FELIX A. BLUCHER
Descendant: Charles F. H. v. Blucher, son
The Pathfinders column is proud to present the name of the distinguished pioneer, Felix A. v. Blucher, of Poggelow, Germany, who brought with him from the old country the cultural and scientific accomplishments of the homes and universities of Germany.
Before going back to the first ancestral and most important family history, the writer of the column will speak of the outstanding contributions of Hon. Felix A. v. Blucher after his permanent residence in Corpus Christi. His work in the city would fill a large volume. It should be engraved on a monument in bronze that he gave of his academic training and his scientific skill to his chosen abode without thought of personal acclaim. What he has done, and what others like him have contributed to the public welfare of Corpus Christi, must be inscribed on the community records as "The half has never been told." The following abstracts are taken from the minutes of the city council of 1852-56: He was surveyor of Nueces County school lands and a member of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Corpus Christi from April 1853, to June, 1856. During his membership in the city council, while the city was being born, as it were, he led in the originating and launching of one of the greatest achievements for the future commercial and industrial growth of the little village, incorporated in the year 1852; that is, the securing of the amendment to the city charter of 1852 for the "deepening of the ship channel between Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass."
As chairman of the committee appointed to make examination as to how to commence work on the mud flats, he wrote or suggested the ordinance, which was so complete and inclusive that it was followed by every succeeding council as a basis for future ordinances relating to the deepening of the channel and the dredging of the mud flats between Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass, until its final achievement in 1926.
As engineer he was chosen to select a site and construct a water tank for the city, provide for its construction by having enough earth excavated to make a basin which would contain all the water needed for temporary use. He acted as health officer by presenting an ordinance for keeping the water tank clean and sanitary by excluding hogs from having access to same.
Fandangos were prohibited, and stringent dog laws were enacted by the committees of which he was a member.
Like Col. de Lovenskiold, with whom he was closely associated in promoting the city’s interest, he dropped the insignia of his nobility used in his native land, especially after he settled in Corpus Christi, and moved among his fellow citizens as plain Mr. Blucher. However, when signing his name as a citizen of New Braunfels in the early part of 1847, he wrote it Felix A. v. Blucher, as everyone here knew he was owner of a title, which was shown by the "von."
It is hard to pause in recounting the constructive influence made upon the first years of our city by this eminent pioneer.
The following as told from original sources, and authentic references will be enjoyed by the readers.
Felix A. Blucher, father of Charles F. H. v. Blucher and Miss Julia A. v. Blucher of Corpus Christi, was born in Poggelow, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussia, Germany, November 15, 1819. His name was Anton Felix Hans Hellmuth von Blucher, in the published record of his family dating back to 1214. He was a grand-nephew of Field Marshal Blucher of Waterloo fame. When he came to Texas he modified his name to Felix A. Blucher. He was related to Flotow, the composer of "Martha."
He received his higher education at the University of Berlin, from which institution he received the degree of Master of Arts. At graduation he was required to deliver his thesis orally in Latin. The famous historian, Alexander von Humboldt, was a member of the committee passing on the theses of the graduates. While he was educated chiefly for civil engineering, he was also thoroughly trained in law and in languages. He became a skilled linguist, being proficient in Latin, Italian, French, Spanish, German and English. He was also an accomplished painter. As was customary in Germany at that time, he received military training and served in the Prussian army.
His coming to this country was prompted by conversations that he had with the consul from the Republic of Texas to Germany, whom he met in the course of his usual associations. His interest stirred by accounts of the distant domain, he and a companion left Germany in 1844 or earlier. Landing at New Orleans, he found employment as draftsman in a shipyard, where, in the course of his work, he helped design a ship for a Greek pirate. In 1845 he was in New Braunfels and vicinity with Prince Solms von Braunfels in the capacity of interpreter and engineer.
This was not for long, however, for the call to arms was strong as the conflict with Mexico progressed, and we find that he was mustered into service at Point Isabel, Texas, on July 2, 1846 (to date, June 25, 1846) as a private in Captain Hollands’s Company (F), 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, subsequently known as Captain Thompson’s Company (F), 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers. He was honorably discharged August 28, 1846, by reason of disability.
