E


Family of John Andrew Ehlert
 

E

Ehlert Family Businesses
 


John Andrew Ehlert
March 23, 1861 Germany - November 2, 1929 Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas

Annie Bertha Mueller Ehlert
February 2, 1865
Dresden, Stadtkreis Dresden, Saxony, Germany -
March 21, 1955 Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas

Married
1910

Burial
Hollywood Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas

Immigration
John Andrew - 1882          Annie - 1884

John and Annie were parents of four children, Lillie, William, Annie and Andrew.

J. A. Ehlert

Mr. J. A. Ehlert, for many years resident in Bay City and prominent in merchandising circles, died at the local hospital this morning at 7:15 at the age of 68 years, and following a long and painful illness.

Mr. Ehlert was born in Germany and came to Texas when quite a young man. His citizenship in Bay City dates back many years. He came here and first engaged in the bakery business in a small scale, enlarging later to a general store in very attractive and commodious quarters.

Mr. Ehlert was a Lutheran in religious belief and worship and was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Wm. E. and A. C., both of this city, and two daughters, Mrs. Ed Wright of this place and Mrs. H. G. Hobbs, who resides at Pelly.

The remains of this citizen, friend and neighbor were prepared for burial and will be put away in Houston burial grounds tomorrow afternoon.

A more complete sketch will follow at a later date.  [Note: no additional article was found.]

The Daily Tribune, November 2, 1929

Final Rites Held Wednesday For Annie Ehlert, 90

Funeral services for Mrs. Annie Bertha Ehlert were held Wednesday morning at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home with the Rev. Vernon Rabel of the Lutheran Church officiating.

Mrs. Ehlert died Monday at the age of 90 years. She was born in Dresden, Germany, February 2, 1865. Burial was in the Hollywood Cemetery in Houston.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Lillie Wright of Bay City; two sons, William E. Ehlert of Bay City and Andrew C. Ehlert of Bay City; five sisters, Mrs. Emelia Krauser of San Antonio, Mrs. Freda Eisarick of Houston, Mrs. Lillie Aveda of New York, Mrs. Martha Schrann and Mrs. Eda Lesst of Germany. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

The Daily Tribune, March,1955
 


Children
 


Lillie Ehlert Wright
 

Married
Ed Wright

 


William Emil Ehlert Sr.
June 9, 1889 in Deming County, Luna, New Mexico - December 18, 1960 Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas

Naomi J. Meschkat Ehlert
April 30, 1906 Houston, Harris County Texas - July 2003

Buried
Cedarvale Cemetery, Matagorda County, Texas

Married
1925

William Emil Sr. & Naomi Meshkat
By Margaret Ehlert Hite

William Ehlert (June 9, 1889-December 18, 1960) was born in Deming, New Mexico.. While living in Houston, William worked for the firm of Leopold and Price. John Andrew and Bertha Anna were the parents of two sons and two daughters. William Ehlert married Naomi Meschkat, daughter of Walter William Meschkat (October 17, 1860-October, 1928) and Amalia Theresa Meschkat (February, 1867-1951). Her parents were also natives of Germany.

Walter William was a tailor and worked for Allen Stinnett on the east side of the square. After working at the tailor's bench all day, Walter William walked home to his sixty acre farm on Highway 35, the location of the First Christian Church in 1984. Amalia was an excellent seamstress and made all of the family's clothing. As a young girl, Naomi studied piano at the Houston Conservatory of Music under a Professor Hammond. Both the Ehlert and Meschkat families came to America from Germany in the late 1800's. They left Germany, then known as Prussia, to avoid compulsory military training and also to avoid high taxes.

William and Naomi Ehlert made their home in Bay City where they operated the Ehlert Bakery from 1913 until the depression in the 1930's. William also engaged in land transactions and later became the agent for the Electrolux vacuum cleaner.

William and Naomi had two children, William Emil Ehlert, Jr. and Margaret Jeannette.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume II, Page 141


Marker photos ourtesy of Betty Crosby

Parents of Naomi Meschkat

William Meschkat
October 17, 1860 Germany - October 1, 1927 Houston, Harris County, Texas

Amalie Greenburg Meschkat
February 3, 1867 Berlin Germany - February 15, 1952 Houston, Harris County, Texas

Buried
Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas
 

William Meschkat

Mr. William Meschkat, who, for several years, was employed as tailor for Stinnett Bros., died Saturday morning at 11 o’clock and was buried in Houston.

Houston Chronicle:

The following account of the funeral was taken from this morning’s Houston Chronicle:

Funeral services for William Meschkat, 68, who died at his residence in Bay City Saturday at 11 a. m., were held from the Westheimer funeral home Sunday afternoon at 1 o’clock, with Rev. William Grierson and P. C. Doering officiating. Burial was in the Forest Park Cemetery under the direction of the Westheimer Company. Mr. Meschkat is survived by his wife, Mrs. Amelie Meschkat of Bay City; three sons, Alfred, Henry F. and Paulus E. Meschkat of Houston; four daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Bobbit of Austin, Mrs. Eva Rook of Houston, Mrs. Hannah McFarland of Houston and Mrs. Naomi Ehlert of Bay City, and ten grandchildren. Mr. Meschkat was formerly a resident of Houston but for the past 15 years has made his home in Bay City. Active pallbearers were Howard Patterson, Walter Avennel, S. P. Norrgaard, Earl Griffin, H. W. Dedman and George Bowman. Honorary pallbearers were John Mills, Edward Willis, Sydney Rider, Henry Hettle, John Mellinger and H. Patterson.

The Daily Tribune, October 3, 1927
 


Anna Marie Ehlert Hobbs Harman
April 14, 1891 New Mexico - June 11, 1953 Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas

Buried
Hollywood Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas

Horace Greely Hobbs
July 28, 1872 Matagorda County, Texas - February 27, 1928 Pelly, Harris County, Texas

Buried
Confederate Cemetery, Alvin, Brazoria County, Texas

Married
March 19, 1910 in Matagorda County, Texas

H. G. Hobbs

A message was received here today from Goose Creek conveying the news of the death of H. G. Hobbs, a former citizen of Bay City, from apoplexy. The funeral will be held at Alvin this afternoon at 2:00 o’clock.

Mr. Hobbs was widely connected here where he was reared. Some years ago he married Miss [Annie] Ehlert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Ehlert, of this city and who survives.

The funeral was attended by the Ehlert family and other relatives.

The Daily Tribune, March 2, 1928
 


Andrew Christian Ehlert

1893 Deming, Luna County, New Mexico - December 12, 1970 Brazoria, Brazoria County, Texas

Mary Alva Baucom/Stidham Ehlert
September 18, 1898 Victoria County, Texas - September 1980 Austin, Travis County, Texas

Married
September 28, 1918 Wharton County, Texas

Buried
Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest, West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas

Andrew Ehlert Services Set

Brazoria – Funeral service for Andrew C. Ehlert, 77, will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in West Columbia, with a nephew, the Rev. William Ehlert of Bay City officiating.

Burial will be in the Cedar Lawn Haven of Rest in West Columbia.

Ehlert died Thursday in the Sweeny Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He is survived by his widow, Mary Alva Baucom Ehlert of Brazoria, two daughters, Mrs. Alma Anna Atkinson of Pasadena and Mrs. Genevieve Meek? of Mineral Wells, one son, Andrew J. Ehlert of Brazoria, one sister, Mrs. Lillie Wright of West Palm Beach, Fla. seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Andrew Tetro, Kenneth Tetro, C. T. Jefferies, Clifford C. Johnson, S. A. Atkinson, and James Jennings.

The Brazosport Facts, December 18, 1970
 


Grandchildren
 


William Emil “Bill” Ehlert Jr.
February 3. 1927 Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas - October 17, 1993 Houston, Harris County, Texas

Jean Kathryn Davis Ehlert
March 2, 1929 Groveton, Trinity County, Texas - August 30, 2000 Spokane, Spokane County, Washington

Buried
Cedarvale Cemetery, Matagorda County, Texas

Married
May 16, 1952 Harris County, Texas

William E. “Bill” Ehlert Jr.

Funeral services for William E. “Bill” Ehlert Jr., 66, of Bay City, are scheduled for 2 p. m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Zimmerman officiating and assisted by Dr. W. D. Baker. Burial will be in Cedarvale Cemetery.

Mr. Ehlert was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Bay City to William E. and Naomi J. Meschkat Ehlert Sr. and died Oct. 17, 1993 in Matagorda General Hospital.

A member of the First Baptist Church, he served there as a teacher for the Men’s Sunday School Class in the Adult II Department, chairman of the Deacons for 1992 and 1993 and he was chairman for the Missions Committee for the Colorado Association.

He was employed by Phillips Petroleum Co. in Sweeny for 32 years and served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Davis Ehlert of Bay City; his mother, Naomi J. Ehlert of Bay City; a son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Karen Ehlert of Katy; two daughters, Kathy Ehlert of Spring and Susie Huebner of Bay City; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Richard Tinsley of Cypress; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Kenneth Hite of Bay City and 11 grandchildren.

