Giesenschlag Cemetery
Snook, Burleson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Prussian born Johann Joachim Giesenschlag (1817-80), his wife Anna (Schulze), and their children came to Texas in 1855. Settling first in Washington County, they moved to Burleson County in the 1870s and bought over 1,000 acres here. Giesenschlag set aside this tract for a family cemetery, and was the first to be interred here. In 1883 members of his family donated the property to the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church at Mound Prairie. For many years a schoolhouse was located on former Giesenschlag land adjacent to this pioneer cemetery.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Prussian-born Johann Joachim Giesenschlag brought his wife Anna and their children to Texas in 1855, settling first in Washington County before moving to Burleson County in the 1870s, where they bought more than a thousand acres. Giesenschlag set aside this tract as a family cemetery and was the first laid to rest here; in 1883 his family deeded the ground to a nearby Evangelical Lutheran church. For years a schoolhouse stood on adjoining Giesenschlag land beside this pioneer burial ground.
Why it matters
The cemetery records the German immigrant families whose farms and faith communities settled the Texas blackland prairie.
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Related people
- · Johann Joachim Giesenschlag
- · Anna Giesenschlag
Themes & tags
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