Category Archives: Toepperwein
Paul and Kathinka Adam Toepperwein
Kathinka, the eldest daughter of Conrad and Adalbertha Bergmann Adam, was born on 7 September 1857. Her great-grandson, Marion Toepperwein, told this story about her. “Before her marriage while living at her father’s place near Boerne, Texas. Due to no fences, horses had to be hobbled, a band of Indians rode through scattering the horses. Indians were still wild and would steal cattle and kill white people. Kathinka had just unhobbled one horse and was able to ride back to the farm house in time to escape the Indians.” Can you image how scary that would be?
On 30 December 1875, she married Paul Johannes Toepperwein. Kathinka and Paul lived in Leon Springs until 1882 when they purchased property four miles south of Boerne. They sold the farm after living there thirty years and purchased a smaller farm. In 1919, they purchased a house in Boerne.
Paul and Kathinka had six children: Albert Paul born in 1877, Edwin born in 1882, Ella Clara born in 1884, married Willie Stein, and Wally Bertha born in 1889, married Adolph Wendler, Rudolph Herbert born in 1892, married Alma Pearl Alexander, and one son died as an infant.
Paul was born in Germany on 17 February 1844 to Ferdinand Lucian and Marie Elizabeth Toepperwein. The family settled ten miles east of Fredericksburg on Grape Creek where his father taught school. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Confederate Army and was assigned to the regiment band. His brother Herman was the band leader. Paul played the trombone in the band but could play several other instruments. He died 11 July 1929.
Kathinka died in 10 June 1943. Her obituary in the Boerne Star stated, “She was a very good hearted and fine old lady, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, everyone she came in contact with she had a kind and good word for and of course had very many dear friends.”
” Mrs. Kathinka Toepperwein,” obituary, The Boerne Star (Boerne, Texas), 17 June 1943.
Toepperwein, Marion. “Paul Toepperwein.” 1980s.
Adam and Toepperwein Families
Adam and Toepperwein Families
Do you recognize this picture or anyone in it? Do you have a better copy?
Regina A. shared this photo with me. The only person that is for sure identified is Paul Toepperwein. He is wearing a hat and is in the middle of the picture turned sideways. I have looked at this picture a million times trying to recognize some of the people and here are a few I think I recognize:
To the left of Paul, standing in front of the door Adalbertha Adam,to her left Kathinka Toepperwin standing next to the porch support, on the other side of the support Julius Adam holding Willie Adam, the lady wearing the hat Ida Adam and she is standing next to Conrad Adam. I estimate the picture was taken in 1893 or 1894. I hope I am not turning these people into who I want them to be so, if you have any ideas, suggestions or speculations I would love to hear them!
Tombstone Tuesday: Paul and Kathinka Adam Toepperwein
Paul and Kathinka Adam Toepperwein's Tombstone
Kathinka is Conrad and Adalbertha Bergmann Adam’s oldest daughter.
Boerne Cemetery (Boerne, Kendall County, Texas). Paul and Kathinka Toepperwein marker; personally read 2011.
Adalbertha Adam 1912
Adam Descendants at Julius Adam Home in 1912
Celebration? Relatives visiting on Sunday afternoon? I don’t know, but I love the picture! The family is posed in front of the Julius Adam home on a sunny day in 1912. Adalbertha Bergmann Adam is front row center. On her left is Bertha Adam Froebel Haby, her daughter, Erna Adam, her granddaughter, has her hand on her chair, on her right is Kathinka Adam Toepperwein, her oldest daughter.
Left to right:
Eugene Adam, grandson; Paul Toepperwein, son-in-law; Emma Herms, daughter; Wally Toepperwein, granddaughter; Gus Herms, grandson; Clara Toepperwein, niece; Ida Haufler Adam, daughter-in-law and my great-grandmother; Hilda Adam, granddaughter; Bertha ?; there is a man standing behind Bertha I can’t see his face clearly; Edna Herms, granddaughter; Julius Adam, son; Mousie Goerges, niece; Chris Herms, son-in-law; Willie Adam, grandson and my grandfather.
Adam, Adalbertha. Adam Descendants at the Julius Adam Home 1912. Photograph of the original. 2000. By Gunner Froebel. Digital copy privately held by Regina Adam and Kathryn Adam-Hurst. Boerne, Texas. 2011.
