Charles A. Sr. Elmendorf
was born on May 5, 1820. His parents were Franz Heinrich Rotger E, Inspector
in Dusseldorf, and Johanna Catherian (kuemmel) Elmendorf. He married Wilhelmina
Kuemmel of Dusseldof and landed in Galveston on November 23, 1844 and then
on December 1, 1844 went to Indianola where he operated a freight line.
Carl Gustav Gottfried Franz was born from Carl and Wilhelmine on December 6, 1844 at the Port Lavaca Way station. The son became the first mayor of New Braunfels. They divorced and she remarried twice more. After the divorce he sold his land and most of cattle. He leased the remaining cattle and land to Heinrich Dietz and with the money he moved back to Germany to visit parents. There he fell in love with Amalia (Roch) who was born on April 11, 1828. Her parents were Eduard Rochs and Johanna Sophia (Mathaeus). He married her on July 6, 1848 in Frucht, Guild of Braubach, Duchy of Nassau, Germany. They arrived in Galveston on November 20, 1848 and made thier home in New Braunfels. They had two sons- Friedrich Franz Heinrich who was born April 7, 1849 and Friedrich Wilhelm Emil who was born on November 14, 1850 at Elmendorf Farm.
His farm was sold in 1853 and they moved to San Antonio where he established one of the first Hardware Stores in the city. It was located at the corner of Military Plaza and Presidio. The first store established in 1860 was called Frieze and Elmendorf then named Theisen and Elmendorf, finally Elmendorf and Company. In 1869 his son Henry was made a partner in business and in 1877 he opened a branch on the west side of Alamo Plaza. Other children born in San Antonio were Emma on February 27, 1853, Edward on October 29, 1857, Mary on October 21, 1859 and Emilie on September 7, 1861.
During Civil War the family was moved to Germany for protection till the end of the war and then returned to San Antonio in September of 1866. At their father’s death, Henry and brother Emil ran the business until death of their mother on July 10, 1899.
In the Herald of Feb. 5, 1878 Charles was listed as a Charter member of Casino Ass’n Active in Arbeiter Verein and The Turner Club Chas. Carl's Cattle Brand was first recorded at Comal County Courthouse among the first settlers on South shore of the upper Guadalupe. Emendorf served on City Council from March 28, 1870 until Nov. 12, 1872 under W.C.A. Thielepape
. In 1878 in city Directory the family residence was on the west side of Garden St. near Martinez St. The railroad station at Elmendorf on the S.A.A.P. line was named for son Henry (later major). Charles died on February 4, 1878 in Santa Rose Hostipal after losing both eyes and shock of being totally blind. Both Charles and Amalia rest in City Cementary #1 at center of the cemetary on the west side.
Bibliography:
They Came to San Antonio
1794-1865 By S.W. Pease 1-6