Returning to New Braunfels, he was a citizen of that frontier settlement early in 1847, as evidenced by his signature appearing among other "citizens of New Braunfels" in a protest against false reports that had been circulated by rival promoters about that establishment. This document appeared in the Galveston Weekly of March 20, 1847. It was at about this time that he served as interpreter in the signing of the treaty with the Comanche Indians. None of the Indian Chiefs could write, and Felix Blucher drew a picture to represent the name of each chief on the parchment of the treaty.
Next we hear of his being in the City of Mexico in the latter part of 1847, his skill as a linguist coupled with his military knowledge and experience fitting him well for his employment as translator and interpreter for General Winfield Scott of the United States Army. His remuneration for this service was $20 in gold per day. It was during this period in Mexico that the sketch of him was made which was later taken to Germany, where etchings were made from the sketch, several of these etchings being in the possession of his son, C. F. H. v. Blucher.
Felix A. Blucher, probably late in 1847, was commissioned by Governor Pinckley Henderson as a captain to form a company of volunteers. Governor Henderson, though governor of the State of Texas, was Major General of Volunteers in the United States Army and commanded the Texas troops the last year of the war. Although the war was over before Blucher had completed the organization of the company, his services in this connection were recognized as the basis for a pension from the United States government for his widow.
It is not known just how long he remained in Mexico, but soon after the Mexican conflict ended he returned to Germany. Here he married Maria Augusta Imme, a young lady of talent and accomplishment. He and his bride and several others who wished to come to the United States chartered a 300-ton ship and were provided a nondescript crew. The voyage was not the smoothest, for a terrific storm overtook them in the English channel; their sailing master was brown overboard and drowned, and they were left at sea without a guiding hand. Felix blucher volunteered to manage the ship, and he succeeded in guiding it across the ocean and the gulf to New Orleans, where they landed. From New Orleans he and his wife sailed for Corpus Christi, landing here on July 4, 1849. ---- Ref. Times, Mar. 23, 1936.
Episodes of Pioneer Life.
Corpus Christi was, in 1849, merely a ranch, owned by Aubrey and Kinney. Felix Blucher bought an eight-acre tract which had been previously owned by Hiram Riggs and used as a small farm. He set up his office in a building at his home, which corresponded to what is now 117 North Carrizo Street. He engaged in the practice of civil engineering and surveying, also land law and the translating of documents.
He also embarked on a small scale in the ranching business. One ranch was at a place called the "Muralla" not far from the present town of San Diego, and another about nine miles northwest of Corpus Christi on Turkey Creek. While ranching did not prove profitable in itself on account of the low price paid for cattle, it furnished the household with an abundance of good, wholesome meat, which was consumed in liberal quantities.
Six children were born to Felix Blucher and his wife, one of whom died in infancy. While the family were young, there were quite a number of servants (not slaves), who were necessary to help with the work of the household and to assist with the business of surveying. The home establishment was extensive. There were a great many cows to be milked every morning; these were very large cattle, with extremely long horns, and did not yield very much milk. There were also many horses to be cared for, as nearly every person, both men and women, was an expert rider; the children learned to rope the calves and to ride horseback. The older members of the community had frequent riding parties, which were much enjoyed. The family had many pets, among which were 14 dogs, a crooked-necked rabbit, and others, which made life very happy for the young children.
Wild life in this vicinity was abundant at that time, thousands of wild horses and many deer and antelope roaming the plains. It is said that in 1851 a herd of 1500 deer, during a dry spell, watered regularly at the place called the Salt Pond, which is now a low place in the northwestern part of the present City of Corpus Christi. Lobos, or wolves, also coyotes, were numerous on the prairie; and the few thickets harbored wildcats, panthers and javelinas. Tigers or jaguars, were to be found in the vicinity of the present town of San Diego.
