Karl Dietrich Kothmann

Karl Dietrich Kothmann was born in Wedelhine, Germany, on 14 February 1837. He was one of the children of Heinrich Konrad Kothmann and Ilse Katherine Pahlmann. The boy was only 9 when he came with his parents and siblings to Texas. During their stay in Indianola, due to miserable living conditions there, both Karl and his 3-year-younger sister Marie Karoline got seriously ill. The boy recovered after a long time of suffering, but the girl passed away.

In his young days, Karl Dietrich and his two-year-older brother Heinrich Friedrich spent most of their time together. After the older's brother marriage, Karl assisted his father in the day-to-day duties, helping him take care of the cattle and haul freight from San Antonio to Waco and Brenham. The latter supported the family budget.

18 September 1850, Dietrich and his family (father, laborer, age 53, mother, age 40, and four siblings) were recorded during the Census (1). They lived in Fredericksburg, TX.

♡ 11 October 1862 (2), Karl Dietrich married Miss Clara Luise Stahl (born on 1 March 1845 in Germany). She was the daughter of J. Friedrich Stahl and Henriette Nickel.

The 17-year-old bride was 5 feet tall and had dark hair and brown eyes. The groom (age 35) was 6'4", and had blue eyes and a goatee. He enjoyed smoking a pipe and playing the violin.

The couple settled on the Llano River, where Dietrich built a log house. There also was a piece of land for a garden that both spouses attended to. Since there was no well, they carried water from the river situated about 400 hundred yards from the house.

Dietrich continued hauling freight to Austin. During one of those trips, the man was robbed by two strangers who, at first, pretended to be friendly. The villains took away Dietrich's brand-new Navy Six-Shooter.

♦ 15 October 1863 - the first child,  daughter Clara Emilia Hulda was born in Mason (3).

February 1864 - Karl Dietrich Kothmann joined the Mason County Minute Men (4).

♦ 19 May 1865 - daughter Alvina was born.

♦ 8 January 1867 - another daughter, Clara, came. 

In the same year, Karl Dietrich arranged a government contract to cut wood (for McKavett and Chadbourne Forts) and to mow hay prairie grass for Fort Griffin. The contract participants were also Heinrich Friedrich Kothmann, Dietrich's brother, and Charles Lehmberg. Dietrich hired men and completed the commitment. After that, he looked after his cattle. Besides being a farmer, the man was also a cattle raiser.

♦ 29 January 1868 - Theodore Louise was born (5).

♦ 5 May 1869 - Dietrich Adolph joined the family (6).

1870 - with the help of his two brothers, Karl and Wilhelm, Dietrich drove Mr. Chipman's cattle to Kansas. When the brothers were coming back home, Karl contracted typhoid and sadly, he died.

1871 - Dietrich, his brother Wilhelm and Major Lewis drove two herds (1500 heads each) of Mr. Chipman's cattle to Kansas again. Initially, Dietrich was the boss of one of the herds only. When they all reach the Forth Wort area, due to the cowboys' strike in Major Lewis' team, Dietrich was assigned as the trail leader of both herds of cattle. They all had to cross the Red River, which was swollen at the time, its current was strong and ran wild. Despite the high water on the rampage, Dietrich and his men (32 riders altogether) managed to transport their provisions to the other side of the river and crossed all the chuck wagons, 3000 heads of cattle, and 150 horses. The party got to Kansas and successfully sold the cattle. Then, Dietrich came home by train and a stagecoach while Wilhelm and the 32 riders traveled on horseback.

Karl Dietrich Kothamnn drove cattle to Kansas two more times - in 1872, and a year later.

♦ 20 January 1870 - Little Clara passed. She was 3 years old.

1 June 1870 - census time. The family lived in Mason, Mason, TX (7).

♦ 22 October 1870 - a daughter was born. They named her Clara, after the late baby girl who passed a few months earlier.

♦ 31 December 1872 - son Frank was born.

