The surnames currently being researched are KEYSER of PA & TX, ALTHAUS of TX, GARDNER of NJ & TX, KOEPP of TX, WAHL of TX, MAGNUS of TX, HELL of TX, ROEDER of TX, VOLKMANN of TX, WEISS of PA, SEILER of TX, KLAERNER of TX, CAZA of MN & TX, PETMECKY of TX, WESCH of TX and just a few others. My g-g-grandfather, Dr. Johann Christian ALTHAUS came from Erndtebrueck, Westphalia, Germany where he was born 11FEB1821. He immigrated in 1846 on "YORK" to Indianola, Texas and then settled in Fredericksburg, Gillespie Co, Texas. I now have info that takes the ALTHAUS' back to about 1550. 6/10/98: I have just received a letter from Heike ALTHAUS in Erndtebrueck, Germany that verified the entries from 1550 to 1821 and then a little more. Thanks Heike.
William Franklin KEYSER, my grandfather,was born in Pennsylvania Oct 1, 1877. He met my grandmother Anna Laura GARDNER ROEDER in San Antonio while stationed at Ft. Sam Houston and married her around 1912. He had a brother named Calvin Raymond KEYSER who was born in Milton, Northumberland County, PA September 22, 1886 and died Feb 1968 in Malvern, Chester County, PA. I have a copy of Calvin's death certificate and his original Social Security Application which confirms that their father was Jacob Henry Keyser and mother's maiden name was Mary Eliza "Lisa" WEISS. Calvin's funeral was paid for by Herman PRESTON. I would like to know who Herman was to the family in hopes of finding some personal effects of Calvin's such as pictures or letters from the family. Herman, Ralph Preston and Joseph Fulton were pallbearers for Calvin's funeral. Jacob Keyser worked for the Railroad in Philadelphia and died around 1932 and is buried in Philadelphia somewhere. Any info on Jacob Henry or his wife or any KEYSER's or WEISS of PA would be appreciated. There is a Jacob H. & Mary E. KEYSER with 1 month old daughter listed on the 1880 Census report for Northumberland County. They are the closest possibility so far.
Rudolph WAHL, my grandfather on my mothers side married Mary KOEPP (my grandmother) around 1918. He was first married to Anna HELL who died at age 31 in Marion, Texas. He was born Apr 1881 and died Apr 15, 1954 and is buried at St. John's Cemetery in San Antonio. Rudolph's siblings August, Henry, and Caroline "Lina" are buried in the same cemetery. Rudolph's father was Johann Georg WAHL of New Braunfels, Comal County. Georg was married to Wihelmine Magnus and they had 13 children. The children that I know of are those above and one other sister, Meta. Information on the MAGNUS family will be greatly appreciated. I confirmed the above names with the 1910 census and again with the 1880 & 1900 census of Guadalupe County.
ROEDER: Bernhardt "Ben" ROEDER was my grandmother's (Anna Laura) first husband and they had three children (Walter, Albert and Helen) in Fredericksburg, Texas and divorced around 1911. I have received info on Ben ROEDER and many other ROEDER's and have updated those that have been confirmed as family. I need to know where Ben Roeder is buried at in San Antonio.
KOEPP: My g-g-grandfather August Friedrich KOEPP was born May 1, 1837 in Germany and died December 29, 1915 in New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas. I have very little information on August F. KOEPP. Who were his parents and siblings? I have some siblings listed in the family report. He married Johanna ( ?? ). I have some of their children's info in the family report.
I also have a book of KOEPP's with about 2500 names in it. I will confirm relationships and edit as needed. If you think you should be in it, please email me.
I will occasionally replace one family report with a different surname so if you don't see a family listed that you want info on just email me and I will upload it for you.
Last Updated January 8, 2007.
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- Christian Althaus home near Fredericksburg, Texas (56 KB)
This photo is as near as the original home as it existed in the late 1800's. It was recently purchased and built around but not destroyed.
- Rheingold Schoolhouse around Fredericksburg, Texas (339 KB)
The Rheingold School House.
- Christian Althaus and Anna Behrens Althaus (25 KB)
Photo of Johann Christian Anton Althaus and his wife Anna Elizabeth Behrens Althaus taken in their later years. This photo was taken from the book Pioneers in God's Hills about Fredericksburg, Texas.
- Cave Creek Church (23 KB)
Cave Creek Church is just a few miles outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. Christian Althaus help form and build this church. The cemetery he and his wife are buried in sits just to the right of the church.
- Wilhelm and Wilhelmina Koepp about 1920 (30 KB)
My maternal great grandparents.
- Louis Althaus (15 KB)
Louis Althaus, son of Christian Althaus, was born May 17, 1865 in Fredericksburg, Tx and died July 7, 1927 in Bisbee, Cochise, AZ. He is buried in the Cave Creek Cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX. Photo courtesy of Dorothea Rogers Littleton granddaughter of Louis Althaus.
- William Franklin Keyser in 1943 (30 KB)
My grandfather William Franklin Keyser in 1943
- William Franklin Keyser about 1928 (51 KB)
My grandfather with my grandmother Anna Laura Gardner Keyser and my dad Williams Scott Keyser about 1928. Photo taken in San Antonio.
- William S. Keyser in 1943-1944 (247 KB)
My father William Scott Keyser, Sr. in uniform taken about 1943-1944 before he was discharged from the Army.
- Tom Keyser 1970 graduation photo. (74 KB)
This is my 1970 Highlands High School graduation photo.
- William Franklin Keyser 1919 in Germany (92 KB)
My grandfather in Germany 1919. The drum had a drawing of the Kaiser Wilhelm apparently to beat on.
- Rudolph and Mary Koepp Wahl about 1952 (88 KB)
My maternal grandparents Rudolph Wahl and Mary Koepp Wahl taken about 1952.
- William Franklin Keyser and Helen Roeder (110 KB)
My grandfather with his step-daughter Helen Roeder taken about 1911.
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