William Todd Sr. & Family

 

William Henry Todd is our distant relation on the maternal side of the family tree.

He was the son of John Moses Todd Sr. and Ann Filgo. William was born in 1787, in North Carolina. His ancestors were of Scottish and Irish descent.

William Todd was married ⚭ Martha (Patsey) Holder in 1813, Wake County, NC. The man signed the marriage bond on 23 November 1813 (1).

Sometime after their marriage, William and Patsy moved to Georgia. Their daughter 🔹Martha was born there in 1815.

More children of theirs came to this world in the coming years.

🔹Samuel born in Wake, NC, in 1816',

🔹Candice, born in Georgia, 1817,

🔹Susan Johanna Eleonora, born  in Georgia, 1822,

🔹Mary Elizabeth, born in 1823,

🔹William, born on 28 March 1828, Georgia,

🔹Thomas Jefferson born on 1 March 1831, in Putnam, Georgia,

🔹John David Elton born on 11 June 1835, Georgia,

🔹Amanda, born 1837, Texas.

⚭ William married ten years younger Sara Elizabeth Hanks, born in Alabama, in 1834. She was the daughter of James Hanks of SC and Susan Caroline Kennedy.

⚭ Candice married her brother-in-law, Joshua English in abt. 1837, in Tennessee. He was the son of James English and Elizabeth Denton.

The eldest daughter ⚭ Martha married Mr. Jonas English, her brother-in-law, in abt. 1838. 

⚭ Samuel married his cousin Elizabeth on 22 August 1840 in Wake, NC (2). She was the daughter of Moses Todd Jr. and Elizabeth Massey.

⚭ Susanna Johanna married Joseph Goodbread, after his death in 1840, she married Alfred Marion Truitt.

⚭ In abt.1840, Mary Elizabeth married David Ruff Cannon, born in in 1811, in South Carolina. He was the son of William Billy Cannon and Nancy Isabella Cox.

⚭ John David Elton married Ann Smith, born in 14 September 1844, in Washington, Alabama. She was the daughter of William Smith and Mary Carlisle Dunbar.

🏡1850 Shelby County TX Census registered William Todd, a farmer, age 53, his wife Martha, age 55, and children – Thoms J., age 20, John, age 18, and Amanda, age 13. The record reads that William also fathered 2 other children, Samuel Heath, born 1838 and Marthy (Martha) born in 1841. They both came to this world in Texas. I did not find out who their parents were.

In 1850, William’s real estate was worth $4163 (3). William Todd Jr, lived with his wife Sara E., and their son William J. not far from Todd parents’ house.

♦ William Henry Todd passed on 23 April 1850, in Shelby, TX. His wife Martha died in circa the same year.

After the parents passing, William Jr., his wife Sara, and their baby son moved in with Sarah’s father’s family who also lived in Shelby County, TX (4).

⚭ In 1855 (5), Thomas Jefferson married Narcissus Mize, born in 1836, in Alabama. She was the daughter of Obediah Allen Mize and Mary McCrary.

---

UPDATE

William’s siblings were

🔸Joshua Robert Todd

Born in 1771, Bertie, North Carolina,

Died on 26 May 1826Wake, North Carolina, 

🔸 Moses Todd Jr

Born in 1775, Bertie, North Carolina

Died in March 1841. Wake County, North Carolina

🔸 Soloman Todd

Born in1777, in Wake, North Carolina

Died in  1838, Wake, North Carolina

🔸 David Todd

Born in 1779, Bertie, North Carolina,

Died on 31 Aug 1853, Lowndes, Alabama

🔸 George Todd

Born in 1783, Wake, North Carolina

🔸 Elijah Todd

Born in 1785, North Carolina, 

Died in about 1865, Craven, North Carolina

🔸 Elizabeth Todd

Born in 1787, Wake, North Carolina, United States

🔸 Nancy Todd

Born in 1791, Wake, North Carolina

🔸Mary Todd

Born in 1793, Wake, North Carolina.

Sources:

1.     1  "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJQ-HKNF : Thu Mar 07 10:52:19 UTC 2024), Entry for William Todd and Patsey Holder, 23 Nov 1813.

2.      2. "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-2011 ", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-J73H : Fri Mar 08 16:36:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Samuel Todd and Elizabeth Todd, 22 August 1840.

3.      3.  http://www.shelbycountytexashistory.net/Shelby/Census/1850censusT.htm

4.       4. "United States, Census, 1850", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLG-G8P : Fri Oct 17 04:40:42 UTC 2025), Entry for James Hanks and Johnathan Hanks, 1850.

5.    5. The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 21, No. 358, Ed. 1 Thursday, March 29, 1906, newspaper, March 29, 1906; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth603417/: accessed March 20, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

familysearch.org

Ezekiel George

This time my research has been dedicated to Mr. Ezekiel George who was born in about 1816, in Tennessee. So far, I have had no success in finding out a record of who Ezekiel George's parents were.

When exactly he came to Texas, it is not known to me either.
In 1841, a man by the name of Ezekiel George was declared a bankrupt in April 1841.