Indians, too, harassed the early inhabitants. They made many raids on the settlement where Corpus Christi now is, and were constantly to be feared. On some occasions they captured young Mexican boys; two in particular are known to have been taken by the Indians. They were Tomas Vasquez, who afterwards was a policeman of the City of Corpus Christi, and Guadalupe Cardenas. Both were well known in this section at the time; they had been returned to civilization through exchange with the Indians.
It was at some time during these early days that Col. Jacob Snively was a resident of Corpus Christi. Colonel Snively, in 1843, had led the Snively expedition in its attempt to capture booty from the merchandise train from St. Luis passing through a portion of the Republic of Texas on its way to Santa Fe. Among the papers left by Felix Blucher was found what is thought to be the original letter of authorization for this expedition, dated February 16, 1843, and signed by C. Hamilton, Acting Secretary, War and Marines; this document is owned by Charles v. Blucher.
In 1853 Felix Blucher made the survey from the Army Road to Eagle Pass; this was for the purpose of connecting the Army Post here with Fort Ewell on the Nueces and Fort Duncan at Eagle Pass. In the late fifties he was district surveyor the Nueces Land District, which embraced a large section of South Texas, out of which were cut many of the counties of today.
His familiarity with this entire section of the country led to one unusual episode. One of Lafitte’s ex-pirates, several of whom lived at Corpus Christi, came from Galveston or elsewhere on a hunt for some of the lost treasure. He enlisted the services of Felix Blucher to assist in identifying the locality where a certain treasure had been buried. This treasure had been on a ship captured by Lafitte’s pirates, which was brought in through an opening in Padre Island opposite the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado, where the booty had been taken off and the vessel sunk. The treasure was said to have been taken ashore and buried at the base of a clump of Spanish daggers, into the trunk of one of which three brass ship’s spikes had been driven. When Blucher and the ex-pirate reached this point at the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado, they found that the whole immediate section had grown up in many clumps of Spanish daggers. Three days’ careful search availed them nothing, and they turned home disappointed. — Ref. Times, Mar. 24, 1936.
Career as Civil Engineer
During the time between the arrival of Felix blucher and his bride, and the outbreak of the Civil War, he was active in the civic life of the city. He was one of the charter members of the "Walker" Mounted Rifles, a company of state volunteers organized under the cavalry arm of the service on November 22, 1859, with Chas. Lovenskiold as captain.
When the Civil War broke out, Mr. Blucher became active in the cause of the Confederacy. He served as Major of Engineers, Captain of Artillery, and then Major of Artillery. He assisted in erecting the fortifications here at Corpus Christi. His field notes, now in possession of his son, give locations, with distances, of flagstaffs, batteries, magazines, and other defenses, with references to old landmarks such as the slaughter-house on North Beach, the lighthouse on the hill, the old powder mill near the present site of the alkali plant, and others, which have long since vanished but are still recalled by early inhabitants of Corpus Christi. the line of fortifications appears to have begun on the bluff, crossed "Hall’s Bayou," now the ship channel, and extended along the entire beach section. His records also contain detailed notes on the comparative worth of ammunition of various makes and from various sources.
He participated in the defense of Corpus Christi during bombardment by the Federals under Captain Kittredge, and he directed the shot which disabled the Federal gunboat, Sachem, commanded by Captain Kittredge. Twenty-four hours’ notice of the impending bombardment had been given by Captain Kittredge, thus allowing time for noncombatants to retire to the surrounding country. Felix Blucher’s family went to Nuecestown, where they stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Littig; they returned after about three days, as the attack was over. They found the home premises had been badly furrowed from the shellfire, as the home had been selected for destruction by the enemy on account of its owner’s being an enemy officer. They found a varied assortment of cannon balls and bombshells on the porch, which had been gathered up by the menfolks; some of these balls are still in the possession of the Blucher family.
Many of the cannon balls that fell in Corpus Christi did not explode, and the experts on the Confederate side were able to open them without exploding the caps. The powder inside was then used by the people in their firearms, as powder was scarce. Occasionally, a bombshell, upon being opened, was found to contain very fine whiskey, which was a pleasant surprise to many. After the war, it was explained that Captain Kittredge had had on board some fine liquors, and that some of the marines conceived the idea of extracting the fuse cap and powder from some of the bombshells and replacing the same with liquor taken from Captain Kittredge’s barrels; the fuse cap was replaced to avoid detection. One of these liquor-filled shells was picked up by Frederick Busse near the Blucher home, and opened.
