1991

Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family
NEWSLETTER

November 1991

Family History Update
Since the release of our Family Book in 1978, we have learned more about our family history. Here are only a few of the things we have learned.
Five Sons On page 6 of our 1978 Family Book, you read the speculation to the possible fate of the Hoelscher's son, Franz. Actually, Anton and Mary Katherine did bring five sons with them on the voyage to Texas. Geneva Tetley (p. 443) located a record showing that William, Franz, and Ben were among the first group to be confirmed at Sts. Peter and Paul, Frelsburg, on Nov. 1, 1848. So, we know that Franz came with the family, but we know nothing of him after 1848. Perhaps his is one of the unmarked graves in the vicinity of Anton Sr.'s grave.

Anton Sr.'s Memorial Marker At the 1978 reunion, it was voted to "investigate the possibility of moving Anton Hoelscher Sr.'s grave from private property to the church cemetery at Frelsburg" (p. 547). After extensive investigation by Ruth Kunz (p. 122), the Family Board concluded in 1981 that such a move would be too complicated. Instead a marker was placed on Mary Katherine's grave as a memorial to Anton Sr. It gives his date of birth and approximate date of death and states he is actually "buried on private property in Colorado County." This marker also recognizes Anton and Mary Katherine as the "parents of the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family." Anton's Date of Death In searching for all possible records concerning Anton Sr.'s death, no one has found an actual record of death for him. Through her research, Ruth Kunz (p. 122) determined that he died between 1856 and 1857, based primarily on land transaction records.

Which Ship? We still have not found ships' passenger lists for our immigrant families. According to Anton Sr.'s application for naturalization, the Hoelscher Family arrived in Texas on Dec. 31, 1846. According to family tradition, the Buxkemper Family arrived on Nov. 28, 1850. We think both families arrived at the Port of Galveston. But we do not know the name of either ship. If anyone can locate these records, please let us know!

Dates Not in Family Book Elizabeth Hoelscher Buxkemper's second husband, Bernard Niehues, was born Sept. 20, 1801, and died Dec. 20, 1899. He is buried at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Frelsburg.

Finding Family Records
It is not necessary to travel to Germany, nor to write letters, to see our family's records. The records of St. Vitus Church, Olfen, are in the Bistumarchiv in Mnster. But the churchbooks have been microfilmed by the L.D.S. (Mormons) and may be viewed at a local L.D.S. Family History Center anywhere in the world. In case you are interested, you will find most of the records on microfilm numbers 0865842 through 0865846.

More Family History Update
Elizabeth and Theodore Buxkemper (pp. 19-21) actually had ten children. The child identified as Ida (Isabella) on page 20 is not the same as Ida (Isabella) on page 151. The Buxkempers had two daughters, both named Ida. Ida Catherine was born Oct. 24, 1858, and died April 13, 1862, at age 3. She was listed as age 2 in the 1860 census. Then Isabella Ida was born about 1861 and died Sept. 15, 1871, at age 10. Between the two Idas was a son named Frank (or Franz) William, born Dec. 5, 1860, and died March 25, 1861, at age three months.
We have learned, primarily from family letters, that Elizabeth and Bernhard Matthiesen (pp. 205-206) had two other children that died in infancy. A baby girl was born Dec. 1, 1891, and died Dec. 5, 1891. A son, Edward, was born and died in late 1892.
Frank G. Hoelscher's (pp. 291-292) first wife, Wilhelmina (Minnie) Moeller was born July 3 or 13, 1859, and died Feb. 15, 1897. Their baby son, Heinrich Joseph, was born Jan. 29, 1897, and died Feb. 15, 1897, the same day as the mother. They are buried together at Westphalia. Also buried by Minnie is the daughter, Mary, born Dec. 5, 1885, and died Jan. 7, 1899, at age 13. So, Frank and Minnie had nine children. Frank married Josephine Hincemann on Nov. 16, 1897.
Undoubtedly, there are other previously "unknowns" to be discovered. That is what makes family history research so interesting.