1873 - having driven the cattle to the Kansas market, Dietrich bought a pair of fine horses and a brand-new hack, then started his journey back home. The man was accompanied by Mr. Adolph Reichenau, Sr.  The Llano River was up and still raising when they reached it. With major difficulties, the men managed to cross the wild river stream. While the horses when resting at the Llano bank, the water rose, and a big tree came brought by the river current hit the back of the hack, turned it down, and pulled the vehicle and the horses into the wild water. Dietrich tried to save the horses, but despite all his effort, the animals drowned.

About that time, all the horses and mules Dietrich had were stolen by the Indians.

1874 - Hoo Doo war started.

♦ 8 November 1874 - Emil came to this world

♦ 14 February 1876 - Alexander Friedrich arrived (8).

1878 - Dietrich sold the land on the Llano River for $1000. The purchaser was Mr. Bernhard Durst. Dietrich Kothmann also sold the hogs he owned and the range mark to Mr. August Meckel (for $600). Subsequently, Karl Dietrich obtained a large tract of land at Fly Gap where he built a two-story house made of stone and cleared the land.

♦ 22 June 1878 - daughter Anna joined the family.

♦ 6 August 1879 - Albert was born.

Dietrich and his family raised hogs again. The lard, ham, and bacon from butchered hogs were sold at the market in Austin or San Antonio. At that time, the products were more profitable than beef.

18 June 1880 - the family of Dietrich Ktohmann was registered by a census clerk in Justice Precinct #4, ED 104, Mason, TX. John Kothmann (age 18), Dietrich's nephew, lived in the family house. He was a farm laborer (9).

♦ 27 August 1881 - Dietrich's father (age 77) passed. 

♦ 9 September 1881 - daughter Lillie was born.

♦ 19 January 1883 - Nellie came to this world.

♦ 15 August 1884 - 16-year-old Louisa died.

♦ 15 March 1885 - the youngest son, Sam was born.

In the same year, ♡ Hulda married Mr. John Muennek (Muennink), born on 1 August 1859 in New Fountain, Medina, TX, to Frederich F Muennink and Antje Freden Schoen.

♡ 1887 - Alvina married 8-year-older Mr. John Schneider. Around that time, Dietrich began fencing his property.

♡ 1892 - Adolph married Lydia Sophie Hoerster, the daughter of Daniel Hoerster and Wilhelmina Jordan.
♡ 1897 - Clara married Fritz Charles Grote (born 3 February 1870), the son of Friedrich Adolph Grote and Conradina Bertha Lemberg.

♡ 1899 - Lillie married her brother-in-law Emil Louis Charles Hoerster (born 8 May 1874, Mason County, TX), the brother of Lydia Hoerster.
 

1900 - Census - Dietrich and the family had a boarder, 16-year-old Alonzo Keller, who had been attending school for three years. They all lived in justice Precinct #1, ED 50, Mason, TX (10).

♦ 9 January 1901 - 15-year old son, Sam died.

A few weeks later, on 23 January, a merry event in the family, ♡ 25-year-old Alexander married Alma Sophie Kothmann (born 3 August 1882, Castell, Llano, TX), who was the daughter of Heinrich Friederich Kothmann and Konradina Pluennneke (11).

♡ 9 October 1903 - Nellie married Ernest Frank Karl Leifeste (born 21 August 1880), the son of Karl Leifeste and Fredericka Jordan.

 

Clipping source: The Austin Statesman. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 33, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 10, 1903, newspaper, October 10, 1903; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1454722/: accessed January 4, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu;. 

 

♡ 1905 - Albert married his sister-in-law, 6-year-younger Milda Kothmann (born 15 July 1885), the daughter of Heinrich Friederich Kothmann and Konradina Pluennneke.

 

♦ 15 February 1905 - Dietrich's mother died (age 94).