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 29, Ed. 1, Wednesday, June 16, 1841, newspaper, June 16, 1841; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48138/: accessed January 12, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Was he the Ezekiel George born in about 1817? He would have been about 24 then. Later records from 1850, read that there was another man in Wharton, TX whose name was Ezekiel George as well. (1). However, he was born in about 1770. Perhaps, the latter was the father of the younger Ezekiel? In 1841, the older Ezekiel would have been about 71.

Coming back to "our" Ezekiel, born in 1817.
⚭ On 3 October 1843, the man married Martha Amanda Winfree Boman (Bomal?), born on 26 June 1826 in Anson, NC. She was the daughter of  Charles Jordan Winfree and Nancy Ann Flake. The marriage was registered in Columbus, Colorado, Texas (2, 3).

Children born to the couple:

🔹 Laura Jane - born on 21 January 1844/ died on 27 October 1921, Elgin, Kane, Illinois
🔹 Martha Anna - born in 1846/ died  on 21 August 1878.

🏡 The 1845 and 46 Census records place Ezekiel George in Richmond, Fort Bend, TX (4.5). In 1845, the man owned 150 cattle and 19 horses.

After the death of the first wife, ⚭ on 27 December 1847, Ezekiel married Caroline Head nee Davis. born in about 1817 in Alabama, Fort Bend Land District, TX (6). She was the daughter of Mr. Kincheon Davis and Frances Pleasants, a sister of William Kinchen Davis, mentioned in one of my previous posts.

Children born to Ezekiel and Caroline:

🔹 Charles Robert - born on 10 Oct 1847, Wharton/ died on 02 Jul 1938, Richmond, Fort Bend, TX
🔹 Albert Lamar - born on 1848/ died on 15 September 1896.

A misfortune happened in February 1849. The land deed granted to Ezekiel George got lost.

Clipping source: The Texas Democrat (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 13, Ed. 1, Saturday, April 21, 1849, newspaper, April 21, 1849; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48392/: accessed January 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 

Two more children were born to Ezekiel and his wife:
🔹 Oscar Ezekiel - born in 1850
🔹 Mary Ellen - born in September 1851/died on 31 December 1935, San Antonio.

When Caroline died, I do not know.⚭ On 28 November 1854, in Fort Bend, Ezekiel married for the third time. His third wife was Caroline Elizabeth Laws (7).

Lizzy George - source: [Photograph of Lizzy, one of Ezekial George's wives], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1361/: accessed January 27, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum. 

According to the Archives - Ezekiel's third wife's name was Lizzy Lamar George (?).

👉 According to the tax records from 1854 - Ezekiel had 50 acres worth $200 in Richmond, Fort Bend, TX. The land was originally granted to Barrett and Harris (8).

👉 There are also records related to an Ezekiel George in Travis County (9.10,11).
17 May 1854 - Ezekiel George was granted land deeds in Travis County
1. Grantor - E M Pease
2. Grantor - Robert J Townes
3. Grantor - John W Harris

Ezekiel and Caroline Elizabeth's children were:

🔹 John Lamar - born on 27 August 1855/ died on 14 January 1928, Galveston

Baptismal record - source: "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRSP-2L8 : 13 February 2020), Caroline Elisabeth Laws in entry for John Laniar George, 1856.

🔹 Eugenia - born in 1857
🔹 Eugene Milton - born on 16 December 1858, Washington, Texas/ died on 14 October 1917, Travis, Austin, Texas.

Baptismal record - source: "Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRSP-2LH : 13 February 2020), Caroline Elisabeth Laws in entry for Eugene Milton George, 1858.
 

🏡 Census 1860 - 20th July - Washington County, Post office Independence - the family were registered - Ezekiel (age 43), his wife Elizabeth (age 24), Lamar (age 5), Eugenia (age 3), Laura (age 16), Martha (age 14), Albert (age 12), Oscar (age 10), Mary (age 8) were registered in their house.  The real estate value was estimated as $3000. The value of their personal estate was given as $5000 (12).

🏠 9th June 1860 (13) - the family of  Ezekiel George and his wife E. L (Elizabeth Laws) were also registered at their house in Wharton County. The children listed in the record were:  L J (Laura Jane - age 16), M A (Martha Anna, age 14), Albert (age 12), O E (Oscar Ezekiel, age 10), Mary (age 8), J L (John Lamar, age 4), J M (Milton ?, age 2).

👉 In July 1861, Ezekiel enlisted in the Wharton County Home Guards. He served at the rank of 2nd Lt, under captain J F Roberts (14).

⚭ On 26 Oct 1863, Wharton - Ezekiel George remarried again. His fourth wife was Louisa A Petty nee Jones, born in 1817, in Mississippi (15). Louisa was married and widowed before her third marriage.

 

♦ 2 October 1865 - Ezekiel George passed in Wharton at the age of about 49.

Ezekiel George

Source: [Photograph of Ezekial George with a mustache.], photograph, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1347/: accessed January 26, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fort Bend Museum.