The bombardment of Corpus Christi is strikingly shown in a large tinted drawing owned by Charles v. Blucher. This picture, entitled "The Defense of Corpus Christi – August 16-18, 1862," was drawn at the time of the bombardment by D. K. Gambel, Ordnance Sergeant, Corpus Christi, Texas. The picture shows five Federal ships: four sailing vessels – The Belle Italia, the Reindeer, The Breaker and the yacht Lorepheas, and the steamer Sachem, Kittredge’s flagship. At the edge of the beach the Confederate flag is being bravely supported, while infantry and cavalry are in brisk action, and the battery of big guns, each manned by a small group, is in a commanding position and actively engaged in the defense. One figure appears to be directing the fire of the battery. This was Felix A. Blucher, according to the account related many years ago to Charles v. Blucher by Judge Joseph Fitzsimmons, who knew Felix Blucher well.
Felix Blucher’s Confederate uniform was of a beautiful gray color with a great deal of fancy ornamentation of gold lace on the sleeves, and with two large stars of pure gold on the shoulders. The buttons had been sent from Germany, where they had been designed according to the required specifications; their cost was sixteen dollars apiece. The buttons and the lace were sewed on the uniform by Mrs. Blucher.
After the bombardment of Corpus Christi, Blucher designed defenses at various points along the Gulf of Mexico, including Saluria, Pass Caballo, St. Joseph’s Island, and Mustang Island. From his carefully compiled notes he later made his maps, which are now of much interest and value. It was while near Pass Caballo that much trouble was experienced in moving the cannon on account of the deep sand. To overcome this difficulty, large trees were felled and new wheels for the cannon were made from sections of the trunks. These new wheels were of such great widths that the moving of the big guns across the sandy stretches was finally accomplished with less difficulty.
From this upper coast country Felix Blucher went to Brownsville, where he was connected with the service in the same official capacity. Here he remained until the close of the war and here he was paroled July 13, 1865.
He then crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico and became a military engineer fro the Maximilian Government under General Mexia. he designed and constructed the fortifications around Matamoros, the remains of which may be seen at the present time. After the defeat of Maximilian, he returned to Corpus Christi, and resumed his former activities of surveying and civil engineering and the practice of land law; he also translated many Spanish and Mexican titles into English for various litigants. His office was down town; he was first a member of the firm of Lovenskiold, O’Doughterty and Blucher, and later was connected with the firm of Lovenskiold and McCampbell. In the course of his practice he surveyed and became familiar with the entire territory northward to Bee County and extending southward all the way between the Gulf and the Rio Grande. — Ref. Times, March 25, 1936.
Sometime in 1873 there was organized the Corpus Christi and Rio Grande Railroad, which was run from Corpus Christi to Laredo. Col. Richard Henry Savage, formerly secretary of the Mexican Claims Commission, was chief engineer, and Felix A. Blucher was consulting engineer. Actual work started on February 20, 1874. Felix Blucher ran the transit, Major Hollub was topographer, Colonel Savage took the levels, Charles Blucher was rodman. When the line was run through Piedras Pintas, it was noted that much attention was being given to the evidence of oil. The wells supplying water for domestic use at this village all had thick films of oil on the surface, a forerunner of the big oil development that took place at Piedras Pintas not many years ago. The line for the railroad was run to Laredo, and beyond; the data were then picked up in the office in Corpus Christi. Shortly after the office work was completed, this particular enterprise fell through, though revived a little later by Uriah Lott.
