Zimmerscheidt-Leyendecker Cemetery
Columbus, Colorado County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Frederick A. Zimmerscheidt and his wife, Margaret, immigrated from Budesheim, Germany, to the Mexican state of Soahuila y Texas in 1832 and settled in what is now Colorado County. They left their only child, Josephine Barbara, to continue her education in Germany. Josephine married Johann Leyendecker, and in 1843 they joined the Zimmerscheidts in Texas. Johann and Josephine wrote to relatives describing their new home, and their letters likely influenced other German emigrants to come to Ttexas. Frederick was active in local education, signing an 1842 petition to incorporate Hermann University and deeding one acre for the Zimmerscheidt school in the 1850s. The Zimmerscheidts deeded 400 acres south of their home to their daughter and son-in-law in 1848. On their land, the Leyendeckers built their own home which stood for more than a century, being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 before being destroyed by arson in 1983. Although nearby Frelsburg had two churches and two cemeteries when Frederick Zimmerscheidt died in 1856, his family chose to bury him near his home. Margaret died in 1861 and was buried beside him. Their marble tombstone features a carved drapery with a closed book, which may signify the end of the name Zimmerscheidt, since family all carried the name Leyendecker. Family members interred here served in the military and in public office, including county government and the Texas legislature. J. F. Leyendecker is also noted as a horticulturist and for operation of Pearfield nursery from 1876 until his death in 1908. The cemetery is still in use, with burials limited to descendants, who gather annually for a family reunion. Their family cemetery is hallowed ground and a cultural treasure recalling German lives and traditions transplanted to Texas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Frederick and Margaret Zimmerscheidt immigrated from Germany to Mexican Texas in 1832, later joined by their daughter Josephine and her husband Johann Leyendecker, whose glowing letters home helped draw other German emigrants to the region. The family championed local education and, choosing to bury their dead near home rather than in nearby Frelsburg, established this family cemetery in 1856. Still in use by descendants who gather each year, it holds soldiers, public officials, and horticulturist J. F. Leyendecker of the noted Pearfield nursery.
Why it matters
The cemetery is a hallowed record of the German immigrants whose letters and labor helped transplant Old World traditions into the fabric of Texas.
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Related people
- · Frederick A. Zimmerscheidt
- · Johann Leyendecker
- · J. F. Leyendecker
Themes & tags
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