 

 

Clipping source: The Fort Worth Record and Register (Fort Worth, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 127, Ed. 1 Sunday, February 19, 1905, newspaper, February 19, 1905; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1494374/: accessed January 4, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu;. 

 
About a year later, mourning came on ♦ 20 May, when Albert's 20-year-old wife died.

♡ 25 June 1908 - Albert remarried in Hilda, Mason, TX. His second wife was Lena Hulda Wiedemann, the daughter of Theodore Karl Wiedemann and Sophia Emma Pluenneke (12).

♦ 10 Nov. 1908 - daughter Hulda died at the age of 45.

♦ 14 July 1914 - Karl Dietrich Kothmann left this world at the age of 77. He was a good-hearted and hard-working man who was not afraid of life's obstacles. He took risks and applied discipline when it was necessary. Besides his own children, eight girls and six boys, he also raised his nephew, John W. Kothmann.

Dietrich's wife, Louise lived 4 years longer until ♦ 4 November 1918. Mrs. Kothmann passed due to liver cancer (13). She was buried next to her husband at the Kothmann cemetery in Art, Mason, TX.

 

Sources:

 "The Kothmanns of Texas 1845-1931", Selma Metzenthin Raunick and Margaret Schade, Press of Boeckmann-Jones Company, Austin, Texas,

1. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-PQL : 23 December 2020), Deidrick Kothman in household of Henry Kothman, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2MM-HSX : 22 January 2020), Dietrich Kothmann, 1862.
3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-46W2 : 14 February 2020), Diedrich Kothmann in entry for Clara Em. Hulda Kothmann, 1863.
4. "Texas, Confederate Army and Commanding Officer Card Index, ca.1861-ca.1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z4NW-NH2M : 18 June 2020), Dederick Kathman, 1864.
5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LG4-J43Z : 14 February 2020), Diedrich Kothmann in entry for Theodora Louyse Kothmann, 1868.
6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-T9ZM : 14 February 2020), Diedrich Kothmann in entry for Diedrich Adolph Kothmann, 1869.
"Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K372-ZXG : 20 February 2021), Dietrich Kothmann in entry for Adolph Dietrich Kothmann, 06 Mar 1954; citing certificate number 12076, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,146.
7. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-41H : 29 May 2021), Dietrich Kothman, 1870.
8. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3QG-Q6L : 20 February 2021), Dietrich Kothmann in entry for Alexander Fredrick Kothmann, 24 Nov 1954; citing certificate number 56529, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,284.
9. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJM-LGN : 15 January 2022), D. Kothmann, Justice Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm.
10. "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-HYN : 14 January 2022), Dietrich Kothmann, 1900.
11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-PXLW : 10 March 2021), A F Kothmann and Alma Kothmann, 23 Jan 1901; citing Llano, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,995.
12. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMV-VMN2 : 22 January 2020), Albert Kothmann, 1908.
13. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3SZ-13L : 20 February 2021), Louise Kothmann, 04 Nov 1918; citing certificate number 51535, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,073,413.

• Mason County Marriages 1 
• Mason County marriages 2
• Findagrave.com 

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Photos included in the text were taken during one of our walks, on 29 July 2020.

Herman Schüssler Family

Herman was one of the sons (the youngest) born to Johann Adam Schüssler and Eva Katharina Dieschinger. Herman came to this world on 28 July 1850 in Cherry Spring, TX.

On ♡ 8 October 1874 (1), Herman married Miss Minna (Wilhelmina) Leifeste, born on 5 May 1849 in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany. 

Minna's parents were August Heinrich Leifeste and Elizabetha Sophie Henriette Viedt.

In 1874, Herman owned 160 acres in Gillespie county (which were originally granted to his brother Conrad). The land was worth $100 then. The county tax rolls inform that in the very same year, Herman had  2 horses and 25 head of cattle (2). A year later (3), the man had a bigger  livestock herd (40 head of cattle). Before a well was dug near their house, the family hauled water from the river.