We're Not the Only Ones
From time to time, we hear of Hoelschers, but we can't find them in our Family Book. That is probably because they belong to a "different" Hoelscher family.
We find that Hlscher is a fairly common name in the northwestern part of Germany. And, that there are other Hoelscher families in the U.S., especially in the midwestern states. We have corresponded with some of their family researchers, both in the U.S. and in Germany, but thus far none has been able to establish kinship to our family's ancestors.

Who is Bill Hoelscher? His name and picture appear frequently in Texas newspapers, particularly in the San Antonio area, since he is the head of Fiesta Texas, the Opryland (now Six Flags') theme park scheduled to open in Spring 1992 between San Antonio and Boerne. To answer everyone's question: he is not a descendant of our Anton Hoelscher; that is why you can't find him in our book.
As far as we know, the Hoelscher named on the memorial at Pearl Harbor is not from our family, either.

Library of Congress Entry
Our 1978 Family Book was submitted to the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. The Library of Congress card number is 79-126250. You might want to write that on the back of the title page.

Relatives in Germany
We previously understood that there were no Hlscher relatives in Germany. Now, we have found one! He is Heinrich Hlscher, of Ldinghausen, near Olfen. He is a descendant of Anton Sr.'s first cousin, and he learned of us because of newspaper articles in his area about our family and our Olfen in Texas. He is continuing to research records in Germany.
For some time, we have been aware of Buxkmper relatives in Germany. Over the years, Emma Helpert (p. 35) has been in contact with Josef and Maria Buxkmper, who live on a farm outside Olfen. They and their son, Heinrich, visited in Texas in 1989.
Also living just outside Olfen is the Nrmann Family, descended from the brother of Elizabeth Brse, wife of Anton Hoelscher, Jr.
In and around the city of Mnster are various relatives from the Matthiesen family, including Annemarie Lcking, now of Drensteinfurt. She was instrumental in obtaining the preliminary records of our family in Germany.

Visitors Across the Ocean
Several relatives have visited in and around Olfen, Germany, and furnished us with information, including the Rev. Alvin Wilde (pp. 31, 337), and Marcus and Mary Dee Hoelscher (pp. 392, 452).
In 1986, a group of 13 relatives, led by Bishop Leroy Matthiesen (p. 220), toured Olfen, Mnster, the surrounding towns and other sights in Germany. They visited with Annemarie Lcking and other relatives of the Matthiesen and Brse families and looked at family records in two archives.
Relatives making the trip with Bishop Matthiesen were: Dottie Frerich (pp. 226, 369), George Lange (p. 226), Irene Mazur (p. 220), Cindy Niehues (p. 214), Doris Niehues Siebold (p. 214), Kenneth and Carol Niehues (p. 214), Gladys Gray (p. 228) and her friend, Carmen Cuirana, Geneva Tetley (p. 443), Carolyn Meiners (p. 244), and Theresa Gold (pp. 265, 385).
In 1989, Albert and Emma Helpert (p. 35) and Theresa Gold (pp. 265, 385) visited Olfen for the celebration of the town's 1100th anniversary. Earlier, Emma had been interviewed -- in German and Plattdeutsch -- via an international radio hookup from her home in Dallas directly to Olfen in Germany. In Olfen, the three were presented to the city officials and were photographed for the newspaper. They attended several anniversary events and were the houseguests of two Buxkmper families.
If you plan a trip abroad and would like to visit Olfen, contact Theresa Gold (pp. 265, 385) well in advance for names and addresses of contacts and recommendations on sights to see. If you visit Olfen, be sure to report back to us.

Organizations of Interest To You
All of these know of our H-B Family so when you join, just mention that you are a member of our big family.
Westphalia Historical Society was organized recently to preserve the community's heritage, to prevent demolition of the Westphalia Little School and Convent, and possibly renovate those buildings for a community museum. Members are planning a masquerade ball for New Year's Eve and are preparing two commemorative quilts, one for former students of the Little School and another for supporters. Plans are underway for a videotaped history of the community. A new concern has arisen regarding the proposed route of the high-speed rail within 2,000 feet of the historic Church of the Visitation and the cemetery. Membership is open to anyone who is interested with no fees required, and "contributing" membership begins at $10.00.

