LEITNER FAMILY

LEITNER
FAMILY
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1889
San Antonio, Texas
Alois Leitner, Jr., (#4) (my great
grandfather) was born on December
31, 1853 in Ried im Innkreis Oberosterreich, Austria and is the son of Teresa
Reinthaler and Alois Leitner, Sr. Alois
was a shoemaker by trade. In 1876,
Alois married Augustina M. Griedl
(#2) born August 21, 1850 daughter
of Elizabeth Schuster and Herr Greidl.
No known records have been found of
where they were married but the family
believed it was in Austria.
4
3
2
1
5
Rosina Leitner , first child of six was
born in Ried, Austria in 1876, she live
about three years and died of unknown
causes in 1879. Rosina was buried in
the Friedhof Cemetery, Ried, Austria.
The family, Alois and Augustina, and their two other daughters, Augustine (#1) born Ried, Austria,
June 13, 1878 and Rosa (#3) born August 10, 1879, sailed to America and arrived on October 11, 1881
at Galveston, Texas. San Antonio was their final destination but what brought them to San Antonio is
unknown. The 1901/02 San Antonio City Directory notes that their residence was 231 Camorgo Street.
Loisia Leitner, fourth child of six was born in San Antonio, Texas, August 15, 1882. Upon arrival on
this earth, she only lived two days, passing on of unknown causes. Burial location is unknown. Franz
Leitner, fifth child of six was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 30, 1884. On June 29 1885 Franz
died of unknown causes. His burial location is unknown. The last child, Aloisa (Louise) “Widdie”
(#5), was born July 8, 1888.
Alois lost his wife, Augustina, on August 21, 1894. At this point Alois was left with three children,
Augustine, 16 1/2, Rosa, 15 and Louise, 6. Alois continued to move forward and raised these three
girls to become fine women while working as a shoemaker. His shop was in the back of the First Texas
Prudential Life Company Building, located at 526 West Market Street between North Saint Mary’s
Street and the San Antonio River.
Despite all the heartaches of his early life, Alois was known to have been a happy character and full
of stories. My dad, Roland Klar, Sr., grandson of Alois said “that grandfather always had soup before
each meal”. Another grandson, Charles Alois Felder, said “Grossvater Leitner lived alone after the
death of his wife, Augustina, and was often our at home for meals. My mother always had to have soup
prepared as Grossvater insisted on having a bowl of soup before meals. The soup was mainly a broth,
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no vegetables, but mother did sometimes add some noodles.”
Another story of interest is better told in the
following newspaper clipping, ca.1936.
SCHUMANN-HEINK CHILDHOOD
SWEETHEART ON SAN ANTONIO
VISIT
An interesting event of the last visit in San
Antonio of Madame Ernestine SchumannHeink the famous diva, whose death the
world mourns, is related by Charles Simmang, who was an eye-witness to this
incident. Simmang, and engraver, had his
place of business then on Market Street,
back of the Prudential Building, and in the
same place with Simmang, Alois Leitner,
a shoemaker, had his shop.
“I was standing in front of my place at
the time,” said Simmang. “When a welldressed lady stepped out of a large car and
asked me if I spoke German. At the same
time she placed her finger to her lips as a
signal for silence. I was at loss to know
what is was all about when she rushed
past me and tiptoed in the shop, and as I
turned around I saw her throw her arms
around Leitner and kiss him on his bald
head. Leitner was at work on a shoe at his
table with his head down and did not see
her come in. I heard her exclaim in German “Du alter
Leitner Family 1894
seckel” (you old treasure). Where upon
L.
to
R. Alois, Jr., Augustine,
Leitner jumped out of his chair, apparAloisia (Louise), & Rosa Leitner
ently overwhelmed with surprise, and embraced her. The women, I learned was Madam Schumann-Heink. When she appeared at the Beethoven
Maennerchor Hall that night Leitner was in the audience applauding enthusiastically, she came down
from the stage and ran over to where Leitner was and again kissed him on the bald head. This created
quite a consternation, and Madam Schumann-Heink explained, “Just a sweetheart of our childhood
days.” Although a humble shoemaker, Leitner was a man of splendid character and a popular member
of the Beethoven Maennerchor. Leitner and Schumann-Heink new each other from child hood in their
old homeland, in Austria. Leitner died a number of years ago.
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Note: Tuesday Musical club members made arrangements for a concert to be held by Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink on November 11, 1910, at the Beethoven Hall in San Antonio. On November
14, she favored Alois Leitner with autographed photo of herself. This newspaper article had to be in
circa 1936/37 after the death of Ernestine on November 17, 1936
Alois was active in the Maennerchor in his homeland of Austria. Soon after arriving in San Antonio
he became very active in the Beethoven Maennerchor and was member of the Harmonica Lodge No.
1, Order of the sons of Herman.
Alois died February 22, 1923 and the funeral services were conducted in the home of his daughter, Rosa
Leitner Klar, at 531 Adams Street, San Antonio under the direction of R. Renninger of the Harmonica
Lodge No.. In those days it was not unusual to have the service in a home. Alois was buried February
23, 1923 in the Herman Sons Cemetery, San Antonio.