The young couple settled by the Llano River, where Herman's brother Louis lived as well. Both Herman and Mina were very religious. They attended the Methodist Church in Hoersterville, prayed at home every morning as well. In the summer, Herman's family joined the summer camp meetings which were organized at Lower Willow Creek.

The Herman Schuesslers had seven sons. 

♦ August Herman Alfred - born on 18 July 1875 (4),
♦ Friedrich Karl Emil - born on 2 November 1876 (5),
♦ John Herman Charles - born on 25 September 1878.

June 1880 Census - Herman, the head of the family was registered as a farmer and butcher. The parents and their 3 sons lived in Precinct $ 4, Mason County, TX (6).

Not long after the census, on 4 July 1880, the fourth son, ♦ Daniel Alvin was born to Mina and Herman (7).
♦ August Daniel was born on 24 July 1883 (8). 

♦ Adolph Max was born on 13 January 1888 (9).
Sadly, the youngest boy, Leonhart Harry did not live long.  The baby was born on ♦ 28 August 1892 (10) and died a few days later, on ♦ 4 September. 

All boys received their primary education at the Bauer School. Mina and Herman, like other early settlers, and their children raised/made their own food, worked on the family farm, took care of their household. Mrs. Schuessler made lye soap for her family. In the wintertime, Herman did butchering, they made sausages and preserved meat. Summer was the time of making watermelon Schmeer preserves (more about that in another post). Herman's cattle brand was 7H (seven sons of Herman's).

♡ Alfred (August Herman Alfred) was the first Herman's son who got married. It happened on 1 March 1894 (11). His spouse was Effie Wallis.

Four years later, on ♡ 29 September 1898, Emil Friedrich married Miss Emily Koch (12).  The bride was 20 years old (born on 16 March 1878), her parents were Georg Koch and Dorothea Ude.

Emil became a minister.

7 June 1900 - Mr. Louis J Kettner, census clerk, visited Herman and Mina's home. They lived in Justice Precinct #6 Mason, TX with their sons Max, Daniel, and John (13). At that time, 20-year-old Alvin lived in Brenham, Washington, Texas (14). He had left home to study and became the first Ph.D. in Mason County.

In ♡ 1905, John married Ida Jordan, the daughter of Daniel Jordan and Emilie Willman. John was a Sunday school men's teacher. 

Max left home and became a pre-med student of Blinn College. Not long after his final exams, Max got ill with typhoid fever. The young man came back home before the graduation ceremony at the college. Tragically, he did not recover. After several weeks of illness and suffering, Max passed on ♦ 22 June 1908. His college certificate was delivered by mail a day after his funeral. What a sorrow it all must have brought to his parents Herman and Mina. 

The parents adopted two girls, Selma Vonderbaum and Annie Mae Carey, born on 7 May 1899 (15). The latter appeared in the 1910 census record as a "companion" who lived with the Scuesslers and their son Dan. Annie was 10 then (16). John Schuessler and his wife Ida gave home to Selma's and Annie's brothers.

♡ Dan married Miss Alma Grote (born on 23 June 1885) a few months later, on 30 August 1911, in Hilda, Mason, TX (17). Alma's parents were Karl Heinrich Grote and Wilhelmine Sophie Keese.

The year 1818 brought the grief again. On ♦ 2 March, at the age of 68, Herman's wife Mina died of pneumonia. 

Clipping source: The Llano News. (Llano, Tex.), Vol. 34, No. 35, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 7, 1918, newspaper, March 7, 1918; Llano, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth768252/: accessed July 6, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Llano County Public Library.

A few months later, on 12 September, the Schuessler brothers were registered (WW1 draft registration).

 

John Charles was a stock farmer, and he lived with his wife Ida in Castell, Texas (18).

Emil Friedrich, a Gospel minister, lived with his wife Emily at 2009 S Franklin St. in New Orleans (19).

