Fayette County, Texas - The whole text, 1902 (part 6 of 8)

la 1897 Mr. Falke had the misfortune to lose his wife, probably the hardest ordeal during his whole life. In 1899, after a career of a quarter of a century as a successful merchant and financier, he retired from the mercantile business, turning over his large stock to his sons, C. A. and E. A. Falke. Mr. Falke, though a man of limited education, is eminently practical, posse:?ses sound judgment and an excellent natural business talent. By liberal donations to various churches and schools and other charitable institutions, he has shown himself to be very liberal to worthy enterprises.

He is one of the principal originators of the oil mill and compress at Giddings. The old axiom, "Great oaks from little acorns grow," can justly be applied to Mr. Falke. From a small beginning he has by thrift, honesty and perseverance accumulated a considerable fortune.

Lorenz Fuchs

The life of Lorenz Fuch^ furnishes an example where perseverence, industry, economy and keen business sense were crowned with success. Of all the Germans who immigrated to this county there was none more successful and none worthier of success. He is an example of the German, as a better one could not be found anywhere who by perseverance and industry has reached the summit of his ambition and on account of his accumulated fortune secured himself and his family against the adversities of life. But Lorenz Fuchs was not only a successful man, he was also a good man. Therefore, no one envied his success ; his friends rather enjoyed it. He invested his savings iu land and as the value of the latter steadily rose, his fortune rose with it. At the time of his death, his estate was valued at $65,000. His children have inherited the keen business sense of their father and number amongst the most successful farmers in the state.

he immigrated with his parents to the United States and landed at Gralveston, Texa?. His father Wolfgang Fuchs bought a farm near Bucknorn, Austin County, Texas. One month after their arrival at Buckhorn his father died. The next year (1847) Loreuz Fuchs married Miss Frederike Kiel, a native of Wuerzlow, Hanover, Germany and assumed the management of his father's farm.

the time of his death, August 2, 1900. He had reached the ripe old age of seventy-four years after a useful life of toil and lobor. It may be remarked yet that during the Confederate War he was govverntnent teamster. His wife survives liim.

The following are his children: 1 Henry, at Burton, Washington County, Texas ; 2. Wilhelm, at Burton ; 8. Emily, wife of Penry Broesche, at Burton ; 4, Fritz at Carmine, Fayette County, Texas ; 5, James, at Manor, Travis County, Texas ; 6, Lina, wife of John Ebner, at Page, Bastrop County, Texas ; 7, Mary, wife of William Seidel, at Brenham, Washington County, Texas ; 8, Lorenz, at Buckholts, Milam County, Texas; 9, August, at Page, Bastrop County, Texas ; 10, Charles, at Burton ; 11, Laura, wife of Alfred Homeyer, at Burton ; 12, Alfred, at Page; 13, Otto at Carmine, Texas.

The subject of this sketch is well known to the devotees of music throughout the state as a master of the highest of human arts, the art of music. Not only has he become a master in this art himself, but he has also devoted a large part of his time and ener^^y to teaching it and to the organization of musical societies and singing clubs. He organized the Concordia Singing Club of Fredericksburg, Texas, and became the leader of the Mixed Chorus of that city; was leader of the Mixed Chorus of Comfort; supervisor of singing in the city public schools of Austin (1890- 1891); organized the Cedar Maennerchor (Dec. 3, 1891); later on the Cedar Mixed Chorus; he is now leader of the Fayetteville Saengerbund.

The parents of Julius Hansen were Peter Hansen of Handerup,Sch]es wig- Hoi stein (born 1813) and Anna Dorothea Hansen, nee Andreson, born in Ladelund, Schleswig- Holstein. His father was the proprietor of a tannery and shoe factory. This union was blessed with three children:

(1) T. Heinrich Hansen, who died in the MO's and left three children, Julius, Maria and Louise, who are now living in Niesgran, Anofeln, Denmark;

Julius Hansen, born August 31, 1851, in Ladelund, Schleswig-Holstein, attended the public schools of his native city until his sixteenth year. Then, against his will, he was apprenticed in the trade of dyeing in Foehr. The trade not suiting him, he eturned home and stayed there till January 2, 18G9. He then volunteered and enlisted in the 84th regiment. In this regiment he served during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and took part in the battles of Gravelotte, St. Privat, Metz, Noisseville and Crozelles. During the siege of Metz he became sick and was sent to the hospital of Sachsen-Altenburg. After his dismissal from the hospital, he again went to the front and participated in the battle of Le Mans. After his return from the war, he taught in several small schools from 1872 to 1874. From 1874 to 1877 he was an alumnus of the Normal at Tundern; he graduated there in 1877 in German and Danish. Till the autumn of that year he taught m the public school of Keitum, Sylt.

In November, 1877, he went to New York and in 1878 from there to Mexico. In the autumn of 1878 he returned to the United States and taught school in New Fountain, Medina County; in 1879-81 he wns teacher of German in the Fredericksburg College; from 1881 to 188G, princijjal of the Comfort school; in 1886 he became proprietor of a tinshop in that place which he sold in the fall of 1887; in January 1888 he accepted a position as tutor in the family of Mr. E. Engle, Bluff, Fayette County; from 18S8 to 1895 he was teacher in Ce''ar with the exception of the year 1890-91, when he was supervisor of singing in the public schools of Austin, Texas; in 1895 he opened a private school in La Grange, Texas; from 189G to January 1897 he was teacher of German in the La Grange city schools. Then he moved to Fayetteville and became the proprietor of the tinshop in that place. On February 22, 1898, he was appointed postmaster at Fayetteville, which office he still holds.

He married Miss Fernandine Schulze of Comfort, Texas, on June 3, 1882. His wife died in Comfort in 1896 and left an only daughter, Hedwig Hansen, who stays with her grandmother in Comfort. On August 26, 1897, he was married to Miss Ji^lla Vetter of Fayetteville, Texas.

Irating, standing in the neighborhood of Mr. Heintze's store in the afternoons, the German reader in the county knows that I mean old Mr. Heintze. Old Mr. Heintze is a fine specimen of the robust health and sturdiness of the northern German. There is still the youthful fire in his eyes that was there when he joined in the effort of the Kiel students to separate from Denmark and join the glorious old fatherland, when he served under Major v. Vasmer and General v. der Tann in that war. Men in the forties very often show less physical and mental vigor than he does at eighty. Yes, that is his present age. After a well spent life of work, he now enjoys a happy repose in his old age, visiting his children, of whom his son August in l^a Grange is (juite a favorite with him, staying with them and partaking in their success. His steady good humor, still showing the lio^htheartedness of youth, his jovial manners have made a lasting impression and secured him a kind memory in the hearts of his friends.

Mr. August Heintze, Sr. , was born in June 1820 in Eckersforde, Holstein, Germany. He was a commission merchant in stock, cattle and country produce from his early youth till 1885, when he retired from business. He was married in 1848 to Mrs. Ricklefsen, a widow, nee Wilhelm. Three children blessed this union: August Heintze, a merchant in J^a Grange; Miss Sophie, who is married to Mr. C. A. Honig employed in the banking business at Flensburg, and Dorothea. Mr. Heintze makes frequent trips to Germany.

The ear of the reader is well familiar with the sound of the name of A. Heintze. Not only in the confines of this county. but beyond them, in the surrounding counties, his name may be heard when mercantile affairs are discussed. Mr. Heintze received a thorough mercantile training in his early youth in Germany. No doubt, after he came to this country, the comparison of the mercantile conditions in this country, new to him, with those of the fatherland, well known to him, suggested many original and practical ideas to his trained judment. He paid his especial attention to the cotton trade. This writer and perhaps some of his readers remember how in the hitter part of the eighties large processions tif wagon trains loaded witli cotton, laige slieeting printed \\i\h the lirm nnine of A. Heintze being lacked to both sides of the wagons, made their rounds through La Grange, a very ex[)ensive mode of advertising, but a very striking one. It mav be said tliat no man has done more to attract tiie attention of the people to La Grange and make this city a popular market than A. Heintze. Nor was this the only gain La Grange derived trom his establishment in that place. While he aimed at success for himself, he did not neglect the interest of the farmer. It should not be forgotten mat he was the first one who bought all kinds of country produce for which the farmer could not find any market before, at a time when such a trade was deemed anything but profitable. He thus gave an impetus to developing

Mr. A. Heintze, jr., was born in the year 1850 in Kappeln,' Schleswig, Germany. He was educated by a private tutor. He received his commercial trainnig in Flensburg and Hamburg in large manufacturing establishments. Having been sph.-ndidly educated by his tutor, he passed his examination in 1868 for the one year voluntefr service. The time of military service in Germany for every able subject is three years ; but ' the educated who stand a severe test in regard to their scientific qualifications enjoy the privilege of serving only one year. But in that case they have to furnish their own equipments and accoutrements, keep a body servant and live in the style of an officer. This causes an expense of about ^100 a year. When in the Franco-German war the fatherland needed his services, he volunteered and served his year in the 84th infantry, ^ih Army Corps. He was with Prince Frederick Carl before Metz and participated in the battles of Orleans and LeMans. He was slightly wounded in the foot. In 1871 he re-entered the same business and in 1873 he came to the United States. There he associated himself with his half-brother, \V. R«cklefsen, at Rancho Los Olmos, one mile from ths llio Grande frontier, 'i'lie country being unsafe on account of marauding Mexicans he left and came to Warrenton where in 1870 he took charge of the store of Wm. Neese, deceased. He married in 1878 Miss Johanna Speckels of Warrenton. 1 heir only son Alfred is now in the mercantile business with his father. In 188S Mr. Heintze moved to La Grange in which place he became the leading cotton buyer. He for a time was a senior member of three mercantile lirms : Heintze ' & Co., La Grange ; Asclien & Heintze, Oldenburg, wiiich latter ])lace he founded in company with Gus. Steenken ; and E. A. Froehlich & Co., Warrenton. In the fall of 1901 Mr. Heintze opened his present large department store which in an exceedingly short time has become the leading mercantile establishment of La Grange.

