HASDORF, CHRISTOPH
Subject: Re News Article about Chris Hardorf
Article appearing in a newspaper in 1911, probably in a [Boerne] San Antonio, Texas, paper. The original is difficult to read so the following is a copy.
CHRISTOPH HASDORF. ONE OF FEW REMAINING PIONEER STOCKMEN
One of the oldest and picturesque settlers of Texas came to Boerne last week to see his old friends. His name is Christoph Hasdorf, and he was born at Buehne in Prussia, on November 29, 1834, and is, therefore 77 years old. His father, who was a blacksmith, came to Texas in November 1849 and landed at Galveston. The family consisted of father, mother, four sons and four daughters, and settled in Dewitt County, which at that time was sparsely settled, and the few settlers suffered greatly from the visits of the redmen. They worked hard, built a log house, cleared a field, besides doing some blacksmiths work, and were fairly prosperous. Young Hasdorff went out several times with the neighbors after the Indians and took part in several running fights with them, and about this time Captain York, the founder of Yorktown and a well-known Ranger captain, was killed by the Indians in that neighborhood Hasdorf was all through the Civil War, having joined the Federals at the outbreak and was a member of the First Texas Company in General Banks' brigade and was stationed in Louisiana. His captain, who was named Emick, was discharged from the army and Dan Bonnet, well known in Kendall County, was appointed in his place. The company had many skirmishes with the Confederates, as their object was to prevent any assistance reaching Mobile by way of Texas, but he never took part in a big battle. After the war was over Hasdorf went to Galveston, intending to settle in the State of Mississippi, but finding that part of the country was in a very unsatisfactory condition, there being no authority and much robbery and lawlessness prevailing. besides reports of smallpox and yellow fever being common, he changed his mind and remained in Texas. He settled in Kendall County in 1868 and was for some years engaged in breeding and training horses and was doubtless the most expert breaker of wild horses in this section. He moved to Blanco County for four years and when his wife died he lived in Kendall County again but left for San Antonio in 1896 and has lived here since. Hasdorff, although 77 years old is quite active and strong and moves around like a young man, but his memory is weakening. He receives a pension from the Federal Government and therefore is assured of a comfortable living for the rest of his life. Mr. Hasdorf is probably the best known man now living among the early stock raisers of Southwest Texas.
[Picture of Chris on a cow pony wearing a sombrero or large hat, face indistinct, in shadow]