SCHWOPE, JOHN CARL

Carl Schwope, born April 9, 1816, married Helen Noeckel, born November 20, 1822. They were both natives of Heidersdorf, Germany. They had six children: John Carl, and Gottlieb, Julia (C.O. Ebensberger), Anna (Fritz Diener), Helene (John Werner) and Louisa.(Ferdinand Troast). Their son John Carl who was born June 27, 1851, left Germany as a stowaway on a freighter and came to America in 1867. He landed in Indianola , then went through New Braunfels to the early settlement of Comfort in Kendall County. It was a short time later when the rest of the family came to America, landing in Galveston, then moving inland to Kendall County. In 1870 John Carl joined the Texas Rangers for one year. This group rode from Comfort through the Guadalupe, Pedernales and San Saba river areas. In 1871 he received his discharge and pension but was subject to recall if needed. In 1872 he was a teamster for Robert Ochse of Comfort hauling freight by oxen wagon to Powder Horn making many of these slow and tedious trips. John Carl married Matilda Adam, who was born April 10, 1859, daughter of Carl Adam and Bertha Wendler Adam. The couple had ten children, two of which died in infancy. They lived in Comfort about three years, then bought a farm near Boerne. Here they lived until 1915 when they sold the farm to son Fritz and moved into a house in town. On 5 February 1917, Mrs. Schwope died. Mr Schwope lived until December 15, 1937. - original article by Edna Schwope.