Francois Arsene Gutzeit (also Frank A. or Franz A.) was born in the province of Alsace, France, September 3, 1833. His parents were well-to-do French people and he acquired a good education. Attracted by the business opportunities of the United States, he left Alsace in 1854 and came to Texas, to reside at Castroville, a well known Alsatian colony in Medina County. He married Miss Olgatha Ketterer, also a native of Alsace, at Castroville on February 19, 1857. They had thirteen children; the last four died young. The nine surviving children received good educations in San Antonio schools.

F. A. Gutzeit established a farm and stock ranch in Medina County, where he lived until 1868. After leaving Medina County he moved to San Antonio, where he located on a beautiful seven acre place in the first ward fronting Lover's Lane. Through education and experience, he became highly proficient at horticulture and botany, and he adorned his place with many fine specimens of flowers, trees, and plants. Gutzeit died in 1909.