| The following manuscript was written by Lynwood Schlabach, son of Perry Schlabach, who was the youngest son of William and Augusta Schlabach. Note the "Americanized" spelling of William's name. Some records show it to be spelled Wilhelm. Please note that I have made no attempt to modify the manuscript in any way, except to add graphics for the internet. |
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| William Schlabach was born in Oldenburg, Germany, on October 20, 1855. He came to America with his parents at the age of eleven, probably landing in Galves- ton, Texas. It was the year after the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the difficult reconstruction period. |
| The family settled in Austin County in the
little town of Shelby, Texas. There William met
Augusta Rudloff, who was born in Shelby on November 21, 1860.
They were married about the year 1880 and began farming and raising
a family
of eight children. Seven of the children were born in Shelby -- Willy, Ernest, Paul, Erna, Norma, Lillie, and Edmont. Willy, the oldest, died as a young child of four. |
| Sometime soon after 1895, William and family moved to Nordheim in
De Witt County and bought a farm there. Here the youngest
child, Perry, was born.
After a few years, William, being somewhat of an opportunity seeker, moved his family to a 200-acre farm near Runge, in Karnes County. |
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