To add your name to their Newsletter mailing, write to the Society's president,
Doris Voltin (p. 99), Rt. 2, Box 188, Rosebud, TX 76570

Violet Historical Society maintains the community's original church building as a community museum. The museum is officially open only three days a year, but special tours may be arranged by calling (512) 387-2273. President of the Violet Historical Society is Arthor "Buddy" Dittlinger (p. 413). Annual dues begin at $7.50 for individuals and $10.00 for couples. The Society's address is
Rt. 3, Box 152 (Violet), Robstown, TX 78380

German-Texan Heritage Society has one meeting a year, but brings all members a large Journal three times a year. Membership is on a calendar year basis and currently begins at $8.00. If you join now, please specify if you are paying dues for 1991 or 1992 or both. After Jan. 1, 1992, dues will begin at $10.00. Write to
GTHS, P. O. Box 262, Manchaca, TX 78652

Westphalian Heritage Society is a new national organization for the descendants of immigrants from the Westphalia area of Germany (that's all of us!). Individual membership begins at $10.00, and the Society wants to hear about your interests, your family and its origin. The address is:
P. O. Box 244, Westphalia, MO 65085
Texas Catholic Historical Society holds an annual meeting and publishes a Newsletter and one issue of a Journal each year. Individual membership is $10.00 per year. The address is (changed -- see link to their site).

A Recipe or Two For You
The Altar Society of Visitation Parish, Westphalia, has two different editions of a cookbook for sale: each is $5.00, which includes postage. You may order yours from Doris Voltin (p. 99).
Family Portraits
You probably recognize the woman pictured to the left. Of course, she is Mary Katherine (Daldrup) Hoelscher, our immigrant mother. At the far left is a portrait of Anton Hoelscher, Sr., compliments of Carolyn Meiners (p. 244). The picture was positively identified at our 1988 reunion, and we thought you'd like a peek at our immigrant father!

Two Attend All 19!
Thus far, we have had 19 biennial reunions; elsewhere in this Newsletter is a list of where and when all the reunions were held. Two faithful relatives have attended all 19 family reunions -- every single one since the first in 1954. They are Katherine "Katie" Hoelscher Bersen (pp. 44, 414) and Nathelene Goericke Hoelscher (p. 408) both of Violet. That's really something special!

Announcing
With the birth of Celene Ann Butner on March 18, 1988, the Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family began its ninth generation! Celene Ann is the daughter of Robert Allen and Kelly Ann (Taylor) Butner (p. 32) of San Jose, Calif.
Celene is the only 9th-generation child that we know of. If there are others, younger or older, please tell us!

Hoelscher-Buxkemper Family Board Members
Board members represent the large cities of Texas as well as the smaller communities where great numbers of relatives reside. They have one Board meeting per year: during the biennial reunion and, in odd-numbered years, on the second Sunday after Easter in Temple. From this group comes the initiative for planning "the next reunion," for promoting attendance at the reunion, and for communication among the relatives in each area.
The Board members represent you, and so that you may know who they are, we are furnishing you with a list of their names, addresses and telephone numbers.

News From Here 'N There
When we look through all the newspaper clippings sent to the Custodian of Records for inclusion in the scrapbooks on display at each reunion, we can tell that out Hoelscher and Buxkemper family descendants participate in many activities.
They continue to be active in Catholic Life Insurance, following their ancestors' lead in founding the Staatsverband. They also reach out through the PTA or PTC, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters. You will also find them working in parish religious education, singing and directing the choirs, serving Altar Societies and Christian Mothers' Clubs. CYO, scouts, high school and college sports also claim their time and talent. They have been listed on honor rolls and won scholarships and awards of merit. Some of them are involved in social action issues; some write letters to the editors. Many are farmers; others are physicians, lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers and professors -- and homemakers. But, all share the heritage of a common relationship through our immigrant ancestors, Anton and Mary Katherine Hoelscher.

