Max H. Dreyer
Max H. Dreyer
Dec 11, 1853
Oct 21, 1890
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller Times (August 16, 2000). Available on microfilm.
2. News item
Ludwig Maxmillian Dryer Family
Ludwig Maxmillian Dryer of Austria and his wife the former Mary Ann Elizabeth Peeper of Hanover, Germany, came to corpus Christi in 1844. They started from Galveston to go to Brownsville on a sailing vessel. It was in September. and their ship was caught in a tropical hurricane in the gulf which, after weathering the raging gulf waters an heavy winds
for several days, was literally blown into corpus Christi bay and up to a little wharf on the location know known as Schatzel street. They landed with some of the other passengers and gave thanks for their narrow escape from a watery grave. Mrs. Dryer refused o go back to the
ship when it was ready to sail, saying that she would not go aboard again. Mr. Dryer said to her: there is not a human soul in sight and we do not know by whom this part of the land is inhabited. She replied: "Look behind you and see who is coming." Her husband turned around and there he saw five men approaching. It turned out to be Col. Kinney with some Mexicans and Indians. They discussed their plight with him and as Mrs. Dryer still refused to board the ship. Col. Kinney told them they might locate any place along the bay shore. Mrs. Dryer saw a beautiful knoll jus t a short distance away, covered with mesquite, bluebonnets
and buttercups. She told them that was where she would like to have her home. Col. Kinney and his helpers made them a crude shelter there on this spot and there they made their home until the time of their death. It is now occupied by Montgomery Ward on Chaparral Street. Col Kinney also gave them food and every comfort he was able to produce in such wild surroundings. As time went on they build a real home and here their children were born. When the second baby came it was a boy. And one day col. Kinney happened to stop by the house ad heard the parents discussing a name for the baby, since they seemed o be unable to come to a decision, h said: Well, there is only one thing left to do, and that is to name the baby after me. This they did ad the baby was named Henry Louis Dryer. Here too was born the first white female child in Corpus Christi, Emma Dryer, who was later Mrs. Emma McGregor, the older sister of little Henry Louis. Annie Dryer, who was next to the youngest child, later married William Uehlinger. She is the only remaining member of he Dryer family still living in Corpus Christi. Mrs. Uehlinger who later became Mrs. Annie Johnson still owns the property which father purchased from Col. Kinney in 1845. Children of Mr. and Mrs. William Uehlinger are; Edna May Uehlinger, the wife of Bryant M. Brownell, who are the parents of two daughters, Eleanor Brownell clay and Phillis Brownell. Annie Laurie Uehlinger, who married Grover Cleveland Keeton (deceased) whose son is rover Cleveland Keeton, Jr. Mr. Keeton later married Walton d. Taylor.
William John Uehlinger, who married Mildred Durmgold, who are the parents of Patricia Ann, Robert Edwin and William John Uehlinger, Jr. Like all the rest of the early settlers. The Dryer family went through with many hardships and privations. Mrs. Johnson tells of the time when
the Yankee troops were said to be approaching Corpus Christi and there was only one man in the settlement an old gentleman of 73 years, and about 60 women and children, defenseless, except what they could do for themselves with his help. The rest of the male population was in one of the two armies.
Mrs. Dryer, ever a resourceful woman, called everyone together and they went down on the beach to the old red brick house, a two story structure belonging to the Confederate army. She got her shotgun and had every one bring as many provisions as they could muster and with this one man to help her kept the entire population together under this one roof for
three days and nights. These two took regular turns on guard, making the rounds outside the house to see that neither hostile Indians, Mexicans nor Yankees were able to slip up on them unawares. When their food supplies were about to be exhausted, a Mexican runner
came dashing up to the house calling for Mrs. Dryer. She went out and he told her that word of their trouble had reached the confederate army and that they had sent her word hold fast, that they were sending help with all possible speed. The help arrived in time and they were all able o return to their homes unharmed. After this though a small detachment
of soldiers were stationed here unit l the close of the war to safeguard the town.
The Founders and builders of Corpus Christi
Page 9 from Microfilm H-17 Corpus Christi Central Library
Research: Msgr. Michael A, Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
3. News item
Attention is invited to the advertisement of Mr. Max Dreyer's Coffee and
Lunch Room, at the City Market, that appears in to-day's paper. Mr.
Dreyer will keep open for the accommodation of customers day and night;
and we know from actual experience that he knows exactly how to run such
an institution.
Source: Corpus Christi Daily Gazette, Jan. 5, 1876, p. 2, col. 1
Research: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription: Geraldine D. McGloin
Dreyer, Max H.
