Grace Lina BISSELL

Notes:

“This small bundle of a woman should not be underestimated. A lot of drive and energy were bound up into the five-foot-two frame that was Grace. She had beautiful blue eyes that twinkled and naturally curly red hair that began graying in her twenties. She always looked as if she had stepped out of a ‘band-box’ — so neat, spotless and always smiling.

“When in her twenties she was the sole support of her two children and her mother and sometimes a brother. She was employed by the State Comptroller’s Department in Austin (then located in the State Capitol) and was within sight of retirement after 30 years when the tragedy of the Big C (cancer) struck her down. She was forced to take early retirement and lived the last few months of her life with her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in Austin.

“Her courage and faith shine forth as an example to be followed by all.”

Died:
at 9:50 p.m. at St. David’s Hospital

Buried:
Sec 2, Lot 842

Grace married Ralph Leonard KIRKLEY on 8 Jun 1926 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA, and was divorced. Ralph (son of Robert KIRKLEY and Harriet Olivia DURRETT) was born on 2 Oct 1907 in Cushing, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA; died on 9 Nov 1994 in Travis County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Joanne KIRKLEY was born on 18 Oct 1928 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; died on 8 Feb 1967 in Hyattsville, Prince Georges, Maryland, USA; was buried in Crystal Springs, Copiah, Mississippi, USA.

Grace married Homer Wesley JORDAN on 1 Sep 1951 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. Homer (son of James W. JORDAN and Mary Elizabeth HORN) was born on 1 Jul 1890 in Youngsport, Bell, Texas, USA; died on 8 Jul 1956 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; was buried on 9 Jul 1956 in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“George Gordon Bissell was born August 29, 1863, in Rome, New York. His father was Charles Forman Bissell, and his mother’s maiden name was Julia Ann Barnard. He was a descendant of John Bissell, Jr., eldest son of John Bissell (called John the Settler), who was born in England and emigrated with his father to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1628, and to Windsor, Connecticut, in 1639.

“George Gordon Bissell was the youngest child in a family of five children. There were two of these five children living when the family came to Austin, Texas, in 1880. He attended Bickler Academy for young men, from which he graduated. He married Lina von Rosenberg on December 25, 1890. The marriage service was performed by the Episcopal minister, Rev. Lee.

“While living in Ft. Worth, he was with C. H. Sillerman Brokerage Company, taking care of their legal affairs. On his return to Austin, he was with the law firm of Judge D. W. Doom, under the name of Doom and Bissell. After Judge Doom’s death George continued in business with Dave Doom, son of D. W. Doom. He was in this business until his death on November 7, 1923.”

Died:
at 1:15 p.m. at his residence, 408 W. 15th

Buried:
Sec 2, Lot 842

George married Lina VON ROSENBERG on 25 Dec 1890 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. Lina (daughter of Carl Wilhelm VON ROSENBERG and Auguste Franziska ANDERS) was born on 27 Oct 1864 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; died on 16 Jun 1959 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; was buried on 17 Jun 1959 in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

“Lina von Rosenberg was born on October 27, 1864, in the 300 block of West Second Street, Austin, Texas. Lina is the tenth child in a family of twelve. She seems to have been a favorite, being especially close to her father. This must have been because of their mutual love for flowers. She had a beautiful flower garden at the old home on West Sixteenth; there her father would go walking in the early morning during the warm weather. He seemed to be able to face the problems of the day better after enjoying the beauty of the garden at early sunrise.

“As early as the age of six Lina helped with the family chores. The boys had to get off to work early in those days, and she and her sisters helped their mother get breakfast. They didn’t have just toast and coffee. They ate a big square meal consisting of steaks, biscuits, etc.

“Lina graduated from Alta Vista Institute, located on West Fifteenth and Guadalupe Streets. This was run by Mrs. Helen Marr Kirby. She took private painting lessons from Professor Lungkwitz in her home three times a week. Later when she attended Alta Vista he gave her advanced lessons there. She also studied voice and piano. When she was about five or six years old, her first piano teacher was Professor Besserer. This was another mutual interest she had with her father, who was very fond of good music. William von Rosenberg saw to it that his beautiful daughters were well accomplished in the fine things of life, such as voice, piano and art.

“In her youth Lina had slightly curly auburn hair and fair skin. Her blue eyes seem to have a twinkle in them. Their friends, when speaking of the sisters, would always refer to Lina as ‘the one with the laughing eyes.’

“Lina married George Gordon Bissell on Christmas morning in 1890. The young couple went to Ft. Worth, Texas, to live for about a year and a half. Then they returned to Austin. She bore five children: Julia, Charles, Roland, George and Grace. Three of these are still living.

