References
The Schmitt's - First Two Generations in Texas
The Ludwigs - First Two Generations in Texas ---- 1988 Corrected Version with additional information
Calhoun County Censuses, as compiled by Ann Boyd
Indianola German Immigrants Treated in Victoria by Dr. Felix B. Webb
Immigration Information
A New Land Beckoned: German Immigration to Texas, 1844-1847
By Chester William Geue, Ethel Hander Geue
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Who is Maryanna? Where is Catharina?
The last record for Catherine was the 1880 Indianola Census. Family accounts suggest Catherine may have remarried and moved to Victoria, where she died October 6, 1896. She is reported to be buried in one of the Catholic Cemeteries in Victoria, although as of this time there are no records that substantiate this.
John, Richard Jr. and Conrad were listed in the 1860 Indianola Census as living with their mother with occupations of laborers. Conrad (Coon) served in the 6th Texas Infantry during the Civil War (captured at the Battle of Arkansas Post) and Christopher (Richard) Jr. was an ambulance driver in Sibley's Brigade. Both are buried in the Confederate section of the Texas State Cemetery. John served on the Union side and died at the Battle of Valverde. The 1880 Census shows Conrad and Richard living in Indianola, both with the occupation of saloon keeper. Conrad was last captured in records in the 1900 Census as living in Cuero and working as a bar tender. The 1900 Census lists Richard as living with Henry and Josephine Smith in Port Lavaca with his occupation listed as a Boatman.
Indianola - 1860
Christopher Ludwig and Catherine Weber
Christoph Ludwig was born in 1807, reportedly near Kiedrich, Germany (50°02'27.5"N 8°05'05.3"E). Catarina/Catharina Weber was born July 8, 1805, also in Kiedrich, which at that time was in the independent state, the Duchy of Nassau, now Germany. Christopher and Catherine were married on April 14, 1833. They had children Josephine, Johann, Christopher Richard Jr., Conrad, and Helene [1] , baptized at the Basilica of SS Dionysius and Valentinus in Kiedrich in the Rheingau. They left Kiedrich in September 1845 and according to records departed aboard the Diamont (Diamant) in Antwerp January 19, 1846, and arrived in
Christopher Richard Ludwig, Jr. Conrad “Coon” Ludwig
As described in private collection of K. Walker
Indianola - 1880
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US Census Records
Indianola - 1850
Family accounts provide some additional features of the journey with some conflicting details, but it is clear, as with other accounts, that the journey from Germany to Indianola was not always easy.
Christopher Ludwig and [Catharina Weber, Josephine M.] Ludwig and three boys left Hessin, Germany….; Sept. 1845. There was….one of Grandmas Aunts was a 11 yr. old when they came over. [A]Bo[a]rd the ship taken
sick and died on the way over and was buried at sea. I think was about 300 grants aboard the ship, they
encountered a storm in the English Channel and had to be locked in the cabin for 3 days. They was so
crowded had to set up and sleep – was delayed a week. They carried burning Tar Pots through the ship
to fumigate after the storm and dropped one of the pots and liked to have had a big fire. I think it taken 160
days to make the trip over. Landed at Indianola in 1846. Grandpa Ludwig died with Cholera a year or so
after coming over. -from Handwritten Notes of Alice Smith, written prior to 1937
The family established their residence at Old Town[2] and Christopher died in 1850/1853[3], falling victim, as many others did, to one of the cholera epidemics that took so many lives during that era.
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[1] Helene/Helena was born in 1843 and died in Indianola in 1850 of fever. Another child (maybe Alevustus) was born in Indianola and died as an infant.
[2] In 1853 Indianola was moved from Indian Point (which then became known as Old Town) to Powderhorn Bayou. The decision to relocate made the town more vulnerable to rising waters and storm surge from tropical storms and hurricanes. The elevation at Indian Point is greater by several feet than the townsite of Indianola. Indian Point is also nearer Magnolia Beach which has significant elevation over either of the two and could have offered protection to residents from the storm.
[3] John Christopher may have died earlier, as stated in Alice Smith's notes and as recorded by a doctor treating Catherine, referring to her as the widow of John Ludwig. No other Ludwigs are recorded in Indianola at this time.
Immigration Contract (Texas GLO Archives) Immigration Letter (Solms-Braunfels Archives)
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Galveston April 20, 1846. They then likely boarded a smaller vessel to continue to Indianola. Like many others during that period, their trip was sponsored by the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants to Texas (Mainzer Verein), however, the family settled in Indianola (Indian Point / Carlshafen), rather than continuing inland. Catherine's brother, Conrad, his wife, and 2 children were also on the voyage.
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