In about the year 1875 Felix Blucher became special deputy county surveyor of Zapata County, surveying many Spanish grants to comply with the constitutional provision of the State of Texas, which required their resurvey by 1880. He was temporarily called away from this work to give attention to some important land litigation on the lower Rio Grande for Capt. Richard King, but his death prevented his completing this service. He died at Woodhouse’s Tresquilas Ranch in Cameron County on February 6, 1879. He was survived by his widow and five children: Mary, Julia, Charles, Richard and George, all of whom made their homes in Corpus Christi. Miss Julia v. Blucher and Charles, of the five children, are still living and reside in Corpus Christi.
Blucher Descendants
Charles v. Blucher married Mary Ellen Meuly on June 30, 1880. They have five children: Carl, Conrad, George, Marie and Richard. Carl v. Blucher married Claude Caldwell; they live in Austin and have two daughters, Mary Julia and Claudia Caldwell. George v. Blucher married Rose Brack; they live in Corpus Christi and have one son, George Antonio, Jr., and one daughter, Gloria Rose. Conrad and Marie Blucher live in Corpus Christi and Richard Blucher lives in Lampasas, Texas.
Richard Paul v. Blucher married Julia Mary Rooney (both deceased). Their children were Felix Anton, who married Agnes Cameron (their children: Patricia, Madelon, Barbara Phyllis, Chicago) and Rachel Doddridge, San Antonio.
Mary Felcia v. Blucher married Lieut. James Downing in 1868. He died April 28, 1891. His widow married Charles A. Meuly on March 26, 1900. Julia Augusta v. Blucher did not marry. — Ref. Times, Mar. 26, 2936.
Nellie Downing Blucher Derry has contributed the following story concerning George Anton v. Blucher, youngest son of Felix A. and Maria Augusta Blucher, who was born in Corpus Christi October 3, 1861.
Shortly after the Civil War he entered the ice business at the age of 17. From employee of a small plant here, he gradually assumed more and more interest in the concern, later purchasing it, and finally going into the ice manufacturing business on a large scale. Before this time, the preservation of food, especially meat, was a great problem. Several business men here had tried to handle shiploads of ice sent from as far north as Maine. He was owner of the Lone Star Ice Factory until the time of his death.
In addition to his business acumen in building up his commercial enterprise, he was of unusual mechanical ability — rarely ever finding it necessary to bring any expert mechanics in effecting the repair of the machinery of his plant.
Mr. Blucher had the distinction of owning the first bicycle in Corpus Christi and also the first gasoline automobile in Corpus Christi, which was an Oldsmobile model bought in 1901.
He did much during his lifetime to aid his friends and acquaintances in overcoming difficult circumstances, and has been remembered by many because of his generosity, kindness, honesty and fairness in all dealings.
Mr. Blucher married Miss Alice Crawford in Brush Creek (now Arlington), Iowa, December 26, 1887. Her father was Jasper N. Crawford, of the line of Ross family of Revolutionary note, and her mother was Abigail S. Robbins, of the Hancock family of historic renown.
Mr. and Mrs. Blucher were, throughout their lifetime here, loyal members of the First Prebyterian Church.
They had three sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living: Arthur George Blucher, who resides in Corpus Christi, married Fannie Caldwell. They have two children, Olive Alice and Arthur George, Jr.
Jasper Felix Blucher is unmarried and lives in Corpus Christi.
Julius Imme Blucher married Margaret Perrenot and now resides in San Antonio.
Alice Pearl Blucher married Ernest McKee Smith and now lives in Edinburg, Texas. They had three children, George Blucher, Ernest McKee, Jr., and Alice Pearl.
Nellie Downing Blucher married George Perkins Derry and resides in Corpus Christi. They have four children: Nellie Alice, George Perkins, Jr., Edward Blucher and John Jasper.
Annie Abigail married Otto George Moellering and resides in Corpus Christi. They have three children: Otto George, Jr., Theodore Frederick and Alice Ann. Mr. Moellering is an accomplished organist and pianist and is organist for the Episcopal Church.
George Perkisn Derry is the owner of the Texas Fisheries and a wholesale shrimp merchant. — Ref. Times, Dec. 26, 1935.
Source:
DeGarmo, Mrs. Frank. Pathfinders of Texas, 1836-1846. Austin: Press of Von Boeckmann-Jones, Co., 1951.
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales