Yes, I Am Related to Every Friesenhahn in the Great State of Texas.
- W. David Friesenhahn
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
While I have been block-walking over the past couple of months, there are three questions I get over and over:
What's a county court-at-law? (It's mainly a misdemeanor criminal court -- e.g., DWI, Assault, Theft...)
Are you the judge now? (No, not yet.)
Hey, I went to high school with a _______________ Friesenhahn. Are you related to them?
Why yes, yes I am.
Every Friesenhahn in Texas is a descendant of one family of brave, fearless, resourceful, resilient, determined, and highly-attractive pioneers from Germany who landed in Galveston in 1845 and made Texas their new home. There was a husband, a wife, and a whole herd of sons and daughters. The husband died on the voyage to Texas. His widow seittled the family in New Braunfels. The daughters later become nuns and (obviously) had no children. One son remained in New Braunfels and had only a few descendants. The other two sons moved down the road to Selma and married. The Selma Friesenhahns reproduced like rabbits in a perpetual springtime.
The last Friesenhahn family reunion I attended was approximately 20 years ago. At that time, some geneologically-minded relative had figured out that there were over 6000 people named Friesenhahn in the United States, most of them located in Central Texas. One can only assume that the number has probably doubled over the last couple of decades.
So, yes, that Friesenhahn who was your high school band teacher, plumber, first kiss, best friend, arch nemisis -- I'm related to them, somehow, some way. If you liked this person, I'm sure I probably know them. If you despised them, I've never heard of them in my life.
I hope that answers your question.