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The bright picture turned dim when the weather got very cold and the first year's rice crop was lost since the irrigation canals were not completed. The second year the pumps on the Colorado River which furnished the irrigation water pumped too much salt water and damaged that crop also. We made our living farming cotton, corn, sorghum, raising cattle, and selling cream and butter, and chickens and eggs. We also raised a garden and gathered fruit from the orchard south of the home. There were no roads from our house to Collegeport, and we had to travel through the Jonathan Pierce Ranch and ford Pilkington Slough because there was no bridge across it. One time Papa was on his way to deliver some ducks we had raised to Hotel Collegeport and when he crossed the Pilkington Slough, the water was so deep that the ducks swam out of the back of the buggy.
In 1928, a good cotton crop and good prices made it possible for the folks to rent an apartment in Houston for Arnold, Clifford, and Dorothy while they were attending Rice Institute.
Papa was a member of The Industrial League and served as trustee in
DeMoss and later, after consolidation, in Collegeport. He was an
Elder in the Presbyterian Church and always had room in his buggy or
his car to take another person to church. The family regrets that he
never got to enjoy receiving the royalty checks from the gas well
drilled on his land before his death.
I can remember when we first came to Texas that Mama would point to
the articles of food she wanted when we came to the stores in
Collegeport as she couldn't speak English. Her reputation for
hospitality was wide-spread though, and she always had that pot of
coffee on the stove every morning at 10:00 and again at 4:00 in the
afternoon when relatives and friends dropped in. She was a member of
the Presbyterian Church. The Fellowship Hall bears her name. Dean
and Dorothy Merck, who had the hall built in 1969, gave it in memory
and honor of their mothers, Mrs. B. V. (Sadie) Merck and Mrs. Gust
(Ellen) Franzen and it was named the Sadie-Ellen Hall.
Alex owns the old Franzen home place and that is where he lives;
Gustave and his family own the other farm where they have a brick
home; Mamie Wells lives a mile or so east of the Franzens in the
former Louis Walter home which she has remodeled; Dean and I live on
Farm to Market highway 1095 in Collegeport; Arnold's widow, Mildred,
lives in Houston; Clifford lives in Lone Oak, as does Emma Ellen and
her husband, Billy Bryan; James and Ann live in Pearl River,
Louisiana. Papa (1881-1945), Mama (1886-1970), and Carl (1918-1921), who died of diphtheria, are buried in Collegeport Cemetery. Arnold (1909-1953) was killed in a plane crash and is buried in a Dallas cemetery.
Dorothy Franzen Merck - 1986 |
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Franzen Family - Photo taken in Iowa Brothers standing - Oscar, Karl, Richard and Gustav Franzen Seated - Helma Franzen Doherty and her daughter, Alice Doherty Elsner, Hulda Malmberg and husband, John Malmberg, Boy - Clifford Franzen, son of Gustav  Photo courtesy of Jeff & Michelle Franzen and Asa Bjenning-Garnbratt |
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Clifford, Dorothy, Mamie and Ellen Franzen (horses Lulu and Babe)  |
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Gustave A. Franzen, Native of
Death
took one of the pioneer farmers of Matagorda county Sunday at
Born
in
He
is survived by his widow, Mrs. Gustave A. Franzen of Collegeport; three
daughters, Mrs. Gerald Wells of Collegeport, Mrs. Billy Bob Bryan of
Fort Thomas, Ky., Mrs. Dean Merck of Collegeport, five sons, Albert of
Houston, Cpl. Clifford Franzen with the U. S. Army in the Philippine
Islands, Gustave A., Jr. of Collegeport, James Franzen S1/c now in the
Pacific; two sisters, Mrs. Hilma Doherty of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Mimmie
Johanson of Sweden, three brothers, R. J. of Warren, Minn., Carl of
Imogene, Ia., and Oscar of Shenandoah, Ia.
Funeral
services will be held Tuesday at
Mrs. Ellen Franzen
Funeral services for Mrs. Gust (Ellen) Franzen, 83, were held at
the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport Monday, June 8, at
A pioneer resident of Collegeport, she passed away in her home on
June 5.
She was born
She
was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport and last
year when the new wing was added to the church the hall was named Sadie
Ellen Hall in her honor.
Survivors
include three daughters, Mrs. Dean Merck, Mrs. Gerald Wells of
Collegeport, Mrs. B. B. Bryan of
The
Palacios Beacon, |
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Dean Eanes Merck, 89, of Collegeport, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 1997 at the Palacios Bay Nursing and Rehab Center, Palacios, TX. He was born July 20, 1907 in Independence, Okla. to Baulser V. Merck and Sadie Moore Merck. He came to Collegeport, with his parents, two brothers and five sisters in September 1909. He attended school in Collegeport, was an active athlete, and enjoyed playing baseball. It was not uncommon to hear “Home Run, Deanie Boy!” when he played on the Palacios baseball team. He enjoyed flying and piloted his own airplane, until he was not able to renew his pilot’s license due to heart trouble. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport where he was an Elder and Sunday School Teacher. As Chairman of the Building Committee, he directed the construction of the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall. He was recognized by his church for his 40 years of active service on the Session. He was also chairman of the Mopac House Foundation and an active member of the Collegeport Volunteer Fire Department, which was organized around his dining room table. He began his farming career farming cotton and later began farming rice in 1938. He enjoyed farming and was named Matagorda County’s 1976 Rice Farmer of the Year by the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Matagorda County Historical Commission and served as a Director of the Matagorda County Museum. He was a member of the Matagorda County Historical Society. At the 1992 Heritage Day Celebration, Dean E. Merck was presented a plaque, dedicated to an Outstanding 20th Century Pioneer, by the Matagorda County Historical Society. He was also a member of the Hawley Cemetery Association in Blessing. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy F. Merck, a son and daughter-in-law, Dean F. and Nelda Merck of League City, by his grandsons, Mark Merck and his wife Cathy, Russell Merck and his wife Hayes, and Galen Merck. He is also survived by his great grandchildren, Danyelle Merck and Matthew Merck and by a host of family and friends. Funeral services will be held 2 p. m. Saturday, January 25, at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dave Gallaher officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery, in Blessing. Pallbearers will be Mark Merck, Russell Merck, Galen Merck, G. W. Franzen, Derril Franzen and Wesley Franzen. Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home, Bay City, TX.
Daily Tribune,
January 24, 1997 |
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5 Dallas Oilmen On Missing Plane Dallas--An intensive air search began for a two-engine Magnolia Petroleum Co. plane believed to have crashed between Dallas and Tulsa with five persons aboard. The plane left Dallas at 9:35 a. m. yesterday and was last heard from when the pilot reported at 9:55 a. m. to the Perrin Air Force Base in Grayson County that some of his instruments were not working properly. The pilot and four passengers were Magnolia employees. All lived in Dallas. Sam J. Willis, chief pilot for Magnolia, said the plane had enough gas for four hours normal flying time, but could stretch its time in the air to five hours. "This means that the plane was almost certain to have used up its gas supply by shortly after 2 p. m. (yesterday) and we must presume that it is down somewhere between here and Tulsa,: he said. Others said they were sure some of the occupants of the plane would have telephones last night if the plane had landed safely somewhere. Magnolia said they believed the pilot, William H. Thompson, 33, continued toward Tulsa after contacting Perrin AFB. At that time the weather was much better in Tulsa than in Dallas or at Ardmore, Okla., 35 miles northwest of Perrin. The Civil Air Patrol was unable to send out search planes late yesterday because of low clouds and drizzle that blanketed the section. However about 25 CAP planes and about half a dozen from