The writer presents to the reader in the following a biographical sketch of Mr. Holloway written by the latter at the request of the writer. lie only wants to add that Mr. Holloway is known throughout the state as a successful and solid business man. His energy, economy, sound judgment and a good knowledge of human nature laid the foundation for his success which in every way he has merited. He is now the cashier of one of the most substai.ti il finance institutions in the state, the First National Bank of La Grange. But here is the sketch:

As requested, I hand you a short biographical sketch of my life to this date, including my photograph that may appear in your book, "Fayette County, Her History and Her People," to- wit:

I was born in Person County, N. C, on March 30, 1847, and I was the third child of William Dixon Holloway and Elizabeth Holloway, nee Woods, one of eleven children - seven boys and four girls; 1 had two half-brothers and one half-sister. There were in all fourteen children. My father, after the death of my mother, married Miss Edith Day. My parents moved to Wake County, N. C, while I was quite young and settled near Fishdam on a farm where I grew to manhood.

In the early part of the year 1864 I joined the Confederate army as a private. I belonged to the N. C. Junior Reserves, First Regiment, Company ""D," doing principally detached service, until the Rarly part of the year 1865, when the regiment was attached to Hooker's Brigade, Johnston's Army. I took part in the battles of Kingston and Bentonville, and was paroled near Durham, N, C, at the close of the war.

Returning home, 1 lived on the farm with my parents till January 1, 1868, when I was employed as a clerk in a country fjtore at $16.66§ per month until the early part of 1870. In

November 1870 I came to Texas visiting relatives. For a while I made my home with the family of Major B. F. Dunn of Fayetteville, Texas, who had married m}' first cousin, Miss M. F. Holloway. (Her brothers are J. J. Holloway, J. B. HoUoway and R. E. Holloway.)

In February 1871 I moved with the family of Major B. F. Dunn to La Grange, Texas. Some time during the year 1871, I commenced working as deputy sheriff under R. 0. Faires and remained with him at a salary of Thirty Dollars per month and board, until his term of office had expired, except for the short time I clerked for M. Cockrell at Cistern and for G. Friedberger at La Grange, Texas.

In the early part of the year 1874 I was appointed by the commissioners' court constable of Precinct No. 1, Fayette County, Isaac Sellers then being the justice of the peace. In this office I served till 1876, when on May 15, 1876, I was appointed clerk of the district court of Fayette County by Hon. L. \V. Moore, the district judge. This office, through the goodness of the voters of this county, I held till tlie general election in 1894. Having accepted the position of cashier of tiie First National Bank of La Grange, Texas, on January 8, 1894, I did not offer for the office of clerk again. I am still the cashier of said bank.

I was married on the 28th day of September, 1876, to Miss Lizzie B. Robertson, a daughter of W. C. and S. C. Robertson and 9, niece of A. T. and R, T. Bradshaw of La Grange, Texas. The result of said marriage to date are ten children, seven boys and three girls, all of whom are living except two boys who died quite young, viz: J. W. HoUoway, Thornton Holloway(deceased), William floUoway, Tom B. HoUoway, Carrie M. Holloway, Ijizzie May Holloway, Charles K. Holloway, Leslie Holloway, Joseph Holloway (deceased), and Mary Emma Hollowav.

This country has furnished numerous instances where men with only limited education, but with practical sense have risen to the highest walks ot life. Not schooling, but practical common sense is the key to success. Geo. Huebner is an eminently practical man. During his early years as teamster lie had the chance to become acquainted witli the ways of life. His shrewd observation developed in him a sound judgment. On the road, from his fe.lowmen and from nature, but nut from books, he gathered his information. His knowledge comes from tlie first source. And he not only lias a fund of practical knowledge, but also knows how to express liis views with energy and clearness. He is an interesting talker. The writer bas heard with deep interest his views on road building and road improvement and he must confess that h3 never has heard sounder views on this subject than those expressed by Geo. Huebner. But not only on this, he has sound views on almost any question. From 1898 to 1900 iie served one term as county commissioner. When he retired from this oflTice, declining to stand for re-election, it was the general verdict of the people that they never had had a better commissioner. The writer agrees fully to their verdict and is of the opinion that a better man, a man with sounder judgment and greater common sense can not be found for that office.

Geo. Huebner was born at the Bluff settlement August IG, 1851. His parents were John A. and Pauline (Willrich) Huebner. They came to this county from Germany while quite young. His father came from Bavaria, and first immigrated to Texas in 1836, but on account of Indian raids lie went back to New Orleans without settling in Texas. He returned in the early 40's and then settled in the Bluff settlement where both parents remained till their death.

Geo. Huebner worked with his father on the farm, went to school and drove team. He acquired quite a reputation as one of the most skillful teamsters of the county, for it required skill to handle six to eight teams of oxen. After the war, lie married Miss Lisette Warnken, the dauglUer of a prominent old settler at the Bluff. This union was blessed with six children : Louis, Helene, Annie, George, Ellie and Augusta.

George Huebner is a prominent successful farmer of the county. From 18;)8 to 1900 he served the county as commissioner which offiice he filled with great efficiency to the satisfaction of the people.

Hon. a. B Kekr. Success is an accepted criterion of a man's worth of character; by it, we are all judged and sized up. A great many succ?ssful people are only the makings of chance; but such can not be said of Hon. A. 13. Kerr, the subject of this sketch. He started with nolliing in Texas, but lie had those traits of character which are the foundation of success, viz: Honesty, perseverance, economy and above all a keen penetration into the chances of business which [iromised to turn out a success. Endowed with these superior qualities, he was destined for success. For a number of years he has been the largest taxpayer in Fayette County. He owns 50.00 acres of land in Texas, of which 4000 acres are under cultivation. He also owns a 50,000 acres ranch in Mexico. He is the owner of the Muldoou rock quarries from which he has shipped for years on an average thirty-five to forty cars per day. He is extensively interested

Hon. A. B. Kerr has kept out of politics and, although be served the people as justice of the peace (1870-1S75), as coranumberless other enterprises, his brawn and brain to such a an example to the younger those qualities by which he missioner (1870-1874) and also as school director, these offices were not sought after by him, but rather accepted by him on the demands of his friends. He was also a member of the Senate of the Twenty-fifth and Tsventy-sixth Legislatures, representing in tliat body Fayette, Colorado and Lavaca Counties. He occupied a high place in the councils of that body, not so much on account of his oratorical talent as on account of his business acumen, keen insight and the wisdom of his utterances. Men like he are the anchors that save a commonwealth in stormy times. There is no man who is worthier to be entrusted with the interests of others than Hon. A. 13. Kerr, his conservative character being the best pledge for their safety.

The Y^arents of A. B. Kerr were Robert G. and Cassandra C. Kerr, nee McCutchen, natives of Virginia. Hon. A. B. Kerr's grand-parents distinguished themselves as soldiers during the Kevolutionary War, viz: On the paternal side, William Kerr: on the maternal side, Downey Mc- Cutclien, known as Captain McCutchen.

A. B. Kerr was born March 4, 1832, in Augusta County, Va. He attended the common schools and the high schools of that country. When twenty years of age, he started out for himself. He went to Charleston, W. Va., and from there down the Ohio and Mississppi Rivers to New Orleans. Many were taken sick with cholera on the boat. Boats were not allowed to stop in the towns, but they would land at wood yards and other places and there the passengers would dig pits in the sand for the corpses of their unfortunate comrades. On this boat was a lady going south with her little boy to join her husband, a New Orleans merchant. The lady promenaded the deck with Mr. Kerr, seemingly in the best of health, but before morning she was a corpse. Tbe child would not go with anyone else, but clung to Mr. Kerr, and thus he took charge of the forlorn child until it reached its father in New Orleans. From New Orleans Mr. Kerr went to Indianola and from there by ox team to Gonzales. He secured a position as clerk and bookkeeper with one Mr. Gishard, a Frenchman, at a salary of $51 per month. After one month he became sick, having contracted pleurisy, and came near dying. On recovery he had to pay all his money to the doctors. Left without money, without a position and witliout friends and too proud to write home for money, he took the tirst job he could get and worked as hod carrier for the masons on the tirst brick building in Gonzales, which was then being built for one Kaiber, at seventy cents a day and board himself.

