2011-1 Remembrances Special Editionity of
Remembrances Publication Special Edition 2011 -1
Presented by: Schertz Historical Preservation Committei&
Schertz, Texas - Preserving
Hallowed
Grounds
There rest those who came before.
Those who brought love of liberty to the Texas shore.
Under old oak trees, on hillsides, and beside a quiet stream,
Our forefathers rest in quiet serene.
Weathered headstones mark each person's place.
And words of comfort reflect a solemn grace.
They left their mark, they shared their love,
They've earned their place in heaven above.
May we offer homage and may it never cease.
And may they, forever rest in peace.
< Poem by Dean Weirtz, Member Schertz
Historical Preservation Committee>
As the old year passes and the new begins the words of a Scottish poem by Robert Bums
(1788) that is best remembered in its traditional folk song version titled "Auld Lang
yne" is heard being sung far and wide throughout English speaking countries at the
stroke of midnight New Years eve. Usually, only the first verse and the chorus are sung.
That first verse asks a rhetorical question: "Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never
brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne? This song verse
in some respects mirrors the most basic element of the mission that the Schertz Historical
Preservation Committee attempts to pursue. In general terms, that mission is the
preservation of the memory and history of "old acquaintance(s)" and of persons /places
throughout Schertz and surrounding areas that have been important to the community's
survival and growth. Certainly the most worthy for remembrance of the "old
acquaintance(s)" would be the pioneer families that settled and cultivated the otherwise
uninhabitable Cibolo Valley area. These European immigrants sacrificed more, fought
harder for their survival and achieved greater progress toward community development
than any generation since. Today, the City of Schertz has within its city limits and in one
instance just beyond city limits, markers of remembrance to those many early settlers in
the form of family and community cemeteries that dot the landscape along Highways 78,
1518 and 482. It would not be beyond belief to suggest that Schertz, Texas has more
This story cannot be complete without mentioning another nationality that bears honor
for the building of our community. Yes, the Germans and French bought lands, planted
crops, built businesses and homes. But, without the Mexican population that supplied
much of the farm labor it is doubtful that as much progress could have been achieved.
In the mid to late 1800s there were no large commercial cemeteries. Families would bury
their loved ones in family plots on their own farmlands or in a church cemetery. The
Cemetery Subcommittee of the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SC) has
embarked on a journey of locating and document as many of these cemeteries as possible.
There are just a few of the "old-timers" still around that can assist with our questions and
give helpful guidance to our project. To date, the Subcommittee has explored and
documented four Schertz cemeteries and the remaining cemeteries are under various
stages of study.
The Ferdinand Michael Dietz Cemetery is found south of Highway 78 at the far east
comer of the Live Oak Subdivision. This cemetery is on what was the Dietz farm. In
February of 1868 the young Agnes Dietz, was laid to rest there. The most recent burial
was in 1927. There are a total of thirteen graves located within the cemetery.
Schneider Memorial Cemetery is just south of Highway 78 and Schertz Parkway. This
cemetery's earliest grave is dated 1878 and belongs to Caroline Schneider, wife of
Christian Schneider. Christian Schneider was a prominent farmer and businessman. The
most recent burial was Roger C. Be in 2005® There are currently 23 graves at this
site.
The Jacob Christian and Emma Mergele Seiler Cemetery is, again, south of Highway 78
and off of River Road. The oldest of seventeen grave sites belongs to Lessette
Sassmanshausen and dates to 1876. The most recent grave site belongs to Lillie Linnartz
,nd is dated December 2008. This cemetery is an Official Historic Texas Cemetery.
The Jacob Seiler Cemetery, also south of Highway 78 near the Schertz VFW contains
three markers, The first burial here was the wife and mother, Helene Kreiutz Seiler in
1897. Jacob Seiler, husband and father, died June 1905. The most recent grave
(September 1909) is that of the daughter, Emilie Seiler. This is also an Official Historic
Texas Cemetery.
The Subcommiittee's next two cemetery surveys will be the Mexican cemeteries. Over
the years there has been confusion as to which cemetery was named what, even to the
point of mix-ups on death certificates.
The Schertz Mexican Cemetery is found just east of FM 1518, between Highway 78,
Schertz and IH 10. Richard Schertz gave this land for the use as a cemetery. This is a
peaceful rolling cemetery that contains approximately 100 graves. It appears the earliest
grave is dated January 1912 and belongs to Savina Albarado. The most recent grave is
that of Javier Teniente (April 1997).
Saint Paul's Evangelical Church Cemetery is the largest in our immediate area. There are
roughly 200 or more graves found behind the church. The founders of the church are
buried here along with generations to come after them. It is not unusual to find families
having five or more generations resting at this site. Of interest here are the many graves
of children. Close observation tells a story as to why all these children died so often
within days of each other. In the early days, the absence of rain for long periods caused
the area's water supply to become tainted and it severely affected the young children of
the community. One might say this is a quaint cemetery as it sits humbly behind the
church and bordered on two sides by a road and the railroad tracks.
The newest cemeteries to be added to the Schertz inventory include the Wenzel/Saint
Joseph Cemetery and the Schwab Cemetery, both situated within the most recently
annexed territory of what is known as the old Comal Settlement area (along Hwy. 482).
There has been no exploration of these sites by the Subcommittee to date. The former of
the two contains the grave sites of most of the original families of the Comal Settleme
community and has markers dating into the late 19t�h century. . i
The SHPC Cemetery Subcommittee is honored to be able to help preserve the memory
of those ancestors who now rest on hallowed grounds within our community. Stop by the
Kramer House Visitors Center and enjoy the SHPC's "Hallowed Grounds" exhibit placed
on the east wall of the small conference room. If interested in more information regarding
the SHPC Cemetery Subcommittee contact Gail Hyatt at e-mail Lalal950@sbcglobal.net.
Left top to bottom: Schertz- Right top to bottom: Ferdinand Dietz Cemetery;
Cibolo Cemetery; Schertz Jacob Seiler Cemetery
Mexican Cenetery; Wenzel-
St. Joseph Cemetery