Submitted by: Cathy Millburn
JULIUS SITZ
Julius Sitz, b February 23, 1853 in Krakowa, Russia,
d July 1, 1944 and buried in Woodland Cemetery in Rosebud, Falls County, Texas ‑
was a son of Michael and Susanna (Frisske) Sitz of Wittkowa, Germany, who were
in Russia where Michael was assigned to the diplomatic service. They also had a
daughter, Julie Sitz, and the children were very young when both parents died in
Russia.
The children were sent back to Germany, where they
were reared by relatives in the Lutheran Community of Powitz Preusen, Germany.
On March 10, 1878 in Powitz Preusen, Germany, Julius
Sitz was married to Ernestine Kasner, b December 24, 1859 in Germany, d January
15, 1924 and buried in Woodland Cemetery at Rosebud ‑ a daughter of Jacob and
Juliana (Shulz) Kasner. Ernestine had two brothers, Gus and Albert Kasner, who
came to Falls County, Texas. A sister, Wanda Kasner, remained in Germany.
Julie Sitz, sister of Julius, had married Frederick
Kaulfus; and in 1880, Julius Sitz and Frederick Kaulfus left their young wives
in Germany ‑ each with two young children ‑ in search of a better way of life in
America. They landed in Baltimore, Maryland on November 18, 1880 and worked on
fishing boats until they were able to migrate to Welcome, Texas.
In December 1881, Mrs. Sitz and children, Mrs.
Kaulfus and children, arrived at Ellis Island, New York; and by early 1882, they
had made their way to Welcome, Texas to be reunited with Julius and Frederick.
They lived and farmed in that German community until 1899, when they moved to
Rosebud, Falls County, Texas, where they purchased a farm three miles west of
Rosebud.
In 1900, Julius had built a for his large
family, and immediately built a school on four acres on the northeast corner of
his land. The school was called "Shake Rag" until it was accredited by the
County School Board, and the name was changed to Hamilton. A teacher was hired,
and the one‑room school was filled to capacity.
On November 24, 1901, The Salem Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Rosebud was organized in the school building ‑ the first of that faith
in West Falls County. Julius was Chairman of the Council, and his
brother‑in‑law, Gus Kasner, was Treasurer.
Julius and Ernestine Sitz made their the center
of their Christian lives, opening their door to traveling ministers and other
guests. Ernestine's greatest joy was baking the unleavened bread for Communion
Service.
By 1906, the school building became too small for the
church congregation, which joined with the Cyclone Community of Bell County in
building Terry's Chapel Lutheran Church ten miles west of Rosebud.
Julius and Ernestine (Kasner) Sitz reared twelve of eighteen children to
adulthood:
Waldemar (Walter) Sitz, b June 1, 1879 in Germany, d
February 4, 1958 ‑ married Mary Stanke.
Adolph Sitz, b November 1, 1880 in Germany, d May 16,
1959 ‑ married Paula Lange.
Bertha Sitz, b October 25, 1882 in Welcome, Texas,
died in infancy.
Emil Sitz, b November 25, 1883 in Welcome, Texas, d
January 10, 1985 ‑ married Emma Becker.
Martha Sitz, b January 25, 1885 in Welcome, Texas, d
November 21, 1969 ‑ married Gus Pimpler.
Paul Sitz, b July 11, 1886 in Welcome, Texas died in
infancy.
Ida Sitz, b April 24, 1887 in Welcome, Texas died in
infancy.
Erna Sitz, b June 15, 1888 in Welcome, Texas, d
February 22, 1976 ‑ married Otto Becker.
Bruno Sitz, b December 22, 1889 in Welcome, Texas, d
July 12, 1973 ‑ married Mattie West Longbreak.
Herman Sitz, b September 25, 1891 in Welcome, Texas,
died in infancy.
Fred Sitz, b October 31, 1892 in Welcome, Texas, d
March 30, 1980 ‑ married Emma Kelm, and had one child, Georgia Sitz, who married
James Lionel Childs of Marlin, Texas.
Frieda Sitz, b November 29, 1894 in Welcome, Texas,
alive in 1986 ‑ married Henry Hoff.
Anna Sitz, b August 26, 1896 in Welcome, Texas, alive
in 1986 ‑ married Gus Jahns.
Olga Sitz, b May 15,1898, alive in 1986 ‑married Alex
Elbel.
Augusta Sitz b October 5, 1899 died in infancy.
Oscar Sitz, b April 23, 1901 in Rosebud, Falls
County, Texas, d October 13, 1955 ‑ married Sophie Voges.
Ben Sitz, b October 11, 1903 in Rosebud, Falls
County, Texas, d February 19, 1977 ‑ married Clara Bechtoldt.
Edward Sitz, b May 20, 1905 in Rosebud, Falls County,
Texas ‑ died in infancy.
Julius and Ernestine Sitz sent most of their
children to college, and several became school teachers. Their descendants in
1986 number thirty‑seven grandchildren and ninety‑nine great‑grandchildren.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of
these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical
Commission, page 416 column 1 and 2.
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.