At that time Major Neighbors raised a company of rangers to guard a surveyor's party which was going north to survey land in Peters Colony, north of where Dallas now stands. As a ranger he had to equip himself, and as he had no money, some of his friends who had watched his industry trusted liis honesty and one furnished him with a horse, another with a saddle, and a third one with a pistol. While with the surveyor's party, he and one Gibbons, on their trip to Fort Belknap to liave their guns repaired, struck an Indian party and were attacked by them. Mr. Kerr had a very narrow esoa])e. On November ol, 1852, he was transferred from the ranger service to the surveying corps and here he received twice big former salarv, namely Sixty Dollars. Still later, he was transferred to the transcribing department of the general land office at a salary of Seventy Five Dollars per month. He stayed there till November 1, 1853, then went back to Gonzales and paid off" his debts. The last of January, 1854, he went to Cibolo, near Selma, Bexar County, and purchased a small herd of cattle and a tract of land from J. M. Hill. He made considerable money out of this. During the fall of 1854 he met his first wife, Miss May Mercer, and while she was attending school, they were married, August 2, 1855,

Mrs. Kerr was the daughter of Levi Mercer, a wealthy sugar merchant at Egypt. During the fall of 1855 Mr. and Mrs Kerr loaded their household goods in an ox wagon and moved to Fayette County on a tract of two hundred acres of land that her grandfather, Judge Menefee, had given her. He engaged in farming up to the outbreak of tl}e war. Then he took charge of his father-in-law's stock and together with his own, moved tliem to Colorado County where he remained for two years. During the balance of the Civil ^Var he served in Shaw's Regiment, Carter's Brigade, as a private. After b.is return to Fayette County, he engaged largely inland speculation, buying and selling large tracts of land, and accumulated considerable property. B-y his first union Hon. A. B. Kerr became the father of four childi-en, as follows: Tliomaa 0., on his ranch in Frio County; James L., in business at Muldoon ; William B., in wood and coal business at San Antonio ; and R. E , (deceased). Mrs. Kerr who was a most estimable lady, and an earnest member of the Baptist chui'ch, died in 18(38. In 1870 Mr. Kerr married Miss Bettie Ragsdale, a native of Texas, and daughter of Charles C. and Sarah (nee Scallorn) Ragsdale. l^'our children were born to his second union : John A., a graduate of the Law Department of the University of Texas, now in the mercantile business at Muldoon ; Charles (I., also m the mercantile business at Muldoon ; Miss Mary, died in 1882 ; and Miss Lila in San Antonio, at the home of her father.

Mr. Anton Legler is known throughout the count}' as the leader of the famous Bridge Valley music band. In 1892 his band received the first prize at the Battle of Flowers' festival at San Antonio.

He was born August 6, 1848, at Neustadtl on Tafelfichte Mount in Bohemia. He was educated in the public school of that place and then learned the weaver trade. He early loved music, showed a great talent for it, studied it and soon became an accomplished musician. Bohemia, his home, is world-famous for good musicians. In 1871 he married Miss Anna Hanisch in that country. He immigrated with his family to the ITnited States in 1873, worked first in the La Grange brewery on the Bluff' and then settled on the school land on the Bluff. He had a small farm of only fifty acres. But hy thrift rnd industry he saved money and in 1S85 he bought a large phce in Bridge Valley. In 181)8 he established a saloon and mercantile business at that place. As a business man he has been yery successful and established a reputation for honesty and reliahilil3^ He was also appointed postmaster of tliat place. Lately he has also bought a place at Plum where he intends to o))en a mercantile estabiisliment.

The life of Mr. A. Legler furnishes one of tlie many examples where a German, though landing in this country with very limited means, by industry, economy and business talent has worked himself u)) to a station wiiich coinmands th(j respect of his fellow citizens. Mr. j.egler is one of those immigrants of whom one may truthfully say that they are an acquisition to this country. He is a good citizen and takes a great interest in public affairs. Very often he has taken a leading i)art in the discussion of public (juestions. and he explains his views with an ability and force possessed only by a man of honest convictions.

Aug. F. Loessin is the popular postmaster of La Grange. He is an ardent republican, never tired of making converts lor his party and of advocating its principles. The principles and policy of the republican party have never been explained and defended in this county with greater ability and with greater courage than by young August F. Loessin. He takes a great interest in all questions affecting the welfare of his party. His politeness and attention to the duties of his office have made ^ him popular with the people whom he serves.

They were both born in Prussia, his father in the province of Pommern and his, mother in Verona, Prussia. His father came to Texas in 1853 and first settled in Ross Prairie. His mother came with her parents to Postoak Point and moved near Black Jack Springs in 1857. His father moved to Black Jack Springs in 1865 and two years later he married Miss Maria Sauer of Pin Oak and made Black Jack Springs his permanent home, where he still resides with his wife on their farm. This union was blessed with ten children.

The eldest, the subject of this sketch, August F. Loessin, was born January 14, 186S, at Black Jack Springs, Texas. He went to the public school of that place till the age of fourteen; then he received private instruction for two years from Prof. J.

DuUjeatPiu Oak. He worked on the farm and in the gin till 1890. Then he went to Muldoon and clerked for one year for Ivey, Stagner & Co. In 1891 he went to Seguin as manager of the ice plant and water works which position he held five months. He then accepted a position as clerk in the saloon of F. Klem and remained there till 1893, In the fall of 1893 he went to Galveston and established a grocery business. He was married in the same year 1894 to Miss Mathilde v. Rordorf of La Grange. The next year he moved to La Grange and accepted a position in the saloon of F. V. Rosenberg which position he held till April 19L)0, when he resigned it to accept his appointment as postmaster of La Grange. He was appointed postmaster under McKinley April 15, 1900, and re appointed under T. Roosevelt.

positions of public trust. He was elected Chairman of the Republican League of the Tenth Congressional District at Fort Worth (1898) and re-elected at Houston (1900). He has been a member of the Republican Executive Committee of the county as Chairman of Precinct No. 1 since 1898. His eminent services to the republican party have been rewarded by his appointment to the Postmastership of La (orange. In case of the success of his party his prospects for further promotion are on account of his great efHciency and ability very bright.

If the writer says : Fayette County can boast of a man who has done excellent detective work, every Fayette County reader can supply the name to this, viz., the City Marshal of La Crange, Will Loessin, the brother of our sheriff. To unravel the clew to mysterious crimes which leads to the detection of the criminal is a special gift of nature, and Will Loessin possesses this gift in the highest degree. From a rapid combination of circumstances and an inspection of the situation he unfailingly points out tlie criminal and soon brings convincing proof of the correctness of his opinion. When the negro Clay Ford had murdered a negro woman living alone in a house, every clew was missing. The crime was committed at night and there was not even a witness who had seen the negro enter the house or be about the premises on that night. Still, as soon as Will Loessin was notitied, he inspected the j)lace of the crime, saddled his horse the same night, rode some twelve miles by himself, arrested the negro at night in a crowd of other negroes and brought him handcutied to La Crange next morning. A feat that can hardly be e(iualled in detective stories Tlie negro was legally tried, convicted and hung at La Grange, Texas. On April 15, 1902, there was a considerable sum of money (over $1,700) stolen from Mr. D. M. Croft of Winchester. There was no clew to the theft whatever. But there is no suspicious circumstance which escapes the watchful eyes of Will Loessin and on May 29, 1902, he had the thief arrested and nearly the whole sum recovered. Slight circumstances which would ixot even be

.noticed by others lead him to the detection of the criminal. He excels not only in shrewdness, but is also one of the most fearless men living. If nothing else - but there are many instances of his personal bravery - his arresting the negro murderer Clay Ford in a bunch of negroes at night by himself would be suflicient proof of his fearlessness. His services as detective have been of immense value to the county. His shrewdness and cournge are not only recognized in this county, but throughout the state. In 1900 he went with II. S. Marshal Geo. Siebrecht of San Antonio to Havana and arrested there one Borkey for postofHce forgery committed in Gonzales County. Space does not permit the writer to mention any more of his daring feats. It may be remarked that no man in the county holds the lawless and turbulent negro element better in check than he. His very name inspires the negro with fear and prompts him to obey. But not only the negro element fears him, his courage and daring command respect everywhere. Will Loeasin is the brother of our sheriff, August Loessin, and was born August 20, 1872, at Black Jack Springs. There he went to school and stayed and worked on the farm of his father. From 1892 to 1894 he attended the Blinn Memorial College at Brenham. In the latter year he was appointed deputy sheriff by his brother. He was elected city marshal of La Gi-ange in April 1900 and re-elected to that office without opposition in 1902. He has the name of one of the shrewdest and most fearless and efficient peace officers of the state.

Industry, economy and perseverance pave the road to success. The life of Mr. Carl Luecke is an exemplification of this fundamental truth. Pie has seen in his youth much of hard life, but tliis only spurred him in his efforts to achieve success. He has grappled successfully with life's difficulties and come out ahead. Having provided for old age. he now can look with confidence into the future.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Luecke. union was blessed with six children: (1) Wilhelm, now living in Moulton; (2) Johanna, wife of George Frels, a farmer near Warrenton, deceased; (3) August, died in Nechanilz; (4) Augusta, wife of Gerh. Bohms; (5) Friedrich, farmer at Rutersville; and (()) Carl, the subject of this sketch, in the gin business at Schuleuburg. His parents came to the United States in 1845 and landed in Galveston. After remaining there for some time, they went to Houston in tho following year. From there they went to Ross Prah-ie, where his father died (1849) when Carl was only three years old. After his father's death, his mother married Mr. Heinrich Muecke of Ross Prairie. !She died in that settlement in 1853 when Carl was only seven years old, leaving him alone in the world.

Carl Luecke was born Februarys, 1846, in Houston. As we have seen, his father died when Carl was only three years of age. Thus, he was left alone in the world to hustle for himself. For that reason, he received very little schooling. He had to work to make his way through life. On November 11, 1870, he married Miss Gesine Muelker of Roundtop and then stayed there the next seven years. In 1877 he bought a farm on Middle Creek where he farmed till 1895. In that year he moved to Schulenburg. Since 1900 he is in the gin business with his son-in-law, Mr. Chas. Windel. They have made a fine reputation for fair dealing, honesty and business ability, and on that account enjoy a very large custom. They are the most popular ginners of Schuienburg.

Mr. Luecke is the father of four children: Laura, wife of Mr. Chas. Windel; Lina. wife of Mr. Rich. Alirens, farmer near Schuienburg; John and Cliaiies, proprietors of the Scl.ulenbur^ soda factory.

