On 22 December 1809, Anton H Willmann was born in Rauschwitz (nowadays Ruszowice, Poland).
There are two villages of the name Ruszowice/ Rauschwitz in Lower Silesia.
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| Map data @2021 GeoBasis DE-BKG(@2009), Google |
The one in the north is situated in Głogów County. The village used to be headquarters of various military leaders during the wars which rolled over Europe in the 17th and 18th century. In 1631, almost all families were swept by a plague, only 7 couples survived.
The other Ruszowice (more to the south) is a small village situated in Lower Silesia, Kłodzko Valley, Poland. The nearest bigger cities are Kłodzko (about 7 miles from the village),
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| Map data @2021 Google |
and Wrocław, the capital of the region (about 50 miles from Ruszowice).
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| Map data @2021 Google GeoBasis-DE/BKG (@2099 Google) |
Ruszowice is one of the oldest settlements in the Kłodzko area. It was first mentioned in documents in 1347 as Rauschwicz. The place was part of the property which belonged to various knechts and noble families. Considering the places where Anton's wife and children were born, the southern Ruszowice is more likely to be the place of his origin.
The agricultural village was a satellite of a bigger village called Piszkowice, and part of the St. John the Baptist (Roman Catholic) parish. The seat of the Rauschwitz owners was in Piszkowice as well. They lived in the palace (built in the 17th century). If you happen to be in the area, visit the palace, you can also rent a room there.
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| Palace in Piszkowice |
In 1631, 15 farmers lived in Ruszowice, in 1653, there were 7 farmers more. The village was developing.
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| village Ruszowice (Rauschwitz) |
In the 18th century, the village belonged to the von Haugwitz family. In 1782, Ruszowice (Rauschwitz) had 54 buildings, including a grange.
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| Ruszowice - column of Holy Mary founded in 1802 |
When Anton was born, the village of Rauschwitz belonged then to Anton von Haugwitz (until 1818/9).
Baron Friedrich A Falkenhausen became the owner of Piszkowice and the nearby villages, including Rauschwitz, when Anton Willman was about ten years old.
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| Map data @2021 Google |
After the administrative reform of Prussia, in 1815, Rauschwitz became part of Lower Silesia, and after 1816, territoriality, the village was part of Lankreis Glatz (Kłodzko). When Anton was 16, there was still a grange and 57 other buildings in Rauschwitz.
Anton Willmann married Miss Therese Knolle who also lived in the Lower Silesia Region, in the village of Pohldorf (nowadays Paszków).
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| Map data @2021 Google |
The couple had five children
- Hermann Anton - born 9 September 1841,
- Therese - born 15 October 1843,
- Pius Frederick born 1846,
- Maria - born 18 March 1848 in Alt-Lomnitz (Stara Łomnica)
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| Map data @2021 Google |
- and August Anton born 2 October 1851. Two of their other babies died in infancy.
Not all peasants who lived in Rauschwitz had any land. Only the richest ones were able to provide and feed their families. Others had to work for the village owner, and farm the acres which belonged to him. There were only a few craftsmen in the village. Anton worked as a cabinetmaker and a stonemason.
In the early 1850s, Anton Willmann, his siblings, and their immediate families decided to leave their homes. The possibility of emigration to Texas brought the perspective and hope for a better life. They all packed their belongings and first went to Bremen. There, the family boarded a ship and left for New Braunfels, Texas. The vessel first reached Galveston, then Indianola. According to the Indianola Database, the day of Willmans' arrival, on the bark von Vineke, was 26 December 1852. The register mentions Anton Willmann, Johannes Willmann, Caroline Willmann, Anna Willmann (born 9 June 1829, Neu Heide /Nowa Polanica, Kłodzko County/, Lower Silesia), and Johanna Willmann (1).
Other records mention also Joseph Willmann, his wife (Juliana Klaar) and 5 children. According to that, they all traveled to Texas on Friedrich Grosse (2).
On ♡ 22 May 1853, Anna Willmann, Anton's sister married Heinrich Soefje (3, 4) whose first wife passed a bit earlier. Heinrich August Konrad Soefje had a baby boy August Heinrich, born in 1851.
In the autumn of 1853, the members of the extended Willmann family got to New Braunfels by wagons.
At first, the family rented a farm. In 1854, Therese, the mother of the family passed away. About a year later, Anton remarried on 14 June 1855. His second spouse was Kristine Nisz (Niess) (5).
The family lived at Bracken not far from New Braunfels.
♦ William Anton was born to Anton and Christina Willmann on 16 March 1856.
♦ John William (Johann Wilhelm), another son, came to this world on 14 April 1857 (6).
In the very same year, according to the Texas Tax Rolls, Johann and Anton paid taxes for the land by Comal Creek which originally belonged to Mr. B. Simons (Johann 100 acres, Anton 220 acres), and Joseph rented 220 acres from J M Veramendi. Anton also had 1 horse worth $10 then, 14 head of cattle, 1 wagon, and 2 hogs. The total value of his entire property was $620 (7).
♦ Daughter Anna was born to Anton and Christina on 30 August 1859 (8).