These newsy bits were taken primarily from clippings sent for inclusion in the family reunion scrapbooks. Some of the information may no longer be current.
Chris and Margie Hoelscher (p. 340) of Cedar Park near Austin have adopted 15 children, all disabled in some way. The family was the subject of a three-page feature story with color photos in the March 1990 edition of Ladies Home Journal.
Sandra Dornak (p. 146) was fourth runner-up in the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant, July 6, 1991, televised statewide from Fort Worth. An accomplished ventriloquist, she competed as Miss Duncanville.
Clifford G. Hoelscher (p. 340) won a 1990 Emmy Award for his sound editing of Serengeti Diary, a National Geographic documentary. Formerly of Runnels County, he has lived in California since 1974.
The Rev. Marvin Kitten, S. J., (p. 297) served at St. Mary's Parish, College Station for five years. He is now vocations director for the New Orleans Province of the Jesuits. Aggie former students and others may contact him at 500 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy., New Orleans, LA 70119-7192.
Jim Kissling (p. 157) and a friend rescued his brother, Mike Kissling, from a flaming car wreck in late May 1986. They received well-deserved recognition for their heroism.
The Rev. Msgr. Monroe J. Matthiesen (p. 219), now age 75, has retired as pastor of St. Theresa's parish, Panhandle, an appointment he had held since 1968. The oldest active priest in the diocese of Amarillo, he remains director of St. Ann's Nursing Home, the Catholic Children's Home, and St. Joseph's Home for Retired Priests, as well as chaplain to the School Sisters of St. Francis.
The Rev. Edward Pavlicek (p. 179), graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University and Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, was ordained to the priesthood April 9, 1983. He currently serves at Sacred Heart Parish, Floresville.
Jerome Hoelscher (p. 196) began growing grapes on his farm near Garden City in 1985, and in 1987 his St. Lawrence Winery was formally bonded to market four types of wine.
Helen Gausemeier Hoelscher (p. 281) and Doris Buxkemper Voltin (p. 99) were among the Westphalia "Ladies of the Land" a 1984 feature story in the Marlin Democrat, which was reprinted in several other newspapers. The story also featured Lydia Lange and Louise Buckholt.
William Ordner (p. 60) was reelected mayor Petronilla in April 1987 by a vote of 36 - 19, termed a heavy voter turnout.
Larry Hoelscher (p. 281) is district clerk, and his brother, Tony Lynn Hoelscher (p. 281) is county commissioner, both of Falls County.
Richard Strube (p. 301) was elected county commissioner in Runnels County in 1990.
Ralph E. Hoelscher (p. 294), Runnels County farmer, was twice a candidate for Texas Railroad Commission on the Republican primary ballot. He is the first H-B family relative we know of to run in a statewide election.
Benedicine Sisters Pauline Block (p. 227), Helen Glass (p. 217), and Rosaria Matthiesen (p. 219), all first cousins, of Holy Name Priory, St. Leo, Fla., celebrated their golden jubilee in August 1980. Sr. Rosaria died July 7, 1988.
In June 1985, the Diocese of Austin's Catholic Spirit featured several Catholic farming families, including James, Mary Ann, Alan and Glenn Hoelscher (p. 340) and Charlotte and Larry Stock (pp. 34, 191). According to the article, when Alan Hoelscher rides alone on the cultivator, "God is 'somebody to talk to.' "
Hugo J. Gold (pp. 165, 385) and Hubert Lange (p. 227) both retired in late 1990 from civil service at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, and attended each others' retirement parties.
Wendy Jenschke (p. 142) of Fredericksburg was Gillespie County's Peach Queen in 1984.
Irene Eggemeyer Kuhn (pp. 421,444) of Duarte, Calif., completed high school in 1978 at age 67. She proudly shared with all a lengthy story of her life in the Ballinger Ledger, Dec. 4, 1978.
More News From Here 'N There
Cheryl Hoelscher Beu (p. 270) was Jim Wells County Fair Queen in 1970.
Joe Busker (p. 51) was top sharpshooter when he retired in 1968 from the Corpus Christi police force as chief of firearm instruction. A veteran of World War I, he won more than 370 medals for sharpshooting in 38 years of competition. He died in February 1985.
The Little League Park in Rosebud was renamed Hoelscher Field in 1977 in honor of P. J. Hoelscher (pp. 83, 504), former principal of Rosebud Intermediate School and also: "coach, umpire, manager, groundskeeper, fence builder, waterer, grass planter, announcer, and sodapop seller." P. J. and his wife Doris, were named 1974 Rosebud Citizens of the Year. When P. J. retired, he had not missed a single day of school in 35 years!
Barbara Ranly Burkett (p. 402) of Port Lavaca is a talented artist. She says, "In each painting, I hope to make an ordinary moment into a special memory that will last a lifetime."
Clifford Hoelscher (pp. 100, 191) earned his doctorate in etomology from Mississippi State University. Since 1980, he has held a statewide etomology position at Texas A&M University. (For our non-farming relatives, that's insect control and pest management.)