Tombstone Tuesday: Adolph Toepperwein
Adolph Toepperwein's Tombstone
Son of: E.A.F. and Johanna Bergmann Toepperwein
Grandson of: Joseph Bergmann
First cousin to: Julius Adam, my great grandfather
My first cousin 3x removed
Occupation: Exhibition sharp-shooter
Birth place: Boerne, Texas
Mission Burial Park South (San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas). Adolph Toepperwein marker, Calvary Garden,
Block 7, Lot 705, space 11 and 12; personally read, 2011.
A Visit to the Boerne Cemetery
Since the temperature was below 100 degrees today, I decided to visit the Boerne Cemetery. I wanted to find the graves of Adalbertha’s siblings.
In 1867, Adam Vogt deeded the land to the city to create the Boerne Cemetery. Conrad Adam purchased his plots in August, 1867, as many of the early settlers did. Conrad and Adalbertha tombstones are the white marble stones. Kathinka Toepperwein, their oldest daughter, is buried next to them.
Conrad and Adalbertha Adam's Tombstone
To the left, under some huge oak trees, I discovered Adalbertha’s sister Amalie Bergmann Dietert!
Amalie Bergmann Dietert's Tombstone
Rosa Bergmann Dietert was near her sister Amalie.
Rosa Bergmann Dietert's Tombstone
Anton Bergmann, their brother, was buried in another section and was fairly easy to find.
Anton Bergmann's Tombstone
Success! I found all three!
There is one more sibling Johanna Bergmann Toepperwein. She is buried in San Antonio.
I Don’t Know Much About Joseph Bergmann my 3rd Great-Grandfather
Joseph Bergmann
I don’t know very much about my 3rd great-grandparents, Joseph and Theresia Ohnesorge Bergmann. They arrived in Galveston on the ship Texas on 12 June 1853. Their destination was Bexar County. In New Homes in a New Land, Joseph Bergmann from Reichenberg, Bohemia arrived with 11 persons in his group. I have 7 accounted for and possibly one more named Gustav, that’s a total of 8. Who are the other 3???
Children are:
- Adalbertha, born 30 October 1836 married Conrad Adam
- Rosa born 10 August 1841 married Wilhelm Dietert
- Amalia Margaret born 27 August 1844 married Heinrich Dietert
- Anton born 2 April 1846 married Ernstine Beyer
- Johanna born 16 September 1849 married E. A. Ferdinand Toepperwein
Some facts about Joseph Bergmann:
- 30 September 1856 applied for citizenship
- 1859 signed petition for create Kendall County
- 14 March 1864 applied for a cattle brand BI and lived near Menger Creek near Boerne
- By 1870 is eligible to vote
- In June 1880, he is 80 years old. He and his wife are living with Henry and Amalia Bergmann Dietert
- He died 2 January 1882 and is buried in the Boerne Cemetery
- In September 1882, William Dietert was appointed temporary administration of the Estate of Joseph Bergmann. His main job was to “collect from Anna and Rosalia Schubert, of Reichenberg, Bohemia, the amount due by them to the heirs of Joseph Bergmann deceased.”
A Blessed Union: Conrad and Adalbertha Bergmann Adam
Conrad Adam Family
Conrad and Adalbertha had seven children with six living to adulthood.
- Kathinka born 7 September 1857 married Paul. J. F. Toepperwein
- Therese born 20 August 1859 married Frederick Voges
- Emilie born 27 April 1862 married William Schoenert
- Julius Conrad born 15 March 1864 married Ida Haufler
- Bertha born 8 July 1865 married Hilmar G. Froebel (1) Haby (2)
- Emma born 11 September 1867 married Christian Herms
-
Amalie born in 1869 lived for 7 days or a few years; the stories vary
I don’t think Amalie had a tombstone but there was a small cemetery within walking distance of the house. When my father was a young boy he was told there was a baby buried in the cemetery. They did not purchase the land until 1874, so I am not sure Amalie is buried there.
Don’t you just love this picture? I wish it was clearer but you can still see Julius next to his sister Kathinka. He doesn’t look too happy. Conrad and Adalbertha are in the middle and Therese is holding Emilie. I am guessing Bertha and Emma were too small and would not hold still for the picture.