Hon. Wenzel Matajowski is highly respected throughout tlie county. He is the proprietor of one of the oldest rnerciintile establishn eats in Fayette County and in conducting it has acquired a high reputation for hjnesiy, fair dealing and reliabilty. He is one of the oldest living settlers in the county and still takes an interest in public affairs. During the Civil War he was a strong Union man and as such he became allied with the republican party. For quite a number of years, he was one of the ablest republican leaders in the county. During the Civil War, he served as constable in his precinct (1862-64). In 1886 he was honored by the people in being elected representative to the Twentieth Legislature, which held the first session in the new capitol building. Here he represented faithfully the interests of his constituents. Most probably he is the oldest post-

Hon. Wenzel Matajowski comes from a highly respectable family. His father, Anton Matajowski, born in 1800, was a merchant and mayor of the Bohemian city of Nechanitz; his mother was Barbara Matajowski, nee Hermann. This union was blessed with four children, of whom Wenzel Matajowski, the subject of this sketch, was the second. His oldest brother Anton was royal and imperial landrath (an officer invested with the powers of district judge and the commissioners' court combined) of Prague, Bohemia. His younger brothers, Eduard and Theodore, were merchants in Nechanitz, Bohemia. Each of them served in that city as mayor.

Wenzel Matajowski w a s born in Nechanitz, Bohemia, in 1829; he received his education at the gymnasium of Trautenau. In 1850 he came to the United States and landed at Galveston. He first farmed on the Bernard. From there he moved to Bastrop and established a cigar factory in the latter place (1852). In the following year he niarried Miss Christiana Dietrich of Bastrop. In 1855 he moved to Long Prairie and farmed there till 1867, when he bought the mercantile business of Robert Zapp, which he still manages. He has been postmaster of Nechanitz (formerly Long Prairie) since 1878,

(2)Mary,wife of Gustav Franzo. farmer in Cumming's Prairie near Ledbetter, Fayette County; (3) Anna, deceased ; (4) Ottilie, wife of Louis Kruse, fanner and butcher near Ledbetter ; (5) Clementine, deceased ; (G) Gustav, merchant in Warda, Fayette County ; (7) Wenzel, merchant in Yellow Prairie, Chrisman P.* 0., Burleson C.iunty ; (8) Auguste, wife of Wm. Kruse, merchant in Ledbetter ; (9) Clara, wife of Geo. Kruse, stockman and farmer near Ledbetter ; (10) Anton, merchant near Dime Box, Lee County ; (11) Laura, wife of Joe Dullye, farmer and stockman near Giddings, Lee County ; (12) Antonia, wife of Albert Speckels, farmer near Giddings ; (13) Charles and (14) Paul, at home in the business of their father,

Geo. Mauer, Sr. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Geo. Maaer, ar., stands high everywhere in the county, Llis honesty and business ability are recognized throughout the county by the people, and they have repeatedly elected him to positions of |)ublic trust. Frcm 1S80 to ISIJO he served tlie county as commissioner. Iw this office he was far-seeiiig, of broad vitnvs and stood above petty chicanes. Ho iidvocatHd several measures that have proveMl of lasting l,(Mie(it to the county, lie r f s i d e s now ;it Kutcrsv;llf and is one of Hit- most successrul farmers of the county.

Me was bom in ISpj in Liegnitz, Silesia, Germany, His parents, Georg and Emilie Mauer, came to the United States in 1850, when their son was eight years old. They settled in Biegel settlement, and George went to private schools in Biegel and Fay- etteville. When the Civil War broke out, he entered Capt, Alexander's Company, Third Texas Regiment, as a private and served during the war. hi 18G6 he married Miss Sophia Steves. This union was blessed with nine children, live boys and four girls : (1) Louis, architect, now in San Francisco ; (2) George, proprietor of a saddlery in La Grange ; (o) Penry, architect, inV Beaumont ; (4) Charles, merchant in Marlin ; (5) John, clerk in Rutersville ; (6) Emily, wife of John Niederauer, proprietor of a vineyard at Brenham ; (7) Anna, wife of Alex Schuech, farmer at La Grange ; (8) Sophie, teacher, and (9) Lydia, at home.

His son, George Mauer, jr., is a popoular business man of La Grange, liberal, accommodating, reliable and honest, and on account of these qualities is bound to make a success. In li*OL he was married to Miss Anna Kainer of of La Grange. He is the proprietor of a first-class saddlery and a (irst-class workman, and deserves for these reasons, the patronage of the people of La Grange and neighborhood.

Mr. J. C. Melcher is a man who deserves the most creditable mention by this writer ; he is one of the few in this county who have excelled in the field of invention. He has taken out seven patents and received eight diplomas and medals. Among others, he possesses four patents for insect destroyers and one for a center and extension table. Besides these he invented very many ingenious contrivances for which he did not take out any patent. At the Texas State Fair in Houston in 187i>, he was awarded the first prize for the best sample of tobacco. He is observant, a sharp thinker and pays his closest attention to improved methods. He was the first one to «eall the attention of the public to the mineral resources of Fayette County. The reader will read Ids article on Minerals of Fayette County with interest and be benefitted by the valuable information it contains.

Mr. J. C. Melcher was born in the town of La Grange March 19, 1849. In 1857 he moved with his fatiier to OHJuinn. He went to private schools, practiced self education, and pursued farm work and ranching. In 1870 ha established a mercantile business at O'Quinn and was married to Miss Clementine Gebert. The oldest children of this union are : (1) Louis, in business at Engle ; (2) Anna, wife of Mr. C. J. Luck ; (3) Minna, wife of Mr. Fritz Otell; (4) Amalia, wife of Mr. A.

Inventive genius seems to be a kind of hereditary natural gift in the Melcher family. Like his brother Charles, Mr. C. L, Melcher is an observant man with a clear head and clear ideas. He is the inventor and patentee of an improved road grading machine (patented Ju«e 2, 1891) and of a cotton baling apparatus (patented September 14, 1897). Like his brother Charles, he has also paid great attention to the mineral resources of the county, and, therefore, is a most interesting talker on this subject.

Perlitz in the Lewis settlement and later to the school of Captain Eiswald on the Kraerner place. He was confirmed by Rev. C. C. Rudy in the Pliiladelphia Church (Lutheran) on the East Navidad. Later he also went one year to the nic;ht school of Prof. E. Heimann. In 18G2-G3 he made a trip as government teamster to Mexico; after that, he was a private teamster. Next, he farmed till the year 1873, when he entered into partnership with his brother Charles in the Jatter's mercantile business at O'Quinn; in this business he remained for two years. After his withdrawal from this business, he established himself as a carpenter. In 1880 he built the gin in Swiss Alp where he still resides, highly respected by all who know him.

Mr. C. L. Melcher was married January 25, 1877, to Miss Anna Gebert of O'Quinn. This union was blessed with thirteen children, of whom one died. The four oldest are: (1) Laura, wife of Theodor Boiling, farmer at Swiss Alp; (2) Heduig, wife of Louis Boiling, farmer at Swiss Alp; (3) May, teacher in Black Jack Springs; (4) Emil, bookkeeper for Perlitz Bros , Schulenburg. Tlie rest of the children are at liome.

As remarked before, Mr. C. L. Melciier is the pro[jrietor of a gin at Swiss Alp, furnished with the latest improvements. He pays close attention to business and on account of his watchfulness and observation produces a model staple. Observation and inventive genius pay in any kind of business. Besides this, he serves the people as a notary public.

Julius Meyknbek(;, Sr. In this picture of the venerable old man the people of Fayette County recognize at once one of the oldest men and one of the oldest settlers in this county, Mr. Julius Meyenberg, sr. Mr. Meyenberg is now in his eighty. third year and has seen life in all its phases.

He was born in 1819 at Celle, Hanover, and received a classical education in the gymnasium of that city. In 1844 he immigrated to the United States and landed in New Orleans. He went to Frelsburg in Colorado County and bought a farm there in 1845. He next went with his brother Franz Ludwig, a former captain of the Portuguese army in Brazil, to New Braunfels. In 1850 he returned to Fayette County, bought a farm on the Bluff and settled there. He was married in that year to Miss Kunigunde Oske, born March 14, 1828, in the Province of Saxony, Prussia. This union was blessed with eight children all of whom were born on the Meyenberg farm on the Bluff: (1) Helene, born July 18, 1851, resides on the Bluff; (2) Max, born September 2, 18.53, died September 14, 1867, of yellow fever in La Grange ; (3) Franz, born June 25, 1855, diad September 13, 1S67, of yellow fever in La Grange ; (4) Selma, born March 2, 1857, wife of F. Streithofi'; (5) Edmund, born Januarv 25, 1859, proprietor of a saddlery in Pecos City ; (6) Elise, born February 14, 1861, died October 15, 1866, on the Bluff; (7) Alexander, born March 17, 1863, died September 6, 1867, of yellow fever at La Grange ; (8) Julius, born August 17, 1865, proprietor of a drug store at La Grange.

Mr. Meyenberg was in his earlier days a sympathizing friend and true adviser to the German immigrant. He is gratefully remembered by a great many of them. He has gained the high respect of his fellow citizens and a great man}-- of them speak of him with veneration.

It may be remarked here that he possesses one of the finest collections of insects and butterllies as is hardly equalled by the great institutions of learning in this country.

It is a pleasure to this writer to present to the readv:;r a sketch of a countryman of his. Pruf. M.W. Meyer, a native of East Prussia. East Prussia is tlie native country of ujhu like Kant, Herder and Koch, men who have revolutionized science, opened nesw channels of thought and started new epochs of science; names that are not only known tliroughout Germany, but that shine briglitest on the pages of universal history of phih)sophy. Perha[ts it is due to these great men tliat the East Prussian enjoys a reputation for clearness of mind. The career of Prof. M. \V. Meyer furnishes an example of the steadfastness of purpose, the peseverauce and judiciousness of the German mind. When he came to this country, he first worked on the farm and earned some money to attend a business college. He then taught school for five years and saved money to attend the Sam Houston Normal. He graduated in that institution. Since then he taught school again. Prof. Meyer takes a great interest in educational afl'airs and is now recognized as one of the leadmg educators of the county.

Kast Prussia. M. \V. Meyer was born Dec. 10, 1870, near Tilsit, East Prussia, and attended the public schools of that place. In October 1885, he immigrated to the United States and came to his uncle, William Brannies, at Seguin. He stayed there five years and worked on liis uncle's farm. In 1890-01 he took a course in the Blinn Memorial College at Brenham, Texas. He graduated, in the commercial course. After that, he taught school for five years m Guaglalupe County. From 1890 to 1898 he attended the Sam Houston Normal at Huntsville, Texas. He graduated in tiiat institution (189S) and accepted tiie position of superintendent of the Sehulenburg city schools, to which position he has been continuously re-elected by the trustees. His services as an educator have been eminent, and his ability and success in his profession have acquired him a reputation as a leading teacher of the county.

It is to be hoped that the schools of our country may secure more such men as Prof Meyer, and that his services as a public teacher in his city may continue for many more years, for it is only through such men that our public schools will reach the eminence to which they justly and deservedly strive.

More and more, the old pioneers of the county disai)pear; only a few of them who have lived in the early times and can talk of them, are still surviving^. One of the oldest settlers of the county, still living, is Mrs. Maria Muelker, widow of John Muelkerj deceased. Mrs. Maria Muelker belongs to the Aschen family, a family noted for long life. Her brothers have all attained an old age and are still living: Johann Aschen, eightynine years old; Anke, wife of Recklefs Meiners, eighty six years old; Reinhard Aschen, eighty-three years old, and Heinrich Aschen, eighty-two years old. She is the youngest and is eighty years old. Mrs. Muelker is of great vitality; her hair is still

Mrs. Muelker was born June G, 1.S22, near Oldenburg, Germany. She njarried there Mr. John .Muelker, a farmer in that country in 1843. In 1847 they came to Te.xas and lauded at Galveston. On the voyage over the ocean, their only child, two years old, had died on board the shij). From Galveston they moved to Houston where they stayed one vear. Here, their other child, Gesine, wife of Carl Luecke, was born to them. In 1848 they moved from Houston to Industry, Austin County. At that time, there were no railroads in Texas and one could not travel then with as great convenience as now. The family moved to Industry in an ox wagon drawn by one yoke of oxen and one team of horses. Mrs. Mu'^lker laughingly recalls her appearance in those days, in boots and with a Mexican sombrero. One morning on their journey the horses were lost. It was a winter morning. A norther with rain made it disagreeable outside. The men went off" to look for the horses. She was left by iierself on the open prairie. Little did she sleep that night, listening to the blowing norther and the falling rain. Next morning the

In 1850 they moved from Industry to Roundtop, Fayette County, where they farmed till 1877. In that year Mr. Muelker bought a farm on Middle Creek and moved upon it, where he died in 1883. His widow stayed on this farm witli her son-inlaw, Mr. Carl Luecke, till the year 1895. In October of that year they moved to Schulenburg, where she still resides.

Marshall B. O'Bar is known throughout the count}^ for his honesty and reliability. As the saying is, he is as honest as the day is long, reckoning twenty-four hours to the day. To ihose people who are acquainted with him, he is known as a gentleman of irreproachable character ; people who make his acquaintance soon recognize him as one. Mr. O'Bar is a man of marked ability. This was never more conspicuous than as when he served the couniy as commissioner of his precinct (1892-1890). It was the unanimous verdict of the people that the county never had a better commissioner. M. O'B.n- is this year a candidate for tax collector and there is no doubt that his honesty, reliability and business capacity will receive their due consideration from the people.

The family of Mr. O'Bar is one of the oldest in the county. His uncle John O'Bar established the first blacksmith shop in La Grange. His family was the third family that settled there. His grandmother reached the age of one hundred and four years. The first marriage license on record in Fayette County was issued to Mr. O'Bar's aunt. Miss Lottie 0"Bar, who married Napoleon Breeding.

Mr. O' Bar's grandfather John O'Bar was a native of Irehmd, being born in the neighborhood of Dublin. He came from that country to Virginia, where he died in 1806.

and was married there to Miss Nancy Burks. Their son Marshall O'Bar was born there Januar}^ 1, 1844. In 1852 Alexander O'Bar moved to Fayette County, Texas, and settled in the neighborhood of the present site of Warrenton, April 3, 1852. He died there November 1, 1856.

Marshall was raised on the farm and went to fjrivate country schools. During the Confederate War, he entered Cook's regiment of heavy artillery as a private and was promoted during the war to the first lieutenancy. After the war, he was in the gin business with Wm. Neese till the year 1873, when he bought the property where he still lives.

Mr. O'Bar was married io Miss Mary McCord of Rusk, Cherokee County, formerly of Fayette County. Tliis union was blessed with three children who were all born at Warrenton : (1) John H., born October 25, 1871, former county superintendent of Fayette County, now cotton buyer under Tally of La Grange for Crawford & Byrnes of Austin, Texas; (2) Miss Emma M., born April 11, 1873, staying with her parents at Warrenton ; (3) Oliver, born February 11, 1875, went to the public schools at Warrenton to the age of sixteen, two years to the A. and M. College at Bryan, studied three jears at Medical College of Galveston and one year at Tulane University of New Orleans the profession of medicine ; graduated there May 3, 1899 and is now a practicing physician.

The memory of John Oltmanns is chet^islied deservedly by the Schnlenburg people. Tliere never lived a, more patriotic and public spirited man than he. Unceasingly he worked for the interests of iSchulenburg, sparing neither time nor money to advance them. As a member of the city council, he improved the streets of the city and advocated a number of measures and improvements that proved of lasting benefit to the city. In social affairs he was the leading spirit, constantly arranging concerts, balls and theatrical performances that young and old might enjoy themselves. It is due to his efforts that Schnlenburg l)as acquired the reputation of being one of the most soc able and entertaining cities of the state. John Oltmanns wa3 also a good man. There never was a man who applied for help to him sent away without having received tlie solicited aid. P^specially beat his warm heart fur his countrymen who had just immigrated. He assisted them with his advice and his purse. Of John Oltmanns it may be truthfully said tliat the good he has done was liot interred with liis bones, but lives in the memory of all those he befriended.

John Oltmanns was born May 17, 1852. at Hankhausen, near Rastede, Oldenburg, Germany. His parents were Eilert Gerhard and Helene Oltmanns, nee v. Esten. They owned considerable real estate. John went to school at Hankhausen, and, after his school years, learned the baker's trade. In 1874 he established himself in the hotel business and also ran a water power mill and bakery, being the owner of all tliree establishments. On May 15, 1S74, he naarried INliss Anna Clode, born April 15, 1851, at Holler Wuestino;, Oltlenburg. He came to the United States in 1883, and in the following year liis family followed him. He lirst worked in a bakery in Galveston, then id 1884 he worked some months in the saloon of Joe Kainer at High Hill. The same year he opened a saloon in Schulenburg. He was ver}^ successful in this business, and remained there till the time of his death, October 22, 1901.

His wife and four children survive him: (1) Hermine, wife of John H. Maliler, clerk in San Antonio; (2) Helene, wife of F. F. Schaefer, formerly in the saloon busines-s at Schulenburg; (.')) Martha and (4) Jolin, at the home of their mother.

The name of the subject of this sketcli is well known throughout this and adjoining counties: F. PreSun. In wliatever business he was engaged, whatever position he has lilled, he everywhere established a higli record for industry, honesty and reliability. 13eing atfcible and sociable, he is well liked by a Jiost of warm friends in all parts of the county.

Mr. F. Presun was born September 19, 1851, at J^emgo, Lil)pe-Detmold, Germany. His parents were Franz and Pauline Presun. His father held the high office of auditor of the custom house. A sister of his is still Hying in Germany. Mr. Presun was educated at the gymnasium in Lemgo and received in that school a classical education. In- 1871 he came to Texas and first stayed with his uncle, VVilhelm Lange, in Welcome, Austin County. In 1872 he entered the commission house of Robert Leisewitz in Brenham, a cotton receiving and forwarding business. Here he stayed for nearly four years. In 1875 we find him in the employ of a wholesale wooden and willow ware business in St. Louis. In the same year he came back to Texas and clerked in the general merchandise store of Hillman & Gans in Giddings. Here he was also assistant postmaster with G. Pauli.

From Giddings he went back to Brenham and there took charge of the business of Robert Leisewitz, his former principal. He was married in October 1876 to Miss Ella UjfFy of La Grange.

In 1878 he opened up a general merchandise business in Welcome, Austin County, where he remained till 1882. He then went to Houston and served in the cotton business of Ullmann, Lewis it Co. In ISSo he took the position as chief clerk in the track department of the auditor's office of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston, Texas, He was transferred as chief clerk in the division roadmaster's department and left Houston for Schulenburg in charge of this office in 1884. The same year he went with his family to Germany on a visit. He returned to Schulenburg in September 1884 and opened a commission business in 1885 which he sold in 1890 to Meyer & Stanzel to take a position as bookkee[)er in t h e business of H. Horner. After the death of his wife he moved to La Grange and was there for three years the agent of the New Orleans Brewing Association. He married jNliss Anna Stuedemanu of LaGrange in 1895. In 1897 he established the Crown Soda Factory which he sold to the La Grange Ice and Cold Storage Company. He is now secretary and treasurer of said company and ships to Taylor, New Ulm, Columbus, Weimar and Fayetteville.

