Willrich, George August Jean Wilhelm (b. 18 JUL 1883, d. 12 MAR 1938)

Reference: 1551

Note: George Willrich Rites Held Tuesday

George Willrich of Lane City, Texas, died Monday in Coney [Caney] Valley Hospital. Last rites were held for the deceased, who is a brother of Werner G. Willrich of La Grange, on Tuesday morning at the Wharton Funeral Home and continued at the Wharton Catholic Church. Other survivors include his wife; four children; another brother and 13 grandchildren. [La Grange Journal, Thursday, May 21, 1964]

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1920 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1920 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1920 Federal Population Census. T625, 2,076 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Precinct 1, La Grange, E. D. 50, Page 5B.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1930 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1930 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1930 United States Federal Census. ;database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1930 Federal Population Census. T626, 2,667 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Wharton County, Dinsmore District, E. D. 241-3, Page 3B

Source: (Name)
Title: Death Certificate

Data:
Text: Texas, Wharton County, State File Number 33566, June 11, 1964

Source: (Death)
Title: Texas Deaths, 1903-1998Source Medium: Ancestry.com
Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1903-1998. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original data from: Texas Department of Health Indexes, 1903-1998. Austin, TX. Texas department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-.

Source: (Death)
Title: La Grange Journal, La Grange, TX
Publication: Name: La Grange, Fayette County, TX;Source Medium: Newspaper
Source Quality: GoodRepository:

Name: Fayette Public Library, La Grange, Texas

Data:
Text: Thursday, May 21, 1964.

Reference: 908

Note: From The Golden Free Land by Crystal Sasse Ragsdale:
After several years in Texas, young George Willrich returned to Germany to complete his education at Gottingen, where he was almost immediately arrested and imprisoned for his earlier anti-government writings. However, six months later he escaped and after an absence of almost five years returned to Texas. He became professor of languages at Rutersville College in Fayette County and later at Baylor University at Independence. He died as a young man soon after his marriage to Liane delassaulz, who had been a member of the Prairie Blume Society at the Bluff Settlement.

This is a translation of the Preface to George Willrich�s three volumes on Texas which he wrote while imprisoned in Germany. They were part fiction and part fact, with much in them about Indians. A copy of Erinnerungen Aus Texas is in the rare book collection at the Barker Historical Center of the University of Texas at Austin.

RECOLLECTIONS OF TEXAS
Truth and Fiction By Georg Willrich
Written while in prison at Hannover. Published in Leipzig, 1854

To the Honorable Franklin Pierce, President of the United States, and Samuel Bromberg, United States Consul in Hamburg.
I am taking the liberty to offer this work as evidence of my loyalty to you, Mr. President. I owe you this loyalty as the present sovereign of my new fatherland. And as for you, Mr. Consul, I had the occasion to observe and admire the untiring and unselfish efforts with which you carried out the duties of your office. I mention this openly here, since you are evidently German by birth; and, in spite of being confronted by many difficulties, the interests of the German immigrants to the United States were handled with untiring zeal.
Would that all Americans by birth could be made aware of the significance of the German immigration so they would be convinced that the interests of the German immigrants are the same as theirs. Then, Mr. Consul, your work would be freed from many hindrances and unpleasantness; and the United States would receive many benefits of this better understanding.
By dedicating this work to you, Honorable Sirs, I do not wish to impugn to you the fundamental principles that I have laid out. However, I would be very pleased if you were in agreement with me on these.
I hope that you will overlook the defects or imperfections in this work. It was written while I was in prison, and the public prosecutors and censors must pass on it. Even after my acquittal, I would not make any changes or additions which would rob the work of their meaning. Thus, dear sirs, let this explain why the characters of the leading persons, whether political or religious, were so sharply drawn, which I would consider an inexcusable blunder under other circumstances. For this evident shortcoming, I will claim your kind indulgence, and I will declare again, Honorable Sirs, my complete loyalty and thanks.
Hamburg in late fall, 1853. The Author.

Cattle brands registered at the Fayette County Courthouse:
Page 326, # 912

George W. Willrich Brand - fiddle
mark, split in each ear.
Recorded 11th August 1860
W. B. McClellan, Dep
For Z. M. P. French, C.C.C.

George W. Willrich
Memorial and Genealogical Record of Texas
Goodspeed Brothers, Publishers
Chicago � 1894

George W. Willrich
George Carl Willrich�s oldest son, George W. Willrich was born in the old country July 6, 1823, and there received a thorough education. Later he began the study of law, graduated, and came to the United States with his father in 1846. In 1848, during the revolution in his country, he went back to take part in the war but in landing found it practically over. He wrote a number of articles on the matter, was apprehended before he could return to America and kept prisoner for six months. He hid in the house of a friend in Hamburg, and remained secreted for a year before he made his final escape. Returning to America in 1853, after an absence of five years, he began teaching at Rutersville, Fayette County, Texas, a military school and being a man of superior literary attainments, became professor of languages. Later he taught at Baylor University, Independence, Washington County, this being the first university established in the state, and was professor of languages in that institution also. On the 3rd of June, 1860, he was married to Miss Liane DeLassaux (sp. DeLassaulx?), a native of Alsace, and a daughter of Otto DeLassaux (see sketch). Prof. Willrich died April 28, 1861, soon after marriage, leaving a son George. Mrs. Willrich afterwards married George Tuttle of Flatonia, Texas.

Teachers at Baylor at Independence
George W. Willrich and Liane de Lassaulx
By George Willrich

My father, George W. Willrich, came of a family of jurists, his father, George Willrich having been Judge at Uelsen, Germany, where my father was born in 1823. My Grandfather Willrich settled near La Grange, in Fayette County, in 1847, while my father continued his studies at the University of Gottingen. The neighborhood where the family located was for a long time referred to as the Latin Settlement from the number of educated people who made up the community.

Coming to Texas after his graduation my father returned to Germany and was imprisoned for alleged participation in the students uprisings. While in prison he occupied his time in playing the violin and acquired considerable proficiency as a musician.

Returning to Texas he was in 1858 professor of languages at the Texas Military Institute at Rutersville, in Fayette County. From the Annual Report of the Superintendent (C. G. Forshay) to the Board of Trustees for that year, the following excerpt is made:

�Prof. G. W. Willrich, of the University of Gottingen, is Professor of Languages, and has given proof of his skill as a teacher, as well as his profound familiarity with Philology, in his classes recently examined. Since his acceptance of the chair of the Institute, we have added Gymnasium to our course in physical training, and Professor W. has instructed the corps in these exercises.�

Later my father became a member of the faculty at Baylor University at Independence, and mention is made of him in the Life of Dr. Burleson by Hon. Harry Haynes. It was during this time (Jan. 3, 1860) while my father and mother were both teaching at Baylor, that their marriage took place at the home of my mother�s parents near Rutersville, they leaving directly afterwards, as I�ve heard my mother say, by buggy for Independence, sixty miles away.

My parents lived at the Dr. Randall home in Independence where I was born the following year. When I was only a few weeks old (April 28, 1861) my father died of typhoid fever, and was buried in the cemetery at Independence, where his remains still rest.

My mother as Miss Liane de Lassaulx taught French in the Female Department of Baylor University in the late �50s, Prof. Horace Clark being superintendent. She was born in Coblenz, Rhineland, Germany, and came to Texas when a young woman. Her parents, Otto and Margaret de Lassaulx settled in Fayette County in 1856, and lived there continuously until their death. Though the change from old-world mode of living, manners, and customs was sudden and complete, my mother never looked upon these experiences and even hardships except as novel adventures in life.

The family home was near Rutersville, then the seat of the Texas Military Institute, and it was in this environment of intellectual cultivation and refinement that my mother�s young ladyhood was spent.

Col. C. G. Forshey was superintendent and he and Mrs. Forshey were warm friends of my mother�s and very likely it was through them that she became acquainted with my father.

After my father�s death my mother resumed teaching. As I was an infant the young ladies would take time about in caring for me while my mother attended her classes. Mrs. Jim Dallas of Brenham, a student at Baylor at that time, told me of this and stated that the young ladies preferred doing this as they considered themselves thereby excused from classes.

