Descriptive Summary
Tengg, Julius, 1867-1966
Julius Tengg Papers
1859-1972
Materials are in English and German.
Col 831
6.25 linear feet (8 document boxes, 3 oversize boxes)
Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas
Born in San Antonio, Texas, Julius Tengg (1867-1966) was the eldest son of German-Austrian immigrants. He attended the German-English School and joined the book and stationery store owned by his father, Nic Tengg, remaining with the family business his entire life. He was also active in several San Antonio fraternal and social organizations.
Correspondence, family material, school records, property records, records of organizations, printed material, photographs, and artifacts provide an overview of the interests and activities of Julius Tengg and members of his immediate family.
Biographical Note
Born into the thriving German-American community of San Antonio, Texas, Julius Tengg was an active member of the city’s business and social circles throughout his long life. His parents were Nicolas Tengg, a native of Austria who immigrated to Texas with his family as a child, and Louise Plumeyer Tengg, member of a German-immigrant family. The elder Tengg was employed in the book and stationery store established in 1854 by family friend Julius Berends, purchasing the business when Berends returned to his native Germany in 1874. Nic Tengg’s bookstore became an institution in downtown San Antonio and remained a family enterprise throughout its ninety-year existence, eventually involving several of Nic Tengg’s sons.
The eldest of nine children, Julius Tengg was born in San Antonio in 1867. He attended San Antonio schools, including the German-English School established by Berends and other members of the immigrant community. In 1891 he married Anna Deussen (1870-1955), also born in San Antonio to German-immigrant parents. The couple had four children: Louis, Lorine, Else, and Carl.
Julius Tengg was a member of a number of organizations and was particularly active in the Sons of Hermann and the Knights of Pythias. His entire working life was devoted to the family business, and he remained active into his nineties, a few years before Nic Tengg’s was closed by the family in 1964. In his later years Julius Tengg lived with his daughter Lorine Shepherd. He died after a short illness in 1966, shortly before his 99th birthday, and was buried in the family plot in City Cemetery No. 1.
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence, material related to the significant events of family members, school records, property records, records of organizations, printed material, photographs, and artifacts provide an overview of the interests and activities of Julius Tengg and some members of his immediate family.
Organization of Collection
This collection is organized into seven series.
- Series 1: Correspondence
- Series 2: Personal and family papers
- Series 3: Property records
- Series 4: Organizations
- Series 5: Printed material
- Series 6: Photographs
- Series 7: Oversize material
Access Restrictions
One folder of Tengg family estate records is closed to researchers. The rest of the collection is open for research.
Usage Restrictions
Please be advised that the library does not hold the copyright to most of the material in its archival collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure those rights when needed. Permission to reproduce does not constitute permission to publish. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright, literary property rights, and libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Julius Tengg Papers, 1859-1972, Col 831, Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, San Antonio, Texas.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Loraine C. Perry, 1982 August, 1989 April, and 2000 October.
Processing Information
Processed by Warren Stricker, 1999 January.
Finding aid edited and encoded by Caitlin Donnelly, 2011 December.
Index Terms
Personal Names
Tengg, Julius, 1867-1966.
Tengg, Anna Deussen, 1870-1955.
Tengg, Nicolas, 1847-1927.
Berends, Julius, 1817-1891.
Tengg family.
Deussen family.
Organizations
Belknap Rifles (Military unit)
German-English School (San Antonio, Tex.)
Knights of Pythias. Lotus Lodge No. 89 (San Antonio, Tex.)
Nic Tengg (Firm)
Subjects
Friendly societies--Texas--San Antonio.
German Americans--Texas--San Antonio.
Germans--Texas--San Antonio.
Militia.
Locations
San Antonio (Tex.)--History--Sources.
Genres/Formats
Personal papers.
Books.
Correspondence.
Financial records.
Photographs.
Printed ephemera.
Property records.
School records.
Separated Material
One glass plate negative (broken, in two parts) of the Nic Tengg store, family, and employees has been separated from the Julius Tengg papers.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence
The Correspondence series includes a miscellany of letters received and sent over a long period. Notable are letters written by Julius Berends to Julius Tengg after the former had left Texas for Germany. Tengg later corresponded with individuals in Germany about Berends.
1
1-2
Julius Tengg, 1888-1962
1
3
Julius Tengg: Julius Berends letters, 1876-1888
1
4
Julius Tengg: Louise Tengg birthday greetings, 1893-1898
1
5
Nic Tengg, Inc., 1928-1940
1
6
Lorine Shepherd/Loraine Perry, 1945-1964
1
7-8
Greeting cards
1
9
Envelopes
Series 2: Personal and family papers
Personal and family papers include documents recording family milestones such as births, marriages, and deaths. Items related to the attendance of Julius Tengg at the German-English school include a book containing his notes on several school subjects, a series of report cards, and some notes on the history of the school. Other items refer to the routine personal business of Julius Tengg, including records of his investments, some financial transactions, and insurance.
1
10
Birth and baptismal records: Nicolas Tengg, Julius Tengg, and Wilhelm Heinrich Deussen
1
11
Marriage records: Nicolas Tengg-Louise Plumeyer and Julius Tengg-Annie Deussen
1
12
Military records: Louis Tengg
1
13
Death and funeral records: Julius Tengg
1
Estate records
1
14
Thomas Tengg
11
Tengg family: closed file
1
15
Unidentified item
1
Genealogical and biographical material
1
16
Tengg and Deussen families
1
17
British Royal family
1
German-English School records
1
18
Notebook: Julius Tengg, also contains financial notes and memoranda, 1880
1
19
Report cards: Julius Tengg, 1874-1881
1
20
Miscellaneous
1
21
Medical records, 1905-1914
1
22
Insurance, 1930-1966
1
23
Financial records, 1910-1959
2
Stockholder records, 1929-1960
2
24
A. B. Frank Co., 1929-1946
2
25
San Antonio Public Service Co., 1939
2
26
Alamo Iron Works, 1960
2
27
Memorandum books
2
28
Notes
Series 3: Property records
This series groups together papers associated with San Antonio properties owned by Tengg. It contains deeds, abstracts, leases, tax bills and receipts, paving assessments, bills for repairs, and miscellaneous items.
2
E. Crockett and Chestnut Streets, City Block 168, 1916-1950
2
29
Title records, 1916
2
30
Leases, 1947, 1950
2
31
Paving assessments, 1920-1921
2
32
Tax records, 1916-1942
2
Starr (Houston) and Live Oak Streets, City Block 579, 1898-1921
2
33
Title records, 1898
2
34
Paving assessments, 1915-1921
2
Other properties, 1933-1952, undated
2
35
Repair records, 1947-1952
2
36
Tax and financial records, 1933
2
37
Miscellaneous, 1936, undated
Series 4: Organizations
This series contains general and individual records of the organizations to which Julius Tengg belonged. The Belknap Rifles, a San Antonio militia group, are represented by a bound volume containing its charter and bylaws and the minutes of early meetings. A San Antonio Knights of Pythias lodge is represented by a membership register, compilations of membership information, and material associated with the presentation to Tengg of a fifty-year membership award. Other organizations are represented by a small amount of Tengg’s individual membership material.
3
Belknap Rifles, 1886-1950
3
38
Constitution and bylaws/minutes, 1886-1888
3
39
Historical data, 1949-1950
3
Order of the Sons of Hermann, 1957-1961
3
40
Programs: 100th Anniversary Harmonia Lodge #1, 1961
3
41
Miscellaneous, 1957-1960
3
42
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, San Antonio Lodge 216, 1920-1924
3
43
A.F.&A.M., Anchor Lodge #424, 1919
3
Knights of Pythias, Lotus Lodge #89, 1884-1938
3
44
Membership register, 1888-1921
3
45
Membership register: alphabetical compilation, 1888-1928
3
46
Membership register: chronological compilation, 1884-1927
3
47
Membership list
3
48
Ritual
3
49
Printed material
3
50
Notes
3
Julius Tengg, presentation of 50 Year Pythian Veteran’s Jewel, 1938
3
51
Program
3
52
Letters received
3
53
Letters sent
3
54
Clippings
Series 5: Printed material
Printed material includes a scattering of death notices, invitations, programs, periodicals, and newspaper clippings. A small selection of books and pamphlets include books in German on language, literature, and music.
