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Frederick A. Zimmerscheidt and his wife, Margaret, immigrated from Budesheim, Germany, to the Mexican state of Soahuila y Texas in 1832 and settled in what is now Colorado County. They left their only child, Josephine Barbara, to continue her education in Germany. Josephine married Johann Leyendecker, and in 1843 they joined the Zimmerscheidts in Texas. Johann and Josephine wrote to relatives describing their new home, and their letters likely influenced other German emigrants to come to Ttexas. Frederick was active in local education, signing an 1842 petition to incorporate Hermann University and deeding one acre for the Zimmerscheidt school in the 1850s. The Zimmerscheidts deeded 400 acres south of their home to their daughter and son-in-law in 1848. On their land, the Leyendeckers built their own home which stood for more than a century, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 before being destroyed by arson in 1983. Although nearby Frelsburg had two churches and two cemeteries when Frederick Zimmerscheidt died in 1856, his family chose to bury him near his home. Margaret died in 1861 and was buried beside him. Their marble tombstone features a carved drapery with a closed book, which may signify the end of the name Zimmerscheidt, since family all carried the name Leyendecker. Family members interred here served in the military and in public office, including county government and the Texas legislature. J. F. Leyendecker is also noted as a horticulturist and for operation of Pearfield nursery from 1876 until his death in 1908. The cemetery is still in use, with burials limited to descendants, who gather annually for a family reunion. Their family cemetery is hallowed ground and a cultural treasure recalling German lives and traditions transplanted to Texas. |
