West of Sisterdale, off F.M.473
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HISTORY: This house has been alternately known as the
Wollschlaeger- Poss-Lasswell Ranch. Andreas Wollschlaeger, a baker from Germany,
came to Texas when he was 18 years old by way of Indianola and finally to
Sisterdale about 1868. He married Clara Behr, daughter of Ottmar von Behr and
Louise Katzfus Behr of Sisterdale in 1877. They got land and became ranchers and
farmers.
At first a two room house was built of native stone and wood,
completed in 1880. The kitchen was a separate room from the house; the rock
foundation is still seen west of the house. Two more rooms were added by Gus
Lindemann in 1902. A solid double rock cupboard kept the food cool. Spring water
was used and carried by bucket to the house. Later a well was dug for a good
water supply near the house. A porch was glassed in and finally there were six
rooms and a bath for this large family of eight children. There were two
bedrooms upstairs reached by an outside stairway.
Close by the big house
a small one was built for a bachelor named Adolph Neubert who had come from
Germany, also. He later married Clara's mother, Louise, who was widowed when
Ottmar von Behr died at sea with Yellow Fever, returning from a trip to Germany.
In 1919, a daughter of Andreas and Clara, Anna and her husband, Max Poss
bought the ranch and home place and lived there for many years. After her
husband's death in 1949, Anna sold to Hal Flinn and his sister, Bessie
Morgan.
On Dec. 20, 1963 Marshall Montgomery Lasswell and his wife, Mina
Mary Beckam, bought and restored the old Wollschlaeger- Poss home. Marshall M.
Lasswell was born in Herford, Texas on May 26, 1906 and died April 16 1969 at
Comfort, Texas. His wife, Mina, was born at her great-aunt Mary Maverick's ranch
at Leon Springs, Texas, May 6, 1907. They built a large, eight room, rock house
just up the hill from the old home. The old house then became the "summer" house
for their son and his family.
In 1971 Mrs. Mina Lasswell married a long
time widower and family friend, Robert Caldwell Russell. They continued to live
on the ranch. In 1977 they were awarded the Outstanding Conservation Ranch in
Zone II.
Source: Boerne Public Library files;-From article written by Mina Lasswell Russell. March, 2000.