Emigrants to Texas & California
(Last updated: Wednesday May 13, 2009)
During the mid-1800's, several cousins emigrated from Endingen to Mexico and what is today south-western USA: Texas, California, and Nevada. Wilhelm was likely the first to arrive by way of a shipwreck on the coast of Texas (1831); cousin Barbara likely arrived in Texas during the late 1830's. Her brothers Louis and Adolphus likely arrived in California during the Gold Rush and their niece Rosa much later.
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| Franz Xaver Benitz (1816) though he lived for a time at Fort Ross (California) with Wilhelm and later emigrated to Argentina, we have included him with the Pennsylvania - Ohio Benitz's as that is where he first made his home and had his family. |
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| Maria Barbara Benitz (1815) & Gustave Erichson |
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Adolphus was born Geoffrey Adolph Benitz on 8 Feb. 1829, in Endingen, Baden, Germany, a son of master dyer Johann Bönitz and Barbara Herb. He and his older brother Louis were miners in the American west during the gold rush era. From their cousin Wilhelm Benitz's letters (excerpted below) we know they roamed the mines in the American west, from British Columbia, Canada, to Mazatlán, México. Adolph Benitz is listed in the First Directory of Nevada, 1862, as a "miner" at Crown Point Ravine in/near Gold Hill. In the Nevada census of 1875, A. Benitz is listed as a farmer in Washoe County, age 45, from Germany, and not married. In the 1880 U.S. census he is listed as Adolph, single, no profession, age 51, from Baden.
Excerpts from Wilhelm Benitz's letters:
| September, 1858: Adolphus Benitz came to see me last July. He came from Columbia and the mines. At the same time his brother Louis arrived from Mazatlán (Mexico) they both went together up to the river Fraser, New Caledonia. [north of Yale, British Columbia, Canada] |
| January, 1863: Louis and Adolphus Benitz are also at the mines of Washoo [between today's Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA], but I don't get much news from them. Perhaps I will go there myself next spring to buy shares in a few mines. |
| October, 1863: Louis Benitz and Ziegler went to Sonora in Mexico [per reference to Washoo, more likely Nevada]. Louis is headman of a silver-mine there, which belongs to a German Company at San Fco. Ziegler sent me a little box full of Washoo minerals he brought from there. I have heard little from Adolphus L. |
Louis was born Ludwig Wilhelm Benitz on 22 May, 1819, in Endingen, Baden, Germany, a son of master dyer Johann Bönitz and Barbara Herb. Louis and his younger brother Adolphus were miners in the American west during the gold rush era. From their cousin Wilhelm Benitz's letters (excerpted below) we know Louis and Adolphus roamed the mines in the American west, from British Columbia, Canada, to Mazatlán, México. From the letters we know Louis owned a store in Nevada in the 1850's; he was the headman at a silver mine in 1863; his wife was Mexican and they had a daughter (born about 1850); and, he probably settled in México, particularly because he did not like Americans. In the First Directory of Nevada, 1862, Louis is listed as an "amalgamator" at Crown Point Ravine in/near the town of Gold Hill.
Excerpts from Wilhelm Benitz's letters:
| June, 1853: Your [Thadeus Benitz] letter to Louis Benitz has been posted immediately. I learned from a man named Umbre, from the Black Forest, that Louis is in a town near the mines, where he is got a bakery and inn and is doing well. The place is called Sonora, Tuolumne County, [about 30 miles north-west of today's Yosemite National Park, California, USA] I could not help reading his letter too, as it was open and interested me very much. Louis has never written to me, neither have I received anything from brothers Anton and Xaver. From our sister and brother in law Mahrer, I have only had 2 letters with the same date. |
| April, 1854: Louis Benitz has also been here [Fort Ross] for a long time, but went back to the gold mines. He is married to a Mexican girl and has a daughter 4 years old. |
| March, 1855: Louis Benitz again went to Mexico last spring [spring 1854], he had about $8-10.000.- with him. He does not like to live with the Americans as there are very bad people amongst them and their sense of freedom is not really existing. |
| September, 1858: Adolphus Benitz came to see me last July. He came from Columbia and the mines. At the same time his brother Louis arrived from Mazatlán (Mexico) they both went together up to the river Fraser, New Caledonia. [north of Yale, British Columbia, Canada] |
| January, 1863: Louis and Adolphus Benitz are also at the mines of Washoo [between today's Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA], but I don't get much news from them. Perhaps I will go there myself next spring to buy shares in a few mines. |
| October, 1863: Louis Benitz and Ziegler went to Sonora in Mexico [per reference to Washoo, more likely Nevada]. Louis is headman of a silver-mine there, which belongs to a German Company at San Fco. Ziegler sent me a little box full of Washoo minerals he brought from there. I have heard little from Adolphus L. |
Ludwig Wilhelm Bönitz, 1819 Vital Records |
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Nr. 46 |
1819 On May 22 at seven o'clock in the evening a boy was born at this location. He was baptized in the St. Peter's church on May 23 at ten o'clock in the morning. He was named Ludwig Wilhelm Bönitz. Parents: Johann Bönitz master dyer and Barbara Herb. Sponsors: Georg Zingler soap boiler and Franziska Bönitz unmarried. Witness: Joseph Nägele [profession unreadable, not "teacher"]. Endingen, May 23, 1819. The vicar Martin performed the baptism. Alexander Umber pastor |
Church baptismal records, 1819, Endingen, Baden, Germany (source: James Bell, from: LDS (Mormon) BMD records) |
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Born Maria Barbara Böniz on 20 February, 1815, in Endingen, Baden, Germany, she was the daughter of master dyer Johann Böniz and Maria Barbara Herb (see the church record of her baptism below).
Barbara very likely emigrated to Texas in the late 1830's, possibly to join her second cousin, Wilhelm Benitz, who had arrived in Texas about 1832. The Harris County (Houston) marriage records show that on the October 30, 1840, a Barbara Benitz married Gustave Erichson. It is almost certainly her, as the US census records (of 1850, 1860, & 1870) show Barbara Erickson as born in Baden between 1818 and 1820. (Note: The early US census takers consistently misspelt Erichson with a K instead of an H.)
Gustave and Barbara apparently remained the rest of their lives in Houston, Texas, where Gustave became a well known and important gun-smith and dealer. They had 8 children between 1842 and 1856 (see family tree below), and were well-off; the census records show their assets grew from $12,000 in 1860 to 15,000 in 1870, and that they had servants.
During June, 1838, Gustave performed work as a civilian for the Army of the Republic of Texas. He invoiced the republic $35 for Making the Iron work to an Emery machine. His audited claim (#8922) was authorized for payment on 14 February, 1839.
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Erickson, Gustavus: Audited Claim #8922 (click upon to enlarge) Source: Republic Claims, Texas Archives & Manuscripts, Texas State Library www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims |
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In June & July, 1847, Gustave was the grantee for two plots of land in Bexar County, each 320 acres. It's possible they were in payment for services rendered to the republic/state.
Two of Gustave's sons, Otto and Alexander, continued in the gun trade and owned gun-shops. During the US Civil War (1861-1865), Otto served as a private in the Confederate States Army (Company C, 1 Texas Heavy Artillery). Otto and Alexander (then a teenager) reportedly also worked at a pistol factory in Andersonville.
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Lock stamps on a G. Erichson double barrel, percussion shotgun |
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Belgium made double barrel cartridge shotgun with O. Erichson stamps. It was common for the larger gun dealers to have their names stamped on imported shotguns. |
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Guns: Owned by Chris Hirsch, Houston, Texas Photos: Chris Hirsch, Houston, Texas |
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The following excerpts were kindly provided by Chris Hirsch from his forthcoming book: "The Texas Gun Trade, 1780 - 1899" (work in progress, 2004, Houston, Texas). Chris specializes in the restoration of antique firearms. |
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The ERICHSONS of Houston Erichson, Alexander 1866 – 1890+ in Houston. Listed as a gunsmith at 50 Milam. He was a son of early Texas gunsmith, Gustavus Erichson. Alexander worked with Gustave from 1866 - 1870. In 1870, he was listed at ‘CRR north of Buffalo Bayou’. He was also listed as working with his brother, Otto, for a period of time. The 1870 census shows his age as 25. Alexander and his brother are reported to have worked in the pistol factory, with the Dance Brothers, at Anderson during the American Civil War. This would have him working there as a teenager. (Houston Directory)(1870 census) Alexander Erichson was listed as district clerk in 1890. (Texas Directory) Erichson, J. P. Gustavus 1838 - 1872 in Houston. Listed as a gunsmith on Milam between Congress & Preston. ... Gustave was a gunsmith working from the Republic of Texas era, through the American Civil War, until 1872. One very nice .44 caliber cap and ball revolver is known with his name stamped on the barrel. This revoler has been attributed to the Confederate factory at Anderson Texas that is most known for the association with the famous Dance brothers of Texas. This revolver could possibly have come to Houston with Gustave's sons, Otto and Alexander, who worked at the Anderson factory. The Erichsons had long, successful careers as gunsmiths and gun dealers in Houston. (Texas Directory) (The Times, Houston) (1850, 60 & 70 census) Erichson, Otto 1860 - 1890s in Houston. Listed as a gun & locksmith. Was the son and successor to longtime Houston gunsmith, Gustave Erichson. Otto worked with Gustave approximately from 1866 through 1872. Listed as O. Erichson & Bro. In 1877 at Gustave’s address, as O. & A. Erichson in 1878, as the Houston Gun Works - Erichson Bros. in 1881 and O. Erichson & Co. in 1882. Otto was listed as Market Master at City Hall in 1886 and gunsmith again by 1889. (Houston Directory). He was possibly associated with L. T. Noyes in 1884 and Michael Floeck in 1888. Listed as Otto Erichson in 1890 at 275 Preston Street. Listed as a gunsmith in the 1860 & 1870 census with father, Gustave. (Texas Directory) (1860 & 1870 census) Three imported, double barrel, cartridge shotguns are known, one with "O. Erichson – Houston Tex" engraved on the lockplates. The other has "O. Erichson & Co." on the lock and "O.Erichson & Co. Houston, Tex." stamped on the top rib of the barrels. |
Family Tree:
1 J. P. Gustave Erichson b: Abt. 1813, Prussia.
Emigrated: Abt. 1838
d: 1872?
Occ. USC-1870: GunSmith
+ Maria Barbara Benitz b: 20 Feb. 1815, Endingen, Baden, Germany
d: Bef. 1880?
m: 30 Oct. 1840, Harris County, Texas, USA
Res. USC-1850, 1860, 1870: Houston, Texas, USA
2 Mathilda Erichson b: Abt. 1842, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1850, 1860: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Otto Erichson b: Abt. 1843, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ??
Mil.Svc.: Private, Company C, 1 Texas Heavy Artillery, Confederate States Army
Occ. USC-1870, 1880: GunSmith
Res. USC-1850, 1860, 1870: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
+ Bertha UnKnown-Surname b: Abt. 1854, Baden, Germany
d: ??
m: Between 1870-1875
Res. USC-1880: 53 Milam, Houston, Texas, USA
3 Oscar J. Erichson b: Abt. 1875, Houston, Texas, USA
d: Bef. 1930? m: Aft. 1900
Occ. USC-1920: R.R. machinist
Res. USC-1880: w/parents, 53 Milam, Houston, Texas, USA
Res. USC-1920: Houston, Texas, USA
## USC-1920: married with 2 daughters & 1 son: Paul b. Abt. 1904
## USC-1930: Paul married with 1 daughter, R.R. machinist
3 Aurelia H. Erichson b: Abt. 1877, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1880: w/parents, 53 Milam, Houston, Texas, USA
3 F.W. Gustavus Erichson b: November, 1879, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1880: w/parents, 53 Milam, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Alexander Erichson b: Abt. 1844, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1850, 1860, 1870: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
Occ. USC-1870: GunSmith
2 Gustavus Erichson b: Abt. 1846, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1850, 1860, 1870: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Theodore Erichson b: Abt. 1848, Houston, Texas, USA
d: Bef. 1870?
Res. USC-1850, 1860: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Julius Erichson b: August, 1850, Houston, Texas, USA
d: Bef. 1870?
