History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 274

View a full description of this book.

274HI8TORY OP TEXAS.

been given excellent educational advantages,
and is a graduate of the Millersburg (Kentucky)
Female College. Two children have
been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eilers: Julia
Duncan, aged eight years, and Louis A., who
survived but nine weeks. Politically Mr.
Eilers supports the issues of the Democratic
party; he is an honored member of the
Knights of Pythias, and is one of the most
reliable.and highly esteemed citizens of his
county.
J OHN WAHRENBERGER.-Every
community has its unusual characters
who give it some little distinction, and
stand out in history like the foremost figures
in a bas-relief. Such a unique individual was.
John Wahrenberger, now deceased. He was
widely and familiarly known as "Dutch
John," and was one of the first permanent
settlers of Austin. He was born in Switzerland
in the month of April, 1812, and emigrated
to the United States in 1886, landing
in the city of New Orleans; three years later
he came to Austin and secured a small place
on Walter creek, where he engaged in gardening.

At this time the Indians were intensely
hostile, and Mr. Wahrenberget came near
losing his'life one day near the spot now occupied
by the Governor's mansion; a small
sack of meal he was carrying served as a
shield and received the arrows intended to
pierce his heart. One arrow struck his arm
and permanently crippled his finger. He
participated in both the Indian and Mexican
wars.
Gardening with so small a market as Austin
was' not profitable, so he did not continue
this industry, but concluded to establish a

bakery in Austin, as he knew something of
the business. This was a satisfactory venture
and was attended with marked success. The
profits were invested in real estate, both in
town and country, and in time yielded a
handsome income. Preferring a life in the
open air he disposed of his city interests and
removed to the country, intending to engage
in agriculture, but this change failed to restore
his failing energies, and in the month
of March, 1864, he passed to the great beyond.

To this worthy man is due the credit of
saving Austin from being sacked of her
archives in 1842. The fact, although not
widely known, is a matter of history and
should be properly accredited. Mr. Wahrenberger
was in the village and overheard the
conspirators discussing the plan of taking
the archives from Austin. He at once
set out to give the alarm. Feeling insecure
with their small force for resistance,
it was decided to dispatch a courier to arouse
the citizens of Washington county. Volunteers
were called for, and our hero was the
only man to respond; he covered the distance
of eighty miles in thirty-six hours on
foot, secured the aid of the settlers, and
placed Austin on the defensive; but General
Woll never made the proposed attack.
Mr. Wabrenberger was united in marriage
May 8, 1848, at Austin, by Chief Justice
Cummings, to Caroline Klein, a daughter of
Charles Klein, who emigrated from Switzerland
to the United States in December, 1846.
Arriving in Galveston Mr. Klein placed his
two daughters in an English school, and continued
with the remainder of the faPuily by
ox teams to Austin. He was very successful
in all his business ventures, and accumulated
a handsome competency. His first wife,
Barbara Schubiger, was the. daughter of a

274

-HIBTOYOP TXS

Upcoming Pages

Here’s what’s next.

upcoming item: 287 287 of 883
upcoming item: 288 288 of 883
upcoming item: 289 289 of 883
upcoming item: 290 290 of 883

Show all pages in this book.

This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.

Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.

History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. (Book)

History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties.

Book containing a brief overview of the state of Texas and more specific focus on six specific counties, with extensive biographical sketches about persons related to the history of those places. An alphabetical index of persons who are included follows the table of contents at the front of the book.

Relationship to this item: (Has Format)

Tools / Downloads

Get a copy of this page .

Citing and Sharing

Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.

Reference the current page of this Book.

Lewis Publishing Company. History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties., book, 1893; Chicago, Illinois. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth29785/m1/286/ocr/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Univesal Viewer

International Image Interoperability Framework (This Page)

Back to Top of Screen