Throughout life my mother held her friends at Independence in affectionate remembrance. Among these were the General J. B. Robertsons, and it was with General Felix H. Robertson of Waco that I began the study of law. My mother spoke often of Professor and Mrs. Horace Clark, of the Hoxies, the Clays, and of General Sam Houston, a frequent visitor to her class room. She often dwelt in memory of the glory that had been Independence.

My mother taught the first school in Flatonia in 1875 and in 1878 was married to George W. Tuttle, a pioneer merchant of that place. After his death in 1899 my home in La Grange became hers. She passed away June 27, 1922, aged 88 years.

My mother loved teaching and never failed to leave her impress for good upon the community, so that one still finds here and there individuals who evidence her careful training.

Physical traits which distinguished my mother were erect carriage, and the care of complexion and hands, never stepping out without being veiled and gloved. In Germany in 1923, while visiting a cousin of my mother�s, in reminiscences of their childhood together, she recalled these distinctive characteristics.

Memory pictures my mother as endowed with a rare personality, with a charm of manner and appearance, and a typifying the gentle graces, poise and culture of her day.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1860 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: good
Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Origianal data: United States. 1860 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Washington County, Independance Post Office, Page 49.

Reference: 607

Note: Mrs. E. McKinnon Buried Here Sat.

Mrs. Ernest McKinnon, aged 84 years, seven months, and twenty-four days, passed away in Galveston Friday afternoon. Mrs. McKinnon had been making her home in Houston with a daughter, Mrs. A. T. Reaves, but at the time of her death was visiting in Galveston with another daughters, Mrs. Sam McNeil. Mr. and Mrs. McKinnon operated the McKinnon Hotel here for many years. A number of years ago they sold their property here and moved to Houston. Mr. McKinnon preceded his wife in death several years ago. Deceased was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1869. She was the daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. George Willrich of La Grange. Funeral services were held in Galveston Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., and the body was brought to Schulenburg for interment in the family plot in the City Cemetery. Fulfilling one of her last requests, private funeral services were held and all flowers were omitted. Rev. Parnell, local Baptist minister, officiated at the graveside rites here. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Sam McNeil of Galveston and Mrs. A. T. Reaves of Houston and one grand daughter Sarah Ann Reaves of Denton. [The Schulenburg Sticker, Friday, April 30, 1954]

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1880 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc. 2003-.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Schulenburg, E. D. 59, Page 7.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1910 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Indexed by ProQuest from microfilmed schedules of the 1910 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1910 Federal Population Census. T624, 1,784 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Lavaca County, Precinct 1, Hallettsville, E. D. 117, Page 10A

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1920 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1920 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1920 Federal Population Census. T625, 2,076 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Schulenburg, E. D. 72, Page 12B

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1900 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1900 U.S. Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States. 1900 United States Federal Census. T623, 1854 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Precinct 8, Schulenburg, E. D. 47, Page 5B

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1930 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1930 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1930 United States Federal Census. ;database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1930 Federal Population Census. T626, 2,667 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Precinct 8, Schulenburg, E. D. 75-25, Page 2B

Source: (Name)
Title: Death Certificate

Data:
Text: Texas, Galveston County, State File Number 22450, May 24, 1954

Source: (Birth)
Title: Schulenburg Sticker, Schulenburg, Texas
Publication: Name: Newspaper;Source Medium: Microfilm
Source Quality: GoodRepository:

Name: Fayette County Library, La Grange, Texas

Data:
Text: The Schulenburg Sticker, Friday, April 30, 1954

Reference: 638

Reference: 2006

Reference: 2046

Note: Hans A. Willrich, 70, 2611 Stanford St. died 1:15 AM Friday in a Houston hospital. Native La Grange, lived Houston 52 years. Member First Methodist Church. Accountant, Coastal Supply Company. Survivors: Widow, Mrs. Evelyn Willrich; daughter, Mrs. June Travis, Houston; grandaughter, Suzanne Travis, Houston; sisters, Mrs. Gretchen Sladczyk, Miss Reta Willrich, La Grange; several nieces, nephews. Services 10 AM Saturday, drawing room, Settegast-Kopf Home, the Rev. Elton E. Stephenson. Burial , Forest Park Cemetery. Pallbearers: James Cowhig, Sam Sengelmann, Arthur Sladczyk, Elred Carlisle, Louis Willrich, Robert Atkinson. Honorary pallbearers: Carl Otto, Henry Feebles, E. E. (Bob) Robertson, H. L. Taylor, Lt. Col. J. P. Mason, Aubrey Riley, C. T. Mason, J. E. Carlisle, employees Coastal Supply Co. Settegast-Kopf Company. [The Houston Post, Saturday, October 6, 1951]

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1920 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1920 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1920 Federal Population Census. T625, 2,076 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, Precinct 1, Houston, E. D. 76, Page 12B

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1910 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Indexed by ProQuest from microfilmed schedules of the 1910 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1910 Federal Population Census. T624, 1,784 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, Houston, Precinct 1, Ward 3, E. D. 92, Page 4A

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1930 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1930 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1930 United States Federal Census. ;database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1930 Federal Population Census. T626, 2,667 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, Houston, Precinct 1, E. D. 101-93, Page 3A

Source: (Name)
Title: Death Certificate

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, State File Number 52308, November 13, 1951

Source: (Burial)
Title: Houston Post, Houston, Texas
Publication: Name: Newspaper;Source Medium: Microfilm
Source Quality: GoodRepository:

Name: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Data:
Text: Saturday, October 6, 1951.

Reference: 943

Reference: 2036

Reference: 603

Reference: 1998

Reference: 2052

Reference: 2010

Reference: 1968

Reference: 1972

Reference: 2040

Reference: 1980

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1850 United States Federal CensusSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: good
Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States. 19850 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Page 66

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1860 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: good
Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Origianal data: United States. 1860 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Lyonsville Post Office, Page 127

Reference: 118

Reference: 2033

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1880 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc. 2003-.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Schulenburg, E. D. 59, Page 7.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1900 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1900 U.S. Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States. 1900 United States Federal Census. T623, 1854 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette, Schulenburg, E. D. 47, Page 12A.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1930 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1930 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1930 United States Federal Census. ;database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1930 Federal Population Census. T626, 2,667 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, Precinct 2, Houston, E. D. 126, Page 4A

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1920 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1920 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1920 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2001. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1920 Federal Population Census. T625, 2,076 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Harris County, Precinct 2, Magnolia Park, E. D. 108, Page 20A

Reference: 650

Note: Meeting of Ex-Confederates

Pursuant to the call published in these columns last week, a number of ex-Confederates held an informal meeting at this place and talked over matters relating to a permanent county organization, and adjourned subject to call without perfecting a permanent organization. The following gentlemen were present: Capt. R. H. Phelps, Capt. S. Alexander, Jno. T. Harwell, Natt Holman, N. C. Rives, J. H. Schroeder, D. C. Barden, T. S. McIlwaine, C. Michaelis, J. T. Philips, W. H. Thomas, J. W. Trousdale, J. E. Moore, J. E. Barnhill, J. Z. Walker, J. B. Holloway, R. S. Homuth, O. J. Horn, La Grange, Julius Willrich, Charley Schroeder, Bluff; J. E. Hutcheson, S. K. Rainey, Winchester; R. J. Robinson, T. J. Hill, Plum; R. L. McCauley, Engle; G. W. Cole, Muldoon; M. A. Hopkins, Flatonia; M. B. O�Bar, Warrenton; Henry Meyer, Chr. Steinman, Swiss Alp; Max Meitzen, Fayetteville, 33 in all. Taking into consideration the short notice given of the meeting, the foregoing was a very good representation. With proper notice the number will be largely increased and an organization perfected without much trouble, which will grow and become a source of much pleasure to the old veterans. [La Grange Journal, November 19, 1891]

JULIUS WILLRICH OLD CITIZEN RESPONDS

Death Comes Peacefully to Prof. JULIUS WILLRICH
Tuesday night without warning, the grim reaper claimed another of our oldest citizens, when Prof. Julius Willrich, aged seventy-eight years passed to his reward February 11, 1919. He was born December 31, 1841. Not ill but ever active and about as was his custom, few could believe the report when it was circulated early Wednesday morning. Prof. Willrich, prominently connected and for nearly sixty years a citizen of this county, was of a quiet and friend-making disposition, ably educated and proficient to his calling - school teacher, which he pursued for many years. At one time he taught at the Teutonia School which was near Mt. Eliza where he lived with his parents, Georg K. and Elise (Kukuk) Willrich for a time. In this country when the North and South struggled for supremacy, he served as a confederate soldier, retaining this dignified bearing until the end. From the home of Mrs. Elise Mensing in this city the funeral will be held today, Thursday, afternoon at two o'clock with interment at the Cedar Cemetery. Friends, relatives and acquaintances are asked to attend. Prof. Willrich leaves many relatives and friends to mourn his departure. [La Grange Journal, February 13, 1919]

"The Latins and the Prairie Blume Society"
By Donna Green

The Latins were a group of young people who lived in and around the Bluff area of Fayette County during the 1840-1860 time period. They were so named because of their education and cultural background. They had emigrated from the small principalities of Central Europe in order to give their children better opportunities. These people hoped to find in Texas the democracy and freedom that had been denied them in Europe. Many of the Latins were political refugees who had taken part in the republican revolution of 1848. The Latins were proud of their culture and education and often found it difficult to adjust to their new rural surroundings. One young woman wrote to a friend in Europe complaining that there was little mental stimulation in the daily life on a farm. She wrote that each day suffered from "eternal sameness" and was "painfully monotonous." In her desire to learn she often spent countless hours studying alone. About 1857 things changed for the young Latins of the area when a local German poet, Johannes Romberg, formed the Prairie Blume Literary Society at Black Jack Springs. It was one of the first literary societies in Texas. The society published a journal featuring literary contributions from its members. The journal was named the "Prairie Blume" because the prairie flower symbolized prose and poetry. The young Latins anxiously awaited every meeting of the society. It was nothing for them to ride fourteen miles on horseback just to attend one of the meetings. They were much more formal than is customary today. Julius Willrich would often ride to a member's garden gate and invite them to the next meeting with these words: "I have the honor to invite you to the next meeting of the Prairie Blume at our house." Various families took turns in entertaining the group of young scholars. At meetings intellectual games were often played followed by a flute solo or a violin concerto. The young Latins discussed many subjects including the political and social conditions in the world. They would often spend hours philosophizing over books they had read or writing down these thoughts to contribute to the next issue of the journal. Today some copies of the "Prairie Blume" still exist. At the outbreak of the Civil War the activities of the organization declined as many members joined the military. After a few more years the society was discontinued entirely.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1900 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1900 U.S. Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States. 1900 United States Federal Census. T623, 1854 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Precinct 1, E. D. 30, Page 12B.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1880 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc. 2003-.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Precinct 1, E. D. 164, Page 4.

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1870 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003-. Indexed by Ancestry.com from microfilmed schedules of the 1870 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. 1870 United States Federal Census. [database on-line] Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2003. Original data: Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1870 Federal Population Census. M593, 1,761 rolls; part of Minnesota T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Cedar, Page 8

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1860 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: good
Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Origianal data: United States. 1860 United States Federal Census. M432, 1009 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, Lyonsville Post Office, Page 125

Source: (Name)
Author: National Archives and Records Administration
Title: 1910 United States Federal Census
Call number: www.ancestry.comSource Medium: Electronic
Source Quality: Good
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2004. Indexed by ProQuest from microfilmed schedules of the 1910 U.S. Federal Decennial Census. Data imaged from National Archives and Records Administration. 1910 Federal Population Census. T624, 1,784 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.Repository:

Name: www.ancestry.com

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, E. D. 51, Page 7A.

Source: (Name)
Title: Death Certificate

Data:
Text: Texas, Fayette County, State File Number 6877, February 1919

Source: (Death)
Title: Texas Deaths, 1903-1998Source Medium: Ancestry.com
Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1903-1998. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original data from: Texas Department of Health Indexes, 1903-1998. Austin, TX. Texas department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-.

Data:
Text: Fayette County Certificate 3877

Reference: 773