Important People:
Johann Friedrich Ernst: (1796–1848)
- First German to bring his family to Texas,
- Was born Christian Friedrich Dirks, son of Meine and Sybille (Grimms) Dirks, on June 18, 1796, at Burg (Castle) Gödens near the village of Neustadtgödens, just north of Oldenburg in Lower Saxony.
- Began to use the name Ernst after his departure from Oldenberg
- In 1800, he moved to Varel and later joined the army in 1814
- Married Louise Gesine Auguste Weber
- Met Charles Forton in late 1829 and became good friends
- He and Forton were going to Missouri but read about Austin's colony and changed their destination
- In February 1832, Ernst wrote a letter to a friend in Germany describing Texas. This letter became known widely in Germany and is known to have encouraged others to immigrate.
- He acquired the nickname "father of the German immigrants."
- The settlement he founded, Industry, was the first German town in Texas.
- He proposed to the Congress of Texas that the republic formally encourage German immigration.
- Died sometime between May 16 and June 1848
Franziska Elisabet Ney: (1833–1907)
- Born on 1833
- An accomplished sculptor in Germany
- Sculpted busts of famous people
- Fell in love with Edmund Montgomery and got married in 1863
- Moved to Texas in 1873
- Lived near Hempstead at first
- In 1892, moved to Austin and resumed her work as a sculptor
- Secured the commission to create three sculptures for the Texas Legislature
- Died on 1907
- At her death, the Austin Daily Statesman wrote: “She had so many friends. It was the woman, quite as much as the artist, that enamored herself to hundreds of warm friends and admirers.”
William Gebhardt: (1875 -1956)
- Born in Germany to Fredrick and Wilhelmine Gebhardt on 16 March 1875
- Immigrated to the U.S. in 1883
- Settled in New Braunfels in 1885
- Loved to cook
- In 1892, opened his own café, whose attached bar was the first bar in Texas to serve women
- Soon developed his famous chili powder
- Served it in his chili which met the challenge of keeping chilies fresh during the winter months
- Created a factory and invented 37 machines
- His factory made the first canned chili and canned tamales
- By 1915, it was the largest spice manufacturing facility in the WORLD
- After his death, the company was bought out by Beatrice Foods, which is now owned by ConAgra Food Inc.
- ConAgra Foods Inc. states that the blend today is unchanged and is still one of the most popular brands used.