Sources:

1. "United States, Census, 1850", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLP-VZ4 : Sat Jan 11 04:53:13 UTC 2025), Entry for E George and C George, 1850.
2. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV14-4595 : Sun Jan 05 20:35:05 UTC 2025), Entry for Ezekiel George and Mrs Martha Amanda Boman, 02 Oct 1843.
3. "Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3V-8LX : 22 January 2020), Ezekiel George, 1843.
4. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-6FGV : Thu Mar 07 18:42:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George, 1845.
5."Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-6NSC : Sat Mar 09 22:06:20 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George, 1846.
6. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-3LJ8 : Wed Jul 31 23:40:53 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George and Caroline Head, 27 Dec 1847.
7. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLDP-B48 : Fri Mar 08 10:37:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George and Caroline Elizabeth Lans, 28 Nov 1854.
8. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-6KHZ : Sat Mar 09 20:16:44 UTC 2024), Entry for E George, 1854.
9. Travis County (Tex.). Clerk's Office. Travis County Deed Records: Direct Index to Deeds 1842-1893 L-R (transcript), book, 1842/1893; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth864827/: accessed January 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Travis County Clerk’s Office.
10. Travis County (Tex.). Clerk's Office. Travis County Deed Records: Direct Index to Deeds 1842-1893 S-Z (transcript), book, 1842/1893; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth864840/: accessed January 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Travis County Clerk’s Office.
11. Travis County (Tex.). Clerk's Office. Travis County Deed Records: Direct Index to Deeds 1842-1893 E-K (transcript), book, 1842/1893; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth864852/: accessed January 23, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Travis County Clerk’s Offic
12. "United States, Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXFL-T4C : Mon Jul 08 23:00:19 UTC 2024), Entry for E George and E L George, 1860.
13. "United States, Census, 1860", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXF2-Y5X : Mon Jul 08 23:48:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George and Elizabeth George, 1860.
14. "Texas, Confederate Army and Commanding Officer Card Index, ca.1861-ca.1865", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z8DZ-9KMM : Fri Oct 04 17:41:54 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George, Jul 1861.
15. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-2010", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1C-FX72 : Fri Mar 08 13:57:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Ezekiel George and Louisa A Petty, 26 Oct 1863.

Photos taken on 18 August 2020

One Thomas Bradley

This article caught my attention because of the surname Bradley in it. It is one of the family lines in our ancestry. However, that Thomas Bardley mentioned in the clipping lived in Yorkshire, England, not in the US.

Clipping source: Cruger & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 5, No. 40, Ed. 1, Wednesday, July 29, 1840, newspaper, July 29, 1840; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48097/: accessed December 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

Reading the piece, I thought,  "I wonder how long he lived."

The condition described as "falling into a sleep" was probably a coma caused by some sort of brain aneurysm or another neurological condition. If it had need the previous, the bleeding would haved reoccurred again and again and/or finally, brought death.

I tried to find out more about Thomas, but not much luck with it.

Baby Thomas was christened in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England, on 25 December 1817 (1).

Besides that, there is different data regarding various men by the name of Thomas Bradley who lived in England. 

Considering, the area where the family lived (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire) and his condition mentioned in the 1840 newspaper, I assume the young man did not live long. That is why the death record registered on 4 August 1846, in Caverley, Yorkshire, England, would probably be related to the family members mentioned in the above article. If that was so, "our" Thomas Bradley passed at the age of 28.

On the other hand, there is a census record from Huddersfield, Yorkshire of 1840. The data informs that a Thomas Bradley, born in 1817, was a lodger and lived in Leighton (Huddersfield, Yorkshire) in 1861 (2). So, perhaps, he lived longer despite all odds. Or, maybe not, who knows.

PS

Google info says that Leighton is a hamlet in North Yorkshire. Perhaps there was another one near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire? 

Source:

1. "England, Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKQ2-WNY : 4 February 2023), Thomas Bradley, 1817.

2. "England and Wales, Census, 1861", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M7C8-SSH : Sun Mar 10 08:26:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Thomas Bradley, 1861.

Emanuel Barta

Some time ago, we visited the Texas Czech Heritage Center in La Grange. The museum was really great, full of interesting items. Some of them made me curious about finding out more about the people who used to live in the area and to whom the exhibits used to belong.  One of those exhibits was that wedding shadowbox.

Emanuel Barta, the son of Jan Barta and Maria Charbula /harbula/, was born on 2 April 1891. Emanuel was born in Texas, his parents came to the state from Bohemia/Austria.

In 1900, the boy lived with his family - parents and 7 siblings (Betty, Annie, Esther, Ida, Leo, Olga, and Egon) in Justice Precinct #7 (Ammansville), Fayette County, TX (1).

When he grew up, Emanuel and his siblings helped their parents operate the family farm. By 1910, two elder sisters had been married and lived somewhere else. In April 1910, the census recorded Ida, Emanuel, Leo, Eugen, Mary, Annie, John, and Eliska + their parents John (Jan) and Mary who lived in household #99, Justice Precinct #7, Fayette County (2).

