Edward Killmer
Edw. Killmer
Born
Sept. 6, 1850
Died
July 16, 1929
Aged
78 yrs. 10 mos.
10 ds.
Not my will but Thy
Will be done
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. News article, 1893
Edward Kilmer
Christian Heisselholdt
Julian Garza
Samuel McComb
James Downing
FOR THE HONORED DEAD
The Tombstones for the U. S. soldiers’ Graves Have Arrived
Through the instrumentality of Mr. E. J. Kilmer, member of the local G.A.R. Post, fourteen tombstones have arrived in Corpus Christi, to be placed at the head of the graves of the United States soldiers buried in the cemeteries of this city. These stones are each 3 feet high, 4 inches thick, and 10 inches wide. Many of the soldiers whose graves they will mark were well-known citizens of Corpus Christi.
The following comprises the list of the honored dead over whose graves the tombstones will be placed next week, under the supervision of Mr. Kilmer: Patrick Farrell, First New Orleans Infantry, Company C, Died August 20, 1869; Silvario Villegas, First Texas Cavalry, Company K, Died August 20, 1876; Nicholas Gorgan, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company I, Died January 7, 1856; Thomas H. Murray, First New Orleans Infantry, Company C, Died 1867; Denis McCoy, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company A, Died October 17, 1875; Wm. S. Shaw, Seventh U. S. Infantry, Company A, Died March 28, 1865; Patrick McCabe, Seventh U. S. Infantry Company I, Died May 4, 1875; Commissary Sergeant Samuel McComb, First New Orleans Volunteer Infantry, Company A, Died September 11, 1867; Andrew W. Hyndam _____ Infantry, Company B, Died September 4 186_; Christian F. Heisselholdt, Tenth U. S. Infantry, Company H, Died September 29, 1869; Lieut. James Downing, Thirty-sixth F. S. Colored Troop, Died April 28, 1891; Capt. Cesario Falcon, First Texas Cavalry Company K, Died June 18, 1888; Julian Garza, First Texas Cavalry Company N, Died May 7, 1890; Narcisso Hernandez, First Texas Cavalry, Company I, Died July 1, 1891
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, May 19, 1893, p 6, col. 5
Research by: Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
2. Photograph 1
Provenance: Harrison Hamer
Submitted by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
3. Photograph 2
Provenance: Harrison Hamer
Submitted by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
4. Photograph 3
Left to Right: Robert Killmer (child), Ellen Adams Killmer, Caroline Shute Killmer Patchin, Mary Ellen Killmer (child), and Jonas Edward Killmer. Provenance: Harrison F. Hamer
Provenance: Harrison F. Hamer
6. Biographical information
Born: 4 July 1850 San Antonio, TX
Married: 20 July 1877
Died: 16 July 1929 Alice, TX
Buried: Bayview Cemetery, Corpus Christi, TX
Ed Killmer was born to Jonas and Caroline Chute Killmer in San Antonio, TX. He had one older sister, but she died in infancy so he was raised as an only child.
When Ed was quite small the family moved to Corpus Christi. His father died there when he was 7 years old. His mother married a man named Patchin in 1861 but apparently they didn't live together long.
When the Civil War broke out Caroline Patchin and Edward Jonas Killmer were granted safe passage through the Union lines and returned to her native state of Maine. After the war was over they returned to Corpus Christi. As a consequence of his return to Maine, Ed was called a "Bluebellied Yankee."
Ed was apprenticed as a cabinet maker and carpenter. He married Ellen Adams and they had 5 children. Ellen died in 1893. A housekeeper took care of the children except for the baby, Mary. She was kept by her mother's brother and his wife for awhile, then returned to live with the rest of the family.
Ed bought a ranch about 40 miles from Corpus and raised sheep. At one time his flock numbered about 5,000. Later he changed to cattle. The ranch is still owned by Mary Lee Killmer Norris and Nettie Hobbs, granddaughters of Ed Killmer.
Ed Killmer had big shoulders and was tall, a very big man. He had a sandy beard, sandy red hair and beautiful blue eyes. He had very sensitive skin and plowed on moonlit nights to protect it. He also wore a beard for this reason.
He was visiting his wife's family in Alice when he suffered a heart attack and died instantly. He was 79 years. old.
Source: Papers of Bobbie Ann Hamer Hubbard
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales
7. News item, 1911
New County Gossip
Commissioner Ed Kilmer arrived in town Monday from the forks of the creek, near Sandia, where he reports people not all pleased wit the division of the county, but it is too late to kick. Some want the county seat established at Sandia but see little show for it unless they can get help from Premont, which is very doubtful. All jokes aside, Jim Wells County is all right—though it won't b square, on the contrary it will be long—the width on the south being only about ten or twelve miles and at Alice about seventeen. The east line does not run very far from Alice. It takes in Bentonville, but not Agua Dulce station, nor the Puerta ranch proper. One the west Mr. Kilmer says they might take in San Diego' s court house if Duval county's seat should be moved, and the building is vacated. This is a joke.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, March 17, 1911, p 5, col. 2
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
8. News item, 1914
The report of Deputy State Fire Marshal Peninger in regard to the condition of the moving picture houses in Corpus Christi which were inspected by that official in company with City Fire Marshal E. J. Kilmer, is expected by Mr. Kilmer some time during the week, and will be read at the next regular meeting of the city council. Mr. Kilmer stated yesterday that, although a great many of the moving picture houses did not conform to all the requirements, in his opinion there would be but few changes ordered in those picture shows not being operated. However, in the future, all amusement places of a like nature which are to be built must conform with the state laws, also adopted as an ordinance by the city council of Corpus Christi.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller & Daily Herald, September 11, 1914, p. 8, c. 4
Research by: Monsignor Michael A. Howell
Transcribed by: Kathryn H. Martin, member Coastal Bend Genealogical Society
E. J. Kilmer who for the past several days has been ill with asthma yesterday was improved and was at this office in the city hall. Mr. Kilmer is city building inspector and fire marshal.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller & Daily Herald, January 3, 1914, p. 4, c. 4
Research by: Monsignor Michael A. Howell
Transcribed by: Kathryn H. Martin, member Coastal Bend Genealogical Society
9. Obituary
Funeral services were held at 10 o'clock Thursday morning from the Church of the Good Shepherd for Ed Killmer, 78, pioneer Nueces County citizen who died at Alice Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Killmer resided in Nueces county many years, later moving to Casa Blanca. He served as a county commissioner of Nueces County and later served in the same position in Jim Wells County when the latte was formed.
He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Callie Mae Hobbs of Austin, and one son, R. E. Killmer of Refugio.
Source: Corpus Christi Times, July 18, 1929, p 11, col. 4
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission