Carl Hilmar Guenther was born in March 19, 1826 in Weissenfels on the Saale River in Germany. He was the first child of eight born to Carl Gottfried and Johanne Rosina (Koerner) Guenther to migrate to America. He landed in New York in 1848 and traveled down through Wisconsin and along the Mississippi before he returned to Germany for a few months. He traveled back to America in 1851 landing in New Orleans but moved on to Indianola, Texas. From there he traveled the 250 miles to San Antonio walking beside a provision wagon. When he arrived in San Antonio he heard of the need for a Gristmill and flourmill in Fredrickberg, so he once again packed up and moved out there. He built the first mill on Live Oak Creek, nine miles from Fredricksburg. He excavated the millrace with a pick and shovel and designed and made the waterwheel and gears. After a flash flood swept away an incomplete dam, he rebuilt it from the ground up. In 1855 he married Dorthea Wilhelmine Henriette Pape in a Lutheran ceremony in the First Community Church and had 7 children. Carl Guenther was Fredericksburg justice of the peace in 1856. In 1859 a drought of two years had depleted the crops, so the Guenthers picked up and moved to San Antonio. On the banks of the San Antonio River Guenther built the first flourmill. In 1898 his mills were incorporated as C. H. Guenther and Son. The name was later changed to Pioneer Flour Mills. Guenther also established a small ice plant called the Southern Ice Company (later Southern-Henke Ice Company). He also helped found San Antonio's German-English School. He was a member of the Beethoven Mannerchor, the Arbeiter Verein, and Casino Club (San Antonio's first social club and theater). He died on October 18,1902 in San Antonio and was buried in City Cemetery Number One.

1. Where was Carl Hilmar Guenther born? Who were his parents?
       - In Weissenfels on the Saale River in Germany; He was born to Carl Gottfried and Rosina (Koerner) Guenther
2. Where was the first place that he went to when he came to America?
       - New York
3. How many miles did he walk to San Antonio? What did he walk beside?
       - He walked 250 miles; beside a provision wagon
4. Why did he move to Fredricksburg?
       - He heard there was need of a Gristmill and flourmill.
5. What did he build in Live Oak Creek? How far was this from Fredricksburg?
       - The first mill; nine miles
6. Who did he marry in 1855? Where did they get married? How many kids did they have?
       - Dorthea Wilhemie Henriette Pape; In the First Community Church: they had 7 children.
7.What was he in 1856?
       - Justice of the peace for Fredericksburg?
8. Why did he move to San Antonio?
       - A two year drought depleted their crops?
9. Where did Guenther build the first flourmill?
       - On the banks of the San Antonio River
10.What did Guenther established? What was it called? What was the name changed to?
       - A small ice plant; Southern Ice Company; Southern-Henke Ice Company