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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Accomplished Texans who serve as positive role |
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models for young people deserve special recognition, and John O. |
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Meusebach, the founder of Fredericksburg, is one such figure; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Dillenburg, Germany, on May 26, 1812, Baron |
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Otfried Hans Freiherr von Meusebach began studying law at the |
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University of Bonn in 1832 and later transferred to the University |
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of Halle, and he completed his bar examinations at Naumberg in 1836; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The baron was appointed as commissioner general of |
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the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas, known |
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as the Adelsverein, in early 1845 and subsequently moved to New |
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Braunfels; there, he put aside his German title of nobility, |
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adopting the name John O. Meusebach, and dedicated his efforts to |
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serving the needs of immigrants, often enduring such hardships as |
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financial shortfalls, lack of transportation, disease, and war; and |
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WHEREAS, While working in New Braunfels, Mr. Meusebach |
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founded the settlements of Fredericksburg, Castell, and Leiningen; |
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he also acquired the headrights to property in the Fisher-Miller |
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land grant, but before that site could be surveyed and settled, he |
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needed to reach an accord with the Comanches; in March 1847, he and |
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a delegation of German settlers met with the Comanche head chiefs |
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Buffalo Hump, Santa Anna, and Mopechucope and their tribe, and two |
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months later, the parties signed the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty, |
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which established peace between both sides and opened more than |
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three million acres of land for settlement; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1851, Mr. Meusebach was elected to the Texas |
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Senate to represent Bexar, Comal, and Medina Counties; over the |
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course of his tenure in that office, he served on committees for |
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state affairs and education, and he further distinguished himself |
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as a staunch advocate of universal and compulsory education and |
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helped pass a bill to provide for a public school system; he was |
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later appointed by Governor Elisha M. Pease to issue land |
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certificates promised to immigrants by the Adelsverein in 1845 and |
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1846; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Meusebach married Countess Agnes of Coreth on |
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September 28, 1852, and they became the parents of 11 children; |
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following his retirement in 1869, he spent his remaining years at |
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his 200-acre farm in Loyal Valley, tending his orchard, vineyards, |
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and rose garden; he died on May 27, 1897; and |
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WHEREAS, John O. Meusebach was a crucial figure in the early |
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history of Texas, and his memory carries a particular resonance for |
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all who care about the heritage of the Lone Star State; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize May 9, 2015, as John O. Meusebach Day |
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at the State Capitol and pay tribute to his legacy as founder of |
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Fredericksburg and as peacemaker with the Comanches. |