His children are Henry and Arthur Presun. The former travels for the Buck's Stove and Range Company of St. Louis in the state of Illinois; the latter works in the jewelry business of Dietrich & Krengel in La Grange.

his efforts to advance the commercial and social interests of La Grange. His ability and energy in this line have been recognized by the various lodges and clubs of which he is a member and he serves as secretary respectively secretary and treasurer in the following organizations: Secretary of Post L, T. P. A.; treasurer of La Grange Lodge 565, Knights of Honor; secretary and trensiirer of Endowment Ring, K. of P., Section 1477; secretary Bismarck Lodge No. 8, 0, D. H. S., and secretary Bluff Schuetzen Verein.

"Let us step into the County-Seat Saloon," is a well received suggestion. No wonder. In this popular resort the best whiskies, finest liquors, cool beer and other refreshments are served by a popular barkeeper, fHs friends have nicknamed him '"boss,", not because he bosses so much, but because he bosses so little. He much prefers to receive your order, of course, for refreshments. His politeness and the good service in his place always attract customers ; people who have been there once will also call there again. The owners of this popular place are Chas. H. Schaefer & Son.

The Schaefer family is counted among the oldest families of Fayette County. Mr, Schaeier's parents, Carl Friedrich and Jolianna Schaefer and with them their son Chas. H. Schaefer (born in the city of Hanover Nov. 9, 1839) came to La Grange, Texas, in the year 1847. His father was a teacher of languages in the city of Hanover. At that time the German governments were very oppressive ; it was the time of the Holy Alliance. The more energetic who also were a highly educated class left the fatherland for the home of the brave and the free. Hard times also awaited them here. Unused to manual labor, they had to learn it to make a living. Mr. Schaefer sawed logs into planks for one month and received as compensation a cow. He bought a small farm near Cedar where also Bill and John Lewis had settled before. In 1853 he bought a farm on the Bluff in company with Mr. Carl Otto. After the death of his wife he

Schools at that time were not as numerous as now. Charley went to private teachers, Mrs. Grasshoffand Mrs. Knobelsdorf who taught school on the Bluff. During the Civil War, Mr, Chas. Schaefer served in the 4th Texas Mounted Volunteers, Sibley's Brigade - afterwards Green's Brigade - from 1861-1865. He took part in the engagement at Monac's Ferry and several minor engagements. He was not wounded during the war, but lost his brother Fritz in the battle of Glorietta, N. M. Jn 1868 he was married to Miss Louise Helmcamp of Bluff settlement. In December, 1896, he came to La Grange and engaged in the saloon business in which he is still engaged. His three oldest children are married, their names : Mrs. Elise Prilop, Cedar ; Mrs. Louise Eck, Bluff', and George, in the saloon business witli his father; his youngest children, Misses Mary and Alvine and Ciiarles Schaefer s^ay at the home of their father.

Max ane Julius Schwartz. Messrs. Max and .Julius Schwartz number amongst Schuienburg's most successful business men. They are the well-known proprietors of the I. X L. Livery Stable and conduct this business in a popular manner. Tliey keep a great number of fast mules. Well knowing the qualities of good animals, they purchase only first-class animals and thus are able to suit their customers to satisfaction. They also pay their closest attention to the real estate business and persons wishing to sell or buy land will do well in securino; their services. Being well acquainted, on account of their long residence and their business, in this and adjoining counties, they understand the wishes of their customers and always know what place will suit them best.

Messrs. Max and Julius Schwartz are botli natives of the Khinepfalz, Cxeriaany, Max having been born at Pirmasens, Germany, July 17, 1865 and Julius at Busenberg on June IG, 1872. In 1876 they came from Germany to this country and have resided now for over a quavter of a century in Schulenburg. Both gentlemen are known throughout the county as great hustlers and men of keen business sense. They have made a success in their busuiess. The 1. X. L Livery Stable is eiiual in equipment, if not superior, to the best livery stables in South Texas.

A visitor in Schulenburg, walking down Main street, will be struck by the elegant appearance of a massive, substantial two-story brick building, the property of the Sengelmann brothers. It is known throughout the county as the "Two Brothers Saloon," the most elegantly equipped saloon in the county. Upon entering he finds a large, roomy hall, the nigh ceiling being supported by massive, elegantly worked pillars. Billiard and pool tables and tables with the leading newspapers and the county papers invite the visitor. The Sengelmaim brothers were the first who introduced this feature of holding a fine line of newspapers for the entertainment of their patrons in this county. In connection with the bar is a first class cuisine under the management of Mr. David, It may be said that so far as meeting the wishes of their patrons is concerned, the Sengehnann brothers have no superiors. The line of liquors, wines and cigars which they handle corresponds with the other metropolitan equipment of their bar. Upstairs is a first class hall which serves for public balls, meetings, entertainments and theatrical performances, it has an elegant hard polished floor and measures in dimensions fifty by eighty-five feet.

Both gentlemen are natives of Holstein, Germany. The elder, Mr. Charles Sengelmann, came to this country with his brother August in 1871, when he was sixteen years of age. They first located in Columbus, Texas, and in 1877 they moved to Schulenburof. In 1885 their brother, Gustav Sengelmann, also a native of Holstein, Germany, came to this country and two years later in 1887 purchased the interest of his brother August who returned to Germany and established himself in that country in the saloon business at Garden-by-Kiel.

The Two Brothers establishment was burned out in 1893, but with tiie energy characteristic of the Sengelmanns they at once commenced rebuilding and early in 1894 had their present elegant building completed. Both brothers are recognized leaders of Schulenburg society, stand well socially and financially, and have a higii rejjutation for reliability throughout the county.

John Speckels, Sr. The memory of good men is not interred with their bones, but lives after tliem. The friends of John Speckels cherish liis memory and love to recall his sterling merits. 11 is life was a success; under the most unfavorable circumstances, he grai)pled with life's ditficulties and came out ahead. In his old age he could with pride looli back on the early struggles of his youth and enjoy their well earned fruits. At the time of his death, he left his children all well provided and in prosperous circumstances.

to the United States and settled at Frelsbnrg, Colorado Connty< Texas, where they remained for one year. In 1849 they came to this county and settled on a farm near the present Warrenton where they followed agricultural pursuits till 1891. Their finances were at a low ebb when they came to this county, and for some time, until they could open up land and build a log house, they lived in a lent. Mr. Speckels made his own household furniture in those days. The family experienced a great many hardships and was wholly without Hour during the first year. They finally got a start, and Mr. 8[)eckels became a prominent stockman of his section, owning large herds of cattle, sheep and horses. He had managed to buy two or three negroes previous to the war, and although he was too old for service, his oldest son Clerhard served throughout the war. Mr. Speckels was successful in his farming pursuits and at one time, owned 950 acres of rich prairie land. In 1891 he and his wife moved to La Grange, where they purchased a fine residence. He died in 1894 at the age of seventyseven. His wife is still living at La Grange, ,over eighty 3'ears old.

ciiildren, five sons and six daughters, three of whom died young. The names of their children are: (1) Gerhard ; (2) John G., at Warrenton, Texas; (3) George, in the saloon business at J. a Grange, Texas; (4j Johanna, wife of Mr. A. Heintze, Jr., merchant in La Grange; (5) Meta, wife of Louis Walter, saddler in La Grange; (G) Mary, wife of William Neese, farmer in Wal-

Henry \V. Speckels, the youngest son, was born in 18G4. He was educated in the country schools of Fayette County, and, when eighteen years of age, started out for himself, although (luring a portion of each year, he stayed with his parents. He followed clerking and bookkeeping till 1887, when he came to La Grange and aocepted the management of Mr. Heintze's business which consisted of dry goods and groceries. Mr. Heintze was also a large cotton buyer or cotton broker, and of this department Mr. Speckels was general manager. In 1891 Mr. Heinlze sold his business to Speckels & Shaw, and Mr. H. W. Speckels assumed the management of their immense business. In 1893 he was elected mayor of La Grange. In 1894 he was elected by the ice and soda water manufacturers as manager of their business, and as such he also handled the well known W . J. Loiiip's beer. He continued as manager of the La Grange Ice & Beer Company till the fall of 1899, when he established a grocery business with Mr. F. G. Heim under the firm name of Speckels & Heim. The same has become the leading grocery business of La Grange.

Mr. W. H. Speckels was married to Miss Alma Meerscheidt of La Grange, daughter of Arthur and Lena Meerscheidt, nee von Ri)senberg. This union was blessed with two children, Lillian and Gilbert. His wife died in 189G. In 189S Mr. Speckels married Miss Mary Karges, tlie daugliter of one of the oldest settlers in La Grange. Tlieir only cliild is nan>ed Irwin.

The life of the subject of this sketch furnishes an example of what a man of industry, perseverance and economy can accomplish in this countr3^ Mr. G. E. Speckels has followed the rule that a dollar saved is a dollar made. Nevertliele&s, he was never so economical as to deprive hiiiiself or his family of the comforts of life. He started with small means, worked hard and saved his money, every dollar of which was honestly earned. Now, in his old age, he can look back with satistaction on the struggles of his early manhood, having provided against the contingencies of old age.

Mr. G. E. Speckels is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Speckels, Sr., whose biography the reader just has perused in the preceding pages. He was born January 8, 1843, in Oldenburg, (lermany, and came to thi, country with his parents when received his education in the public schools of the Warrenton neighborhood. In 1861 he enlisted for the Civil War in Captain Alexander's company, Ostwald Battalion.

two raontlis on board a manof-war near Galveston; the other four months they were stationed at San Jacinto where they were discharged. Mr. < G. E. Speckels next enlisted |. for three years in Captain Led- j,^ better's company of infantry winch belonged to WauTs | legion. They were stationed [ --m at Brenham. They received orders to march to Kansas; after having marched about one hundred miles, they were recalled to Mississippi. The route was by way of Shreveport and across Red River. In Louisiana they struck a railroad which for a distance of three hundred miles carried them into Mississippi. It took them three days to make the three hundred miles by rail, as the engine had much ditliculty m overcoming the hills. Thev arrived one day too late for the battle of Holly

Sprinos whereto they had been ordered as reinforcem3nts. The enemy drove them from place to place. Sometimes they had a small engagement. They were constantly marching, sometimes for two or three days without anything to eat. Finally the enemy drove them into Vicksburg where, with twelve days' rations, they stood a siege of forty-eight days. On July 4, 1863, Vicksburg wns surrendered. On July 12, the Confederate troops were marched out of Vicksburg into camp. Krom here Mr. CI. E, Speckels left for home without money and without provisions and reached home sick on August 6, 1863. After the lapse of three mouths, he was mustered into CaptainWickland's company, Waul's Legion, Captain L'^dbstter's company having been almost completely annihilated. Here he served one year. After having served the three years for which he enlisted, he got one month's leav. Early in 18()5 he went to Mexico, wherefrom he returned on August 7. In 18(j(3 he made a crop on his father's farm. That year he received fur his cotton thirty cents per pound in Galveston.

After the war he was married in 1867 to Miss Maria Frels of Warrenton, Texas;. He t\)llowed the pursuits of a farmer and carpenter, and by industry and economy he succeeded in acquiring a nice fortune.

Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Speckels are the parents of the following children: (1) Anna, wife of Mr. E A. Froehlich, in business at Shiner, Texas; (^2) Lucy, wife of Henry Lefzerich. salooii and groceries at La Grange; (3) Emma, wife of Fritz Wessels in the saloon business at La Grange ; (4) Laura, wife of Charles Amberg, in the -mercantile business at La Grange; (5) Rudolph, farmer at Uutersville, and (6) Edwin, clerk in La Grange.

Mr. G. E. Speckels is now a resident citizen of LaGrange and lives from the interest of his capital whicli he acquired in his youth and manliood by industry and economy. He is proud that every cent of it is honestly earned, Being used to an active life, he assumed in March, 1896, the position as traveling agent for Mr. O. E. Stolz's marble yard in La Grange, an estal>lishment which is known to turn out masterpieces of art at very reasonable prices. This occupation gives him the chance to see his friends in all parts of the county. By fair dealing he has

Hon. J, (!. Speckels is known to the people of Fayette County as a successful farmer, a successful business man and a successful politician. He is a prominent republican leader who ranks high in the counsels (jf his party and whose opinion carries with the republican leaders the weight of a successful campaigner. For ten years, from 18.S0 to 1800, he served the county as commissioner of his precinct. Tliough tlie county generally goes democratic, in 1894 he was elected as a republican member to the Twenty-B'uurth Legislature by an overwhelming majority. Here, as before, he served his constituency faithfully and distinguished himself by his conservative views on tiie measures before the house.

Hon. J. C. Speckels is the second child of John and Marguerite Speckels, whose biogra[)iiy the reader has just perused in the preceding pages. J. C. was born September 20. 1847, in Oldenburg, (lermany, and came with his parents to this country when he was ou\y ten days old. He went to private schools near Warrenton, Waldeck and Frelsburg. For some time (until 23 years old) he worked on his father's farm. During the (Uvil War, at the age of fifteen years, he was a government teamster, hauling cotton to Mexico, serving as a substitute for his father.

February 9, 1871, he was married to Miss Pauline Aschen of Waldeck and established himself as a farmer near W^arrenton. From 1880 to 1890 he served as commissioner of his i)recinct, the repeated verdict of the people in electing him showing but their approval of his views on public (jueslions. In 1891 he established a mercantile business at La Grange in partnership with Mr. VV. L. Shaw under the linn name of Speckels & Shaw, he being the senior member of the firm. The firm did an immense business till 1895, when he sold it to Heilig t*c Co. In 1894 he was elected on the republican ticket as representative from Fayette County to the Twenty-Fourth Legislature.

ren : (1) Clara, wife of Joe Weikel, now farmer near Edna, Jackson County, Texas; (2) Johanna, wife of Dr. T. J. Carter, Walhalla ; (8) Albert, farmer near Giddings, Lee County; married Miss Antonia Matajowski ; (4) Otto, at home; (5) John, at home; (C) Alwin, attending the Blinn Memorial College at Brenham ; (7) Gustav, attending the Blinn Memorial College at Brenham. and (8) Allan, at home. Hon. J. C. Speckels resides at his old home near Warrenton.

Those readers who have known Joseph George Wagner will no doubt be glad to have recalled to their metnory the picture and life of this good man. For nearly half a centuiy Joseph George Wagner has been a resident of Fayette County. He belonged to that class of citizens which are an acquisition to any country; he had the same spirit of independence, the same love of liberty and the same courage of his convictions which characterized the early settlers of this country. Mr. Wagner was a native of Germany. Tliere he had learned the trade of shoemaker and established himself in that trade in the city of Breslati, the capital of the province of Silesia, Germany. He took an active part in politics and was the founder of many labor organizations. He was an American citizen already by sentiment in that country, deeming liberty as the highest of human rights. Therefore, it was only natural that he emigrated to a country more in harmony with his opinions.

Joseph George Wagner was born February 12, 1821, in the county of Giatz, Silesia. He was educated in the public schools and then learned the trade of shoemaker. On January 8, 1849, he was married to Miss Maria Pochales at Breslau, where he established himsell as shoemaker. He left the old fatherland for the home of the free and the brave in 1858. His wife ?nd family, i. e. his wife and two children who were born in the old country, Oscar and Paulin3, now the wife of Mr. Christian Guggolz, afarmer near Gatesville, Coryell County, came with him. They landed at Galveston, and in November, 1853, they came to La Grange. In the following year they went to Roundtop where Mr. Wagner established himself in his trade of shoemaker. He

Mr. Charles Wagner is the seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Wagner and tneir fifth one born in this country. He was born July 11, ISGi, on the Nassau farm; attended the public schools at Nassau and later the Normal Department of the Alamo City Business College under W. C. Buckman; graduated and came to Carmine where he followed the profession of teaching for three years (1890-1893); from 1893 to 1S9G he was in the general merchandise business at Carmine in partnership with his brother Wilhelm; 189C-98, justice of the peace in Carmine precinct; 189S-1900, editor of the Carmine Enterprise. Since 1900 in the drug business at that place. Is one of the leading democrats of the count}'.

Robert Wolters is one of the few men whose fortune it was to witness the development of an infant struggling republic into a great state, the coming empire state of the Union. He has lived under the flag of the Republic of lexas, under the Union flag when Texas became one of the states, under the Confederate Hag and again under the Union liag. Just pause and think of the different phases of development. Texas, an infant republic, in dire distress, the country harrassed by marauding Indians when he was a youth, and Texas grown to full manhootl, the wonder uf the world as to the possibilities of future development. If he looks back to liis own life, he finds an analogy there. Robert Wolters, the struggling boy and Robert Wolters, the old man, one of the capitalists and most respected men of the county.

Mr. Robert Wolters was born September 20, lS20, in Elberfeld, Prussia, and came with his father, Jacob Wolters, his mother and three sisters to the United States in 1834. His father had left the old country on account of his political conv4etions. Tlie family lauded in New York and after a short time went to Philadelphia where his father established a bakery. But the Yankees of those times did not put on as much style as their descendants, they generally baked- their own bread, and under these circumstances, his father found it a hard task to provide for his family, much less to make any headway. Therefore the family went to New Orleans in the spring of 1835 and in May of that year they came to Texas and landed at Velasco. There they took a little steamboat which carried them up the Brazos River to Brazoria. From the latter place they traveled in ox wagons to where now Frelsburg stands and settled on the Piper league. They built the first log house in the Frelsburg neighborhood in the fall of 1835, but before the house was ready, his mother died under a tree in July 1835. There were very few settlers at that time in the country. The comforts were very primitive. His father acquired a skill in manufacturing rawhide chairs for which there soon was a great demand. He brought and sold them as far as to the Cole settlement in Washington County. One time, on his return trip from Cole settlement, a band of hostile Indians camped near Postoak Point between him and his home. To wait in a safe place, until tliey had withdrawn was a great inconvenience, to pass by there a still greater risk. His father chose the risk to pass by, passed them in tlie middle of the night and young Robert had to walk along

With a piece of bacon skin and every once in a while grease the axles of the ox wagon to keep them from squeaking. They reached their home safely without having encountered the Indians. His father married again ni 1838 and then moved to the Mill Creek near Industry. Robert and his brother August remained on their father's farm near Frelsburg, until his father had sold the same. After this, young Robert worked for some years on the farm, until he had money enough to buy a team and then he traveled for three or four years as a teamster. December 25, 1849, he married Miss Adolphina Wellhausen of Cat Spring, Texas. Ho bouglit 400 acres of the Pettus league in Austin County and farmed there till 1858 with his brother. In that year he moved to Cypress, Blanco County, a county still harrassed by Indians. In 1865 he bought a farm two miles east of High Hill, Fayette County, and moved to his place in the same year. In the fall of 1866 he established a store iu High Hill and in 1872, when the Southern Pacific came t^ Fayette County, he moved to Schulenburg where he still resich^s.

Mr. Wolters is now eighty-two years old, still of good health, and a fine example of the vigor of the nortliem (TiM-niMii. He has a number of ciiildren, a great many grandciiildrrii and great-grandchildren, and a great host of warm friends wijo all wish him a continuuice of his good health and prosperity.

On Chrii-tmas day ISUO Mr. and Mrs. Wolters celebrated their golden wedding, which festive occasion was a grand reunion of their children, grandcliildren and great-grandchildren.

When the witor of songs penned the line, "And he is a jolly good fellow," he ver}^ probably would have thought of the mayor of Schulenburg, had he ever been acquainted with him. Theo. Wolters is known to almost everybodj' throughout the county as a man of wit and jovial disposition. On account of liis congenial disposition, our mayor numbers liis friends by the hundreds. He is a man whom all people like to see come rather than go. Pie is also of kind disposition. Pie takes a deep interest in the welfare of his friends and, in case they have the blues, as most men sometimes will have them, he cures tliem thereof by liis jokes and soon they are "o'er a' the ills of life victorious."

His parents were Jacob and Louise (May brink) Wolters. His father was the manager of a large bakery at Duesseldorf, Germany, successful in business, but being of independent disposition, his political convictions did not agree with those of the government. He could not stand the oppression of the government which was especially oppressive in those days, and inimi- grated to the United States as a country more in harniony with his convictions (1834). He first settled near Industry, Austin County, in 1835. In 1838 he married Miss Louise iMay brink of Houston, Texas. His wife died at Industry in 1802; he followed her in death in 1805.

Their son, Theodore WoUers, was born near Industry, Austin County, Texas, April 15, 1840. He went to private kcIiooIs such as they were at that time. When the Civil War broke out, he went, only seventeen years of age, as a private into the Confederate Army and entered Creuzbauer's company ot liglit artillery. After the close o( the war. he clerked one year for his brother, Robert Wolters, Sr., in High Hill (1807) In tlie following year he wen! to New Ulm and learned ihiwagon maker's trade. On January 7, 1871, he married Miss Margaret Wink of New Ulm. He farmed there until 1879. In that year lie went to Moulton, Lavaca C)unty, and the year after he came to Schulenburg and engaged in the saloon business. On April 1, 1902, he bought the cotton platform in Schulenburg and he is now public weigher of that place.

(2) Eduard, clerk in the law oflice of Wolters, Lane & Lenert; (3) Mrs. Ottilie Baumgarten, wife of Mr. Chris. Baumgarten, Jr., bookkeeper for Baumgarten Bros, at Schulenburg; (4) Misa Katie Wolters, in the millinery business at Schulenburg, and (5) Wallace, at home.

Mr. Theo. Wolters is a public spirited man and takes a great interest in public affairs. He was elected alderman of Schulenburg, and his services in tliat office met with tbe general approval of the people. In 1889 he was elected Mayor of Schulenburg, which office he has held ever since except in the year 1890. As mayor of Schulenburg, he has been progressive; tlie attractiveness of the city and her commercial influence are largely due to liis untiring efforts. He is a staunch true democrat, always found in the front ranks of that party where the ffght is hardest. He is proud of never having sfralcbed a democratic ticket in his life, even if the party nominees were not personally agreeable to him.

The writer gives liere to the reader a biographical sketch of one of the oldest living settlers of Faj^ette County. Mr. Hugo Zipp, sr., is one of those sturdy German settlers who through all kinds of iiardships and reverses, by business talent, industry and economy achieved success. In his ripe old age he may look back now on a usefully spent life, on a life of toil and danger. He has the satisfaction of seeing his children well provi led and in good circumstances. The following talk on his life, written down by his son, H. W. H. Zapp, is here given in full as the same tells very interestingly of some incidents of his life which are characteristic of the early times of Texas.

My parents, John Hy. Zjpp and Elizabeth Zapp, nee Besenbruch, lived in Elberfeld during their lifetime. My father was in the mercantile business. I was born September 6, 1822, in Elberfeld, Germany, raised and educated there as merchant. In my twenty-fifth year I emigrated with my brother Hermann to this country, landing in New Orleans, La., in December, 1847. I had several good positions offered me there, also in St. Louis, Mo., but I declined them. From New Orleans I went to Galveston and further on to Industry, Texas, where I bought me a small farm between the town of Industry and the banks of Mill Creek. In the banks of same there was a lovely, very strong, cold and clear spring of water, gushing through the rocks.

[Tnderneath them I made a fine bath basin and tliere I enjoyed many a cool bath the first year in our warm climate. I chose farming as my occupation to make a living, as 1 wanted to lead an independent and free life when 1 adopted this country as my future home. My nearest neiglibors lived only a few hundred yar Is distant ; they were Mr. Jacob Wolters, Herr von Wedel and Mr. Ernst, sr. Here I had m.y first experience in farming ; the lirst time in my recollection that I ever touched a plow or hoe or even saw one. My good readers can therefore well imagine how well I succeeded at first with my new vocation, but as 1 was determined, I soon learned. In 1849 my brother Hermann started with a party for California where he remained a couple of years and then returned to Elberfeld, where he now resides. In 1850 I bougiit a tract of timber land, about four miles west of Fayetteville, near Clear Creek, which 1 began to improve with the aid of some good friends and, by years of hard toil, I got a nice field. Ln the first y.^.ir I built a genuine Texas house tliereon ; perliaps some of your readers will hardly know what a genuine Texas house is ; hence I will explain : It is a log tiouse, 'covered with split sliingles without the use of a single nail; as the latter were a scarce article in Texas in oltl times, the citizens were forced to make inventions. 1 lived there a couple of years as bachelor and many an interesting episode as well as hardship 1 went through durmg this period. In 185') I married near Uoundtop my wife, Caroline Bode, and spent the liappiest part of my life right on this little farm ; always raised enough cuttow to ipake a good living anc^ plenty of corn so that I could raise good stock of which I had at all times an abundance. After some years when my children began to grow up, I concluded to get near a town so as to give them schooling. I chose Fayetteville whereto I moved in 1865, and there I have lived ever since. Began merchandising which I followed up to 1890, with success, although my means for the lirst years were very limited. I have never run for an office, neither have I ever taken much stock in politics in this my adopted country, I was not admitted as a soldier in the Civil War on account of my poor eyesight, 1 being nearsighted. In the fali of ISOl a band of robbers attacked me at my house at night for money ; as I had none, th'ey attempted to hang me ; 1 had already the rope around my neck and over the limb of a tree, when, at a proper moment, I quickly loosened the rope from my neck, sprang behind the tree and ran for dear life, they tiring six or eight shots after me, when I fell over a log an! they, sui)posing that tliey bad killed mo, ran, jumped on tlieir horses and escaped. This v.'as the third time I had a narrow escape for life.

In 1897 my eyes began bothering and paining me very much and grew worse from time to time, until in 1900 I went totally blind. The only comfort and company was my dear wife up to the 18th day of March, 1902, when it pleased our Father above to also take her, my last support, from me and leave me alone with my good children who try to do for me all they can.

The name of Robert Zapp, whenever mentioned, is forever linked with steadfastness of purpose, unimpeachable honesty and the hishest order of moral courage. He was firm in his convictions. No matter what the clamor of excited citizens, no matter what their threats, no matter what mi^iit be tlie consequences of resisting an unreasoning mob, he could not be moved a step from the line of conduct his conscience and ripe judgment had dictated to him. There never was a foreigner who on account of Ihe^e virtues was more respected by liis American fellow citizens than Robert Zapp. He was a power for good, a man wlio set a shining example by his conduct for posterity to walk the line of rit;ht.

Ivobert Z tpp was born at Elberfeld, Germany, in 1818. In tliat country he received a splendid education, and, after learning the trade of engraver, he established himself in that business. On account of iiis revolutionary views, in which he advocated a republican form of government, he came into conflict with the ruling powers. He left Germany in 1847 and arrived that year in Texas. The United States were then in a state of war with .Mexico. Hs served several months as a governiDent teamster, but became sick of fever and was sent to the New Orleans hospital. After his dismissal from the hospital he returned to Texas. Here he made tlie acquaintance of Miss Johanna Hubertina Huepgens (born June 14, 1826, at Eupen, Germany,) and was married to that iady in the same year (1847) at Liverpool, near Galveston. In 1848 he moved to La Grange. Here he wori^ed for about seven years as a carpenter. He then established a mercantile business at La Grange in 1855. It burned up on the night of Buchanan's election. He was then a democrat. When his friends expressed their sympathy to him about his loss, he answered coolly: "Never mind. This was a bonfire for Buchanan's victory." The course pursued by Buchanan's administration did not meet his approval; Robert Zapp changed his party affiliations and became an ardent republican. Daring the Civil War he was a strong Union man. lie was elected a member of the Twelfth Legislature. When Coke was elected governor and Davis intended to resist him in assuming charge of this office, when partisan feeling ran so high that bloodshed seemed to be unavoidable, he was one of the republican leaders who counseled moderation and agreement to the verdict of the people as given at the last election. His influence in his party and the conddence they |)Iaced in the suundness of his judgment carried so much weight witli them that his party appr.jved his counsel, and bloodshed was thereby averted. During Davis' ad:uinistratinn, he also held the office of superintendent of county sciionls. la 188) he ran against Miller for Coni^i-ess on the republican ticket, and, though defeated, he had the consolation of cai-rying his Jiome county, where he was best known and where his high qualities and principles were m):it apprnniuted, by a two-tliirdi vote.

In 185() he built np his burnt business in La Grange, He stayed there until 18 jU. In that year he opened a general merchandise business at Long Prairie (the present Waldeck). In 1857 he opened branch stores at Ledbetter and Roundtop. He sold his business at Long Prairie to Matajowski & Aschen and moved that same year to Roundtop. Here he remained m busi- ness till one year before his death. He then sold the same to Alex y. Rosenberg. He died in 1885 at his home in Roundtop, after a useful life, honored and remembered not only by his friends and neighbors, but also by the people at large. His name until today stands as a byword for sternness of character, unimpeachable honesty and unwavering constancy. His beloved wife followed him in death in 1897.