At the age of 25, Emanuel married 5-year-younger Miss Annie Dobrava. The two obtained their marriage license on 5 October 1916 (3) and then, got married on 24 October of the same year (4).
Annie was born on 8 November 1896, to Jan Vladimir Dobrava and Magdalena Vaček.
The couple had 3 sons Ignac Frank (born 1918), Ivan (born 19129), and Emil E (born 1925).

Emanuel and Anna lived in Schulenburg Route 1, Fayette County, TX. The man was a farmer. He lived 81 years.

 

Emanuel Barta died in Fayette Memorial Hospital in La Grange of cardiac failure, on 5 December 1972 (5).  Annie passed five years later, on 15 March 1977 (6).

 

Source:

1. "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3G7-95W: accessed 23 August 2021), Emanuel Barta in the household of John Barta, Justice Precinct 7 (Ammannsville precinct), Fayette, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 45, sheet 2B, family 31, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,635.
2. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MN-G6N: accessed 23 August 2021), Elisha Barta in the household of John Barta, Justice Precinct 7, Fayette, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 67, sheet 6B, family 99, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1552; FHL microfilm 1,375,565.
3. Hurr, Henry. The Flatonia Argus (Flatonia, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 9, 1916, newspaper, November 9, 1916; Flatonia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth989164/: accessed August 23, 2021), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum, and Archives.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-KLLD: 10 March 2021), Emanuel Barta and Annie Dobrava, 24 Oct 1916; citing Fayette, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 966,871.
5. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3ZL-JJV : 20 February 2021), Emanuel Barta, 05 Dec 1972; citing certificate number 90543, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2,242,195.
6. Findagrave.com

Andrew Wos & Agnes Zdeb

Andrew and Agnes did not live in Texas. However, some of their descendants do reside in the Lone Star State.

✬

Andrew (Andrzej) Woś was born in (or near) Nisko, Subcarpatian region, Poland (then Galicia, Austria), on 27 November 1884. On 🚢1 March 1902, 27-year-old Andrzej left the port of Hamburg, Germany on deck of the vessel "Milano". The man arrived in New York on 17 March of the same year.

13 June 1908 - Andrew filed an application/declaration of intention to become a US citizen. At that time, he resided in Wallingford, Connecticut (1,2).

 

⚭ 26 November 1908 (3) Andrew married Miss Agnes (Agnieszka) ZDEB, born on 1 February 1887 (4). The marriage took place in Wallingford (I did not find any records confirming the year when Agnieszka came to the US).

👉 Mr. Andrew Wos signed a petition for naturalization on 15 June 1910 (5). On 7 October of the same year, he became a US citizen (6, 7). 

Andrew lived with his wife at 52 Pearl Street (New Haven, Connecticut), and worked as a spinner. The man was 5 feet 6/8 inches tall and had grey eyes and brown hair.

On ♦ 26 March 1915, a daughter, Jeanne Evelyn, was born in Wallingford to Andrew and Agnes (8).

By September 1918, the young couple had moved to Passaic, New Jersey where some of Andrew's relatives lived as well. In the WW1 registration draft, he stated that he worked at the "saloon business" at 131 Passaic St., and he resided at that address with his wife Agnes. The record reads also that Andrew Wos had blue eyes and black hair (9).

👉 Census 1920 - the family was registered at Wallington (borough), New Jersey. Andrew owned a soft drink cafe there (10).

👉 Census - 4 April 1930 - Mr. Andrew Wos owned a restaurant in Passaic Ward #1, Passaic, New Jersey (11).

♦ 1937 - the man passed - I did not find any records regarding his death.

 

After that, Jeannie was married to Mr. Richard F Wilderotter, born on 10 August 1914, in New Jersey (12), to Philipp J Wilderotter and his wife Caroline Becker. The young couple traveled to the Bahamas in July and August 1939 (13,14).

👉 Census 1940 - Mrs. Agnes Wos (age 52) still lived in the same place in Passaic. She had 3 lodgers who lived at her place (15).

Ten years later, the lady lived with the family of her daughter Jeannie in Newark Township, Essex, New Jersey. Mrs. Agnes worked as a housekeeper at the local college (16).

Agnes Wos passed in ♦ January 1978 in South Orange, Essex, New Jersey (17).

Sources:

