Charles Louis Wurzbach
Charles Louis Wurzback was born
on November 25, 1835 in Mannheim on the Rhine in Germany. His father’s
name was Jacob D. and Louisa (Schindler) Wurzbach. In 1844 his family immigrated
to Texas and lived in Galveston, Fredericksburg, Austin, and San Antonio.
Charles joined J. B. McGown's company of Texas Rangers at the age of sixteen.
He was in the army from 1852 until the outbreak of the Civil War, rising
to orderly sergeant in the United States Dragoons. In 1861 he joined Sibley's
Brigade and was in the expedition to New Mexico. In 1862 Wurzbach was promoted
to captain. After the war he again joined the Texas Rangers.
He married Kate Fink of La
Grange on November 12, 1866 and had one son, Harry Wurzbach. He was admitted
to the bar in 1870 and began the practice of law in San Antonio.
He compiled and codified
the laws of San Antonio as city attorney from 1872 to 1875. He represented
Bexar County in the Fifteenth to Eighteenth legislatures,then served three
terms as county judge, and returned to the legislature in 1891.
He died in San Antonio on
August 26, 1892. The Wurzbach Parkway, was named after him.
Bibliography:
The Handbook of Texas Online:
Wurzbach, Charles Louis