Overview
Von Rosenberg Family Papers
AR.112.VRF
Texas General Land Office, Archives & Records
2.5 Linear feet, (6 document boxes and 1 oversized box)
Bulk, 1871-1907
1871-1964
Ernst von Rosenberg (1852-1915), longstanding draftsman and chief draftsman at the Texas General Land Office, was born in 1852 near Round Top, Texas. Correspondence, land records, financial documents, records of fraternal organizations, and family papers document the business and some personal affairs of Ernst von Rosenberg, as well as land ownership and some personal affairs of his family, including sons Ernest Jacob and Paul von Rosenberg, mother Auguste von Rosenberg, and Charles von Rosenberg.
OVR
Materials are written in English.
Von Rosenberg Family
Biographical Note
Ernst von Rosenberg (1852-1915), longstanding draftsman and chief draftsman at the Texas General Land Office, was born in 1852 near Round Top, Texas to Carl Wilhelm and Auguste von Rosenberg. Ernst’s father, Carl Wilhelm (William) von Rosenberg (1821–1901), was also a chief draftsman at the Texas General Land Office and an emigrant with the Adelsverein. The family moved to Austin in 1856, when Ernst was three years old. Public education options were limited in Austin, but Ernst von Rosenberg was self-educated and, following in his father’s footsteps, he was appointed draftsman of the General Land Office in 1876. He was appointed chief draftsman in 1913. With the exception of a two-year period from 1891 to 1893, Ernst von Rosenberg was a draftsman at the Texas General Land Office for thirty-seven years, from 1876 until the time of his death in 1915.
In 1879 von Rosenberg married Helene Lungkwitz, daughter of Texas landscape artist Herman Lungkwitz. Ernst and Helene had eight children, two of whom, Ernest Jacob von Rosenberg and Herman Ursini von Rosenberg, continued the family tradition by pursuing careers at the General Land Office. Ernst von Rosenberg was actively involved in the Austin community throughout his life. As a young man he served in the Travis Rifles, a volunteer infantry company. He was a long-time member of the Austin Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and served as its secretary-treasurer for forty years; he also served on the board of the Friends in Need Society, an early fraternal benefit society and insurance organization for whites. Von Rosenberg also served as Alderman on the Austin city council.
Carl Wilhelm (William) von Rosenberg (1821–1901) and Auguste von Rosenberg had eleven children in all, including Ernst, Paul, William, Jr., Frederick, Laura, and Emma. Ernest Jacob von Rosenberg (1889-1975), draftsman, was born to Ernst and Helene von Rosenberg in Austin and worked as an engineer at the Reclamation Department, the Texas General Land Office, and at the Texas Highway Department.
Sources
-
Von Rosenberg Family. Web. 09 Jan. 2012.
http://vonrosenbergfamily.com.
- Von Rosenberg Family Papers (AR.112.VRF). Archives and Records, Texas General Land Office.
Scope and Contents of the Records
Correspondence, land records, financial documents, records of fraternal organizations, and family papers document the business and some personal affairs of Ernst von Rosenberg, as well as land ownership and some personal affairs of family members, including sons Ernest Jacob and Paul von Rosenberg, mother Auguste von Rosenberg, and Charles von Rosenberg. Ernst’s personal land interests are well documented from 1896-1915 through business correspondence, many with his land agent George Myers. More information about family land holdings, in particular lands on the Walker Wilson, J.G. McGehee, Cocke, and Crawford surveys, is found in Land Papers in the Family Papers sub-group. Documentation of Ernst’s employment at the Texas General Land Office is limited to his applications for employment as draftsman in 1899 and chief draftsman in 1903, a printed circular demanding an increase in draftsmen’s salaries, and a paystub for the special project he worked on to determine the extent of vacant public land in 1899. Letters of reference written to Land Commissioner John James Terrell (1857-1920, Land Commissioner 1903-1909) from associates across Texas supporting Ernst’s employment at the land office show his wide and varied support and associations; correspondents of note include George Littlefield, George Myers, and O. W. Williams. The Financial Documents include tax receipts and other household invoices, and illuminate aspects of the Von Rosenberg household as well as local government and businesses in Austin in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Family papers are few and limited to birth and professional certificates of Ernest J. von Rosenberg. Family members are also mentioned in Ernst’s land business and GLO-related correspondence, in the tax receipts, and especially in the Land Papers series mentioned above.
