 1883, a few days after Charles's marriage. August Heinrich Leifeste passed 11 years later, on 25 June 1894.

Resources:

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

2,3. leifeste.net

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-236Z : 14 February 2020), August Leifeste in entry for Sophie Leifeste, 1854.

5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CP-ZM2 : 13 March 2018), August Leifeste in entry for Sophie Conradina Brandenbergeu, 10 Feb 1935; citing certificate number 9228, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,312.http://augustleifeste.org/sketch_august.htm

6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-C33Z : 14 February 2020), August Leifeste in entry for Auguste Leifeste, 1854.

7. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HK-33Q : 13 March 2018), August Leifeste in entry for Fritz William Leifeste, 12 Jan 1937; citing certificate number 3977, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,117,126.

8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3HD-L6T : 13 March 2018), August Leifeste in entry for Charles Herman Leifeste, 31 Jul 1936; citing certificate number 37194, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,938.

9.  "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VK1T-ZG9 : 22 January 2020), Henrietta Leifeste in entry for Charles Lehmberg, 1856.

10. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LQK : 17 January 2021), Christian Winkel and Elisabeth Leifeste, 25 May 1860; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

11. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-WLM : 22 January 2020), August Leifeste, 1868.

12.  http://augustleifeste.org/sketch_august.htm

13. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG3-Y45 : 2 January 2021), August Leifeste, 1870.

14. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-WL3 : 22 January 2020), Johanna Leifeste in entry for Fritz Horster, 1871.

15. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LSQ : 17 January 2021), Herrman Schüssler and Mina Leifeste, 08 Oct 1874; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

16. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-487 : 22 January 2020), Sophie Leifeste in entry for John Brandenberger, 1877.

17. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-F6B : 22 January 2020), Carl H. Leifeste, 1883.

18.  "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-487 : 22 January 2020), Sophie Leifeste in entry for John Brandenberger, 1877."Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMJ-R7W2 : 22 January 2020), Charles Leifeste, 1901.

Findagrave.com 

Geneanet.org