Year is 1844, the Braunfels Ship from Germany ports at Indian Point (becoming Indianola in August 1846), Calhoun County, Texas, USA.  My 3x’s great grandparents, Leonhardt F. Schmidt Sr., and Maria C. Merz Schmidt, along with their children (Leonhard F. Jr (My 2x’s great grandfather), Maria Magdalene, Margarethe, and Catherine) began their walking travels. The family is heading to what is to be their new hometown - New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas, USA.  In 1845, Leonhardt Sr and Maria have another son Carl Franz "Charles" or Karl Franz born in New Braunfels, Texas. Both Maria Magdalene (1835) and Catherine (1838) died in 1844.  I believe it could be from the walk. There were three dieses at that time, Cholera, Typhus and Meningitis. 

 

Leonhardt as well lost his life on April 10th, 1846 possibly from one of the three above mentioned diseases.  He was only 33 years old.  Today he is buried at Comal Cemetery in New Braunfels.  Buried in a mass grave - due to all the people passing from the three above diseases in that era.  Many of the folks coming up from the coast of Texas to their new homelands either in or near New Braunfels caught these diseases. Most died on their walk toward their new homeland.

​
Well not long after the death of Leonhardt, his widow Maria C. found a new companion. He is going to help raise Leonhardt and Maria's five young children.  Johann "John" Merz was his name.... He and Maria married in 1847 they also had 5 children of their own (Carl, Theodore, Emil, George, and Johann “John”).

Well this is how our life journey begins.... Therefore, here we are today....

​

*Note the spelling of Leonhardt.  That is the correct spelling.  But it was also spelled Leonhard.