Some insight into Ernst von Rosenberg’s civic life is provided in the Fraternal Organizations papers. The bulk of this series is from the Friends in Need Society. The correspondence, addressed to G. A. Wheatley, the Secretary of the organization, is from members requesting benefits. Also included is limited documentation of the Select Knights of Texas, the Austin Hook & Ladder Fire Co. No. 1, and the Ancient Order United Workmen of Texas. Ernst’s interest in local politics and his opinions about development in the City of Austin and the fire company’s involvement in political elections are shown in the notes and clippings.
Arrangement
These records are organized into two sub-groups:
Ernst von Rosenberg Papers, 1899-1915,
Von Rosenberg Family Papers 1859-1964,
The Ernst von Rosenberg Papers are further organized into 4 series:
Texas General Land Office Employment 1899-1902,
Land Business Correspondence 1896-1915,
Financial Records 1871-1908,
Civic Activities 1899-1908,
The Von Rosenberg Family Papers are further organized into 2 series:
Land Records 1859-1901,
Family Documents 1902, 1927-1964,
Processing Information
This collection processed by Laurel Atkins, August 2011. Finding aid updated by Lauren Goodley, November 2011.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Sandra Schenck Baggett, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Virginia A. Lane, 2011.
Preferred Citation
Von Rosenberg Family Papers (AR.112.VRF). Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin.
Conditions Governing Access note
Unrestricted access.
Use restrictions
Materials may be under copyright protection. US copyright law does allow for reproduction of materials under copyright for uses such as critique, criticism, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, locating copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections material in print or electronic form.
Index Terms
Austin Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1.
Friends in Need Society of Austin.
Terrell, John James, 1857-1920
Texas. General Land Office.
Von Rosenberg, Ernest Jacob, 1889-1975
Von Rosenberg, Ernst, 1852-1915
Abstracts of Title
Austin (Tex.)
Certificates
Cocke Survey
Colorado County (Tex.)
Correspondence
Coryell County (Tex.)
Crawford Survey
Deeds
Draftsmen—Texas
Financial records
J. G. McGehee Survey
Land ownership--Texas
Legal documents
Manuscripts
Titles
Walker Wilson League
Zavala County (Tex.)
Ernst von Rosenberg Papers,
1899-1915
Texas General Land Office Employment,
1899-1902
Scope and Contents note
This series contains correspondence between Ernst von Rosenberg and Texas Land Commissioner John James Terrell, and various associates, including lawyers, land agents, land companies, surveyors, banks, ranchers, and citizens from across the state. The main topics are related to Ernst’s requests to be reinstated as a draftsman in 1899 after completing work on the special project to tabulate the amount of public domain land in the State of Texas; and to be named chief draftsman in 1902. Included are these requests for employment; a circular asking for letters of reference; responses to Ernst; and letters of reference addressed to Commissioner Terrell.
Von Rosenberg to Rogan; to unknown,
1
1
1899-1902
Von Rosenberg to Terrell,
1
2
1902
Circular from von Rosenberg,
1
3
ca 1902
Circular from Texas General Land Office drafting department,
1
4
ca 1902
Letters to von Rosenberg, A-Z,
1
5
1899
Letters to von Rosenberg, Abrams - Howard,
1
6
1902
Letters to von Rosenberg, Jones - White,
1
7
1902
Letters to J. J. Terrell, Alexander - Mills,
1
8
1902
Von Rosenberg to J. J. Terrell
1
7
1902
Letters to J. J. Terrell, Moreland - Wynn,
1
9
1902
Texas General Land Office paystub
1
10
1899
Personal Land Business - Correspondence,
1896-1915
Scope and Contents note
Includes letters to and from von Rosenberg concerning his land ownership, sales, and leases. Items are grouped by topic or conversation (often consisting of a letter and its response from von Rosenberg), arranged in alphabetical order by correspondent.