Res. USC-1850, 1860: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Albert Erichson b: Abt. 1854, Houston, Texas, USA
d: between 1890-1899 (suicide)
m: ??
Occ. CH: law officer
Res. USC-1860, 1870: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
Res. USC-1880: w/bro. Otto at: 53 Milam, Houston, Texas, USA
2 Anne Erichson b: Abt. 1856, Houston, Texas, USA
d: ?? m: ??
Res. USC-1860, 1870: w/parents, Houston, Texas, USA
Other Relatives:
In the 1860 US census, living with Gustave & Barbara was Julius Erichson, 32, born in Prussia, likely a younger brother or cousin of Gustave's. He was a clerk with assets of $5,000 in real estate and $5,000 in personal assets. In 1870 he was living alone in a boarding house. He died 4 February, 1905, aged 76 (Houston Chronicle Obits.).
Vital Records:
Maria Barbara Böniz Vital Records |
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Nr. 19
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1815 On February 19 at one o'clock in the afternoon a girl was born at this location. She was baptized on February 20 at three o'clock in the afternoon at the St. Peter's church. She was named Maria Barbara Böniz. Father: Johann Böniz master dyer of colored goods. Mother: Maria Barbara Herb. Sponsors: Mr. Georg Zingler soap boiler and Maria Franziska Böniz unmarried. Witness: Martin [surname unreadable] master wagon builder. Endingen, February 20, 1815 Alexander Umber pastor |
Church baptismal records, 1815, Endingen, Baden, Germany (source: James Bell, from LDS (Mormon) BMD records) |
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The daughter of Rosa Benitz and Joseph Hildebrand, she was born the 31 October, 1839, in Endingen, Germany. She married Steinmann.
We know little about her other than that their daughter, Freida Albertina Steinmann (28 Feb., 1871 - 4 Feb., 1938) married William George Klippel on 2 June, 1894.
[It is interesting to speculate why she died in Reno (Washoe Cty.), Nevada, USA, in 1892. Did she travel there because of her uncle Adolphus Benitz? How long had she lived in Nevada?]
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Wilhelm Benitz, c. 1874 |
He was born Wilhelm Böniz (William Benitz) on 8 February, 1815, in Endingen, Baden, Germany, the son of Anton Böniz (master cooper) and Maria Anna Wagner. Wilhelm left Baden in approximately 1831, was shipwrecked in Mexico in 1832; served as a private in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836-1837; worked in California for John Sutter in 1843-1845; served as a lieutenant in the Mexican Army in 1843-1844; became a naturalized Mexican citizen, 1844; leased and later owned Fort Ross, California, 1844-1867; married Josefa Kolmerer (Josephine Kolmer) in 1846 (they had 10 children); partner in 2 other ranchos in California, 1844-1860, Herman and New Breisgau; moved to Oakland, California, in 1867 where he was listed as a "capitalist" in the census of 1870; moved his entire family to Argentina in 1874 where he founded estancia "La California" in 1875. He died the following year, on 27 June, 1876, and is buried in the family cemetery on the estancia.
The main site index to the left lists many pages with extensive information about William & Josephine Benitz, including a family tree with all his descendants to date. To acces the information, please find 'William Bz 1815' or 'Josephine KBz 1830' in the menus.
Michael Kolmer and Josephine Wagner (Josefa Wagnerin) were both born in Endingen, Baden, Germany, and were presumably married there; their first child, Josephine, was born there in 1830. We don’t know much about them during their early years. In 1833 the Kolmer family emigrated from Germany to North Carolina where they lived for at least three years because their only son, John, and youngest daughter, Caroline, were both born there, 1836 and 1838, respectively. In about 1841, the Kolmers emigrated west to St. Louis, Missouri, then in 1845 they joined one of the very first wagon trains crossing the plains to California. In 1846 their eldest daughter, Josephine, married Wilhelm Benitz of Fort Ross, and Michael rented farm near of Occidental (where Coleman valley is named after them). In 1851 they moved to a farm in Timber Cove, provided them by William (where Kolmer Gulch is named after them). Michael died of a stroke in 1858 and Josepha died in 1865; they are both buried in the Benitz cemetery at Timber Cove.
Much more detailed information is available in the menu for Michael Kolmer.
