Working in Texas
According to the sign on one of the two buildings at the park near the Brazos in San Felipe, the J. J. Josey General Store was in business when the von Rosenbergs first arrived there on December 21, 1849. Perhaps it was one of the first steps toward rebuilding San Felipe after the Mexican attack. A number of von Rosenbergs became merchants in stores around Texas. The von Rosenberg-Heintze Company in La Grange was one, but it is a different profession that really grabs my interest.
the old Land
Office building
drafting room in the
old Land Office building
(anyone recognize Ernst?)
William, a skilled surveyor, architect, and draftsman (trained in Germany), was asked to draw a design for the new Fayette County courthouse in La Grange. The admiration and appreciation of this work led to his being recommended to the commissioner of the General Land Office in Austin. After the Civil War, Jacob Kuechler returned from Mexico and was eventually appointed Land Commissioner at the Land Office. Hermann Lungkwitz was offered the position of photographer in charge of reproducing maps. His daughter Martha was appointed clerk sometime during or before 1874 (and is believed to be the first female employee of the state of Texas). William's son Ernst also found work at the Land Office rising to Chief Draftsman. He married Hermann's daughter Helene. Two of their children, Ernest and Hermann found jobs in various state offices eventually both working for the State Reclamation Department when their duties were transferred to the Land Office.
So seven of my relatives worked at the General Land Office of Texas. Some of their work is on display in the historic Land Office building as well as at the Land Office website. Not only is it on display, but some of it is up for adoption in the Land Office's restoration and preservation program.
Walker County
by William
Llano County
by Ernst