John Hoelscher (p. 383) retired as senior vice president, finance, at Valero Energy Co. He and Marie have moved from San Antonio to Fair Oaks Ranch.
We know of three permanent deacons in our H-B Family: Leroy Beach (p. 75) of Millersview, Darris Lander (p. 104) of Slaton, and Wilbur Hoelscher (p. 505) of San Antonio. If there are others, please write and identify yourselves!
Diane and Bob Boykin (p. 127) perform as the musical duet Reflections at clubs in the San Antonio area. They entertained at the 1990 H-B Family Reunion in San Antonio.
Cathy Eck (p. 525) was secretary to three archbishops in her 32-year career in the San Antonio archdiocesan chancery office. In 1986 - 87, she was also secretary to the office of the Papal Visit to Texas. She now lives in Dallas.
Andrew Ordner retired in Sept. 1984 as Corpus Christi district fire chief. He also served nine years as director of ambulance services. In 1945, he was hired as a fire department dispatcher, a "temporary" position.
Ronald L. Hoelscher (pp. 83, 504) received his doctor of medicine degree in 1987, ranking first in a class of 200 students at the University of Texas Medical Branch of Galveston. A resident of Irving, his specialty is radiology.
The Rev. Msgr. Larry Droll (p. 366), chancellor of the Diocese of San Angelo, was honored in 1990 by Pope John Paul II as a chaplain to His Holiness. Msgr Droll studied canon law in 1987 at Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Melvin R. Frei (pp. 82, 353) is professor of biology at Trinity University, San Antonio.
John Simon (p. 196) owns AMEDEQ, suppliers of medical equipment. In April 1991, he received a "cheer" from a San Antonio daily newspaper for his assistance to a disabled veteran in need of a wheelchair.
The Rev. Msgr. Roland Buxkemper (pp. 107, 303), pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Lubbock, was named Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II in 1990. Msgr. Buxkemper also celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordination in 1990.
Robert C. Palmer (p. 120) holds the prestigious Cullen Professorship of history and law at the University of Houston. A specialist in American and English legal history, he earned his doctorate at the University of Iowa in 1977 and does further research in London each summer.
Mark Hoelscher (p. 505) was national collegiate parachuting champion for 1989, representing the U. S. Air Force Academy in the competition. In 1991, he received his degree from the A. F. Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
Robert T. Ordner (p. 63) also graduated from U. S. Air Force Academy; he received his degree in 1988.
Geneva Tetley (p. 443) was the founding president of Adam R. Johnson Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, in Burnet. Now a resident of San Angelo, she remains active in UDC affairs as well as in family, genealogical and heritage activities.
Sr. Pascal Hoelscher, OP (p. 456) was Teacher of the Year for 1990 - 91 at St. Mary's School, Taylor. She retired at the end of May 1991 after 48 years of teaching, the last 20 years at St. Mary's. She continues to help at the school as a clinical assistant.
Sr. Mary Joann Buren, SSpSde.Ad.P, is a Holy Spirit Adoration sister in Lincoln, Neb. Hers is a contemplative congregation of sisters.
Gertrude and Gerald Lange (p. 217) celebrated their golden wedding anniversary August 18-19, 1990, in Rowena, with a Mass, a family gathering and a family dinner. They are members of St. Joseph Church, Rowena, where they were married in a sunrise ceremony on August 19, 1940.
Still More News From Here 'N There
Werner and Catherine Lange (p. 224) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 25, 1991, with a Mass, reception and dinner at St. Joseph's in San Angelo. They have nine children and 24 grandchildren.
Geraldine and Albert Barger (p. 40) celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Sept. 1, 1991, in San Antonio.
Margie and Dennis Baumbach (p. 441) celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary the week of Nov. 10, 1991, with a trip to Indian Lodge at Fort Davis, in west Texas.
Christine Gold (p. 385) was accepted as a member - at - large of the Daugters of the Republic of Texas. Her eligibility is based on her great grandfather, Bernard Henry Beimer, who came to Texas in 1836.
Ernest Lee "Sonny" Hoelscher (p. 269) is president of the Chamber of Commerce in Alice.
Mark L. Hoelscher (p. 295) of Stanton, formerly of Garden City, was named Business and Professional Man of the Year (1988) by the North Concho Soil and Water Conservation District.
Shirley Hoelscher (p. 457) was named 1985 Social Worker of the Year by Central Counties Unit of the National Association of Social Workers. She has worked at Olin Teague Veterans Administration Center (V.A. Hospital) in Temple since 1955 and has been a professional social worker since 1973. She was Hoelscher - Buxkemper Family secretary 1961 - 71 and continues to serve on our Family Board.
Dis you see the color photo of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in the November 1990 issue of Texas Highways? Did you recognize them as Mr. and Mrs. Winkler Fuchs (p. 421)? Wink reports they were interviewed, but their names were not included in the story.