In 1859, Anton had 320 acres (the original owner was B. Simons). Most probably he took over the 100 which Johannes had rented before. The latter one is not mentioned in the tax records. Anton's hog herd had grown up to 14 animals. The value of the man's property grew as well. In 1859 its was worth $1010. Joseph farmed 17 acres rented from Mr. Veramendi (9). The "Mason County Historical Book"* mentions that Anton bought 320 acres of unimproved land. Johannes helped his brother to clear the land and build a log house and a water system which supplied the water to the house. Later, they built another house situated on a hill.
About a year later, on 23 August 1860, the Census found Anton and Christine's family out of the Corporation of New Braunfels, in Comal County, Texas. The couple lived there with their 8 children, Hermann, Theresa, Pius, Maria, August, Wilhelm, Johannes, Anna, and their brother Johannes. Anton was registered as a farmer, Hermann was a wagoner and Anton's brother Johannes was a stonemason (10).
♦ On 9 December 1860, another daughter Mathilde was born to the Anton Willmanns (11).
Anton's livestock was growing. In 1860, he had 2 horses and 20 head of cattle (12). Two years later it was 3 horses and 41 head of cattle (13). The records from 1865 inform that at that time Anton still rented 320 acres from GWB Simon and also 320 acres from Charles H Artzt. The man then owned 3 horses and 25 head of cattle as well (14).
Another merry occasion to celebrate came on ♡ 22 September 1861, when Anton's daughter, Therese married Dirks Jansen Gerdes (15), the son of Jann Harm Gerdes and Fenne Dirks Telken. Dirks was born on 16 December 1841.
♦ 1862 - son Heinrich Wilhelm is born.
♦ 21 September 1863, daughter Emilie was born.
♦ 16 February 1865, daughter Louise was born (16).
♦ 20 May 1866, daughter Caroline Maria was born (17).
♦ Anton Heinrich was born on 31 August 1867 (18).
♦ 18 August 1868, daughter Christiane was born.
1869 - Anton Willman took care of 427 acres from two landowners, raised 7 horses and 94 head of cattle (19). In the same year, his ♡ daughter, Marie married Karl Ludwig Theodor Mumme (born on 24 February 1838).
A census clerk came to the home of Anton and Christina's on 16 August 1870. They lived at Justice Precinct No. 2, Comal County. The value of Anton's real estate was given as $1000. The value of his personal estate was $1220. The clerk who visited the Willmans was Mr. Charles Gehren (20).
♦ 20 September 1871, another daughter, Wilhelmine (Minna) came to this world.
♦ 9 January 1872, Bertha, the youngest daughter of Anton and Christina's was born.
♦ On 2 February 1876, Daniel Friedrich was born to the family of Anton and Christina (21).
Anton H Willmann was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. In Texas, he observed the Methodist camp meetings (at first from a distance). Later, he joined the congregation and became a devoted Methodist. At some point, the man was also the Sunday school class leader and led the Sunday service as well (22).
♡ 20 June 1877, Hermann, the oldest son of Anton and Therese, married Miss Emilie Kutz (23), who was born on 21 June 1851.
A year later, Anton took care of 384 acres of land (24).
♡ 1878 - August, son of Anton and Therese, married Miss Sophie Jordan (born 23 March 1854), the daughter of Ernst Jordan and Lisette Bickenbach.
10 June 1880 census clerk, Mr. F P Hoffmann recorded the Anton Willmanns in Justice Precinct No. 2, Comal County. The children Wilhelm (age 24), Anna age 21), Heinrich (age 18), Caroline (age 14), Anton (age 11), Christiane (age 9), Minna (age 8), Bertha (age 7), and Daniel (age 4) lived with the parents in the family home. Mrs. Willmann had a helper, in the person of Mrs. Henriette Brecher (age 69). The servant lady was a divorcee and lived with the Willmanns as well (25).
♡ 10 November 1881, another wedding was celebrated in the family. Johann Wilhelm/John William married Miss Hulda Hoffmann in Guadalupe, Texas (26).
Two months later, on ♡ 30 December 1880, son Wilhelm Anton married Miss Christine Leifeste (born on 11 November 1860, Mason County). Wilhelm's in-laws were Heinrich Karl Christian Leifeste and Christina Evers.
In 1883, Anton sold the place in the New Braunfels area and the family relocated to Mason County. They made their home at the Comanche Creek where Anton ran a farm and ranch as well.
♡ Emilie married her brother-in-law Daniel Jordan (born 8 December 1860, Mason County, TX).
The year 1887 was quite eventful as it brought the weddings of Anton and Christina's three daughters.
♡ Louise got married on 17 February (27). Her spouse was Mr. John Peter Dechert Jr. (born 5 December 1861 in Luckenbach), the son of John Peter Dechert and Ernstine Platz.
♡ Christiana married Mr. Erhardt Frederick Stengel (born 26 November 1862, New Orleans, Louisiana).
Wilhelmina left the family home on 14 October 1891 (28). She became the wife of Mr. Alfred D Fischer (born 4 June 1868 in Fredericksburg, Gillespie, TX). The two got married in Fredericksburg. Albert was the son of Mr. Hermann Fischer and Ms. Anna Elizabeth Stiehl.