“Now at the age of eighty-four she is enjoying good health and continues to raise flowers. The visits of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren add to her enjoyments.”

Died:
at Rader’s Nursing Home, 2705 East Ave.

Buried:
Sec 2, Lot 842

Notes:

Married:
by Rev. Lee, Episcopal minister

Notes:

Died:
at 1:15 a.m. at 1503 San Antonio

Buried:
Sec 2, Lot 842

Charles married Julia Ann BARNARD about 1857. Julia was born on 24 Mar 1836 in New York, USA; died on 16 Apr 1909; was buried on 17 Apr 1909 in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Sec 2, Lot 842

Notes:

Carl Wilhelm, son of Peter Carl and Johanna von Rosenberg, was born on his father's estate, Eckitten, near Memel, East Prussia. He was tall, with piercing brown eyes and dark or brown hair.

Upon completing the course at the Memel high school, Wilhelm served as a government surveyor's apprentice. In 1838 he was employed as private secretary to an administrative land official and accompanied him to Saxony. He held this position until 1841. Wilhelm then entered the army and served his time as a soldier until 1844, when he was appointed lieutenant in the reserves.

Upon completing that assignment in June 1849, he was promptly discharged, proscribed because of outspoken democratic ideas and barred from further employment with the Royal Prussian government. This was during the time of political upheaval in Germany leaned toward despotism. Rather than have him receive a dishonorable discharge, Wilhelm's major allowed him to resign his commission as lieutenant in the Prussian Reserve Army.

Wilhelm realized that he would always be opposed by governmental influences because of his liberal ideas, so, like many other cultured Germans of that period, he chose a career in America. At that, his father tried to dissuade him, believing that the princely despotism would surely not last long. Therein he erred. Being liberal and democratic father Peter Carl himself may well have been having difficulties and, with his family, suffering unpleasantness. At any rate, they were all deeply attached to one another and concluded that all should emigrate together and seek happiness under freer institutions.

Wilhelm married Auguste Anders near Berlin shortly before sailing. The group of eleven landed in Galveston, Texas, in December, 1849.

Early in 1850 William purchased a small farm, part of Nassau Plantation, owned by his father, near Round Top, Fayette County. He farmed for six years, learned the English language and in 1855 became a citizen of the United States. Being a skilled draftsman, he was called upon to draw a design for the Fayette County Courthouse in La Grange. This work gave such general satisfaction that he was recommended by American friends to the Commissioner of the General Land Office of Texas. In consequence, William sold his farm and moved to Austin in April, 1856. He was appointed draftsman at the first vacancy in October.

In the meantime he made drawings of homes and buildings. His drawing of the Harrell home, one of the earliest in Austin, had hung in the Memorial Museum. He also made a drawing of the old Capitol, copies of which were in possession of several members of this family. It is his pencil drawings of Eckitten that we reproduced in the first von Rosenberg book (blue).

The land office then occupied a small frame building in the Capitol yard. In 1861 he was appointed chief draftsman, which position he held until 1863, when he left to serve as topographical engineer under General J. Bankhead Magruder in the Confederate Army. His rank was Captain, in Hood's Brigade.

Having known of slavery here before coming, William felt it his duty, upon the outbreak of war, to stand with the people of his adopted state. He participated in East Texas skirmishes near Sabine Pass. After the war ended, he resumed his position as Chief Draftsman in the General Land Office until the trying "Reconstruction" period.

Starting from scratch after the war, in order to buy a home for his large family, William borrowed $800 in gold from Jacob de Cardova, a friend in Marlin. In 1871 he built a substantial stone residence on the corner of Sixteenth and Guadalupe Streets, where he resided the remainder of his life. In about 1867 he entered partnership with Major C. R. Johns, J. C. Kirby, and F. Everett in a profitable land agency business, which lasted about ten years. When banking was combined with the land agency, however, the business failed. Broke again through no fault of his, William then opened a land agency of his own in 1877 and did very well. He knew sound engineering principles and advised correctly against the location of a proposed Colorado River dam site.

Once, when a newly arrived German immigrant came to his office, bowing and scraping with "Herr Baron" this and "Herr Baron" that, William declared emphatically, "This is America, where we don't have that." Though politically a Democrat, William ever reserved the right to follow the dictates of his conscience. He never sought nor desired public office. He was solicited to run for the legislature on the Horace Greeley ticket, but opposing Greeley's nomination, declined to enter the race. William von Rosenberg at all times manifested a deep interest in the prosperity and general welfare of Austin and Texas. He took a leading part in establishing the first free school in Austin.

He was tall, erect, and dignified in appearance and of a composed and gentle manner, which his piercing eyes seemed to belie.

He passed away at his home in December, 1901, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin.