The two death reported were of well known citizens, the first that of Max H. Dreyer, a business man aged 37 years.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Oct. 26, 1930 p. 10, col. 1-3, quoting from edition of old Caller of Oct. 20, 1890 with story of Dreyer from 1930 copy on page 10, col. 2.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
4. Biography
Listed in the 1880 census as Maximel Dreyer, Max H. Dreyer was born on 11 December 1853 in Baden (a state of Germany) according to his tombstone. Other records indicate that his full name is Maximilian Hermann Dreyer and that he was born 20 December 1852. It seems most likely that he came to south Texas with his brother Otto P. Dreyer as they are usually listed as both living and working together. Their ages and place of birth indicate that they are nephews of Ludwig M. Dreyer who came to south Texas about 1844 (see articles on Ludwig and his wife Anna Dreyer). Max H. and Otto could not be children of Ludwig as they are born in Baden when Ludwig and his family were already in the area that would become Corpus Christi. However, they are from the same area of Germany as Ludwig because his tombstone lists him as born in Freiburg. Information on the genealogical records of Germany do report a Maximilian Hermann Dreyer and Otto Philipp Dreyer who are brothers christened in Dompfarrei-Katholisch, Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden. They are sons of Gustav Dreyer and Elisabetha Hemme (or Hemmer). These appear to be the Max H. and Otto P. Dreyer buried in Old Bayview Cemetery though their dates of birth are slightly different (most likely the baptismal records are the more accurate since they are recorded closer to the time of birth). The records from this same church also record the birth and baptisms of their father Gustave and a brother, Maximilian Ludwig Dreyer. This would appear to be Ludwig Maximilian Dreyer (with a reversal of names) who would thus be the uncle of Max H. and Otto P. Dreyer. This Maximilian Ludwig Dreyer is born December 25 (same birthday as one buried in Old Bayview), but in the year 1819, not 1815. Ludwig Dreyer and brother Gustav are sons of Ludwig Dreyer and Elisabetha Daibach. These baptismal records state that Gustav Alexander Dreyer (father of Max H. and Otto P.) is born 24 February 1821, and that Maximilian Hermann Dreyer is born 20 December 1852. In the 1880 census of Nueces County (p. 11A) Otto and Max list themselves and their parents as natives of Baden. This is a state in Germany (Prussia) from which Ludwig M. Dreyer also came. On his tombstone Ludwig is listed as born in Freiburg (see baptismal records referred to above) which is a city of the state or region known as Baden. And in the 1860 census, Ludwig (listed as “Louis M.â€) reports himself as from “Badenâ€. Unlike Ludwig and his family, Otto and Max are not found in the 1850, 1860, or 1870 census records of Nueces County. However, by 1876 Max was already in business with a coffee and lunch room in the City Market (see C. C. Daily Gazette of January 5, 1876). In the 1880 census Max and Otto are listed living together and share the same occupation, still related to food service. They report themselves as involved as Confectioners who also dispense soda water. By 1883, newspaper articles speak of their store on the Westside of Chaparral Street between Schatzell and People Streets. The store is described as one devoted to novelties, notions, and toys. Max H. Dreyer died at only 37 years of age on 21 October 1890 and was buried near other members of the Dreyer and Uehlinger families in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
5. Descendents
The following information is found in the vertical files of the library under Anderson family biography section, submitted by descendent Mrs. Roy Anderson Crossley in July of 1964.
Maximilian Herman (Max) Dreyer b. 1853 – 21 Oct. 1890
Born: Freiberg, Germany
m. 30 December 1880 to Amanda Jane Anderson (daughter of Capt. John Anderson and Hannah Bowen Yung Anderson)
Max Dreyer was a Merchant. They made their home in Corpus Christi, Tex., in the 700 block of Water Street. He died age 37 of Pneumonia.
Children and their descendents
Max Dreyer –Anna Josephine Kenedy M. 8 July 1908
17 Sept. 1884 p 13 Oct. 1963 Born: Brownsville, Tex.
Max Dreyer was an Accountant. They made their home in Raymondville,
Texas. He died age 70 of lung cancer, she 79.
a. Max Herbert Jr. 19 Sept. 1910 all born in Raymondville, TX
b. Anna Josephine 9 March 1912
c. Charles Kenedy 12 Sept. 1914
d. Gerard Oliver 29 Mar. 1917
e. Wilfred Merril 16 Jan. 1920
f. Kenneth Samuel 12 May 1922
John Humphrey Dreyer – Leila Rives M. 14 Oct. 1917
28 Jan. 1885 Born: La Grange, Tex.
John was a messenger for Wells Forgo Express Co. then with oil companies, last 15 years with Sinclair before retirement, lived in Corpus Christi in later years. No children.
Elise Amanda Dreyer - Oscar Alexander Walker, Jr. M 13 July 1911
23 Apr. 1889 – 11 Nov. 1953 Born: Galveston, Tex.
O. A. Walker was in banking business and died at 64 of nephritis. Elise lived in Houston with her son.
a. Gene Elise 29 Sept. 1913, Galveston
b. Oscar Alexander III 27 June 1916, Galveston
Charles Otto Reuben Dreyer – Rosemary Elise Walker M. 12 June 1912
27 Sept. 1890 in Clarion, Tex.
Reuben Dreyer was a foreman with the Union Pacific Railroad before retiring. They lived in Temple City, California
a. Charles Richard 6 Feb. 1913, Brownsville, Texas
b. Roderick Glenn 24 May 1916, Niagara Falls, NY
c. Rosemary 25 Oct. 1922, Belen, New Mexico
Lilian Helen (Teta) Dreyer – Captain John Belo Eaves M. 23 Jan. 1929
10 Sept. 1891 (in Milligan, Texas) – 31 Dec. 1956
John Eaves was a ship Captain (Master Mariner). Teta lived in Houston, Texas with her sister Elise and nephew O. A. Walker III. John died at 65 of coronary thrombosis. John and Teta had no children.
Transcription: Michael A. Howell