Magnolia were ready to take off at sunrise today. The CAP said it would concentrate its search on a belt 100 in 150 miles wide between here and Perrin AFB. The Magnolia pilots said they planned to continue the search into Oklahoma. The passengers on the plane, used by Magnolia for business purposes, were: D. D Standlee, 42, assistant to the manager and assistant secretary of the Magnolia Pipeline Co. A. B. Franzen, 45, chief accountant of the producing division of Magnolia Petroleum Co. Folger B. Vallette, 35, oil purchasing department of Magnolia Petroleum Clarence A. Easton Jr., 32, assistant chief dispatcher for Magnolia Pipeline. Abilene Reporter-New, December 12, 1953 Plane Crash Victims Found Near Sherman Sherman, Dec. 12 --Two searching farmers found the torn bodies of five Dallas men scattered in the wreckage of their company plane along a muddy creek bank six miles from here today. The men, Magnolia Petroleum Co. employees, crashed in a driving rainstorm yesterday on a flight to Tulsa. One of the men who found the plane heard the crash but did not realize it. A woman was close enough to see wreckage flying into the air but her husband persuaded her the heavy rain and her imagination had tricked her. Neither made a thorough search or reported to authorities until today because of the rain and muddy roads. Seventy-seven planes--50 put into the air by the Civil Air Patrol and 27 by Magnolia--swept the area but apparently did not spot the wreck because the plane crashed among trees. The victims were: William H. Thompson, 33, the pilot; D. D Standlee, 42, assistant to the manager and assistant secretary of the Magnolia Pipeline Co.; A. B. Franzen, 45, chief accountant of the producing division of Magnolia Petroleum Co.; Folger B. Vallette, 35, oil purchasing department of Magnolia Petroleum; Clarence A. Easton Jr., 32, assistant chief dispatcher for Magnolia Pipeline. The wreck was discovered by Clinton and J. D. McAfee. Clinton McAfee, 46, had heard the noise of the crash but dismissed it as the sound of a passing Air Force jet. He and his brother decided to make the search after hearing of the plane's disappearance on a news broadcast last night. Ray Atteberry of the Sherman Democrat said the wreckage was scattered over a 65-foot area. Mrs. J. P. Fletcher said she believed she was within half a mile of the plane when it crashed and saw wreckage flying into the air--but her husband persuaded her she was "just seeing things" in the blinding rain. She went back to the spot today and found "the most horrible wreck I ever saw." Clinton McAfee said: "I was sitting in the living room Friday morning about 10 a. m. when I heard an airplane motor which quit running. Then came a loud crash. I figured it was just one of those jets from the base (Perrin Air Force Base) and didn't think much about it...on the 6:45 radio newscast last night I heard a plane was missing in this area. "This morning about 9 a. m. my brother and I started searching for the plane. We saw planes flying over, but they probably didn't see the wreckage because we had a hard time seeing it ourselves." Denton Record-Chronicle, December 13, 1953 Dallas Services Held For Arnold Franzen, Plane Crash Victim Funeral services for Arnold B. Franzen, 45, of Collegeport and Dallas, were held Monday from the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church at Dallas. Mr. Franzen, chief accountant of the producing division of Magnolia Petroleum Company, was killed near Sherman Friday when a company plane in which he was a passenger crashed. Officiating was the Rev. Robert P. Douglass and burial was in Restland Memorial Park in Dallas. An elder in the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and active in civic affairs in Dallas, Mr. Franzen grew up in Matagorda County. He attended high school at high school at Bay City and later worked his way through Rice Institute. He previously had been employed by the Texas Company and Harrison Oil Company before joining Magnolia. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mary Ann Franzen and Carole Franzen, both of Dallas; his mother, Mrs. Gust Franzen of Collegeport; three sisters, Mrs. Dean Merck and Mrs. Gerald Wells, both of Collegeport, and Mrs. B. Bryan of New Iberia, Louisiana. Four brothers, G. A. Franzen and Alex Franzen, both of Collegeport; James Franzen of Edna and Clifford Franzen of Buffalo. Daily Tribune, December 17, 1955
Mildred Moorman Franzen Russell |
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Graveside
services for Clifford A. Franzen, 87, of Collegeport, are scheduled
for
Mr.
