Johann G. Bockholt
SURNAMES: BOCKHOLT, GERNGROSS, RABROKER, HESSE, FREI, HESSE, LINGNAUJohann G. Bockholt, b December 23, 1851 at Ahlen, Westphalia, Germany, d January 1, 1915 at Westphalia, Falls County, Texas and buried there in St. Mary's Cemetery-was the son of a coal miner. At the age of seventeen years, Johann came to the United States and lived for a time in and about St. Louis, Missouri. He drifted to Texas, and settled at Frelsburg, Colorado County, where a large number of German immigrants had made their homes. In 1875, Johann G. Bockholt joined the navy as a "Blue Jacket" - serving on the U.S. Congress for three years, and then returning to Frelsburg, Texas.
On October 25, 1881 in Frelsburg, Johann was married to Theresia Gerngross, b January 6, 1861, d March 20, 1941 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia, Falls County, Texas. They moved to Falls County, Texas by wagon train - arriving in the new community of Westphalia on October 28,1881, and became the second settlers (after the Theodore Rabroker family) in the new German Community. They settled near the present Westphalia township, and farmed their homestead land, where their seven children were born:
Anton T. Bockholt, b September 7, 1882, d November 25, 1918 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia - married Bertha Heese, b January 5, 1885, d October 5, 1966 and buried in Robstown, Texas. Their six children were: Ben, Theresa, John, Joseph, Robert, and Lena Bockholt.
Frank John Bockholt, b January 11, 1884, d September 5, 1966 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia - married May 7,1914 to Julia Frei, b August 12, 1889 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Their eight children, including two pairs of twin daughters, were: Walter, Oledia and Olivia - twins, Flora, Juliana, Alois, and Lucy and Louise - twins.
Bernard Bockholt, b July 13, 1885, d November 2, 1885 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia.
Henry J. Bockholt, b January 12, 1887, d November 3, 1976 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia - married Caroline Heese, b July 27, 1889, d October 21,1962 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Their five children were: Herbert, Frank, Werner, Mary, and Clara Bockholt.
Joseph Bockholt, b January 26, 1888, d July 7, 1888 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia.
Edward Bockholt, b October 24, 1891, d July 22, 1905 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia.
Mary Katherine Bockholt, b April 19, 1897, d May 13, 1952 and buried in St. Mary's Cemetery at Westphalia - married Bruno John Lingnau, b October 2, 1891, d September 11,1957 - a son of John and Elizabeth Lingnau, and also buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Their only child was a son, John B. Lingnau. Bruno and Mary (Bockholt) Lingnau lived in the original permanent dwelling of her parents, Johann G. and Theresia (Gerngross) Bockholt.
The Bockholt family were always active in church and community affairs, and Johann G. Bockholt was instrumental in getting the church constructed. He was one of the first organizers of the Catholic State League, and the local St. Michael's Society. They donated the large pipe organ to the Church of the Visitation, and the immense stained glass window depicting the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that is directly behind the main alter of the church.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