 Alvin Daniel, a teacher, his wife Edna lived at 302 University Boulevard in Dallas, TX (20).

Daniel August, a stock farmer, his wife Alma Adah lived in Castell, Mason, TX (21).

 

Not many days passed when ♦ Alma Grote Schuessler, Dan's wife, died. She left this world on 27 September 1918. 

In the same year, in Hilda, Mason County, ♡ Annie Carey married Alfred Feuge (22).

Dan married again two years later, on 11 March 1920. His second wife was Sarah Urbantke, born on 19 January 1889 (23).

Herman Schuessler, the father of the family, remarried as well. Mina Macron, born 3 July 1861 in Prussia, was his second spouse (24).

Hermann lived 72 years and 3 months. He died of cirrhosis (fibrosis) of the liver on ♦ 28 October 1922 (25).

 UPDATE

Information provided by Mr. Steven Kensing:  "Alfred Albert Feuge born March 11, 1899 in Doss, Texas. Died March 26, 1930. He was the youngest child of Christoph Feuge and Marie Mathilda Kensing. Annie Mae Carey Schuessler born May 4, 1899. Died July 15, 1983. They married September 10, 1919. Their children were Juanita Meta Feuge (Mrs. Paul Williamson). May 2, 1920-Feb. 2, 1996. Alfred Albert Feuge July 1, 1921-Dec. 30, 1977.(married Esther Barnes). Orson Hollis Feuge March 29, 1925- Jan. 4, 1999. ( married Jean Carver). Joseph Vincent Feuge Sept. 21, 1929. ( married Mary Ann Beidiger Llewelyn).

Annie Mae Feuge married Erwin Andrew Lang Sept. 12, 1936 in Travis County, Texas. E. A. Lang born April 14, 1893. Died April 20, 1978 in Bexar County, Texas. He had children from a prior marriage, as did she. They had a son together, Erwin Carl Lang born Jan 1, 1939."

Resources:

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

Findagrave.com

1. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-LS3 : 10 March 2021), Herrman Schüssler and Mina Leifeste, 08 Oct 1874; citing Gillespie, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 982,801.

2. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-T9ZR : 20 February 2021), Hermann Schuessler, 1874.

3. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-TSKX : 20 February 2021), Herman Schüssler, 1875. 

4. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-RJ2M : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schussler in entry for August Hermann Alfred Schussler, 1875.

5. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-MN6Z : 14 February 2020), Herman Schussler in entry for Friedrich Carl Emil Schussler, 1876.

6. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJ9-4MH : 20 February 2021), Emil Schuessler in household of Hermann Schuessler, Precinct 4, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 104, sheet 501B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,319.

7. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXQ-2QG : 23 February 2021), Alvin Daniel Schuessler, 1917-1918.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-YRW2 : 14 February 2020), H. Schuessler in entry for August Daniel Schuessler, 1883.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LLQ-WY3Z : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schuessler in entry for Adolph Max Schuessler, 1888.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-QPT2 : 14 February 2020), Hermann Schussler in entry for Leonhart Harry Schussler, 1892.11. on 29 September 1898

11. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XL7F-X8J : 10 March 2021), A H Schuessler and Effie Wallis, 01 Mar 1894; citing Burnet, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 978,760.

12. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-Z1SS : 23 February 2021), E F Schuessler and Emily Koch, 29 Sep 1898; citing Marriage, citing Llano, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 982,995.

13. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3PK-541 : accessed 6 July 2021), Herman Schuesler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet B, family 32, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,658. 

14. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M35N-F2B : accessed 6 July 2021), Alvin Schuessler in household of Edward F Becker, Justice Precinct 3 Brenham city Ward 3, Washington, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 107, sheet 14A, family 312, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,677.

15. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-7ZPZ : 14 February 2020), Amie May Carey, 1899.

16. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2Q4-5JR : accessed 6 July 2021), Annie Carey in household of Hermann Schuessler, Justice Precinct 6, Mason, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 202, sheet 4A, family 56, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1576; FHL microfilm 1,375,589. 

17. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCM8-1Y2M : 22 January 2020), Dan Schuessler, 1911.

18. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZX2-Y23 : 23 February 2021), John Charles Schuessler, 1917-1918.

19. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ8J-D3G : 22 February 2021), Emile Frederick Schuessler, 1917-1918.

20. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZXQ-2QG : 23 February 2021), Alvin Daniel Schuessler, 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-Y1B : 23 February 2021), Daniel August Schuessler, 1917-1918.

22. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMJ-RW6Z : 22 January 2020), Annie Mae Carey in entry for Alfred Feuge, 1918.

23. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HCMJ-RWN2 : 22 January 2020), Dan Schuessler, 1920. 

25. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3CX-4MN : 20 February 2021), Hermann Schuessler, 28 Oct 1922; citing certificate number 29438, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,074,636.

Johann Ernst Christian Franz Jordan

Johann Ernst Heinrich Christian Franz Jordan /Yordan/ was the son of Johann Heinrich Christian Jordan (b. 1774/d. 1852, Wehrstedt, Lower Saxony, Germany) and his second wife Johanna Christina Sophia Wilhelmina Gotjahn (b. 1792, Sehlem, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany/d. 1840, Wehrstedt). He was born on 23 July 1821 in Wehrstedt (Bad Salzdetfurt, Niedersachsen, Germany).

 

A year after Ernst's mother passing, on 19 April 1841, the young man married Wilhelmine (Minchen) Uflaker. Three months later, on 1 July 1841, daughter Johanne Ernestine Wilhelmine was born to the couple.

In summer of 1845, as the result of certain family disagreements, Ernst, his wife, and baby daughter emigrated to Texas. They left Bremen on 1 September 1845 on the vessel "Margaretha" under Captain Libben (1). On the passengers' list Johann Ernst's occupation was given as "linen weaver and farmer" (2). "Margaretha" arrived in Texas on 1 September 1845 (3).

When the Jordan family came to Indianola, together with other immigrants, they were stuck in a place  where no proper quarters had been prepared for them. Due to the difficult political situation in Texas which had been in conflict with Mexico, all the means of transport were taken over by the Army. The immigrants, exhausted by the sea journey, lack of food, and diseases, vegetated in self-created shacks and dugouts, exposed to highly unsanitary conditions, the elements, and the brutal climate. Before Ernst managed to obtain a wagon and some oxen to move the family to New Braunfels and the promised land grant area, Wilhelmine, his wife, died. On 5 November 1846, their daughter Johanne passed as well (4).

In Fredericksburg, Ernst got a small piece of land and a town lot. He worked as a teamster.

In 1849, Mr. Jordan married Miss Lisette Bickenbach who had come to Texas in September 1846, on the ship Colchius, from Ruppichteroth, Bonn area, Germany, with her parents (Daniel Bickenbach and Anna Sophie Willach) and siblings (5).

In 1850, Ernst, Lisette (Elisabeth) and their new born baby Wilhelmina were registered in Fredericksburg during the Census. Ernst was a laborer then (6). 

At first, Ernst intended to live on the land lot he was granted (in present San Saba County) however, considering the negative conditions there, the man sold it and obtained 640 acres in Mason County (Willow Creek).

During his life in Fredericksburg, Mr. Jordan joined the Methodist Church. Mina (Wilhelmina) - b. 26 August 1850, Peter - b. 17 January 1852, Sophie - b. 23 March 1854, and Henry Jordan - b. 17 April 1856 (7) were born in the town. 

 

In 1856, together with other families (the Hoersters and the Kothmanns), the Jordans relocated to Upper Willow Creek (nowadays Art). They moved their belongings in oxen driven wagons. In the new place, the families moved into log cabins and  lived the harsh lives of the pioneers.