Pallbearers are James Sowell, Woody Reidel, Bob Allen, Frank Craft, George McDonald and Andy Anderson.

Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of the First Baptist Church Men’s Sunday School Class Adult II.

Funeral services are under the direction of Dick R. Elkins, Bay City Funeral Home.

The Daily Tribune, October 19, 1993

Jean Kathryn Davis Ehlert

Jean Kathryn Davis Ehlert, 71, of Bay City died August 30, 2000 at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Washington. She was born March 2, 1929 in Groveton, Texas to the late Guy and Vera Tempia Elizabeth Skidmore Davis. Mrs. Ehlert was a member of the First Baptist Church and a life-long resident of Bay City.

Survivors include: three daughters and sons-in-law, Kathryn Joyce Fellers of College Station, Judy Carol and Richard Tinsley of Colbert, Washington, Susie and Tommy Lytle of Bay City; son and daughter-in-law, William Daniel and Karen Ehlert of Katy; sisters, Mary Davis Withrow of Santa Fe, Texas; Virginia Bell Cole of Bay City; 11 grandchildren, Sarah and Stephanie Huebner of Bay City, Kristen Parrott and husband Bryan of Bossier City, La.; Kaira Krysinski and husband Przemek (Ski) of Portland, Texas; John Fellers of College Station, April, Taylor, Austin and Shayna Tinsley of Colbert, Washington, Dane and Katelyn Ehlert of Katy; three great-grandchildren, Kourtney Paige Fellers of Portland, Cassie Faith Fellers of College Station and Lauren Kathryn Parrott of Bossier City, La. She was preceded in death by her husband William E. "Bill" Ehlert, Jr. October 17, 1993.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, September 2, 2000, at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Zimmerman officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be John Wayne Fellers, Dane Ehlert, Taylor Tinsley, Austin Tinsley, Tully Roe and Will Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gleaners Ladies Sunday School Class.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00011A2000SP1

THE DAILY TRIBUNE, Friday, September 1, 2000


Courtesy of Faye Cunningham
 


Margaret Jeannette Ehlert Hite
January 16, 1926 - November 22, 2000

Kenneth Wayne Hite
October 19, 1924 - September 25, 2011

Buried
Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Matagorda County, Texas

Married
June 27, 1947 - Matagorda County, Texas

Kenneth & Margaret Ehlert Hite were the parents of three children.


All marker photos courtesy of Faye Cunningham



Larry Eugene Hite
December 11, 1949 Matagorda County, Texas - July 20, 2011

Buried
Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Matagorda County, Texas

Margaret Ann Hite
December 13, 1955 Matagorda County, Texas - August 15, 2001

Buried
Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Matagorda County, Texas


 


 


In the News
 


Another one of the old familiar faces at the Santa Fe station will be missing. Two years ago two of the most popular, as well as the most faithful employees it has ever had at this station, quit the service of the company. They were Mr. T. H. Castleton, former agent, and John Castleton, formerly cashier; and today Mr. J. A. Ehlert, who has been inspecting at this station for the past several years, leaves the service of the company after a career of twenty-seven years of railroad service. Mr. R. E. Bell, master mechanic of the Santa Fe, under whom Mr. Ehlert was employed, wanted Mr. Ehlert to accept a position at Galveston, but Mr. Ehlert declined the good offer, he being the proprietor of the Ehlert Sanitary Bakery of which his son, Mr. Wm. E. Ehlert is manager. Mr. Ehlert thinks it is his duty to stay here and relieve his wife of some of her duties; this will also relieve Mr. Wm. Ehlert of some of his duties and thereby assure the public a more complete delivery service. In fact, Mr. Ehlert will give better service to the public in every way, if such is possible.

The Daily Tribune, January 1, 1915
 


A New Firm

Simon Bros., of Bay City, Texas, have bought the Hudson Bros. business. The firm will be known as the Simon Bros. & Company of El Campo. Mr. A. H. Simon and Mr. Wm. Ehlert, who will run the store, both come well recommended.

Mr. A. H. Simons started the firm of Simon Bros. at Bay City some five or six years ago and with the assistance of his brother has worked up one of the largest stores in Bay City.

Mr. Ehlert, who has been with the Simon Bros. for the past six months, is also a live wire. He is not only a good clothing man but has had much experience in the tailoring business.

Mr. Ehlert has worked for some of the largest firms in the State. Most recently with Ed. Kiam, W. C. Munn and Leopold & Price of Houston, Texas. We welcome the boys to El Campo and feel assured that their success is certain.—El Campo Citizen.

Daily Tribune, November 24, 1917
 


Camp Travis News Items

Camp Travis, Texas, August 18.—Having been appointed news reporter of this company and knowing that Pvt. Wm. H. Ehlert comes from your city, it is my duty to see that he writes to you ever now and then regarding his new life.

Bill has not had much time to write to anybody; in fact, he claims he don’t know how to write. I therefore take it upon myself to let the homefolks know how he is doing.

In civil life Bill did everybody he could as you know. I know he would buy a dress for about $4.98 and sell it for $50.00. He was successful in business life, but who wouldn’t be by following such rules.

In the army Bill finds the line of talk is of no use to him; in fact, we have no use for such in the army.

Upon arrival here Bill was placed with the rest of the rookies. He tried to make good and in a measure has been rewarded. He has been relieved of all fatigue work, such as K. P. or police work of any kind, which is no disgrace but not any to pleasant.

Bill has been acting corporal the past four weeks. He got another promotion the first of the month. They put him in 3rd group headquarters. His duties are mostly that of saluting officers, for in the office where Bill is we have a colonel, a major, an adjutant, two or three captains and several lieutenants. Bill had to go to the hospital the other day to get his arm dressed. The doctor told him he would get used to the saluting act and it would not bother him so much later on.

Bill tried to make an about face the other day after talking to the major. He got his feet tangled up in some way and fell on his _____. Well, the poor boy is trying so we will not say any more about his mistakes suffice to say he has taken a few steps upward and is still climbing. Bill is of the right stuff, and will get there if the war lasts long enough, some 40 years or so. What I mean he is slow but sure. We always know when Bill gets a letter from home for he has a smile on for a week after. If he doesn’t get a letter the poor boy gets the blues and takes it out on the rookies; what I mean, he gets hard-boiled. So if you want to do your bit write to him often, not that I care if he gets a letter, but you can save the rookies and keep Bill smiling. Yours truly, J. N. C. News Reporter

The Daily Tribune, August 19, 1918
 


Locals and Personals

Wm. Ehlert of Camp Travis and formerly with Simon Bros. & Co. of El Campo was returned last week on furlough. Mr. Ehlert is anxious for overseas duty and what he will do will be a plenty when he answers call somewhere in France.—El Campo Record.

The Daily Tribune, August 22, 1918
 


A Vindication

In the course of our lives there are sometimes unpleasant things that come up which we are unable to avoid—things which depreciate us in the eyes of our neighbors and friends, and at the same time we may be wholly unresponsible and helpless. I have been accused of being unsympathetic with our government in the great crisis, which has just passed. There have been circulated misrepresentations which bring discredit upon me and my family. These misrepresentations have even gone into our cout as testimony against me. God knows I am innocent at heart. This is why I am going into the public print, to tell the people of my innocence, among whom I am spending my life and among whom I expect to live in the future.

Before the United States went to war with Germany, I will admit that I took sides. I am a German and I had brothers and sisters in Germany. In fact, all my people lived there and I would naturally favor them. I say them, because it was them that I favored at the time, and not the government in Germany. I hated the German government and have always hated it and that is the reason that I am an American citizen today. I left Germany 35 years ago because I hated German militarism and did not intend to spend my life under its murderous heel. When the United States declared war no Germany, I, being an American, place my hopes, my faith, my love and what material assistance I was able to give at the will of the United States, my government. Since that time no man has heard me utter one word against the United States, and it has never for one moment ben in my heart to do so.

It is my hope, good people of Matagorda County, that you may know that I am free of these accusations, and absolutely innocent. I with to live so tht when I meet my fellow-man on the streets or when one of you come into my place of business you will fell that you are with one of your kind, and that I have the same hopes, the same ambitions, and the same love of our country that you have. I do not feel hard or bear any ill will for anyone. The misrepresentations, which have hurt me deeply were perhaps started by an idle word, which grew and grew, and was not a premeditated accusation maliciously started to hurt me. The beszt we can do is hope so.

The following two letters will explain what has been told and how utterly false the accusations were. And if there are those who still believe them, I will give anyone $500.00 to prove them in whole or in part.  J. A. Ehlert

------------------

Bay City, Texas, Nov. 18, 1918
Hon. John M. Green,
U. S. District Attorney,
Houston, Texas,
Dear Sir:

Owing to a difficulty in which I was involved on the 11th inst. I was brought up for trial. And it was testified on the tril of the case that you had sent a U. S. secret service man three times to see me, warning me the two first times to keep my mouth shut and not talk against our government, but that I kept on talking and that you sent for me the third time, to take me out of town, and that as the officer was taking me to the train I began crying like a child and begging the officer to turn me loose, that if he took me that my business would be ruined, and that by promising to be good and do no more talking against our government he turned me loose and told me to go home.

In order to clear myself and family of this false charge told against me, I wish you would do me the kindness to answer at once and say whether or not you ever sent an officer after me at any time, and if so, who the officer was, giving his name, and what statement, if any, he ever made about arresting me and taking me to the train.

Thanking you in advance for an immediate answer, I am, your very truly.

J. A. Ehlert

Houston, Texas, Nov. 20, 1918.
Mr. J. A. Ehlert
Bay City, Texas.
Dear Sir:

Your letter of November 18th to the United States attorney, has been received. The files of this office do not disclose that you have been investigated for any disloyal talk, or for any other purpose, so far as we now. If anyone was sent on a mission of investigating you, it was very lokely that this office would have a copy of the report. We have none and presume that no action has ever been taken with reference to you.

Respectfully,

D. E. Simmons
Assistant United States Attorney

The Daily Tribune, November 25, 1918
 


A Joy Ride In The Air

The following Bay City citizens are fortunate enough to have had that wonderful pleasure of having a ride in an airplane and say it is the most wonderful sensation they ever had. If you wish any further information ask the following people and see if they don’t believe they got their money’s worth. The first to go up was Mr. Wm. E. Ehlert and others in order were: Miss Minnie Harper, Mr. Alfred H. Curley, Judge W. S. Holman, Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Hamill, Mr. D. D. Highsmith and Mr. E. L. McDonald.

The ship will take up passengers all day Sunday. Don’t miss this treat.

The Daily Tribune, March 19, 1920
 


Fire Department Meets
Reorganizing Effected; New Officers Elected.

The members of the fire department met last evening for the purpose of electing officers and after nominations had been placed before the members, the following were elected to hold their respective offices until the regular meeting for the annual election of officers, which is the first Wednesday night in May: Chief, V. C. Porter; assistant chief, Wm. Walker, Jr.; secretary-treasurer, J. R. Cookenboo; foreman of hose truck, Pat Thompson; foreman of pumper, Wm Ehlert…

The Daily Tribune March 24, 1921
 


Born to Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Ehlert this morning a fine 10-pound girl.

The Daily Tribune, November 4, 1922
 


Thrill!

Two cars were given away at 50 cent a “give.” Excitement ran high as the hour came nearer for the call out of the lucky number for the Sedan. All art and all means of trickery were used by ticket holders to hypnotize the little lady—Hazel Wilkins—who was to call the number. Every single person holding a ticket expected to ride home, but it fell to the happy lot of Mr. A. B. Smith to hold 1912 and get the Sedan; while Mr. Will Ehlert held 910 and carried off the touring car.

That was the closing event of Matagorda Fair, 1922, and it was a huge success from every point of view.

The Daily Tribune, November 18, 1922
 


Mr. J. A. Ehlert who has been seriously ill for sometime, is reported to be improving today.

The Daily Tribune, January 12, 1923
 


Japanese Relief Fund Reaches $215.12
$4.88 Needed to Balance Matagorda County’s Quota

The Matagorda County Red Cross Japanese relief fund has been swelled to $245.12, or to within $4.88 of our $250.00 quota.

The record now stands:

Previously subscribed

$221.62

Markham Mothers Club

5.00

Markham Baptist Miss. Soc

2.50

Markham Methodist Miss. Soc

2.50

Mrs. E. Savill

5.00

Wm. E. Ehlert

5.00

Mrs. E. N. Gustafson

1.00

Anonymous

2.50

Total

$245.12


The Daily Tribune, September 14, 1923
 

 

Instructed Verdict For Defendant

In the case tried in district court this week, W. E. Ehlert vs. Southern Pacific railroad in which Mr. Ehlert sought to recover damages against the road for injury to his property and health of the family, Judge Munson instructed a verdict in favor of defendant railroad.

The case took up practically the entire week. Judge W. S. Holman represented Mr. Ehlert and Styles Krause and Erickson the railroad.

The Daily Tribune, January 19, 1924

 


Born this morning to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Ehlert, a fine boy, Wm. E. Jr.

The Daily Tribune, February 2, 1927
 


 

 

Copyright 2023- Present by the Ehlert Family & Source Contributors
All rights reserved

Created
Aug. 18, 2023
Updated
Aug. 24, 2023
   

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