Buried:
Sec 1, Lot 141

Carl married Auguste Franziska ANDERS on 5 Sep 1849 in Herzberg, Schweinitz, Sachsen, Prussia. Auguste was born on 6 Nov 1825 in Herzberg, Schweinitz, Sachsen, Prussia; died on 6 Oct 1897 in Austin, Travis, Texas, USA; was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Travis, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Anders family made fine cloth, like fine linens. Father Anders was a dashing officer in the Prussian Army, and a heavy bettor on horses. After his marriage he is said to have bet away much of his wife's money, and finally disappeared. It is thought that he came to the United States, but that was never established.

Auguste's mother's people were flour millers in Herzberg, Saxony, and very wealthy. Auguste had two very handsome sisters, one of whom married a Koenig, of Koenig u. Verlag, publishers.

Of medium stature, Auguste herself was beautiful, with brown hair, and liquid blue eyes. A serious, devout girl, she doubtless inherited some typical Prussian sternness of cold countries, where life is hard. Or did the trials of her dear mother make her so earnest and conscientious? It is agreed, however, by all who knew her, that she was genuinely kind, sweet, and generous. Perhaps, too, she chose to share William's feeling of at least partial responsibility for bringing the family to Texas, and therefore a determination to help him make good here.

Aged twenty-four, she was newly married and en route to a strange, rough land, with a life mainly of hardships and pioneering ahead, after probably some affluence and elegance. This must have required courage and determination, and great love and faith. She never saw her beloved mother or sisters, or her homeland again.

A good thing, perhaps, that the next twenty years were far too busy for vain regrets. She bore twelve children during years of pioneering, Civil War, and "Reconstruction" days. And she raised them well; lost but one—little Marie at the age of one and a half years.

She and her dear William helped found St. Martin's Lutheran Church of Austin. She never forgot the prospective positions apparently in store for them in the fatherland at the time of their betrothal. If one considers it a fault, then she was certainly partly responsible for the William von Rosenbergs sometimes being called "those proud, aristocratic von Rosenbergs." Yet with their accomplishments, they surely had a right to hold their heads high. Sweet, patient Grandmother Auguste richly deserved the affluence that came their way in later life.

Her death was caused by apoplexy at the age of seventy-two, and she is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, Texas.

Buried:
Sec 1, Lot 151

Notes:

Peter Carl Johann von Rosenberg was the third son of Otto von Rosenberg and his second wife, Maria Wilhelmine von Stempel-von Rosenberg, of Raddeilen and Eckitten Estates. He was nine years old when his parents were divorced and we know nothing of his early life and education. He enlisted in the Prussian Army at an early ago and at twenty-one he became a lieutenant in the cavalry. He was a member of the Uhlans and on the old scroll he is called a Jager, which was a title given to certain German cavalry regiments.

He later told his grandson Arthur von Rosenberg that in the Battle of Leipzig his horse's mouth was shot away, but he quickly mounted another horse whose rider had been killed.

He fought with the Prussian guards under Bluecher with Wellington. When Napoleon faced the English on Belgian soil at Waterloo, with the remnant of the once-defeated Prussians and the fresh Prussian forces under Bluecher, the tide of the battle turned on June 18, 1815. The histories tell us this Prussian Guard knew how to die but not how to surrender.

The Uhlans fought with lances. They were chiefly employed for reconnoitering, skirmishing, and outpost duty. Originally they were light cavalry. Peter Carl was a Lieutenant in this company at Waterloo, we learn from the old scroll and from letters.

In 1819 he inherited Eckitten Estate after the death of his widowed stepmother, and the same year he married Johanna Dorothea Froelich. They had four children before she died at the age of twenty-nine, six weeks after the birth of Johannes.

Peter Carl was a "Frei Denker" and in the disturbing days of 1848 was severely criticized for his political views. The consequent humiliation of the family was the direct cause of the immigration to Texas.



The family of Carl von Rosenberg departed from Bremen, Germany on 1 Oct 1849 and arrived at Galveston, Texas on 2 Dec 1849. They travelled on the ship Franziska.

Peter married Johanna Dorothea FROELICH on 2 Jun 1819 in Memel, Memel, Ostpreußen, Prussia. Johanna (daughter of Christoph FROELICH, Jr. and Johanna Dorothea VEITHOFER) was born on 12 Jun 1797 in Tilsit, Ostpreußen, Prussia; died on 30 Apr 1826 in Memel, Memel, Ostpreußen, Prussia; was buried in Memel, Memel, Ostpreußen, Prussia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the Froelich book of 1909--

The very best line that has been established for the Johanna Dorothea Froelich line dates back to three brothers, born near Insterburg in about 1610-Michael, Jacob and Christoph Froelich.