Fredericka - b. 29 April 1858 (8), Wilhelm  (died in infancy), Daniel - b. 8 December 1860 (9), and Ernst jr. b. 25 July 1863 (10) were born in Hilda, Mason County where Ernst became an open-range cattle raiser. Besides that, he continued his work as a teamster.

In 1861, Jordan served in the Minute Men Company under Captain Herman R von Bieberstein. 

From 1867 to 68, he worked as county commissioner. In 1869 he was elected justice of the peace Precinct #2, however, he failed to qualify (11). Maybe Ernst Jordan simply did not want to be a justice of the peace then, maybe he found it inconvenient and not safe (it was the time of the Hoo Doo War), and that was why he did not complete the required formalities.

 

The 1870 Census listed the Jordans who lived in Mason. Ernst was registered as a farmer, their real estate estimated value was $600, and their personal estate value was $1500 (12).

On 10 May 1871, E Jordan (and 8 other men) was enlisted in the State Police which base was the Fourth District.

Due to various circumstances, including the Civil War, Indian raids, and cattle thieves, at the very beginning, cattle raising was not a very profitable business. Then, the Mason County War started. Daniel Hoerster, Ernst's son-in-law, who was a cattle brands inspector, was one of the war casualties.

When the war ended, Ernst built a new house. At some point, the Jordan family owned an estate that was over 7 thousand acres.

 

Ernst and Lisette were religious persons. The very first church/and school building, in Art was constructed on their land. The nowadays Art church is situated on the land provided by Ernst as well.

More over, the first religious camp meetings were held on their estate too. In 1876 Ernst got wounded in his knee by accident. A six-shooter dropped down from his carriage and fired which made the man a cripple.

Johann Ernst Christian Franz Jordan died on 23 December 1892, he was buried on Christmas Day. Lisette lived 7 years longer, she passed on 23 August 1899.

Wilhelmina married Fritz Adolph Grote, after his death she was married to Daniel Hoester.

Peter married Emma Donop - more about the couple and their children in the post related to the Donop family.

Henry married Bertha Leifeste,

Sophie married A Willmann,

Fredericka married Carl Leifeste,

Daniel married Emma Willmann,

Ernst married Adela Winkle.

UPDATE: 

Information provided by Ms. Dolores Keller, Daniel's great-granddaughter: Fredericka, Daniel, Wilhelm, and Ernst Jr. were born at Upper Willow Creek, not Hilda.

Dolores Keller: " ... the old Methodist Church records was titled “One Hundred Years of the Hilda (Bethel) Methodist Church And Parent Organizations 1856 - 1955” It is actually the records of all the Methodist Churches in the area, Art (North & South) Hoersterville, Lower Willow Creek, Hilda and Castell."

Resources:

1. "The Mason Hoo Doo War, 1874-1902" by David Johnson, University of North Texas Press, 2006

2. "Homestead: Jordans prospered in the Hill Country." - article by J. Lackey

 3. Immigrant Ships Transcriber Guild - Margaretha

4, 5. "A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1844-1847" by Chester Geue, Chester William Geue, Ethel Hander Geue, 1966

6. "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLK-P76 : 23 December 2020), Ernst Jordan, Fredericksburg, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

7. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K37M-NL6 : 13 March 2018), Ernest Jordon in entry for Henry Jordon, 06 Feb 1927; citing certificate number 6229, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,114,274.

8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L2Q-TZMM : 14 February 2020), Ernst Jordon in entry for Fridarica Jordon, 1858.

9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LG4-FJMM : 14 February 2020), Ernst Jordan in entry for Daniel Jordan, 1860.

10. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4L27-8FPZ : 14 February 2020), Ernst Jordan in entry for Ernst Jordan, 1863.

11. The Mason County "Hoo Doo" War, 1874-1902 by David D Johnson, University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas, 2006.

12. "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGQ-XPV : 2 January 2021), Ernst Jordan, 1870.

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