A Message For All of Us
Philosophers say that the very worst fate that can possibly happen to us is to be totally forgotten, with no record, no picture, no tombstone, no trace, no memory of our names, of who we were, of what we thought, what we said, what we did.
It's been said that to forget the past is to doom oneself to repeat its mistakes.
I would add to that: that to forget one's forebears is to run the risk of not knowing who one is.
The conveners of the first Hoelscher - Buxkemper Family Reunion in 1954 understood this well. We owe them our gratitude for bringing us together -- and our commitment to them and to each other to keep the memory alive. Let's all be there June 27 and 28 at the biennial reunion in San Angelo.
Leroy T. Matthiesen (p. 220)
Bishop, Diocese of Amarillo

More Family History Updates
On page 257, it indicates that Joseph and Katherine may have had two other children who died young. We found a gravestone in the church cemetery at Ellinger marking the burial place of their son, John William Hoelscher, born March 14, 1864; died March 26, 1864.
We also located the baptismal record of their daughter Clara in the records of St. Mary's Church, Ellinger. According to that record, she was born Oct. 28, 1866, in Texas. This means that the family moved to Ohio later than originally thought. We have also uncovered other records that correct some dates of birth.

A Word to the Wise
Please do not get taken in by offers for a "Family Heritage Book" that uses your last name in the title of the book. Or, for a coat of arms for the Hoelscher Family or for any other family. Read the offer carefully if you decide to order.

Der Kalendar Fr 1992
Feb. 9 Violet GermanFest
Mar. 15 Violet Parish Picnic
Apr. 26 (tentative) Aggie H-B Reunion
June 27 & 28 Family Reunion
Aug. 23 Ellinger Parish Picnic
Oct. 11 Olfen Parish Picnic
Oct. 11 Westphalia Parish Picnic
Oct. 25 Violet Parish Picnic

Vater Unser
Vater unser im Himmel
geheiligt werde Dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel
so auf Erden.
Unser tgliches Brot
gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
wie auch wir vergeben
unsern Schuldigern.
Und fhre uns nicht
in Versuchung,
sondern erlse uns
von dem Bsen.
Amen