1."Connecticut, Naturalization Records, 1795-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZFHG-28MM : Sun Mar 10 10:32:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos, 13 Jun 1908.
2. "Connecticut, Naturalization Records, 1795-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z8LR-7MMM : Sun Mar 10 06:06:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos and Agnes Wos, 13 Jun 1908.
3. Connecticut marriages
4. "Connecticut, Naturalization Records, 1795-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KRM-RDRC : Sat Mar 09 01:32:19 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos, 7 Oct 1910.
5. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JKT2-S2C : 8 January 2021), Agnes Wos, Jan 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
6. "Connecticut, Naturalization Records, 1795-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KBZ-S8FR : Sat Mar 09 05:55:24 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos and Agnes, 15 Jun 1910.
7. "United States, New England Petitions for Naturalization Index, 1791-1906", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VX5T-5RK : Fri Mar 08 10:15:01 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos, 1910.
8. "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6KMG-Y6GY : 10 February 2023), Andrew Wos in entry for Jeanne Evelyn Wos, .
9. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZJB-M7X : 31 December 2021), Andro Wos, 1917-1918.
10. "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4PR-2S4 : Mon Mar 11 01:40:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Wos and Agnes Wos, 1920.
11. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4FD-54D : Sat Mar 09 23:17:08 UTC 2024), Entry for Andrew Was and Agnes Was, 1930.
12. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JY9T-BQQ : 7 January 2021), Richard F Wilderotter, 17 Dec 1993; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
13."United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4TT-WC8 : Sat Mar 09 12:48:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Agnes Wos and Michael Petrabuska, 1940.
13. "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24L4-KPS : Sun Mar 10 03:47:51 UTC 2024), Entry for Jeanne Wilderotter, 1939.
14. "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24L4-B6R : Sat Mar 09 15:19:56 UTC 2024), Entry for Jeanne Wilderotter, 1939.
15. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4TT-WC8 : Sat Mar 09 12:48:58 UTC 2024), Entry for Agnes Wos and Michael Petrabuska, 1940.

 16. "United States 1950 Census", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6F92-X5SH : Mon Mar 18 21:22:48 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard Wilderotter and Jeane Wilderotter, 15 April 1950.

17. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JKT2-S2C : 8 January 2021), Agnes Wos, Jan 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

findagrave.com

familysearcg.org

Louis Peter Vitek

 About one couple whose marriage certificate is on display at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, TX. 

⭐

Louis (Alois) Peter Vitek, the son of Joe Vitek and Antonia Novak, was born on 8 July 1914 in Texas (0). 

 Louis' grandparents, Martin Vitek and Anna Slansky were born in Moravia.

 

🏠 Census 1920 - Louis lived with his parents (age 33 and 30) and siblings, Bohumil (age 7) and Emil (age 5), in Justice Precinct #3, Austin, TX. Mr. Joe Vitek was a farmer (1).

On ⚭ 24 November 1936, the young man married Miss Edith Rita Bohac. It happened in Austin, TX (2). Edith, born on 31 July 1918 in Granger, Williamson, TX, was the daughter of Vinc E Bohac and Antonia Marek (3).

👉 1940 Census, on April 6, Louis Vitek worked as a truck driver for road construction and lived at the home of Mr. Albert G Kulhanek in the town of Bedias, Justice Precinct #7, Grimes County (4).

👉 April 22 - The young couple, Louis and Edith, was registered in Justice Precinct #2, Williamson County (5).

Louis passed on ♦ 3 November 1986 in Williamson, Texas (6). Edith lived much longer, until ♦ 23 August 2007.

According to my finds, the couple had one son.

 Sources:

0. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VDVW-6PB : 1 January 2015), Alois Vitek, 08 Jul 1914; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.

1. "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHY2-RYG : Sun Mar 10 08:34:47 UTC 2024), Entry for Joe Vitek and Tonie Vitek, 1920.

2. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZN-FZK : Sat Mar 09 07:23:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Louis P Vitek and Edith Bohac, 24 Nov 1936.

3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LJ6-42MM : 14 February 2020), Edith Rita Bohac, 1918.

4. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV1-994 : Sun Mar 10 21:09:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Albert G Kulhanek and Ruby A Kulhanek, 1940.

5. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4QV-P36 : Sun Mar 10 07:56:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Louis P Vitek and Edith Vitek, 1940.

6. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVT6-JJF : 5 December 2014), Louis Peter Vitek, Williamson, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

Peter Metzger & Family

Peter Metzger was born on 10 March 1861, north of Fredericksburg.  His birthday is coming soon.

Peter was the second youngest child (the youngest son) of Jakob Metzger and Anna Maria Trumm. Peter's grandparents, Catherine Leyendecker and Friedrich Metzger, were mentioned in the previous post dedicated to Johann Leyendecker. 

Baby Peter was about 17 months old when his father died. Jakob Metzger was a farmer. The man owned 113 acres of land, which he claimed on 24 September 1857 (1).

👉 Census 30 June 1870 - Peter, his mother Anna (age 44), and his siblings were recorded by a Census clerk, Rudolph Runge. They lived in the Fredericksburg Valley, Gillespie County, Post Office Fredericksburg (2). Anna ran the family farm with the help of her children Johann (age 20), Wendelin (age 19), Adam (age 16), Friedrick (age 15), Christian (age 12), Eva (age 7), and 9-year-old Peter. The boy's grandfather Friedrich (age 89) lived with the family as well.

 

 

A few months after the census, on ♦ 9 February 1871, Friedrich Metzger, the patriarch of the Metzger family, passed away.

On 12 February 1874, Peter's eldest brother Johann started his own family and left the family home. Johann's spouse was Elisabeth Kunz (3).

Wendelin, the second eldest brother of Peter, married their sister-in-law, Anna Maria Kunz, on 13 November 1877 (4).
 
