Otto P. Dreyer
In loving memory
of
Otto P.
Dreyer
Nov 19, 1856
Feb 11, 1889
below: F L T
DREYER
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. News item 1891
New Monument
Mr. B. Joseph, agent for F. Teich of San Antonio has just finished erecting a beautiful monument at the grave of Mr. Otto P. Dryer, deceased, in the city cemetery. The engraving is exceptionally well executed, especially the "Knight of Honor" and "Odd Fellows" insignia, are beautiful specimens of decorative art.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, September 12, 1891, p. 1, col. 1
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
A. R. Joseph ad for cemetery monuments and fences, 1905
Source: Unknown local newspaper, 1905
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
2. The Handbook of Texas online article regarding headstone sculptor, Frank Teich.
3. Biography
Listed in the 1880 census as Otto Dreyer, Otto P. Dreyer was born 19 November 1865 and died 11 February 1889 according to his tombstone. Records from Germany indicate that his full name is Otto Philip Dreyer, the brother of Maximilian Hermann Dreyer (also buried in Old Bayview Cemetery) and the nephew of Ludwig Dreyer (in Old Bayview). The baptismal record of Otto states that he was christened 02 December 1856 in Dompfarrei-Katholisch (Church), Freiburg (city), Baden (state). His parents were Gustav Dreyer and Elisabetha Hemme. The records from this same church also record the birth and baptism of his father Gustav and uncle Maximilian Ludwig Dreyer. This would appear to be Ludwig Maximilian Dreyer (with a reversal of names) who in both baptismal record and tombstone is listed as born December 25 (the years are different). Ludwig and Gustav Dreyer are sons of Ludwig Dreyer and Elisabetha Daibach (the grandparents of Maximilian Hermann and Otto Philip). These baptismal records state that Gustav Alexander Dreyer (father of Max H. and Otto P. Dreyer) was born 24 February 1821. In the 1880 census record 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 their uncle Ludwig Dreyer also came. Their actual hometown appears to be Freiburg. 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 they are already in business in the Corpus Christi area as Max is listed 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 is listed as living with his brother Otto (and Otto’s family) and share the same occupation, still related to food service. They report themselves as involved as Confectioners and 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. Otto married Maggie Uehlinger in the Catholic Church (Fr. St. Jean) on 19 November 1889. One of his cousins, Annie Dreyer (daughter of Ludwig), married William Uehlinger and subsequent to his death, she married Mr. O. B. Johnson. Her obit indicates that they too are buried in Old Bayview. Otto was a member of the Knights of Honor and Odd Fellows which was first established in continental Europe in Wurttemberg, Germany in December of 1870. It was initially organized in England to give aid to the needy and pursue projects for the good of mankind. Those in the fraternity were linked together in their work by “Friendship, Love, and Truthâ€. It seems that Otto and Max probably left Prussia at a time when there was growing conflict and the development of the Franco-Prussian War. Otto died 11 February 1889 and initials F.L.T. on the tombstone seem to point to Frank L. Teich as the maker of the marker. Mr. Teich was a well known and respected artist whose grave markers are considered works of outdoor sculpture. Otto was survived by numerous children. His daughters Maggie and Gertrude never married and lived their lives in the family home which stood at 809 N. Chapparal, next to Artesian Park. Gertrude’s obit states that her father came from Switzerland in 1840. If this is true then he must have traveled to some other area in America before coming to Corpus Christi as he is not listed in any census record earlier than 1880. Or Gertrude may be mixing some records as her father’s uncle Ludwig did arrive in this area during the 1840s. Gertrude’s dad was certainly a native of Baden, not Switzerland. However, her mother’s Uehlinger family was from Switzerland. Gertrude was a seamstress and worked in local dress shops and millinery shops. She also served on the Bayview Cemetery Association. The other children of Otto and Maggie Dreyer include Ottina (Mrs. Julius Dorenfield) of Amarillo, May (Mrs. E. Clarke), and John Dreyer. Their descendents still reside in the coastal bend.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell