The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 35, July 1931 - April, 1932 Page: 279

Viktor Friederich Bracht, a Texas Pioneer

VIKTOR FRIEDERICH BRACHT, A TEXAS PIONEER
C. F. SCHMIDT
In 1927 the writer of this article undertook the task of trans-
lating a little book entitled Texas in the Year 1-848 (Texas Im
Jahre f1848), by Viktor F. Bracht, a Texas pioneer. This trans-
lation, which was offered as the writer's thesis for the degree of
Master of Arts in the University of Texas, was thought to be
worth while because of Bracht's acquaintance with the State at
that time and because what he had written was from first hand
observation. Furthermore, the part that this pioneer took in
moulding the affairs of Texas entitles him to become better
known and more appreciated. After translating the book the
writer was presented with a copy of the genealogy of the Bracht
family. Information gained from this new source, as well as
from correspondence with the descendants of this early citizen
of our State, gave inducement to write this article. Only a few
phases of the life of this early immigrant, however, will be
touched on. Frequent quotations from the translation will aid
the reader toward a better acquaintance with Bracht.
The genealogy of the Bracht family has been traced back to
the sixteenth century, when, during a war between Spain and
Holland, this family left the latter country and settled in Dorsten,
Westphalia. Here we find the descendants among the leaders in
their communities, some being engaged in the profession of law,
others serving as ministers of the Gospel, farmers, merchants,
etc.' The family had their trade mark and coat of arms, a de-
scription and a picture of which are given in their family gene-
alogy. In the latter part of the sixteenth century and the early
part of the seventeenth century some members of the family lived
in and about Recklinghausen, Westphalia. Later we find them
scattering to various parts of Europe and the United States.
There are three main branches of the Bracht family, namely,
the Dillenburg branch, the Austrian branch, and the Duesseldorf
branch. Viktor Bracht belongs to the Duesseldorfer branch. He
was born at the place giving name to this part of the family,
1Genealogie der Familie Braceht aus Dorten, 3. Westphalia, 1907.

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