Settlers honored at heritage event

Recognizing the pioneers of Kendall County

The recent “First Families and Early Settlers” celebration honored the pioneers — many of them German — who settled in Boerne and the region in the late 18th and early 20th centuries.

The Genealogical Society of Kendall County sponsored the 26th annual event, held at St. John Lutheran Church Sept. 26. Organizers said the celebration commemorates the families of Kendall County who came before December 1862 as founders and those who came before Dec. 31, 1900, as early settlers.

Waves of North European immigrants — many of them from Germany — traveled overseas to the Hill Country in the 1800s to begin new lives, historians say.

Kendall County Commi s s ioner Richar d Chapman welcomed the attendees at the Saturday function, many them descendants, while project Director Hal Halwell presented each with certificates honoring their ancestors.

Richard Asher, James Hurst, James Meckel and Kim Maloy played traditional folk music and lunch was served by GSKC volunteers.

Founders recognized this year included Ignatz Minnich and Barbara Kindler, Anna Barbara Stenebach, Johann Pankratz and Gertrude Heinen, Johann Adam Friedrich Lenz and Maria Anna Faist.

Organizers said early settlers included Casper Sueltenfuss and Anna Louise Voelcker, William B. Edge and Josephine Catherine Carter, Paul Below and Ernestine Allerkamp, and Gustav Adolph Shattenberg.

Society officials said the life stories of the pioneers are available to the public in the Family History Place at 114 E. Blanco Road.

The collection now covers more than 385 individuals in 282 volumes.

Officials also said any direct descendants can apply for future recognition.

Applications are available at the Family History Place, but applicants do not need to be a resident of Kendall County nor a member of GSKC.