In the mid-19th century, Texas became a land of opportunity for immigrants from Alsace, France, seeking new beginnings and prosperity. In 1842, Henri Castro, a visionary empresario, secured land grants from President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas. The grants promised a million acres in exchange for bringing 600 families or single men to Texas within three years, establishing four towns. Each colonist would receive 640 acres for a family or 320 acres for a single man, provided they built a cabin, cultivated at least 15 acres, and resided on the land for three years.
To fulfill his ambitious plans, Castro launched a campaign in France to attract Catholic families from Alsace, a region straddling the French-German border. The promise of land, religious freedom, and a new start on the Texas frontier drew many settlers, and between 1844 and 1847, Castro successfully founded communities such as Castroville, Quihi, Vandenburg, and D’Hanis. Among those answering the call was Abbé Jean Pierre Ogé, a priest from Strasbourg who would lead others with courage and faith into the unknown.
Adolphe Ogé’s Journey to Texas
Adolphe Ogé, a 53-year-old native of Alsace, decided to leave his homeland after enduring a series of personal tragedies:
- In 1824, his daughter Catherine passed away at just one year old.
- In 1836, his young son Joseph died.
- In 1840, his first wife, Catherine Thomann, passed away.
- In 1844, his second wife, Elizabeth Gast, also died.
With the encouragement of his brother, Abbé Jean Pierre, Adolphe set out for America with his two youngest children and his adult daughter Catherine. The family embarked on the Brig Probus from Antwerp, Belgium, on October 6, 1844. After a grueling 113-day journey, they arrived in New Orleans on January 27, 1845. Tragically, during this period, Adolphe also learned of the death of his eldest son, George, in Alsace.
Adolphe settled in San Antonio, Texas, and by 1846, he appeared on Bexar County tax rolls. On February 15, 1847, he secured Land Certificate No. 173 for 640 acres in Medina and Frio Counties. Just two months later, on April 29, 1847, he married his third wife, Catherine Garteiser, in San Antonio. Their marriage was later confirmed at St. Louis Catholic Church in Castroville in 1849. On the same day, his daughter Catherine Ogé married Henry Huffmeyer, marking a moment of profound significance as the settlers’ faith and community were celebrated with the laying of the St. Louis Church cornerstone by Bishop Jean Marie Odin and Abbé Jean Pierre Ogé.
A Life of Transition and Resilience
In 1851, Adolphe sold his 640-acre land certificate for $100, marking a significant transition. He settled in San Antonio, where he worked as a shoemaker, possibly alongside his son-in-law, Henry Huffmeyer, who opened the city’s first shoemaking shop.
 |
Adolphe Ogé Castro Colony Land Certificate |
Adolphe’s brother, Abbé Jean Pierre Ogé, passed away in 1853 in New Orleans, leaving him a bequest of $200. Following his brother’s death, Adolphe returned to France, where he passed away on July 5, 1875. His journey came full circle, ending in his homeland after a life marked by hardship, faith, and perseverance.
A Legacy of Strength
Adolphe’s story reflects the resilience and determination of Alsatian immigrants in Texas. Despite profound personal loss, he secured a future for his children in a new land. His son, Louis Adolph Ogé, became a successful rancher and community leader, while his grandsons, Emil and Adolph Huffmeyer, gained respect as mercantile businessmen and Texas Rangers in 1850 and 1870, respectively.
Through courage and determination, Adolphe Ogé and his descendants contributed to the fabric of Texas history, embodying the spirit of hope and renewal that defined the immigrant experience on the frontier.
No comments:
Post a Comment