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.                  

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All primary source information referenced was gathered from historic newspapers, U.S. census schedules, vital records, probate files, and land documents, accessed through leading genealogical platforms such as Newspapers.com, Ancestry, FamilySearch, Find a Grave, and federal archival repositories. Interpretive narrative may also include Carol Anna Meyer Brooks' personal experiences or family stories shared with her throughout her lifetime.

©2024-2026 Unfolding the Story Genealogy.  All Rights Reserved.                            

The Mercantile Businessmen

 

Throughout the research on my paternal ancestors, there has been a theme of mercantile businessmen. My great grandfather, Thomas Chittim Knight, after returning from the 1^st Regiment Texas Calvary in the Spanish American War, dabbled in the laundry business.[1] He placed advertisements in the Southwest Texas State Normal Star School Newspaper from December 1911 through April 1912.[2]  My second great grandfather, George Washington Knight, started a mercantile business in Bladon Springs, Choctaw County, Alabama for boots & shoes as described in an advertisement published 6 October 1880.[3] Later he expanded his business endeavors by purchasing a drug store.[4] George moved to San Marcos, Texas circa 1886 and opened a jewelry business. He furthered his business acumen to include eye glasses, music instruments, sewing machines, razors, typewriters and china.[5]

After serving as a Texas Ranger in the Frontier Forces, my second great grandfather, Emil Huffmeyer, settled in Bandera, Texas.[6] He established the Huffmeyer Store in 1873 and later his brother joined him on this venture. This property is now a historical landmark.[7] He later relocated to San Marcos, Texas and again opened a mercantile business circa 1895 and then added a partner in 1899; the business known as Huffmeyer and Fourqurean.[8]

Henry Huffmeyer, my third great grandfather emigrated from Germany to the United States and settled in San Antonio, Texas. He was recorded as the first shoemaker of San Antonio.[9] Lastly, my third great grandfather, William “Bill” Jernigin settled in Cow Hill, Texas in the 1840s and served in the 2nd Regiment, Texas Calvary State Troops during the Civil War.[10] He built a store with his sons in 1873 in the area that became Commerce, Texas.[11] The Jernigin’s Store was designated a historical landmark in 1982.[12] Bill also donated land for the Commerce Town Square and property for the local Masonic Lodge.[13]

The mercantile entrepreneurial spirit raged within my paternal ancestors’ hearts and souls resulting in multiple successful businesses. In all their efforts, each one gave back to the community in the form of service or support driving economic growth and expansion for the benefit of the people in the area.

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[1] U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962, A1 2110-B; online database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2590/images/40479_2421401574_0447-01496?pId=2054417 : accessed 5 February 2024); citing Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, Record Group 92; National Archives, College Park, MD.

[2] Knight, Thos. C., Laundry Advertisement; Normal Star Newspaper, San Marcos, Texas; 19 April 1912; Vol.2, Ed.1, Page 4 of 4; online database with images, The Portal of Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth614536/m1/4/?q=%22Thos%20C%20Knight%22 : accessed 5 February 2024).

[3] Knight, George Washington, Advertisement, Choctaw County News, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama, 6 October, 1880, Vol. IV, No. 37, Page 2 of 2; online database with images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/choctaw-county-news/112839541/ : accessed 5 February 2024).

[4] The Courier Newspaper, Butler, Choctaw County, Alabama, 7 December 1881, Vol. 1, No. 6, Page 3 of 4; online database with images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/575967659/ : accessed 5 February 2024).

[5] Knight, George Washington, Christmas Advertisement; Normal Star Newspaper, San Marcos, Texas, 15 December 1916; Vol. 6, Ed. 1 Page 2 of 4; online database with images, The Portal of Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth614592/m1/2/  : accessed 5 February 2024).

[6] Stephens, Robert W., Texas Ranger Indian War Pensions, Nortex Press, 1975.

[7] Texas Historical Commission application, Old Huffmeyer Store, Bandera, Texas; online database with images, The Portal of Texas History (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth488953/?q=Huffmeyer  : accessed 5 February 2024).

[8] Huffmeyer & Fourqurean, Advertisement; The Hays County Times and Farmers Journal, 28 April 1899, Vol. 12, Page 4 of 8; online database with images, San Marcos Public Library, Community History Archive, (http://ttwc.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=huffmeyer&i=f&by=1899&bdd=1890&d=01011873-12312020&m=between&ord=k1&fn=the_hays_county_times_and_farmers%27_journal_usa_texas_san_marcos_18990428_english_4&df=1&dt=9&cid=2852 : accessed 5 February 2024).

[9] Huffmeyer, Henry, Record ID No. LCJY-MNT; Memoranda by A Pioneer Family, unknown author; unknown publication; online database with images, FamilySearch (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth488953/?q=Huffmeyer : accessed 5 February 2024); contributed by Tim Huffmeyer.

[10] U.S., Civil War Solider Records and Profiles, 1861-1865; online database with images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4172900:1555?ssrc=pt&tid=58937643&pid=132362941033 : accessed 5 February 2024); citing American Civil War Research Database, Historical Data Systems, Inc.; Duxbury, Massachusetts.

[11] Welcome to Commerce, About Page; online database, CommerceTx.org (https://commercetx.org/contact-form/ : accessed 5 February 2024).

[12] Texas Historical Commission Marker, The Jernigin’s Store; online database with images, HMdb.org (https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=119793 : accessed 5 February 2024).

[13] Masonic Lodge marks 81^st Anniversary Here; Commerce Journal, Commerce, Hunt County, Texas, 7 June 1956, Vol. 87, No. 23, Page 1; Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/37173123/?clipping_id=105870529&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjM3MTczMTIzLCJpYXQiOjE3MDcxNTMyNTAsImV4cCI6MTcwNzIzOTY1MH0.v-AbwshQc2elh8JBtEdbcGwHdZU_p0KK-D8tyjehHIw : accessed 5 February 2024).

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All primary source information referenced was gathered from historic newspapers, U.S. census schedules, vital records, probate files, and land documents, accessed through leading genealogical platforms such as Newspapers.com, Ancestry, FamilySearch, Find a Grave, and federal archival repositories. Interpretive narrative may also include Carol Anna Meyer Brooks' personal experiences or family stories shared with her throughout her lifetime.

©2024-2026 Unfolding the Story Genealogy.  All Rights Reserved.