Charles Henry Woessner
In loving remembrance of
Charles Henry
born Mar. 9, 1850,
died Aug. 25, 1909
WOESSNER
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Biography
Charles Henry Woessner was born March 9, 1850 the son of J. M. Woessner, Sr. (1813-1854) and Anna Woessner (1816-1889). His father died when he was quite young, but he was raised by his mother and older brothers. His life had its share of further tragedy as his older brother J. M. Woessner, Jr. also died relatively young (1845-1878). His older brother John who was a well respected merchant and banker committed suicide unexpectedly (1839-1884). Charles Henry's family had entered Texas at Indianola, and it was to that port city that he returned to marry his first wife, Katie Ashworth, on February 21, 1874 (see Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette of 28 Feb. 1874, page 3, col. 4). At that time Charles was already engaged with business along with his brother John. An article in the Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette (12 Oct. 1873, page 3, col. 1) announces to the public that he has opened a first class Family Grocery store on Mesquite Street, about the court house, where at all he times he will be found in receipt of prime groceries. At that time most of the citizens of Corpus Christi apparently knew him better as "Henry" Woessner. Charles Henry and Katie had three girls before her death in 1893. Her obituary notes that the family was living in San Diego, Texas at the time when she suffered a fatal heart attack at the Santa Cruz ranch in Duval County where she was teaching school (C.C. Caller, 14 April 1893, page 5, col. 3). Charles Henry subsequently married Mary Olivia Pettigrew on November 11, 1896 (Nueces County Marr. Records, vol. F, p. 383). A news article in the July 5, 1901 edition of the Caller notes that Mr. C. H. Woessner was a "well known agent of the Singer Sewing Machine company" at that time. The article says he is introducing a new machine that comes with a labor saving motor attached (Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, 5 July 1901, page 4, col. 3). His daughter Elma B. Woessner married Mr. V. Mendoza of Laredo on Christmas morning of 1897 at her father's house on the bluff. Her sister, Mrs. S. G. Villarreal, was present from Laredo for the wedding. By 1906 his daughter Mamie (Mrs. S. G. Villarreal) was living in Monterrey (The Texas Sun, 9 Feb. 1906, page 4, col. 1). Then in early 1906 his youngest daughter Ethel Cora Woessner married Alfonso A. Leyendecker of Laredo before Msgr. Claude Jaillet. The announcement of the wedding states that C. H. Woessner is an alderman of the city of Corpus Christi at that time (Corpus Christi Caller, 23 Feb. 1906, page 5, col. 3). According to his gravestone Charles Henry Woessner died 25 August 1909 and was laid to rest with other members of his family in Old Bayview Cemetery.
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
2. Marriage
WOESSNER – ASHWORTH
In Indianola, on Saturday morning, Feb. 21, 1874, at the residence of the bride's mother by Rev. Thom. Neil, Mr. C. H. Woessner, of this City, and Miss Katie, eldest of the late Jas. H. Ashworth.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Gazette, February 28, 1874, p. 3, col. 4
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
Provenance: Corpus Christi Public Libraries