Franzen died at
He
graduated from Rice Institute in 1932 with a bachelor of arts degree.
After graduation, he was employed by the Texas Company, now Texaco,
where he worked for several years in
Following
Army service in the Pacific Campaign during World War II, he returned
to Collegeport and farmed rice for several years. He bought a ranch
near
In 1989, he moved to Palacios and lived at the Palacios Health Care Center. There, he became actively involved assisting residents, personnel and all who could benefit from his kind way. He was a longtime exercise leader and assisted in chapel services at the home. He was responsible for inspiring change and improvements through his involvement at the center. He convinced an administrator that a vegetable garden was necessary and began gardening on the grounds. His produce often found its way to the center's kitchen. The "fruits of his labor" were shared with all. His garden was therapeutic for him as well as other residents who assisted.
Clifford
was truly an inspiration to all who knew him.
He
was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Carl Franzen,
Arnold Franzen and Gustave Franzen; and sister, Ellen Bryan. He
is survived by his sisters, Dorothy Merck and Mamie Wells, both of
Collegeport; brothers, Alex Franzen of Collegeport, and James Franzen
and wife, Ann, of
Arrangements
are under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home in
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Mamie Wells, 86, of Collegeport, died March 1, 2000 at The Legacy. She
was born June 29, 1913 in Collegeport to the late Gustav Albert and
Ellen Agusta Bladlund Franzen.
Mr. Gerald Franklin Wells, 67, of Collegeport, died at Matagorda General Hospital on October 13. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport and a resident of Collegeport for 47 years. He was an active member of his church serving as Elder and Superintendent of Sunday School and Sunday School Teacher. Mr. Wells was a rice farmer and cattleman in Collegeport until his illness forced him to retire 5 years ago. Survivors include: wife, Mamie Franzen Wells of Collegeport; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Louise Dowdle of Waco and Mrs. Lynda Lenz of Collegeport; son, Gerald F. Wells, Jr. of Palacios; sister, Mrs. Roy Lyons of Virginia, Illinois; one brother, Ira Wells of Arnzville, Illinois; five grandchildren, Stephen and Alan Fitzpatrick, Meloni Wells, Traylor and Garrett Lenz. The funeral was held at Taylor Brothers Chapel on Monday, October 15, at 3:00 p. m. The Rev. Lloyd Nixon officiated and interment was held at Hawley Cemetery in Blessing. Pallbearers include: Dean F. Merck, G. W. Franzen, Derril Franzen, Wesley Franzen, Mason Holsworth and Russell Corporon. Arrangements under the direction of Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.
The Daily
Tribune, August, 1979 |
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Gustave
A. "Goose" Franzen, 80, of Collegeport, died at his home
Goose
was born in Collegeport on
Survivors
include his wife of 44 years, Ida Mae Franzen of Collegeport; daughter
and son-in-law Terri and Cody Adams of Deutschburg; Sons and
Daughters-in-law Derril and Samantha Franzen, Wesley and Denise
Franzen and G. W. Franzen, all of Collegeport; six grandchildren Tyler
and Colt Adams of Deutschburg, Stephanie and Savannah Franzen, Dillon
and Hayley Franzen all of Collegeport; sisters Dorothy Merck and Mamie
Wells, both of Collegeport; Brothers Clifford Franzen of Palacios,
Alex Franzen of Collegeport and James Franzen of Pearl River, La., and
a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his
parents, two infant sons Gustave A. Franzen III and Charles Ray
Franzen; two brothers Carl Franzen and Arnold Franzen; and one sister
Ellen Bryan.