Augustina M. Griedl Leitner was born in Oberplan, Austria, on August 21, 1850. Little is known of
Augustine, my great grandmother. She married Alois Leitner, Jr. in 1876. What is of record is the
family immigrated to the USA in 1881 and moved on to San Antonio, Texas. Her first child, Rosina
died at age 3, fourth child, Aloisia, lived only two days and her fifth child, Franz died at 18 months.
The three girls who survived, Augustine, Rosa and Louise were very strong, healthy Austrian women.
Augustina died in San Antonio on August 21, 1894, at age 44, six years after the birth of her last child
in 1888. Augustina is buried in the Herman Sons Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas,
Augustine “Gusta” Leitner was born in Ried, Austria on June 13, 1878. She and her family arrived in
the USA at Galveston, Texas on October 1881 moved to San Antonio, Texas. She was 13 years old.
Augustine had an interest in nursing and persuaded her father to let her return to Austria to work with a
doctor the family knew. She became a Practical Nurse and returned to San Antonio where she worked
for the Guenther Family caring for the elder Mrs. Guenther. The Guenther’s lived in the King William
area and were owners of the Pioneer Flour Mills. Augustine, at age 39 married, Christian Adolphus
“Adolph” Scheh (son of Anna Marie Abele and Louis Paul Scheh, Sr.) on December 2, 1917 in San
Antonio, Texas.
Augustine quit her job to be a step mother to Christianís two boys from a previous marriage, Adolph, 12
and Lincoln 6. Augustine was a member of the Beethoven Womanís Organization, a Charter member
of Bexar County Pharmaceutical Auxiliary: a member of the Local Chapter of the National Pharmaceutical Auxiliary: and a member of the Brunhilde Lodge No. 7, Sons of Herman.
Christian was previously married to Agnes Emma Hulda Brehmer, daughter of Emma Hartung and
Karl Brehmer on June 1, 1903, in Comal County, Texas. They had two children, Adolph Oscar Scheh,
born ion May 3, 1905 and Lincoln Christian Scheh, born on March 12, 1911. The Brehmer Ranch was
divided and a portion is now known as the John Newcomb Tennis Ranch. It is located northwest of
New Braunfels on State Highway 46 in Comal County. Within this portion lies the Brehmer Family
Cemetery where Agnes, who died April 15, 1914 in San Antonio, is buried.
Christian was a second generation pharmacist and owned his own pharmacy at 5301 South Flores Street
about a block form their home on Harlan Street. Christian played a violin as a hobby. In 1908, he was
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first chair with the San Antonio Symphony. Christian was active in the Pharmaceutical area but he had
time for serving his community. In 1913, he became a board member of the Common School District
40, Harlandale ISD and served for 12 years. Then in 1928, he was elected to the Bexar County Board
of Trustees and was continuously elected, serving 25 years. As tribute to Christian for his service to the
community, the Harlandale ISD named a school after him in 1956 known as C.A. Schelv Elementary
School.
Augustine died on January 13, 1963 and
Christian died on November 9 1952. They
both are buried in the Mission Burial Park
(South), San Antonio, Texas.
The two sons, Adolph and Lincoln, both
became pharmacists and the family is very
proud of the fact that there were three generations of pharmacist.
Rosa “Muttie” Leitner (my grandmother)
born in Ried, Austria on August 10, 1879.
She arrived in Galveston, Texas in October
1881with her parents and settled in San Antonio, Texas. Thirteen year old Rosa wrote
the following letter in German:
San Antonio Texas Feb 14, 1893
Dear Aunt,
Today I wan t to write you a little letter.
To tell you that I have serve already for
The Leitner Girls 1900
6 months.
L.
to
R.
Rosa, Louise, & Augustine
I received 6 Dollars a month as a Nanny.
AlsoIwanttotellyouwhataniceChristmaspresentsIreceived.FromhomeIreceivedaprettyredslip,whichmamembroideredrealpretty.
A real nice bell.GlovesfromPriziz.FromAugusta white silk hanky. From Aunt and Uncle a jacket.
Where I work I received a red dress a diary and 2 silk hankies.This all I know to write today.With
the best greetings, always your loyal niece.
Rosa Leitner
My address is
177 Corner of North and Rush Street.
San Antonio, Tex
Rosa married Emil Klar on February 26, 1900 at the Colonel Driskill’s Grand Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Emil was born in Breslau, Germany (now known as Worclaw, Poland) on March 14, 1871. His parents
were Maria Beschoner and Dominicus Klar (Klahr). The Klar family arrived at Castle Gardens Immigrant Station, at the Battery in Lower Manhattan, New York on February 19, 1883.
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Emil Klar came from a family of butchers. In 1894, Emilís brother Adolph, who was proprietor of Alamo
Meat market, set Emil up in business with a side of beef. Emil’s shop was located on LaVillita Street
at the Old Mill Bridge. His market was known as the Alamo City Meat Market. In 1895, the market
moved to the 700 block of South Alamo Street. Emil began to buy property, which many did in those
days as an investment. In 1898, he bought property at the corner of South Presa and Vance Street. Old
photos show the home, outbuildings and yard with horse, chickens and dogs. This is where Rosa and
Emil began there married life. They had two children, son Roland Emil Klar, Sr. born August 20, 1902
and daughter, Margaret May, born February 16, 1904, who died on July 22, 1904 She was buried in the
Herman Sons Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas..