[No Last Name], Richard,
1
11
1899-10-25
Ames, George W.,
1
12
1900-09-24
Barron, J. B.,
1
13
1896-05-27
Boyce, William,
1
14
1905-08-04
Brown, Frank,
1
15
1899-07-15
Cassin, William,
1
16
1898-05-26
Collier, W. W.,
1
17
1904-04-07
Commercial National Bank
1
18
1906-09-15
Cottingham, S. A.,
1
19
1900-09-03
Denmead, A.,
1
20-22
1897-1900
Helburn, W. A.,
1
23
1901-04-11
Herman, George C.,
1
24-27
1897-1902
Kelly and Norris, Dealers in Mutton Sheep,
1
28
1901-03-31
Kenney, R. M.,
2
1
1906-09-08
Leckie, William H.,
2
2
1899-10-19
Lefevre, Arthur,
2
3
1904-05-23
Ligertwood, A. G.,
2
4
1907-04-28
Maxey, John Wharton,
2
5
1899-09-12
McNelly, T. H.,
2
6-26
1898-1904
Moorhead, James R.,
3
59
1897-11-29
Morris, R. P. N.
3
60
1898-11-12
Myers, George,
2
27-67
1898-1907
Myers, George,
3
1-58
1898-1907
Robbins, Fred S.,
3
61
1904-02-29
Ross, J. B.,
3
62
1900-09-03
Shackelford, Lee,
3
63
1904-10-31
Strickland, Guy O.,
3
64
1900-01-16
Surrey, A. C.,
3
65
1915-02-06
Swenson, E. P.,
3
66
1907-07-24
Thompson, S. A.,
3
67
1900-01-24
Vandervoot, F.,
3
68-69
1898-1903
Vivion, J. M.,
3
70-72
1898
von Rosenberg, Charles J.,
3
73-74
1898-1903
von Rosenberg, Herbert,
3
75
1907-04-28
Ward, C. T.,
3
76
1900-04-02
Ware, Riley R.,
3
77-78
1904-1905
Blank lease contract
3
79
ca 1900
Envelopes
3
80
1858-1903
Financial Materials,
1871-1908
Scope and Contents note
Contains tax receipts from the City of Austin and Travis County, household invoices, calculation sheets, returned checks, bank books, and insurance policies. State and County tax receipts cover Von Rosenberg’s home in Austin as well as the Wilson and McGehee surveys. Invoices and calculations refer to household finances and expenses related to houses and lots in Austin.
Tax Receipts,
Austin City Tax Receipts, Ernst von Rosenberg,
4
1
1875-1899
Austin City Tax Receipts, Ernest J. von Rosenberg / C. A. Keuchler,
4
2
1915-1924
State and County Tax Receipts,
4
3
Bulk, 1915-1924
1904-1924
Travis County Tax Receipts,
4
4-5
1870-1901
Invoices,
4
7-13
1882-1907
Calculations,
4
14
ca 1900
Returned Checks,
4
15
1902-1906 and undated
Bank Books,
4
16
ca 1905
Fire Insurance Policies,
4
17
1908, 1912
Civic Activities,
1899-1908
Friends in Need Society Correspondence,
4
18-23
1899-1908
Select Knights of Texas,
5
1-2
1899-1900
Ancient Order United Workmen of Texas,
5
3
1899-1900
Austin Hook & Ladder Fire Co. No. 1,
5
4-5
1902-1906
Maccabees of the World Circular,
5
50
1904
Notes regarding Public Streets,
5
6
1906
Austin Dam Contract,
5
7
1907
Von Rosenberg Family Papers,
1859-1964
Land Papers,
1859-1901
Scope and Contents note
Documents regarding lands held by von Rosenberg family, including Ernst, Charles, Auguste, and Paul von Rosenberg. Most materials refer to the J.G. McGehee, Cocke, Walker Wilson and Crawford surveys. Items of note include a map by F.M. Maddox.
Deeds,
1859-1880
Hiram S. Morgan to Edward H. McGehee
5
9
1859-07-12
Edward H. McGehee to Charles L. McGehee
5
10
1859-07-12
James P. Hector to Felix E. Smith,
5
11
1870-04-12
Hiram Turner to Charles Calvin,
5
12
1874-07-20
Felix E. Smith to Auguste von Rosenberg,
5
13
1874-07-27
James P. Hector to Felix E. Smith,
5
14
1874-11-09
C. T. Calvin to M. E. Gerst,
5
15
1875-02-22
Felix E. Smith to Auguste von Rosenberg,
5
16
1875-06
Felix E. Smith to Wade M. Smith,
5
17
1975-07-03
Menard and Mary Gagnon to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
18
1976-04-27
Peter Schmitt to Thomas Kirkpatrick,
5
19
1975-09-30
Thomas Kirkpatrick to Julio Perres,
5
20
1876-10-23
Auguste von Rosenberg and W. von Rosenberg to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
21
1876-11-13
Joseph Gerst and M. E. Gerst to Laura Sutton and Samuel C. Lackey,
5
22
1877-03-29
Felix E. Smith to Paul von Rosenberg,
5
23
1877-08-20
Auguste von Rosenberg and W. von Rosenberg to Laura and Emma von Rosenberg,
5
24
1877-09-01
Auguste von Rosenberg and W. von Rosenberg to Paul von Rosenberg,
5
25
1877-09-01
Paul von Rosenberg to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
26
1877-09-19
Paul von Rosenberg to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
27
1879-07-01
Ernst von Rosenberg to Jeannette Wilhemine Thielpape,
5
28
1879-08-14
Julio Perres to Charles H. Stafford,
5
29
1879-12-29
Medard Gagnon to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
30
1880-03-19
J. Ward and R. T. Campbell to Laura E. Sutton,
5
31
1881-02-14
Laura and Emma von Rosenberg to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
32
1881-10-11
John C. Wilson to W. R. Davis,
5
33
1881-12-17
J. W. Thielpape to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
34
1882-03-14
Wade M. Smith to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
35
1882-06-01
Robert F. Campbell to Warren Wallace,
5
36
1882-07-27
George Ridgeway to Warren Wallace,
5
37
1882-09-07
Charles T. Calvin to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
38
1882-09-21
Felix E. Smith to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
39
1883-06-11
Mary E. Farshey to Ernst von Rosenberg
5
40
1884-02-14
Charles H. Stafford to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
41
1887-04-04
Jacob Schneider to Medard and Mary Gagnon,
5
42
1887-05-19
Ernst von Rosenberg to Joseph Spence,
5
43
1889-06-05
Wade M. Smith to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
44
1890-07-19
Joseph Spence to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
45
1891-08-03
Charles H. Stafford to Ernst von Rosenberg,
5
46
1891-12-28
Ernst von Rosenberg to Paul von Rosenberg,
5
47
1894-06-01
E. T. Moore to Alfred B. Short,
5
48
1896-04-17
Anna E. Cameron to Charles von Rosenberg,
5
49
1897-12-22
Abstracts of Title,
1896-1900
H.W. Cocke Survey and J. E. Crawford Pre-emption Survey,
6
1
1896-04-15
John G. McGehee Survey,
6
2
1896-04-15
John G. McGehee Survey,
6
3
ca 1900
Walker Wilson Survey,
6
4
1896-04-17
Walker Wilson Survey,
6
5
ca 1900
Title Papers,
1871-1901
J. G. McGehee League,
6
6
1872-1873
Walker Wilson Survey,
6
7
1857-1883
Live Oak Prairie,
6
8
1883-1901
Agreements,
1883-1884
Charles von Rosenberg--McGeehee lands,
6
9
1883-07-13
C. H. Stafford and E. S. Knott,
6
10
1883-09-28
William Wende and Charles von Rosenberg--Walker Wilson league,
6
11
1884-05-14
Field Notes,
1897
J.G. McGehee Survey,
6
12
1897-06-29
Maps,
ca 1900
J. G. McGehee and Walker Wilson Surveys,
6
13
ca 1900
Sketch in Zavala County,
6
14
ca 1900
Field Book,
6
15
ca 1899
Family Documents,
1902, 1927-1964
Collected materials,
6
16
ca early 1900’s
Ernest Jacob von Rosenberg Certificates,
6
17
1927-1964
Ernest Jacob von Rosenberg Certificates,
7
1902