Funeral
Services will be
Pallbearers
will be his nephews Dean F. Merck, Gerald Wells, Jr., Jim Boeker, Billy
Bob Bryan, Mark Merck, Robert Franzen, Thomas Franzen and Garrett Lenz.
Honorary pallbearers are his other nephews.
Memorials
may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport, the Mopac
House Foundation, or the Collegeport Cemetery Association.
Arrangements with Taylor Brothers Funeral Home.
The
Daily Tribune,
Ida Mae Wilson
Franzen
Her college career began at Texas Lutheran College,
where she was a member of the TLC Choir. She earned a Bachelor of
Science in Elementary Education Degree from the University of Texas,
and her Master of Education degree at the University of Houston. Ida
Mae taught in Houston, Texas City, Blessing and Palacios elementary
schools. She drove the Deutschburg school bus route while teaching
in Palacios.
Ida Mae Wilson and Gustave Albert “Goose” Franzen
were married on November 22, 1952. Ida Mae enjoyed teaching, but
chose instead her role as helpmate and mother. The newlyweds lived
with Goose’s mother, Ellen, and brother, Alex, in the family home
near Collegeport for a year, while they designed and built their
home nearby, where they raised their four children. Ida Mae’s
brother, Charles, was stricken with Bulbar Poliomyelitis on June 19,
1952. This occurrence significantly changed the lives of all of the
Wilson Family, who sought the best treatment for Charles. “Goose”
and Ida Mae accompanied Charles to Denver, CO for Chiropractic
treatment at the Spears Chiropractic Sanitarium and Hospital. The
trip was made on a Pullman Car, specially equipped with an iron
lung, loaned by Fred Snite, Jr. a wealthy Chicagoan who became a
polio victim seventeen years earlier. Burlington Lines’ Texas Zephyr
pulled the car to its destination in Denver. Hazel, Ida Mae’s
sister, was called to testify before a Senate Committee in
Washington DC regarding the need for medical insurance coverage for
patients benefitting from chiropractic treatment. Those at home
modified the house to accommodate the iron lung for Charles’ return
home. The family provided care at home until his death in 1959.
Meanwhile, Goose and Ida Mae worked their rice farming and beef
cattle operation at Collegeport and Deutschburg, maintaining
generations-long tenant relationships of the Wilson and Franzen
families, while acquiring their own farm and ranch land. One of Ida
Mae’s passions in life was cooking. The kitchen was the center of
the Franzen home, where her talents for cooking, bread-making,
baking, canning, pickling, processing and preparing nutritious
family meals were shared with her family and any guest at their
table. Ida Mae joined The First Presbyterian Church of Collegeport
and was an active member, leading Presbyterian Women’s groups,
Sunday School classes for youth and adults, and youth singing. Once
asked if she had a favorite hymn, without hesitation, Ida Mae
replied, “I like them all.” She was elected and ordained an Elder on
December 5, 1982, and served as Clerk of Session for a number of
years. The church presented Ida Mae a plaque “In Appreciation of
Many Years of Devoted Service” for her years on the Session on
November 17, 2002, but she was re-elected to serve at least one more
term as a Ruling Elder.
Ida Mae was also active in the Woman’s Club of
Collegeport, sponsor of the annual Collegeport Day homecoming the
last Saturday in May. The celebration has been held each year since
1909. Gus and Ida Mae Franzen were recognized as the Collegeport Man
and Woman of the Year for “Many Years of Dedicated Service to the
Collegeport Community” by the Woman’s Club on Collegeport Day in
1989.
Ida Mae supported the youth of the community as an
organizer and adult leader of the Collegeport 4-H Club in 1968,
assisting youth with various projects including Livestock, Food,
Sewing, Public Speaking, and Record Books, and as an auction buyer
and supporter in the Junior Livestock Show and Heifer Show,
beginning in 1967. She also supported youth in the Home Economics
Division as an auction buyer, sponsor and presenter of awards for
High-Point Winners. She also participated in the Adult Division of
the Food Show. She has been recognized by several youth
organizations including the 4-H, Future Farmers of America and
Future Homemakers of America for her involvement. In 2015, Ida Mae
was presented a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for her support of the
youth of Matagorda County by the Matagorda County Fair Association.