At the end of his life, Anton Willmann sold his land to his youngest son Daniel. ♦ Mr. Anton Willmann Sr. died on 28 July 1891. He was buried at Art Methodist Cemetery.
Six years later, Bertha Mary married Ernest A Frenzel (born 28 April 1866, Germany), the son of Karl Frenzel and Wilhelmine Hunger. Ernest came to Texas in 1870 (29,30).
Daniel married Miss Ernestine Wilhelmine Grote (born 3 January 1880 in Texas to Fritz Adolph Grote and Wilhelmina Jordan). After her death, Dan remarried, his second wife was Wilhelmina Anna Steinmann (born 21 January 1877, Mason County to Louis William Steinmann and Margarete Hasse).
After Anton's death, Christina Willmann lived at the home of her daughter Emily and son-in-law Daniel Jordan. A room had been added to their house in order to accommodate the mother of the family. At the end of her life, Christina suffered from a very bad hip joint which gave her much pain. Because of that, she could hardly move, even when using a cane. The lady ♦ passed on 7 November 1913. Four days earlier, on 3 November, the Emma and Daniel's daughter Dina died as well. The funeral ceremonies were held at the Daniel Jordans' house (31).
Photos:
- Piszkowice castle: by Jacek Halicki - own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58160312
- Ruszowice village: photo by Tomasz Leśniowski - Praca własna, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59796506
- Holy Mary Column: photo by Jacek Halicki - own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71744189
Resources:
"Mason County Historical Book", Mason County Historical Society, Mason County Historical Commission, 1976.
Findagrave.com
Google Maps
Wikipedia
2. "New Homes in a New Land. German Immigration to Texas 1847-1861" by Ethel Hander Geue, Waco, Texas, 1970.
3. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL43-T52 : 10 March 2021), Heinrich Sofge and Anna Willmann, 22 May 1853; citing Comal, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,014,966.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL4Q-SQJ : 10 March 2021), Anton Willmann and Christine Nisz, 14 Jun 1855; citing Comal, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,014,966.
6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37S-XHL : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann in entry for John William Willmann, 15 Oct 1928; citing certificate number 44780, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,661.
7. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-7P52 : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1857.
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3Z8-T7R : 20 February 2021), Antone Willmann in entry for Anna Fischer, 22 Jun 1952; citing certificate number 26375, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,075,085.
9. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-7T79 : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1859.
10. "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFX-NP3 : 18 February 2021), Johann Willmann in entry for Anton Willmann, 1860.
11. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS11-JBG : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann in entry for Mathilda Seiler, 29 Jan 1935; citing certificate number 2400, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,116,252.
12. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-7Y8N : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1860.
13. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-WMMK : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1862.
14. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-W39J : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1865.
15. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL4Q-VQD : 10 March 2021),
Dirks Gerdes and Therese Willmann, 22 Sep 1861; citing Comal, Texas,
United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,014,966.
16. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CN-33M : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann in entry for Louise Dechert, 14 Dec 1922; citing certificate number 34403, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,650.
17. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K33N-MLD : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann in entry for Caroline Mary Sherwood, 22 Nov 1957; citing certificate number 69876, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,135,926.
18. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3M1-MGH : 20 February 2021), Antone Henry Willman, 07 Jan 1941; citing certificate number 4094, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,138,244.
19. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-W4T2 : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1869.
20. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXG5-4YS : 29 May 2021), Emilie Willmann in entry for Anton Willmann, 1870.
21. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LL8-Y5PZ : 14 February 2020), Anton Wilmann in entry for Daniel Friedrich Willmann, 1876.
22. A letter written by August Willmann Sr. shared by his descendant Mr. M. Willmann in a Facebook genealogy group.
23."Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL45-7H9 : 10 March 2021), Hermann Willmann and Emilie Kutz, 20 Jun 1877; citing Comal, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1,014,967.
24. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ8P-WK3G : 20 February 2021), Anton Willmann, 1877.
25. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFF1-13P : 20 February 2021), Wilhelm Willmann in household of Anton Willmann, Precinct 2, Comal, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 39, sheet 29C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,297.
26. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-L7GQ : 23 February 2021), John Willmann and Hulda Hoffmann, 10 Nov 1881; citing Marriage, citing Guadalupe, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,035,073.
27. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9K73 : 22 December 2016), John P. Dechert and Louise Willmann, 17 Feb 1887; citing , Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
28. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9J11 : 10 March 2021), Albert D. Fischer and Minnie Willmann, 14 Oct 1891; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,802.
29. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KS1T-2WN : 20 February 2021), Ernest Frenzel, 09 May 1928; citing certificate number 19801, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,539.
30. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M32R-27W : accessed 20 June 2021), Ernst Frenzel, Justice Precinct 5 (south & east of r.r.), Bexar, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 116, sheet 13A, family 224, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,612.
31. "Yesterday in The Texas Hill Country" by Gilbert Jordan, Texas A&M University Press, College Station and London,1979.
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