When Peter grew up, he continued to help his mother run the farm and earn money to make ends meet. At the age of 17, he hauled hay for his brother (on a wagon with a team of 8 oxen) to Fort McKavitt and Fort Concho.

 

At the age of 24, on 9 September 1885 (5), Peter married Miss Emma Sophie Houy (born on 22 August 1862). She was the daughter of Ernst Houy and Dorothea Mengis.

 

 

Peter and Sophie moved to the Cherry Mountain area. The young man bought 320 acres from his father-in-law and built a log house there. It had two rooms and a dirt floor.

Children were born to the couple:

• Alvin August - born on 4 June 1887 (6),
• Edward - on 9 November 1888 (7),
• Hulda - 23 December 1895 (8),
• Dorothea - 18 October 1899 (9).

👉 Tax Records 1896 - Peter had bought more land (160 acres) from Sophie's father. Those acres were of better quality than the 320 he got previously as the record informs the 160 were worth $500 and the 320 only $400. In that year Peter also paid taxes for 4 horses and 15 head of cattle (10).

Mr. Peter Metzger was a farmer. Besides cattle, he also raised sheep and hogs. His additional job was cleaning out dirt tanks (with a horse and a scraper) for the public.

 

👉 Census - March 1900 - the family was registered during the census in Justice Precinct #4, Gillespie, TX. 80-year-old mother of Sophie, Dorothea Houy, lived with Peter, Sophie, and their children (11).

After about 17 years in the Cherry Mountain area, Peter Metzger sold his land and purchased 640 acres in Mason County, between the Union Community and Fly Gaps. The family moved to the new place on 28 December 1901.

⚭ Alvin August was married in about 1909 to Annie Mary Jung (born on 14 January 1896, Gillespie, TX). She was the daughter of Jacob Rudolph Jung and Maria Hartmann.
⚭ 1909 - Ed (Edward Arnold) was married to Alma Alice Brown (born on 14 May 1890, Mason County, TX), the daughter of Robert Leonardo Brown and Elizabeth Adella Fleming (12).

Sophie's mother, Dorothea, passed on ♦ 19 February 1910.

👉 Census 7/8 May 1910 - Peter Metzger (age 49), his wife Sophia (age 47), and their two daughters, Hulda (age 13), and Dora (age 10) lived in the household in 🏡 Justice Precinct #8, Mason County, TX (13).

After 12 years in Mason County, Peter sold half of his acres to Ernest Leifeste. The sons Alvin and Ed were given 160 acres each. Peter, his wife, and their daughters moved to Fredericksburg.

⚭ 29 December 1913 - 19-year-old Hulda married 27-year-old Mr. Harold Edward Stork (14). He was born on 11 July 1886 in Gillespie, to Adolph Stork and Angelina Markwardt Stork.

 👉 12 January 1920 - another census - Peter, Sophie, and their youngest daughter Dorothea lived in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (15).

In the same year, on ⚭ 28 April (16), Dorothea (age 20) married a year older Edward Louis Woerner (born on 23 December 1898). Dotothea's in-laws were Mr. Louis Woerner and Mrs. Kornelia Treibs Woerner.

 

Peter Metzger lived in Fredericksburg with his wife until the day of his passing, which came at 7:05 PM, on ♦ 11 April 1937. The man lived 76 years, 1 month, and 1 day (17). His body was buried at the City Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

Peter's wife Emma Sophie passed about a year later, on ♦ 13 February 1938 (18).

 

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This post is part of our series "They lived in Texas".

Sources:

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

1. Cushing, E. H. The Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 15, Ed. 1 Tuesday, June 23, 1863, newspaper, June 23, 1863; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth236238/: accessed February 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

 2. "United States Census, 1870", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXL5-J5D : Tue Oct 03 23:17:57 UTC 2023), Entry for Anna Metzgar and John Metzgar, 1870.

3. "Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FX3B-YXS : 22 January 2020), Johann Metzger, 1874.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VXGC-K7S : Thu Nov 30 11:49:30 UTC 2023), Entry for Wendelin Metzger and Anna Maria Kunz, 13 Nov 1877.
5. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9VBQ : Thu Nov 30 11:52:17 UTC 2023), Entry for Peter Metzger and Sophie Hauy, 09 Sep 1885.
6. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6P9-SL2 : 13 February 2020), Peter Metzger in entry for Alvin August Metzger, 1887.
7. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LKL-TK6Z : 14 February 2020), Edward Arnold Metzger, 1888.
8. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6PM-74N : 13 February 2020), Peter Metzger in entry for Hulda Emma Metzger, 1895.
9. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6PM-3Y6 : 13 February 2020), Peter Metzger in entry for Dorathea Metzger, 1899.
10. "Texas, County Tax Rolls, 1837-1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJ85-TP7X : Sat Dec 16 08:23:52 UTC 2023), Entry for Peter Metzger, 1896.
11. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3GZ-7DB : Fri Oct 06 07:59:37 UTC 2023), Entry for Peter Metzger and Sophia Metzger, 1900.
12. Mason County Marriages
13. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2QH-Q1K : Fri Oct 06 08:54:35 UTC 2023), Entry for Peter Metzger and Sophia Metzger, 1910.
14. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-9G2W : Thu Nov 30 02:13:28 UTC 2023), Entry for Harold E. Stork and Hulda E. Metzger, 29 Dec 1914.
15. "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-SMQ : Thu Dec 07 23:02:58 UTC 2023), Entry for Peter Metzger and Sophie Metzger, 1920.
16. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-95VZ : Thu Nov 30 11:48:02 UTC 2023), Entry for Erwin L. Weerner and Dorothea Metzger, 28 Apr 1920.
17. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3H5-2HH : Fri Feb 16 21:35:29 UTC 2024), Entry for Peter Metzger and Jacob Metzger, 11 April 1937.
18. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZDV-VLB : 24 May 2014), Emma Sophie Metzger, 13 Feb 1938; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2006); citing certificate number 7623, Gillespie, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin. 