4
55
Death notices, 1865-1933
4
56
Invitations and announcements, 1891-1943
4
Programs, 1943-1972
4
57
Thomas Tengg testimonial banquet, 1943
4
58
General, 1956, 1972
4
59
Postcards
4
60
Periodicals
4
Clippings
4
61
Tengg family
4
62
German-English School
4
63
General
4
64
Miscellaneous printed material
5
Books and pamphlets
5
Baudier, Rober. A Historical Sketch of the St. Louis Cathedral of New Orleans. New Orleans, 1946.
5
Ceremony of Consecration of His Excellency the Most Reverend Adolph Marx, D.D., J.C.D. New York: Ryan-West Banknote Co., 1956.
5
Geissler, Rudolf. Aus dem Kinderleben. Stuttgart: Julius Hoffmann, undated.
5
Gibbons, James Cardinal. The Faith of Our Fathers. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, c. 1917.
5
Green, Rena Maverick. Robert B. Green: A Personal Reminiscence. San Antonio, 1962.
5
Haas, Oscar. A Chronological History of the Singers of German Songs in Texas. New Braunfels, Texas: Oscar Haas, 1948.
5
Herders Haus Kalender für Zeit und Ewigkeit 1954. Freiburg: Verlag Herder, 1954.
5
Klemm, L. R. Abriss der Geschichte der Deutschen Literatur. New York: Henry Holt und Co., 1878.
5
Lawler, Ruth Curry. The Story of Castroville. 1957.
5
Pagenstecher, T. C. L. Deutsches Lefebuch. Cincinnati: Verlag von U. C. Wilde, 1859.
5
Parisot, P. F., O.M.I. The Reminiscences of a Texas Missionary. San Antonio: Johnson Bros. Printing Co., 1899.
5
Reffelt, Hermann. Deutsch-Englisches Liederbuch für Deutsche Schulen in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika. New York: Verlag von E. Steiger, 1873.
5
Reiser, Aug. Troubadour Sammlung Ausgewählter Chöre und Volkslieder für Sopran, Alt, Tenor und Bass. Köln: P.J. Tonger’s Verlag, 1870.
5
Schütze’s Jahrbuch fuer Texas und Hermanns-Sohn Kalender für 1927. San Antonio: Albert Schütze, 1927.
5
Southwest Texas Business and Professional Directory, second edition. San Antonio: Southwest Publications, 1941.
5
Vos, B. J. A First German Reader. New York: Henry Hold and Co., 1933.
5
The Words of Jesus. Chicago: Consolidated Book Publishers, Inc., 1943.
Series 6: Photographs
The photographs in this series provide an extensive visual record of the Tengg family, related families, the family business, other individuals, and some San Antonio organizations and institutions. Notable are photographs of the Nicolas Tengg family and the family home, Julius Tengg and his family, various buildings which housed the Tengg business, and group photographs of early San Antonio school classes and social groups, including the Belknap Rifles.
6
65
Charles W. Anderson, 2 prints, 1944
6
66
Julius Berends, 1 print
6
67
Alice Black, 1 print
6
68
Casino singing and social group, 1 print, circa 1887
6
69
Casino theater group, 1 print, 1 negative, circa 1868
6
70
Deussen family, 3 prints, 1914, undated
Includes Jake Brock, Marjorie Hannah Brock, Rena Deussen Brock, Carl Deussen, and Florine Deussen.
6
71
Dosch and Rische Saloon, 1 print
6
72
Louise Nelder Leitner, 3 prints
6
73
Magruder School, 1 print, 1 negative, 1892
6
74
Fred Maurer, 6 prints
6
75
Maurer family, 8 prints
Includes Adam Maurer, Clotilde Maurer, and Johanna Deussen Maurer.
6
76
Emma Giraud Michel, 1 print
6
77
Nordhaus family, 2 prints
Includes Clotilda Nordhaus.
6
78
Agnes J. Rait, 1 print
6
79
St. Mary’s College, class photos, 2 prints
Includes Carl and Louis Tengg.
6
80
San Antonio, aerial views, 2 prints
6
81
San Antonio flood, 25 prints, 1921
6
82
San Antonio Post Office, 1 print
6
83
Lorine Tengg Shepherd, 5 prints
Includes Lee R. Shepherd.
6
84
Anna Tengg, 1 print, 1877
6
85
Anna Deussen Tengg, 1 print
6
86
Edward Tengg, 1 print
6
87
Julius Tengg, 19 prints, 1877-1964
Also includes Deborah Ann Noble and Anna Deussen Tengg.
6
88
Julius Tengg, portrait proofs, 2 prints
6
89
Julius Tengg, 6 negatives
6
90
Julius Tengg family, 14 prints, 1900-1958
Includes Earl Dunning, George Rutledge Dunning, Lynn Dunning, Erin McGowan, Carl Pollard, Bette Tengg, Carl Tengg, Else Tengg, Lenora Lloyd Tengg, Lorine Tengg, Louis Tengg, and Shelby Green Tengg.
6
91
Julius Tengg residence, 3 prints
6
92
Louis Tengg, 5 prints
Also includes Shelby Green Tengg.
6
93
Nicolas Tengg, 3 prints, 1876, undated
Also includes Alex Kuhn, Rudolf Menger, and Aug. Nette, Jr.
6
94
Nicolas Tengg family and residence, 3 prints, 3 negatives, circa 1883-1884
6
95
Nic Tengg store, 8 prints, 1873-1886
6
96
Nic Tengg store, family, and employees, 2 prints, 2 copy prints, 6 negatives, 1940, undated
Includes Eulalio G. Cervantes, Lena Heinrich, Richard Madison, Julius Tengg, Nicolas Tengg, and Thomas Tengg.
6
97
Nicolas Tengg, Jr., 6 prints, 4 negatives
7
98
Thomas and Eva Meier Tengg, 2 prints
7
99
Thomas Tengg (brother of Nicholas Tengg, Sr.), 2 prints
7
100
Thomas Tengg (son of Nicolas Tengg, Sr.), 3 prints
Also includes Ferdinand Herff, Al Richey, and Emil Zipp.
7
101
Tengg and related families, 23 prints, 2 negatives, 1929-1960
Includes Margaret Lee Perry, Flora Tengg, Julius Tengg, Nicolas Tengg, Jr., Thomas Tengg, William Tengg, Emil Zipp, and Mary Tengg Zipp.
7
102
Tengg family cemetery plot, 3 prints
7
103
A. Zilian’s Barber and Bathing Establishment, 1 print
7
104
Zork/Duerler building, 1 print
7
105
Miscellaneous photographs, 14 prints
7
106
Unidentified people, 7 prints, 1 copy print
7
107
Unidentified people, 9 negatives
7
108
Photo album, 1900
Series 7: Oversize material
The Oversize Material series gathers items in a variety of forms and includes photographs, genealogical information, newspapers, clippings, and other printed material. Artifacts are included with oversize material and include miscellaneous personal items.
Oversize 8
Photographs
Oversize 8
Belknap Rifles, 8 prints, 1885-1909
Includes John B. Cresson, Ed W. Richardson, and Julius Tengg.
Oversize 8
Merry Maids Musical Club, 1 print, 1912
Oversize 8
Tengg family, 3 prints, 1891, circa 1942
Oversize 8
Plat: City Cemetery No. 1
Oversize 8
Genealogical material: Deussen family and Thomas Tengg headstone rubbing
Oversize 8
Periodical
Oversize 8
Calendar
Oversize 8
Clippings: Belknap Rifles and general
Oversize 8
Newspapers
Oversize 9
Scrapbook: Julius and Anna Tengg, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries, 1941, 1951
Oversize 10
Artifacts
Oversize 10
Locks of hair: Else and Louis Tengg
Oversize 10
Card holder
Oversize 10
Eyeglasses and case
Oversize 10
Rosary
Oversize 10
Pocket watch
Oversize 10
Decorative weaving
Oversize 10
Religious image
Oversize 10
Metal box
Oversize 10
Portfolio cover
Oversize 10
Cloth bag, First National Bank
Oversize 10
Fez, El Bexar 181, D.O.K.K.
Oversize 10
Unidentified items