As rice producers, both Gus and Ida Mae encouraged
others to “Eat More Rice.” If potatoes were served at a meal,
“Goose” would not hesitate to assert, “You should serve RICE! We
don’t live in Idaho!” Ida Mae, more subtly promoted the use of rice
through her 30+ years of participation in the Rice Dish Round-up at
the Matagorda County Rice Festival by entering recipes adapted to
include rice as a main ingredient.
Ida Mae was named Outstanding Conservation Homemaker
at the Region III Texas Conservation Awards Program in 1983. She was
sponsored by the Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation
District #316. For a number of years, she gauged and recorded
rainfall for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the
Collegeport area. These records along with others from across the
county were beneficial in helping local farmers and ranchers prove
eligibility for Federal Disaster Programs through the Farm Services
Agency. Ida Mae Franzen was a Life Member and past director of the
Matagorda County 100-Club, an active member of the Carancahua
Extension Education Association Club, and the Athena Club of
Palacios; She was a past participant in the Matagorda County “Relay
for Life”, supporting the American Cancer Society.
Ida Mae was a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and
grandmother, and a tireless worker in her church and community. Upon
the death of her husband, Gus Franzen, in 1997, Ida Mae continued in
their rice farming and cattle operation, assisted by her family, and
remained an avid supporter of the youth of Matagorda County. Many
youths in the county benefitted from her generosity and kindness.
Ida Mae was preceded in death by her husband and two infant sons,
Gustave Albert Franzen III and Charles Ray Franzen; her parents, two
brothers, Wilford Leroy and Charles Herman Wilson, and by her
sister, Hazel Viola (Wilson) Boeker. She is survived by her four
children: G. W., Derril (Samantha), Terri (Franzen) Adams, Wesley
(Tonya Piwonka); grandchildren: Stephanie Busby (Brian), Savannah
Moeller (Jeff), Tyler Adams (Kelsey), Colt Adams (Madeleine), Dillon
Franzen (Angela) and Hayley Franzen; great-grandchildren: Reese,
Carter, Jake, Tate, Weston, Tanner, Addison, and a
great-granddaughter and two more great-grandsons expected in 2018;
sister-in-law, Ann Franzen, and a host of nieces, nephews, and
friends.
Visitation will be held at Taylor Brothers Funeral
Home in Bay City on Wednesday, February 14 from 5:00 PM to7:00 PM. A
private graveside service will be conducted at the Collegeport
Cemetery. Ida Mae’s sons and grandsons will serve as pall bearers;
her nieces and nephews, church family, friends and neighbors are
regarded as honorary bearers.
A Celebration of Life and Witness to the Resurrection
Service will be 11:00 AM Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the First
Presbyterian Church of Palacios with Rev. Chuck Kimball officiating.
A reception will follow at Clement Hall.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian
Church of Collegeport, Mopac House Foundation, or Collegeport
Cemetery Association; All may be directed to P. O. Box 175,
Collegeport, Texas 77428.
Ida Mae’s family appreciates the compassionate care
she received at home through “At Your Side” Home Care. Taylor Bros. Funeral Home
Mamie Franzen Wells, Ida Mae & Gustave "Goose" Franzen leaving
for trip to Sweden in 1985.
Ida Mae Wilson Franzen taught school before she married in 1952.
Schools where she taught included:
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Graveside funeral services for Alexander "Alex" Franzen, 79, of
Collegeport, Tx. were held Aug. 11, 2002 at Collegeport Cemetery with
Rev. Janell Blair officiating.
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James C. Franzen “Tequila”, of Pearl River Louisiana
passed away on Friday, January 1, 2016, at Ochsner Medical Center, North
Shore.