Christoph was our Stamm Vater, according to church archives in Koenigsberg, Insterburg and Ragnit in East Prussia, definitely dating back to 1610. They were all churchly people and the ministry was the choice of men, as found in one generation after another.

The coat of arms is pictured in the Froelich book by Reinhold Froelich. The origin is rather indefinite as twelve different sorts and colors have been found. Reinhold Froelich, the compiler of that book, engaged an expert on heraldry, a Herr von Hasken, who advised him to be satisfied with that one picture as it had been handed down and should be right. The colors were faded but the design surely right.



Johanna Dorothea Froelich was born in Tilsit, East Prussia. Her father was the Pfarrer Christoph Froelich, a devout churchman and very prominent in that town. He died when she was ten years old.

Christoph Froelich had just become a teacher and rector in Memel when he married Johann Dorothea Veithofer in 1793. He lived only fourteen years longer, leaving three children whose ages in 1807 were Christoph thirteen, Johanna ten, and Reinhold six. Christoph soon began his studies in medical school in Koenigsberg; his life was filled with hardships which caused much sadness to his widowed mother.

Little Hannchen lived at home but also spent much time with her Uncle George Froelich and the Aunt Dorothea (Ogilvie) at their beautiful home "Aschoff Estate" near Memel. At Aschoff many children of the family were often invited on weekends to visit Hans, Herman and Heinrich. It was called the "Tummel Platz" of the families' children.

Johanna Dorothea's younger brother, Reinhold, was reared by his mother's beloved stepsister. They spared nothing in the care of this boy and for his education. This Reinhold was the grandfather of the man who published the "Familie Froelich" in 1909. After finishing at the university he served a year in the army, and soon thereafter his uncle died. Then his mother, the Frau Pfarrer Froelich, and his aunt, the Frau Pfarrer Holdschue, bought the estate Paul-Narmund and called young Reinhold to manage it.

He soon married Carolina Allbrecht and had then the opportunity to buy back her family estate Collaten, which had been lost by her father after a war. He bought it for only 12,000 marks, the value being 200,000 marks. This estate was near Paul-Narmund, so he managed both. The home at Collaten was very large. They invited four of Carolina's sisters to live with them and also Tante Holdschue when she was very old. The teacher Schiemann, an old friend of Pfarrer Christoph Froelich in earlier years, was invited to live at Paul-Narmund with the Grandmother Froelich as tutorfor all the grandchildren who spent years at a time with her. Here they had a lovely schoolroom and all the children from neighboring estates such as Eckiten, Colaten and Bertulischken attended. They owed much to this fine man for all the good he inspired in their young minds.

Christoph, the young doctor, married Eleonore von Rosenberg; she brought with her the "Gut" or estate, Bertulischken, the very old von Rosenberg home (possibly Raddeilen). It was later lost by fire, and they suffered many other reverses.

Little Hannchen Froelich married Peter Carl Johann von Rosenberg of Eckitten, and died after seven years of marriage, leaving two sons and one daughter. She was buried in the church-yard at Collaten Estate, the old Froelich burial grounds. Johanna was twenty-nine at the time of her death, which six weeks after the birth of Johannes. The children were then cared for by Grandmother Froelich at Paul-Narmund, and their uncles at Aschoff and Reinhold at Collaten.

For years a fine family life centered around these homes. Every Wednesday was family day at Paul-Narmund with Grandmother Froelich; all the relatives came no matter what the weather. If it rained they walked, as the roads were too bad for vehicles. Every Sunday all went to Collaten to be with Uncle Reinhold and Tante Carolinnchen. Eckitten was farther away, but Hannchen's children were always sent for after they again lived at home with their father and stepmother, Amanda.

The birthdays were always grand affairs when all the neighbors were invited. Long tables were arranged in their beautiful gardens, children played games on the lawns, and all had a merry time.

This Grandmother Froelich remembered the children of her daughter Hannchen in her will so that each received his share in his mother's part of her estate. She asked that "der Rosenberg and Amanda" take care of the money for young Johannes, as Wilhelm and Hannchen were older and could take care of their own.

The three children of Johanna Froelich von Rosenberg's brother Christoph and his wife Eleonore were double cousins of Johanna's children who later immigrated to Texas, with their father and stepmother. One of these double cousins, Libussa, was adopted by Peter Carl and Amanda and came to Texas with them. Adolph and Gustav Froelich, Libussa's brothers, came later.

Libussa, who lived in Hallettsville in her old age, had in her possession two lovely keepsakes from her Aunt Hannchen: a dainty cap, crocheted of linen thread, worn by baby Johannes at his christening in 1826, and her autograph album. These were very graciously given to Alma von Rosenberg Tomlinson after her death.



Buried:
in the churchyard at Collaten Estate, the old Froelich burial grounds