Rusche Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: A-0131

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection includes land deeds as well as an original land grant to Nacogdoches University, signed by Governor Elisha M. Pease. Other papers in the collection are the passport of Heinrich Rusche from Oldenburg, naturalization papers of Francis Rusche, correspondence, and financial papers. Other Nacogdoches citizens mentioned in the papers are Bernard Witkorn, Frederick Voigt, Jacob Harlacher, Rinaldo Hotchkiss, and James H. Starr. Land papers of the Cherino and Santos Coy families are also present.

Dates

Creation: 1848-1895, 1987

Language of Materials

The collection is in English and German.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

Francis Rusche was born March 29, 1823 in Ostafalin, Germany, and came to America in 1848. He married Mariana Meier, from West Farlan, Germany in 1850, and they had six children: Amelia, Augustus, Henry, John, Lillian and George. They settled in Nacogdoches, where Francis owned a woodworking shop. He became a U.S. citizen in 1854, and later served in the C.S.A. Co. B., 3rd Brigade Texas State Troops. His brother Heinrich also served, joining the C.S.A. Co. G., 12th Regt. Texas Volunteers. Francis Rusche died on January 22, 1901 in Nacogdoches and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.

(Ericson, Carolyn, Nacogdoches-Gateway to Texas, v. 2, Ericson Books, 1987; Goodrum, Marian M., "Rusche, Francis and Mariana Meier," Nacogdoches County Families, Curtis Media Corp., 1985)

Extent

0.30 Cubic Feet

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is described in twelve folders housed in one clamshell box and two items housed in one oversize bundle. The materials that were in Folders 10 and 13 were removed and now constitute Bundle 1. There are 31 total items and the collection is organized at the folder level.