Father of: Babette Melies (Scott); Kenneth
Smith (Terri); Robert Franzen; and Thomas Franzen.
He was one of five brothers and three sisters.
He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
James was 90 years old and a native of Collegeport,
Texas. He retired from Shell Oil Company, then worked in the antique
furniture business with the love of his life, Ann. His greatest passion
was spending time with his family, friends and mowing his grass.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist
Church in Pearl River, Louisiana on Thursday, January 7, 2016.
Visitation starts at 11 am followed by service at noon. Officiated by
Brother Alvin Waller. Honaker Funeral Home, Slidell, Louisiana
Ann Byrne
Franzen
Ann Byrne Franzen, 90, of Pearl River, Louisiana, passed away on Friday,
January 19, 2024, in Slidell, Louisiana. Ann was born April 8, 1933, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Edwin and Clara Byrne.
Ann and her beloved husband Tequila (James) shared an Antique business (Ann’s Place) enjoying many buying trips, meeting new people and customers. Ann was always the life of the party, she had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making people laugh. She also had a great love of cats and had many through the years. Her loving and giving nature will be remembered by family and friends. She will be forever missed and eternally loved.
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The descendents of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Franzen who arrived in Collegeport December 24, 1909 and who spent the first night in Hotel Collegeport with their small children, Dorothy and Arnold, held a family reunion Sunday in the Sadie Merck Room (named after Sadie Merck and Ellen Franzen), Presbyterian Hall in Collegeport. The family attended the Worship Service conducted by the Rev. Lloyd Nixon and invited the Rev. and Mrs. Nixon to join them for the noon meal. Many pictures were taken in the Sadie Ellen Room during the noon-time .Following the dinner the family gathered in the sanctuary where family group pictures were taken and they spent some time recalling events of former years. Dorothy Merck recalled that her Dad had warned her that if he caught her with another snake that he would whip her with it. She related that just recently she saw a snake in their front yard, thinking it was dead, picked it up by the tail and was startled when she saw it was alive - threw it further than a snake she had handled in her youth - it landed in the middle of the highway--she said she thought of Papa all day long.
The following were present:
Palacios Beacon, June 6, 1985 |
On December 24, 1909, Papa, Mama, Arnold (18 months) and I (2 1/2
years) arrived by train at Blessing, Texas, and drove our big buggy
to Hotel Collegeport (the railroad tracks did not come into
Collegeport until September 8, 1910) where we spent the night. Uncle
Richard Franzen, who had ridden on the freight car with the
livestock, buggies, wagon, and household goods, hauled our
possessions to DeMoss minus the warm bedding which Mama had left in
Iowa since "it never gets cold in Collegeport." We boarded with the
Olson family, who lived where the Fred Law home is today, for three
months while our large barn and temporary home were being built and
our artesian well was being drilled by L. E. Liggett. The following
year the folks built a white cottage which stood east of the present
day home. The following children were born in this home: Clifford
(b. 1910); Mamie (b. 1913); Gustave, Jr., (b. 1917) and Carl (b.
1918). In 1920, Mr. Will Shubring built the two-story home in which
Ellen (b. 1921); Alexander (b. 1923) and James (b. 1925) were born. 
Ida Mae Margaret (Wilson) Franzen was born to Swedish
parents Carl Herman and Ida Matilda (Peterson) Wilson on March 14,
1922, near Kenedy, Texas, and passed away peacefully in her home
near Collegeport on February 11, 2018. She was the third of four
children of this share-cropping family. Moving and working various
farms, the family made their home in the Jackson County community of
Deutschburg in 1932. Ida Mae attended grade schools in the
Francitas, Deutschburg, and Carancahua communities, where she and
her sister, Hazel often performed in school programs—both of them
had beautiful voices and enjoyed singing. Ida Mae was confirmed in
the First Lutheran Church of El Campo, Texas, and was a 1939
graduate of Palacios High School.