 

Photos: August 2020

Friedrick Luther Bracher

Frederich Luther Bracher was born in Fredericksburg, TX, on 28 December 1917. His parents were Frederick Albert Bracher and his wife, Emma Hardt. Rev. F. A. Bracher started his ministerial service at Zion Lutheran church in the town in the very same year.

Frederick Luther grew up in Fredericksburg.  In 1920, the boy lived with his parents and five siblings in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (1). Having completed his education in Fredericksburg, F. L. Bracher studied at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas, Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa as well.

The man's WWII Military Draft Registration inform about his whereabouts at that time (2).

 

 

On June 4, 1942, young Mr. Frederick married Miss Gladys Bauer. The ceremony took place in Iowa. 

 

 

 Clippings source: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 19, 1942, newspaper, June 19, 1942; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896910/: accessed June 14, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

 

A few weeks later, on June 21, Frederick Luther Bauer was ordained by his father, Rev. F. A. Bracher, in Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Rev. F. L. Bracher's first call place was  St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sagerton, Texas. Subsequently, the Pastor worked at the following churches:

• Trinity Lutheran Church in Haskell, Texas,
• St. Peter Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington,
• First Lutheran Church in Avoca, Nebraska,
• St. Paul Lutheran Church in (Shive) Hamilton, Texas,
• Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, Texas,
• St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas, and
• Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome, Texas.

 

The minister passed on August 28, 1987, in Gillespie, TX (2). His body was laid for eternal rest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Sources:

1. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-8B2 : 3 February 2021), Frederick L Bracher in entry for Fred A Bracher, 1920.
2. "Iowa, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9Q-SK3K : Sat Feb 10 07:17:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Frederick Luther Bracher and Theological Student, 16 Oct 1940.

  3. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVTN-KPG : 5 December 2014), Frederick Luther Bracher, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

SWT Synod

Photos included in the posts - from our walk on 12 August 2010.

Friedrich Albert Bracher & Family

Friedrich Albert Bracher was born on 8 October 1877 in Lagenthal, Bern, Switzerland, to Albert Bracher and Rosette Meister.

🛳 In 1883, 6-year-old Friedrich came to America with his parents and 2 younger siblings: Maximilian Gotthard (born in 1880) and Gustav Adolf (born in 1882).

More children were born to Albert's parents in Brenham, TX

• Ida Bertha (born on 8 June 1877 ),
• William Paul (on 8 December 1888),
• Carl Benjamin Quintus (on 28 August 1895).

 

 

Fritz studied at the Lutheran College in Brenham, TX, and the Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

✟ He was ordained on 15 July 1900 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Brenham, Texas. In the following year, Rev. F A Brochard participated in the First German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas.
30 December 1902 - the man married Miss Olga Johanna Manske (born on 1 October 1880 in Pommern, Prussia). The ceremony took place in Washington, TX (1). Olga was the daughter of Louis Manske and Antonia Kypke.

 

 

 

Clipping source:  Rankin, John G. Brenham Daily Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 244, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 21, 1902, newspaper, December 21, 1902; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth484076/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.
 

At that time, Pastor Bracher was the minister of St. John Lutheran Church in Coryell City. In later years, he continued his ministerial call in various churches in Texas. While working as a traveling missionary in Northwest Texas, Pastor Bracher established and organized numerous Lutheran congregations (among others in Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana).
 

♦ 19 April 1908 - Rev. Friedrich's father Albert passed in Brenham, Washington, TX.

 

 

 

Clipping source: Rankin, John G. Brenham Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1908, newspaper, April 23, 1908; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth486644/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.
 

 

👉 Census 1910 found Pastor Bracher, his wife Olga, and their children in Justice Precinct #2, Jones, TX (2). The children mentioned in the record were Anna Margarete (born on 8 September 1903), Flora Agnes (born on 12 March 1905 in Fayette, TX), Antonia C (born on 4 June 1906), and Rosalie Ida (born on 28 October 1907, Stamford, Jones, TX).

♦ Mrs. Olga Bracher passed on 19 August 1911 (3).

