Texas, the New Land of Opportunity; my 4th Great Grandfather's Immigration Story

Texas, the new land of opportunity opened the doors to a grandiose immigration era from France, Germany, and the east coast states.

In 1842, Henri Castro, empresario, negotiated Texas land grants with President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas.[1] As the land agent, “a grant promised . . .  million acres . . .with the introduction of 600 families and/or single men within three years and the establishment of four towns. Each colonist would receive 620 acres family/320 acres single men if they built a cabin, cultivated at least 15 acres, and resided on the property for at least three years.”[2] Empresario Castro campaigned in France bringing many Catholic farmers from the Alsace Region. He established Castroville, Quihi, Vandenburg and D’Hanis Texas colonies during the period of 1844 through 1847.[3]

Adolphe Oge, age 53 and a native of Alsace, France, had endured devastating losses which likely influenced his decision to find a new life abroad:

§  1824, his first daughter, Catherine Oge, passed away[4]

§  1836, his son, Joseph Oge, passed away[5]

§  1840, his first wife, Catherine Thomann, passed away[6]

§  1844, his second wife, Elizabeth Gast, passed away[7]

He packed up his two youngest children and sailed to the United States. The journey from France began on  6 October 1844 and after the one hundred thirteen day journey, the ship, Brig Probus, docked at the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana.[8] Also on the ship’s passenger list, Catherine Oge (age 20), Adolphe’s adult daughter.[9] On 27 January 1845, Adolphe Oge, his daughter Catherine, his son, Louis Adolph (age 12), and his daughter, Elisabeth (age 2),  stepped onto American soil. On 3 October 1845, Adolphe’s oldest son, George, passed away in Alsace, France.

The family traveled to San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas and Adolphe was recorded on the 1846 Tax List in Bexar County.[10] On 29 April 1847, he married his third wife, Catherine Garteiser, in San Antonio.[11]  Their marriage was confirmed in the St Louis Catholic Church in Castroville, Medina County, Texas on 9 March 1849.[12] On the same day as his marriage confirmation, his daughter, Catherine Oge married Henry Huffmeyer.[13] 

On 28 February 1851, Adolphe sold his Castro Land Certificate No. 173 of 640 acres comprising of 374 acres in Medina County and 266 acres in Frio County.[14] The transaction of $100 means it sold for $0.156 an acre – my goodness!

In 1853, Adolphe’s brother, Abbe John Peter (Jean Pierre) Oge passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, and left Adolphe $200.[15] Adolphe returns to France at some point following his daughter’s marriage and his brother’s death. On 5 July 1875, Adolphe passed away.[16] With the life’s happiness came adversities and adventures, Adolphe came full circle by returning to his roots and ultimately resting in peace in his homeland.

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[1] Henri Castro; Wikipedia.org [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Castro : accessed 11 February 2024].

[2] Ahr, Wayne M; Lagarde, Francois (2003). “Henri Castro and Castroville.” The French in Texas: History, Migration, Culture University of Texas Press, p. 128.

[3] Castro Colonies Heritage Association; CastroColonies.us [https://www.castrocolonies.us/about.html : accessed 11 February 2024].

[4] Geneanet Community Tree; Goersdorf, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; researching source.

[5] Geneanet Community Tree; Goersdorf, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; researching source.

[6] Geneanet Community Tree; Goersdorf, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; researching source.

[7] Geneanet Community Tree; Goersdorf, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; researching source.

[8] Texas, Index Card Collections, 1800-1900; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2265/images/33145_1020703347_0045-00399?pId=134956 : accessed 11 February 2024]; citing Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin, Texas.

[9] New Orleans, Passenger List Quarterly Abstracts, 1820-1875; Roll: M272; Group: 36; online database with images, Ancestry.com [ ]; citing U.S. Customs Service, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

[10] Texas, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1820-1890; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/58937643/person/132363964761/facts : accessed 11 February 2024].

[11] Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2017; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/205872:8795?ssrc=pt&tid=58937643&pid=132363964761 : accessed 11 February 2024]; citing Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.

[12] Texas, U.S., Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Sacramental Records, 1700-1995; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61845/images/61845_302022005540_0639-00632?pId=347129 : accessed 11 February 2024] citing St. Louis Castroville, Texas Combination Register 1846-1879; Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.

[13] Texas, U.S., Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio Sacramental Records, 1700-1995; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61845/images/61845_302022005540_0639-00632?pId=347129 : accessed 11 February 2024] citing St. Louis Castroville, Texas Combination Register 1846-1879; Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.

[14] Texas General Land Office; online database with images, s3.glo.texas.gov [https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/5/5/155945.pdf : accessed 11 February 2024].

[15] Louisiana, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1756-1984; Case No: 5351; Case Papers No 4658-4814, 1852; online database with images, Ancestry.com [https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9067/images/007670949_01211?pId=3751343 : accessed 11 February 2024]; citing Louisiana District Court; Orleans Parish: Third Judicial District, Orleans, Louisiana.

[16] Geneanet Community Tree; Goersdorf, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France; researching source.