In 1906, Emil began to purchase land some 14 miles west of the Bexar County courthouse on Culebra
Road and Hoffman Road (aka Galm Road). This location, as of this day, would be in the general area
across the road from Taft High School in the Northside ISD.
Rosa and Emil continued to live on South Presa Street until April 8, 1914 when they sold that property
and moved to the corner of South Alamo Street and Barrera Street, across the street from the meat market. This location was much smaller and did not have room for any large animals.
In May 1914, Rosa and Emil made a trip to the “Old Country” to visit Rosa’s family in Ried Austria.
They had a great time visiting family, friends and making side trips to Salzburg, and Munich, Germany.
On their return home they were very lucky to get on the last ship leaving Europe for America, just before
the outbreak of WW I on June 28, 1914.
About 1918 Emil had the vision to become a farmer so he sold the meat market. The family moved to the
Culebra Road property that they owned. The large existing farm house was constructed of 12” limestone
walls and had a basement. They did well for about two years and made good crops of hay and corn. But
Rosa felt isolated and wanted to return to the city. In 1920, the family moved back to their South Alamo
Street home and Emil bought the meat market back. At about that time, son Roland, now age 19, who
grew up in the market, joined his father as a partner. Emil then changed the name from Alamo City Meat
Market to Klar’s Meat Market.
In 1920, they sold the South Alamo Street home, bought property in the 500 block of Adams Street, and
began planning the construction of their very own home. They moved to Madison Street in the King
William area until the new home was finished. As they began to build, every day so, Rosa would walk
to the new home to watch the progress. The home was completed on March 14, 1921, and they moved
in. There was still work to be done on the inside, according to Rosa’s diary. But, as additional funds
became available, the inside work was completed within a year.
Rosa was home person and happy to settle into their new home on Adams Street. She loved company,
cooking traditional German meals, baking bread, cookies and frying crepes, her specialty. The family
still uses many of her recipes as of this day. She also enjoyed growing flowers in the yard and she was
known for growing prefect pink and red camellias.
October 29, 1929 saw the crash of the Stock Market and the early stages of the Great Depression in this
country. In 1933, the worst point in the depression, Emil was struggling to keep the market going. In
those days, people could charge for purchases and pay off on regular basis. However, the debts began
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to build and repayments were a problem. Finally, in early 1934, Emil had to close the meat market for
good. Emil, now 45, found employment as a City Meat Inspector. His son, Roland, became the meat
market manager of Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store No. 5 at South Saint Mary’s and Alamo Street. The
company permitted Emil to work part time, mainly on the busy weekends in the market and he did so,
literally until his dying day.
Emil died on August 14, 1949 of grief upon learning of Rosa’s terminal illness. Rosa died on April 9,
1950. Both are buried in the Herman Sons Cemetery located in San Antonio, Texas.
Aloisia (Louise) “Widdie” Leitner was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 1888. Louise was only 6
years old when her mother Augustina Leitner died. It has been said that Rosa, her 15 years old sister
took Louise under her wing and took great care in raising her. The two sisters had life long bond. Louise
attended the German-English School located on South Alamo Street in San Antonio.
On March 19, 1920, 22 year old Louise married Charles “Charlie” Joseph Felder, son of Theresa Mische
and Louis Felder, in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.
Charles had joined the U.S. Navy in 1904. On March 9, 1905 the U.S.S. Pennsylvania was commissioned and he served on that ship until his discharge in 1908.
Louise and Charles had two children, Charles Alois, born on August 18, 1911 and Edward Lawrence,
born on June 1, 1915. The family continued to live in Fort Worth in to the mid 1910s. They eventually
moved to San Antonio, Texas. In 1934 they lived at 278 East Mitchell Street. At one time, they operated
a hamburger stand at the corner of Mitchell Street and Roosevelt Avenue. This corner was the grounds
for the circus when it came to San Antonio
Louise was home maker, mother and devoted wife. Her husband, Charles, was a photo engraver and
worked for the Express Publishing Company in San Antonio. In later years Louise and Charles moved
to Houston where Charles found employment as photo engraver with the Houston Post newspaper. He
was a member of the Panther City Lodge, Fort Worth, AF&AM and long time member of the Photo
Engraverís Union. Upon his retirement, they moved back to San Antonio to a home at 421 Devine Street.
Louise and Charles were members of the St John’s Lutheran Church, San Antonio, Texas. Charles died
on December 23, 1964. He was buried in the Mission Burial Park (South), San Antonio, Texas.
Louise, now a widow, moved back to Houston to live with her son, Charles, and Daughter-in-law Polly.
Louise died on August 20, 1969 in Houston, Harris County, Texas. She was buried with Charles in the
Mission Burial Park (South) in San Antonio, Texas.
Donated by Roland Emil Klar, Jr.
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