Four years later, Rev. A F Bracher remarried on 5 May 1915 (4). His second wife was Emma Hardt born on 2 December 1876 in Meyersville, DeWitt, TX. Emma was the daughter of Valentine William Hardt and Anna Rumah Brandt.

 

 

 

 

 

Clipping source:  The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 36, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 9, 1915, newspaper, May 9, 1915; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth607248/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

 

Clipping source:  Brenham Daily Banner-Press (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 6, 1915, newspaper, May 6, 1915; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth489649/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

👉 1916 - Pastor Bracher participated in the Lutheran Synod which took place in Brenham, TX.

Two children were born to the minister and his wife Emma in Fredericksburg:

• Esther Elizabeth (on 24 May 1916) and 
• Friedrich Luther (on 28 December 1917).

⛪ Rev. F A Bracher started his service at Zion Lutheran Church in May 1917. It was the year of the Quadricentennial Reformation anniversary.

👉 October 31, 1917 - 5000 people gathered at the fairgrounds to celebrate the observance of Thanksgiving and Reformation Day led by Pastor Bracher.

 

The parson led the congregation through the hardships of the 1918 influenza epidemic, the years of depression, crop failure, and the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

Other monumental stone miles of his pastoral time in the church were:

⭢ 1927 - Diamond Jubilee of Zion. For this occasion, Pastor Bracher wrote the history of Zion Lutheran Church (from 1852 to 1927) and printed the form of a booklet. The man was also the author of the history of Lutheranism in Texas.

⭢ In the same year, Zion hosted the Texas Synod (for the sixth time) which also celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Clipping source: Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 41, No. 44, Ed. 1, Friday, May 13, 1927, newspaper, May 13, 1927; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth76187/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

Clipping source:  Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 37, No. 38, Ed. 1, Friday, April 27, 1923, newspaper, April 27, 1923; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth75979/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

 

Clipping source: Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 41, No. 44, Ed. 1, Friday, May 13, 1927, newspaper, May 13, 1927; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth76187/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

⭢ Deeply dedicated to Luther's doctrine, the minister managed to offset the Divine Healing movement.

⭢ 1929 - 400th anniversary of Luther's Small Catechism,
⭢ 1930 - 400th anniversary of the reading of Augsburg Confession.
⭢ 1934 -  400 years of Luther's translation of the Bible,
⭢ 1936 - organizing a Lutheran display for the Texas centennial - Dallas,
⭢ 1939 - Zion participated in the liquidation of the American Lutheran Church debt,
⭢ 1942 - Zion's 90th anniversary, 200th Anniversary of Henry M Muhlenberg's arrival in America (he is regarded as the Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America).

 

Other accomplishments and improvements that took place at Zion during Rev. Bracher's pastoral ministry were:

⭢ English was introduced into the services, Sunday School classes, and confirmation instructions
Zion's constitution was revised and translated into English,
⭢ 1922 - purchase of the pipe organ by subscriptions and donations (cost $3000+),
⭢ 1923 - a new parsonage was built,
⭢ 1930 - a new bell (dedicated to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Kuennemann) was installed,
⭢ 1939 - the church building was renovated and rededicated; curbing and sidewalks were made; the school house was renovated,
⭢ 1949 - the Lutheran Standard/ "Kirchenblatt" (parish magazine) was delivered to Zion parishioners' homes,
⭢ 1950 - the Finance Council was created/the use of the Lord's Treasury box was introduced.

👉 May 1951 - Pastor F A Bracher retired.

During his service in Zion, the minister officiated 577 baptisms, 495 confirmations, 244 weddings, and 269 funeral ceremonies. Besides his regular pastoral work, the man was also a treasurer for the Texas District (1918 - 1948) and served on the Board of Regents of Texas Lutheran College.

📃 In 1963, for his outstanding support of the Lutheran Church., the Pastor was awarded an honorary DD degree by Texas Lutheran College.

In later years, Rev. Bracher served at ⛪ St. John Lutheran Church in Wallis, Texas, and worked as a Supply Pastor to Trinity Lutheran Church in Junction, Texas (5).

Rev. Friedrich Albert Bracher died in the Fredericksburg Hospital and Clinic (206 E Center St.) on ♦ 8 May 1970 (6). He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

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This post is part of our series

 

Sources:
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.
1. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1C-S5RH : Mon Oct 23 14:27:25 UTC 2023), Entry for Frederick A Bracher and Olga Manske, 30 Dec 1902.
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M23G-LF9: Tue Oct 03 15:44:37 UTC 2023), Entry for Fredrich A Bracher and Olga J Bracher, 1910.
3. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKN-381M : 20 May 2020), Olga Johanna Manske Bracher, 1911; Burial, citing record ID, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-VB1X : 22 July 2021), Fred A Bracher Or Brocher and Emma Hardt, 05 May 1915; citing Marriage, citing DeWitt, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 5,860,369.
5 https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Bracher%2C%20Frederick%20Albert
6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3DL-25Q : Tue Nov 28 01:35:17 UTC 2023), Entry for Frederick Albert Bracher and Albert Bracher, 8 May 1970.

Photos: August 2010